Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Full in-tray as MPs begin retreat in Naivasha

Members of the National Assembly will be having a full tray of issues to settle during their week-long retreat in Naivasha beginning today Monday, January 27, 2025.

Key on the agenda of the legislators in the retreat dubbed “𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴: 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘵” are discussing the constitutionality of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NG-AAF) and the Senate Oversight Fund, to anchor them in law.

Members will also review various critical laws that have been passed by the House, under Universal Health Care – the Social Health Act and the Digital Health Act; as well as the finance-related laws including the Business Laws (Amendment) Act and the Tax Procedures (Amendment) Act.

Also, the MPs will be briefed on the state of the economy by the Principal Secretary of Treasury Chris Kiptoo who will outline the nation’s economic outlook and the budget needs.

Other stakeholders invited to the retreat include the Secretary/Director of Pensions in the National Treasury Alfred M. Kagika, Dr Dan Gikonyo, former MP for Kipkelion East Joseph Limo and former Nominated MP Jacqueline Oduol.

Reactions to Jubilee party’s endorsement of Matiang’i

Reactions are expected after former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as the flag-bearer in the 2027 General Elections.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the party’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni noted that Matiang’i was the suitable candidate to unseat President William Ruto in the presidential election.

“We as the Jubilee Party, we have our own candidate, Matiang’i; aende wachuane na wale wengine tuhakikishe Kasongo ameenda nyumbani asubuhi na mapema. For that to happen, lazima muanze kufanya registration, musikize maneno kwa watu na hatutaki vita,” Kioni said.

“If we all agree to come together and vote, Ruto will not win even if he appoints Kimani Ichung’wah or Kamket as IEBC Chairperson. Lazima tukubaliane kama wakenya kwamba William Ruto na watu wake wote are very wrong people for Kenya,” he said.

High-Level Retreat on AU Institutional Reforms

African heads of state will be meeting in Nairobi Kenya for the high-level retreat on the African Union institutional reforms which is set to run from January 27, 2025, to January 28, 2025.

The meeting was scheduled by President William Ruto who is the designated AU champion and is set to discuss and review the progress and future of AU reforms including sustainable funding.

So far, Ghana and Comoros’ presidents have landed in the country for the high-level meeting.