The National Assembly is set to deliberate on seven bills recently transmitted by the Senate, touching on county funding, equalisation efforts, and national governance reforms.

The communication was formally relayed to the House by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, during a sitting in the National Assembly Chamber.

Speaker Wetang’ula, citing Standing Order 41(4), informed Members that four Senate Bills and three National Assembly Bills had been received for consideration.

The Speaker emphasised the urgency of the legislative agenda, especially those touching on revenue allocation and service delivery to devolved units.

While addressing Members of the National Assembly, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula stated, “Honourable Members, under the provisions of Standing Order 41(4), I wish to report to the House that I have received seven (7) messages from the Senate regarding its consideration of four (4) Senate Bills and three (3) National Assembly Bills.”

Revenue allocation and equalisation

Among the Senate Bills under review are the County Governments Additional Allocations (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bill No. 8 of 2025) and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bill No. 9 of 2025), passed on July 23 and 22, respectively.

The Additional Allocations Bill seeks to provide supplementary funds to county governments for the 2025/2026 financial year, while the Allocation of Revenue Bill outlines the formula for equitable distribution of national revenue among counties.

Both bills were read for the first time in the National Assembly on July 31 and referred to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for fast-tracked scrutiny.

Also under discussion is the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2025), aimed at allocating resources for basic services in marginalised areas in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

However, its introduction to the National Assembly has been deferred to allow consultations, following the existence of a similar bill already passed by the National Assembly and currently under Senate consideration.

Mediation

Legislative tensions emerged after the Senate rejected the National Assembly’s amendments to the Start-up Bill (Senate Bill No. 14 of 2022).

The Speaker confirmed that the impasse, arising from the Senate’s decision on July 23, triggers a mediation process under Article 112(2)(b) of the Constitution. Both the majority and minority party leaders are now required to nominate members to represent the National Assembly in the mediation committee.

Presidential assent

Speaker Wetang’ula also reported that the Senate passed three National Assembly-originated bills. The Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 12 of 2025) and the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 12 of 2023) were approved without amendments and assented into law by the President on July 30.

The mediated version of the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 7 of 2023) was also adopted by both Houses and now awaits Presidential assent. The bill seeks to tighten the regulation of gambling operations across the country.

“Additionally, the Senate passed the mediated version of the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 7 of 2023), which the National Assembly endorsed on Thursday, 31st July 2025. The Bill, which introduces stricter regulation of gambling activities, now awaits Presidential assent,” read the post.