Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum bell for 10 minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung) Hon. Senators, we do have quorum. So we will proceed with the afternoon business. Senate Majority Leader, proceed to lay the Paper. Senator of Tharaka-Nithi, I thought you would take this opportunity to express your prowess.

[(The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot) was not in the Chamber)]

Report of the Auditor-General on the Performance Audit on the Provision of Bursaries by the County Government of Kisii. I lay.

[(Sen. Gataya Mo Fire laid the documents on the Table)]

Next Order.

(6) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, approves the conferment of City status to Thika Municipality. I have a second notice. ADOPTION OF REPORT ON COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL

Next Order.

That Statement is dropped. Proceed, Senator for Taita-Taveta County, Sen. Mwaruma.

[(Statement dropped)]

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 failure by police officers to intervene in a mob justice incident in Mombasa that resulted to the death of Mr. John Kalaghe Joshua. On 22 nd June, 2026, at around 1300 hours, Mr. John Kalaghe Joshua, a 24 year old male from Marungu Ward, Voi Subcounty in Taita-Ta…

Statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1). Proceed, Senator for Nandi County, Sen. Cherarkey.

That Statement is dropped. Proceed Sen. Crystal Asige.

[(Statement dropped)]

That Statement is dropped. Proceed, Sen. Hezena.

[(Statement dropped)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a matter of countywide concern regarding the ongoing security and disarmament operation in Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County. In this statement, the committee should address the following- (1) The legal basis, objectives,…

Senator for Nairobi City County, the hon. Edwin Sifuna.

Mr. 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 county-wide concern regarding the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu County to a Level 6 National Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu was officially g…

Senator for Kisii County, the hon. Richard Onyonka.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. 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 persistent delays by the County Government of Kisii to pay salaries and address the employees' concern. In the statement, the committee should address the following- (1) …

Senator for Kisumu County, the hon. Prof. Tom Ojenda.

That statement is dropped. Senator for Mombasa County, the hon. Mohamed Faki.

[(Statement dropped)]

Asante, Bw. Spika. Nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu ya 53(1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Usalama wa Taifa, Ulinzi na Uhusiano wa Kimataifa kuhusu kutokea mara kwa mara kwa janga la moto katika ofisi za Shirika la Usambazaji wa Maji na Usafi wa Mazingira ya Mombasa (MOWASSCO). Kutoka mwaka jana, kumetokea visa viwili vya moto katika ofisi za MOWASSCO. Mnam…

Has it been approved?

It was approved, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Okay, proceed.

Nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu ya 53(1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Elimu kuhusu uajiri wa wanajamii wa eneo husika katika Chuo cha Kitaifa cha Ufundi Anuwai cha Pwani kiliyoko Kaunti ya Mombasa. Katika kauli hiyo, kamati izingatie yafuatayo- (1) Hatua zilizochukuliwa na Wizara ya Elimu kuhakikisha ya kwamba ajira katika vyuo vya ufundi anuwai vinawaju…

The statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57(1) is deferred. Senator for Nandi, you may proceed to read your request for statement.

[(Statement deferred)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for your indulgence. 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 nation-wide concern regarding the management and effectiveness of county revenue automation systems and their impact on county governments' own-source revenue collection. County governments have invested substantially publ…

Senator for Kisumu County.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1), to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Défense and Foreign Relations on a matter of countywide concern regarding rising security concerns associated with non-functional public street lighting within Kisumu County. While the national Government is responsible for internal security, county governm…

Hon. Senators, I will allow comments on the request for statements for a period of not more than 15 minutes. If you have an opportunity to speak, kindly do so for not more than three minutes. However, before I allow comments, I have this communication to make.

Honourable Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of six teachers and 51 students from Islamia Comprehensive School in Nairobi 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.

Also, I wish to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's Gallery this afternoon, a visiting delegation of members of the National Prayer Breakfast Committee from the Parliament of Uganda. The delegation is in the Senate to gain insights into the functioning of the parliamentary prayer breakfast movement in Kenya, while also strengthening fellowship and continued engagement through sharing of expe…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to welcome the school and welcome the two Members of Parliament. Honourable Silas is th th now serving his 20 year in the Parliament of Uganda and his colleague, her 15 year. There are two other members who are not with them. They came four of them, yesterday. There is the Honourable Endakasi, who is the current chair of the National Pray…

[(Resumption of Statements)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to make my comments on two statements. One is the statement by Sen. Sifuna on the upgrading of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu to Level 6. As Sen. Khalwale has suggested, first things first, let the staff of the facility enjoy the full benefits of the new status of that facility. That way, then, we will be talking about accrui…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the statements. One, the statement from Sen. Onyonka about delayed salaries for county workers. This is a big problem in almost all the counties, because like in the County Assembly of Machakos staff has not been paid for months now. There are employees of Machakos. They have appointment letters. I have sought for a state…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to comment on the statement by the Senator for Kisii, Sen. Onyonka, on delayed salaries. As has been stated, it is common ground that counties are struggling with two things. Most counties with the ability to raise own-source revenue are not able to live up to the standards expected of them. Number two, as a consequence, we have delayed salaries out of delays of…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to comment on the statement by the Senator for Nairobi City County regarding the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. What catches my attention is that staff have not been confirmed officially as employees. For a hospital to be upgraded to Level 6, it must meet the requirements. The aim is to ensure that people from Kisumu and neig…

Sen. Kajwang’.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to also comment on the statement by Sen. Sifuna regarding the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to a Level 6 National Referral Hospital. I thank Senator Sifuna for raising this matter. This is what a national leader does. You do not only raise issues from your backyard. We, the leaders from Nyanza region, received the news of the upgrade …

Sen. Richard Onyonka.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to add to what colleagues have said about medical facilities in our regions. As Sen. Kajwang’ has mentioned, it is embarrassing to see hospitals in such poor condition. In reality, most health facilities in our regions face the same challenges. There are no medicines, technical personnel are victimized, some are on strike and CBAs signed are not honoured. Governors collect…

[(Sen. Onyonka’s microphone was switched off)]

If you are not done, you have one minute to conclude.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I was saying that if we find that that is an option they cannot accept, then why do we not sit and ask our governors how they want us to solve the problems because they are too many and all the facilities are becoming dysfunctional? I thank you.

Next is Sen. Madzayo. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo): Asante, Mstahiki Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii kuchangia Taarifa iliyoletwa na Seneta wa Taita Taveta ndugu yangu, Sen. Mwaruma. Ni jambo la kusikitisha kwamba leo hii Mkenya anaweza kupoteza maisha yake kwa sababu ya vitu visivyojulikana kama kusalimiana halafu anagundua kuwa amepoteza sehemu zake za siri. Hilo ni jambo la ajabu. Iki…

[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair]]

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

[(Sen. Madzayo’s microphone was switched off)]

Una dakika moja na nusu. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo): Asante, shemeji yangu. Ni kweli kwamba tunawapeleka vijana wetu kule Kiganjo ili kupata mafunzo. Baada ya kupata mafunzo, wanafaa kujua kwamba wanapaswa kutetea uhai wa kila Mkenya bila upendeleo wa aina yoyote. Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika.

That brings us to the end of comments on Statements. Clerk, please call the next Order.

[(Sen. Maanzo on 14.07.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 15.07.2026)]

Debate on this Motion was concluded. Now we need to put the question but first confirm whether we have quorum. Hon. Senators, putting of the question is deferred. Let us go to the next Order.

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

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

[(Sen. Oketch Gicheru on 18.06.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 15.07.2026)]

Any Member can make a contribution on this Bill. We will start with Sen. Wambua.

[(Sen. Wakili Sigei spoke off record)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I can see the Senator for Bomet saying something but I do not know what the issue is. Perhaps, he needs to approach the Chair.

[(Sen. Wakili Sigei spoke off record)]

I am wondering whether the Senator for Kitui is the one in the Chair because he has given you an opportunity to raise an issue.

I did not give him an opportunity. I just said I can see---

You stood to raise a matter that you have. Proceed, Sen. Wambua. Kindly take note that you are not the Chair.

I do recognise that I am not the Chair. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to raise what I would consider important comments on the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill from the National Assembly. I sit on the Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing. Therefore, I have had an opportunity to interact with the Bill as brought to us by the National Assembly. When the matter came up yesterday for Second Re…

Thank you, Sen. Wambua. From my dashboard, there is no other Senator interested in contributing to this Motion. Therefore, the Mover will reply. The opportunity for the Mover to reply is deferred We will proceed to the next Order. Hon. Senators, I want to reorganise the Order Paper this afternoon. Therefore, Order Nos.11 to 21 are divisions, so they stand deferred. We then go to Order No.22.

[(Reply to the Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

THAT, the Senate adopts the Reports of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the-

[(Motion deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

The debate on Order No.22 is ongoing, but I do not see any interest. Proceed.

[(Committee of the Whole deferred)]

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

THAT, AWARE that, Article 96 of the Constitution provides that the Senate represents the counties, and serves to protect their interests, determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Article 217, and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the County Governments; FURTHER AWARE THAT, in the case of Senate v Council of Governors and 6 others (Petition 2…

[(Sen. Okiya Omtatah on 15.07.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 15.07. 2026 – Morning Sitting)]

Hon. Senators, again, there is no interest on this business, therefore, reply by the Mover is deferred. Next Order.

[(Reply to the Motion deferred)]

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Health on a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Patrick Musilu and others concerning the protection and propagation of the commercialization of the New Generation (Muthea) Anti-venom in Kenya, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 17 th June, 2026.

The Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, are you ready? intervention to protect their right to research, innovate and commercialise the antivenom, and to investigate alleged criminal conduct by officials of KEMRI, KIPRE and NACOSTI. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, having considered the petition and the responses and submissions received thereon, the Committee makes the following observati…

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. As I second this Motion, I would like to highlight the provisions of Article 119.1 of the Constitution that provides, and I read- “every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including to enact, amend, or repeal any legislation.” Sub-article 2 provides- “that Parliament shall make provisions for the proc…

[(Question proposed)]

The Floor is opened for any Senator interested to contribute. We start with Sen. Mumma.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to speak to this Report. Allow me to begin by commending the Committee on Health led by Sen. Mandago, the Vice-Chair and Members. This is a very good report on an issue that is very important. Before colonialization, we had our own science around how to treat the various diseases and deal with certain issues, including snake bites. When I was…

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support this petition. This petition has been through our Committee, the Committee on Health. I want to first appreciate the Petitioner, one Mr. Patrick Musilu, who comes from the Great Eastern Region. As Sen. Mumma has put it, my other motherland, Kitui, has a lot of snake bite issues. The petitioner, before petitioning this House, through Sen. Oki…

Thank you, Sen. Mutinda. There seems to be no other Senator desiring to contribute to the Petition. I, therefore, call upon Sen. Mariam to reply.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I appreciate the Members who have contributed on this petition. We have to give an opportunity to our traditional medicines, and this is one of them. We are importing Anti-venom from South Africa and it is expensive. If we get it locally, it will reduce the issue of pricing. We might even end up exporting to other countries. These snakes are mostly in arid an…

Thank you, Sen. Mariam. Putting of the question is hereby deferred to the next sitting of the House. Now, hon. Senators, that was Order No.23. I will defer Orders No.24, 25 and 26, notwithstanding the presence of Sen. Karen Nyamu, the Mover. She is still undertaking additional consultation. Orders No.27, 28, 29 and 30, as well, are deferred for absence of the Movers.

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

July, 16, 2026 SENATE DEBATES

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Motion deferred)]

July, 16, 2026 SENATE DEBATES

[(Motion deferred)]

THAT, AWARE that, the Ministry of Education in Kenya, introduced Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) as part of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation marking a major milestone for the country’s education system, and a key opportunity to improve the quality of education available to students; APPRECIATING THAT, the Junior Secondary Schools program play a vital role in shaping the academic…

[(Motion deferred)]

THAT, AWARE THAT Articles 43(1)(f) and 53 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantee every child the right to education, protection, safety and welfare; COGNIZANT THAT the Basic Education Act, 2013, the Children Act, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya require learning institutions to provide safe and secure environments for learners; CONCE…

[(Motion deferred)]