Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 24 October 2024
The Senate session began with procedural matters, including confirming quorum and welcoming a delegation of teachers and students from Ruby Kraft Adventist School. The Speaker reported messages from the National Assembly concerning the mediation process for the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill and the Water (Amendment) Bill, and Senator Khalwale presented the third annual PPP report. The proceedings were largely formal and informational. The afternoon sitting opened with heated procedural disputes, culminating in Senator Khalwale’s removal after refusing to retract alleged statements about a colleague. The focus then shifted to urgent health concerns, with senators condemning severe overcrowding at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, inadequate maternity facilities, and broader hospital deficiencies, urging the Health Committee to intervene. A brief interjection also called for resolution of electoral boundary issues. Senators debated the Water Bill, emphasizing the need for an independent Water Tribunal and thanking the committee for handling multiple mediations. The discussion highlighted persistent water access challenges across regions and included procedural exchanges about quorum and chairmanship. Praise was offered to the young chair, while minor tensions arose over comments on committee leadership.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. I am informed that we now have a quorum. Please take your seats. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Senator, proceed to take your seats. I need to give some communication.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. Kibwana walked into the Chamber)]
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting teachers and students from Ruby Kraft Adventist School in Homa Bay County. The delegation comprises 14 teachers and 108 students who are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition.
Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. I wish them a fruitful visit on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf.
[(Applause)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for granting me the chance to welcome the visiting students from Ruby Kraft Adventist School, Homa Bay County. On behalf of myself, Sen. Beatrice Ogola and on behalf of the Senator for Homa Bay County, Sen. Moses Otieno Kajwang’ who is away on official duty, feel most welcome to the Senate. The Senate is a House of representation, oversight and legislation. We welcome …
Next Order.
Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that, I have, pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) , received the following Message from the National Assembly regarding the approval of the mediated version of the Sugar Bill (National Assembly Bills No.34 of 2022) . The Message, dated Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024, was received in the office of the Clerk of the Senate on Wednesday, 23rd October,
[(Applause)]
Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that I have, pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) , received the following Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the decision of the National Assembly on the Senate amendments to the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.38 of 2024) . The Message, dated Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024, was received in the of…
WHEREAS on Wednesday, 7th August, 2024, the National Assembly passed the Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.38 of 2024) and thereafter referred the Bill to the Senate for consideration in accordance with Article 114 of the Constitution; AND WHEREAS on Thursday, 3rd October, 2024, the Senate considered and passed the said Bill, with amendments and referred it back to …
Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that I have pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) , received the following Message from the National Assembly, regarding the approval of the Mediated Version of the Water (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.33 of 2023) . The Message, dated
Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024, was received in the office of the Clerk of the Senate on Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024. Pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (4), I now report the Message. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Nos.41(1) and 154(b) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby convey the following Message from the National Assembly- WHEREAS the Water (Amendment) Bill (Nationa…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of this Senate today, the 24th October, 2024:- The third annual report on the state of public-private partnerships, (PPPs) , by the National Treasury and Economic Planning for the Financial Year 2023-2024.
Next order.
Statements Pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , Sen. Hamida Kibwana, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the deplorable state of health services at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi City County. Particularly, in the maternity wing, reports indicate severe overcrowding with as many as five patients sharing a single bed. Additionally, there are claims that pat…
Proceed, Sen. Kibwana.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the lack of a dedicated prayer facility for Muslim students at Moi Girls High School, Kibra Constituency in Nairobi City County despite Christian students having a designated space for fellowship. This issue raises concerns about religious inclusivity and equity in …
Sen. Mwaruma, you may proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the alteration of the Taita Taveta County and Kajiado County boundary at Rombo Ranch, following an agreement between the respective county governments on 4th July, 2020. 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 Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the operations of Taita Taveta Voi (TAVEVO) Water Company in Taita Taveta County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Next Statement is by Sen. Onyonka. Is Sen. Onyonka not here? That Statement is dropped.
Sen. Onyonka had two Statements and both of them are dropped.
Sen. Allan Chesang, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to read a Statement on behalf of Sen. Allan Chesang, the Senator of Trans Nzoia County.
I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the opening and operations of bank accounts by the County Executive of Trans Nzoia County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have very important Statements. Allow me to read them concurrently. Yours truly is an alumnus of Moi University. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the indefinite closure of Moi University due to a prolonged industrial strike by workers over alleged mismanagement of the university. In the…
Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I join you in welcoming these students from Kalyongwet Secondary School in Soin/Sigowet Sub- County, very close to my home. I hope in their visit to the Senate, they have an opportunity to learn about business as we transact it. They are lucky because this afternoon, they will get an opportunity that many visiting delegations do not get, to see us legislate and pass laws. We ar…
Thank you. Hon. Senators, as directed, we will interrupt on Order No.8 and move to Order No.9. Upon conclusion of Division, we will resume debate under Order No. 8. Clerk, call that Order.
Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, were you the Mover?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Mover of the Motion is accompanying the President to an official function, and I was the seconder. I, therefore, request that I be allowed to reply. This Motion has captured the imagination of this House and all Senators have spoken in support. The Senators who come from Tana River, Kwale, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia are indeed indebted to you.…
Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Division bell for two minutes. Hon. Senators, this is a matter that affects counties and, therefore, voting shall be by delegations. Sen. Mariam and Sen. Beatrice Akinyi, you have been given rights to vote, so you will vote from your seat. You do not have to come to the Dispatch. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may now close the door and draw the Bar.
[(The Division Bell was rung)]
[(The door was closed and the bar drawn)]
Hon. Senators, please, take your seats, so that I can put the question before you vote.
[(Question put and Senators proceeded to vote by county delegations)]
[(Voting in progress)]
Constitution and Standing Order 167 (3) of the Senate, approves the mediated version of the Bill, put and the Senate proceeded to vote by county delegations) AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Cheptumo, Baringo County; Sen. Cherarkey, Nandi County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka-Nith…
Hon. Senators, the results of the Division is as follows-