Karungo Thang’wa Withdraws Bill Gifting Kenyans Multiple Holidays

Kiambu County Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa on Wednesday, February 12, withdrew his controversial Public Holidays Bill which sought to revise how public holidays are observed in Kenya.

In a letter addressed to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Thang’wa revealed that he had decided to withdraw the bill ahead of its second hearing to concentrate on other bills he had sponsored which he believed were of more national significance. 

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to withdraw The Public Holidays Bill, which I am sponsoring, from further consideration in the Senate. I note that the Bill is scheduled for the Second Reading in today’s Order Paper. However, after careful deliberation, I have decided to prioritize other legislative proposals that I am sponsoring, which I believe are of urgent and immediate national significance,” part of the letter read.

He thereby listed the four legislative proposals beginning with the consolidation of all bursaries to make secondary education free.

His second proposal was the equitable development of wards by Governors which he relayed was, “A legislative intervention I am championing to compel county governments to ensure balanced and fair distribution of resources and development projects across all wards.”

Curbing unrealistic own-source revenue projections by county governments was the third proposal Thang’wa said he would be fielding to address the persistent issue of counties overestimating their revenue collection targets, leading to unsustainable budgets and accumulation of pending bills.

The final bill he listed was the County State Officers Impeachment Bill which seeks to establish a comprehensive procedure for the removal from office of county state officers, including governors, deputy governors, county executive committee members, and county assembly speakers

“Given the critical nature of these legislative initiatives and the need for urgent intervention in these areas, I believe that focusing on them will better serve the interests of the people,” he concluded.

On July 1, 2023, Thang’wa announced his plan to take the Public Holidays Act, especially on how holidays falling on Tuesdays and Thursdays are observed.

In his proposal, he outlined that in a situation where a holiday fell on a Tuesday, Monday should be declared a holiday as well. Similarly, he wanted holidays falling on Thursdays to also be observed on Fridays.

“Where in any year, a public holiday (a) falls on a Tuesday, then the preceding day, shall be a public holiday or (b)  falls on a Thursday, the succeeding day shall also be a public holiday,” his amendment bill read in part.

He defended the amendment bill by stating that the increase in the number of holidays could bolster holiday economics as Kenyans tended to take the extra days to indulge in domestic tourism. He also argued it was a good way for Kenyans to prioritise their physical and mental well-being in the long run and spur productivity in various sectors.

“Extending public holidays supports economic growth and promotes domestic tourism by encouraging longer trips and visits to new destinations, benefiting the hospitality and tourism industry,” Thang’wa stated.