Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 27 July 2023
Senator Orwoba used a personal statement to highlight a series of administrative obstacles she faced, including impersonation of her office, a failed passport/visa process that prevented her attendance at a UN Human Rights Council session, and delays in processing her bills. The Temporary Speaker addressed broader Senate concerns, noting the absence of two Cabinet Secretaries, commending the Labour Secretary, and announcing the first timely disbursement of the County Government Equitable Share for July. The debate reflected both frustration over procedural bottlenecks and positive steps in fiscal management. Senators debated the structure of the Project Identification and Implementation Committee and the administration of the Equalization Fund, arguing over whether senators should have representation and how the fund should be channeled to counties. Concerns were raised that the proposed law could undermine county governments and should instead provide conditional grants in line with Article 204. The exchange reflected both constructive suggestions and criticism of power‑sharing arrangements. Senators raised a petition highlighting disparities in hardship allowances between teachers in primary and secondary schools and inconsistencies in school zoning between counties. The Speaker directed the petition to the Standing Committee on Education and set a 60‑day response deadline, while also managing procedural matters such as points of order, statements, and seating arrangements for majority and minority sides. The session was largely procedural with brief expressions of concern over the alleged injustices.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, I am informed that we now have the quorum. So, kindly stop the Bell. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order. Hon. Senators, kindly hasten. I need to make some communications.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Several Senators walked into the Chamber)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Senators, I do have the following Communication to make. Over the last nine years, the Council of Governors, in conjunction with the Senate, the National Government and the County Governments, have hosted an annual Devolution Conference in various parts of the country. The Conferences have generated conversations around certain thematic areas of concern to the counties, nationally and global…
I have also the following Communication to make.
Sen. Methu, kindly, take your seat. I have a Petition to present. What is your point of order, Sen. Oketch Gicheru?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not a point of order, but just a point of clarification on the Communication about travel. Does this apply even during recess when the sitting of the House is not affected?
Yes, it applies for the term of your office.
Hon. Senators, I hereby report to the Senate that a Petition has been submitted to the Senate by teachers who are members of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and residents of Kilifi County concerning alleged discrimination by the Teachers Service Commission on payment of hardship allowance and enhanced housing allowance to teachers in Kilifi County. As you are aware, un…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this chance. I am a very big fan of Petitions. I find them to be effective and one of the quickest ways in which this House dispenses justice to the people that are represented through the representatives here. I have listened keenly to this Petition. It raises something that is both legal and extra-legal in the sense that it is a policy decision. The Com…
achievement over and above what these residents and the teachers of Kilifi are looking up to, so that the TSC, just like many other organizations that are yet to update their record, are guided by the constitutionally mandated organ for distribution of resources in this country.
Sen. Cherarkey, what is the problem?
[(Sen. Cherarkey resumed his seat)]
[(Laughter)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am done. That is the point that I wish that---
[(Sen. Cheruiyot’s microphone went off)]
Sen. Madzayo, you have the Floor. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :
Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, you have the Floor.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Having worked in Kilifi as a doctor, I would be failing if I do not stand in this House---
[(Sen. Madzayo, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda and Sen. Methu consulted loudly)]
Sen. Madzayo, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda and Sen. Methu, I call you to order.
Sen. Madzayo, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda and Sen. Methu, I call you to order.
Proceed, Sen. Wambua.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for saving us from Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. The matter raised by teachers from Kilifi County is important and weighty. I have listened carefully to what the Senate Majority Leader had to say about the payment of hardship allowances to teachers. I would like to implore that when the matter finally gets to the Committee to look at the matter beyond the teachers or Kilifi Coun…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for saving us from Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. The matter raised by teachers from Kilifi County is important and weighty. I have listened carefully to what the Senate Majority Leader had to say about the payment of hardship allowances to teachers. I would like to implore that when the matter finally gets to the Committee to look at the matter beyond the teachers or Kilifi Coun…
Proceed, Sen. Methu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me the opportunity to comment on this Petition. I would be betraying the teachers from Kilifi County if I choose to keep quiet. I have been a resident of the county so I know the areas that have been mentioned in that Petition. My colleagues have spoken about the injustices that are meted on different civil servants on issues of hardship allowance. Sen. (Dr.…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me the opportunity to comment on this Petition. I would be betraying the teachers from Kilifi County if I choose to keep quiet. I have been a resident of the county so I know the areas that have been mentioned in that Petition. My colleagues have spoken about the injustices that are meted on different civil servants on issues of hardship allowance. Sen. (Dr.…
Hon. Senators, I am afraid we have expended the 30 minutes allowable under Standing Order No. 237. Therefore, pursuant to Standing Order No. 238 (1) the Petition should be committed to the relevant standing Committee for its consideration. In this case, I direct that the same be committed to the Standing Committee on Education. In terms of Standing Order No. 238 (2) , the committee is required in…
Hon. Senators, I am afraid we have expended the 30 minutes allowable under Standing Order No. 237. Therefore, pursuant to Standing Order No. 238 (1) the Petition should be committed to the relevant standing Committee for its consideration. In this case, I direct that the same be committed to the Standing Committee on Education. In terms of Standing Order No. 238 (2) , the committee is required in…
Sen. Ali Roba, please proceed.
Sen. Ali Roba, please proceed.
Sen. Ogola, please proceed.
Sen. Ogola, please proceed.
Sen. Methu, please proceed to read the Statement on behalf of Sen. Kinyua. Next time be alert.
Sen. Methu, please proceed to read the Statement on behalf of Sen. Kinyua. Next time be alert.
Sen. Madzayo, proceed.
Sen. Madzayo, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to recognize the presence of pupils from Olkiramatian Primary School, which is in Magadi Ward, Kajiado West Sub County. I congratulate and welcome them to the Senate. Your Senator is Lenku Kanar Seki for those who are not aware. This is the Senate Chamber. I have two of our
Thank you, Hon. Senator, for that Report.
[(Interruption of debate on Statements)]
In keeping with the tradition that we have always set, I will allow Sen. Wakili Sigei to welcome the delegation from Bomet.
Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make. Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery, we have 105 students accompanied by three teachers, from Alsuhaim Girls’ High School –Kajiado County who are in the Senate on an educational tour. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Se…
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. You may not be able to see them. They look so beautiful. Yes! You can now see them. I wish to welcome the students from Kajiado to this House. I wish to encourage you as girls that this is a House where women participate on an equal basis. Women form nearly 30 per cent of the Senate. I wish to encourage our students from Kajiado--- I know Kajiado is one of the…
[(The students in the Public Gallery were projected on the screens)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights for the months of April to June, 2023.
During the period under reference, the Committee had 25 Sittings, at which it considered various legislative Proposals, Bills, Statements and held stakeholder engagements as set out below. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee conducted pre-publication scrutiny of four legislative proposals which were referred to the Committee pursuant to Standing Order No. 130(3)(a) of the Senate Standing Orders.
[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina) in the Chair]]
Madam Temporary Speaker, on Statements, the Committee considered three Statements during the reporting period. These are -
Thank you, Hon. Senator, for that Report.
[(Interruption of debate on Statements)]
Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make. Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery, we have 105 students accompanied by three teachers, from Alsuhaim Girls’ High School –Kajiado County who are in the Senate on an educational tour. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Se…
This comes at the hindsight of many issues being raised considering constitutional matters and the place of Opposition in this country. We want to move the Opposition from streets to come and do their job. The second and final observation is on the issue of review of election laws. You are aware the Selection Panel of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is ongoing. Your Com…
Thank you, Sen. Cherargei. We were on Statements. Let us have the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Sen. Murgor.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Standing Order No.56 (1)
Sen. Orwoba, do you have a Statement?
Imekataa. The Temporary Deputy Speaker (
Clerk, can you assist?
Madam Temporary Speaker, I also wish to join my two colleagues to welcome Kajiado girls. My advice to you is that discipline is 50 per cent of success. Please, girls, stay disciplined in order to achieve 50 per cent of your success. The rest is your effort to your education and respect to your parents and teachers. Be disciplined, respectful and hardworking for you to achieve your goals. Nothing …
[(Resumption of debate on Statements)]
Proceed, Sen. Cherargei.
Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to comment on the Statement by your Committee on Standing Order No.56. I thank Sen. Wakili Sigei. Yesterday the Senate Majority Leader raised a serious issue; that of tabling of statements by committees as being not just for the sake of it. You remember, whether you ruled or I was not there, the President had written to you and the National Assembly Speaker about c…
Madam Temporary Speaker, I have followed all processes in expressing my challenges or dissatisfaction on each and every matter that I have mentioned here to the extent that I have decided to now stand under Standing Order No.58 to give a Personal Statement. Concerning impersonation in my office, I have taken proper steps. I have reported to the police and it is now a matter under investigation. I…
Thank you, Sen. Cherargei. We were on Statements. Let us have the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Sen. Murgor.
Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.58 to make a Personal Statement on my participation in the United Nations 53rd Human Rights Council Session on Menstrual Health and Gender Discrimination. If you allow me, I think I have 15 minutes. On 14th May, 2023, I was invited to participate in the United Nations 53rd Human Rights Council Session in Geneva. This was based on all t…
Following up with the relevant offices, I found out that my passport had not been submitted and no application had been made. Because of that, I was unable to travel to go and carry out my legislative and advocacy agenda. Madam Temporary Speaker, that made me to start reflecting on many incidences that have been happening to me in Parliament. As new legislators, sometimes we do not understand how…
I must acknowledge the challenge we have for non-appearance of a number of Cabinet Secretaries. I pointed out yesterday that the House was terribly disappointed by the two Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs for their late request for permission not to appear before the Senate. We commended the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; hon. Floren…
No, Madam Temporary Speaker. The nature of this Personal Statement is on the challenges I am experiencing as a legislator and I have been guided to steer clear of mentioning names, but just give my challenges and explain the story, which is what I am doing. It is permitted under Standing Order No.58.
I was only inquiring so that we see whether--- Have you ventilated in other platforms?
Madam Temporary Speaker, I have followed all processes in expressing my challenges or dissatisfaction on each and every matter that I have mentioned here to the extent that I have decided to now stand under Standing Order No.58 to give a Personal Statement. Concerning impersonation in my office, I have taken proper steps. I have reported to the police and it is now a matter under investigation. I…
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. The Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No. 14 of 2023) was published on 12th April, 2023, and read for the First Time in the Senate in the sitting held on Thursday 14th May, 2023. Thereafter, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Bill was committed to the Standing Committee of Finance and Budget for consideratio…
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table approached the Chair)]
Hon. Senator, have you moved the Bill yet? You better proceed and move.
Thank you Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) to present the business of the Senate for the week that commences Tuesday, 1st August, 2023. The legislative business before the Senate includes a total of 22 Senate Bills and two National Assembly Bills. Out of these Bills, 17 are at the Second Reading stage while seven are at the Committee of the Whole stage. A furth…
Madam Temporary Speaker, the Equalization Fund (Administration) Bill (Senate Bill No. 14 of 2023) was published on the 12th April 2023, and read for the First Time in the Senate in the sitting held on Thursday 14th May, 2023. Thereafter, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Bill was committed to the Standing Committee of Finance and Budget for consideration. The B…
[(Administration Bill 2023)]
I must acknowledge the challenge we have for non-appearance of a number of Cabinet Secretaries. I pointed out yesterday that the House was terribly disappointed by the two Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs for their late request for permission not to appear before the Senate. We commended the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; hon. Floren…
Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you will be able to ask our good friend, Gov. Ochillo- Ayacko, to give an account of the resources we devolved to Migori County in the last financial year. We shall take good time to study his use of resources and whether they have been prudent; how much money went to development and recurrent expenditures. Did it benefit the people that you represent in this House? That audi…
Thank you, Sen. Cheruiyot for the well-stated Statement. We now proceed to the next Order. I want to reorganize the Order Paper under Standing Order No. 45. I request the Clerk to call out Order No. 15. I did not see any Senators interested in reacting to the Statement. That is why we are moving to Order No. 15