Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 1 August 2024
Several senators used Standing Order No.53 to request statements from various committees on issues such as road rehabilitation in Turkana, insurance coverage for Nyandarua County vehicles, mineral exploration, the World Bank‑funded water‑supply project in Taita‑Taveta, and governance disputes in Meru County. Senator Mohamed Chute then made a statement denying false reports of his arrest by the EACC, accusing the commission’s CEO of defamation and announcing legal action. The sitting was largely procedural but featured notable tension surrounding the EACC allegations. Sen. Cheruiyot highlighted widespread illegal occupation of public land and argued that the proposed Land Title (Amendment) Bill would safeguard public institutions by mandating registration and issuance of certificates. The discussion included specific clauses of the Bill, examples of disputes involving NSSF, universities and private developers, and procedural remarks from the Deputy Speaker and other senators. While the tone was largely constructive in advocating reform, moments of procedural confusion and informal commentary added a mixed emotional nuance. The Senate debated the authenticity of letters concerning the Senate nominee to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, with members urging the committee to engage experts for verification. The Speaker directed the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to address these concerns while also tabling pest‑control regulations and a report on the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats. We do have quorum now. So, we can proceed with the afternoon’s business. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Sen. Roba, take your seat, please.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. Ali Roba consulted Sen. Cheruiyot)]
Wambua, MP and Sen. William Kisang’, MP, expressed concern on the authenticity of the two letters from the same institution and urged that the Senate exercises caution. Hon. Senators, given the circumstances, I directed Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, MP, to table the letter received on 24th July, 2024, from the UoN and thereafter undertook to give a ruling on Tuesday, 30th July, 2024, after examining …
Order, Hon. Senators! Proceed to take your seats, please. Take your seats. Senate Majority Leader, you have the Floor.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you for your very wise decision. The House stands guided, but maybe just a few points of concern on procedure and also guidance on your part. This is a very intricate matter in which the Senate is interested. We are undertaking this exercise on behalf of county governments and the people that you represent in this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, would it be in order if I reque…
Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have heard you. Like the Senate Majority Leader/Senate Minority Leader/the Leader of Broad-Based---
[(Laughter)]
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Yes, Sen. M. Kajwang’, what is your intervention?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.227 that talks about engagement of experts. I listened to the long communication that you have made, you have also admitted as the Speaker that the verification of authenticity of records and signatures, is a matter that you are ill prepared to deal with. I want to point to the committee, which you have committed this task, to not be shy from …
Thank you. Let us leave it at that. Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ali Roba, you have heard the concerns of your colleagues. As you retire to look at those letters, kindly address those concerns so that we have a very comprehensive report that is addressing the concerns that have been raised by your colleagues. Next Order. Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I never knew that the County Assembly of Kakamega can have a better Personal Assistant (PA) than the Senate. On behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of Senate, Today, 31st July, 2024-
The Pest Control Products (Fees and other Charges) Regulations, Legal Notice No.102 of 2024. The Pest Control Products (Disposal) Regulations, Legal Notice No.103 of 2024. I thank you.
Proceed, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of Senate, Today, 31st July, 2024- Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on its consideration of the National Assembly amendments to the Equalization Fund Appropriation (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bills No. 30 of 2023) .
[(Sen. Ali Roba laid the document on the Table)]
Next Order. Sen. Lomenen, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads Transportation and Housing regarding the rehabilitation and grading of marram roads in banditry prone areas in Turkana East, Turkana South and Loima Constituency in Turkana County. Roads in the banditry prone areas in Turkana East, Turkana South and Loima sub- counties…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, Housing regarding the status of insurance cover of motor vehicles belonging to the County Government of Nyandarua. In the statement, the committee should-
Sen. Richard Onyonka.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I hear hon. Cherarkey is extremely excited because I am told the---
Sen. Onyonka, proceed with your Statement.
I will proceed. My apologies, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the exploration of minerals in Kenya. In the statement, the committee should-
Sen. Mohamed Chute.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53
Next Statement.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the status of the World Bank-funded project for the upgrade of the water supply and sewerage systems in Taita Taveta County. In the statement, the committee should-
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights regarding the governance issues in Meru County. There have been governance issues in Meru County since the general elections of 2022, marred by an unending conflict between the governor of the county and the County Assembly of Meru. Most recently…
Senator for Meru County, have your seat. Do not debate your statement, please. Just take your seat. Statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 58. Sen Mohamed Chute?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No. 110 (1) , I beg to move the debate on the Land (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.40 of 2022) to be now adjourned. This is because we are talking about land which is important, and emotive. So far, we have attracted only three contributions, and many Members, especially those of the Minority side, are held up in a meeting, consultin…
Sen. Boni, you are right because if any other Member speaks to it, the Mover must reply, and that will be the close of the debate. So, hon. Senators, looking at the Order Paper, I now defer Orders Nos.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, and 23.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
Second Reading
Hon. Senators, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 1st August, 2024 at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 5.47 p.m.