MPs adjourn for long recess

By Peter Ochieng

Members of Parliament (MPs) adjourned on Thursday for a long recess ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The recess takes effect from Friday, December 06, 2024 to February 10, 2025. The message was communicated by Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula.

“As notified on Thursday’s Order Paper, the House is scheduled to proceed for its long recess from December 6 to February 10, 2025 in accordance with the approved calendar of the Third Session,” he said.

“In keeping with established practice, the Clerk is preparing a comprehensive report detailing activities of the House in the Third Session,” he added.

MPs are expected to attend the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games to be held in Mombasa County, from December 7 to 18, 2024.

“This will also allow time for parliamentary staff to take their annual leave in preparation for the Fourth Session,” the Speaker said.

Last month, Speaker Wetang’ula directed MPs participating in the upcoming 14th edition of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary games to travel exclusively by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as a cost-cutting measure.

"I did direct and I want to repeat, as much as we possibly can on cost-cutting measures...you will, including myself, travel to Mombasa by SGR,” said the former Bungoma Senator.

"So, you will organise with the clerk's office and table office who will assist you to indicate when you want to travel. You will all go by SGR, including myself, to cut down on costs so that we can be able to facilitate as many of you as possible to come to Mombasa and participate in the games."

The games were first established by a resolution of the 4th East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers held in 2009.

After the games, legislatures are expected to pitch camp in their constituencies with the majority of them looking forward to staging football tournaments during the December holidays.