National Assembly Committee Engages Lawmakers on Legislative Proposals

Today, the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security of the National Assembly engaged with three lawmakers regarding their proposed legislations aimed at enhancing various aspects of governance and public service delivery.

First to appear before the Committee was Nakuru West MP, Hon. Samuel Arama, who presented the Chiefs’ (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce provisions for the transfer of Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs. Hon. Arama highlighted that some chiefs start their service at a young age and remaining in one area for an extended period can impede their effectiveness. He emphasized the need for flexibility in their deployment to ensure optimal service delivery.

Responding to queries from the Committee about the applicability of the proposal, particularly concerning the importance of local knowledge and language proficiency, Hon. Arama suggested piloting the transfer program in urban areas, where diversity and cosmopolitanism are prevalent. He cited successful implementations in Nairobi County as a potential model for broader application.

The Committee also deliberated on the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Gilgil MP, Hon. Martha Wangari. The legislation aims to establish at least one Births and Deaths registration office in each constituency to streamline the issuance of crucial documents such as birth and death certificates. Hon. Wangari stressed the significance of accessibility, especially in rural areas, to ensure a smooth registration process for citizens.

Additionally, the Committee considered Hon. Nolfason Barongo’s (Bomachoge Borabu) Anti-Bribery (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This proposed legislation focuses on implementing measures within the National Police Service to combat bribery, including the establishment of designated traffic zones equipped with CCTV cameras and standardized uniforms. Hon. Barongo emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for enforcing traffic rules effectively.

Sessional chair, Hon. Dido Rasso (Saku, MP), assured the sponsors of the proposed bills that the Committee would thoroughly review the submissions and propose amendments where necessary to ensure their effectiveness and compliance with existing laws.

The engagement between lawmakers and the Committee underscores the ongoing efforts within the National Assembly to address pertinent issues affecting governance and public service delivery through legislative interventions.