The Principal Secretary, State Department for Economic Planning James Muhati has today presented various priority legislative and policy initiatives of his State department before the multiagency Government Legislative Agenda (GLA) roundtable validation panel sitting at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The GLA roundtables have emerged as critical platforms for ministries, state departments, and agencies to present their strategies on policy and legislation, fostering a “whole government approach” to governance.
Under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary through the State Department of Parliamentary Affairs, the GLA roundtables are aimed driving Kenya’s legislative and policy priorities towards inclusivity and unity.
On her part, State Department of Parliamentary Affairs PS Aurelia Ronoh emphasized the pivotal role of these roundtables in aligning government legislative and policy initiatives.
“The GLA roundtables are essential in our nation’s governance, enabling us to optimize policies and legislative initiatives across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in perfect alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). This strategic prioritization will ensure development that benefits every Kenyan.” Ronoh noted.
The GLA roundtables, which commenced on July 24, 2023, and will continue until August 28, 2023, are a historic event in Kenya’s governance landscape. They serve as a vital platform for ministries, state departments, and agencies to present their policy and legislative needs collectively as opposed to when individual MDAs acted in isolation by pushing individual bills for legislation to parliament.
At the heart of the GLA roundtables is the Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, empowering the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) to chair and coordinate the National Government Legislative Agenda (NGLA) across all ministries and state departments, a unified approach ensuring effective consultations with Party/Coalition Leaders in Parliament, facilitating seamless alignment of legislative initiatives with national priorities.
Speaking today, PS Ronoh acknowledged past hurdles that hindered the effective implementation of the Government Legislative Agenda. Issues such as uncoordinated legal reforms and separate funding for each MDA posed challenges in the past. To overcome these obstacles, the GLA roundtables incorporate continuous audits and assessments, streamlining and optimizing future initiatives to create a cohesive and effective governance strategy.
“The GLA roundtables will establish clear priorities and focus the government’s efforts on critical issues requiring immediate attention.” Ronoh noted.
This commitment aims to establish an enabling legal environment that supports sustainable growth and equitable prosperity, positioning Kenya as a stronger and more resilient nation, dedicated to fulfilling the aspirations of every Kenyan.
PS Muhati on his part emphasized the significance of the GLA roundtables, which signify a transformative approach to legislative planning and policy development. The executive’s embrace of a unified agenda, for the first time in Kenya’s history, enhances coordination within the government and fosters efficient liaison to parliament, a pivotal catalyst for national development.
During the GLA roundtables, each ministry, state department, and agency unveiled the breadth of their roles.
These encompass public sector reforms, government human resource information systems, oversight of national youth services, internship and volunteer policies for the public service, government payroll standards, shared support services, research and development, public service delivery innovations, career planning and development, and administration of insurance and welfare programs for the civil service.
As the GLA roundtables unfold, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary will compile a comprehensive report, serving as a roadmap for the effective implementation of legislative initiatives. This unified approach to legislative planning ensures that the nation’s developmental objectives are met with greater efficiency and efficacy, aligning Kenya’s legislative priorities for a prosperous and inclusive future.
