Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Senators debated how to curb online gambling, with Sen. Olekina proposing mandatory ID verification for transactions and Sen. Cheruiyot questioning its practicality while urging stronger regulation and consumer‑protection measures. The discussion highlighted Kenya’s sin‑tax approach versus Tanzania’s more permissive model, and called for a revamped gambling authority to enforce safeguards and support addicts. Senators debated the need for a regulatory authority to tax online betting firms that operate without a physical presence in Kenya, urging urgent legislative action. While some members advocated leveraging models like Las Vegas or Macau to capture revenue, others warned of the social harms and regressive nature of gambling taxes. The discussion highlighted both constructive proposals and strong opposition to legalising or taxing gambling activities. The Senate debated a proposed gambling regulation bill, with Sen. Okiya Omtatah condemning it as poorly drafted and urging its withdrawal, while Sen. Wakili Sigei defended it as a necessary first step, highlighting stronger penalties and advertising limits. Procedural interruptions occurred, and the discussion shifted briefly to the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill and funding mechanisms for counties. The debate reflected both criticism of the bill’s current form and support for tighter regulation of gambling activities.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats. Clerk, kindly call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) , I received a Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the passage, by the National Assembly, of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.4 of 2025) . The Message dated Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025, was received in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate on the same…
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.4 of 2025) was published vide Kenya Gazette Supplement No.22 on 26th February, 2025 to amend the Constitution of Kenya to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, Senate Oversight Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund; AND WHEREAS, the National Assembly considered the said B…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 17th July 2025- Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, on its consideration of the Office of the County Attorney (Amendment) Bill, (Senate Bill No. 47 of 2024) .
[(Sen. Abass laid the document on the Table)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 17th July 2025-
Next Order. Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, pursuant to the Resolution of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) on 23rd June, 2025 with respect to the Trust Deed and Rules for Post Service Medical Scheme for Members of Parliament, the Senate appoints Sen. Justice Stewart Madzayo, EGH, MP and Sen. Esther Okenyuri, MP, to the Board of Trustees for the Post-Service …
[(Rtd.)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bills No.70 of 2025) , laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 16th July, 2025; and that, pursuant to Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order No.167 (3) of the Senate, approves the mediated version of the …
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion-
THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Parliament of Kenya Delegation to the 2025 Hearing of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held at the United Nations in New York, United States of America, from 13th to 14th February 2025, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 17th July 2025.
Next Order.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of international concern regarding the World Expo 2025. Mr. Speaker, Sir, World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global platforms where national nations converge to explore solutions to the world's most pressing challenges through engaging and immersive expe…
reclaim our market share in Japan. Kenyan tea was also served and cultural performances celebrated in richness of our heritage. Videos featuring our tourist attractions from Maasai Mara to the coastal beaches offered visitors a glimpse of Kenya's beauty. Mr. Speaker, Sir, while Kenya's presence was commendable, more can be done. Notably, KEPROBA must be adequately funded to ensure Kenya secures i…
Senator for Nairobi City County, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for your kind indulgence to allow me to read this Statement on the welfare of staff who work for Chandarana Food Plus Supermarket Chain. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely the welfare and general working conditions of staff at the Chandarana Food Plus Chain of Supermarkets, especially at their …
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Hon. Senators. May the Senator for Nairobi City County, be heard in silence, please.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My office has received a complaint from staff at the retailer alleging cases of mistreatment, discrimination, harassment, racism and unlawful termination of contracts, a clear pointer to levels of illegality and poor welfare at one of the biggest supermarket chains in the country.
I feel obliged, therefore, to speak out on the matter because it may be a microcosm of a larger problem within not just the retail sector, but across the low-income demographic in the entire country. For a long time, Kenyan low-income earners have, in a desperate attempt to earn an honest living, endured horrible working conditions and unimaginable abuse from many employers and organisations. Man…
I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
The Senate Majority Leader, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a Statement by the Majority Leader regarding the business of the week that commences on 22nd July, 2025 pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) . Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the status of legislative business for that week. We have 59 Bills, of which 40 are at the Second Reading and 19 are at the Committee of the Whole stage pending consideration. There are 32 Motions, three …
deserves to be equalized and who does not. It was quite interesting to listen to the various perspectives. Mr. Speaker, Sir, those Bills are now at the Second Reading Stage. I hope we can conclude and vote on them this afternoon, so that next week, we conclude on them and our counties can begin the operations. We are almost getting to the last week of July and we have not considered the County A…
These are Bills that are in the Committee of the Whole Stage. I want to request colleagues that if possible, we can schedule time next week and prioritise the conclusion of Bills that we have finished in moving of the amendments and all that is required is to vote. I would like to request Members to prioritise their attendance to the House so that we conclude on those Bills. We also have Motions …
Hon. Senators, before we move to the next Order, I have this Communication to make. I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting teachers and students from Ikundu Primary and Junior School in Murang’a County. The delegation comprises 46 students and five teachers who are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition. Hon. Senators, in our usual tra…
[(Sen. Cherarkey stood in his place)]
Forgive him. He is a good man.
[(Laughter)]
Majority Leader, you cannot dictate how the Chair is going to handle his business. Hon. Nyutu, in under one minute, kindly extend one word of welcome.
Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity and for correcting the mischief by the Majority Leader. I take this opportunity to welcome the pupils and teachers of Ikundu Primary School. This is a school in Maragua Constituency and to be specific, in Nginda Ward of the same Constituency. I encourage them to stay during their visit. Let them see what is done in this House, the upper…
Next Order.
The Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, pursuant to the Resolution of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) of 23rd June, 2025 with respect to the Trust Deed and Rules for Post-Service Medical Scheme for Members of Parliament, the Senate appoints Sen. Justice Stewart Madzayo, EGH, MP, and Sen. Esther Okenyuri, MP, to the Board of Trustees for the Post-Service Medical Scheme for Members of P…
[(Rtd.)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I second the Motion as moved.
[(Question proposed)]
Hon. Senators, the Floor is open for debate. Remember that this matter was elaborately explained to us during our last Naivasha Retreat. It was adequately interrogated by us during that meeting. Therefore, I would urge you instead of spending more time to debate on the same matter that was explained and interrogated by us, with your concurrence, I proceed to put the question.
Put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Next Order.
Clerk, call the next order.