After a short recess, Members of Parliament are scheduled to resume their sittings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with plenty in store for their consideration.

In a statement shared by the Parliament of Kenya on Monday, March 31, 2025, the lawmakers are expected to prioritise the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

To set the ball rolling, Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula directed the House Business Committee to fast-track their consideration in line with Standing Order 42(2).

He confirmed in a notification to the members on March 26, 2025, indicating that Bill had matured for its first reading and has been determined a priority bill.

Following Wetang’ula’s directive, the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning is expected to consider it before tabling the report for consideration by the MPs who resume sitting following the end of their short recess, which commenced on March 17, 2025.

VAT Bill

The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, published on March 13, 2025, seeks to amend the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. 476, to clarify the commencement date of exemptions granted before January 1, 2024, on capital goods for investment in manufacturing valued at not less than Ksh2 billion.

According to the Parliament of Kenya, if enacted, the bill will eliminate ambiguities in tax exemptions, creating a more predictable tax regime for investors in the manufacturing sector.

Excise Duty Bill

Apart from the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, the legislators are also expected to deliberate on the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 7 of 2025).

This is after Wetang’ula’s notification dated March 18, 2025, directed the MPs to fast-track the bill.

It proposes amendments to the Excise Duty Act to remove excise duty on imported fully assembled electric transformers, reducing costs for power sector investors.

The Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been referred to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning for immediate consideration.

Wetang’ula’s decision to prioritise the bills followed a request from Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who argued that, if passed, they are expected to enhance investment in Kenya’s power sector by lowering import costs for transformers, a critical component in electricity distribution.

Division of revenue

The National Assembly will also consider the Division of Revenue Bill, 2025, a Bill which determines how money collected by the National Government is shared between the National and County Governments for the 2025/26 financial year.

The Bill ensures that both levels of government receive their equitable share of revenue to deliver services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security. It also upholds the principles of devolution by guaranteeing counties enough funds to perform their functions.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the National Treasury proposes allocations of Ksh2.4 trillion for the national government and Ksh405 billion to county governments.

Approval hearings

With the recent changes to the Cabinet announced by President William Ruto, the MPs are also expected to conduct approval hearings for various candidates, including Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku who was nominated to replace Justin Muturi as Public Service Cabinet Secretary and former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha who was fronted to serve as Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations Habitat in Nairobi.

Other nominees will also be vetted as the sittings resume on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 and throughout the month.