During the resumption of the Senate proceedings on Tuesday, March 22, the Speaker noted that they dropped 10 bills due to the absenteeism of the lawmakers.
Nominated senator Judith Pereno, who was chairing the session, added that the house leadership also dropped other important programmes from the proceedings.
She added that they would be forced to reschedule the discussion of the Bills further, asking Senators to inform the house leadership of their whereabouts in advance.
“There are 10 Bills and statements that were dropped from the program of the business pursuant to Standing Orders 59 (3) due to unavailability of movers to prosecute them at the time which they were scheduled on the order paper.
However, Pereno did not disclose the Bills that were dropped and the senators who were absent.
She noted that a majority of the lawmakers were held in the campaign trail as it was an electioneering period.
However, she urged her colleagues to attend sessions to discuss critical Bills within the short period of time available.
“Hon. Senators, we resume sittings at a very critical time in the life of the 12th Parliament. The coming General Election is on every senator’s mind indeed and in that of many Kenyans.
“However, we have a constitutional mandate to fulfil as a house. Our plate is already full with 19 Bills of the Second reading and 11 Bills at the Committee of the Whole House stage,” she stated.
Consequently, the leadership of both the majority and minority sides were tasked with mobilising members to attend the house sittings so as to attain a quorum.
“I want to urge that we ensure that vital legislative business is passed. In this regard, I urge the office of the Majority and the Minority Whip to ensure that the requisite numbers are achieved so that the Senators may proceed to divisions,” she stated.
The concern was raised during the resumption of house business after a short recess of close to two weeks where they discussed the Division of Revenue Bill.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
