
Livestock Bill 2024 Withdrawn By Parliament Awaiting Public Sensitization
Parliament has withdrawn consideration of the Livestock Bill, 2024, which aimed to revitalize and enable unregulated value chains in Kenya’s livestock sector industries.
Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader, announced the development during Thursday’s sitting.
Ichung’wah explained that Parliament decided to postpone the Bill’s first reading in favor of returning it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for public sensitization.
According to Ichung’wah, if the public is not adequately informed about the legislation, they may strongly oppose it, as seen with the recently withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.
Earlier: The National Assembly resolves to withdraw the Livestock Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 34 of 2024) following the approval of the House Business Committee to stay its first reading slated for next week and any further consideration of the Bill pending a sensitisation… pic.twitter.com/9cqQEoDJBb
— Mzalendo (@MzalendoWatch) August 8, 2024
“When people read things and interpret them in their own way, they can misinform the public and use the publications to incite them,” he said.
“Misinformation and disinformation are being peddled online about this livestock bill and I have engaged the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock Development.”
“They have clarified on several things but we have asked them to engage all stakeholders so that they get to understand the policies before the bill comes to us for consideration.”
Ichung’wah also urged ministries to take full responsibility for any proposed legislation they submit to Parliament.
The Kikuyu Legislature chastised them for proposing laws and then abandoning them, forcing legislators to deal with public outrage when such bills are poorly received.
“We want the Ministries, in line with what President William Ruto said, to take ownership of communications within their departments so that parliament does not bear the brunt of all proposed brought before the House,” he said.
“Courts have been nullifying proposed bills citing further public participation. Ministries should sensitise the public on each clause in that Bill and their meaning before sending them back to us for further consideration.”
Livestock Bill 2024 Withdrawn By Parliament Awaiting Public Sensitization