Over the weekend, the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation, led by Tharaka-Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire, convened a two-day consultative meeting in Mombasa County.
The committee engaged with members of the Taskforce on the Development of the Public Finance Management (Disaster Risk Management Fund) Regulations, 2023, led by The National Treasury Planning PS, Chris Kiptoo. The primary agenda was to deliberate on the Proposed Public Finance Management (Disaster Risk Management Fund) Regulations, 2023.
The Disaster Risk Management Fund (DRM) is a critical initiative aimed at bolstering Kenya’s preparedness and response to natural and man-made disasters. Kenya has, in recent years, grappled with severe droughts, floods, landslides, terrorism, and other calamities, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of people, property destruction, and long-term negative repercussions. This fund holds the potential to provide timely aid and support to disaster victims, alleviating human suffering and ultimately saving lives.
Senator Gataya highlighted the Senate’s pivotal role in shaping legislation.
He stressed, “As members of the Senate Delegated Legislation Committee, we are tasked with ensuring that proposed Regulations adhere to principles of transparency, accountability, and equity. We must scrutinize these Regulations in-depth to ensure they serve their intended purpose without compromising these fundamental principles.”
Senator Gataya emphasized the committee’s mandate, stating, “The Senate Select Committee on Delegated Legislation is established under Standing Order No. 195(1). Its core responsibility is to scrutinize instruments submitted to the House to ensure alignment with the Constitution of Kenya, the Statutory Instruments Act 2013, and all other relevant laws, rules, and regulations.”
The rising frequency and severity of natural disasters, coupled with their substantial economic impacts, have underscored the urgency of disaster risk financing. Currently, Kenya’s response to disasters has been primarily reactive and short-term due to deficiencies in legal and institutional frameworks, as well as inadequate investment in risk reduction strategies.
To address these shortcomings, the government has established policy, legal, and institutional frameworks for disaster risk management. The National Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Policy, one such framework, seeks to create a disaster-resilient nation through a robust disaster risk management system that safeguards Kenya’s national development achievements.
PS Chris Kiptoo, represented by Mr. Michael Kageka, acknowledged the Senate’s vital role in examining proposed regulations. “This long-anticipated meeting enables the Senate to ensure that the proposed regulations meet legislative requirements,” he remarked. “These regulations aim to establish a legislative framework for disaster risk management, enhance effective coordination of disaster preparedness, prevention, response, mitigation, and recovery, and reduce disaster risks and vulnerabilities at the national and county levels.”
The introduction of a dedicated ex-ante financial mechanism will bolster Kenya’s ability to respond to disasters and mitigate their catastrophic physical and economic consequences. This mechanism will aggregate funds from various sources and bridge the funding gap.
Senator Gataya was joined at the meeting by Senators Mohamed Faki, Daniel Maanzo, Betty Montet, and Julius Murgor.
