Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Order, Senators. When there is any procession, you must be very attentive and respect the Chair. Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Sen. Maanzo and Sen. Mutinda, approach the Chair. Hon. Senators, we have quorum. Let us start the business of the day. Clerk, please, read out the first Order.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Sen. Maanzo and Sen. Tabitha Mutinda approached the Chair)]

Next Order.

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to request for a Statement on the implementation, county coverage and sustainability of the NYOTA project. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national concern regarding the Implementation, County Coverage, Sustainability…

Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana is also deferred.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Labor and Social Welfare on a matter of countrywide concern regarding the grievances presented by nurses in Laikipia County, which have culminated in the issuance of strike notice effective 23rd March, 2026. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the persistent challenges facing nu…

Our technical team should improve on the sound system. Yes, Sen. Sigei.

Similarly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as you direct on improvement of the sound system, this gadget is also not updated. We decided to go paperless, but unfortunately, the Order Paper that I have in my gadget indicates 25th. The clerks do not have any printout. This means I am still in yesterday’s session. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you might also need to give further directive to that effect, so tha…

What is it, Sen. Cherarkey?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, yesterday, we raised a point of order under Article 118 of the Constitution and Standing Order No.1. We had similar problems and the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Veronica Maina, gave direction on usage of these gadgets because they have become inefficient. It is like we are going back to pre- industrial era before technology came in. We raised issues of disruption of the sound…

Order, Sen. Cherarkey. I am happy that you have mentioned that my colleague, who was the Chair yesterday, gave some direction and we stand by that. Personally, I could not hear Sen. Kinyua very well and I stated so because he was straining to read his Statement. If there is some direction that was given by the Chair yesterday evening, then we should go by that. The most important thing is to make …

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off record)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would have felt bad if you did not give me an opportunity to seek clarification because this is a question that we--- You have been my neighbour and we have suffered with you here. Even before this matter is addressed as Sen. Cherarkey has mentioned, there is something that I would like your immediate intervention, especially on this particular gadget because we struggl…

[(Sen. Wakili Sigei spoke off record)]

Could you conclude your issue? Do not listen to any other Senator.

I am just surprised that it is your Member of the Speaker’s Panel that is disrupting me. If it were Sen. Wamatinga, that could have been another issue. This is what I wanted to say. Once I have been given the Floor to, for example, seek a clarification or raise a point of order, you should not disrupt the queue for me to make a contribution either on a Motion or a Bill.

I am told that the system is being improved every day. Therefore, issues that you are raising are on record.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to inform Sen. Methu that notwithstanding the queue which you can see from your end as well as a Member, it is upon the Speaker to pick from that pool who to allow to speak. If one is allowed to make an intervention or a point of order, it means they exit from the queue because an opportunity has already been given to the Member to speak. In that case, they w…

Fair enough, Sen. Sigei. Commissioner Wamatinga, you have been mentioned by Sen. Cherarkey.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me this opportunity to further inform the House what we have is a highly advanced system.

[(Loud consultations)]

Did you hear what he said about me?

Wait for the Commissioner to finish because we are seeking for a solution. Who has given you the Floor? Please, sit down. Sen. Cherarkey, you know I have a lot of respect for you as my good friend and counsel at some point. Have your seat, kindly. Resume your seat, Sen. Cherarkey. Sen. Wamatinga, please conclude.

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off record)]

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off record)]

[(Sen. Cherarkey sat at his place)]

Thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. As a software engineer and Sen. Osotsi can testify to this, our system must be adaptable moving forward. We can

upgrade as we move ahead, including the queue and the intervention. You must not have a button for everything. It allows creation of icons. Of course, we need also to take time and train the Senators on how to use this system.

Hon. Senators, I have categorically said that we need this system to be improved. While I am here as the Chair, if you have this display with you, this is not giving the Chair latitude to manage the House. So, as you work on this system, Commissioner Sen. Wamatinga, make sure that the request list is blind to the Members. That is how the Chair can manage the House without any chaos and interferen…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, tell Sen. Cherarkey to keep quiet.

Order. Still, the system is not okay. The mic is not--- Can you use the Dispatch box?

Or we move to the National Assembly Chamber.

Hon. Senators, I want to reorganize the business appearing on our Order Paper. We will be coming back to the comments on statements, but first, I want us to do Order No.9.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

regarding contamination of the Nairobi River and its tributaries with antibiotics and other pharmaceutical waste, which threaten human life, the environment and food safety. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical residues from hospitals, households and industries and other sources are finding their way into the Nairobi River system due to improper disposal practices and ina…

regarding contamination of the Nairobi River and its tributaries with antibiotics and other pharmaceutical waste, which threaten human life, the environment and food safety. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical residues from hospitals, households and industries and other sources are finding their way into the Nairobi River system due to improper disposal practices and ina…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Leader of Majority, pursuant to Standing Order 57 (1) , I hereby present to the Senate, the Business for the Week commencing Tuesday, 31st March, 2026. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the legislative Business before the Senate is as follows- A total sum of 61 Bills are pending conclusion, of which 42 are at Second Reading, four of them have been listed in today'…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, at the next sitting of the Senate on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, the tentative business for the day will include business not concluded from today's Order Paper, as well as the business indicated in the Notice page. The tentative business for the Morning Sitting on Wednesday, 1st April, 2026, will include Questions to Cabinet Secretaries as approved by the Senate Business C…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, at the next sitting of the Senate on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, the tentative business for the day will include business not concluded from today's Order Paper, as well as the business indicated in the Notice page. The tentative business for the Morning Sitting on Wednesday, 1st April, 2026, will include Questions to Cabinet Secretaries as approved by the Senate Business C…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Thursday, 26th March, 2026- Volume one of the report of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee on the consideration of the reports of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of the following county executives for the year ended 30th June, 2025 - Vihiga, Kitui, Bungoma, Embu, Nyandarua, Mandera…

[(Sen. Mwaruma laid the document on the Table)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Thursday, 26th March, 2026- Volume one of the report of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee on the consideration of the reports of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of the following county executives for the year ended 30th June, 2025 - Vihiga, Kitui, Bungoma, Embu, Nyandarua, Mandera…

[(Sen. Mwaruma laid the document on the Table)]

Proceed and give notice of motion.

executives for the year ended 30th June, 2025 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 26th March, 2026 - Vihiga, Kitui, Bungoma, Embu, Nyandarua, Mandera, Laikipia, Kwale, Meru, Bomet, West Pokot, Nyeri, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, Machakos. I thank you.

executives for the year ended 30th June, 2025 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 26th March, 2026 - Vihiga, Kitui, Bungoma, Embu, Nyandarua, Mandera, Laikipia, Kwale, Meru, Bomet, West Pokot, Nyeri, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, Machakos. I thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. That is CPAC tabling their papers. I just wanted to get clarification from you because 31st, next Tuesday, is the constitutional deadline for the Senate to consider, examine and take appropriate action on the audit report. I am concerned because today is Thursday and we will be breaking for the weekend. My committee has processed a number of reports, which I am …

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. That is CPAC tabling their papers. I just wanted to get clarification from you because 31st, next Tuesday, is the constitutional deadline for the Senate to consider, examine and take appropriate action on the audit report. I am concerned because today is Thursday and we will be breaking for the weekend. My committee has processed a number of reports, which I am …

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my concern is small, even almost looking like it is trivial, but very important. When children are brought to Parliament by their schools, their parents do it at great expense to sponsor those children. A pattern has formed in this House where, when children from private schools come here, they are readily acknowledged to plenary. From yesterday, three schools came and the…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, would you clarify the criteria used to make a decision on which school will be introduced to the plenary and which one will not? Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, would you clarify the criteria used to make a decision on which school will be introduced to the plenary and which one will not? Thank you.

Well noted, Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, Senator for Kakamega County. Yes, that should be addressed. You have made a good observation. As much as we welcome our students, they really want to be appreciated, but I am handling with the relevant office. So, hon. Senators, we will go back to Order No. 8.

Very well. Hon. Senators, looking at our order of business, from Order No.10 to Order No.22, I re-organise, so that we go to Order No.23.

This Bill was to be moved by the Senate Majority Leader, who is not present in the Chamber. Therefore, we shall, therefore, defer the Bill to the next sitting. For the same reason, we will also defer Order Nos. 25, 26, 27. Order No.27 is a Bill by Sen. Crystal Asige who is also not present. We will also defer Order No.28, which is Sen. Karen Nyamu’s Bill because she is also not present in the Cham…

Sen. Veronica Maina, this is your Motion. You may proceed to move it.

Can I withdraw and apologise?

That is exactly what will be required of you to do. However, in the absence of Sen. Osotsi, I believe it is neat to do such when he is present in the Chamber. Prepare yourself to deal with that. Sen. Veronica Maina, I will alert you when it is your time to proceed. Hon. Members, there is a timeline which we are required to table certain reports for the County Public Investments and Special Funds …

Sen. Cherarkey, you remember there was a tiff earlier between yourself and Sen. Osotsi. I now have the HANSARD, on the proceedings, that led to the Speaker making a determination on availing the HANSARD before the Chair. As I have said, I now have the HANSARD. Unfortunately, Sen. Osotsi is not present in the Chamber. It would be neater to have that determination made in the presence of Sen. Osots…

Can I withdraw and apologise?

6. Marsabit County -

4. Embu County -

Thank you, Sen. Cherarkey, for giving out the notice on behalf of the Chairperson, CPIC, Sen. Osotsi. I will get back to Sen. Veronica. You may proceed to move your Motion.

[(Resumption of debate on Motion)]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. Finally, I can move this Motion. I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity that you have given me. Though I note that this is 6.10 p.m, and I wish this Motion was given prime time in the course of the day, before most of the Senators stepped out. This is because one of the risks in gender perspectives, gender work and gender equalit…

Sen. Veronica, I would like that you move the Motion fast before you make your contribution.

Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, I beg to move the following Motion - AWARE that Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination with Article 27 (3) providing that women and men have the right to equal treatment including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural, and social spheres. FURTHER AWARE that Article 27 (8) oblig…

Sen. Cherarkey, you have a few seconds. I will allow you to respond, but I just want to clarify something that Sen. Veronica raised in the course of her contribution. You know you are a member of the Senate Business Committee (SBC) . It is the SBC that schedules the business of the House and not the Secretariat. So, it is not the Secretariat that delayed this Motion. I wanted that to be clarified.…

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.31 p.m.

Very well, thank you. Give him the microphone so that he can---

[(Sen. Cherarkey spoke off record)]

Linda is tired or something. Mr. Temporary Speaker, as I rise to second this historic and momentous Motion, I would like to say that the issue of gender is very emotive. I yield back, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Cherarkey, we may rise. Sen. Cherarkey, when the House resumes, you will actually have 14 minutes and 45 seconds to second this very historical Motion, as you have said.