MPs directed to merge similar Bills as National Assembly struggles with backlog
Sponsors of Bills that have already been debated in the Senate have also been urged to consider co-sponsorship to speed up the legislative process.
Lawmakers have been directed to merge overlapping Bills to ease the workload as the House struggles with 283 pending Bills, some dating back to 2022.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has instructed MPs sponsoring similar Bills, particularly those seeking to amend the Constitution, to consolidate them for smoother consideration.
“Up to 10 Bills are seeking to amend the same Acts of Parliament. Find a way of harmonising them so that we have composite Bills,” Wetang’ula told lawmakers.
Sponsors of Bills that have already been debated in the Senate have also been urged to consider co-sponsorship to speed up the legislative process.
National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge noted that some of the pending Bills are similar to others that have already been passed by the Senate, prompting the House to push for joint sponsorship.
“We hope to clear all the Bills within this season, and members have been advised accordingly on how to proceed,” Njoroge said.
The House Business Committee (HBC) is also prioritising pending Bills, particularly on Wednesdays when private members’ Bills are usually considered.
Committee chairs have been directed to ensure that reports on pending Bills are tabled before the House adjourns for its first short recess next month.
Supremacy battles
However, parliamentary officers assisting MPs with the Bills have raised concerns that political supremacy battles could delay the harmonisation process.
They noted that many lawmakers are reluctant to merge their Bills, as they want individual recognition for their legislative efforts. This, they warned, could lead to unnecessary delays, with some Bills potentially lapsing and requiring lawmakers to restart the legislative process.
Officers emphasised that harmonisation would be the most effective way to fast-track the passage of pending Bills, but resistance from MPs could slow down progress.
The backlog includes several Bills that have stalled for over two years, discouraging some MPs from pursuing them further.
Among the pending Bills are the Higher Education Loans Board (Amendment) Bill, 2022, sponsored by Sirisia MP John Waluke, the Health (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by North Imenti MP Abdul Rahim Dawood, and the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka.
Others include the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, and the National Social Security Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria.
Also pending are the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Embakasi Central MP Mejjadonk Benjamin Gathiru, the Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi Kanchory, and the Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka.
The Kenya Roads Board (Amendment) Bill, 2023, by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023, by Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge, and the Kenya Migrants Working and Living in the Diaspora Bill, 2023, by Taita Taveta MP Lydia Haika are also among those awaiting consideration.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, is part of the growing list of pending legislation.
With the mounting backlog, lawmakers now face the challenge of balancing political interests with the urgency of passing crucial legislation before the House breaks for recess.
Top Stories Today
