Parliament to Hold Special Sittings to Debate BBI Bill

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has convened special sittings to debate the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020, popularly known as the BBI Bill.

In a notice on Monday, Speaker Muturi said the sittings will be held on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 29(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, it is notified for the information of the Members of National Assembly and the general public that Special Sittings of the Assembly shall be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 commencing at 10:00 am and 2:30 respectively and Thursday, April 29, 2021 commencing at 10:00 am and 2:30 respectively in the National Assembly Chamber,” read the notice.

The notice for the special sittings comes after Senator Okong’o Omogeni, the co-chair of the Joint Parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) handed over a report on the BBI Bill to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka.

MPs are expected to debate the Bill through all the stages—second reading, Committee of the Whole House, and third reading.

During the second and third readings, the Bill would require at least 50 percent of the members sitting for purposes of a vote to accept or reject the amendments.

If the two Houses (Senate and National Assembly) endorse the Bill, the Speakers will communicate to the President, who will, in turn, send a message to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to hold a referendum within 90 days.