Delays in reconstituting National Assembly committees threaten financial planning

The reconstitution of crucial parliamentary committees remains stalled, threatening the processing of the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Supplementary Budget II for the Financial Year 2024-2025. financial year.

The delay stems from a political impasse between President William Ruto's party and Raila Odinga's opposition, which has prevented the formation of the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), a key organ in handling the budget process within set timelines.

On Tuesday, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula urged the Majority and Minority leadership to expedite the reconstitution of the committees.

"I have been notified by the leader of the Majority party and the leader of the Minority party that the Committee on Selection has yet to conclude the nomination of members to the lapsed committees," he told the House.

The BPS and the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDMS) were tabled in the National Assembly on February 13, 2025.

However, several critical committees, including the BAC and the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee, have not been reconstituted after the lapse of their terms.

These committees, along with 18 others, must be reinstated to ensure the smooth running of House business.

Speaker Wetang'ula, in an interim measure, directed that the BPS be handled by the Liaison Committee, which consists of all House committee chairs except those chaired by the Speaker.

However, it remains unclear why this decision was made, given that parliamentary rules require departmental committees to channel their recommendations to the BAC, which then compiles a report for the National Treasury.

The Public Debt and Privatisation Committee is particularly vital, as it is responsible for processing the MTDMS, which informs government borrowing and expenditure plans.

Consultations ongoing

"The leaders note that consultations are ongoing and will be concluded soon to allow for the reconstitution of the specified committees," Speaker Wetang'ula assured lawmakers.

The delays in committee reconstitution have sparked concerns over potential disruptions in budget-making.

The backlog in committee activities has raised fears that critical government expenditure plans may face unnecessary delays.

Lawmakers from both sides have continued consultations to break the deadlock and ensure that all committees are fully operational.

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• Minority Leader Junet Mohamed
• Delays in reconstituting National Assembly committees threaten financial planning
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However, it remains to be seen how soon the stalemate will be resolved to allow the parliamentary process to proceed smoothly.

Reports indicate that President Ruto and opposition leader Raila struck a deal to share committee leadership.

Under this arrangement, Azimio la Umoja, Odinga's coalition, will chair key committees such as Budget and Appropriations, Health, Trade and Industry, Labour, and Regional Integration. The coalition has also been allocated five vice-chair positions of their choosing.

The deal reportedly came after a divisive ruling on which side holds the Majority in the National Assembly, a matter that had fuelled political tensions.

As part of the agreement, Azimio agreed to drop its bid to impeach Speaker Wetang'ula, who had angered opposition lawmakers by ruling that Kenya Kwanza remains the majority side.

The agreement was allegedly reached during a State House meeting attended by the President, his deputy Kithure Kindiki, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo.

While the deal is seen as a step toward resolving the impasse, it remains unclear how soon the committees will be reconstituted.

The continued delay raises concern over the timely processing of the budget and other crucial government policies that rely on parliamentary oversight.