Lobby groups have raised strong objections to the proposed Rimula-Mwibona open-pit gold mining project by Shanta Gold Kenya Ltd. in Siaya and Vihiga counties, citing serious environmental and social risks. This comes as the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining received a petition regarding destructive mining activities in Maai Mahiu Ward, Naivasha Sub-county, Nakuru County. The petition was submitted through Naivasha MP Jane Kihara on behalf of a local group known as the Kanairobi Community. In the petition, the group detailed the adverse effects of rock blasting linked to quarry and ballast operations in the area. They…
Author: David Wafula
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education has intervened to help final-year Bachelor of Pharmacy students from the University of Nairobi secure internship placements after they were locked out of the 2025/2026 cohort due to delayed release of exam results. Led by Vice Chairperson Eve Obara, the Committee met with the affected students at Parliament Buildings following a petition in which the students accused the university of administrative negligence, poor communication, and discrimination. The students, who completed their final exams on March 7, 2025, claimed that despite finishing the same academic calendar, their counterparts in the Dental Surgery programme received…
The Senate has demanded compensation for 125 former employees of Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) who were wrongfully dismissed more than two decades ago. Through a motion by the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by Senator Julius Recha Murgor, lawmakers are pushing for the workers to be paid Sh9,180,675 and one month’s salary each, as earlier ordered by the High Court in 2003. The motion, tabled in the Senate on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, follows months of investigations and engagements with relevant stakeholders. It was seconded by Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki Lenku. The petition was initially presented…
Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda has raised concerns in the Senate over the declining quality of healthcare services in counties, blaming it partly on public health workers engaging in private medical practice during official hours. While requesting a Statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Health, Senator Mutinda called for a detailed report on the number of licensed medical doctors, pharmacists, and clinical officers in the country. She asked that the figures be provided as recorded by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and the Clinical Officers Council. She also requested the Committee to…
The National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation, chaired by Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala, has revisited efforts to streamline public servants’ allowances, focusing on disparities in house and hardship allowances across various sectors. This comes after a petition by a teacher based in Kilifi Municipality called for enhanced house allowances for educators working in the area. The petition, previously reviewed by the Public Petitions Committee, led to House resolutions directing action by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Appearing before the Committee, the Acting Secretary/CEO of SRC, Margaret Njoka, confirmed that house allowances had been harmonized…
The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee has received a petition seeking the repeal of a legal provision that exempts Kenya’s first two presidents from paying estate duty. The petition, presented by John Wangai and Muhia Kagwe, calls for the removal of Section 7(3) of the Estate Duty Act (Cap. 483), which exempts the estates of former Presidents Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi from paying estate tax. According to the petitioners, this section goes against Article 210(3) of the Constitution, which states that no law should allow the exclusion of a state officer from paying tax based on their…
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives has pledged full support to the newly appointed team tasked with modernizing the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) sector in Kenya. Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali, who chairs the committee, made the assurance during a meeting with the Committee of Experts reviewing the Sacco Societies Act, 2008. “As a committee, you can count on our full and unequivocal support. Our number one priority is to work with you to sanitize the robust cooperatives sector, which has faced serious challenges in the recent past,” said Shinali. “We will work together to…
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has raised concerns over what he terms as an unfair disqualification of two schools from this year’s Nandi County secondary school sports championships. Speaking during a Senate plenary session, Cherargei demanded answers from the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) over the removal of St. Michael’s Terige Boys High School and Kimwani Secondary School from the competition. The senator said the schools were disqualified for not complying with a new digital registration requirement that was introduced after the games had already started. “The rules were changed mid-tournament,” he said. “A circular…
Parliament has announced its readiness to draft new laws to address the challenges preventing the reservation of 30% of public procurement opportunities for youth, women, and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs). The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities assured State Agencies of its commitment to support full implementation of the law that mandates this allocation to special interest groups. Committee Chairperson Adan Yussuf Haji said the Committee is open to receiving proposals from government agencies facing difficulties in meeting the requirement. “I urge all State Agencies experiencing challenges with compliance—especially on procurement for youth, women, and PLWDs—to submit…
The National Assembly’s Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation has urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Judiciary to step in and help resolve a long-standing dispute involving pensioners of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, made the call following a session with representatives of the KBC Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme. At the centre of the dispute is Sh3.27 billion in unremitted pension contributions and a controversial legal fee claim of Sh1.4 billion by advocate Morara Omoke. Martin Nyongesa, chairperson of the pension scheme, told the committee that by 2018,…
The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kipkurui Chepkwony has provided an update on the ongoing transfer of functions from Regional Development Authorities (RDAs) to the national and county governments. Dr. Chepkwony appeared before the Departmental Committee on Regional Development, chaired by Peter Lochakapong, during a meeting held at Bunge Tower to brief members on the unbundling process aimed at strengthening devolution and enhancing service delivery across counties. The process follows the 10th Presidential Directive, which called for a comprehensive transfer of RDA functions to ensure alignment with the constitutional mandates of both levels of government. It…
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is under increasing scrutiny over financial risks totaling Sh12.97 billion linked to unresolved legal disputes, contractor claims, and unpaid land compensation. The Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy raised concerns that these liabilities could disrupt the company’s ability to implement critical energy infrastructure projects. The Committee, led by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, met with KETRACO officials to review audited accounts for the financial years 2018/19 to 2022/23. MPs pressed the company’s Managing Director Dr. John Mativo over the growing liabilities, including disputes with contractors and court cases involving landowners awaiting compensation.…
The Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, has announced that construction of the solar-powered Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site is now 90% complete. Speaking during a site inspection, Dr. Omollo said the project, launched in August 2024, is in its final phase, with ongoing works including painting, terrazzo finishes, and skimming undercoat. A team of 28 workers is currently on site. “This modern facility is set to revolutionize the local blue economy,” he said. The landing site features a cold room for bulk storage to preserve fish quality, a high-capacity fish bander to speed up…
Police have raided and destroyed a bhang farm hidden inside a maize plantation in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The operation, conducted on Monday, July 29, 2025, was led by a multi-agency security team in Kimnai Village, Chugor Sub-Location, along the Kerio River. In a statement, police confirmed that the team uprooted plants suspected to be bhang (Cannabis sativa), weighing about 200 kilograms. The illegal crop had been discreetly grown among maize to avoid detection. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to arrest those behind the cultivation. “The National Police Service remains committed to intensifying operations against drug-related crimes and urges the public…
Kipchumba Harold Kimuge has officially taken the oath of office as a nominated Member of the National Assembly. His swearing-in follows a Gazette Notice by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on July 22, 2025. IEBC Chairperson Erustus Ethekon announced the reallocation of ten special seats in the National Assembly. The adjustments came as a result of resignations, the death of some nominated members, and the need to correct inconsistencies in the party nomination lists submitted during the 2022 General Election. Kimuge joins Parliament as a nominee of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), filling the seat left vacant by…