Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
The Senate debated the Health (Amendment) Bill, focusing on the role of the Auditor‑General and the risk of conflicts of interest in audit oversight. Senators criticised the misuse of audit findings for political ends and highlighted the illegal practice of detaining patients or deceased bodies in hospitals, urging stronger legal safeguards. Calls were made for the Finance and Budget Committee, along with CPAC and CPISFC, to jointly review the bill and related audit matters. Senators discussed the growing problem of patients and families being unable to settle hospital bills, leading to prolonged stays and even bodies being left in hospitals. They highlighted the lack of a clear financing mechanism and called for legislative reforms to establish funds or procedures for compensating hospitals and dignified handling of the deceased, including mass graves where necessary. While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the debate remained largely constructive, seeking solutions rather than assigning blame. Senator Omogeni highlighted a case where the State Health Agency paid only a fraction of a cancer patient's hospital bill, seeking to table the invoice as evidence of systemic underfunding. The Deputy Speaker repeatedly challenged the manner of tabling the document, leading to a heated exchange over procedural rules and the roles of the Majority Leader and the Chair. The matter was ultimately deferred pending further clarification.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. Let us take our seats. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
The Senate Majority Leader, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, Wednesday, 18th March, 2026- The Civil Aviation Regulations, Legal Notice No.17 of 2025). The Civil Aviation (Communication Procedures) Regulations, Legal Notice No.18 of 2025).
[(Meteorological Service for Air Navigation)]
The Civil Aviation (Operations of Aircraft - Helicopters) Regulations, Legal Notice No.19 of 2025). The Civil Aviation (Approved Maintenance Organisation) Regulations, Legal Notice No.20 of 2025). The Civil Aviation (Environmental Protection-Aircraft Noise) Regulations, Legal Notice No.21 of 2025). The Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, Legal Notice No.22 of 2025). The Civ…
Next Order.
Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Senator for Kitui County, the Hon. Enock Wambua.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. 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 nationwide concern regarding the use of emergency funds by county governments to purchase seeds for residents in Arid and Semi-Arid counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the country is presently experiencing widespread rainfall, offe…
Hon. Sen. Hezena.
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 state of due diligence, professionalism, regulatory oversight and ethical compliance within Kenya's pharmaceutical sector. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this follows a grave incident on 27th February, 2026 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu Coun…
Senator of Kisumu County, the hon. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have been requested by the Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda to read on his behalf.
But you know how to be retained.
I would love to send a fee note for holding brief twice.
Hon. Senator, you are supposed to be retained in writing.
Yes, I do have on my phone, Mr. Speaker. He sent a message.
Kindly share that with the Speaker. Just approach the Chair. This is out of abundance of caution. In the meantime, Sen. Kathuri, you may proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, 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 countywide concern regarding the renewed and escalating banditry attacks in the northern grazing zone in Meru County. In the statement, the committee should address the following-
Sen. Maanzo, you may proceed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know this Bill has been committed to the Committee on Finance and Budget. I also know that the oversight committees of CPAC and CPISFC interact with audit processes daily. I request, through your office, that the two committees also consider this Bill alongside the Committee on Finance and Budget. We deal with these matters daily and we are better placed to make recommendatio…
Majority Leader.
Sorry, sorry, Mr. Deputy
I am here to manage the House. You cannot be the Majority Leader and the Chair. An. Hon. Senator: That is what he is doing.
So, you proceed and reply.
This is where the road meets the rubber. We are on the Health (Amendment) Bill. You now have time to debate all the issues that Sen. Omogeni was raising and all these matters. This is because procedurally, that is how the House moves. I understand Sen. Cherakey had eight minutes to conclude his contribution.
institution by design of the Constitution, common sense or global practice should equate independence with individual tendencies. Independence does not mean that a single individual should hold all powers in an institution. Those who opposed this clause raised concern about the presence of certain individuals, particularly the Attorney-General, who is the chief legal officer of the Government. Si…
I wish both the Minority Leader and Deputy Minority Leader would allow the distinguished senior counsel to listen to the solomonic statements that I am making. If you look at the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists (KMPD) regulations, it is illegal to detain a dead body and a patient. We should stop this habit of philanthropy. We say Ramadhan Mubarak and Ramadhan Kareem. As we approach Rama…
Yes, Sen. Osotsi.
Next is the Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, why are these three gentlemen protesting? I want to support Sen. Omogeni, but he still wants to complain. Surely, what do these three people want?
Senator, proceed and make your contributions.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I support this Bill by Sen. Okong’o Omogeni. It is a very important amendment, with the challenges that lie ahead notwithstanding. This is a very noble initiative. Now this is a proper representation of the poor because you have thought about a particular problem that the poor struggle with. Sen. Omogeni, maybe you will have to think more deeply about this and …
CONCERNED THAT, that Senators are constrained by lack of access to real time to data from the IFMIS system for the respective counties they represent, thus affecting effective oversight of County Governments; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT, in some instances data and information presented to the Senate by the Auditor-General and the Controller of Budget are received and considered late as a result of the…
(Bill deferred)
CONCERNED THAT, that Senators are constrained by lack of access to real time to data from the IFMIS system for the respective counties they represent, thus affecting effective oversight of County Governments; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT, in some instances data and information presented to the Senate by the Auditor-General and the Controller of Budget are received and considered late as a result of the…
NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development should - i) Provide for an independent administrative and operational framework for Junior Secondary Schools to enhance governance, streamline management, and create a more focused learning environment for the learners; ii) Allocate adequate funds f…
Hon. Members, let us be upstanding. There being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 19th March, 2026, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.28 p.m.