Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
During the weekend session with the taskforce, Committee Chairperson and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi stressed the need for a complete account from every devolved unit. He said this would allow the team to produce a final report that covers all counties, especially those with the heaviest backlogs.
The lawmakers cautioned SHA against rejecting or holding claims on grounds that an officer was off-duty during the injury. They reminded the Authority that the committee had already ruled that every officer is considered to be on duty at all times and such claims cannot be dismissed.
Legislators said the shift from the previous Linda Mama Programme has left many women without support, exposing them to unnecessary confinement after delivery.
The Business Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024, which is currently before the National Assembly, seeks to grant immunity to firms such as Meta and Google for alleged abuses in Kenya. Senators argue that the petition is speculative and comes before the law has even been debated.
During the week, senators will engage in various legislative activities, including public hearings on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Busia County Assembly leadership and the county executive, led by Governor Paul Otuoma, will also appear before the County Public Accounts Committee to respond to queries on the 2023/2024 financial year. The committee is chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang.
The senators also instructed the Controller of Budget to provide a full record of empowerment funds in all counties, including the amounts disbursed, loans issued, and recoveries made.
Senators described the office as the weakest link in Kenya’s anti-corruption fight, pointing to instances where the DPP’s decisions to withdraw cases have frustrated investigations and denied the public the full course of justice.
Fertiliser distribution closer to farmers was launched last year, but according to the senators, the board has not been compensated for carrying out the work.
The standoff has now placed the passage of the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, 2025 in jeopardy, threatening to delay the disbursement of the Sh16.8 billion allocated to the fund in the current fiscal year.
The Senate and National Assembly have again failed to agree on county funding for the 2025-26 financial year, with senators insisting on Ksh425 billion and MPs offering Ksh410 billion.
The proposed law, which seeks to replace the term “National Assembly” with “Parliament” in the IEBC Act, has remained pending for years.
