Senate · Morning Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. Kindly take your seats. We now have quorum. Therefore, we will proceed with the day’s business. Clerk, you may call the first Order.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask Question No.013 to the Cabinet Secretary for Health the following Question- Why has the Government not paid last expense compensation to Mr. Norbert Bulungu, father of the late Miss Shekinah Pendo Vudavila, a student at Naivasha Girls Secondary School, who died on 17th October, 2023, despite the claim having been lodged? When will the claim be settled? Could the Cabi…

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Health : Thank you, Hon. Speaker and Hon. Senators. I beg to reply The Government This claim will be settled within the next two weeks. To be more specific, by The total pending claims specifically for the defunct EduAfya Medical acknowledged the launching of this specific claim following Mr. Speaker, Sir, like I promi…

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

Senator for Nairobi City County, do you have any supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am happy that when it comes to part (b) of the Question, the Cabinet Secretary has given a specific date. Those are the sort of responses we expect in this House. Therefore, I will wait until 8th of May and expect that communication from him. I also noted that he has included the claim for Master Robin Murimi Majao. You will remember that the last time the Cabinet Secretary wa…

remaining claims will be settled. A timetable will be acceptable at this particular point in time. It will help us answer the questions of the people. We can tell them there is a timetable encompassing a period of three months or six months other than saying that they will be systematically settled against the broader National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) legacy debts. I thank you, Hon. Speaker…

We have three minutes left to this question. Can we hear from Sen. Maanzo?

Not on this one, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Let us then hear from Sen. Wamatinga.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Let me start by thanking the Cabinet Secretary for the answers that he has given noting that the Social Health Authority (SHA) still has a lot of issues, especially pending. My question is: Does the Cabinet Secretary plan to conduct civic education on how to make claims in SHA? That will help people know when their claims are valid and they will also know wh…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My question relates to the EduAfya Medical Scheme. Could the Cabinet Secretary bring us to speed on how pupils and students are now covered after the EduAfya Medical Scheme was done away with? Can he also tell us the benefits, if at all, the learners are entitled to under any such new arrangement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to really congratulate the Hon. Cabinet Secretary for the work he has been doing. I am from Tana River County and he is our neighbor from Garissa and he has made us proud.

I have a question and I want him to take this opportunity to clarify it. There are many issues about false claims which were actually bordering on criminal conduct by hospitals and doctors. We, together with the public, raised a lot of hell. I want him to tell us the number of people who have been taken to court, how many have been charged and what is the status. He can use this opportunity to tel…

Hon. Cabinet Secretary The Cabinet Secretary for Health : Hon. Speaker, Sir and Hon. Members, I will start with the question from the Hon. Senator for Nyeri County. Yes, we are doing a lot of civic education. Civic education is actually the missing link in the implementation of SHA. I am sure that Senators will agree with what I am about to say. I went to Bungoma and I visited the maternity wing.…

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

insurance is at 28 per cent. The country with the lowest health insurance fraud is Estonia with 6 per cent. I joined the Ministry of Health in April last year and the fraud was at 26 per cent. I want to confirm to the country that because of the actions we have taken, the fraud percentage is below 6 per cent. What have we done? We have closed over 1,200 facilities. The Director of Public Prosecut…

We will now proceed to Question No. 014 by the Senator for Makueni County; Sen. Daniel Maanzo.

Question No.014

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask Question No.014 to the Cabinet Secretary for Health- Could the Cabinet Secretary provide a breakdown of the management and utilisation of the Tobacco Control Fund, specifically outlining how funds have been received and allocated as stipulated by Section 7 of the Tobacco Control Act of 2007? What measures are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in admi…

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Health : Hon. Speaker and Hon. Senators, let me just make a confession that since I became the Cabinet Secretary for Health, one of the hardest things I am yet to crack to the end is this tobacco business. I really want to thank Sen. Mumma because she has brought a Bill to this House that is going to address a lot of the issue…

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

Sen. Maanzo, do you have any supplementary question?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Now that this Senate gave him very good regulations and graphics last year to control tobacco use- How is he reaching out to Kenyans consuming raw tobacco through their mouths which could even be more dangerous than the e-cigarettes and what people are sucking as sweets? We have not seen those regulations in the billboards as we had given him. It is almost a year now. How is…

linear accelerators (LINAC) at referral and county hospitals. We want to ensure they are serviced so they do not break down, avoiding queues for patients. We have agreed with county governments, particularly regarding regional cancer centers like Garissa, Mombasa, Nakuru, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, KNH and Mwai Kibaki Hospital. We want to use the Solatium Fund to pay f…

We now move to Question No.025 by the Senator for Kisumu County, Hon. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda. Sen. Hamida, you have been nominated to ask the question on behalf of the Senator for Kisumu County. Question No. 025

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary of Health the following Question. Could the Cabinet Secretary outline the measures in place to ensure that the Social Health Authority (SHA) processes and settles claims submitted by low-tier hospitals in rural areas and small private hospitals promptly and with similar priority given to the settlement of …

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

confirms that this equity function is active. Currently, the nationwide settlement rate across all levels is 74 per cent within the legally mandated 90-day period. While the law requires payment within 90 days, we are more proactive, disbursing payments every 14th day of the month. For example, leadership at Tenwek Hospital confirmed their claim settlement rate is now at 80 per cent. Specifically…

Sen. Hamida, do you have any supplementary questions?

No, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I do not have any.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to appreciate the hardworking Cabinet Secretary for Health for taking time to come

and respond to issues raised by citizens through their representatives. Also, for highlighting some of the challenges we have in the health sector, including---- I saw some idler on TV on Sunday claiming that we should revert back to the old National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) system. The reports have been laid bare of the damage he left as Chairperson of Cabinet Subcommittees those days. Ca…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to appreciate the Cabinet Secretary. He is one of the hardworking Cabinet Secretaries of our time. If all Cabinet Secretaries did their job, like he is doing, we will have an easy ride in 2027. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I was in Kericho County Referral Hospital, courtesy of your office. I found that SHA is working. This is because in Level 5, they are paying Kshs3,920 …

Asante, Bw. Spika. Waziri, pongezi kwa kazi ambayo umefanya kwa wakati umepewa Wizara hii. Tumeona ukitembea kwa vijiji na kupigana na Wabunge. Unafanya kazi ya Rais wa Kenya na yetu pia. Umegusia mambo ya Cancer ambayo imekuwa disaster katika nchi yetu ya Kenya. Uko na mipango gani ya ugonjwa ya cancer? Hii ni kwa sababu watu wengi hawajui ni pesa ngapi zimetengwa kwa mtu mmoja. Pia, miaka inayo…

Ninajua unafanya kazi. Vijana wetu wa boda wakiwa na shida, tulikuwa tunawachangia. Lakini siku hizi wakipata ajali, wanalipa SHA na kutibiwa. Kwa hivyo, pia utaonyesha Wakenya vile utasaidia wagonjwa wa Cancer.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I thank the Cabinet Secretary for remaining steadfast and focused on the issue of SHA. This is because there are many busybodies that run around saying that SHA is a failure. ` My county has been mentioned among the four where fraud has taken place. So, I want to ask the Cabinet Secretary, what action has been instituted against the fraudsters? This is because we are …

Sen. Miraj, you have decided to go into hiding. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Health : Mr. Speaker, Sir and Hon. Senators, let me start with the Senate Majority Leader. I do my work diligently. On the 9th April, 2026, I made a submission to the Clerk of the Senate of the Annual Report of the Operations of the SHA. I have the letter. Annex 1 was th…

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

Clerk, kindly receive the documents. They are deemed tabled. The Cabinet Secretary for Health : Secondly, I want to confirm to the House that all leaders in this country, both current and former, are members of SHA, including those who are saying SHA is not working. We cover the former President, his mother and his spouse. We cover the former Vice President, Moody Awori and his spouse. We cover …

[(Hon. Aden Duale)]

laboratory and theatre, but have not been given drugs. We had the same problem in Nairobi City County. We see the patients moving, but they do not get drugs. We have seen that with Bomet County, and have talked to the governors. In some counties, you will see that there are many pharmacies around the hospitals. We have seen the same in every place. However, since we have capitalised KEMSA and str…

alone, 400 children are born, which is very good. However, even from that, I do not think there is somebody who has 372 dependents or children. That person is from Kwale County and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is investigating. We have found men who claim to have over 50 spouses as dependents. I am sure even Khalwale does not have 50 wives. We have found men who claim to have b…

We now move to Question No.031 by Sen. Catherine Mumma. Senator for Nairobi City County, I am informed through a letter that you have been nominated to ask that Question.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in this conversation, for as long as you hear people saying, “SHA is working, but---” there is always going to be a problem. These Questions by Sen. Catherine Mumma are pointers that there are issues still, and we must keep asking these Questions despite all the back-patting that we have seen from some of my colleagues. Question No. 031

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo): Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you very much.

My questions to the Cabinet Secretary, Interior and National Administration are as follows but first, maybe to say, I know the Cabinet Secretary is hardworking. However, recently, I think he has received very bad publicity on--- The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji): Senate Minority Leader, you have a question, go straight to it. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo): Yes, but I have to in…

There is no introducing the question, Senator. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Thank you for your guidance. What is the Ministry's current strategy for maritime security and how is Kilifi County classified within the National Maritime Risk Framework? Why has Kilifi County, despite its long coastline and strategic position, not been prioritised in the deployment of Kenya Coast Guard se…

Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, let us take all the questions, then you will reply. Sen. Maanzo, proceed. Question No.016

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary the following question. Could the Cabinet Secretary provide data on the number of individuals that have been reported missing since 2022, indicating those that have been found alive or dead and the number still unaccounted for? Have the police or other security agencies established who was involved in the disappearances and …

Senator, we cannot because of time. Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda, ask your question. Question No.011

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration the following question. Could the Cabinet Secretary explain the circumstances under which police officers were deployed to Witima Anglican Church in Othaya, Nyeri County on 25th January, 2026, and disclose the identity of the persons who authorised and commanded the operation? What st…

Sen. Hamida, proceed. Question No.012

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration the following question. Could you kindly provide a status update on the investigation into the murder of Advocate Kyalo Mbobu, who was shot dead on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025, including whether any suspects have been apprehended or questioned? What challenges have investigators face…

Sen. Mo Fire. Give him the microphone. Question No.22

Thank you, honourable Temporary Speaker. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration the following question: When will the Government establish additional evenly distributed national identification card registration and collection centres across Tharaka-Nithi County and other counties where residents have to travel long distances to access these services? Could the …

Thank you, honourable Senators. We will defer Question No.18, Question No.20, Question No.21 and Question No.30 and allow the Cabinet Secretary to reply to the questions that have already been asked. Question No.018

Question No.020

Question No.021

Question No.030

Proceed, Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration (Hon. Murkomen): Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if you allow me, I will do it chronologically, so that I start with Question No.11, and then it flows. Question No.11

On the first question, related to Witima Anglican Church, that is Question No.11, asked by Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda. Part one concerns the circumstances under which police officers were deployed and the identities of those who authorised and commanded the operation. On 25th of January, 2026, it was reported at Witima Police Station that unknown individuals lobbed tear gas canisters inside Witima ACK S…

informed in advance of the visit by Mr. Rigathi and his entourage and neither the police nor other Government authorities were notified of the planned visit. Two, the attack appeared to be linked to local political rivalries, which may have influenced its coordination and execution. Three, when local police officers attempted to respond to the incident, they were blocked and confronted by members…

subjected to appropriate disciplinary and legal action upon conclusion of the ongoing investigations. Thank you, honourable Speaker. Question No.012

I will go to No.12. Yes, sorry. On No.12, regarding the murder of, as I have said before, my former teacher, Advocate Kyalo Mbobu, I would like to respond as follows – I am responding for a second time. The status update on the investigation in the recent murder of Advocate Kyalo Mbobu: On 9th September, 2025, at about 1740 hours, Mr. Matthew Kyalo Mbobu, an advocate, was driving along Magadi Road…

It is Question No.16 and Cabinet Secretary, I would urge that you peruse very fast, because we already have the answers circulated. Hon. Senators, we are going to extend the sitting to 1.15 p.m., so that we can give a chance to the Cabinet Secretary to conclude. I thank you. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed. Question No.16

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration (Hon. Murkomen): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On Question No. 16, I will go straight to the issue regarding missing persons in the country. Part one, regarding the data on the number of individuals reported missing since 2022, we have provided the data. In 2022, there were 153 missing persons, in 2023 we had 128 missing pers…

It is question No. 22 and then No. Question No.022

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (Hon. Murkomen): Okay. We have question No.22 and 23. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

The question is on identification card registration and collection centres across Tharaka-Nithi County. This question has been sought by Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County. He seeks information on the establishment of additional and evenly distributed national identification card registration and collection centres in Tharaka Nithi by the Government. My response is that the Nat…

country like the central Rift, central region, and so forth, still has to travel a distance of more than three counties while in one constituency. The people who should be complaining about access to IDs are not those who are in Nairobi and its environs. It is the people who are in the far-flung areas, whom now are being accused of being assisted by the Government, and yet we have not even operat…

Last is Question No.23, which is a question from the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Madzayo. I wish to state as follows regarding the Ministry’s current strategy on maritime security. Maritime security remains a key national priority due to its critical role in supporting Kenya’s economy, safeguarding national security, promoting the blue economy and ensuring regional stability. Kenya’s coastline bo…

Cabinet Secretary, there is one question, No.52 by Sen. Hamida. I do not know if you have it in your list. My apology, Sen. Hamida, we deferred it. Cabinet Secretary, we will go to supplementary questions. Could I ask Senators who asked their questions to give opportunity to those who have not? We can give them an opportunity since they have not spoken. Sen. Kisang, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thank the Cabinet Secretary for appearing. I attended the Jukwaa la Usalama Forum in Elgeyo Marakwet County and it bore fruits. We now have peace in the county. My supplementary question is; what plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to prefer charges against those who self-abduct themselves, but we discover later that they were doing self-enjoyment?

Sen. Miraj.

Asante Mheshimiwa Spika wa Muda. Nampongeza Waziri kwa kutimiza nusu ya ahadi alizoweka wakati alipokuja kwa Jukwaa la Usalama, Mombasa. Swali langu ni: Je, kuna mikakati gani kuhakikisha tunasajili birth certificate kando na kusajili wanafunzi kwa vitambulisho katika shule zetu? Watoto wengi, hususan wale wanaotoka maeneo ya Likoni, wanakosa huduma ya capitation kwa sababu Serikali haiwatambui. …

[(Sen. Abdul Haji)]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. I will ask this question as a supplementary to the missing person’s records that have been brought forward by Sen. Maanzo. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, there are Kenyans who were tricked into going to war in Russia and eventually found themselves at the battlefront between Russia and Ukraine. There is one gentleman, Mr. James Muchoki Mwangi, …

Hon. Senators, we have three minutes. If you allow, let us give an opportunity to the Cabinet Secretary to answer those three questions. If we still have time, we will take one more question. We do not have time, Sen. Joe Nyutu. You did not even ask a question previously. I was giving an opportunity---

[(Sen. Joe Nyutu stood up in his place)]

She also did not ask.

You are right but she is a Member of the Speaker’s Panel. Sen. Lelegwe, let us allow the Cabinet Secretary to answer. Okay, proceed quickly followed by Sen. Joe Nyutu. We do not have time.

[(Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi stood up in his place)]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On registration of new IDs, we commend the Government for extending mobile ID registrations to sublocations, particularly in Samburu County. However, the turnout has been overwhelmingly high with many citizens unable to register and officers work beyond official hours.

Ask the question, Senator.

Could the Cabinet Secretary consider extending the registration period in Samburu and other marginalised areas?

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Joe Nyutu, proceed very quickly.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. It is unfortunate that we cannot raise a standing order against a Cabinet Secretary. However, we must tell the Cabinet Secretary that I was with the former Deputy President, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, at the Karen Hospital and we were given--- The Temporary Speaker : Do you have a question?

[(Sen. Abdul Haji)]

Yes, and we were given a brief by the doctor. So, it is not--- The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration : Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Regarding the question from Sen. Kisang on why we have not charged these individuals: As you know, the former Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Raphael Tuju, was charged. Additionally, Hon. Koimburi obtained a court order and Justice Mwita pr…

[(Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen)]

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, I ask the Senators who still have questions to approach his office and pose the questions to him at his office because of time.