National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed that henceforth committee sittings will be held within the precincts of Parliament.
In a notice to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Speaker Wetangula issued the directive as part of the measures aimed at ensuring austerity in government operations.
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The Speaker noted that the MPs will use rooms in other government-owned facilities in the event where accommodation spaces in Parliament are full.
“Ensure that, in line with the current austerity measures and the expenditure reductions, the attendant sittings of Committees are held within the precincts of Parliament. Should the available meeting rooms be inadequate, any affected Committee(s) is to hold its sittings in other government facilities,” stated Wetangula.
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In addition, the Speaker directed the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro to initiate the process of reviewing the budget for the financial year 2024/25.
In the letter dated July 12, Wetang’ula confirmed that Parliament had received the Supplementary estimates for the 2024/25 financial year which are aimed at rationalizing the budget to align with the adopted austerity measures in the government.
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Wetangula has since asked the Ndindi Nyoro-led Committee to guide the process of readjusting the budget estimates including collecting views from the public and report back to the House before July 24.
“It is notified to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public that pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(2) and (4) of the National Assembly Standing Orders and the Resolution of the House of 14th February 2024, the Supplementary Estimates (No.1) for the FY 2024/2025 and all attendant documents submitted by National Treasury are hereby referred to the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Departmental Committees for expedited consideration,” Wetang’ula said.
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Wetang’ula Orders to Clerks Regarding the Supplementary Estimates
In addition, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to circulate this announcement to all Members of the National Assembly and prepare the necessary message for formal conveyance to the House upon its resumption.
Besides, Wetangula told the Clerk to publish the Supplementary Estimates (No.1) for the Financial Year 2024/25 and all attendant documents submitted by the National Treasury on the parliamentary website.
The Clerk was also directed to facilitate the relevant Committees to consider the Supplementary estimates.
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“In line with the current austerity measures and the expenditure reductions, the attendant sittings of Committees are held within the precincts of Parliament. Should the available meeting rooms be inadequate, any affected Committee(s) is to hold its sittings in other government facilities,” Wetang’ula directed the Clerks.
His directive came after the fall of the controversial Finance Bill 2024 which had sparked outrage and protests in different parts of the country. President William Ruto on June 26 announced the decision to withdraw the Bill after considering the views of Kenyans opposed to it.
However, the President made it clear that the fall of the Bill would have far-reaching consequences including scrapping of some planned projects. In addition, the President announced several measures aimed at reducing wastage of resources including scrapping of 47 state corporations.
The President also announced suspension of all renovation works, purchase of motor vehicles for government use and reduction in the number of advisors as among the measures to help reduce the budget deficit occasioned by the bill’s withdrawal.
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