Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Session Summary

Senator Tabitha Mutinda highlighted the government's digital transformation, expansion of e‑government services, reduced fertilizer prices, local manufacturing in housing projects and the progress of the Hustler Fund, urging the opposition to engage constructively. Senator Chute raised concerns about the handling of affordable‑housing contracts, alleged scams, the pending Eurobond settlement and the lack of attention to the ASAL region’s livestock losses and IDP resettlement, calling for greater oversight. Senators thanked members for attending the President’s address and urged a focused debate, while the Speaker intervened on procedural points of order. The discussion veered into economic commentary on dollar supply and electric boda‑boda initiatives, and included a strong condemnation of alleged violence against an ODM MP and a defence of freedom of speech. The exchange was marked by humor, confusion over remarks, and tension over political issues. The Senate session devolved into a heated exchange over the State of the Nation Address, with Senators accusing each other of disruptive language and questioning the factual basis of statements on taxation and university access. The Temporary Speaker intervened repeatedly to enforce parliamentary order, while Sen. Mumma highlighted concerns about business closures and education affordability, and Sen. Cherarkey challenged the accuracy of those claims. The debate reflected both substantive policy concerns and procedural tension.

Veronica Waheti Nduati

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Quorum Bell. I believe we now have quorum. Clerk, call out the first Order. Sen. Murango and Sen. Abass, can you resume your seats?

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Sen. Murango and Sen. Abass stood up in their places)]

Recha Julius Murgor
Sen. MurgorUnited Democratic Alliance

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following Petition Report on the Table of the Senate, today, 14th November, 2023- Report on the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on Petition to the Senate by Mr. Elijah Muthungi, on behalf of Supply Chain Management Assistants (SCMAs) , concerning the discrimination against other health workers in the Ministry of Health.

[(Hon. Murgor laid the document on the Table)]

Veronica Waheti Nduati

Sen. Murgor, you can speak to that.

Recha Julius Murgor
Sen. MurgorUnited Democratic Alliance

The Petitioners also wanted the Senate to compel the Ministry of Health to develop policy guidelines geared towards the recognition of the Supply Chain Management Assistants attached to the health departments across the country. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Committee made the following observations during the interventions with the Petitioners and other stakeholders who include the Ministry of He…

Recha Julius Murgor
Sen. MurgorUnited Democratic Alliance

The Petitioners also wanted the Senate to compel the Ministry of Health to develop policy guidelines geared towards the recognition of the Supply Chain Management Assistants attached to the health departments across the country. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Committee made the following observations during the interventions with the Petitioners and other stakeholders who include the Ministry of He…

Veronica Waheti Nduati

Thank you. Sen. Wamatinga, can you step in for the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Land, Environment, and Natural Resources and present the reports?

Wamatinga Wahome
Sen. WamatingaUnited Democratic Alliance

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Please, proceed.

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Please, proceed.

Wamatinga Wahome
Sen. WamatingaUnited Democratic Alliance

Mr. Speaker, Sir, from the foregoing, the Committee recommends that the proposed de-gazettment of 1,557.36 hectares of Turbo Forest Reserve comprising the Matuma Settlement Scheme in Lugari, Kakamega County be processed in accordance with Section 34 of the Forest Conservation Management Act. Noting that the process had been initiated, the Committee further recommends that the Ministry of Environme…

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

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 14th November, 2023-

Khalwale Boni
Sen. (Dr.) KhalwaleUnited Democratic Alliance

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 14th November, 2023-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Clerk, next Order.

Khalwale Boni
Sen. (Dr.) KhalwaleUnited Democratic Alliance

Next Order.

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Sen. Kibwana has requested that her Statement be deferred. So, that is deferred.

Essy Okenyuri Nyaituga Anyieni
Sen. OkenyuriUnited Democratic Alliance

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 regarding the theft, snatching of mobile phones and other electronic gadgets from Kenyans, with indications that these stolen items are being sold in the neighbouring countries. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Asante Bw. Spika kwa kunipa fursa hii. Nimesimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu ya No.53 (1) kuomba Taarifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Fedha na Bajeti kuhusu Shirika la Kenya National Assurance (KNAC) ambalo liko katika hali ya upokeaji. Katika Taarifa hiyo, Kamati iangazie yafuatayo-

Faki Mohamed Mwinyihaji
Sen. FakiOrange Democratic Movement

Asante Bw. Spika kwa kunipa fursa hii. Nimesimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu ya No.53 (1) kuomba Taarifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Fedha na Bajeti kuhusu Shirika la Kenya National Assurance (KNAC) ambalo liko katika hali ya upokeaji. Katika Taarifa hiyo, Kamati iangazie yafuatayo-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

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 regarding the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment of General Service Officers (GSOs) , cadets , specialist officers, general duty recruits, tradesmen and women and defense forces constables in 2022 and 2023. In the S…

[(regular and graduate degree holders)]

Oketch Eddy Gicheru
Sen. Oketch GicheruOrange Democratic Movement

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 regarding the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment of General Service Officers (GSOs) , cadets , specialist officers, general duty recruits, tradesmen and women and defense forces constables in 2022 and 2023. In the S…

[(regular and graduate degree holders)]

David Wakoli Wafula
Sen. WafulaForum for Restoration of Democracy - Kenya

Sen. Orwoba.

Mwaruma Johnes M
Sen. MwarumaOrange Democratic Movement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have four Statements. Allow me to go through all of them. The first one is on the implementation of the Presidential directive on lowering the entry requirements for diploma teacher training programmes.

Amason Jeffah Kingi

The Statement by Sen. Kibwana is deferred. That is pursuant to the request by the said Senator.

Crystal Asige
Sen. Crystal AsigeOrange Democratic Movement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the prevalence of corporal punishment in our education institutions. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I will go through it very fast. 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, regarding the status of court construction projects in Kenya.

Chute Mohamed Said
Sen. ChuteUnited Democratic Alliance

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Chute Mohamed Said
Sen. ChuteUnited Democratic Alliance

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Sen. Orwoba. Proceed.

Gloria Magoma Orwoba
Sen. OrwobaUnited Democratic Alliance

Sen. Orwoba, is the second Statement approved?

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Sen. Orwoba, is the second Statement approved?

Gloria Magoma Orwoba
Sen. OrwobaUnited Democratic Alliance

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Amason Jeffah Kingi

All right, proceed.

Gloria Magoma Orwoba
Sen. OrwobaUnited Democratic Alliance

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Amason Jeffah Kingi

Statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (aa) , Chairperson, Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing. Next Order. Sen. Faki, you know when to exactly rise on a point of order. Next Order, Clerk.

[(Sen. Faki stood up in his place)]

Haji Abdul Mohammed

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m. time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 15th November, 2023 at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.