MPs to kick off week-long committees’ induction session on Monday
Members of the National Assembly have started arriving in the coastal town of Mombasa this afternoon for a week-long induction workshop set to begin on Monday.
The induction workshop will be held at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Centre and Spa, in Mombasa County.
It will take place between January 23rd, 2023 to January 28th, 2023.
According to the programme released by the Office of the Clerk, the legislators are expected to arrive at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Centre and Spa by Sunday evening.
During the week-long induction of members of House committees, they will be inducted into the role of committees in carrying out their mandate as provided for under the Standing Orders.
Article 124 (1) of the Constitution mandates Parliament establish Committees.
Parliamentary Committees act as agents of the House in discharging its legislative, oversight and representation functions under Article 95 of the Constitution.
According to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, having been nominated to various Committees of the House, Members are expected to be conversant with their roles in the Committees as they enhance the roles of the National Assembly in oversight, legislative, and representation as provided for under Article 95 of the Constitution.
“The main purpose of the induction retreat is to give Members of various Committees the tools that they need to discharge their Constitutional mandate of representation, oversight, and legislation effectively and efficiently,” said Speaker Wetangula.
“The programme provides participants with an opportunity to be taken through the place of Committees in the National Assembly and the roles of Members of Parliament in their respective Committees. The relationship between Parliament and the key stakeholders is also an interesting topic that will be covered in the programme,” Wetangula adds.
The status of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund is one of the issues that is being widely discussed in the country given the impact the Fund has had in the lives of Kenyans, especially of those from mashinani, Wetangula reckoned that Members will be taken through the corrective measures being undertaken by Parliament in ensuring that the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund is assured.
NGCDF- BOARD Chief Executive officer Yusuf Mbuno is scheduled to give members status updates on disbursements and the court cases that have plagued the fund.
“These are some of the topics that will be covered in the induction retreat, and I believe that Members will be adequately equipped to serve Kenyans at the end of the retreat,” the speaker held.
On her part, Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, who will officially open the workshop and deliver the keynote address, says the programme has been tailor-made to provide Members of Parliament with insights into parliamentary practice and procedure, the Committee system, the mandates of the respective Committees, Powers and Privileges of Committees as provided for in Article 125 of the Constitution which states Parliament's General Procedures and Rules.
“The participants will also have a platform to learn about the relationship between Committees and key stakeholders and how to leverage these strategic partnerships for effective oversight,” said Shollei, who doubles up as woman representative for Uasin Gishu County.
She added: “These are just some of the debates the participants at this Induction will engage in and without a doubt, it is a very enriching program”
Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge reckoned that induction of members of House committees has also incorporated carefully selected resource persons from within the country, across the Commonwealth and parts of the world who have a wealth of knowledge on the operations of the Committees.
“It is intended that these resource persons will share their experiences with the participants, including the lessons learned while interacting with House Committees,” said Njoroge.
“These will be complemented by panel discussions. The Induction Workshop will also comprise breakout sessions for respective Audit, Appropriations and other Select Committees on Tuesday, 24th January 2023 & Wednesday, 25th January 2023 while each of the Departmental Committees will have breakout sessions on Thursday, 26th January 2023 and Friday, 27th February 2023,’ added Njoroge.
Among the topics to be discussed includes The place of Committees in the National Assembly and their effectiveness, the Summary of the Performance Report of Committees of the 12th Parliament, the Conduct of Committee Business in the House, Budget Policy Statement, Budget Estimates, and Budget Implementation Review by Committees and the nexus with the Budget and Appropriations Committee and Audit Committees.
As well as Facilitating public participation in the legislative process: Role of Committees, Supporting National Assembly Committees to execute their Mandates effectively and efficiently: Panel Discussion on Mandates and Inter- linkages among the following Directorates.
