More MPs to be allowed back onto House seats
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi yesterday directed that the number of legislators allowed in the House be increased from 60 to 112.
Muturi’s directive comes following reduced number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
In a Communication from the Chair to Members, the Speaker said the Ministry of Health has recommended upward review of numbers that may be accommodated in certain spaces in Parliament.
The figure excludes the Speaker, Clerk and four key officers facilitating sitting of the House.
“Given the current situation, and so as to open up the Chamber and Committee Rooms for more members to engage in legislative work, I instructed the Ministry of Health to inspect the facilities and recommend appropriate seating capacity for the Chamber, committee rooms and other facilities within the precincts of Parliament,” Muturi said.
Seating capacity for committee rooms in Continental House has been adjusted from 10 to 15 individuals.
Chapel on the other hand shall accommodate a maximum of 15 people while the Muslims’ prayer room shall hold a maximum of 9 people, with six on the male section and three on the female section.
“Capacity of the Mini-Chamber and Committee Rooms nine and seven remain as advised in March 2020; and Committee Room 12 shall remain out of use,” directed the Speaker.
He also announced that the catering facility has also been reopened. It will however be restricted to exclusive use by sitting Members only.
“Accordingly, I firmly reiterate that the facility is out of bounds to all visitors and direct that the Chief Serjeant-at-Arms strictly enforces this measure,” ruled the Speaker.
No visitors will be admitted to the precincts of Parliament, except in exceptional circumstances permitted by the Speaker.
