The 13th parliament will finally commence its business following the approval of members of the House Business Committee in the afternoon of Tuesday, October 11.
Members of Parliament in a plenary session approved nine members to fully constitute the powerful committee.
Those cleared include Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, Nyandarua County MP Faith Gitau, Mandera Woman Representative Umul-kheir Kassim, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, and Eldas MP Adan Welihye Keynan. Others are Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang', Laikipia North MP Sarah Lekorere and Joshua Mbithi.
While moving the motion for their approval, the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah stated that the appointments were in compliance with house rules on inclusivity and gender balance.
"In constituting this House Business Committee, we have tried to achieve regional, ethnic and gender balance and representation in line with our own standing orders of the parties that do not constitute parliamentary political parties," he stated.
On his part, the Leader of Minority Opiyo Wundayi expressed his satisfaction with the composition of the committee with regard to the qualifications of the members. However, he challenged the committee to ensure that the house prioritizes matters of significant interest to the public.
"I know this committee is an extremely important one. But I would want the House Business Committee to go full out once constituted to ensure that business that is prioritized to come before the House is business that advances the interest of the public," he stated.
The nine members will join Speaker Moses Wetangula, his deputy Gladys Boss Shollei and the Leader of Majority and Leader of Minority in the house. The committee also includes majority and minority whips.
The full constitution of the committee, despite being overdue, will pave way for the execution of the house's roles.
Among the first roles of the House Business Committee will be to constitute the selections committee, the committee on appointments and streamline the calendar of the house.
The committee is tasked with- among others the task of preparing and adjusting timelines, monitoring the implementation of the House Business and programmes and determining the order in which the reports of various committees are tabled in the house.
Further, the committee is given the power to decide on whether to prioritize or postpone any business of the House in conjunction with the Leader of Majority or Leader of Minority.
The Speaker is the designated chair of the committee as per the standing orders of the house. In the absence of the Speaker- the Deputy Speaker becomes the chair.
Speaker Moses Wetangula has since directed the members to convene promptly to commence transactions of the house.
"I direct that the members who have been approved as members of this house leave immediately to go to the committee room for House Business Committee," directed Speaker Wetangula.
