The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has recalled all Members of Parliament for special sittings, despite their ongoing long recess. In a notice on Wednesday, January 8, 2024, Wetangula said that sittings, shall commence on January 16th at 10.00 a.m. for the morning session and 2.30 p.m. for the afternoon session.
The request to hold the sittings was made by Majority Leader and Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichung’wah.
According to Speaker Wetang’ula, the rationale for the sessions is for the House to consider priority business including tabling of report and notice of Special Motion on the report of the committee on appointments on its consideration of nominees for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries (CSs).
“NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby NOTIFIED to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public that Thursday, 16 January 2025 has been appointed as a day for Special Sittings of the National Assembly. The Special Sittings will be held in the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, commencing at 10.00 am and at 2.30 pm (for the Morning and Afternoon sittings, respectively),” read part of the notice.
Business to be conducted by National Assembly during Special Sittings on January 16
A. Conveyance of any urgent Messages from the National Executive and/or the Senate:
B. Tabling of Report and Notice of Motion on the mediated version of the County Governments. Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bill No. 19 of 2024) subject to conclusion of the mediation process/
C. Tabling of Report and Notice of Special Motion on the Report of the Committee on Appointments on its consideration of nominees for appointment as Cabinet Secretaries.
D. Tabling of Report and Notice of Special Motion on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on its consideration of nominees for appointment as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Representative and Consul-General.
E. Tabling of Report and Notice of Special Motion on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Labour on its consideration of nominees for appointment as Vice- Chairperson and members of the Public Service Commission.
F. Tabling of any urgent Papers with statutory timelines.
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Also, Speaker Wetang’ula said that the house will oversee the transaction of other businesses including consideration of any priority Bill and [debate on the Report of the Committee on Appointments on its consideration of nominees for appointment as CSs.
Other businesses include:
[i] Consideration of the mediated version of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bill No. 19 of 2024)-subject to conclusion of the mediation process.
[ii] Debate on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Labour on its consideration of nominees for appointment as Chairperson and members of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
(iii) Debate on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on its consideration of nominees for appointment as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Representative and Consul-General.
(iv) Debate on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Labour on its consideration of nominees for appointment as Vice-Chairperson and members of the Public Service Commission.
[v] Consideration in Committee of the whole House of the Startup Bill (Senate Bill No. 14 of 2022) and the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2023).
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In addition, consideration of any other priority business certified as urgent by the Speaker shall be undertaken.
The notice by Wetang’ula comes hours after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi rejected a request to hold a Special sitting over the rise of abduction cases in the country.
Kingi rejected the request by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ally and Nyandarua Senator John Methu citing non-compliance with Standing Order 33(1), which requires the request to come from the Majority or Minority Leader and have the support of at least 15 Senators.
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