The Senate is proposing a raft of changes aimed at bolstering security at the Parliament buildings following the deadly breach last year.
According to the Senate Clerk, Jeremiah Nyegenye, the upper House is set to deliberate on the means to improve the security of the legislature as part of the new changes.
The Senate will be improving public participation as part of the changes. This is aimed at ensuring Kenyans are included in the discussions and Bills to avoid a repeat of the June 25, 2024 incident.
On June 25, thousands of protesters breached the Parliament Building, where lawmakers were debating the contentious Finance Bill 2024. Demonstrators managed to break through police barricades and enter the parliamentary complex; however, at least three people were shot and killed during the breach.
Parts of the building were set on fire, destroying a section of the cafeteria.
While speaking at the Planning Workshop for the Fourth Session, themed ‘Building a Resilient and Balanced Workforce’, Nyegenye revealed that the storming of Parliament, which saw the destruction of property, and the near stoning of some legislators have “prompted a serious reckoning within the Senate.”
The reforms, that have not been made public yet, are set for consideration. It remains unclear whether the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) or they will be presented to the floor of the House.
As part of the reforms, the Senate will be providing more details on the objectives of the proposed legislation to allow Kenyans to understand the scope and impact of the Bills.
“For example, instead of simply stating the title of the bill, invitations now include a summary of the bill's objectives and the specific areas where stakeholder input is sought,” said part of a statement from the Senate.
However, the clerk said the reforms aimed at bolstering security, improving public participation, and enhancing the institution’s overall resilience.
"This event served as a stark reminder that Parliament belongs to the people," stated Nyegenye.
He added, "While we must ensure security, we must also acknowledge the voices of the citizens we represent."
This comes as the Senate admits the budget cuts occasioned by the Finance Act, 2023, have severely impacted crucial programs like ‘Senate Mashinani’, which takes Senate activities to the grassroots level.
"These cuts have forced us to scale back our planned outreach activities," Nyegenye explained. "We are actively seeking alternative funding sources to ensure this vital program can continue."
