The National Assembly is set to resume sittings on Tuesday this week, after a month’s hiatus, with the Consideration of the 2018/2019 Budget, forming the top of the House agenda.
The House is expected to have its tray full with the debate on the State of the Nation Address, which took place just before the House went on recess, set to kick-start the plenary proceedings as provided for in the Standing Orders.
Simultaneously, the business of the House will for three sitting days be characterized by general debate on the estimates for the Financial Year 2018/2019, which will be heralded by the tabling of a Report by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, as soon as the House resumes.
Consequently, in what has now become custom since the inception of the 11th Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary in the National Treasury Henry Rotich, is expected to highlight his revenue raising measures in the Financial Year 2018/2019 to the National Assembly on June 14th, 2018.
This is set to be followed by the review of the Appropriation Bill, 2018, and Consolidation Bill, 2018 (if any) on June 26 and 27, 2018; with the Finance Bill, 2018, expected to be enacted by 28th September 2018.
The passage of the Bills is vital, as they pave the way for the government to effect its revenue raising measures and give approval for the government to spend monies as envisaged in the approved budget.
Among the priority bills for the House in the forthcoming 2nd part of the 2nd session, are: the Energy Bill, the Petroleum Bill, the Tax Laws (amendment) Bill, 2018, and the County Pension Scheme Bill, 2017.
The latter was a subject of debate at the just concluded 3rd Annual Legislative Summit, with appeals by the County Assemblies’ Forum for the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Bill, highlighting the closing ceremony of event.
Debate is also set to resume on the Kenya Coast Guard Service Bill which is currently in the second reading.
16 bills are awaiting Second Reading, while four bills are in 3rd Reading.
The House is also scheduled to review three (3) bills emanating from the Senate, and whose consideration will be determined by the Speaker, who is set to pronounce his opinion on them, pursuant to Standing Order 143.