Parliament reconvenes this afternoon, where MPs are expected to debate on the contested issue of the formation of the key House Business Committee (HBC).

Last week, MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, voted to shoot down a motion seeking to approve names of members to sit in the committee.

Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya has however managed to convince Speaker Justin Muturi, to reconvene the House for the motion to be re-introduced.

A procedural motion to rescind last week’s decision by members has been factored on today’s Order paper.

Reads the motion to be tabled by Kimunya: “THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 49(2) (a), this House resolves to rescind its decision of Tuesday, January 25, 2022 (Afternoon Sitting) regarding appointment of Members to the House Business Committee under paragraph (f) of Standing Order 171(1).”

Interestingly, Kimunya has retained the same names in the list which is contrary to the Standing Orders, which states that new members should be listed in a motion rescinding a decision earlier passed by the House.

The seven members are Joyce Akai Emanikor, Shadrack Mose, Kawira Mwangaza, Mohamed Abdikhaim Osman, Makali Mulu, Mishi Mboko and Godfrey Osotsi.

Traditionally, the HBC is reconstituted at the start of every session of Parliament.

Other members of the committee are the Speaker; who is also the chairman, the majority and the minority leaders, the two Whips and the appointed members.

It is the top decision-making organ that sets the day-to-day agenda that is to be transacted by the National Assembly.

Similar motion

Members cannot transact any business without being slotted in the Order Paper that is developed by the HBC.

It will be keen to note that should the MPs fail to agree and shoot down the motion again; the House will have to adjourn for six months before a similar motion can be reintroduced.

The six months coincide with the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the General Election; meaning that should the motion flop,  then Parliament will stand dissolved. But if approved, MPs will start processing this Financial Year’s Budget Policy Statement which is due.

Also in the in tray is the Supplementary Budget and the Budget estimates, which should be delivered by April to pave way for the June dissolution of Parliament.

Last Tuesday, Muturi warned members that their action was likely to interfere with the life of the current Parliament.

“By shooting down the list of HBC, you have given the electoral body a simple task of declaring the House dissolved, as the six months coincides with the date for the dissolution, “ Muturi informed members.