MPs in-tray full as Kenya Parliament set to reopen

By ALLY JAMAH

KENYA: The National Assembly reopens Monday with a full in-tray, including proposed amendments to the Constitution.

MPs are also expected to fight for control of the Sh3.4 billion Equalisation Fund from the central government. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2013, published by Samburu West MP Lati Lelelit, seeks to amend Article 204 of the Constitution to remove the disbursement of the Equalisation Fund from the powers of the national government and transfer it to constituencies.

Previously, the monies from the fund were to be used directly by the national government in the marginalised areas or given as conditional grants to counties in which marginalised communities exist.

Under the changes, the Equalisation Fund will be remitted to constituencies that have been identified as most marginalised socio-economically. According to Lelelit, MPs are better placed to ensure implementation of the identified programmes in their areas of jurisdiction.

The fund was established to help marginalised areas attain the same level of development as the rest of the country. The Constitution requires the national government to remit one-and-a-half per cent of its revenues to the fund on the basis of the most-recent audited accounts of revenue as approved by the National Assembly.

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The fund is meant to provide basic services, including water, roads, health facilities and electricity to the extent necessary to bring the quality of life in those area to the level enjoyed by the rest of the nation.

Pass motion

The fund is a 20-year programme that will wind up on August 27, 2030. The Commission for Revenue Allocation has allocated Sh3.4 billion to 14 counties for the next three years after which a review will be conducted.

In this crucial session of Parliament, MPs are also expected to repeal the International Crimes Act, which domesticated the International Criminal Court (ICC). This will set the stage for the withdrawal of the country from ICC after MPs passed a motion to that effect on September 5.

The House will also debate a motion urging government to review terms and conditions of recruitment and deployment of Kenya Police Reservists to arid areas.