Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 25 July 2024
Senators raised concerns about the delayed transmission of Senate proceedings and debated the appropriate use of formal Swahili in addressing the Speaker. The bulk of the discussion focused on mining legislation, particularly gypsum extraction in Tana River, urging that investors obtain proper licences, provide community training, and adhere to environmental and constitutional provisions. Procedural interruptions and light‑hearted remarks punctuated the debate, reflecting both constructive and contentious elements. Senators discussed proposed mining legislation, urging that it cover all minerals and require investors to submit detailed plans and environmental impact assessments that benefit local communities. They highlighted the lack of employment and training for residents in mining areas such as Tana River and called for mandatory local hiring and skill development. The debate also noted the need to attract investment while ensuring community rights and environmental safeguards. Sen. Oketch Gicheru advocated for the Local Content Bill, emphasizing the need for stronger devolution mechanisms, county involvement, and knowledge transfer in the mining, oil and gas sectors. He highlighted challenges such as limited economic diversification, unsafe artisanal mining practices, and the absence of business registration frameworks for local miners. A brief exchange with the Speaker introduced a personal tone but did not alter the substantive focus on policy gaps.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. Senate Minority Leader, kindly proceed to take your seat. We have quorum now. Therefore, we will proceed with today’s business. Clerk proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Senate Majority Leader, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 25th July, 2024- The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) annual report for the Financial Year 2022/2023. I thank you.
[(Sen. Cheruiyot laid the document on the Table)]
Next Order.
Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) . Sen. Miraj, proceed.
Request for Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Sen. Faki, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, sir. I rise pursuant to the Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the ownership of freehold land by non-citizens in the Republic of Kenya. The immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Housing and Urban Development recently issued a statement in which she stated that foreign reside…
Order, Hon. Senators. May the Senator from Mombasa County be heard in silence?
Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. The County of Mombasa has since the inception of the devolution attracted adverse reports from the Office of the Auditor- General on the on matters human resource. Currently, the recurrent expenditure on human resource is about 48 per cent of the total budget of the County. This is contrary to the provisions of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. In the Statement…
What is your point of order Sen. Onyonka?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am wondering--- The system is not working. I do not know whether HANSARD is also working or not.
Clerk, can you confirm if the system is working or we are on our own? Hon. Senators, the HANSARD is okay. Senator of Mombasa, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I think I will have to start all over again. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labor and Social Welfare concerning the status of the Human Resource Department of the County Government of Mombasa. The County Government of Mombasa has since inception of devolution attracted adverse reports fr…
Sen. Wakili Sigei.
Sen. Richard Onyonka, please, proceed.
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 on the leasing of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under the Build, Operate and Transfer Model of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to a private company. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Statement Pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) . Senate Majority Leader, you may proceed. Okay, proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , I hereby present the Business of this Senate for the week commencing Tuesday, 30th, July 2024. The status of the legislative business before the Senate is as follows- Forty-nine Bills are pending conclusion in the Senate, of which 42 are at the Second Reading Stage while seven are at the Committee of the Whole; 20 Motions are pen…
Sen. Wakili Sigei, having explained yourself, your Statement is restated. You may proceed to read it.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for recommitting my Statement, which I came in shortly after you had dropped. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation regarding stalled and or abandoned infrastructure projects in Bomet County. Several incomplete and abandoned infrastructure projects in Bomet County represent a significan…
Let us move on to the next Order.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
That Order is deferred.
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 8th May, 2024. The Senate Standing Committee on Health is established under Standing Order No.218 (3) of the Standing Orders. It is mandated to consider all matters relating to medical service, public health and sanitation. On 15th May, 2023, Hon. Felix Koskei, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, r…
Clerk, confirm that we have the requisite number for the putting of the question. Hon. Senators, we have the requisite quorum. I will proceed to put the question. Next Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Senators, having failed to attain the quorum at the expiry of 10 minutes, the House stands adjourned pursuant to Standing Order No.41 (2) (a) , until Tuesday, 30th July, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 5.41 p.m.