Thursday Afternoon Sitting – Division of Revenue, Finance Bill, and Tribunal Appointments

Thursday 19 June, 2025 | Afternoon Session

The National Assembly's Thursday afternoon sitting focused heavily on budgetary legislation, particularly the third readings of key financial bills, mediation outcomes between the Senate and the National Assembly, and the formal approval of tribunal members. Members also raised concerns over infrastructure delays, delayed safety net payments, and youth-led national blood drives. The Speaker presided over a long session that also saw the House move into the Committee of the Whole to finalize the Appropriation Bill.

Bills Discussed

• Finance Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 19 of 2025 – Read a third time and passed
• Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 72 of 2023 – Read a third time and passed
• Appropriation Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 23 of 2025 – Passed with amendments in Committee of the Whole
• Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2025 – Read a second time
• Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill (No. 2), National Assembly Bill No. 16 of 2025 – Read a second time
• Division of Revenue Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 10 of 2025 – Mediated version adopted
• County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, Senate Bill No. 39 of 2023 – Read a second time
• Kenya Institute of Primate Research Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 52 of 2024 – Debate initiated but not concluded

Topics Discussed

• Financial autonomy for county assemblies and governance implications
• Oversight challenges in counties due to lack of resources and accountability
• Corruption and misuse of funds in devolved units
• Delayed implementation of infrastructure and social services projects
• Delays in disbursement of Hunger Safety Net Programme funds
• Blood shortages and upcoming parliamentary donation drive
• Oversight failures by the Senate on county expenditures
• Gender representation and generational equity in public appointments
• Party symbolism and dress code in Parliament

Key Takeaways and Decisions

• House passed the Finance Bill, the Population Council Bill, and the Appropriation Bill
• Mediated version of the Division of Revenue Bill was adopted, increasing county share to KSh 415B
• County assemblies granted financial independence via second reading of Senate Bill No. 39
• Appointment of five nominees to the Public Benefit Organization Dispute Tribunal approved

Major Participants

• Hon. Moses Wetang’ula: Presided over the session as Speaker
• Hon. Ndindi Nyoro: Moved Finance Bill and Division of Revenue mediation report
• Hon. Irene Mayaka: Seconded multiple motions and defended county assemblies
• Hon. David Pukose: Seconded Division of Revenue and Appropriation Bill motions
• Hon. Farah Maalim: Criticized county corruption and Senate's oversight failures
• Hon. Millie Odhiambo: Queried dress code and delayed response to statement on betting
• Hon. George Murugara: Moved the tribunal appointment motion
• Hon. Zuleka Harun: Seconded tribunal appointment motion
• Hon. Makali Mulu: Highlighted county executive dominance and rollout issues
• Hon. Naomi Waqo: Spoke on budget transparency and county assembly empowerment

Key Moments

• Lively exchange between Hon. Millie Odhiambo and Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba over party colors and dress code
• Speaker ruled Wamuchomba’s yellow outfit was not in violation of rules
• Several MPs (e.g. Osoro, Tongoyo) called out Senate for failing its core oversight mandate
• Emotional appeals from MPs highlighting rampant county-level corruption and non-performance

Notable Quotes

• “The finance bill is now in the annals of parliamentary history.” – Hon. Moses Wetang’ula
• “Governors are the contractors themselves.” – Hon. Farah Maalim
• “Some of us are on retainers here.” – Hon. Adan Keynan
• “Stop calling them excellencies. People don’t work.” – Hon. Osoro

This summary was generated from official YouTube livestreams of the Kenyan Parliament using bunge-bits, an automated transcription and summarization tool.