Ekwe Ethuro, Justin Muturi resolve to seek concurrence on proposed laws

Kenya: Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro and his National Assembly counterpart Justin Muturi have promised to put aside their differences, which have emerged in the course of discharging their duties.

Ethuro and Muturi met on Tuesday evening at Parliament Building, where they resolved to henceforth ensure they are faithful to article 110 (3) of the Constitution, which requires them to consult on bills, The Standard can report.

“Going forward, we have agreed to consult on every new bill introduced in Parliament. We will no longer rely on written messages but we will meet to concur,” said Mr Muturi. The two separately told The Standard that they agreed on how to deal with bills.

“We have resolved to concur on every bill. We will also invite our technical teams to advise whether the bill touches on counties, ordinary or special bill,” said Mr Ethuro.

“We are also going to invite the clerks Jeremiah Nyegenye (Senate), Justin Bundi (National Assembly), legal directors and budget director to also advise if it is a money bill or not,” Muturi said.

Article 110 (3) of the Constitution stipulates that before either House considers a bill, both speakers shall jointly resolve any question as to whether it is a bill concerning counties, and if it is, whether it is a special or an ordinary bill.

“I have not intention of undermining the role of the Senate in its legislative process. I have nothing personal against any senator or speaker,” he stated.