Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Senators discussed the need for greater African integration, calling for visa‑free travel, open‑sky policies and reforms to Kenya Airways to boost regional trade and connectivity. The debate also turned to security cooperation in the DRC and Sudan crises and a strong push to implement the NADCO report and appoint Raila Odinga as Kenya’s Prime Minister, while criticizing the recent Djibouti president’s approach. Sen. Oketch Gicheru praised President Ruto’s support for Raila Odinga’s AU chairmanship, invoked Mandela’s diplomatic stance and urged youth to emulate Odinga’s courage while warning against radicalisation and Mau Mau‑style politicisation. Sen. Wakoli called for a strong domestic policy to underpin Kenya’s foreign engagements, cited voting shifts in the AU election and urged Parliament to scrutinise policy effectiveness. Both speakers highlighted the need for African unity, economic opportunity for youth, and coherent policy direction. Senators praised Raila Odinga's courage and pan‑Africanism in Kenya’s bid for the African Union Commission chair, while also critiquing the country’s foreign and domestic policy coherence and questioning the Senate Majority Leader’s handling of the debate. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger domestic policies to guide foreign engagements and reflected mixed sentiments of admiration and criticism.
Clerk, kindly confirm whether we have a quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, 19th February, 2025-
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Msambweni County Referral Level 5 Hospital - Kwale County Government for the year ended 30th June,
Very well. There is a paper to be laid by Sen. Hamida Kibwana. Is there any Member who is aware of the whereabouts of Sen. Kibwana? Sen. Montet? Sen. Onyonka, are you aware of her whereabouts?
No Sir.
You might be having a clue. Now that she is not around and nobody has been tasked to lay it on her behalf--- Sen. Bonnie, what is your point of order?
[(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale consulted loudly)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, since things have changed for the better, as the Chief Whip---
Which means?
Things have now changed for the better in the country. Allow me to table her Paper as the Whip of the Broad-Based Government.
Do you have the Paper?
On a point of information, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Yes, Sen. Onyonka.
With a lot of humility; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, you know we work with Standing Orders and rules. Could you quote the Standing Order that will enable you to table a Paper on behalf of Sen. Hamida?
Just a minute, Sen. Bonnie. Yes, Deputy Minority Leader, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I do not know why Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is excited about tabling a Paper for Sen. Hamida. Sen. Hamida belongs to a coalition. That coalition has leadership. The person on the Floor is the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate. So, if anybody in the leadership will table that paper on behalf of Sen. Hamida, then it has to be tabled from the right side. Sen. (Dr.) K…
Sen. Wambua, I have heard you. Resume your seat. When I asked about the whereabouts of Sen. Hamida Kibwana, you did not attempt to even give us guidance of where she was and yet you are the leader. As a leader, you could have stood up and given the Chair guidance, that as a leader of this coalition, I am not aware. Let us move to the next Order.
[(Loud consultations)]
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir---
Sen. Bonnie, resume your seat first. Sen. Wambua, what is irking you and I am the one handling this matter? What is the problem? I am handling this issue. So, resume your seat and be calm. Okay, let us put that Paper on hold. Of course, it is not a coalition Paper. She led a delegation out of the country. She was the team leader and that is why she is laying that Paper. Otherwise, I can give any…
[(Sen. Wambua consulted loudly)]
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Chair)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the comfort of Sen. Wambua, I want to allow him to move this Notice of Motion.
[(Laughter)]
Next is the Chairperson, County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) . You have several Notices of Motions to give.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Select Committee on County Public Accounts on its consideration of the Reports of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of Tharaka Nithi, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Makueni, Meru, Bomet, Murang’a, Nandi, Nyamira, Nyeri, Siaya, Vihiga, Wajir and Samburu County E…
THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee on the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the following County Assemblies: Siaya, Nandi, Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Embu, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Tana River, and Nyeri for the Financial Year 2019/2020, Tharaka Nithi for the Financial Year…
THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee on the consideration of the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the following County Executives: Mombasa, Nakuru (Financial Year 2019/2020), Nyeri, Bomet, Kisii, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua (Financial Year 2020/2021), Nairobi (Financial Year 2017/2018, Financial Year 2018/2019 & Financia…
The next Notice of Motion was to be given by Sen. Kibwana, but she is not around.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the huge unspent funds by counties held in the County Revenue Fund (CRF) at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) . In the Statement, the Committee should–
Thank you, Sen. Okenyuri. That is a very brilliant idea. How I wish maybe this could also go through a Question to the Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Planning because we could get answers faster than as a statement. From my wisdom, I request you go that route because Senators must be interested to know the amounts pending for their counties held at the National Treasury while there are …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am guided. I will come up with a Question to the CS responsible that will capture all I have raised in the Statement.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order (53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, industrialization and Tourism regarding allegations of irregular and illegal tax exemption granted to the Blue Nile Rolling Mills Limited by the Government of Kenya. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Next Statement by Sen. Mwaruma.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order (53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the operations of TAVEVO Water Company in Taita Taveta County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Next Statement is by Sen. Catherine Mumma. I understand she has delegated it to the gracious Senator from Mombasa County, Sen. Miraj.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I request for a Statement on the Management of ‘Introfertilisation’ (IVF) in Kenya, in the absence of clear laws. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health, regarding the management of IVF in the absence of comprehensive and legal and policy framework on the matter.
In the Statement, the Committee should-
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
What is your point of order, Sen. Bonnie?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a competent doctor, the record is going to show a condition called ‘Introfertilisation.’ I understand the limitations of the Member, but there is no such a thing. Probably she could be talking about Invitrofertilisation. Could she be clear for purposes of record and education of generations to come?
I thought she talked about the management of Invitrofertilisation.
Yes, she said, introfertilisation. There is no such thing. I am helping her to keep the record straight.
Sen. Miraj, put the record straight.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, just to let the hon. Member know, I am holding brief for Sen. Mumma.
I was wondering how he is able to hear what you are saying and I can see he is very busy with other business.
[(Laughter)]
Excuse my nitty gritties because I am holding brief for the Senator.
Sen, Boni, listen carefully, you did not get what Sen. Miraj said because---
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was saying in the Statement, the Committee should-
Thank you. Sen. Samson Cherarkey.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the gruesome murder of Mr. Gilbert Kinyua, an inpatient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi City County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Hon. Senators, we have visiting students from the University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County. Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this morning of visiting students from the University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County. The delegation comprises 29 students who are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of re…
[(Applause)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank you and take this opportunity to welcome the students from the University of Eldoret where I am an Alma mater. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before the University of Eldoret was given a charter, it used to be a school, under Moi University, school of law and I am happy to see them. Uasin Gishu County is also my neighbouring county. I wish them well. As they le…
Next Order.
and served as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Security, Défense and Foreign Relations and as a member of the Standing Committees of Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights and that of Land, Environment and Natural Resources, which positions he served until his demise on 16th February, 2025; NOW THEREFORE the Senate expresses its deep sadness at the death, of Hon. William Kip…
You left the bit of the Question to be put. This Motion does not affect the counties. However, before I put the question, I must ascertain whether we have a quorum. The Senate Majority, since you have delegated to yourself the role of the Clerk, then I agree with you that we have a quorum.
[(Sen. Cheruiyot spoke off the record)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate Stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 19th February at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.00 p.m.