New members of the National Assembly show up to learn the ropes as former colleagues begin clearance process.
Both the MPs’ and the visitors’ lobby were full of former, re-elected and new lawmakers for the better part of Tuesday.
The newly elected MPs will undergo a two week induction course once they are sworn into office.
Parliament was a beehive of activity on Tuesday as first-time MPs trooped in to familiarise themselves with the House ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.
Re-elected members of the National Assembly and the Senate as well as their colleagues who lost in the party primaries in April and the August 8 General Election also showed up, bringing life to the precincts of Parliament that had largely been deserted since the 11th Parliament went on an indefinite end-of-term recess on June 15.
Both the MPs’ and the visitors’ lobby were full of former, re-elected and new lawmakers for the better part of Tuesday.
The newly elected MPs will undergo a two week induction course once they are sworn into office.
They will be taken through Standing Orders, traditions and precedence of the House as well get oriented with the workings of Parliament.
The MPs’ cafeteria, which used to record less than 10 visitors a day following the recess, was full at lunchtime as legislators flocked in with a retinue of supporters and aides for a meal.
Those who were elected for the first time were full of enthusiasm as parliamentary orderlies took them round for orientation.
They were taken to the respective (Senate and National Assembly) debating chamber, the restaurant, MPs lobby, Serjeant-At-Arms office, the Clerk and Speakers offices among others.
Aides of outgoing legislators dashed from one office to the other to clear with respective offices, key among them the Finance and Security.
A number of those who lost their seats accompanied their staff, particularly personal assistants and security personnel to clear with the House authorities.
The office of the Sergeant-at-Arms Mr Aloisie Lekulo was busy with every MP who lost his or her seat stopping by for a chat. The office is critical as it runs the security of Parliament.
New MPs and their aides jammed Mr Lekulo’s offices to introduce themselves and seek directions regarding their new offices among other inquiries.
The ministers’ parking lot located at the National Assembly was filled with all manner of vehicles including top-of-the range fuel guzzlers as well as those with engine capacity as low as 1800cc.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi spent the better part of the day in Parliament. He continues to hold office until a new Speaker is elected, according to the law.
Mr Muturi is seeking to defend his seat when the 12th Parliament opens either next week or the week after.
The MPs will first be sworn-in before embarking on an exercise to elect a new Speaker and a deputy.
“We are still waiting for the gazette notice from the electoral body declaring the MPs as duly elected. The President will use this to appoint a date within which the 12th Parliament will open,” a parliamentary staff, who wished not to be named, said.
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