Members of the National Assembly have been barred from holding meetings outside Parliament precincts upon their return from recess until the BBI Bill is passed.
Speaker Justin Muturi has directed that MPs hold their sittings closer to the chambers to raise the required numbers.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020, will only be considered passed if supported by a majority of the members of the National Assembly and the Senate.
This would mean at least 175 members of the National Assembly and 33 senators would be needed to be in the House for the Bill to be considered passed.
“This requirement places emphasis on the need for participation of all members in the consideration of a bill seeking to amend the Constitution by popular initiative,” Muturi said.
The speaker, citing a resolution of the House Business Committee, said the move would accord the BBI Bill the necessary time and attention.
“The House Business Committee resolved that any committee sittings and activities scheduled to be held during the period of the consideration of the Bill in the House, are held within the precincts of Parliament,” he told members in a communication.
“To this end, all the members and committee leaderships are informed that no committee sittings or and activities will be held outside the precincts of Parliament during the consideration of Bill promoted by the BBI, which is expected to be concluded at the end of the month of March, 2021,” he said.
Muturi directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to ensure compliance with the directive which would come into force once MPs resume from recess.
MPs at times hold meetings outside committee rooms in Parliament to give members ample time to review matters before them without disruptions.
The bill promoted by the Building Bridges Initiative is currently undergoing public participation jointly by Justice committees of the Senate and National Assembly.
The committees are expected to report to the respective Houses on or…