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

Parliament resumption

The National Assembly is set to reconvene today, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 for the third part of the third Session following the end of the long recess, with the house proceedings expected to be among the top news events of the day.

During the recess, MPs had the opportunity to undertake Committee activities and return to their constituencies and counties for representative roles.

Top on the agenda is the consideration of the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the vetting of the nominee for the position of Inspector-General of the National Police Service (NPS), Douglas Kanja.

The vetting of the nominee was conducted jointly by the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations of the Senate.

Lawmakers will also consider the Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the vetting of the nominee for the position of Director General of the Competition Authority.

A number of Bills have been slated for Second Reading, including the Coffee Bill (2023) which seeks to regulate the coffee industry, ensuring fair trade practices and sustainable development, the Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill (2023) which seeks to improve the administration of the Equalization Fund, which is designed to reduce regional disparities in development.

Justice Mugambi’s security

More reactions are expected after the Judicial Service Commission on Monday, September 16, 2024, said Justice Lawrence Mugambi’s security was withdrawn over the weekend after he sentenced acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, to a six-month prison term for contempt of court.

Several groups have since called for the reinstatement of Justice Mugambi’s security.

The Defenders Coalition has questioned the move to withdraw security details for the High Court judge.

PRESS STATEMENT: The Defenders Coalition expresses concern over the withdrawal of security detail for Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi, a High Court Judge in Kenya’s Constitutional and Human Rights Division. We call on the relevant authorities, including the National Police Service… pic.twitter.com/Pr8FVPKNXG

— @Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 (@DefendersKE) September 16, 2024

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has also urged the National Police Service (NPS) to restore the security detail of Justice Mugambi.

In a statement on Monday, September 16, 2024, LSK President Faith Odhiambo termed the withdrawal as a violation of the rule of law and the principle of judicial independence.

On the other hand, Masengeli in a statement issued at night has defended the National Police Service move, stating that the officers assigned to Justice Mugambi had only been recalled for purposes of attending VIP security courses.

“It is in the public domain that the IG has accorded the Judiciary, just like the other arms of government, the Commissions and other Independent Agencies, the requisite protection, both the institutions and the persons serving therein, without favour or discrimination.

“The officers seconded to such institutions however remain serving officers of the National Police Service who can be reassigned at the sole discretion of the IG. Such was the case with Hon. Justice Mugambi’s security. The two officers, being general duty officers, were recalled for purposes of attending VIP security courses. We are aware that suitable arrangements were made to ensure that Hon. Mugambi’s security was always assured,” the statement reads.

pic.twitter.com/73zrTuBNuv

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) September 16, 2024