National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting

Very good. Thank you. Next Order.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on the inquiry into the irregular and illegal grant of tax exemptions to a company under the Special Operating Framework Agreement, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 26th September 2024. I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Let us go back to Order No.5. Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Vetting a Nominee.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Joint sitting of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on the approval hearing of Mr David Kibet Kemei, nominee for appointment as the Director-General of the Competition Authority Kenya (CAK) .

Thank you. You have another one from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion…

No. You have two other Papers to lay on the Table.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

Hon. Speaker, I wish to give notice of

That is not how you give notice of Motion.

Hon. Speaker, let me repeat.

Go on.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion…

Correct.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget in its Report on the vetting of a nominee for appointment as the Director-General of the Competition Authority, laid on the Table of t…

Next Order.

Next, we are going to Request for Statements. The first is Hon. Sarah Korere.

The Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. (Dr) Mutunga. Vice Chair? Hon. Owen, tell them to bring the Statement in two weeks.

Much obliged, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Joshua Mwalyo, MP Masinga.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation regarding the status of implementation of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Strategy - NWHSS (2020-2025) . The collection and management of floodwater, storm water and rainwater is essential for r…

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation. Yes, Hon. Mukunji. Hold on Hon. Bowen.

Hon. Speaker, I wanted to add my weight to that Statement.

But Hon. Mukunji, you know, ordinarily, we do not allow joyriders on statements, unless they are questions.

Yes, but Hon. Speaker, it is a shame that this country still reels in poverty and lack of water in many areas when God has blessed it with a lot of water in rivers and rainfall. I propose that the board either be disbanded or they do their work in water collection so that we do not continue importing our food when this country is blessed with water. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Bowen, two weeks.

Hon. Speaker, the request for a Statement sought by Hon. Mwalyo is very important and requires a very comprehensive answer. As you have heard from Hon. Mukunji, I request four weeks, and I will bring a very comprehensive answer.

Bring it in three weeks. Hon. John Mwirigi.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health regarding the status of the report by the Kenya Medical Research Institute on the probe into high prevalence of cancer in Meru County. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a State corporation established under Legal Notic…

concerning that four years since the commencement of the investigation, KEMRI has not released any findings or progress report on the matter. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. (Dr) Pukose, bring a statement in two weeks.

Hon. Speaker, the Member for Igembe South has asked for a comprehensive report. I am aware of the research that was carried out which was a data collection from the Maua area. It was a collaboration between KEMRI and the County Government of Meru. We have not been able to fund them adequately, but I will provide the data which they collected in two weeks. However, it will not be very comprehensive…

Two weeks it is. Hon. Dorothy, what is it? I said no joyriders to statements. What is it you want to say?

Hon. Speaker, I beg you to allow me to add to what Hon. Mwirigi has said. Indeed, cancer is the greatest killer of our people. I raised a statement here one time that the only cancer centre that was supposed to help the Meru people was the Dedan Kimathi Cancer Centre, which stalled many years back. I want the Chairperson to take this with urgency so that our people can be assisted because they ar…

Yes Hon. (Dr) Pukose.

Hon. Speaker, I would like to inform the Hon. Member that the national Government, in collaboration with the county government, is in the process of setting up a regional cancer institute in Meru. The Dedan Kimathi will be for Nyeri County. For Meru, we will do the regional cancer centre in Meru. If the Members propose, we could put it up in Maua.

Hold on, Hon. Robert Mbui. Let us first hear from Hon. John Paul.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The Chairperson has said that the report he will give in two weeks’ time will not be as comprehensive. This is a weighty matter and the Chairperson should tell us what he requires from this House for him to bring a comprehensive report.

Let us wait for the report. We will judge whether it will be comprehensive or not then. Next is Hon. Robert Mbui, Member for Kathiani.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health regarding the payment of last expense and group life insurance claim to the parents of the late Willy James Muuo, a student of Nthunguni Secondary School.

It is unfortunate that upon the demise of the minor, Willy James Muuo, on 14th July 2023, his bereaved parents have faced significant challenges in processing claims for the last expense and group life benefits provided under the Edu-Afya Scheme. Despite following all required procedures, the parents were informed by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) that the claim could not be processed…

Thank you. Hon. Chairperson.

Hon. Speaker, I will give the response in two weeks. I will also respond to issues to do with Edu-Afya. As you are aware, the Cabinet approved that Edu-Afya will continue. Parents out there should not worry about the children in schools. The programme has also been extended to cover even students in lower primary.

Next is Hon. Chiforomodo Mangale.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour regarding the gazettement of Lunga Lunga sub-county as a hardship area. Hardship allowance was introduced as an incentive to teachers and other public officers working in remote areas to compensate for lack of basic ameni…

Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour on the following:

Hon. Chiforomodo, are you sure you have directed your question to the right Committee?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. The matter is before the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management which in most cases is handled by the Departmental Committee on Labour.

Okay. Is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour here? Deputy Leader of the Majority Party, inform the Committee to bring the response in two weeks.

Much obliged, Hon. Speaker.

Next is, Hon. Joseph Lekuton.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding erosion of the Sirima-Loiyangalani Road. For generations, Lake Turkana has been a vital resource for the economic and cultural well-being of the residents within its environs, including the…

Thank you. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I request for three weeks to respond to that request for Statement.

Can you not do it in two weeks?

I will appreciate it if you give us three weeks. We have many requests for statements to respond to.

The Member came to the Speaker’s chamber very agitated about this issue. Consult with him and bring a response in two weeks.

I will do so.

Hon. Members, before I call the next speaker, allow me to acknowledge the following institutions in the Speaker’s Gallery: Kapsabet Girls High School from Emgwen Constituency, Nandi County, and Kemeloi Boys High School from Aldai Constituency, Nandi County. On my behalf and that of the House, I welcome the students, teachers and those accompanying them to this House of Parliament. Next is Hon. Da…

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the expansion of the Leseru-Kitale-Kortum Highway. The Leseru-Kitale-Kortum Highway, a critical link of the Kenya-South Sudan road corridor, has been in dire need of rehabilitation and expa…

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. GK.

I will give a response in two weeks.

Thank you. Hon. Members, in respect to response to Statements, I have been informed by the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that Questions by Hon. Adan Keynan, the Member for Eldas; Hon. Danson Mwashako, the Member for Wundanyi; Hon. Farah Sala, the Member for Fafi; and Hon. Ariko Namoit, the Member for Turkana South, were discussed in the Committee…

Hon. Speaker, being that these documents belong to the House, I beg to table with the Clerks-at-the-Table.

Members who raised the various Questions can look at them.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. During the same Session, I represented Hon. David Ochieng’, in respect to a Question regarding abduction. Hon. Speaker, the question was insufficiently answered, and the Cabinet Secretary promised to provide additional information. The Chairperson should be kind enough to inform the House that the question was not adequately answered and that more information is required …

Hon. Tongoyo, when can you bring additional information, either to the House or directly to the Member?

Hon. Speaker, I think I could follow the same suit because the only bit that was remaining was for the Cabinet Secretary to furnish the updated number of deaths, and that is why I have not included it with what I have submitted to the clerks. He had promised to deliver within 48 hours, and therefore it will be available on Tuesday.

Thank you. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Health?

Hon. Speaker, could I have two minutes? My document is at the reception.

Okay. Go and collect it. Let us go to the next response by the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Lands, to a question by Hon. Monicah Marubu, the Member for Lamu County. Is Hon. Monicah Marubu in the House? Pardon? Hon. Ruweida, can you do it for her?

[(Hon. Ruweida Mohamed spoke off the record)]

Yes, I can.

Hon. Chairman, are you ready?

Yes, I am.

Go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44, Hon. Monicah Marubu requested the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands to provide a response on the implementation of the Hindi- Magogoni Phase II Settlement Scheme. In the request, Hon. Monicah Marubu sought to know the following:

Order! Order, Hon. Osoro. It is against the Standing Orders to stand between the Member on the Floor and the Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Ruweida.

Mhe. Spika, haya mambo yanayoongelewa hapa si ya kweli. Dadangu Mhe. Muthoni amekuja hapa Bungeni kwa sababu hatujahusishwa. Hakuna kiongozi yeyote aliyeitwa, wala hakuna aliyepinga. Asiseme eti political leaders. Mimi sijawahi kuitwa, wala Mhe. Muthama au Mhe. Muthoni. Hao viongozi wengine ni akina nani, ilhali Kaunti ya Lamu iko na Constituency mbili na Women Representative mmoja peke yake? Hatu…

Order, Hon. Ruweida. Neno uongo halikubaliki hapa Bungeni.

Mhe. Spika, sasa niseme nini badala yake? Kwa sababu sio ukweli huo.

Badala yake, sema ukosefu wa ukweli.

[(Laughter)]

Well guided, Hon. Speaker. Jambo jingine linalotumika Lamu ni kwamba ukiuliza kama pengine kuna uzembe mahali, wanasema ni insecurity. Hakuna utovu wa usalama Lamu. Tunaishi na kuenda popote tunapotaka. Hapo Hindi, watu ni wengi na miradi pia ni mingi, kama vile LAPSSET. Utovu wa usalama unatokea wapi sasa? Wamekosa kusema ukweli, na badala yake kutumia kigezo cha utovu wa usalama. Ardhi, sijui ka…

Mwenyekiti.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. That is a confirmation that there is a problem in Lamu. I promise to give an undertaking that will make arrangements for…

Just inform the authorities. Hon. Ruweida is very fair. She is not saying that you are not doing the right thing, and neither is she saying you are doing the wrong thing; rather, she is saying that you should involve leaders, which is a very fair request.

I want to give an undertaking as the Chairman of the Committee, that we will make arrangements so that we can have the Cabinet Secretary or the Principal Secretary together with the leadership from Lamu, have a roundtable discussion on the same and find a lasting solution.

Thank you. Next is Hon. Kassim Tandaza. Oh, sorry. We will go back to Hon. Pukose. Is Hon. Mayaka in the House?

Yes.

Okay, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. GK. Hon. Tandaza, is that satisfactory?

Not at all, Hon. Speaker. This is a matter that has been here several times since 2022. We are dealing with persons affected, and who were awarded letters in 2013. The answer has always been the same in general. I attached a list of specific persons. I can read them because they complied with the kind of disputes and subdivisions that the Chairman referred to, and were 100 per cent compliant. The…

Hon. Zamzam

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to confine myself to the Question requested by Hon. Tandaza and on that other matter. The Member would be advised to do the right thing. He should request to appear before the Committee and we will process his issue.

On the Supplementary Question raised by Hon. Tandaza, what he has not told the House is that the total or the original number of PAP was 160. Out of that number, only nine have not been compensated in his constituency because this project touches on about four constituencies. I think it is a very fair effort by the KeNHA to have paid over 150 out of 160. For the nine remaining PAPs who have not be…

Thank you. Members, before I go to the next Member, allow me to acknowledge the following schools in the Public Gallery. They are: Maiuni Primary School, Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County; Kabianga Primary School, Belgut Constituency, Kericho County; Chantilly Schools, Kiambaa Constituency, Kiambu County; Mawingo Secondary School, Kipipiri Constituency, Nyandarua County; Murembu Secondary Sch…

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to invite the Kenya National Association for the Deaf. This is a national group that advocates and addresses the needs of the deaf community which has a population of 2.5 million. This is also the International Week of the Sign Language and the International Week of deaf awareness. Kenya is one of the most progressive countries that has a Co…

[(No.1 of 2024)]

Hon. Millie Odhiambo.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

[(Hon. Millie Odhiambo used Sign Language)]

Order!

I was trying to use Sign Language but discovered that on this, I am the one with a disability. Other than that, I want to welcome the Kenya Association for the Deaf to Parliament which is led by Mr Nixon Kakiri whom together, we served in the Central Committee of ODM. Given that this is the International Week of the Deaf, I congratulate Hon. Umulkher for the Bill that she is sponsoring. I hope Me…

Next is the Chairman of Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure in response to the Request for a Statement by Hon. Simon King’ara, the Member for Ruiru. Is Simon King’ara in the House?

Yes.

Where is he? Oh, there you are. Go ahead, Hon. Chairman.

[(Hon. Simon King’ara raised his hand)]

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On Wednesday, 31st July 2024, the Member for Ruiru Constituency, Hon. Simon King’ara, requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the collapsed Membley Bridge in Ruiru Constituency. Hon. King’ara in the Statement, indicated that the bridge serves as a critical link between the Eastern Bypass and th…

Six, further, the Ministry wishes to request Parliament to consider providing budgetary allocation for this bridge alongside other crucial areas similarly affected by the flooding that impacted most parts of the country earlier this year. The Ministry undertakes to construct the bridge as soon as funds are made available. Hon. Speaker, I submit.

Thank you. Hon. King’ara, are you satisfied?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for according me the opportunity to respond to the Statement from the Chairperson of the Committee of Transport and Infrastructure. I am comfortable with the first paragraph; they moved at a good speed and came up with an estimate. They have given us an alternative route to use as they work on the bridge. Unfortunately, they are sending us to the Northern Bypass and the Th…

Yes, GK?

Hon. Speaker, I sympathise with the situation that the people of Ruiru Constituency are facing. We have asked the Ministry to prioritise that project and avail any funds that are within their reach to address that challenge. Hon. King’ara's Constituency is one of the most populous ones in the country, if not the most populous, and we will push the Ministry officials to ensure that the bridge is r…

Thank you. Leader of the Majority Party give your Thursday Statement. Hon. Osoro, are you issuing the Statement on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party?

Yes, Hon. Speaker.

Go ahead.

I am holding brief for the Leader of the Majority Party for the usual Thursday Statement. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provision of Standing Order No.42 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, to prioritise business for consideration during the week. With regard to the business for Tuesday, next week,…

Thank you, Whip of the Majority Party. Hon. Members, before I call the next order, we acknowledge Nkubu Winners Academy, in the Public Gallery, from Imenti

South Constituency, Meru County. On my behalf and on behalf of the House, we welcome the students and their teachers to the House of Parliament. Next order.