Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Saturday, 1 October 2022
The afternoon Senate sitting was marked by repeated points of order, interruptions and admonitions from the Speaker to maintain decorum. Senators debated the President’s unannounced visit, the severe drought and famine affecting regions such as Ganze and Magarini, and raised concerns over the handling of livestock relief and the proposed changes to the National Social Security Fund. The overall tone reflected frustration and criticism of both procedural conduct and government policies. The debate highlighted strong support for the President’s initiatives, including the establishment of a Judiciary Fund to expand courts and the ‘Hustlers Fund’ to boost youth employment. Senators also endorsed proposals to amend standing orders so Cabinet Secretaries can be summoned for questioning, emphasizing transparency and accountability. Overall, the speakers stressed national unity and the need for policies that improve justice access and economic development. Senators discussed the need for greater financial autonomy for the judiciary, police and county assemblies, while praising the President’s initiatives such as the Hustler Fund and the operationalisation of the Judiciary Fund. They also raised concerns over rising public debt, stalled infrastructure projects in Ruto‑aligned areas, and urged stricter compliance by Cabinet Secretaries with parliamentary oversight. The debate combined constructive proposals with criticism of government actions, reflecting a mixed tone.
Order, Members! What are the murmurs for? We have quorum to transact our Business. Clerk, please read the first Order.
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon of visiting teachers and students from the Karen C School, Nairobi City County, who are on an academic trip. In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. Thank you.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the Nairobi City County delegation, I welcome our lovely students from Karen C. You may wave to the Senators so that they can see you.
[(The visiting delegation waved)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would have loved to introduce the rest of the Nairobi City County delegation, but I do not see them. We have quite a number of Senators from Nairobi, my dear students. I am the head of delegation because I am the one who was elected by your parents. Thank you for coming to the Senate. I hope you will have a good experience that will inspire some of you to also sit in this House…
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
The Hon. Senator is done with his welcoming remarks, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. What is out of Order? Please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. It is the dignity of the House. It is against the practice and traditions of this House for any Member in the Public or the Speaker’s Gallery to wave, greet, shout, congratulate or acknowledge a Member on the Floor. Since most of us are still new here, I wanted the House to guide itself. In future, we should not ask delegations to cheer and greet us.
Very well, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. If you are aware, the Hon. Senator for Nairobi City County is among the new Senators. Certainly, he has taken up the advice. Next Order. Proceed the Senate Majority Leader.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 6th October,
MSMEs Credit Guarantee Scheme Performance Report by the National Treasury and Planning for the financial year ended 30th June, 2022.
Resolution of the East African Legislative Assembly urging the Council of Ministers to recommend to the EAC partner states to eradicate child sexual abuse in the EAC region.
Bi-Annual Report of the Commission on Administrative Justice for the period between July-December, 2021.
The Kenya Water Towers status report for Nthangu-Kitondo for the period 2019- 2020 (2nd quarter). Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is it. I beg to lay.
Next Order.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , I hereby present to the Senate, the business of the Senate for the week commencing Tuesday, 11th October, 2022. Before I proceed with the Statement, allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate all Senators on their election and convey my best wishes and success as they discharge their constitutional mandate. I also take this opportuni…
unnecessary points of order that deny other Senators the opportunity to debate and give their perspectives. Concerning the question of Select Committees of the House, the Senate Leadership is seized of the matter and will shortly submit to the SBC names of Senators nominated to serve in various Committees. We, therefore, urge for patience as we would like to get the membership to these Committees…
Next Order.
The President said he will increase Judiciary money so that they conclude corruption cases. He should have said that he will seek Parliament to approve his proposals. When the Executive brings a budget here, it is a proposal until Parliament approves or disapproves it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I remind Kenyans that the moment we start respecting the principle of separation of powers or the check …
Thank you and I hope my dear friend who is saying that I am out of order, can pick up an English dictionary and see what “pissed off” means.
Next, let us have Sen. Crystal Asige.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for this opportunity to speak. First, I congratulate the Hon. Members in this House for their elected or nominated positions. I would also like to further extend my thanks to my Party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the wider Azimio coalition, for giving me this opportunity and for seeing a light in me, to add value in this House.
[(Applause)]
want to share with this House and Kenyans, that there is an intersectionality of being a woman. I am an example of that intersectionality. Not only do I stand in this House representing people with disability but I also represent women, youth and a population of this country that is hardly spoken about, which is creatives. As a young black Kenyan woman with a disability, studies show that we are …
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Thank you and I hope my dear friend who is saying that I am out of order, can pick up an English dictionary and see what “pissed off” means.
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Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is an example of noble leadership. Thank you very much. As I conclude, I would like to touch on the creative industry that was not spoken about in the address. Artists do a lot for this economy. However, they are not seen nor heard because they are not understood. Young people are fighting with their parents about the choices they are making to become writers, music…
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When a high school is not universally designed, teenagers miss out on integral adolescent education to take them forward in their lives. When a work place is not universally designed, we miss out on employment. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just a few minutes ago, I had lunch with Hon. Tim Wanyonyi and members of Kenya Disability Parliamentary Association (KEDIPA). We spoke about how PWDs are left so …
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Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to welcome to the House students from Otieno Oyoo High School, which is just about five kilometres from Kisumu Town. I also welcome the teachers who have accompanied the students. It is instructive for students to note that a visit to the Senate is a great opportunity to exploit and understand how Parliament functions. When you go back to Otieno Oy…
[(Resumption of debate on the Motion)]
His Excellency the President to consider creative arts as well as he moves forward with his plans as stated during his Address to Parliament last week. I would like to finish by saying that sometimes it is heartbreaking to be a PWD. It is painful to see people going about their lives, moving, going where they want and having what they have dreamt of as you remain stuck, watching people pass by an…
[(Applause)]
Hon. Senator, sorry for the interruption. The Senator who has just crossed the Floor, kindly walk to the bar, bow and then cross over.
[(Sen. Montet walked to the bar and bowed, then proceeded to take her seat)]
Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the House. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 11th October, 2022, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.31 p.m.