Kenya Senate in-tray full as sittings resume today

Senate resumes sittings today with a packed House business, which includes the introduction of six new Bills sponsored by various legislators.

The House has a total of 25 items, six due for first reading, 16 set for second reading and three due for committee stage.

The 67 senators have their in-tray full, as they start work on the Bills which include among others the Public Fundraising Bill, National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, National Government Co-ordination (Amendment) Bill, The Universities (Amendment) Bill, County Early Childhood Education Bill, Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, and the National Assembly Bill.

The House resumes after a month-long recess amid challenges including negative criticism over members' clamour for high perks, which has elicited mixed reactions from the public.

The Senate will also seek to provide a legal framework to undertake its oversight role in counties following the High Court's temporary orders barring it from summoning governors to answer on financial queries.

As a result of Justice Mumbi Ngugi's orders last Thursday, the Senate suffered a huge setback in its oversight role.

The protracted wars between the two Houses of Parliament is still far from over, going by the latest remarks by the National Assembly leadership, accusing the Senate of failing to undertake its constitutional mandate.