A Parliamentary committee has called for investigations into the alleged inflation of the cost of construction of the new Githurai market in Kiambu county by about Sh200 million. The National Assembly departmental committee on housing, urban planning, and public works expressed objections with the cost of the market which it accused the State Department of Housing and Urban Development of inflating. The committee chaired by Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, gave the directive during a meeting with housing and urban development principal secretary, Charles Hinga. The team had summoned the PS to explain the alteration of the project cost from the…
Author: Silas Apollo
County governments will soon have absolute powers to determine persons or entities that will carry out business in the rice farming value chain if Parliament approves a law to regulate the sector. The Rice Bill 2023 seeks to give governors powers to, among other things, implement the national government policy, regulation, and facilitation of access to players and resources in the rice industry. The proposed law, which Kirinyaga senator James Murango sponsors, calls for establishing the Kenya Rice Board, whose role will be to regulate and promote the development of the rice industry. The board will also be responsible for…
The Senate Public Accounts Committee has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conclude investigations into the failure by staff of Bungoma County executive to surrender imprests amounting to Sh67.1 million. The committee gave the directive after it emerged that the employees have failed to surrender the funds because the Commission had carted away crucial documents related to the imprests in 2019. Committee chairman Moses Kajwang, directed EACC to complete investigations to bring the matter to conclusion. “We want you to complete the investigations so that those concerned should not use EACC as justification for their failure to surrender…
Education cabinet secretary Ezekiel Machogu has assured Kenyans that no first-year government sponsored student will be turned away over lack of school fees when universities open. Machogu, who was responding to concerns over the new university funding model proposed by the government, said that his ministry had put all the necessary measures in place to ensure that all students are admitted to their respective universities. Speaking during a meeting with the National Assembly’s departmental committee on education, the CS argued that all qualifying students will be admitted. “All new students will be admitted to universities, regardless of whether they have…
A committee of the Senate has promised to support investigations into allegations of corruption in the Department of Immigration involving issuance of passports. The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations gave the undertaking after it received a report from the ombudsman detailing corruption at the department. The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) conducted investigations into corruption in the issuance of passports and submitted a report to the Committee detailing complaints made by the public against Immigration officials. CAJ was forced to intervene after Kenyans on social media complained of being overcharged in the payments of passports. Members…
A showdown is looming between governors and senators after a Senate watchdog committee warned counties against delaying the remittance of pension funds. The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPISFC) accused the devolved units of failing to remit the funds on time, leaving many retirees to suffer. The committee has warned the county bosses and other county entities responsible for submitting the funds of dire consequences should the matter not be resolved in time. Committee chairman Godfrey Osotsi says that the delays have negatively affected the lives of retired public servants, adding that plans are underway to create…
Proposed legislation seeks to create a framework through which each county can recognise and honour their outstanding residents Governors could soon have the power to honour individuals hailed as outstanding, exceptional or illustrious in any profession or activity, if a Bill before the Senate is passed into law. The County Hall of Fame Bill, 2023 wants governors to be given the authority to induct into the county Hall of fame, any person who shows exemplary qualities, actions or achievements. This may be in the form of heroic acts, acts of sacrifice and bravery, patriotism or exemplary leadership aimed at improving…
Lawyers representing Kenyan survivors in the 1998 United States Embassy bombing have asked the Senate to push the US Congress to review a legislation on compensations of victims to allow those in Kenya to benefit as well. The lawyers who spoke during a session with the Adhoc committee of the Senate set up to push for the compensation of Kenyan victims, said the current legislation did not favour victims in Kenya. They want senators in Kenya to initiate talks with their counterparts in the US to enact a budget-neutral legislation that will see the Kenyan victims become eligible for compensation.…
The cost of the functions still at the national government is estimated at Sh272 billion The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGTRC) has appealed to the Senate to intervene and push for complete transfer of devolved functions and resources to counties. IGTRC, a state agency mandated to establish a framework of consultation and cooperation between the two levels of governments, says significant elements of devolved functions remain at the national government 10 years since devolution was first implemented. IGRTC chairperson, Kithinji Kiragu, told the Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee that there is need for consensus on quantum and timeframe for transfer…
The newly appointed Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner-General Humphrey Wattanga Mulongo comes to office with an already full in-tray as the taxman moves in to actualise revenue collection targets set out by the government this financial year.