Tuesday, 8 April, 2025
Senate Labour Committee sets priorities amid legislative milestoneThe Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by Sen. Crystal Asige (Vice-Chair), met to review its work schedule and set key priorities. Sen. Asige commended the Committee for its role in passing the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No. 7 of 2023), which was approved with amendments from the National Assembly. The Senate formally adopted these changes yesterday, marking a significant step in legislative efforts to enhance disability rights.
Sponsored by Sen. Asige and co-sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, the Bill seeks to strengthen protections for persons with disabilities by restructuring the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and establishing a comprehensive framework for rights monitoring, incentives and reliefs.
Among the Committee’s recent achievements was the resolution of terminal dues for Mr. Daniel Karanja, a former employee of Nduti Tea Factory. Looking ahead, the Committee pledged to address several outstanding petitions, including those concerning terminal benefits for former KCC workers, the winding up of the Technical University of Kenya’s retirement benefits scheme, and compensation disputes involving KBL, Kaplan & Stratton Advocates and Harrison Kinyanjui Advocates.
Additionally, the Committee highlighted the need for stricter oversight of labour migration, particularly in tackling fraudulent recruitment agencies preying on job seekers seeking opportunities abroad.