Gambling, disaster management and election offences Bills top agendas as National Assembly resumes

The National Assembly will resume its plenary sittings today with the mediated version of the Gambling Control Bill being top of the agenda this afternoon.

This comes after the National Assembly and Senate reached consensus through a Mediation Committee chaired jointly by representatives from both Houses.

The Bill proposes tighter regulation of the gambling industry, which has seen a surge in activity over the years, especially among young people.

If passed, the new law will introduce stronger safeguards for consumers, limit unlicensed betting, and ensure responsible advertising and corporate accountability.

Also lined up is the consideration of Senate amendments to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill with  Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichungw’ah expected to move the motion.

The amendments by the Senate touch on key aspects of disaster preparedness and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

The Bill, if enacted, will establish a more coordinated, structured, and responsive national framework to deal with disasters and emergencies.

Other Bills on the in-tray include the County Assemblies Pensions Scheme Bill, which seeks to establish a dedicated contributory pension scheme exclusively for County Assembly Members (MCAs) and staff.

The Bill introduces a framework aligned with the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), including how funds are administered, invested, and governed.

Both MCAs and assembly staff, along with county assemblies as employers, will make regular contributions toward the pension fund

Secondly, the Election Offences Bill seeks to strengthen the Election Offences Act, 2016, by expanding the definition of offenses related to election conduct.

The Bill amends Section 6 of the Act by criminalising not only failure but also unreasonable delay in declaring election results.

The Bill also extends responsibility beyond just the candidate to “and any other person” involved in electoral wrongdoing and introduces new offences, including holding elections in an un-gazetted polling station and knowingly or intentionally interfering with, altering, or causing alteration of already declared results.

Following referral of two Bills by President William Ruto at the start of this month, the National Assembly is expected to reconsider the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Cancer Prevention and Control Amendment Bill.

The Bill was referred to the Departmental Committee on Lands, while the Cancer Prevention and Control Amendment Bill goes to the Departmental Committee on Health.

Members of the National Assembly will also debate the Performance Audit Report on the Provision of Services to Persons with Disabilities by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

The report, tabled by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture, sheds light on gaps in service delivery, funding, and policy implementation affecting Kenyans living with disabilities.

Further, Members will consider the Fifth Report on the Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development