Speaker Muturi calls off special Parliament sitting

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has called off a special sitting that was slated to take place on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Muturi cited a delay by the government printer to gazette a notice on the special sitting as the reason that informed his decision.

Standing Order 38 stipulates that the government printer should gazette a notice of any special sitting of the House at least 12 hours before lawmakers can convene for the said meeting.

"As at 14.30 hours today, the Government Printer had not, for unknown reasons, published the Gazette Notice. The publication of an Order Paper for a Special Sitting of the House follows publication of the Gazette Notice for the particular sitting," said Muturi in the statement.

"It is worth noting that the government printer has declined and failed to gazette the Special sittings for reasons not explained to us despite the requisite documentation being forwarded to his office in good time last week."

Muturi has since cancelled the two-session sitting, which was supposed to be held at Parliament Building's National Assembly Chamber at 10am and 2:30pm, to consult the Executive and charter a way forward.

"In the circumstances, therefore, I am compelled to call off the special sitting to allow consultations by the Executive. In light of the foregoing, this is to notify you that the Special Sittings of the House that were scheduled to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 13, 2022 stand cancelled. Any inconvenience caused to the House and the Members is highly regrettable," he said.  

Speaker Muturi had on July 8 recalled the lawmakers to the special sitting, stating that President Uhuru Kenyatta would convey an urgent message to them.

The National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee was also expected to table a report on the County Governments' Additional Allocations Bill while the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations was meant to consider a motion on the approval of the ratification of a Defence Cooperation agreement between Kenya, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

"First Reading, Second Reading, Committee of the Whole House and the Third Reading of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill will also be discussed," said Muturi then.

"Consideration in Committee of the Whole House and Third Reading of the Huduma Bill will be on the agenda and any other priority business certified as urgent by the Speaker."