National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 17 August 2023
Members debated granting an additional week of recess to enable constituency outreach, NG-CDF oversight, and preparation for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in Ghana. The House also moved to read a second time the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Laws Amendment Bill, emphasizing Kenya's obligations under the FATF and the fight against corruption. Congratulations were extended to newly elected CPA executives and visiting school groups were welcomed. Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah outlined deficiencies in Kenya’s anti‑money laundering and terrorism‑financing framework identified by the ESAAMLG peer review, urging passage of a Bill to introduce proportionate sanctions, extradition provisions and regulation of virtual asset service providers. He argued that the current gaps allow criminals to evade prosecution and that the proposed legislation will close safe‑havens and strengthen Kenya’s ability to combat financial crime. Members praised the achievements of Kenya's Paralympic team and called for greater recognition and support from the Ministry of Sports. They highlighted systemic barriers faced by persons with disabilities, urging improved accessibility and timely facilitation such as visas and funding. The Speaker directed the Sports Committee to investigate the cabinet secretary's failure to receive the team and to ensure future inclusion.
Serjeant-At-Arms, you may ring the Quorum Bell.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
We now have a quorum to transact business. Hon. Members, I have two short communications. The first one is a Message from His Excellency the President on the nomination of a person for appointment as the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42, I wish to convey a Message from His Excellency the President regarding nomination of a person for appointment as the Director of Public Prosecutions. In the Message, His Excellency the President conveys that, in exercise of powers conferred on him by Article 157 (2) of the Constitution and Section 8 (5) of the Office of the Director o…
The nearest seat, Daktari. The word nearest is strange to all of you. Hon. Members, allow me to recognise a delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique.
Hon. Members, I wish to introduce to you a delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique who are seated in the Speaker’s Row. The delegation comprises Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, Security and Public Order. They are:
[(Laughter)]
[(Applause)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I join you in welcoming them and note that on behalf of the Liaison Committee, I welcome them to the
Assembly today. They have also met with the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, where I sit, and also with the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs. Hon. Speaker, it is just this year that the President visited Mozambique. Even as we forge other relationships and go ahead with many other agreements including trade and cooperation, it is …
Thank you, Hon. Martha. There is another Communication.
Hon. Members, you recall that on 3rd August 2023, I brought to the attention of the House the existence of vacancies in the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Kenya Branch. In my Communication, I notified the House that an Annual General Meeting (AGM) was scheduled to be held on Thursday, 10th August 2023, for purposes of holding elections. I also invited inte…
Thank you. (Hon. Speaker consulted with the Clerk-at-the-Table)
Hon. Members, as you may recall, I presented the President’s Message as a Communication. It still stands as a Message on the Director of Public Prosecutions. I have a second Message from the President. Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42, I wish to convey the following Message from His Excellency the President regarding nomination of a person for appointment as Chairpers…
[(Cap. 491 of the Laws of Kenya)]
Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, requires the relevant House to undertake the exercise within 28 days. Therefore, the timelines prescribed in the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011 shall apply. The Committees should expeditiously proceed to jointly notify the nominee and the public of the approval hearings and proceed to undertake the necessary approval hearing…
Hon. Members, I have a further Communication on the establishment of a Joint Committee to inquire into the activities and operations of Worldcoin in Kenya. You will recall that on Tuesday Sitting, 15th August 2023, I conveyed my decision to allow for the establishment of a Joint Ad hoc Committee to, among other things, inquire into the matters raised in a Statement by the Member for Manyatta Cons…
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on its consideration of the East African Community (EAC) Multilateral Agreement on Aircraft Accidents and Incident Investigations laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 17th August 2023 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 (4) of …
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on its consideration of the protocols relating to amendments to Articles 50 (a) and 56 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944 (Chicago Convention) laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 17th August 2023 and pursuant to th…
Next is Hon. Ruku.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of an Adjournment Motion on a definite matter of urgent national importance regarding the new financing model for Higher Education and Technical Institutions. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 33 (1) , I seek leave for the adjournment of the House for purposes of discussing a matter of urgent national importance regarding the new financing model for stude…
[(Several Members stood up in their places)]
Do you have 20 Members supporting you? You have the requisite support. I direct that this Motion be moved by 6.00 p.m. this evening. Hon. Tindi Mwale, what is your point of order?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise on a point of order concerning the matter you have just ruled on. I thank you for the direction you have given that we will have time to discuss the Motion of Adjournment by Hon. Ruku. But as you are aware, the architect and design of our Standing Orders do not provide that we get a resolution or direction at the end of the debate. Additionally, as you are aware, ed…
[(Applause)]
Hon. Mwale, Hon. Ruku has chosen to bring that Motion, which is his right. But the Departmental Committee on Education needs not to be prompted by anybody to call or summon the Cabinet Secretary to appear before them to discuss any matter that touches on his docket and affects the people of Kenya. I can see the Chairman of the Committee is here and can note that. So, beyond the Motion that Hon. Ru…
The Leader of the Majority Party. Read to the House your Thursday Statement.
Hon. Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 44 (2) (a) to make a Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 15th August 2023 to prioritise business for consideration during the week. I wish to remind Members that the House is scheduled to proceed for recess next week. As such, Members should note that the House may be required to sit longer or have additional sitting…
Thank you, Hon. Naomi Waqo. Next Order.
(Senate Bill No.6 of 2022)
Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to move: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 28 (4) , this House, resolves to alter its Calendar for the Second Session (Regular Sessions) , as adopted on Wednesday, 15th February 2023 by varying the period for the Long Recess with respect to the Second Part of the Session so that –
Hon. (Dr) Makali Mulu.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I take this opportunity to second this important Motion. The alteration allows members one more week's break. As Members, we need the additional week to do some work. First, it will be a good time to reconnect with our families: children and relatives. Secondly, Hon. Members will use this time to take care of their NG-CDF in terms of oversight. We received the last batch o…
[(Applause)]
Hon. Members, the time being 7.06