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Senators have extended their recess by two weeks to attend the inaugural Africa Climate Change Summit.

The development will see the House resume its regular sessions on September 19 after the senators altered their calendar during a special sitting last week.

While moving the motion for the alteration of the calendar, Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), said senators need time to attend the conference and carry out other duties.

Cheruiyot explained that when the House adjourned for recess in mid-August, they were to proceed on a three-week recess but the schedule was interfered with by the one-week Devolution Conference held in Eldoret.

Another week was spent in Parliament for Special sittings to adopt a motion establishing the National Dialogue Committee as well as the approval of the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

“That is why we have requested to move our recess period by a further two weeks so that we are able to attend to those other duties,” said Cheruiyot.

He said the Senators will also be expected to be part of the ongoing climate conference where they make presentations.

Cheruiyot also said they needed time to meet their constituents, adding that senators face a bigger challenges when seeking re-election.

Seconding the motion, Eddy Oketch (Migori) said their presence at the climate summit was as important as their regular duties.

Speaker Amason Kingi said the role of parliamentarians in the summit could not be overstated.

He said legislators play crucial legislative, oversight and budget making and approval roles, which are essential in policy development and implementation and ensure government accountability and effectiveness.

“At the international level, legislators can work with their counterparts to build synergies and coordinated approaches at the negotiation stage for shared regional interests,” said Kingi.