Parliament resumes on Tuesday with full in-tray

Politics
By Edwin Nyarangi | Feb 09, 2026
Parliament during a past session. [File, Standard]

Members of the National Assembly and the Senate have a full in-tray as they resume on Tuesday after a two-month recess.

The National Assembly’s Departmental, Audit, Appropriations and General Purpose Committees resumed last week to begin preparatory work ahead of plenary business after the legislators attended the 2026 legislative retreat for Members of the National Assembly in Naivasha two weeks ago.

The Senate’s County Public Accounts, County Public Investments and Special Funds Committees have been grilling governors for the last two weeks to check on the expenditure of billions of shillings allocated to their counties as equitable share to ensure accountability.

The committees chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi have been carrying out engagements to establish how the 47 county governments spent billions of shillings for the 2024/2025 financial year as they work to beat the March 31 deadline they have to scrutinize the Auditor General reports.

Speaking during the retreat dubbed “Securing Parliamentary Legacy: Delivering the Fifth Session’s Agenda and Preparing for Transition,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula reminded the MPs of the heavy responsibilities ahead as they get down to serious business.

“The fifth session of the 13th Parliament will be crucial in shaping our legacy as the August House bearing in mind we are remaining with less than two years to the 2027 general election. Members must remain focused and committed to delivering on the expectations of Kenyans,” said Wetang’ula.

As the National Assembly reconvenes, a packed agenda awaits lawmakers, with several key Motions and policy documents lined up for consideration. Key priority is the 2026 Budget Policy Statement and the accompanying Debt Management Strategy, both of which are expected to be submitted by the National Treasury by February 15, 2025.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah described the documents as important to the country’s economic direction, saying the Budget Policy Statement will set the tone for government spending and priorities in the coming financial year with Parliament required to scrutinize it thoroughly to ensure it reflects the needs of Kenyans.

The Budget Policy Statement is a critical economic blueprint assessing the state of the economy and outlines the government’s fiscal outlook over the medium term. It sets national priorities, proposed expenditure ceilings for ministries and departments and recommended transfers to county governments.

Ichung’wah said the Debt Management Strategy, on the other hand, provides an overview of Kenya’s public debt portfolio, including sources of borrowing, guarantees issued, associated risks, and strategies to ensure debt sustainability.

“Once approved by Parliament, the 2026 Budget Policy Statement and the accompanying Debt Management Strategy will form the foundation for the Division of Revenue Bill, which determines how revenues raised by the national government are shared between the national and county governments,” said Ichung’wah. 

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