National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting

Thank you, Hon. Wamuchomba. Hon. Rahab Mukami, Leader of the Delegation to the Pan-African Parliamentary (PAP) .

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table:

Hon. Peter Kihungi, Leader of Interfaith Delegation to Marrakech.

Hon. Speaker, give me some time. I have not been given the right report.

You cannot be given the right report. You should have the report. Why is your report listed on the Order Paper?

Let me take it from the Table.

Okay. Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee. Hon. Tindi Mwale.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following paper on the Table:

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. GK.

Hon. Speaker, I am here on behalf of the Chairman. Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on its Consideration of Sessional Paper No.6 of 2024 on the National Aviation Policy. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Kihungi, are you ready now? We stay it to Tuesday. Put your house in order. Next order.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, aware that avocado farming and processing activities have expanded rapidly in Kenya; noting that the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) economic survey, 2024 approximated the national avocado production at 848,100 tons in 2024, up from 633,000 tons in 2023, valued at Ksh29.5 billion; appreciating that, according to the surv…

appreciating the role of the National Government in the formulation of policies and frameworks to guide and support effective waste management by county governments; now therefore, this House resolves that the National Government formulates an avocado waste management and valorisation policy to provide for—

Thank you, Hon. Wamaua. Next is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on its examination of the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for the National Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the Financial Year 2022/2023, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 19th February 2026. Thank you.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. Komingoi.

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 Sessional Paper No. 6 of 2024 on the National Aviation Policy, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 19th February 2026 and approves Sessional Paper No. 6 of 2024 on the National Aviation Policy. Thank you.

Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notices of the following Motions:

Thank you. We can dispose of Orders No. 10 and 11.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 232 (7) relating to timelines for consideration of the Budget Policy Statement, this House resolves to extend the period for consideration of the 2026 Budget Policy Statement by a period of seven days from 25th February 2026. Hon. Speaker, this is a Procedural Motion to allow ourse…

Hon. Speaker, I second.

[(Question proposed)]

Can I put the question?

Yes. Next Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Leader of the Majority Party, is Hon. Shurie in the House?

No, but I am giving the notice on his behalf.

Proceed.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 232A (4) relating to timelines for consideration of Debt Management Strategy, this House resolves to extend the period for consideration of the 2026 Debt Management Strategy by a period of seven days from 21st February 2026. Hon. Speaker, as I said about the BPS, this Procedural Mot…

Hon. Millie.

Hon. Speaker, I second.

[(Question proposed)]

Put the question.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Hon. Members, while on my feet, allow me to acknowledge students seated in the galleries. In the Speaker’s Gallery, we have students of Urafiki Carovana School from Ruiru Constituency, Kiambu County. In the Public Gallery, we have students from Kisii University. I believe they are students from Nyaribari Chache Constituency, Kisii County. We also have students of Nguviu Boys High School from Manya…

[(Applause)]

Yes.

Second Reading

Hon. Members on your feet, resume your seats. First Reading

[(Question put and agreed to)]

[(The Bill was read a Second Time and committed to Committee of the whole House)]

Hon. Members, we now go to the Statement by Hon. Umulkher Harun.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the abduction of a resident in Hulugho Sub-County, Garissa County. On the afternoon of 6th February 2026, two men, Mr Sambur Abdullahi Olu, a 75-year-old resident, and Mr Mohamed Yaro, were al…

[[The Speaker (Hon. Moses Wetangula) left the Chair]]

Chairperson for Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. We will attempt to respond in two weeks’ time. With regard to what the Member alluded to concerning several other statements that were not responded to, the majority of them lapsed at the end of the Fourth Session. However, pursuant to our procedures and Standing Orders, if the person has not been found, she may re-submit the same statement.

The next statement is requested by Hon. Walter Owino.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the prolonged non-settlement of arrears owed to sugarcane farmers, sugar factory workers, and other service providers by Sony Sugar Company. In May 2025, the Government finalised the leasing of fi…

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Yes, what is your point of order?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity. Allow me to join my brother, Hon. Walter Owino of Awendo. This matter is not unique to Sony Sugar; it cuts across all four Government-owned sugar companies. On 19th May 2025, to be specific, there was gazettement of new lessees to the sugar companies. It had been promised that before the new investors took office, the Government of Ken…

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Sugar matters are currently a burning issue, and there are many concerns surrounding payments. In two weeks, we will provide the Statement. We have been engaging with the State Department, and about a third of the time has been spent discussing sugar issues. I am sure the Ministry is alert to the issues and will provide a comprehensive report in two weeks.

Thank you. Two weeks. Next statement is by Hon. John Kaguchia, Member for Mukurweini. You changed spaces, okay.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, Pursuant to the Provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the non-grading of the Kenya Sign Language in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination. The Kenya Sign Language (KSL) was offered and administered as a subject to students without hearing …

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following:

Thank you. Chairperson Departmental Committee on Education. As usual he is not there. The Leader of the Majority Party do you want to hold brief for him?

Yes Hon. Deputy Speaker. I will relay that to the Chairperson, Hon. Melly. He was here. He has stepped out. At least the Chairman, Departmental Committee on Education was seen in the House.

Do you want to undertake on his behalf?

Hon. Kaguchia could give us two weeks. Where is Hon. Kaguchia?

Hon. Kaguchia has crossed the Floor. Thank you. Hon. Mark Mwenje, Member for Embakasi West.

Hon. Deputy 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 Lands regarding the alleged grabbing of a public utility land in Umoja, Embakasi West Constituency. The parcel of land, LR No. Nairobi/Block 1092380, situated along Moi Drive in Umoja area in Embakasi West Constituency was originall…

The Chairperson of Departmental Committee on Lands. Leader of Majority Party it seems the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands is not here. You can hold their brief and give an undertaking on their behalf.

I have not seen the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands today. I will relay this request for a Statement to them. I ask Hon. Mwenje to give us two weeks.

Thank you. The next is the Member for Loima, Hon. Protus Akujah.

Hon. Deputy 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 Transport and Infrastructure regarding the unavailability of services by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in Turkana County. The NTSA is established under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act and its man…

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, perhaps Hon. Bady Twalib can speak on this matter. However, you should probably direct the Clerk to write to the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure to inform them that the House resumed Business on 10th February and this is the second week of Sittings. They are never present. I have not seen them since we resumed.

Perhaps it skipped their diaries since they are very busy. They should be informed that the House resumed last week, Tuesday, 10th February.

That has been noted. I shall inform the Committee.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish to assure the Member for Loima that he will get a response in two weeks.

At least Hon. Twalib has committed himself on behalf of the Committee. We shall hold you to it. Next is a request for a Statement by Hon. Omboko Milemba.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding delays in payments to teachers and other examination personnel by KNEC. In October 2025, KNEC engaged approximately 30,000 examiners for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and 15,000 examiners for the Kenya Junior…

This request is also directed to the Departmental Committee on Education. Give the microphone to the Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, as Hon. Omboko says, I will relay that request to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education for a response in one week. Good thing, Mwalimu is a member of the same Committee. He is no longer a member but he has deep interest in that Committee.

[(Hon. Omboko Milemba spoke off the record)]

He would have patent bias, so he cannot be a member of the Committee. Next is the Leader of the Majority Party with his usual Statement. Leader of the Majority Party, there is a point of order.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Last week on Tuesday, 10th February 2026, I requested for a Statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding two Kenyans who were reportedly coerced into military service in the Federal Republic of Russia. Mr Justus Ombati Mayienda is said to have been injured and is currently hospitalised while Mr Cl…

Hon. Members, yesterday, the Leader of the Majority Party presented a Statement on Russia. Unless the factors in your matter are distinct from what was reported, the Statement must have covered your concerns. Explain, Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it seems as though Hon. Onchoke has a specific request because I saw him raise his hand. However, I issued a Statement on the Russia matter yesterday afternoon as was directed by the Speaker. It covered many cases. It indicated that 39 Kenyans are hospitalised in Russia, several others were maimed and one was reported dead. Hon. Onchoke, have a look at that Statement in the Ta…

Hon. Onchoke, would you like to clarify so that we know if your request is different from what was reported? The Leader of the Majority Party can then take note of it. If it is similar, you are free to go to the Office of the Leader of the Majority Party to look at the Statement and determine if it was comprehensive enough.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I have gone through the Statement from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the National Police Service (NPS) that was laid in the House yesterday by Hon. Ichung’wah. It was good but generic. My Request for a Statement was about Mr Clinton Nyapara, who was reported to have died in Russia, and Mr Justus Ombati, who is said to be in hospital in Russia. Neither …

What direction would you give him Leader of the Majority Party?

I request the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to check for the specific details. I strongly believe that the person he claims to be reported dead is among the ones in the Statement. The one who is alive could be among the 39 in hospital. However, we should also understand that this is a war zone and the Embassy in Moscow has limited access to informa…

Leader of the Majority Party, maybe you can report the names to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) since the Director of Criminal Investigations is seized of the matter. That is so that it becomes part of their ongoing

investigation. They cited that there is an ongoing investigation. Is that satisfactory? Hon. Onchoke, one last shot.

I understand you. Nevertheless, you can appreciate the limitation of the DCI or the Divisional Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) . Can they go all the way to Russia to do their investigations? Probably, our Embassy in Russia can help us ascertain if the two cases happened and if the individuals are in Russia. I thank you.

The two reports that came to Parliament yesterday were from the NIS and the DCI. They work with our embassies. They use embassies and normally have security attachés there. We do not have to be specific on the way they conduct their investigation. They use all the available channels once you tell them to conduct investigations. I think we are done now.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee that met on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, to prioritise business for consideration during the week. Let me appreciate Members for settling down fast and enabling the House to embark on transaction of business of the House in earnest.…

Chairperson, report.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 27 of 2025) and approved the same with amendments.

Mover.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I also request Hon. Jematiah to second the Motion for agreement of the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I second the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Hon. Members, thank you very much for your patience on this. I would be mindful to take any few interventions if there are any. If there are no interventions, then I would, for obvious reasons, Hon. Chepkonga, pend the putting of the question until we are properly prepared to do so. I, therefore, call for the next Order.

[(Question proposed)]

[(Putting the question deferred)]

There being no other interest on this, I call upon the Mover, Hon. Gichimu, to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also take this opportunity as I reply to thank all the Members of Parliament who have contributed and supported this Motion. Actually, there is no single Member who has opposed it. I wish to indicate and clarify to Hon. (Dr) Oundo that the mandate of the Committee on Delegated Legislation is provided under Standing Order No.210 (3) and (4) . The best that this…

Hon. Members, for obvious reasons, we defer putting of the Question on that particular Motion to the next time it is listed in the Order Paper. Next Order.

[(Putting the question deferred)]

Hon. Members, debate on this Motion started yesterday and if there is no Member with interest, I order that the next time it comes up, the Mover shall be called upon to reply. Next Order.

Hon. Mulyungi, are you going to proceed with this? I see you have a number of them today.

Thank you, Temporary Speaker. I request that you allow me to move this Motion next week because I am not fully prepared. Based on the Members present, I have one Member who can second me. We are not prepared to move the Motion today. We thought it was too far in the Order Paper.

I would imagine that you were informed about this. We stand down Order No. 15. Next Order.

Is this the same?

It is the same, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

For the convenience of the House, could you please call out Order No. 18 first.

County for the financial years 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

Hon. Mulyungi.

It is the same matter.

The Order is stood down until next time it is in the Order Paper. Let us go back to Order No. 17

Is the Chairperson in the House? Who is the Chairperson? Hon. Fatuma had indicated that it is Ramadhan, so she will not be around. Next Order.

Hon. Gikaria, you have 18 minutes. Will you be able to move in 18 minutes?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the Energy (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No.42 of 2023) be now read a Second Time. The Bill seeks to amend the Energy Act (Cap. 314) by introducing new Section 134A to regulate energy purchase agreement and power purchase agreements entered into between power producer and electricity buying entities, such as Kenya Power. The main objective of the Bill is…

I did not know he was your brother. Proceed, Hon. Gichimu.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, in our customs, men who are almost of the same age call each other brothers. I believe that that is where he is coming from. I rise to second this Bill, which has been moved by Hon. Gikaria. The Committee has carefully considered the amendments by Sen. Sifuna and thought it wise not to approve them as they are in the Bill because that would amount to a duplication of exist…

The part that requires definition because it has been creating confusion and probably jeopardising and compromising the consumers in terms of the power which is billed is important. This debate has found its way into this House through various Members. I remember the Member for Laikipia County, Hon. Jane Kagiri, brought up this matter. It even went to the Departmental Committee on Energy. It was d…

Hon. Oundo.

Thank you. Let me join my colleague in supporting the Energy (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 42 of 2023) as moved with the proposed amendments. Let me also commend the Secretary-General of the biggest party, Edwin Sifuna, for thinking through it so that it comes through the Bill that has found its way here. I was in engagement with the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Investment, Trade and Indust…

Do we have Catholic engineers and non-Catholic engineers?

Yes, you might not understand that we met somewhere and the environment was very tense in those good old days. We, as a country, need to debate and resolve the matter of the cost of power. There are two limbs to this debate. First, is the amount of power adequate to power the country to achieve the status of the most industrialised country in Vision 2030. I am sure the Chairman will one day have …

Geothermal Power Stations. What baffles everybody is that the cost of power has never come down to a level that is affordable and can support the economy. Are they operating like the banking sector or the domestic debt in this country that is controlled by cartels who cannot allow it to run by the market forces of demand and supply? As I stand here, I have a very interesting case in my constituen…

Thank you, Hon. Members. Debate on this Bill will continue next time it is listed on the Order Paper.

On a point of order.

Order! What is out of order? Time has lapsed. Go ahead. What is out of order, Hon. Gikaria before we rise?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, to be honest, it is only that I know Mhe. Oundo is always permanently in the House, but how I wish I would be able to give him an update.

Of course, you know you will get a chance to reply.

I will do that because as he has said...

Order! You know very well that you will have a chance to reply. You are the Mover of the Bill. Ensure the day you are replying, your friend and brother Hon. Oundo is in the House to listen to your reply.