Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Senators, you may now resume your seats. Clerk, do we have quorum to start the session? You may ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Clerk, kindly, ascertain that we now have quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, please, stop the Quorum Bell. Clerk, you may call the first Order. Hon. Members, there is a Supplementary Order Paper that is in your gadgets. You may switch to it for purposes of following the p…

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

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

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, 17th February, 2026-

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale and Sen. Ali Roba. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, resume your seat. Let us have---

[(Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda stood in his place)]

[(Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, took his seat)]

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, report of the Auditor-General on financial statement on Receiver of Revenue - Revenue Statements, County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet for the year ended 30th June, 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statement on Receiver of Revenue - Revenue Statements, County Government on Nandi, for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT AWARE THAT, Article 42 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes access to safe energy options; FURTHER AWARE THAT, over 900 million Africans, including more than 90 per cent of households in Kenya’s rural areas, still rely on traditional biomass…

[(firewood, charcoal, animal waste)]

Next Order. Proceed, Leader of Majority.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion - THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolution of the Senate made on 12th February, 2025 on the approval of Senators to serve in various Standing Committees of the Senate and pursuant to Standing Orders No.197, 199, 228 and the Fourth Schedule of the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the following Senator, nominated by the Senat…

Clerk, let us move to the next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding the ongoing crisis at the Kenyatta National Hospital and other health facilities across the country that provide cancer treatment. Due to stockouts of life-saving drugs, there have been severe disruptions in acces…

Hon. Senators, before I proceed to permit some additional statements, I have a communication to make.

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Speaker's Gallery, this afternoon of visiting delegations from the County Assemblies of Migori and Busia. The delegation comprises of five officers from the Hansard Department of the County Assembly of Migori and two officers from the Department of Serjeant-at-Arms of the County Assembly of Busia, who are undertaking a benchmarking v…

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon of visiting teachers and students from Karima High School in Murang’a County. The delegation consists of five teachers and 223 students. In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish th…

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity. It is my honour to welcome the team from Migori. I cannot overstate the importance of keeping HANSARD as a record of what happens in these newly formed assemblies in our communities. I am a better Senator today because I benefitted a lot from people who came to this House before us. They are people I have admired. These are people like Sen…

Proceed, Sen. Okiyah Omtatah.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to welcome the delegation of the Serjeant-at-Arms from Busia County Assembly. You are most welcome to this assembly. I hope you learn best practices from both this House and the National Assembly. From here you will go back and serve the Assembly of Busia with due diligence and through an upgraded way of doing things. Mr. Temporary Speake…

Sen. Joe Nyutu. I will not allow that, Sen. Khalwale. He was actually catching your attention to concentrate on his welcome remarks. Do not worry about any other comment that he could have made. Proceed, Sen. Joe.

[(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale spoke off record)]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also take this opportunity to welcome the students and teachers of Karima High School in Murang’a County. We welcome them to this Chamber and ask the students to do what brought them here. They should watch how debate is done here. This will enrich their debating capabilities and skills when they go back to school. I want to believe that they have a good de…

Now, we are going back to the statements pursuant to Standing Orders No.53. Proceed, Sen. Samson Cherarkey.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. With your indulgence, I request for a statement on the exploitative and deceptive recruitment of Kenyan youth to Russia. This is not about the famous Russian guy who has been taking advantage of girls, but on another matter.

Read your statement.

I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations on a matter of national concern regarding the exploitative and deceptive recruitment of the Kenyan youth to Russia under the guise of civilian employment opportunities. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, credible reports indicate that several Kenyan youths we…

Lastly, the Senator for Busia, Sen. Okiya Omtatah.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Energy on a matter of countywide concern regarding the challenges faced by communities living along the Tana River Dam cascade, the mitigation measures in place and the unequal compensation of affected persons. The Tana River hosts a series of major dams: Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru,…

Thank you, Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Hon. Senators, I will give 10 minutes for Members who would like to comment on those three statements; the statement by Sen. Essie Okenyuri, the statement by Sen. Okiya Omtatah, and the one by Sen. Cherarkey. Sen. Maanzo, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker. I want to commend and support Sen. Cherarkey's statement. Quite a number of Kenyans have left the country, having been misled into believing that they are going to be employed and that they are going to earn a living and have a future. This has happened in several countries. Some of them ended up being stranded. This has happened several times in the Arab world. …

[(Sen. Maanzo’s microphone went off)]

Give the mic to Sen. Maanzo. Sen. Maanzo, you may proceed to the Dispatch Table.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Some were hoping to have a future. If you take an untrained Kenyan to become a soldier and go and fight at the forefront of the war, you can expect disaster, certainly death. Quite a number of them have died. Therefore, I would like the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to give an account of how many Ke…

Sen. Munyi Mundigi, you may proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa nafasi hii ili niweze kuchangia kauli ya Sen. Okenyuri, kuhusu ugonjwa wa saratani.

Sen. Richard Onyonka, you have the Floor. Give him the microphone, Clerk. Be a little patient, Sen. Onyonka, because the system is new. You can submit from the Dispatch. Whether it is technology or your inability to use it, it is a different story.

Ninashukuru sana, Bw. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipatia nafasi hii. Pia, mimi nimeamua kuzungumza lugha ya taifa kwa sababu Mzee, Sen. Mundigi, amejihusisha vilivyo na ningependa kumwambia asante sana kwa kujaribu kuhakikisha kuwa tunaendeleza lugha yetu ya taifa.

What is your point of order, Sen. Munyi Mundigi?

[(Loud consultations)]

Bw. Spika wa Muda, asante kwa kuruhusu Seneta wa Kaunti ya Kisii kuongea. Lakini ningependa kumfahamisha kwamba sasa hivi tukiwa

[(Laughter)]

Sen. Onyonka, you may proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda. Nilitumia neno “Mzee” kwa heshima wala sio kwa ajili ya miaka yako. Lakini kwa vile umejitambua, inaonekana kuwa miaka yako ni mingi sana. Pole.

[(Laughter)]

Hon. Members, the time allocated for comments on statements is over. We will proceed to transact the next Order. I had directed that we have 10 minutes for comments on the Statements. Clerk, please call the next Order.

Sen. Wafula, on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, please, move the Motion under Standing Order No.8.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolution of the Senate made on 12th February, 2025 on the approval of Senators to serve in various Standing Committees of the Senate, and pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199, 228, and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the following Senator nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in St…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move – THAT AWARE THAT, the Crops (Bixa) Regulations were tabled in the Senate on Thursday, 25th September, 2025, and referred to the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation for consideration pursuant to Section 12 (1) of the Statutory Instruments Act; COGNIZANT THAT the Committee is required to make a report within twenty-eight sitting days …

[(Legal Notice No. 145 of 2025)]

[(Legal Notice No.145 of 2025)]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, for affording me this opportunity as one of the Members of the Committee on Delegated Legislation. I state categorically that Bixa is a significant cash crop in Kenya that has several uses. For example, it is used in the food industry as a colourant, for medicines and also in cosmetics. It, therefore, impacts on human beings. As a committee mandated to look at…

[(Question proposed)]

Hon. Senators, for the convenience of the House, we will reorganise the Order Paper and call Order No.11, for purposes of approval of the Senate Calendar for the Fifth Session. The Senate Majority Whip will do it on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader. Proceed to do that.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.32 (1) , the Senate approves its Calendar (Regular Sessions) for the Fifth Session , laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 12th February, 2026. I request my good friend, Eddy, to second.

[(February to December, 2026)]

Sen. Eddy, proceed to

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a very important Motion, to the extent that this Senate must focus on some serious issues in this Session. I know that there is pressure because we want to focus on other things. Indeed, they have started to talk about other things. However, the calendar is very important. So, right from the start, I wish to second this as moved. I would like to emphasise that …

[(Sen. Korir stood in her place)]

Sen. Joyce Korir, take your seat. Hon. Senators, similar to the previous two Motions that we have dealt with, this is another Procedural Motion, and with your concurrence, I will proceed to put the Question. Hon. Members, I have received a request from Members, which I had earlier on acceded to, that, we give additional eight minutes for Members to comment on the Statements earlier on by Sen. Ok…

[(Sen. Korir sat in her place)]

[(Question proposed)]

[(Question put and agreed to)]

[(Resumption of Statements)]

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the Statement brought by the Senator for Nandi County on the luring of Kenyans into the Russian-Ukraine war. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, towards the end of last year, I attended the launch of a report by Oxfam titled: “Kenya's Inequality Crisis - The Great Economic Divide.” Just to highlight that report for the benefit of the House, nearly ha…

Sen. Wakoli, please, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to contribute to this pandemic. It is sad that we were just enjoying Valentine’s day the other day. Kenyans surprised themselves with flowers and others with chocolates, while our Russian counterpart was ravaging our cabbages without any mercy. This matter reflects on the issue that Sen. Cherarkey has just raised about the Russian proble…

Sen. Wafula, your two minutes are up. Sen. Olekina, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to make some brief comments on this disturbing Statement by the distinguished Senator for Nandi County. We must all ask ourselves how this Parliament is contributing to Kenyans running away due to unemployment. They seek for greener pastures abroad where they risk arrest, molestation or having their passports taken away. What are we doing to solve that…

Your time is up, Sen. Olekina. Sen. Murango, proceed.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika wa Muda. Kwanza, ningependa kuchangia Kauli iliyoletwa na Sen. Okenyuri. Afya njema ni taja imara na kuishi ni faradhi. Ugonjwa wa saratani unapokumba familia, familia nyingi zinafilisika kutibu wapendwa wao. Wanabaki kuokota virobo kwa kufilisika. Katika mpango wa Social Healthy Authority (SHA) , wagonjwa wa saratani walifaa kupata tiba ya takribani shilingi 800,000. Ni vy…

Sen. Wambua.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to go on record on the matter raised by Sen. Cherarkey. I wish to say two things. First, this matter is extremely serious and requires a Motion for proper discussion. It goes beyond Kenya. I was in Uganda with some of my colleagues last December for the games. At the airport, hundreds of young people were being ferried to Arabian countries to seek empl…

Hon. Senators, I had indicated earlier that I would allow two Members from each side. You will notice that I have given an extra person.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for according me this opportunity to contribute to Sen. Okenyuri's Statement on the accessibility of cancer medication. Cancer has become a menace in our community and across the nation. As a country, there is need to ease the red tape and bureaucratic procedures that hinder patients from accessing treatment. In Bungoma County, for example, breast and cervic…

Sen. Beatrice Ogola.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the wisdom you exercise while in the Chair. I wish to support the Statement by my colleague, Sen. Essy Okenyuri, particularly on cancer treatment. I emphasise on the availability of services, access to early intervention and the strengthening of public facilities. Cancer treatment, if delayed, becomes so expensive to the public. Mr. Temporary Speaker, S…

Your time is up, Sen. Beatrice. Take your seat. Clerk, let us now resume Order No.12. You may call that out.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Coffee Bill (Senate Bills No.10 of 2023) , laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 4th December, 2025, and that pursuant to Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order No.167 (3) of the Senate, approves the mediated version of the Bill. I appreciate the Almight…

Sen. Murango, proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda. Naunga mkono sheria ambayo imeletwa hapa na kusomwa na mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Kilimo, Mifugo na Uvuvi katika Bunge la Seneti. Leo najivunia kusimama mbele ya Seneti, kuangazia Mswada ambao niliudhamini kama Seneta wa Kirinyaga na kuungwa mkono na Bunge la Seneti. Safari ya kukuza kahawa ilianza kabla mwaka wa 1932, wakati wa walowezi. Kahawa si zao tu. Kahawa ni urithi…

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, from the outset, I support this mediated version of the Bill, the Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No.10 of 2023) . I thank Sen. (Dr.) Kamau Murango who was very instrumental in this Bill. I also thank the Chairperson of the Mediation Committee and the Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly, for this mediated version of the Bill.

Sen. Cherarkey, you can be sure that that will be available because we want to brand and market our coffee. Two is, the Chair was not available to vie for the Law Society of Kenya presidency. However, I invite you to elect someone who is honourable, professional, responsible, who will take the Law Society of Kenya to the next level, come Thursday next week. They have campaigned and you know the b…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I stand here in support of the work done by the Mediation Committee on The Coffee Bill (Senate Bills No.10 of 2023) . I thank that Committee, comprising Members from the Senate and the National Assembly, for coming up with a version of a Bill that is reasonable and acceptable to both Houses of Parliament. In fulfilment of our Standing Orders, No.166, the Comm…

Thank you, Sen. Kiio Wambua, for your contribution. Hon. Senators, I call upon Sen. Moses Kajwang’ to contribute as well as to reply, since from my dashboard I have no other request other than Sen. Kamar who has just requested. I had been notified that Sen. Kajwang’ will reply on behalf of the Mover of the Motion. So, I will then ask you to step down so that Sen. Kamar can make her contribution. …

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The new gadgets are still unstable because I had pressed it, then it goes on and off, but thank you for being considerate to allow me to add my voice to this. I thank you because I was a Member of the Mediation Committee and--- Am I audible?

[(Sen. (Dr.) Murango consulted loudly)]

Sen. Kamar, you are loud enough. I will ask Sen. (Dr.) Murango to either be a decent neighbour or cross over the aisle to where he normally sits, so that we can hear Sen. Kamar in silence. Proceed, Senator.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I would like to thank the Members of the Mediation Committee, led by Sen. (Dr.) Murango, who educated us a lot about the coffee sector. When you look at the declining number that was done by the Senate, it is because we became much educated and were able to understand a number of the things that were being discussed there.

Thank you, Sen. Kamar. Sen. Kajwang’, Sen. Essie Okenyuri has also desired to speak. If you are mindful of me letting her speak, I could just allow you to--- Proceed, Sen. Essie.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I appreciate the consideration by Sen. Kajwang’. I just remembered something that I need to highlight. I am one of the Members who sat in the Mediation Committee. I, therefore, would like to bring to the attention of Members that most of the very critical challenges that we have been having with farmers in those societies is to do with administration. We have…

Sen. Moses Kajwang’, please proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with the authority and concurrence of the Chair, and with the instructions of the Mover of the Motion, I beg to reply. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I reply, allow me to make some brief comments. First, this House must congratulate the initial Sponsor of this Bill, Sen. (Dr.) Murango. It is very difficult to get a Bill converted into law in the current bicameral setup…

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

Sen. Moses Kajwang’, when Sen. Murango was the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, I remember there was a time he whispered to me that he was on his way to Costa Rica. That was Colombia? When did Moses Kajwang’ and my senior, Sen. Kiraitu go? I believe both countries did a lot of learning from Kenya, but we are still lagging behind. Your request has been approved to p…

[(Putting of the Question on the Motion deferred)]

If my eyes are serving me well, the Senate Majority Leader is not here to reply. I will defer that business. Let us go to Order No.13.

This Motion is to be moved by the Chair, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. He is not in the House.

Hon. Senators, you can now rise. Yes, Sen. (Dr.) Murango, do you want to say something?

[(Sen. (Dr.) Murango spoke off record)]

Bw. Naibu Spika, ninajua kwamba kitu ambacho ninataka kuuliza hakiko kwenye ratiba ya leo lakini nitauliza tu ili unielekeze. Juzi, nililetewa ombi kutoka kwa wale ambao wanatumia maji katika eneo la Kirinyaga; wakulima na wale ambao wanatumia maji nyumbani kwao. Ombi lenyewe ni kwamba, kutokana na kanuni ambazo zilipitishwa kutoka kamati inayohusika na kanuni katika Seneti, taasisi ya WARMA ime…

[(Delegated Legislation Committee)]

Sen. (Dr.) Murango, ni vyema ripoti ziwe zinaletwa Seneti lakini kamati hii ya Delegated Legislation, kwa miaka mingi, nimeona kuwa wanapokubaliana na hoja yeyote, wanapitisha bila kurudi Seneti. Wakikataa wanakatalia katika kikao chao wala hawaleti katika kikao. Mimi ninaona ni vizuri, vile umesema tubadilishe Kanuni za Seneti na haswa za Bunge lote kwa sababu vivyo hivyo ndivyo hufanyika katika…

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off the record)]

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off the record)]

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off the record)]

No, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, they are not retired, I thought they were new. They are new but inefficient.

They are retired for the day because I pronounced---

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Serjeant-at-Arms need to relax; they should be at ease until you stand. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree with your communication, but I just wanted to be specific with those regulations that are in operation in terms of the increment of water tariffs.

Last but not least, Sen. M. Kajwang’, you may proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you have made a very, very profound communication on this particular matter of a statutory instrument. I have always told my friend, Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, that he chairs perhaps the most powerful committee in this House. It is his committee that is supposed to go through statutory instruments. For avoidance of doubt, statutory instruments mean any rule, order, regulation, …

Similar to the Equalization Fund?

It is the Equalization Fund, I am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. There was a situation where the two Houses had different views on it. We have had cases where the National Assembly takes view X on a regulation, and the Senate takes view Y; we have no proper mechanisms for mediation. That is something that we could also deal with. Finally, where a regulation-making authority delays in bringing reg…

Hon. Senators, what Sen. (Dr.) Murango requested to be advised on was good. Our State Departments and Parastatals sneak in their regulations through the Committee on Delegated Legislation. Like now, Sen. (Dr.) Murango, they are sitting on very dangerous regulations seeking to have more levies on tea and the committee is seized of that matter. There was no public participation and nothing is happen…