House numbers drop as campaigns heat up

MPs in the newly refurbished Chambers during the official opening at Parliament Buildings August 7, 2012. The number of MPs attending parliamentary sessions has dropped with most legislators' eyes trained on coalition building ahead of next year's elections December 5, 2012

The number of MPs attending parliamentary sessions has dropped with most legislators' eyes trained on coalition building ahead of next year's elections.

With 40 days to the end of Parliament’s term and a large number seeking other elective offices- governors, senators and president- the number of MPs in the House has dipped dramatically.

There were 13 MPs in the House at 10.30 am on Wednesday as they passed into law two Bills for assent by the President. This increased to about 22 an hour later; there are 210 elected and 12 nominated MPs.

Two sessions have been adjourned due to lack of quorum since Parliament resumed sittings on November 20.

The Micro and Small Enterprises Bill and the Human Resource Management Professional Bill were passed without much debate.

The MSE Bill is sponsored by Tetu MP F T Nyammo and the Human Resource Management Professionals Bill by Dr Eseli Simiyu (Kimilili).  

Dr Eseli’s Bill provides for the training and regulation of activities of human resource professionals in Kenya.

Mr Nyammo’s Bill provides for the promotion, development and regulation of micro and small enterprises, which play a significant role in Kenya’s economic development and provide employment to thousands.

Dr Wilbur Ottichillo (Emuhaya) was absent, meaning there was zero progress on his Climate Change Authority Bill.

There was, however, significant progress as the Pyrethrum Bill and the Public Benefit Organisation Bill were debated and passed in the Second Reading, where MPs discuss the amendments they would like to introduce.

Serious issues

Temporary Speaker Gitobu Imanyara noted the absence of members of the Cabinet as Sofia Abdi Noor initiated debate on the Public Benefit Organisation Bill.

“Having quickly gone through it (the Bill) I have noted there are a number of serious issues that the government side ought to be aware of,” said Mr Imanyara.

Mr Imanyara expressed displeasure that despite the Bill’s proposal to repeal the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordination Act of 1990, there was nobody from the related ministry in government. If the bill is passed, the NGO Co-ordination board would be abolished.

Among pending Parliamentary business is the resolution of how to effect the Constitutional provision on equitable gender representation and a Bill on the management of natural resources are top of Parliament’s agenda.

The Budget Committee has also warned of a crisis in the future if the Division of Revenue and the County Allocation of Revenue Bills are not passed before MPs leave. MP Elias Mbau said on Monday Parliament has only eight practical working days to January 15.