Parliament Extends Hours in Face of Youth Activism

As Gen-Z demonstrators mark the first anniversary of last year’s anti-finance bill protests with renewed street vigor and online activism, the National Assembly has remained unfazed, powering through a packed legislative calendar and preparing for extended sittings late into the night.

In a Supplementary Order Paper for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Parliament resolved to stretch its sittings on both June 25 and 26 to midnight and hold a special sitting on June 26 from 9am, in a bid to finalize priority legislative matters before its short recess on Thursday, June 27.

“THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 30(3)(a) and (b) (Hours of Meeting), this House resolves to: (i) extend sittings of Wednesday, 25th June 2025 (Afternoon Sitting) and Thursday, 26th June 2025 (Afternoon Sitting) to midnight for purposes of consideration of priority business ahead of the short recess; and (ii) hold a Morning Sitting on Thursday, 26th June 2025, commencing at 9.30a.m,” read the motion under Order No. 8 of the Supplementary Order Paper.

Wednesday, June 25 Order Paper reflected business as usual. The House opened with standard procedures—prayers, communications, and petitions—before diving into a substantive agenda that included urgent motions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation, expansion of road infrastructure, consideration of supplementary budget estimates among others.

Among the highlights was a motion by Marianne Kitany, the Member of Parliament for Aldai, urging the government to formulate a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI.

She cited Kenya’s growing digital footprint, its 90th global ranking in AI readiness (as per the 2022 Government AI Readiness Index), and the pressing need to shield the public from AI-induced risks such as misinformation, job displacement, and data privacy violations.

“This House urges the Government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to: (i) formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country to control its potential misuse; and, (ii) develop and execute a public awareness programme on Artificial Intelligence to raise understanding of AI, foster transparency and promote responsible use of AI for the benefit of all,” the motion reads.

The House also deliberated on a proposal by Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau calling for the transformation of major national trunk roads into dual carriageways.

She emphasized the dangers of current single carriageways, including increased traffic congestion and accidents, advocating for the inclusion of footbridges, pedestrian crossings, and proper drainage as part of a national road upgrade programme.

“This House resolves that the government, through the Ministry of Roads & Transport, undertakes an expansion programme of national trunk roads with a view of upgrading all classes A, B and C roads in the country from two-way lanes to dual carriageway (one-way roads) with the necessary infrastructure,” the motion stated.

Meanwhile, the Budget and Appropriations Committee tabled the Third Supplementary Estimates for the 2024/2025 financial year for general debate, signaling the urgency with which lawmakers are moving to close fiscal matters before recess.

As parliament continues to transact business, security has significantly been heightened as police have barricaded all major access roads leading to the National Assembly buildings, where Gen Z protesters were scheduled to present a petition and symbolic flowers to lawmakers.

Officers have deployed razor wire and erected steel barriers along Parliament Road, City Hall Way, and adjacent junctions, effectively sealing off the precinct.

Despite growing national discourse, especially among Kenya’s digitally active youth, who have become increasingly vocal in political and governance issues, Parliament's posture reflected institutional continuity and focus.

Observers have noted the striking contrast between the dynamic activism on the streets and online platforms and the procedural rigidity of legislative affairs within the chamber.

As the youth-led push for government accountability gathers momentum, the National Assembly's decision to extend sittings and stay the course may be interpreted as both a commitment to constitutional duty and a test of its responsiveness to emerging social voices.

The Senate on the other hand remains in recess after breaking on Thursday June 19.

Komen S.K is a student at Kabarak University pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication.