Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, I am informed we do have quorum now. Kindly stop the Bell. Clerk, please call out the first Order.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Sen. Madzayo walked into the Chamber)]

Sen. Madzayo, kindly take your seat. You are the one holding us.

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of visiting Members of the Committee

on Delegated Legislation and the secretariat from Nyandarua County Assembly who are in the Senate for a five-day benchmarking visit with our counterparts. I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out so that you may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition.

[(Applause)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation who are in the Senate for a one-day visit. They are in the country through an invitation of Sen. Orwoba. The Invictus Games Foundation was founded in 2013 by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, to celebrate the unconquered human spirit, and shin…

Asante, Bw. Spika. Nataka kuungana nawe kuwakaribisha ndugu zetu waheshimiwa kutoka Kaunti ya Nyandarua. Kaunti ya Nyandarua ni jirani na Kaunti ya Laikipia. Seneta wao ni Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Ardhi, Mazingira na Mali Asili. Ni kiongozi ambaye tunatambua kwenye shughuli za kikazi. Ni mtu anayefanya kazi nzuri kama Seneta. Ni hakika watajifunza mambo mengi katika Seneti. Kazi ya Seneti ni kuang…

[(Sen. Cherarkey consulted loudly)]

Order, Sen. Cherarkey. Sen. Orwoba, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I extend a warm welcome to the Invictus Games Delegation. I know they are here with the blessings of Prince Harry. They are here to engage the Kenyan stakeholders to ensure that Kenya become the second African country to join the Invictus Games. We have soldiers who have gone out to serve this country and ensure we have peace and stability. They also guard our border…

Before the Clerk calls the Next Order, I have another Communication to make.

Hon. Senators, in the public gallery we have 64 students accompanied by four teachers from Moi Girls Kamusinga Bungoma County who are in the Senate on an education tour.

Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. I will allow the Senator of Bungoma to say a few words under one minute to welcome them. Proceed Sen. Wafula.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii ya kuwakaribisha waalimu wenzangu ambao wameongoza kikosi cha mabinti wenye nishati mpwito mpwito. Wamezuru Seneti siku ya leo kujionea kwa macho yale yanayoajiri hapa. Shule hii imo miongoni mwa shule zinazobobea kimasomo katika Kaunti ya Bungoma. Ni shule mojawapo ambayo kiongozi wa akina mama Mhe. Catherine Wambilianga alizindua mchakato wa kuboresh…

Hon. Senators, if I call upon you to make welcome remarks and I tell you to do that under one minute, the timer will be switched on. After one minute, your microphone will go off. I have seen quite a number of us are truly abusing that privilege. Next Order.

Hon. Senators, I hereby report to the Senate that a Petition has been submitted through the Clerk by Mr. Kerich Kipronoh Hillary, a resident

of Nyangores Ward, Chepalungu Constituency in the County of Bomet, concerning catastrophic maize diseases that farmers in Bomet County have endured for the last 12 years. As you are aware, under Article 119(1) of the Constitution- “Every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including enacting amending or repealing and legislation.” Hon. Senators,…

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir. This is a Petition to the Senate by residents of Kajiado East and Kajiado West Sub-counties concerning the rampant livestock theft in the region and Kajiado County at large. We, the undersigned citizens of the Republic of Kenya and residents of Kajiado East and West Sub-counties, draw the attention of the Senate to the following: THAT, the livestock industry holds im…

So, as I have already directed on these two Petitions, we will pick two Senators from both sides to make the interventions. I will start with Sen. Madzayo. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This Petition is timely. I congratulate the petitioner, Mr. Kerich Kiprono Hillary, for having faith in the Senate and petitioning on the issue of maize. As you are aware, majorly, my region of the North Rift which includes Nandi, Bomet among other areas; grows a lot of maize. This maize is eaten all over the country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This Petition is timely. I congratulate the petitioner, Mr. Kerich Kiprono Hillary, for having faith in the Senate and petitioning on the issue of maize. As you are aware, majorly, my region of the North Rift which includes Nandi, Bomet among other areas; grows a lot of maize. This maize is eaten all over the country.

Proceed, Sen. Mumma.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me an opportunity to speak to both Statements. The challenges raised by both Petitioners in Bomet and Kajiado counties, call to the Senate to emphasize on the need for functional inter-governmental relations between the national and county government. In the first instance, the Bomet County case, you are talking of the function of research and standards. …

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for allowing me an opportunity to speak to both Statements. The challenges raised by both Petitioners in Bomet and Kajiado counties, call to the Senate to emphasize on the need for functional inter-governmental relations between the national and county government. In the first instance, the Bomet County case, you are talking of the function of research and standards. …

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Asante, Bw. Spika. Kwanza ninaunga mkono Ardhilhali iliyoletwa na watu wa Kaunti za Kajiado na Bomet. Ingawa tunajitahidi kufanya ukulima wa mahindi na mimea mingine, shida kubwa ambayo tuko nayo ni wadudu, viwavi na ndege wanaoharibu mimea. Ni vizuri tuwashike mkono wakulima haswa wa mahindi, kwa sababu hicho ndicho chakula ambacho kinaliwa sana nchini. Tunafaa kuwapa dawa na pembejeo zinazofaa …

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No. 238

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No. 238

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of this Senate today, 29th June, 2023: The Central Bank of Kenya Supervision Annual Report for the Year 2021.

[(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale laid the document on the Table)]

The Chairperson Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

The Chairperson Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Sen. Dullo, please proceed.

Sen. Dullo, please proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 29th June, 2023: - Report of the Senate delegation to the 67th session of the Commission on the status of women (CSW 67) .

Next order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion that the Senate notes the report of the Senate delegation to the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York from 6th March, 2023 to 17th March, 2023 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday 29th June, 2023.

Next order.

Next order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the abnormal rise in accreditation of new clinics and health facilities across the country by the Board of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) after the rollout of Universal Health Coverage programme. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand because I want to seek permission to read a Statement which was dropped previously because I had an engagement with the Principal Secretary for Mining and I came a little bit late. I seek your indulgence to allow me to read it today.

Sen. Mwaruma, the practice is that once your Statement is dropped, you do a letter addressed to the Speaker seeking for its reinstatement. I have not seen that letter. However, being the last day, I will save you. You will proceed to read your statement. Do you have it with you?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have it with me.

Proceed.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget concerning the status of release of funds for construction of Taita-Taveta County Headquarters. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.

Proceed, Sen. Crystal Asige.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have two Statements. Can I start with either?

Yes.

Yes.

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 regarding retesting of public service and commercial vehicle drivers upon expiry of their driving licences. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Proceed, Sen. Omogeni.

Proceed, Sen. Omogeni.

Proceed, Sen. Omogeni.

Proceed, Sen. Omogeni.

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Proceed, Sen. Sifuna.

Proceed, Sen. Sifuna.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to request for a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social

Next Order.

Next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 57 (1) to hereby present the business of the Senate for the week commencing 18th July, 2023. As you are aware, on Tuesday we passed a Motion that the House will proceed on a recess at the rise of the House, later this afternoon and be back on the 18th July,2023. Hon. Members, this is to bring your attention that today we conclude…

This shows great improvement at this time. I urge us to continue with the same spirit in service to the people who entrusted us to represent their interest in this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as indicated in todays Order Paper, at Order Nos. 8, 9 and 11, they are division at the Second Reading and Committee of the Whole stage. I urge our party Whips from both sides of the House to mobilize the requi…

Next Order, Clerk.

Next Order, Clerk.

Next.

Next.

Hon. Senators, we have deferred about five Bills that were to proceed to Division, owing to the lack of the requisite numbers of delegations. This is the last day after which we will go for a two weeks’ recess. I urge both sides of the House to take this opportunity and reflect on the very reason why we are in this Senate. One of the key reasons why we are in this Senate is to make laws. I have …

in the Chamber. Therefore, we have to defer six Bills that would have sailed through in Division until after recess. Hon. Senators, this is your House and your business. Please purpose to make sure that once we have a Bill committed, we take it all the way to avoid clogging the legislative Calendar. We are going to resume business on the Mung Beans Bill. I can see Sen. Maanzo. (Interruption of d…

Regarding the Mung Beans Bill, I now call upon the Mover to reply.

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

[(Applause)]

Apologies. Sen. Mungatana, you may proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make a small contribution to this Bill. The great Senator for Kitui who sponsored this Bill is my neighbour. Tana River County is a neighbour to Kitui. When he talks about growing mung beans, it is the same climatic region that we are talking about. I, therefore, stand here to strongly support this Bill. We have seen other sect…

Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to point out two specific areas of the Bill, which we must support. I do not know where my spectacles are. I do not know maybe the opposition has taken them.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to point out two specific areas of the Bill, which we must support. I do not know where my spectacles are. I do not know maybe the opposition has taken them.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

What is your point of order, Sen. Sifuna?

Sifuna, bwana. Acha!

Madam Temporary Speaker, we are not allowed to be imputing ulterior or bad motives on our colleagues here. Can the Senator withdraw because he does not realize he was on HANSARD. He has insinuated that members of the Opposition have relieved him of some of his property. Now that it has been found, I think he needs to withdraw and apologise. We are not thieves.

(CECMs) in determining appropriate areas for the establishment of local, regional and international markets.” The Chinese and all those in the Indian areas consume these things seriously. So, you can imagine the market and the production from where is organized so that it is targeted at Chinese market. How many peasant farmers will start earning good money for the efforts they make? Madam Tempora…

I now call upon the Mover to reply.

(CECMs) in determining appropriate areas for the establishment of local, regional and international markets.” The Chinese and all those in the Indian areas consume these things seriously. So, you can imagine the market and the production from where is organized so that it is targeted at Chinese market. How many peasant farmers will start earning good money for the efforts they make? Madam Tempora…

The passion of the Chair and the team he led including the Senator for Embu County, Sen. Munyi Mundigi, the Senator for Bungoma County, Sen. Wafula and my sister the nominated Senator for Kitui County, Sen. Beth Syengo and myself, led to a very successful public participation exercise in those areas. On behalf of the areas we visited, I thank the team very much. This Bill advances the cause of ma…

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to Reply. I begin where my brother, my friend, my neighbour, the Senator of Tana River has left. It is an open secret that ndengu farmers and many farmers of legumes in our country have been both oppressed and segregated over a long period of time. A time has come that we must lift that yoke of segregation and oppression as a country. We ar…

It is so deferred.

[(Putting of question on the Bill deferred)]

Conversations about providing relief food to sections in the country shall stop. Conversations about basic ailments caused by poor nutrition, children not going to school for lack of food, and our military going without food because there is no supply will come to an end. I want to implore on my colleagues that when this Bill is finally put to a vote, as many or more who have supported the Bill c…

It is so deferred.

[(Putting of question on the Bill deferred)]

Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery, we have 43 students accompanied by two teachers from Friends School, Bwake Boys in Trans Nzoia County. They are in the Senate on an education tour.

In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. Thank you.

[(Applause)]

Madam Temporary Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome my school from Bwake. Just a word of encouragement to my people; as you look at us here, I encourage you that one day, you can be here. That is if you work hard, put God first and, of course, respect your teachers and follow what they teach you. You know me as your Senator and as one of the youngest Senators in this country. As I look at…

[(Laughter)]

hard and put God first. I also send a word of thanks to your parents, sisters and maybe even some of you, who might have voted for me. As my neighbour Senator has said, I will give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Karibuni sana.

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.45 on sequence of proceedings, I wish to direct that the Order Paper be reorganised so that we move to Order No.19.

hard and put God first. I also send a word of thanks to your parents, sisters and maybe even some of you, who might have voted for me. As my neighbour Senator has said, I will give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Karibuni sana.

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.45 on sequence of proceedings, I wish to direct that the Order Paper be reorganised so that we move to Order No.19.

Breakfast, I have got very close friends in the American Congress and in the American Senate. I remember recently, Sen. Chris Coons was here in Kenya. The Senate was on recess. I received him on behalf of the Senate one evening. Sen. Chris Coons, the Senator for Delaware is one of the big movers in the American Senate. He inherited the seat of the current President which had been occupied for man…

Proceed, Sen. Munyi Mundigi.

Breakfast, I have got very close friends in the American Congress and in the American Senate. I remember recently, Sen. Chris Coons was here in Kenya. The Senate was on recess. I received him on behalf of the Senate one evening. Sen. Chris Coons, the Senator for Delaware is one of the big movers in the American Senate. He inherited the seat of the current President which had been occupied for man…

Proceed, Sen. Munyi Mundigi.

Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery we have 45 students accompanied by four teachers from St. Theresa's Girls School in Samburu County who are in the Senate on an education tour. In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit. I thank you. I now wish to invite …

Madam Temporary Speaker, I apologise. I get a bit disoriented when I am interrupted as I am trying to orient myself. In any case, I beg to move- THAT the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bills No. 7 of 2023) now be read a Second Time.

Sen. Crystal Asige will have a balance of 59 minutes when we resume.