Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
The Senate afternoon sitting was largely procedural, with members moving several bills—Equalization Fund Appropriation, County Licensing (Uniform Procedure), Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services, and Mung Beans—through third‑reading motions and reporting committee approvals with amendments. No substantive debate or contentious exchanges were recorded, focusing instead on formal approvals and divisions. The Senate session was largely procedural, with senators moving a series of motions for committee reports on bills such as the Equalization Fund Appropriation, County Licensing (Uniform Procedure), Persons with Disabilities, Mung Beans, and Start‑up Bills. Senator Crystal Asige also proposed a new clause to grant income‑tax exemption to parents or guardians of severely disabled persons, urging support for the amendment. All motions were put and agreed to without notable conflict. Senators repeatedly urged the Temporary Speaker to grant an extension for reviewing the Budget Policy Statements (BPS), citing insufficient time to engage ministries and clarify allocations, especially for affordable housing, health, and roads. They highlighted past instances where Senate input was ignored, and stressed the need for detailed scrutiny to ensure funds for UHC, kidney treatment, and other programmes are properly allocated. The overall tone blends constructive intent with frustration over procedural delays.
Clerk, do we have a quorum? Proceed to call the First Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
Proceed, Sen. Cheptumo.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT AWARE THAT, cattle rustling/banditry is a major menace and security threat in the South and North Rift regions and some other regions of the country; CONCERNED THAT, the menace has since left irreparable and negative socio-economic impact which include but are not limited to increased number of widows, widowers, orph…
FURTHER CONCERNED THAT, the people living in the affected regions have been denied the enjoyment of their social, economic and political rights as guaranteed to them under the Bill of Rights as enshrined in Chapter Four of the Constitution; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the National Government through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and in collaboration with the Cou…
Next Order.
Hon. Senators, we had five Questions due for response today. Unfortunately, we do not have the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) present today for purposes of responding to these Questions. The absence was well explained during the Senate Business Committee (SBC) . Therefore, it was agreed that these Questions will come up for response next week. Therefore, we will not have the Question time today. Ques…
Question No. 003
Canvassing on the clauses was already concluded and so we are proceeding to Division. I would like to request the Serjeants-at-Arms to ring the Division Bell for 5 minutes.
[(Loud Consultations)]
County; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana county; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Mungatana, MGH, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita-Taveta County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Migori County; Sen. Onyonka, Kisii County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; S…
Sen. Kisang is absent. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Mumma) : Sen. Olekina, kindly, come and vote.
[(Several Senators approached the Dispatch Box)]
[(Sen. Olekina approached the Dispatch Box)]
[(Vote tallying in progress)]
Sen. Olekina, kindly, come and vote. (Sen. Olekina approached the Dispatch Box) (Vote tallying in progress)
County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Joe Nyutu, Murang’a County; Sen. Kavindu Muthama, Machakos County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kinyua, Laikipia County; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Mungatana, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi …
Taveta County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Olekina, Narok County; Sen. Onyonka, Kisii County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County; Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.
The Temporary Chairperson (
Hon. Senators, there is a small hitch on the Agriculture and Livestock Extension Service Bill (Senate Bills No.12 of 2022). As they correct it, let us move on to the next one.
The Temporary Chairperson (
amended), Clauses 20,21,22,23,24, New Clause 22 A, Clause 2, The Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill put, and the Senate proceeded to vote by County Delegations) AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Cheptumo, Baringo County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chesang, Trans Nzoia County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa…
amended), Clauses 20,21,22,23,24, New Clause 22 A, Clause 2, The Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill put, and the Senate proceeded to vote by County Delegations) AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Cheptumo, Baringo County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chesang, Trans Nzoia County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa…
AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Cheptumo, Baringo County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chesang, Trans Nzoia County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Joe Nyutu, Murang’a County; Sen. Kavindu Muthama, Machakos County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen.…
amended), Clause 23 (as amended), Clause 24 (as amended), Clause 25, Clause 26 (as amended), Clause 27 (as amended), Clause 28 (as amended), Clause 29, Clause 30 (as amended), Clause 31, Clause 32 (as amended), Clause 33 (as amended), Clause 34, Clause 2 (as amended), the Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill, put and the Senate proceeded to vote by County Delegations) AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir Co…
Hon. Senators, the results for that Division are as follows-
Hon. Senators, the results for that Division are as follows-
Sen. Abass, Sen. Sifuna, Sen. Oketch Gicheru and Sen. Kavindu Muthama please go and vote.
Hon. Senators, the results for that Division are as follows-
Sen. Abass, Sen. Sifuna, Sen. Oketch Gicheru and Sen. Kavindu Muthama please go and vote.
Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Olekina, Narok County; Sen. Onyonka, Kisii County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Sifuna, Nairobi City County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County, and Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.
Hon. Senators, the results for that Division are as follows-
Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Olekina, Narok County; Sen. Onyonka, Kisii County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Sifuna, Nairobi City County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County, and Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move - THAT the Bill be amended by inserting the following new clause immediately after Clause 56 — 56A. (1) The Cabinet Secretary for matters related to finance may, on application, grant an income tax exemption to a parent or guardian of a person suffering from severe disability if such person is in the care and custody of the parent or guardian.
[(Applause)]
This will not just give relief, but release a huge burden that is placed upon these parents and caregivers who have no other choice, but of course, to take care of the child. What else would they do? Give them away? No! Let them stay in the hospital? No! Let them be isolated in their homes? Of course, not. These parents need this support and I beg the rest of the House to support this new amendmen…
Thank you, Senator. We are now moving into the Division on the new clauses.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to Move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bill No.30 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to Move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move, that the Committee report to the Senate its consideration of the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to Move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to Move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bill No.13 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee report to the Senate its consideration of the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move, that the Committee report to the Senate its consideration of the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.30 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. Pursuant to Standing Order No.153 I beg to move that the Committee of the Whole do report progress on its consideration of the Agricultural and Livestock --- The Temporary Chairperson (
Somebody to second? Propose a seconder, Senator.
I request Sen. Tabitha Mutinda to second.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I second.
[(Question Proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
[[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No. 30 of 2023) be now read a Third time. I request Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale to second.
Division will be at the end.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.30 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.
I now call upon the Mover. The Chairperson Committee on Finance and Budget.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
The Mover.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I propose Sen. Seki to second.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Mover, proceed.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No. 9 of 2022) be now read a Third Time. I propose Sen. Okenyuri to second.
Division will be at the end.
The next Bill to be reported by the Chairperson is on the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill (Senate Bills No.12 of 2022) .
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
The Mover.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I propose Sen. Seki to second.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
The Mover, proceed for Third Reading.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill (Senate Bills No.12 of 2022) , now be read a Third Time. I request my Senator for Nairobi City, Sen. Sifuna, to second.
Division will be at the end.
I call upon the Chairperson to report on the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bills No.13 of 2022) .
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bills No.13 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.
The Mover to move to agree on the report.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I do request the Senator for Kericho County, Sen. Cheruiyot, to second.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
The Mover, proceed for Third Reading.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill (Senate Bills No.12 of 2022) , now be read a Third Time. I request my Senator for Nairobi City, Sen. Sifuna, to second.
Division will be at the end.
I call upon the Chairperson to report on the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) .
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) , and its approval thereof with amendments.
The Mover to move to agree on the report.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I call upon Sen. Omtatah to second.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
I call the Mover to move the Third Reading.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) be now read a Third Time. The Temporary Speaker : Propose somebody to second.
[(Sen. Wakili Sigei)]
Thank you. I call upon Sen. Sifuna to second. Sen. Sifuna: I second, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.
[(Question proposed)]
Division will be at the end.
I call upon the Chairperson to report on the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) .
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) , and its approval thereof with amendments.
Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to move the Third Reading.
I call upon
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
Division will be at the end.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Start-up Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) be now read a Third Time. The Temporary Speaker (
Hon. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Kenyan Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments. The Temporary Speaker : Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to move agreement to the report.
[(Sen. Wakili Sigei)]
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I call upon Sen. Mwaruma to second. Sen. Mwaruma: Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to move the Third Reading.
Division will be at the end.
I call upon the Temporary Chairperson to report on the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) .
Hon. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments. The Temporary Speaker (
Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to move agreement to the report.
I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I call upon
County; Sen. Sifuna, Nairobi City County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County. Teller of the Ayes: Sen. Miraj.
The results on the County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) are as follows:
I call upon
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.
The results on The Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill (Senate Bills No.12 of 2022) are as follows:
Hon. Members, I call upon the Temporary Chairperson to report on the Kenyan Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2023) .
The results on the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bills No.13 of 2022) are as follows:
Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to move agreement to the report.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I call upon
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second. (Question proposed) (Question put and agreed to)
The “Ayes” have it.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the Kenyan Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2023) be now read a Third Time. I call upon
The results for the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) are as follows:
Division will be at the end. Hon. Members, we are proceeding for Division. Serjeant-at-Arms, confirmed whether have the requisite numbers. I will ask that the Bell be rung for five minutes. In the meantime, we need to have the tellers. Tellers proceed to the Dispatch Box. Serjeant-at-Arms, we have the requisite numbers. Stop the Bell, proceed to draw the bar and close the door. We are ready to …
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Temporary Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. Betty Montet for the Noes and Sen. Miraj for the Ayes moved to the Dispatch table)]
[(Voting in progress)]
MGH, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. Murgor, West Pokot County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita Taveta County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Omogeni, Nyamira County; Sen. Onyonka, Kisii County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Sifuna, Nairobi City County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County. T…
Hon. Members, we now have results for the voting. With regards to the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.30 of 2023) , the results are as follows:
The Senate Majority Leader, proceed to move the Motion.
The results on the County Licensing (Uniform Procedure) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2022) are as follows:
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to support very briefly the extension of time. Contrary to what our Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot has said, it is not the problem of the Committee on Finance and Budget. The Standing Committee on Energy received the BPS yesterday. When we looked at and analysed it, there were many issues. We were told that by Thursday, we should have finished and …
The results on the Mung Beans Bill (Senate Bills No.13 of 2022) are as follows:
Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also rise to support the extension of time to allow committees to strictly analyse and support the work of the overall Finance Committee. The Committee on Health that I chair has several issues that we feel the need to have a discussion on first with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, so as to finalise. We shall have synchronised particularly progr…
The “Ayes” have it.
The results for the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023) are as follows:
Hon. Senators, the results for that Division are as follows-
Hon. Members, we are now done with the Division. Serjeant-at-Arms, you can now draw the Bars and open the Doors.
[(The Bars were undrawn and Doors opened)]
Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.84 (1) , I make a determination that this Motion does not affect counties and proceed to put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until today Wednesday 21st of February, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1:00 p.m.