forefront in fighting for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) left homeless by the 2008 post- election violence.
• National leadership and reconciliation: The growing importance of Parliaments in conflict resolution and peace building among communities can be attributed to the increasing awareness of the nexus between Parliament, conflict prevention and poverty reduction. MPs are uniquely positioned to lead peace efforts and promote national dialogue to weed out threats to national security. For instance, in early 2008 after the post- election violence Parliament facilitated debate and the enactment of the National Accord that culminated in the establishment of the Grand Coalition Government in April 2008.
Through their participation and
involvement in inter-parliamentary institutions such as the CPA and IPU, MPs have the responsibility to ensure there is global tolerance and understanding among different peoples and cultures. Furthermore, they approve international agreements, treaties and conventions entered into by the government and ensure national interests are not violated.
Legislating for the people Parliament has the mandate to deliberate issues facing Kenyans and press for executive action. This is achieved by backing relevant laws and regulations, budgetary allocations and sound policies, creating institutions and vetting public office appointments. Article 30 of the constitution
grants exclusive legislative power to Parliament, through transaction of motions and Bills. The cardinal role of MPs is to consider, refine and pass Bills which, upon presidential assent, become laws as Acts of Parliament.
26 | The Parliamentarian | 2010: Issue Three - Kenya
Nearly 90 per cent of
parliamentary business emanates from the executive arm, whose responsibility is to initiate new or reform existing legislation. MPs influence legislation through debates, particularly in the committees where Bills are referred to after First Reading. Any MP, individuals, organized groups and other stakeholders can make presentations before the departmental committees or make proposals through written memoranda for consideration by the House. The most direct means by
which an MP may legislate is by sponsoring a private Member’s Bill. Private Members’ Bills are public interest policy issues sponsored by an individual Member or party but not a Member of the cabinet. This could be for new legislation or seeking to amend existing laws.
The scrutiny role Parliament has the “power of the purse”, where it regulates revenue
Above: Mr Musila outlining conference details at the CPA Executive Committee meeting in Swaziland in May.
collection and expenditure of public resources through the budgetary process. MPs are empowered to debate and pass the budget. Through departmental committees, MPs scrutinize budgetary allocations to various ministries and hold the government accountable for its policies and administrative practices.
Members scrutinize government activity through questions and motions, ministerial statements and committee probes. MPs direct questions to Ministers on policy issues in service delivery. In the Kenyan Parliament, there is a question hour at every sitting, while sittings on Wednesdays are reserved for private Members’ motions.
Committees exercise surveillance to ensure government