Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum?

[(The Clerk-at the-Table consulted the Speaker)]

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

I am informed that we do have quorum now. Serjant- at-Arms, kindly, stop the Bell. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.

Hon. Senators, I do have the following Communications to make. One, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon, a visiting delegation from the County Assembly of Homabay. The delegation Comprises Members of the Procedure and Rules Committee who are undergoing a training programme in the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) .

Hon. Senators, I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out so that they may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the chance to welcome the great delegation from the County Assembly of Homa Bay. Homa Bay County is a county of endless potential as demonstrated by the calm team that is sitted on the Speaker's Gallery. The team is led by the hon. Speaker, Julius Gaya. I have worked with him for the last ten years that I worked for the County Government of Homa Bay as an Executiv…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the leadership of the Senate on both sides, I take this opportunity to welcome the delegation from the Parliament of Uganda, who are here on a benchmarking visit with our Secretariat. I give them the assurance that they are in the right place at the right time. You have come to visit the Senate at a time that we have a clear demonstration of professionali…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to acknowledge the presence this afternoon of our visitors from Marsabit County Assembly.

Good people, you are most welcome to the Senate. As you go back to Marsabit County, please, teach your children that Marsabit has a big place in this Senate and Parliament because of the work and contribution of the late Dr. Bonaya Godhana, who you all know. He is one of the makers of the nation of Kenya for the contribution he made. You are most welcome. I wish all your children well and hope th…

Next Order.

Proceed, Chairperson Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following document on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 21st, October, 2023: Report on Petition: Refurbishment and Expansion of Kajiado Municipality Market. On 27th April, 2023, the Senate received a Petition from Kajiado Municipality Clothes Market Traders on the refurbishment and expansion of Kajiado Municipality Market by the County Government of Kaji…

Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on the drugging of unsuspecting revellers by their would-be lovers in places of entertainment, especially in nightclubs. In the Statement, the Committee should:

Sen. Cherarkey, please, proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education concerning the plight of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in Nandi County. In the Statement, the Committee should:

Kindly, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

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 sustainability of Kenya Airways. In the Statement, the Committee should:

Sen. Crystal Asige, are you ready to make a request for a Statement under Standing Order No.53 (1) ?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Thank you. I have two Statements under Standing Order No.52 (1) . However, I was assured as recently as this morning that they are on the Order Paper but I see that they are not. I wonder what guidance you might give me on that.

Just proceed to make a request under Standing Order No.53 (1) . This is because thereafter, I will give room for Senators to make contributions on all the Statements for 15 minutes. So, if within 15 minutes, your Statements under Standing Order No.52 will be availed, I shall grant you a chance to proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting teachers and students from Murungaru Secondary School in Nyandarua County. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. I thank you.

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, with your kind permission, as the head of delegation for Nairobi County I would like to allow Sen. Nyamu to convey the welcome remarks.

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, with your kind permission, as the head of delegation for Nairobi County I would like to allow Sen. Nyamu to convey the welcome remarks.

Sen. Nyamu, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. I would also like to thank my head of delegation, Sen. Sifuna. I welcome the guests to this Plenary session. Take in as much learning as you can. I happen to have links in the County of Nyandarua through the father of my children; I am part of you. I am sure the ones from Nyandarua know what I am talking about. Welcome, enjoy the session and lear…

Sen. Crystal Asige, proceed to present your Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.52.

[(Resumption of debate on Statements)]

musicians have historically been excluded from development policies and strategic plans, equitable industry standards and systems. We often witness several of our musical greats spend their lives in deplorable conditions. This stark reality has been the subject of previous statements and petitions that I, and many others, have brought before this esteemed House. It is worth noting that we already…

unionize. Further, I also seek the support of colleague Senators when I bring legislative proposals on creative industry matters to the Floor of this House. To the musicians, I urge you to remain vigilant and take advantage of the present opportunity to find strength in numbers. Musicians deserve to have their voices heard and their interests protected by an entity that genuinely understands and …

unionize. Further, I also seek the support of colleague Senators when I bring legislative proposals on creative industry matters to the Floor of this House. To the musicians, I urge you to remain vigilant and take advantage of the present opportunity to find strength in numbers. Musicians deserve to have their voices heard and their interests protected by an entity that genuinely understands and …

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely; the International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages. The International Week of Deaf people is observed annually between 18th and 24th September with the International Day of Sign Languages being celebrated on 23rd September, this Saturday. …

pushing, alongside Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, for the enactment of the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2023, and I ask colleague Senators for their continued support. I even invite them to sign. It is very easy if you would wish to support my Motion to sign this way:

pushing, alongside Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, for the enactment of the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2023, and I ask colleague Senators for their continued support. I even invite them to sign. It is very easy if you would wish to support my Motion to sign this way:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) to make a Statement on the indigenous people of Kenya. Kenya has a multi-ethnic population of several bands of tribes, who have resided in this country well before the arrival of the colonial government and the establishment of the Nation of Kenya, as it is known today. Article 260 of the Constitution of Kenya acknowledges tha…

in the Matter of the Ogiek Community before the African Court on Human and People's Rights and in the Kenyan State Report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/KEN/1-4) in 2011, where the Government's position was that "treating a part of its multi-ethnic population as indigenous peoples will constitute discrimination and will degrade its celebration o…

in the Matter of the Ogiek Community before the African Court on Human and People's Rights and in the Kenyan State Report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/KEN/1-4) in 2011, where the Government's position was that "treating a part of its multi-ethnic population as indigenous peoples will constitute discrimination and will degrade its celebration o…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to issue this Statement on the business of the Senate for the week commencing Tuesday 26th September, 2023, pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) . Before I do so, I take this opportunity to welcome hon. Senators back from the recess. We look forward to a fruitful Session over the next four weeks until 20th October, 2023 when the next short recess is scheduled t…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the last recess, the Senate held two Special Sittings on 29th and 31st August, 2023. At these special sittings, the Senate considered and passed a Motion on the establishment of the National Dialogue Committee, the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bills No.16 of 2023), the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.42 of 2023)…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the last recess, the Senate held two Special Sittings on 29th and 31st August, 2023. At these special sittings, the Senate considered and passed a Motion on the establishment of the National Dialogue Committee, the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bills No.16 of 2023), the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.42 of 2023)…

I will make the following communication before the Clerk calls the next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to welcome these students. You said they were here for a learning experience. I also take this opportunity to encourage others out there because this Senate is very different from the last Senate. We are a mixture of those who were here before and previous Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) like myself. We also have former governors like Sen. Man…

[(Applause)]

Next order.

[(Applause)]

Next order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No.35 to Move- That the Senate do now adjourn, for the reason that the Senate anticipates to hold sittings outside Nairobi, specifically in Turkana County. I request that we adjourn to allow us to do the necessary housekeeping and preparations to enable us travel to Turkana. I request Sen. Chimera, to second.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I second.

[(Question proposed)]

The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 26th September, 2023, at 2.30 p.m. at the Turkana County Assembly Chamber in Lodwar, Turkana County. The Senate rose at 5.11 p.m.