Razor-sharp barbed wire at the entrance to Parliament Road.
The National Assembly was forced to adjourn its morning sitting prematurely after MPs failed to report to the debating chamber to conduct the business of the day, as the country descended into Gen Z protests calling for good governance.
As the situation worsened, the afternoon session was also cancelled, with the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff and journalists being prioritised.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng'.
Temporary Speaker David Ochieng’ (Ugenya) announced the adjournment of the morning sitting one hour and 15 minutes early, despite six motions and four private members' bills having been scheduled for consideration that day.
“The time now being fifteen minutes to midday this House stands adjourned until today 2:30 PM,” said Mr Ochieng.
At the time of the adjournment, our background checks revealed that there were about 10 members in the 349-member House.
The constitution states that at least 50 members should be present and seated in the chamber to constitute the requisite numbers for the House to transact business.
A protester holding a police shield along Banda Street in Nairobi.
However, by the time the House had processed the supplementary budget III for the 2024/25 financial year that increased the national government’s budget by Sh35.74 billion.
Being a Wednesday, the House has two sessions- the morning, which adjourns at 1pm and the afternoon session, which rises at 7pm unless extended depending on the business scheduled for consideration.
The Bills which had been scheduled for debate but whose sponsors were missing in action to move them include the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Senate Bill but co-sponsored by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.
Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka.
There was also the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill 2024 by nominated MP Sabina Chege, the County Governments (Amendment) 2023 by Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.
Reward scheme
The motions that had been lined up for consideration include the formulation of a reward scheme for accomplishments by sports persons in international competitions by Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya and the implementation of Universal Health Coverage and of a policy on mandatory use of public healthcare facilities by public officers by Ms Chege.
The others are the formulation of a regulatory framework on artificial intelligence in the country by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany and the expansion of major roads in the country to dual carriageways by Nyandarua County Woman MP Faith Gitau.
There was also the formulation of a land use policy on the zoning of land for agriculture and built development by Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi and the allocation of Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) funds to support students enrolled at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) by Balambala MP Abdi Shurie.
The Mwingi West MP’s motion seeks to actualize financial rewards for sportsmen.
They include Sh6 million for setting new world records, Sh4 million for gold medalists, Sh3 million for silver medalists and Sh2 million for bronze medalists.
Razor-sharp barbed wire at the entrance to Parliament Road on June 25, 2025.
“There is also non-financial motivation, including facilitation with the issuance of diplomatic passports for established sportsmen and women, appointment as goodwill ambassadors and conferring national honours and privileges,” says Mr Ngusya.
The motion also seeks the establishment of medical cover and a post-retirement social protection scheme, including establishing contributory insurance and savings schemes to support sportspersons who retire from active sporting due to injuries or age.
Ms Chege seeks the resolution of the House to have the government through the Ministry of Health implement the Kenya Universal Healthcare Coverage Policy 2020-2030 and introduce a policy on mandatory use of public healthcare facilities by all civil servants, public officers and State officers in the country.
Artificial Intelligence
In her motion, Ms Kitany wants the government to formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country to control its potential misuse.
In doing so, the MP wants the government to develop and execute a public awareness programme on AI to raise its understanding, foster transparency and promote its responsible use “for the benefit of all.”
According to Ms Gitau, the government through the Ministry of Roads and Transport should undertake an expansion programme of national trunk roads.
This, she says, includes upgrading all classes A, B and C roads in the country from two-way lanes to dual carriageways with the necessary infrastructure that includes footbridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals, proper drainage systems and other requisite infrastructure.
The Westlands MP wants the Ministry of Lands to put in place a policy framework for effective land use in rural areas by consolidating and designating zones for built development for commercial and residential developments.
In terms of the allocation of Helb funds, Mr Shurie wants the Ministry of Education to facilitate the issuance of Helb loans to students at the KMTC.
