Kitui Central MP Hon. Makali Mulu has been named by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to serve on a critical mediation committee tasked with resolving a stalemate over the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2024. Hon. Mulu joins eight other Members of Parliament in the committee, which aims to bridge differences between the National Assembly and the Senate over the contentious Bill.
The appointment recognizes Hon. Mulu’s extensive expertise in economics. A holder of a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University of East Anglia in the UK, Hon. Mulu is expected to bring his deep understanding of economic matters to the committee. His contribution will be instrumental in addressing the impasse over county allocations for the 2024/25 financial year.
Hon. Mulu, who has declared his intention to contest the Kitui County gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections, is widely expected to leverage his economic expertise and leadership to transform the county’s economy. With years of experience in public finance and policy-making, Hon. Mulu has built a reputation as a champion for sound economic management a vision he aims to extend to Kitui County if elected governor.
The County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, originating from the Senate, seeks to regulate the transfer of conditional and unconditional funds from the National Government and development partners to county governments. However, disagreements between the two Houses of Parliament have stalled its progress.
Under Article 113 of the Constitution, when the National Assembly and the Senate fail to agree on a Bill, it must be referred to a mediation committee comprising an equal number of members from both Houses. The committee’s role is to develop a compromise version of the Bill for approval by both sides.
“Honourable Members, you may recall that on Thursday, 7th November 2024, I reported to this House a message from the Senate conveying that on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, the Senate considered and rejected the National Assembly’s amendments to the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bill No. 19 of 2024),” said Speaker Wetang’ula during the announcement.
To address the deadlock, Speaker Wetang’ula, in consultation with the leaders of the Majority and Minority parties, has appointed nine members from the National Assembly to the mediation committee.
The National Assembly’s team will be led by Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson Hon. Ndindi Nyoro and Vice-Chairperson Hon. Mary Emaase. Other members include Hon. John Murumba, Hon. David Ochieng, Hon. David Kiplagat, Hon. Hussein Weytan, Hon. Makali Mulu, Hon. Catherine Omanyo, and Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu.
The mediation process is expected to navigate the complex issues surrounding county funding, ensuring that the Bill aligns with constitutional mandates and satisfies both Houses.
Hon. Makali Mulu’s appointment to this critical committee comes at a pivotal time in his political career as he eyes the Kitui gubernatorial seat in 2027. With a vision to unlock Kitui’s economic potential, Hon. Mulu is anticipated to use his proven expertise and leadership skills to steer the county toward greater development and prosperity.
This development underscores the significance of legislative mediation in resolving high-stakes policy disagreements while highlighting Hon. Mulu’s growing influence in both national and regional economic discourse.
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