Senate · Morning Sitting
Sunday, 27 October 2024
Senators debated the Kshs346 billion revenue shortfall caused by the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill and considered the mediated version of the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill. The mediation committee highlighted principles to ensure counties are not burdened by national revenue gaps and discussed the ongoing dispute over the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. The tone was largely constructive, acknowledging fiscal realities while urging inter‑governmental cooperation. Senators debated the revision of the Division of Revenue Act, highlighting the mediation process that helped reach a consensus on increasing county allocations despite fiscal shortfalls. They criticised pervasive corruption, wasteful spending and weak revenue collection in counties, urging training, accountability and a cultural shift to improve service delivery, especially in health. The discussion balanced criticism with constructive proposals for better devolution outcomes. Senator Okenyuri supported the mediation report to unlock county resources while highlighting pervasive corruption and mismanagement in county revenue collection and spending. She called for training, stricter accountability, better use of existing laws, and emphasized civic education, agriculture subsidies, and health sector priorities as ways to improve service delivery. The speech combined criticism with constructive proposals, reflecting a mixed tone.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Bell for 10 minutes. Please extend the Quorum Bell for another 10 minutes. Clerk, are we good to go? We now have quorum. Hon. Members, let us now start the business of the day. Clerk, proceed to call out the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
Hon. Senators, I have this Communication to make on deferral of Questions and appearance of Cabinet Secretaries to respond to Questions in the Senate on Wednesday, 27th November, 2024, and Wednesday, 4th December, 2024. Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make relating to the decision by the Senate Business Committee (SBC) on the appearance of Cabinet Secretaries to respond to Questions. As…
[(Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Sen. Miraj, and Sen. Joe Nyutu consulted loudly)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 27th November, 2024- The Bi-Annual Report of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) for the period January-June, 2024.
[(Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi laid the document on the Table)]
Thank you. Next Order.
I have made a Communication concerning the Questions, so Order No.7 is not tenable today. Next Order.
Hon. Senators, the debate on this Motion was concluded yesterday and the Mover also replied. We now want to ascertain whether we have quorum to put the question. Next Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until today, Wednesday, 27th November, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.00 p.m.