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Weekly Newsletter - Issue No 123
13 - 19 February, 2017

Editorial

Politics aside Doctors CBA 7 Have Shown Us What Leadership is About

The last time Kenyans rallied together for a national political cause was in 2002. We were all excited at the thought of doing away with a despot and begin our journey towards proper democracy. Kenyans have since 2002 reverted back to their tribal cocoons propping up individuals who could bring the cake closer if not home.

The CBA 7 are therefore a breath of fresh air considering that they are a group from diverse backgrounds but have stood their ground for what they believe. Personal and political interpretations aside, this is how all of us should approach this coming elections. What is in it for us? This is a question the youth should ask of our top contenders from both coalitions. The women and other special groups like people with disabilities and the old should rather than align with “their man” ask themselves, what they stand to gain from the next occupant of the House on the hill.

Thankfully, Activist Okiya Omtatah persuaded the court to direct IEBC to extend the Mass Voter Registration (MVR) by three more days ending Sunday. Those who were cut off by their reluctance or last minute culture should have no reason to fail to register. IEBC constituency offices remain open till 7th May.

And while we’re on IEBC when will this important institution ever be ready? Everything gets them flat footed. The Electoral Agency CEO Ezra Chiloba twitted his frustration with the Court’s ruling annulling the award of a Sh2.5 billion tender for printing ballot papers. The 145-page judgment by Justice Odunga, criticized the manner in which the procurement process was carried out, ruling that, “Fundamental departure from public sector governance practice is the idea that board members should be engaged in procurement activities.”

This commission is putting out so many fires it is unsettling considering how close we are to the elections. Already their decision to hire KPMG to audit the voter’s register has been challenged in court. Again, is IEBC prepared to deal with this in the event the challenge is successful or we shall have them sigh again at their lack of foresight? Needless to mention the myriad of challenges we’ve witnessed with this last MVR campaign.

News of the Week

High Court ruling takes IEBC back to the drawing board

IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba took to twitter to express his disappointment with the court ruling annulling the award of Sh.2.5bn tender for printing ballot papers. In a series of tweets the CEO said the ruling had taken them several steps back. "Basically what Odunga judgment means is that all decisions made by IEBC in the last three months were null and void," he tweeted. IEBC’s decision to hire KPMG to audit the voter register was also challenged in court where the same Judge Odunga previously expected to preside over the case disqualified himself instead referring the case to Judge Chacha of the constitutional division.
 

EACC Finally bites; Speaker Clerk and MCAs Arrested

The country was stunned after EACC officials arrested 38 Members of the County Assembly including the Speaker of Trans Nzoia County over corruption allegations. Majority of the MCAs had falsified their claims of allowances while attending their colleague’s funeral two years ago. Increased cases of corruption at the county level have hit the headlines since the realization of devolution.
 

Parliament Leadership makes resolutions so close to elections

National Assembly leadership resolved that future Cabinet Secretaries be picked from Parliament. Also owing to MPs’ engagement with early campaigns the leadership wants to bring down the House quorum to prevent stalling House business. Other proposed changes include increasing number of committees in the 12th Parliament with specialist teams to handle Constituency Development, Women, Youth and Uwezo Funds. The team that was on retreat also resolved that watchdog committees be dominated by opposition to ensure proper oversight of the government.
  

Quote of the Week

"..one of the most critical players in terms of borrowing at the county level is the county assembly. Those county assemblies require people who are qualified, able, stable and have sound emotional equilibrium to be able to think through these very important functions that the county assembly is given under the Constitution."

Sentiments by Sen. Kipchumba Murkomen while contributing to the debate on paralysis of county assembly sittings over salary demands on May 14, 2013

Read the Hansard

Lest we forget

" ..it would be recalled that the Kriegler Report further recommended a move to a new registration system that integrates issuance of National Identity Cards (ID) with voter registration so that, voters are allowed to vote with the simple presentation of the National ID card."

Sentiments by the late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo when contributing to the Elections Bill on August 24, 2011.

Read the Hansard

Newsmaker this Week

Migori Senator Wilfred Machage made headlines after announcing that he was climbing down to vie for a National Assembly seat to represent Kuria West Constituency. This came as surprise considering Senate has maintained and indeed members have referred to the House as the Upper House denoting that National Assembly was the Lower House. Pundits however reason that Sen. Machage’s decision may have been informed by the fact that National Assembly appears to be more effective in terms of their mandate with guaranteed funds like the NGCDF, unlike Senate that appears weaker and somewhat under siege. The Senate’s attempt to have the oversight fund was thwarted by the National Assembly. A number of Senators have also expressed interest in running for the governor’s office begging the question, why are Legislators abandoning this House?

... PROFILE

Bills before the National Assembly

First Reading
THE CIVIL AVIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL
- NO. 14 OF 2016
Hon. Daid Ouma Ochieng
Second Reading
THE BETTING, LOTTERIES AND GAMING (AMENDMENT) BILL
- NO. 49 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Jakoyo Midiwo

THE SACCO SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 

- NO. 26 OF 2016
Sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Aden Duale

THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY PRINTER BILL

- NO. 42 OF 2014 (SENATE BILL)
Sponsored by Chairperson Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security Hon. Asman Kamama

THE STATUTE LAW (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS)(NO.2) BILL

- NO. 48 OF 2016
Sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Aden Duale

THE SEXUAL OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 

- NO. 33 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Florence Mwikali Mutua

THE LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING BILL

- NO. 44 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Abdi Noor Mohammed

THE CLINICAL OFFICERS (TRAINING, REGISTRATIONAND LICENSING) BILL

- NO. 27 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Leonard Kiokosgei Sang

THE NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE (AMENDMENT) BILL

- NO. 35 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Ferdinand Waititu

KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL

- NO. 42 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Alfred agoi Masadia

THE NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL

- NO. 43 OF 2016
Sponsored by Hon. Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir
Third Reading: Committee of the Whole House

The Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill

- NO. 04 OF 2015
Sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Aden Duale

The Public Private Partnerships (Amendment) Bill

- NO. 25 OF 2016
Sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Hon. Aden Duale

Bills before the Senate

First Reading
The county boundaries bill
- NO. 16 OF 2016 
Sponsored by  Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.
THE CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILD AND PARENTS BILL
- NO. 14 OF 2016
Sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Ongoro
The county government (amendment) (no.3) bill
- NO. 18 OF 2016
Sponsored by Sen. Abdirahman Ali Hassan
the coconut industry development bill
- NO. 17 OF 2016
Sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Ongoro
the public participation bill
- NO. 15 OF 2016
Sponsored by Chairperson, Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Sen. Amos Wako
the constitution of kenya (amendment) (no.2) bill
- NO. 19 OF 2016
Sponsored by Sen. Kembi Gitura
the county pension scheme bill
- NO. 20 OF 2016
Sponsored by Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labor and Social Welfare Sen. Abdi Kuti
the land value index laws (amendment) bill
- NO. 40 OF 2016
Sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader Sen. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki
Second Reading
the intergovernmental relations (amendment) bill
- NO. 09 OF 2014
Sponsored by Sen. Kipchumba Murkomen
the kenya roads bill
- NO. 26 OF 2015
Sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader Sen. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki
Third Reading: Committee of the Whole House
physical planning bill
- NO. 19 OF 2015
Sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader Sen. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki
the persons with disabilities (amendment) bill
- NO. 13 OF 2015
Sponsored by Sen. Godliver Omondi
the preservation of human dignity and enforcement of economic and social rights bill 
- NO. 08 OF 2015
Sponsored by Sen. Hassan Omar
the national cereals and produce board (amendment) bill
- NO. 15 OF 2015
Sponsored by Sen. Zipporah Kittony
the county statutory instruments bill
- NO. 10 OF 2015
Sponsored by Sen. Stephen Sang

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