Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have a quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly let us settle down. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Sen. Eddy and the Senate Minority Leader, kindly take your seats.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of 10 teachers and 143 students from Stirling Academy in Narok County, who are seated in the public gallery. The delegation is visiting the Senate for an academic exposition. On behalf of the Senate, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful visit. I would like to ask the Deputy Minority Leade…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my colleagues from both sides of the House, I take this opportunity to welcome the delegation of teachers and students from Narok County to the Senate of the Republic of Kenya. It is my hope and prayer that as they sit through the proceedings of the Senate this afternoon, they will find their visit fruitful and beneficial, and when they go back home, they will apply …

Next Order.

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

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

Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 23 rd July, 2026- Report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on its consideration of The Referendum Bill (Senate Bills No.3 of 2026).

[(Sen. Wakili Sigei laid the document on the Table)]

Next Order.

Thank you, Mr. 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 operations of Bupa Global Insurance in Kenya. Its recent licensing and establishment of its regional headquarters has to be in this enquiry. The entry of Bupa Global into the Kenyan insurance market marks a significant devel…

Mr. 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 countywide concern regarding the state of ambulance services in Marsabit County. Marsabit County's vast geographical area and dispersed population necessitate an efficient and reliable emergency medical transport system. However, the county is experiencing a severe …

[(Statement dropped)]

The Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County, the Hon. Mwenda Gataya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and National Resources on a matter of countywide concern regarding the status of valuation and compensation to families affected by the Nithi Bridge realignment project in Tharaka-Nithi County. The proposed realignment project involves compulsory land acquisi…

Sen. for Murang’a County, the hon. Joe Nyutu.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Energy on a matter of nation-wide concern regarding the disparities in the allocation of prepaid electricity tokens by the Kenya Power. Prepaid electricity consumers across the country have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in purchasing electricity tokens. Consumers purcha…

Sen. Mohammed Chute, you wanted to read your other statement?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

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 inter-county concern regarding the boundaries between Arbjahan along Marsabit-Wajir counties. For generations, the communities of Marsabit-Wajir counties have coexisted peacefully, sharing grazing resources and fostering …

Statement pursuant to Standing Orders No.57(1), the Senate Majority Leader.

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

Sen. Faki had two statements. One, pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1), and the other one pursuant to Standing Orders No.52(1).

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Nimesimama kuambatana na Kanuni ya 52(1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Bunge la Seneti kusoma Taarifa kuhusu maadhimisho ya siku ya mikoko duaniani yatakayofanyika mnamo 26 Julai, 2026. Siku hii ilitangazwa rasmi mwaka 2015 na shirika la Umoja wa Mataifa la Elimu, Sayansi na Utamaduni (UNESCO), na inalenga kuhamasisha umuhimu wa mikoko katika kuhifadhi mazingira y…

[(Seneta Gataya Mo Fire na Seneta Cherarkey walishauriana kwa sauti)]

Hon. Senators, may the Senator for Mombasa be heard in silence?

Jambo la tatu, uchafuzi wa mazingira kupitia umwagaji wa maji taka kutoka kwa majumba yaliyojengwa karibu na fuo za bahari pia kunasababisha mikoko kukauka na kufa. Kwa mfano, mafuta yaliyomwagika katika bandari ya Mombasa pale Kibarani miaka ya nyuma yalisababisha mikoko kukauka na kufa. Vile vile, baadhi ya vyombo vya bahari vinavyovuja mafuta pia huathiri mikoko. Pia, kituo cha kusafisha maji k…

Bw. Spika, nimesimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya 53(1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Bunge la Seneti kuomba kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Barabara, Uchukuzi na Nyumba kuhusu kufungwa kwa Bandari Ndogo ya Old Port, mjini Mombasa. Bandari hii kongwe imekuwa kiungo muhimu cha biashara na usafirishaji wa mizigo katika Kaunti ya Mombasa, Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Pemba na bandari nyinginezo katika A…

Sen. Hamida.

Hon. Senators, we have a visiting delegation of teachers and students from St. Peter’s Mbwalali School in Embu County. I would like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of five teachers and 80 students from St. Peter’s Mbwalali in Embu County, who are seated in the Public Gallery. The delegation is visiting the Senate for an academic excursion. On behalf of the Senate and my own be…

There is also another delegation from Makueni County. This is Kwothithu Secondary School in Makueni County. I like to acknowledge the presence of a visiting delegation of two teachers and 50 students from Kwothithu Secondary School in Makueni County, who are seated in the public gallery. The delegation is visiting the Senate for an academic excursion. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I …

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi ya kuwakaribisha wanafunzi kutoka shule ya Kanyuambora Secondary School. Wamekuja kujifunza vile tunajadiliana kuhusu mambo ya devolution, na vile kaunti zitafanya kazi. Kwa mfano, kwa sasa tumepatia kaunti zote 47 shilingi 487 bilioni kwa sababu tunataka magavana wote wafanye kazi. Tunaweza kosa kuelewana tukiwa huko nje, lakini tukija hapa, hatupigani. Mtakap…

Asante sana. Kwa niaba ya Seneta wa Makueni, ningemuomba Sen. Kavindu Muthama, ambaye ni jirani wa karibu sana, aweze kuwakaribisha kwa muda usiozidi dakika mbili. Shule hii ni Kwothithu Secondary School.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Kwothithu Secondary School from Makueni County. Feel at the Senate. I hope you have seen how the debates go. We want to encourage you to be strong and study very hard. Education is the key to every door that you would want to open in your life. Be blessed and go back home safely. My name is Sen. Agnes Kavindu …

Thank you very much, Sen. Kavindu Muthama. Sen. Faki, you may proceed.

[(Resumption of Statements)]

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii kuomboleza kifo cha marehemu Abubakar Zein. Tulisoma shule moja na Abubakar Zein kule Mombasa, shule ya Allidina Visram School, nmamo mwaka 1984 mpaka 1985. Alikuwa mwanafunzi shupavu na mwenye ndoto kubwa. Baadaye, alikuwa mwanasanaa wa tajiriba kubwa alipojiunga na Chuo Kikuu cha Kenyatta akisomea masomo ya Fasihi. Baadaye, marehemu Zein alifanya kazi kat…

Asante sana, Seneta wa Kaunti ya Mombasa. The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, you have the Floor. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I will be very quick. Number one, let me start from where Sen. Faki left, in passing a message of condolence on the passing of the Hon. Zein. I knew Hon. Zein when I worked with him in the NADCO committee; he was …

Now, the last Senator to comment on the statements is Sen. Okoiti Omtatah. Kindly use two minutes so that we can transition.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to comment. I will comment on the late Abubakar Zein. A man I met in the theatre in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. We did stuff at the National Theatre. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): 1980!

I said that in 1987, I published my first play in 1991, when some of you were still wearing diapers. Some of you were not even born, and now you do not know what was going on in this country, so you should allow me to speak with authority and listen.

[(Laughter)]

Sen. Okoiti Omtatah, why are you addressing Members, yet you know that I am listening to you?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Members are trying to heckle me.

I really want to hear your story.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, without boasting, I am an accomplished playwright. My books are set books. Lwanda Magere, right now, is a set book for “A” Level in Tanzania and others. I have six books on the Black Drama Series in the USA. So, I am a man of letters and I am published. Not self-published but published by the East African Educational Publishers, who published Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. So, when I…

[(Applause)]

[(Applause)]

[(Several Senators held loud consultations)]

Order, Senators. You have made your point, Sen. Omtatah. Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make on substantiation of facts that a Senator alleges to be true pursuant to Standing Order No.105 by Sen. Samson Cherarkey, MP, who is in the House.

(2) If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate the allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such Senator substantiates the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order 121 (Disorderly conduct) unless the Senator withdraws th…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I proceed to substantiate as directed under Standing Order No.105 by tabling- (1) Two witnesses, Sen. Chimera and Sen. Wakili Sigei.

We do not need witnesses. You need to just table the evidence. In my communication, I did not request you to provide any witnesses in the Senate. You need to substantiate by providing evidence on the allegations that Sen. Karungo Thang’wa was impeached.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to table the following documents now that I have my two witnesses- (1) A Report of the Select Committee on the Proposed Removal from Office of Hon. Karungo Thang’wa, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth Affairs, Sports, ICT and Communication laid before Kiambu County Assembly on 8 th November, 2019 by the Chairperson. (2) The website that bears t…

[(Sen. Cherarkey laid the documents on the Table)]

Very well. We will review your evidence and then come back to you.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Since the Senator was just requested to provide evidence, which I have received as tabled, the documents will be reviewed---

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Order, Sen. Osotsi. I am giving direction as the chairperson. There is a reason you are not in the Chair. So, please respect the Chair and the guidance I am providing to the House. You cannot rise on a point of order while I am giving direction. You may use other established procedures to catch my eye. When I am giving direction to the House, Members should wait for the Chair to conclude before co…

On a point of clarification, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Osotsi, what is your point of clarification? It should not touch on what I have already guided the House on.

Yes, Deputy Mr. Speaker, Sir. I seek a clarification on Standing Order No.122, on gross disorderly conduct. We have noted that on subsequent occasion, the Hon. Member for Nandi County has persistently made serious allegations without adequate substantiation, and you have on several occasions---

Sen. Ososti, No, I cannot allow that because I have already given guidance on that matter. I am not aware of the ones you are quoting. I am just addressing this issue which was raised yesterday. That is the issue at hand. So, these other matters that you are also now--- Order, Sen. Cherarkey! Sen. Cherarkey, Order. Order, Sen. Korir. I have given guidance on this matter, and it should now stop. I…

[(Several hon. Members held loud consultations)]

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

[(Sen. Mumma on 11.6.2026)]

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

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 21.7 2026)]

[(Bill 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 iii) The National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of

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

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 11.6.2026)]

[(Motion deferred)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 2.6.2026)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Sen. Kathuri on 22.7.2026)]

[(Resumption of debate interrupted on 22.7.2026-Afternoon Sitting)]

[(Bill deferred)]

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Sen. Hillary Sigei Kiprono. I forgot the last one.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is Kiprotich, not Kiprono.

Kiprotich.

Yes. That is the surname I got from---

Can you give me the order? Is it Sen. Wakili Hillary Kiprotich Sigei?

Yes.

Good. Proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the Referendum Bill (Senate Bills No.3 of 2026), be now read a Second Time. The Bill that we are moving for Second Reading is very important. I want to begin by asking the Hon. Members of this House that the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and the Human Rights Committee (JLAHRC) had earlier today tabled a Report on this Bill. I…

Sorry, before you second the Bill, I would like to make this Communication.

[(Bill deferred)]

[(Bill 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)]