National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 19 October 2023
Members welcomed university visitors and marked Mashujaa Day before moving to consider the Report of the Decentralized Funds Accounts. The debate highlighted serious concerns about the NG‑CDF’s use of emergency funds, incomplete projects, and lack of ownership documents for land and assets, while also acknowledging the fund’s positive impact on local communities. The House adopted recommendations to improve oversight, ensure timely project completion and proper documentation. Members praised the Committee’s NG‑CDF audit reports while noting many are outdated and urging more current data. They called for projects to be completed within the current parliamentary term and stressed the need for better coordination with the Auditor‑General, adoption of IPSAS, and proper handling of bursary cheques. Hon. Kuria Kimani praised NG‑CDF‑funded school renovations, the rollout of science laboratories and ICT hubs in Molo, urging the House to adopt the report. Hon. (Dr) Makali Mulu commended the NG‑CDF’s impact but warned about unfinished projects when MPs change, calling for stricter board oversight. The session also included procedural remarks on quorum and standing orders.
I direct that the Quorum Bell be rung for 10 minutes. We may proceed.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Members, I wish to introduce to you a delegation of Members of the Committee on Lands and Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution from the County Assembly of Taita Taveta, who are seated in the Speaker’s Gallery. The delegation comprises the following:
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
Next is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife on its Consideration of the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.3 of 2023) .
Chairperson of the Select Committee on National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) . Hon. Osoro, you are distracting the Chairperson of the NG-CDF.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Select Committee on National Government Constituencies Development Fund on its Consideration of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.13 of 2023) .
The next Order is by Hon. David Gikaria, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to indulge your decision. Yes, we have a response, but it is not satisfactory. We met as a Committee and discussed the given response. If you look at the summary of the response vis-à-vis the annexures given, we do not think the response is enough to answer the questions raised by the Member of Parliament for Lamu East, Mhe. Ruweida. I seek your indulgence t…
That is in order. I grant your request.
[(Statement deferred)]
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party, do you have a statement on the preparedness for El Nino?
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have two statements. First, are the usual Statements by the Leader of the Majority Party on Thursdays. I wish to present the Statement on sanitary towels first, and then I could go to the Thursday Statements. Is that okay?
Okay.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I wish to present the usual Thursday Statement. Now that I am starting to do this, I request the Whip of the Majority Party to sit down.
[(Hon. Silvanus Osoro stood up in his place)]
Hon. Osoro, kindly sit down. You are disorderly. You may proceed, Hon. Member.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 44 (2) (a) to give a Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 17th October 2023 to prioritise the business for consideration during the week. Hon. Deputy Speaker, protect me from Hon. Jerusha and Professor.
[(Hon. Silvanus Osoro and Hon. Jerusha Momanyi consulted loudly)]
Hon. Jerusha and Hon. Osoro, you can take it outside. Proceed.
They can take this discussion to Kisii, and not here. Hon. Members will recall that the House held a morning Sitting on Tuesday, 17th October, intended to provide time to consider priority legislative business. This included the health sector Bills that are intended to overhaul the operation in the sector as part of the Government's Universal Health Care plans. I would like to thank Members for …
Thank you, Hon. Owen Baya for that magnanimous response. Allow me, before we proceed to the next Order, to recognise students from Kongoni Primary School, Lang’ata Constituency, Nairobi County and Mawingu Secondary School, Kipipiri Constituency Nyandarua County. They are seated in the Speaker’s Gallery.
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. On behalf of all Members, I wish to welcome our visitors to this House, especially Chama Cha Kiswahili Chuo Kikuu Cha Embu (CHAKIE) Club. I know many Members are not aware of the University of Embu. Interestingly, it has been ranked twice in a row as one of the best-run parastatals, in this country. Also, Embu University has appeared in newspapers many times for its…
Thank you. Next Order.
(The Bill was read a Second Time and committed to Committee of the whole House)
Mover. Proceed Hon. Mulyungi
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Decentralized Funds Accounts
Hon. Members, the time being