Top leadership of the National Assembly will be in Naivasha for a three days’ retreat where it is expected to come up with strategies to address challenges encountered during the Third Session and to advance plans for processing bills and other legislative priorities.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula said the retreat running from Monday to Wednesday will enable the leadership to formulate approaches for more effective and timely oversight by the National Assembly through its committees as well as to tackle procedural and structural issues affecting the House’s mandate.
In response to public concerns over frequent blackouts, Wetangula stated that the National Assembly had invited Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, and Kenya Power CEO Joseph Siror to discuss strategies for improving the sector and addressing future needs to support manufacturing growth.
“The main objective of the retreat is to accord the Leadership of the House an opportunity to re-evaluate their roles with regard to the performance of the House, bond and share experiences with colleagues, identify upcoming priority business for the House, and candidly discuss critical matters,” said Wetangula.
He said that this year’s theme is ‘Re-invigorating Synergy in Leadership for Accelerated Discharge of the Mandate of the National Assembly’ which is a buildup on last year’s retreat theme which was ‘Building Synergy in Leadership: Enhancing the Legislative Agenda in the National Assembly’.
Additionally, the Speaker said the retreat provided an opportunity for the House leadership to map out a strategic direction for managing legislative business through the remainder of the Third Session and into the Fourth Session, set to run from November 5, 2024 to December 12, 2024.
Wetangula underscored the need for bipartisan cooperation to prioritize essential legislation and foster partnerships that address key public concerns, including unemployment, impacts of the tax regime, and revenue-raising measures influencing the business environment.
“The retreat will present an opportunity for the House Business Committee and Leadership to take stock of the progress made and challenges faced by the National Assembly during the First, Second, and part of the Third Session and chart the way forward,” said Wetangula.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah noted that through orientation, induction, capacity-building programs, and leadership forums, the Assembly and its Members would be better equipped to fulfill their constitutional duties effectively.
“The initial induction retreats for Members and Presiding Officers, along with specialized committee orientations, provided critical training on parliamentary procedures, law-making, and budget processes,” said Ichungwah.
Wetangula will officially open the retreat on Monday morning with key presentations titled ‘Securing the Energy Sector for Sustainable Development’ to be made by the Energy followed by a discussion on parliamentary support for energy and infrastructure.
enyarangi@standardmedia.co.ke
