The Senate of Kenya on Monday invited members of the public to submit their views on the Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to exempt county governments from requiring consent from the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum before levying charges on wayleaves.
The Bill, read for the first time on 23rd September 2025, has been committed to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy for consideration.
According to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye, public participation submissions are due by Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 5 pm.
“The Committee is required, under Standing order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation on the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report to the Senate,” the statement read.
The principal object of the Bill is to amend Section 223 of the Energy Act, exempting county governments from the category of public bodies that must obtain consent from the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Energy and Petroleum before imposing levies or charges on wayleaves.
This amendment is expected to streamline county operations by reducing administrative bottlenecks and strengthening local energy governance frameworks.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to Article 118 of the Constitution, which emphasizes public participation in the legislative process.
“In accordance with the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Standing Committee on Energy now invites interested members of the public to submit any representations that they may have on the Bill by way of written memoranda,” the statement added.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit their written memoranda to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate, either by hand delivery to the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, by post to P.O. Box 41842-00100, or through email.
“Submissions should be addressed to clerk.senate@parliament.go.ke and copied to energycommittee.senate@parliament.go.ke.,” the statement continued.
In addition, the Senate stated that the Bill and a detailed digest outlining its contents and implications are available for public access on the Parliament of Kenya website at www.parliament.go.ke/the-senate/house-business/bills.
This is part of the Senate’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the law-making process.
“The Standing Committee on Energy invites all Kenyans, stakeholders, and interested institutions to actively engage in this process to ensure that the final legislation reflects the collective input of the people it will serve,” Nyegenye added.
The notice highlights Parliament’s continued adherence to open governance principles, allowing citizens to influence key policy decisions that impact energy management and intergovernmental relations.
The Energy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents another step in Kenya’s broader effort to strengthen devolution and enhance the efficiency of service delivery at the county level.