Parliament to hold special sitting to change re-opening date following Moi's death

The National Assembly has been called for a special sitting on Monday to change its calendar and allow members to attend the funeral service and burial of retired President Daniel Moi.

The House, which was expected to resume its business on Tuesday after December recess, will meet to move the date by two days.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House Justin Muturi, Majority Leader Aden Duale said it was important for the House to convene so that members can consider a motion for the alteration of the calendar.

“...proposing that the House resumes for the fourth session on February 13 instead of February 11 in view of the presidential proclamation regarding the demise of the second President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Daniel Toroitich arap Moi."

The sitting will also allow members of the House to send their condolences to the Moi family.

Muturi will have the opportunity to communicate to the House on nominations made by President Uhuru Kenyatta and the persons picked to serve in the Cabinet who the Committee on Appointment will be required to vet.

While the House was on vacation, President Kenyatta made changes to the Cabinet by nominating Mutahi Kagwe, a former minister in retired President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, as the Health Cabinet secretary.

He also elevated former Principal Secretary Betty Maina to the position of Cabinet secretary for Industrialisation.

The two appointees will be required to undergo vetting.

Duale was yesterday reaching out to MPs to attend Monday’s session through text messages. "Mheshimiwa, please note that we will have a special sitting on Monday, February 10, at the National Assembly Chamber, Parliament Building, commencing at 2.30pm."

Parliament is expected to be a hive of activities starting tomorrow when Moi's body will be transported to lie in state from Saturday to Monday for public viewing. The viewing hours have been set for between 8am and 5pm.

The cortege will leave the Lee Funeral Home at 8.05am tomorrow and be conveyed to Parliament Buildings. The casket will be draped in the national flag and escorted by Moi's family.

The funeral service will be held at the Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday, while burial will take place in Kabarak on Wednesday.

Separately, the organisers of a much-anticipated Nairobi performance of Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton have postponed the event to February 15 following Moi's death.

The event was scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre's Comesa Grounds. The open space, however, will be used to accommodate members of the public who intend to view Moi's body across the road in Parliament.

The event organisers have pledged to honour all tickets that have been bought.