National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Members raised concerns about the low utilisation and inefficiencies of state‑owned sugar mills and requested a statement on the government’s rehabilitation plan for Sony and other sugar companies. The Speaker set a two‑week deadline for the response and moved on to other business, after which the Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs gave a detailed update on prison service reforms, including promotions, housing provision and salary harmonisation following the Maraga Taskforce recommendations. Members debated an amendment to Clause 7 of a coffee‑farmers Bill, arguing that the proposed language on large‑scale farmers and co‑operative societies was undefined and could create confusion. While several members urged retaining the original wording to protect both small‑ and large‑scale growers, a brief consultation led to the withdrawal of the amendment and a shift to consider changes in Clause 8. The discussion highlighted tensions between ensuring inclusive representation and maintaining legislative clarity. Members debated the definition of management for the Coffee Board, urging inclusion of experienced farmers and agreeing to recommit clause 8 to reflect this. The House also considered an amendment to clause 11 to replace the specific reference to the Kenya Bureau of Standards with a generic body mandated by national legislation, reflecting concerns about future regulatory changes. Procedural motions were passed with general consensus.
Hon. Members, there is no quorum in the House. Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Order, Hon. Members. Where are the whips? We now have quorum to proceed. Hon. Members on their feet, take your seats and settle down. I have two messages from the Senate and His Excellency the President.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 41 (1) , I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from the Senate regarding the appointment of Senators to a Mediation Committee on the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2024) . The Message conveys that pursuant to the provisions of Article 113 of the Constitution, the Spe…
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 43, I wish to make a Statement regarding the passing on of the
founder of Jerusalem Church of Christ, Prophetess Mary Akatsa, on 26th October 2024. Hon. Speaker, the late Prophetess Mary Akatsa, a legendary preacher, was born on 2nd December 1964 in Ebusiralo Village in Luanda, Vihiga County. Prophetess Akatsa typifies the unwavering resilience and determination of the girl child. Having lost her parents at the age of about eight years old, she had to work ex…
Yes Hon. J.K
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, I also thank my twin Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North for honouring the late Mary Akatsa with this eulogy and presenting it to the House of Parliament so that we can communicate it to the world that a great Kenyan has gone to be with the Lord. Prophetess Mary Akatsa was not an ordinary person. She was a person of great exploits, rising from a hustler to become one …
You know very well that is not true. Yes, Hon. Osoro.
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I also join Hon. Beatrice Elachi in mourning with the people and the Christian fraternity for the loss of Prophetess Mary Akatsa. My family has so many children named Mary Akatsa, Ishmael and Lorna, because Lorna happened to be the mother of Mary Akatsa and Ishmael happened to be the father of Mary Akatsa. I was a young boy when I attended her service, and Mary A…
Thank you, Hon Walter Owino. Next Order.
Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving me the opportunity. This is a request for a statement regarding revival of South Nyanza Sugar Company, Sony and other state-owned sugar mills. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (C) , I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the rehabilitation and rev…
Thank you, Hon. Owino. Your statement is committed to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. Bring a response in two weeks before we break. The statement requested by Hon. Yakub goes to Roads. Hon. GK, you bring the response in two weeks before we break.
Hon. Members, before we go to responses, Hon. Wamuchomba, I called out but you were not here. We go back to Order No. 5. Are you ready? Why are you not ready?
Hon. Speaker, I am waiting for the Clerk to bring it for my signature.
We will go back to the responses to requests for statements. Dr Mutunga, you said you had a response that you just wanted to lay on the Table. Go ahead and do so.
The next response is to Hon. Wilberforce Oundo. Let us have the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.
Thank you, Hon. Wamuchomba. Hon. Oku Kaunya. Is Hon. Melly in the House? Hon. Melly, Hon. Oku Kaunya has an issue on a statement he had requested from you and your Committee. Go ahead, Hon. Kaunya.
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. On 16th of October, the Chairman gave a response to a statement I had requested through the Departmental Committee on Education. In the response to the statement, I had demanded to know why the equipment for Chamasiri Technical and Vocational College (TVC) had not been delivered, and when it will be delivered. The Chairman of the …
Hon. Melly, do you have a response?
Hon. Speaker, I do not have the answers now. However, we all know that chairmen of committees deliver information to this House on behalf of the Cabinet Secretaries. I will endeavour to find out what is happening because that is very bad.
Can you report back on Wednesday afternoon?
I will report back, Hon. Speaker. It is very bad since we made a commitment that the equipment shall be brought and launched. Therefore, I commit to report back on Wednesday.
Hon. Kaunya, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education is directed to bring some information on Wednesday afternoon. The Leader of the Majority Party’s Statement of every Thursday.
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. This is the usual Statement by the Leader of the Majority Party. I am holding brief for him for today. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 12th November 2024, to prioritise business for consideration during the week. Hon. Sp…
Thank you, Majority Whip. We are done with Statements and so, we go to Order No. 8.
Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I seek your indulgence and that of this House to reorganise today’s Order Paper. We shall start with Order 9 so that we start from (ii) , The Technopolis Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 6 of 2024) then finish with The Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No. 10 of 2023) . We just swap and start with (ii) then (i) .
Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee reports to the House its consideration of the Coffee Bill, (Senate Bill No.10 of 2023) , up to Clause 11 and its approval thereof with amendments, and seek leave to sit again. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you, Hon. Naomi. We have gone up to Clause 10. Take that again because we have not exhausted Clause 11. Change the wording from "clau…
[(Hon. Farah Maalim)]
Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee reports to the House its consideration of the Coffee Bill, (Senate Bill No.10 of 2023) , up to Clause 10 and its approval thereof with amendments, and seek leave to sit again.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
[(The House resumed)]
Chairperson.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Technopolis Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.6 of 2024) , and its approval thereof with amendments.
Mover.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I also request Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona to second the Motion for agreement with the Report of the Committee of the whole House.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
For the convenience of the House, the Question on this particular Bill will be put the next time it will be scheduled for consideration by the House Business Committee (HBC) .
[(Putting of the Question deferred)]
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Coffee Bill, (Senate Bill No.10 of 2023) , up to Clause 10 and approved the same with amendments, and seeks leave to sit again.
Mover.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I also request Hon. Oundo to second the Motion for agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second. Thank you.
[(Question proposed)]
Is it the mood of the House that I put the Question?
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Order, Hon. Members, The time being 7.05 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 19th November 2024 at