The Senate Standing Committee On National Security, Defence And Foreign Relations Submits Its Quarterly Report To The House
Sen. William Cheptumo
By PSCU
Worth Noting:
- Cheptumo submitted that his Committee undertook a comparison of the Military Veterans Act (No. 18 of 2022) and the Military Veterans Bill (Senate Bills No. 41 of 2021) and recommended a minor amendment to the definitions clause to be carried through an omnibus Bill.
- A total of 33 Statements were sought from the committee during the period under review although 3 of them were redirected to the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare and the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations as the issues raised in those statements touched on relief food distribution and boundaries.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations held a total of 26 sittings, considered 3 Legislative Proposals, 34 Statements between 14th October 2022 and 30th March 2023.
The committee`s Chairperson Sen. William Cheptumo has revealed through a quarterly report on the committee`s activities submitted in the Senate.
During the period under review, the committee also held one approval hearing and tabled 2 reports, held 2 retreats besides undertaking one County visit.
The Committee reviewed the Disaster Risk Management Bill; and the National Anthem Copyright Laws (Amendment) Bill that were considered during the Twelfth Parliament and recommended the same for publication.
Sen. Cheptumo submitted that his Committee undertook a comparison of the Military Veterans Act (No. 18 of 2022) and the Military Veterans Bill (Senate Bills No. 41 of 2021) and recommended a minor amendment to the definitions clause to be carried through an omnibus Bill.
A total of 33 Statements were sought from the committee during the period under review although 3 of them were redirected to the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare and the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations as the issues raised in those statements touched on relief food distribution and boundaries.
The committee received and concluded responses on 22 statements sought which were shared with the respective Senators, and is awaiting for responses to 8 Statements from the relevant Ministries.
The committee according to Sen. Cheptumo undertook a County Visit to Kitui County in respect of a Statement sought by Sen. Enoch Wambua on the heightened insecurity in Mutha Ward, Kitui County and tabled its report giving a number of recommendations to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Kenya Wildlife Service among others in addressing issues raised.
During the period, the Committee jointly with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs held an approval hearing for the appointment of Eng. Japhet Koome to the position of Inspector-General of the National Police Service. The report was tabled and approved by both houses.
Further, the committee held an Induction and Work Planning retreat where an elaborate work plan to guide it in discharging its mandate was adopted.
In addition, the committee held fruitful engagements with various stakeholders where members deliberated on several matters that fall under the committee`s mandate.
Among the stakeholders that the committee held sessions with were the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Chairperson, Independent Policing and Oversight Authority, the Inspector General, National Police Service Commission, the Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Chairperson, National Police Service Commission.
The Committee also held a Retreat with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the CEO, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), deliberations that saw a number of legislative gaps emerging which the Committee is considering at the moment with a view to sponsoring amendments to existing laws to cure the problem.
In conclusion, the Committee intends to undertake County visits to various Counties among them Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot to assess the ongoing security operations.
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