House demands release of six Bills for debate

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale. By Wednesday, at the close of the 30-day window within which Mr Duale would name the financiers of terrorism as promised, he had made good on his pledge. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • Members of the National Assembly also accused the executive of churning out poorly done drafts of legislation and expecting them to do all the cleaning up.
  • Chairperson of the Environmental and Natural Resources committee Amina Abdalla said on one occasion, she has had to rework on a Bill with Millie Odhiambo-Mabona (Mbita MP) which had 37 typographical errors.

The National Assembly has demanded six Constitutional Bills, with an August 27 deadline, from the offices of the Attorney General and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution.

The six are The Public Audit Bill 2014, the Procurement and Asset Disposal Bill 2014, the Fair Administrative Action Bill 2014, the Public Service (Values and Principles) Bill 2014, the Persons Deprived of Liberty Bill 2014 and the Environmental Management Coordination (Amendment) Bill 2014.

The AG and CIC have until tomorrow to release the Bills.

POOR DRAFTS

Majority Leader Aden Duale said the Bills are long overdue and the two offices must be compelled to present them to give room for their deliberation.

Members of the National Assembly also accused the executive of churning out poorly done drafts of legislation and expecting them to do all the cleaning up.

They raised concern in the House last week that in some cases they have had to propose, through the various departmental committees up to 100 amendments to pieces of proposed legislation originating from the Executive.

Chairperson of the Environmental and Natural Resources committee Amina Abdalla said on one occasion, she has had to rework on a Bill with Millie Odhiambo-Mabona (Mbita MP) which had 37 typographical errors.

“If parliamentary committees scrutinising these Bills have to propose more than 60 amendments then we can as well just return them to the executive,” Ms Abdalla said.

MPs said delay to release the Bills could have a negative effect on quality legislation if they are rushed through the legislative process when they come to the House late.