Gender, Culture and Social Welfare

The sectoral Committee on Gender, Culture and Social Welfare derives its mandate from the provisions of Standing Order (217) (5) which defines its functions as being to:

  • Investigate, inquire into, and report on all matters relating to the mandate, management, activities, administration, operations, coordination, control and monitoring of budget;
  • Consider quarterly reports of the assigned departments and report to the House within twenty-one (21) sitting days upon being laid;
  • Study the programme and policy objectives of the effectiveness of the implementation;
  • Study and review all county legislation referred to it;
  • Study, access and analyze the relative success of the departments as measured by the results obtained as compared with their stated objectives;
  • Investigate and inquire into all matters relating to the assigned departments as they may deem necessary, and as may be referred to them by the County Assembly;
  • To vet and report on all appointments where the constitution or any law requires the House to approve, except those under Standing Order 209(Committee on Appointments); and
  • Make reports and recommendations to the House as often as possible, including recommendation of the proposed legislation.

Apart from above mentioned committee mandates, the committee considers; all matters related to Gender, Culture & Social Welfare including implementation of policies and legislative framework for  gender and social development ,cultural activities, public entertainment and public amenities including betting ,casinos and other forms of gambling, promotion and supervision of racing activities in the County, promotion of cultural activities, regulation of liquor licensing, regulation of cinemas, video shows and hiring of equipment’s development and management of museums, cultural activities and facilities. All matters related to social welfare, including promotion and coordination of volunteer services, implementation of policies and programmes on child protection and care including cash transfer; orphan and vulnerable children programme, coordination and monitoring the provision of financial subsidies to needy older persons aged 65 and above and control of drugs and pornography  as from the second schedule.

  1. Hon. Jack            Kawa                          Chairperson
  2. Hon. Abraham    Obama                       Vice Chairperson
  3. Hon. Joseph        Juma                          Member
  4. Hon. James         Mukhongo                Member
  5. Hon. Godfrey      Wanyama                  Member
  6. Hon. Jeremiah   Kuloba                       Member
  7. Hon. George       Kwemoi                     Member
  8. Hon. Alfred         Mukhanya                 Member
  9. Hon. Sheila         Sifuma                       Member
  10. Hon. John           Wanyama                  Member
  11. Hon. Eunice        Kirui                           Member
  12. Hon. Moureen    Wafula                       Member
  13. Hon. Florence    Juma                          Member
  14. Hon. Mildred      Barasa                        Member
  15. Hon. Metrine      Nangalama                Member

In the execution of its functions, the Committee is assisted by the secretariats who are non-partisan officers; i.e serves all members of the Committee and representatives of all parties equally.

The Secretariat performs their duties and responsibilities under the direction of the Committee and its Chair and guided by the relevant Laws. As experts in parliamentary procedures, practices and Rules of the County Assembly (Standing Orders), the Secretariats may be requested to give advice to the Chair and members of the Committee should a question of procedure arise.

The Secretariat provides a wide range of specialized administrative services for the Committee, including but not limited to timely research, analysis and information to all members of the Committee. They are the Committee’s institutional memory and unique resource for Members.

The Secretariat provides briefing notes on the subjects being examined; detailed study plans; lists of proposed witnesses; analyses of an issue with a list of suggested questions; background papers; draft reports; news releases; and/or formal correspondences.

The Secretariat assists Members in preparation of legislative proposals or amendments to Bills. At various stages of the legislative process, Members may propose amendments to bills. Amendments may first be proposed at the Committee Stage, during a Committee’s clause-by-clause review of a Bill. Amendments may also be proposed at the Report Stage, once a Bill returns to the County Assembly.