House breach will cost taxpayers Sh94 million, says Wetangula

Anti-government protestors storm parliament after breaching security. [Emmanuel Kipchumba, Standard]

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has said that Parliament incurred losses to the tune of Sh94 million following the invasion by youthful protesters on June 25.

The invasion caused the destruction of property after Members of Parliament scampered for safety leaving the House at the mercy of rowdy youths

Wetangula who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission said that the House has been undergoing renovation since members went on recess and they will be resuming Tuesday.

The Speaker who addressed Journalists at Parliament buildings, in Nairobi, Monday said that they are grateful to God that no MP or staff was killed or injured during the unfortunate incident that was occasioned by a serious security breach never witnessed before.

“The National Assembly is resuming Tuesday with several key agendas before the House after the unfortunate incident that happened on June 25, as Parliament I would like to assure Kenyans that we are committed to ensure that we pass legislation that is good for the country,” said Wetangula.

The Speaker said that reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is one of the top agendas with the selection panel expected to be up and running by Tuesday next week and all parties expected to nominate candidates by July 26.

Wetangula noted that the House will also consider President William Ruto's memorandum on the Finance Bill 2024 referred back to the National Assembly for reconsideration with reservations recommending the deletion of all 69 clauses. The Speaker has already referred the memorandum to the Finance and Planning Committee.

“Upon receipt of the President’s memorandum, the Speaker is required to refer the memorandum to the Finance and National Planning Committee, I referred the memorandum to the committee for consideration and reporting to the National Assembly when it next sits,” he said.

He said that the President’s memorandum is informed by the need to reflect the voice of the people who rejected the Bill in its entirety with the House and Finance Committee taking this justification into account in their deliberations.

The House will also vet Cabinet Secretary nominees once the final list is submitted to Parliament.

The Speaker said that the House will also give priority to the EACC Amendment Bill, Equalisation Funds Bill, Conflict of Interest Bill, Kenya Roads Amendment Bill, the Amendment of Sugar Bill and Statutory Amendment Bill among others.

The National Assembly will vet Dr Patrick Amoth for the position of Director General of Health, which he has been serving in acting capacity for the last four years.

Wetangula clarified that the media has not been barred from covering Parliament but there were some restrictions occasioned by the damages caused by demonstrators as the place undergoes renovation and there are plans to have a new media centre within the House.

“I would like to clarify that no media house has been sanctioned from covering Parliament, we only have a case of a journalist who is accused for conducting himself unethically who is under investigation by state agencies and has been asked to stay away,” he said.