The National Assembly has officially rejected the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bill No. 13 of 2022) during its second reading, marking a significant setback for efforts to regulate and promote the mung bean industry in Kenya.
Co-sponsored by Hon. Paul Nzengu in the National Assembly and initially introduced by Sen. Enoch Wambua in the Senate, the Mung Beans Bill was published on December 30, 2022, and was first read in the Senate on February 15, 2023, where it successfully passed before being referred to the National Assembly.
The Bill aimed to establish a framework for the mung bean industry in Kenya, focusing on enhancing local and international market opportunities.
It also sought to encourage the use of mung beans by both National and County Governments in feeding programs, while promoting modern farming techniques to improve cost control and productivity in the sector.
In light of the rejection, the Bill will now proceed to a mediation committee, as per constitutional provisions.
The Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate will appoint an equal number of members to this committee to negotiate an agreed version of the Bill and communicate any decisions to the other House in accordance with Article 113 of the Constitution.
The mediation committee has a period of thirty days to develop a revised version of the Bill. Once completed, the committee will present a report along with the mediated Bill to both Houses for consideration.
If both Houses approve the report and the new version of the Bill, it will then be deemed passed.
The next steps are critical for the future of the mung bean industry in Kenya, as stakeholders await the outcomes of the mediation process.