Speaker urges leadership to prioritise House business for delivery

By Peter Ochieng

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Monday urged the House leadership to give priority to pending legislative business, as the year draws to a close.

Speaking during the House leadership retreat in Naivasha, Wetang’ula emphasised the need to ensure House business was completed on time.

“I urge the Whips of both Majority and Minority to ensure that quorum is achieved to deliver National Assembly Business,” said the Speaker.

“Members of Parliament are the nerve centre of the leadership of this country, they are the chosen few privileged to serve the country in different capacities. I therefore encouraged the Chairperson of the Committee to prioritise pending business before the House and dedicate their time in delivering the legislative instruments on time,” he added.

The two-day retreat themed re-invigorating synergy in leadership for accelerated discharge of the Mandate of the National Assembly, is currently underway in Naivasha.

Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah highlighted recent legislative achievements, including the passage of 8 and adoption of 89 motions, underscoring Parliament’s commitment to addressing Kenya’s pressing needs.

"Our role extends beyond enacting laws; we are the custodians of policies that foster an enabling business environment, promote investment, and safeguard the interests of both entrepreneurs and citizens," said the Kikuyu MP.

"Let us continue to approach our work with the same diligence that has brought us this far."

Minority Party Leader June Mohammed on the other hand called for regular like-minded engagement and capacity building, for legislators to deepen knowledge on legislation.

Speaker Wetang’ula assured the country that the House is well capacitated and equal to the task of legislation, oversight and representation as prescribed in the constitution.

The Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, highlighted statistics on House performance, indicating that 17 Bills had been passed with 8 Bills Assented to, 3 awaiting assents, 6 forwarded to the Senate and 8 in mediation.

Njoroge however noted that 49 Bills were set to lapse while 67 Motions were awaiting debate.