Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Members, I am informed that we now have quorum. Order, hon. Members. Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe and Sen. Wambua, kindly take your seats. (Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi and Sen. Wambua sat at their places) Clerk, you may call the first Order.

[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Temporary Speaker)]

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Loud consultations)]

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the <u>following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 30</u> th <u>July, 2026-</u> The 23 rd Edition of Biannual Report on the status of alcohol and drug abuse control in Kenya by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).

[(Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi laid the document on the Table)]

Sen. Moses Kajwang’ also has a Paper to lay. Sen. Faki, I am informed that you are doing it on behalf of Sen. Kajwang’.

[(Sen. Faki laid the document on the Table)]

[[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) left the Chair]]

[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) in the Chair]]

Next Order.

Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion-THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolutions of the Senate made on 12 th February, 2025, 2 nd December, 2025 and 17 th June, 2026, on the approval of Senators to serve in various Select Committees of the Senate. (a) Pursuant to Standing Orders No.197, 199, 228 and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the fo…

Next is Sen. M. Kajwang’.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to give Notice of the following Motion-THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Regional Seminar: African Parliaments for Climate Action on reducing methane, promoting development, held at Emara Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya from 14 th to 18 th May, 2026, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 30 th July, 2026.

Next Order.

[(Statement dropped)]

Proceed, Sen. Agnes Kavindu.

[(Statement dropped)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to read my statement. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of countrywide concern regarding irregularities identified in the payroll of the County Government of Machakos. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, an audit of the county government’s payroll covering the p…

Proceed. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) to make a statement on a matter of countrywide concern regarding the rising cases of brutal killings and discovery of mutilated bodies in Machakos. In recent months, Machakos County has witnessed a disturbing increase in incidents involving the brutal murder of persons. The victims are mutilated and their bodies abandoned in isola…

Sen. James Murango, you have two statements. You can read them simultaneously. Sorry, it is one. The other one is by Sen. Joe Nyutu.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of county-wide concern regarding development projects undertaken by the County Government of Kirinyaga since 2013. Despite significant expenditure of public funds, numerous projects remain incomplete or abandoned in Kirinyaga County there…

Sen. Joe Nyutu.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources on an issue of national concern regarding the ongoing tree harvesting activities within the Aberdare Forest ecosystem. Aberdare Forest, one of Kenya's vital water towers, provides critical ecological services and supports millio…

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

That statement is dropped. Sen. Mohamed Chute. <u>STATUS OF ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF</u>

[(Statement dropped)]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the exclusion of approximately four-kilometre Uran-Godha-Lataka section from the ongoing construction of the Sololo-Anona-Golole road in Sololo Sub-county of Marsabit County. In the statemen…

Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of county-wide concern regarding continued engagement of casual employees by the County Government of Samburu for prolonged periods exceeding three years without confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms and the implementation status of…

Sen. Madzayo, the Minority Leader? Sen. Wakoli.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding the exclusion of health administrative officers working in public health facilities from receiving extraneous and risk allowances. Despite serving within healthcare environments and being exposed to occupational risks co…

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of countywide concern regarding the increasing number of university and college graduates entering the labour market in Kisumu County without corresponding employment opportunities. While access to higher education has expanded, man…

Kiongozi wa Walio Wachache katika Seneti (Sen. Madzayo): Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika. Nataka kusoma Kauli hii kuhusu ukosefu wa huduma za mahakama kwa wakaazi wa Bamba, katika Kaunti ya Kilifi. Ninasimama kwa Kanuni za Kudumu 53(1) za Kanuni za Seneti, kuomba Kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Haki, Maswala ya Kisheria na Haki za Kibinadamu kuhusu ukosefu wa mahakama ya hakimu katika Wadi ya Bamba, eneo bunge…

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. You have seen Sen. Cherarkey consulting with me very closely. This is because he thought you are going to call him first, because he is a ranking Member. He has been teasing me that I am the senior-most bachelor. We have just discovered that he is also a bachelor. So, he is the senior-most bachelor in this House. <u>Thank you for giving me t…

Just a minute, Sen. Eddy. Senate Majority Leader, what is your point of order? The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the records of this House remain in perpetuity.

Correct. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): Even in 2126, a hundred years from today, it is possible, if Jesus Christ will not have come back, to find out what was said in the House of Parliament on such a day. It will be so dangerous if the records reflect that the senior elder from Nandi, a man whose family I know very well – unless that status has changed – is recorded as a bachelor i…

There was also a point of order from Sen. Cherarkey, the owner of the shoe.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Standing Order No.105 is on responsibility for statement of fact. I do not know why Sen. Eddy decided to pick on me this afternoon. If he has a problem looking for a wife, he should consult me, because I am an expert. I am a family man, a religious leader, and a respected elder of the Nandi community. The Chairperson of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) is my wit…

[(Sen. Oketch-Gicheru stood in his place)]

Sen. Eddy, you should be seated. I am not yet done with you, because I think you touched some live wire. Proceed, Sen. Omogeni.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will say this for us to put this matter to rest. I have also been Sen. Cherarkey’s guest. The last time I was there was during his grandmother’s burial, and the elders introduced him as a young man. They told us that they were earnestly looking for a wife for him. To put this matter to rest, he needs to tell us when he married, the name of the wife, and whether he has pa…

Hon. Senators, the young elder from Kericho County is aware that Sen. Cherarkey is a married man with a family. Sen. Kajwang’ nodded and confirmed that he is aware. Sen. Oketch Gicheru, proceed and withdraw the statement.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is tradition in this House that if one makes a statement that is not a statement of fact, you substantiate. I will <u>substantiate partly, then you will give me another chance to substantiate fully.</u> Sen. Cherarkey is a faithful member of the Catholic Church, and if he indeed got married, then that marriage must be public. Secondly, you have seen--- Wait, I have…

[(A Member spoke off record)]

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, there are different types of marriages, and you are aware. You should withdraw that. The Member requested that you must withdraw. Please, do that so that we can make progress.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will substantiate next time if you give me time. I do not want it to be an issue. However, I am simply appreciating him for being a senior bachelor like myself.

I want you to go the route of withdrawing, because I do not want to put the family of Sen. Cherarkey into disrepute. It would be fair if you withdrew.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that would be utterly out of sympathy for him, but not out of our regulations. So, I will withdraw out of sympathy, but not out of regulations. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a request of statement on the pollution of River Kuja and River Migori due to gold mining in Migori County. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of countywide concern regarding the degradation and pollution of River Kuja and River Mi…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have two more statements. My second statement is on the state of emergency obstetric care at Migori County Referral Hospital. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of Migori County-wide concern regarding the state of emergency of obstetric care in Migori. This follows the tragic deaths of Mrs. Imm…

You actually had two statements.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I have a Statement on the decentralisation of medical assessment services for persons with disability. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national concern regarding the decentralisation of medical assessment services for persons with disab…

Sen. Samson Cherarkey, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not know why the senior bachelor is sitting next to Sen. Ogola, who is happily married. Let me read my two statements.

I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national concern regarding the employment terms of long-serving contract nurses at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has over the years engaged nurses on contractual terms to support the delivery of specialised mental hea…

I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the persistent water shortage affecting the residents of Wajir. Article 43(1)(d) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities. Despite this guarantee, the res…

Yes, Senate Majority Leader. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg for your indulgence on a matter that has troubled me for a while now this week. Sen. Cherarkey has reminded me of that issue while reading his statement. This House is guided by Standing Orders, and where Standing Orders do not expressly provide for a matter, we are guided by traditions, and yo…

[(An hon. Senator spoke off record)]

We are yet to get to comments on the statements. I request the Senate Majority Leader to read the statement under Standing Order No.57(1). On the matter that was raised by the Senate Majority Leader, the Chair will give thought to it and direct the House on the way forward. Can you read the statement and then decide what to do? The Njuri Ncheke has decided, so members, you will agree with me. The…

[(Loud consultations)]

Senate Majority Leader, can you have your seat now, because I can see you are not needed to give the statement now. Hon. Senators, I want to make these two Communications.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

I wish to acknowledge, in the public gallery, the presence of the four elders and members of the PCEA Church in Nyeri County on the invitation of the Senator for Nyeri County. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I welcome and wish them a fruitful visit to the Senate. Let me also read this one.

THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolutions of the Senate th nd th made on 12 February, 2025, 2 December, 2025 and 17 June, 2026, on the approval of Senators to serve in various Select Committees of the Senate. a) pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199, 228 and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the following Senators nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in St…

[(i) County Public Accounts Committee Sen. Joseph Githuku, MP, and Sen. Justice (Rtd.) Stewart Madzayo, EGH, MP, to replace Sen. Johnes Mwaruma, MP, and Sen. Edwin Sifuna, CBS, MP. (ii) County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee Sen. Johnes Mwaruma, MP, and Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, MP, to replace Sen. Eddy Oketch, MP, and Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, CBS, MP. (Motion deferred)]

[(Sen. Mumma on 11.6.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 17.6. 2026 – Afternoon Sitting)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Sen. Oketch Gicheru on 18.6.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 21.7.2026)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Sen. Wakili Sigei on 23.7.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 23.7 2026)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Sen. Karen Nyamu on 29.07.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 29.07.2026 – Afternoon Sitting)]

[(Bill deferred)]

THAT, the Senate adopts the Reports of the Select Committee on <u>Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the –</u>

[(Sen. (Dr.) Mungatana, MGH on 11.6.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 11.6.2026)]

[(Motion deferred)]

[(Committee of the whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the whole deferred)]

We go to Order No.17. I do not see the Majority Leader around, so we defer that business. <u>BILL</u> Second Reading

[(Committee of the whole deferred)]

Similarly, Sen. Dullo is supposed to move this business, but she is not here. So, I defer that business also.

[(Bill deferred)]

Sen. Mwenda Gataya, approach the Chair. Hon. Senators, business appearing as Order Nos.19 and 20 are deferred.

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

Let us go to the next Order.

4. The Committee also conducted a guided inspection of the various amenities and services provided by the municipality to ascertain compliance with the requirements of the First Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, Cap 275. The establishments inspected included Gatitu Road, Rosary Early Childhood Development Education Centre (ECDE), Kiambu County Level 5 Hospital, Thika Stadium, Mama Ngina …

Sen. Eddy, just a minute before you second. Let me make this Communication.

[(Interruption of Motion)]