Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, proceed.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

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

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

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

Next Order. The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, proceed

Sen. Catherine Mumma.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion-THAT, AWARE THAT Article 43(1)(d) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities and to reasonable standards of sanitation; COGNIZANT THAT, under the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, county governments are responsible for county water and sanitation services, while the national…

What are you holding?

I am sorry---

Is it a Notice?

No, it is not. Sorry, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Then you will wait till we call the Order. Next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) to make a statement on a matter of national concern, namely the outstanding performance of Team Kenya at the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland. Kenya once again demonstrated its sporting excellence on the international stage, with Team Kenya securing 12 medals comprising three gold, four silver and five bronze…

Let us move to request for statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1). Senator Betty Montet, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have a request for statement on the impact of industrial air emissions from cement and steel manufacturing companies in the country. 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 nationwide concern regarding the impact of industrial air emissions from cement and ste…

Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have a request for a statement on the plight of farmers in Nzoia and other sugar companies countrywide. I just want to issue a caveat that I requested for this statement before the report from the Committee on Agriculture on the stakeholder engagement at Mabanga. I do not understand why, I have already been removed from the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) but I have not…

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off the record)]

Order, Senator for Nandi. The Honourable Member is simply seeking to be added to his new role. You may proceed, Honourable Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for that protection. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a matter of countrywide concern regarding the plight of sugarcane farmers at Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma County and across other sugar companies nationwide. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sugarcane farmers continue to face his…

You may proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1), to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a matter of nationwide concern regarding the voting rights of serving police and other security officers. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 38 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees every citizen the right to make political choices, including the…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on a matter of national concern regarding the status of pending county development projects initiated before September, 2022. While devolution was intended to ensure the prudent use of resources and the community in service delivery,…

Sen. Catherine Mumma.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of national concern regarding the regulatory failures by the Ministry of Mining and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to safeguard River Yala from the environmental and ecological risks posed by illegal go…

Senator Chimera.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Orders 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 implementation and operational status of the Mgalani-Busho-Kilibasi Water Project in Mackinnon Road Ward in Kwale County. The County Government of Kwale implemented the above water project…

Hon. Senators, before I allow comments on the Statements that have been sought, allow me to make these Communications.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of five teachers and 52 students from Nyali Comprehensive School in Mombasa County who are seated in the public gallery. The delegation is visiting the Senate for an academic exposition. On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful visit.

I would also like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of eight teachers and 116 students from Kabianga Comprehensive School in Kericho County who are seated in the public gallery. The delegation is visiting the Senate for an academic exposition. On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful visit.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Pursuant to Standing Order No.236(2)(a), I rise to present the following Petition on the unregulated establishment of commercial fish cages in Mbita, Mfangano Island, Rusinga Island, Sindo, Gingo and Ngodhe Island in Lake Victoria. We, the undersigned citizens of Kenya and investors in the tourism and hospitality sector, particularly in beach hotels, resorts and…

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.238(1), I commit the Petition to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. In terms of Standing Order No.238(2)(a), the Committee is required, in not more than 60 calendar days from the time of reading the prayer, to table its report in the Senate for consideration. Thank you. Hon. Senators, I want to re-organise the order of busi…

[(The Petition was committed to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries)]

[(Motion deferred)]

THAT, the Senate adopts the Reports of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the – (i) The Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 11 of 2026; (ii) The Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 13 of 2026); and

[(Motion deferred)]

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[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

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Clerk, we will go to Order No.22. The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, Sen. Abass, proceed.

Chairperson, approach the Table first, then proceed.

[(The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) consulted with Sen. Abass)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion-THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on the Cooperation Agreement (1) White Paper No.1 deals with water and sanitation, and focuses on addressing the key aspects of water challenges in Nairobi. Having known that Nairobi is facing a lot of challenges on water issues, I …

Majority Whip, Sen. Wakoli, proceed.

Asante, Mheshimiwa Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii. Lugha inaendelea kua na msamiati wa ‘spika wa wengi.’ Bila shaka lililopangwa na Mungu litatimia siku moja. Kuhusiana na ripoti hii ya Kamati ya Ugatuzi na Mahusiano kati ya Serikali za Kaunti na Serikali Kuu kwa jambo la mstakabali wa makubaliano kati ya Serikali Kuu na Serikali ya Kaunti ya Jiji la Nairobi, ninaunga mkono kikamilifu yale amb…

[(Question proposed)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for the speedy tabling of this report. On this matter, the committee has been effective and efficient, but I will make a few comments. I understand where the committee is in terms of whether this was under Article 189 on the cooperation between the national Government and county governments or whether ther…

Thank you. Next is Sen. M. Kajwang’.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the recommendation of the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. When you look at functions of the Senate, one of the most important committees in this House is the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. In fact, it has a mandate over everything that every other committee does. It is the committee that is supposed to co…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have sat down here and got the wisdom from the leader of my delegation. I rise to disagree with the recommendation of the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. We can make it work and we must make it work for the following reasons. I want to support the initial cooperation agreement between Nairobi City County and the national Government for these reas…

Sen. Okong’o Omogeni, proceed.

I rise to fully support the report by the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. However, I will go further and propose that this House should amend the Motion to totally cancel that cooperation agreement between the national Government and the County Government of Nairobi City. First, having listened to the Chairperson, Sen. Abbas, he has raised a number of constitutional issue…

Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, you may proceed.

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I love your new format of allowing the Senators to speak, those who have been in the House for a longer time during the session. So, thank you for that. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this report by the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, which I am a Member. I rise to support it because from the outset, it is good for…

[(Sen. Chimera consulted loudly)]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Let me speak from the desk of the whip. I may be a whip one day before the end of this term and become governor. Things change in the Senate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this report with modification. The so-called cooperation agreement was signed between the national Government, represented by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary…

Order, Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda, our time is up. Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda, you will have a balance of nine minutes to conclude your thoughts on this.