The Senate will resume its sittings on March 31, 2020, after going on an indefinite recess on March 17. The recall has been necessitated by the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country.
However, the Senate business will not be conducted as usual because social distancing will have to be adhered to. Therefore, only 28 senators, two clerks, and the speaker, the presiding officer or moderator, will be allowed in the chambers. The other 17 senators will follow the house proceedings from the Senate lounge.
Among the matters, the Senate wishes to table and discuss is the inclusion of more members in the National Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19 virus.
“The Senate is also resolving to call upon the national government to expand the membership of the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus to include representation by Parliament, the Judiciary, the Council of Governors, the media, and the private sector,” read the Senate order paper seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
The proceedings also seek to form a committee comprising of seven senators. It shall oversight the measures taken by the national and county governments as they collaborate to contain and prevent further spread of the Covid-19 virus countrywide.
As effects of the disruptions in normal activity for various stakeholders brought about by the government's measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 begin to be felt, the committee shall be mandated with among other things, ensuring all 47 counties have a continuous supply of food and other essential commodities.
The drivers of the Kenyan economy are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Hence, the Senate is focused on ensuring that as the economic activity shrinks, measures are put in place to safeguard the survival of these SMEs and the welfare of their employees.
The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the shortcomings of most health departments in various countries such as Italy and Spain which have been worst hit. On March 30, the Kenyan government projected that cases of Covid-19 could hit 10,000 by end of April.
In readiness for the strain that will be put on health facilities in the country, the Senate wants the committee to interrogate how well prepared they are.
“Examine the provision of testing and medical equipment, including adequate ventilators in referral hospitals and in at least one public hospital in each county, provision of adequate isolation centres and intensive care units (ICU) in each county, in readiness of a worst-case scenario in the county," read the Order paper.
Senators and Senate staff are not exempt from the dusk to dawn curfew currently in place, hence, house proceedings will be expected to end at 4.30 p.m., in order to allow them ample time to commute to their residences before 7 p.m.
