House Speaker Moses Wetang'ula addresses MPs during a three-day retreat in Naivasha
MPs convened in Naivasha to reflect on their achievements and plan for the legislative agenda when the House reconvenes on February 11, 2025.
The three-day retreat in Naivasha from January 27 to 31, 2025 provided MPs with an opportunity to assess progress made in the first three sessions of the 13th Parliament.
During the meeting, House Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed the reconstitution of committees.
MPs are expected to consider reconstitution and approval of the membership of 18 committees.
They will also consider the Budget Policy Statement and the Debt Management Strategy for 2025.
Wetang'ula urged the Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung’wah, and his Minority counterpart Junet Mohamed, and their respective whips to expedite the process of restructuring the committees.
He emphasised that the committees should be fully functional and aligned with the objectives of the House by the time it reconvenes.
He said reconstitution process should ensure fairness and inclusivity while maintaining a strong focus on the expertise and contributions of individual members to maximise the productivity of the House.
“I direct the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to move with speed and reconstitute the 18 committees whose life has come to an end with the last session,” Wetang’ula said.
Among the committees whose life has come to an end are sessional committees which includes; the House Business Committee (HBC), Powers and Privileges Committees, Procedure and House Rules Committee and Members Services and Facilities.
Others are appropriation and general purposes committees including Public Accounts Committees (PAC), Budget and Appropriations Committee, Public Debt and Privatisation Committee, Public Petitions Committee, Committee on Implementation, Committee on Delegated Legislation, Regional Integration Committee and National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity among others.
“Bring to House Business the new list of members to various committees so that we can process and have new or continued leadership,” he stated.
The Speaker emphasised that performance, consistent attendance, and active participation will be key factors in the reconstitution of House Committees.
He said committees are the engine of parliamentary work and stressed that MPs who demonstrate dedication, competence, and accountability in their roles will be prioritised in the new structure.
He further encouraged MPs to take their committee responsibilities seriously.
He explained that the effectiveness of the House largely depends on the commitment and performance of its committees.
Speaking at the retreat, Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge revealed that the new MPs have significantly outperformed their predecessors in legislative contributions.
Njoroge commended the first term MPs for their outstanding performance in fulfilling their constitutional duties.
"In the 13th Parliament, first-time members introduced 31 out of 131 legislative proposals (23per cent) in the First Session (2022), 80 out of 197 proposals (40 per cent) in the Second Session (2023), and 22 out of 74 proposals (30 per cent) in the Third Session (2024)," Njoroge said.
Njoroge said first-term MPs have contributed significantly to legislative work, accounting for 35 per cent of the 402 legislative proposals introduced so far since they were sworn into office in September 2022.
"This performance is highly commendable, with hopes for further growth in the next session," he said.
Ichung’wah and Junet emphasised the importance of unity among lawmakers in addressing national challenges.
Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) noted that significant progress has been achieved through bipartisan cooperation and called for the approach to be sustained.
Junet urged MPs to embrace the bipartisan spirit and work towards discharging their mandate collectively.
