Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, we now have quorum now. Clerk, kindly call the first order. Proceed, Sen. Mumma. We will defer that Order.

[(The Quorum bell was rung)]

Geneva, Switzerland from 23rd to 27th March 2024 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 30th May, 2024.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topic concern; namely, drawing the attention of this House to two significant observances in the month of May – The International Day of the End Obstetric Fistula, observed last week on May, 23rd with the theme: Breaking the Cycle Preventing Fistula World Wide and Mental Awareness Month which…

You may proceed with your second Statement.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my second statement is on the ongoing evictions and demolitions in Mathare and Mukuru kwa Reuben areas of Nairobi County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, regarding the actions being taken by the Government of Kenya, concerning evictions and demolitio…

[(Loud consultations)]

Order! Hon. Senators may Sen. Hamida be heard in silence.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. In the statement, the committee should:

Order, hon. Senators! Before I call for request for statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53, allow me to make the following communication.

and inclusive prosperity in Kenya.” To this end, the business community and hon. Senators will seek to set the legislative interventions for 2024 between the private sector and the Senate that is aimed at boosting county economic competitiveness. Focus areas under this theme will be as follows-

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to join you and my colleagues in welcoming the students and teachers from Baringo High School in Baringo County. I am proud to announce to this House that this is one of our best schools in our county. In Baringo, we have two national schools: Baringo High School and Ossen High School. I am glad that the form four students are in the House to see what happens i…

I wish to thank those who planned the visit to the Senate and as they go back, I wish them a safe journey all the way to Baringo. Whatever they have learnt today, I advise them to apply that in their day today lives in their school. We always speak about the leaders of tomorrow. I assure the young men of form four that at some point in time, they shall be leaders of tomorrow. They should work har…

Thank you for your speech. Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Sen. Tabitha Mutinda.

[(Resumption of Statements)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the deplorable state of maternity services at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi County. In this statement, the committee should:

Sen. Orwoba Gloria.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This is my request for Statement on the sanitary towels programme for the financial year 2023/2024. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget concerning expenditure of the budgetary allocations to the Sanitary Towels Programme for the financial year 2023/2024. In the Statement, the committee shou…

Sen. Mumma, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding obstetric fistula, a critical public health crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls in Kenya. In the statement, the committee should:

Sen. Chimera, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the management and operation of Mbele Primary School, which is located in Mackinnon Town, Kwale County, and is currently being administered by the County Government of Taita Taveta. In the statement, the committee should:

Sen. Faki, proceed.

Bw. Spika, nashukuru kwa kunipa nafasi hii kwa niaba ya Mhe. Faki ili niombe taarifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Elimu. Nimesimama kuambatana na Kanuni ya Kudumu ya 53 (1) kuomba taarifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Elimu kuhusu malipo ya malimbikizo kwa walimu waliostaafu kutoka Tume ya Kuajiri Walinu (TSC) . Katika taarifa hiyo, kamati:

Sen. Wakili Sigei, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise on behalf of Sen. Wakili Sigei. I have two statements. I will start with the first one. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing regarding the procurement and management of road construction machinery by the County Government of Bomet. In the financial year 2022/2023, the C…

Additionally, this supplementary budget was introduced without public participation, which contradicts the stipulations under Article 10 of the Constitution and Sections 87 and 115 of the County Government Act, as well as sections 516 (1) of the Bomet County Public Participation Act, 2019. Further, in continuous contravention of the Presidential Executive Order No.2 of 2018 on procurement of good…

Sen. Joe Nyutu proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the upward review, by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) of water tariffs in Murang’a County. In the statement, the committee should:

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Proceed, Sen. Miraj.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations regarding reported cases of attacks targeting women drivers operating taxi-hailing services. In the statement, the committee should:

Sen. Chute, this had been deferred because of the absence of Sen. Mumma. You will comment after Sen. Mumma has dealt with her business. There is a Paper that was to be laid. You may now proceed to lay the Paper, Sen. Mumma.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today 30th May, 2024- Report of the Kenya delegation to the 148th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland from 23rd to 27th March,

Sen. Mumma, you may also proceed to give notice of Motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir---

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This is a House of order and you have done a great job in maintaining order. I would like to bring to your attention Standing Order No.117 (2) which, for avoidance of doubt, states as follows- “No Senator shall pass between the Chair and any Senator who is speaking or between the Chair and the Table except in so far as it is necessary for the purpose of the …

[(Sen. Cheruiyot spoke off record)]

Order, Senate Majority Leader. The Chair can defend himself. Hon. Senator for Homa Bay, none of these Senators who have approached the Chair has come between the Chair and the Senator speaking. Senators that have approached this Chair have done so with permission from the Chair. Sen. Mumma, proceed to give your Notice of Motion.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Kenya delegation to the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland from 23rd to 27th March, 2024 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 30th May, 2024.

I thank you.

Hon. Senators, I will allow limited interventions on the statements, starting with Sen. Boni.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to seek further clarification on the issue raised about Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. It is an oxymoron that the Governor of Nairobi City County can purport to wish to end the suffering of young people by attempting to give them lunch when, on the other hand, he sees nothing wrong in arresting and jailing newborn babies in that hospital. If you go to that hospital, you will …

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am a little bit shocked to hear some of the vocabulary coming from a senior Member of this House like Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, the Senator for Kakamega County. I thought my hearing was---

Under what Standing Order are you raising your point of order?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is Standing Order No.1. I would like you to guide the House if the words “twerking” and “gyrating” are---

Order, Sen. Crystal Asige.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is Standing Order No.101. I appreciate the support from Members. Mr. Speaker, Sir, could you guide the good Senator if the words “gyrating” and “twerking” are parliamentary language? He is a doctor and holds a First-Class medal under the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) and other accolades. Is it okay to use such words, especially when we have impressionable young students in…

Sen. Crystal Asige, I thought the Senator was referring to a material on TikTok. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, could you make yourself clear?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, despite the attempts by the Senator to try and take you to a wrong route, you have kept the real path. This is not a joke.

Allow me to clarify to Sen. Crystal Asige. I was not elected to come to the Senate to teach English on the Floor of this House. The words “twerking” and “gyrating” are not offensive. They describe movements that dancers make. In twerking---

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, hon. Senators! Why is there a lot of excitement? Proceed, Senator.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, when twerking, a dancer is seen moving their hips rhythmically up and down. When gyrating, a dancer swings their hips in circles. In an era where we see people twerking and gyrating their hips and telling us how they are making money, we would like the statement to go further and demand that names of companies and their directors, that were given tenders be brought because we su…

Sen. Osotsi, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to comment on the statement by the Senator for Murang’a, Sen. Joe Nyutu, on the issue of upward review of water tariffs in Murang’a County.

[(Loud consultations)]

Hon. Senators, at this juncture, allow me to rearrange the sequence of the Order Paper. We move to handle Order No. 12 and thereafter, we will resume the normal flow of today’s business. Meaning, I will still allow Members who wish to make comments on these statements to do so. Clerk, proceed to call that Order.

Hon. Senators, the results of the division are as follows-

I now order that the Doors be opened and the Bars be drawn. Hon. Senators, we will resume the normal flow of today's Order Paper. We were making comments on the Statements that had been raised. Before we take comments, I will allow Sen. Tabitha to present her request for a Statement. We are doing this because we know today is the last day before we break for recess.

[(The Bars were drawn and Doors opened)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding fishing activities in Lake Nakuru National Park that led to the shooting of four young men at Barut Area of Nakuru West. In this Statement, the Committee should-

Before we move to comments, allow me to make this Communication.

Hon. Senators, I wish to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon of visiting teachers and students from Kericho High School in Kericho County. The delegation comprises three teachers and 41 students who are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them…

Hon. Senators, I would also like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon of six students from the Institute of Certified Studies (ICS) Technical College in Nairobi County. They are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Sena…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I proudly declare that this is my Alma Mater. Therefore, these students are in the right institution and have made the right decision to visit the Senate. I was in that school from year 2001 to 2004. It sounds very many years ago for Sen. Eddy, Sen. Cherarkey or Sen. Methu who is saying that it was a long time ago. However, to the likes of my good friend the Clerk of the Senate,…

We now go back to the comments. Sen. Ledama?

[(Resumption of debate on Statements)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to make some observations and comments on the Statement issued by my dear sister Sen. Hamida Kibwana. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although the Statement is very important because it talks about the welfare of young Kenyans, I think it is about time that we stopped being reactive and became proactive. When we are reactive, we blame everybody for what is happening t…

should send more money to our counties. We should fight for more money to go to our counties so that we stop this rural-urban migration. I have been to many parts of the industrial area in Nairobi. You will find that places where there were no dumpsites are now dumpsites. When people are moved from the river banks or the land adjacent to the rivers, it cleans up the environment. I think we need …

Sen. Wamatinga, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Statement sought by Sen. Kibwana. Indeed, our physical planning in the last 60 years has not only

failed us but also future generations. I agree with my colleague, the Senator for Narok, that we must plan our future cities to accommodate both current and future generations. Successful Governments have been unable to make this unpopular decision to protect the riparian land. I would want to commend the Government that as much as it is a painful thing to do, it is equally more painful and destr…

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Statement by Sen. Kibwana. In the last few weeks, I have been involved in the response effort toward those affected by floods. It is perturbing to see a number of families struggling. I want to be cautious and not politicize this matter. The Committee can devise a way of communicating a proper intervention during this response time and during recovery. I sup…

Sen. Methu, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I want to make quick comments on the two Statements. One has been sought by my neighbor, and the other by the Senator for Nakuru, Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Tabitha Keroche, on the shooting of four young men in the Baruti area in Nakuru West. It is a sad state of affairs that people who were out to make a living to feed their families met these …

There should be a permanent solution to this menace. More dangerously, so what about the fishing that is happening? Fish is being sold. I come from a constituency that is next to the lake. How sure am I that the fish that the people of Nyandarua and Kinangop are taking does not have these metals that are causing the cancer of the brain and several other parts of the body? The county government and…

Proceed, Sen. Kathuri.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to make a brief comment. Since I am mentoring Sen. Oketch Gicheru to be a very good legislator, you do not support a Statement, you just comment. You comment either positively or negatively, but you do not support a Statement. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to make a brief comment on a Statement sought by the Senator for Nakuru County. Since I have little …

this information from the good Senator for Nakuru, who is aspiring to be the next governor. I can see she is overworking. There is this recommendation by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, what is the Government doing to make sure that, that is implemented? The County Government of Nakuru should also protect its people and be accountable because the people in Nakuru belong to Naku…

Hon. Senators, the 30 minutes allowable under Standing Orders, more particularly Standing Order No.53 (3) , have long been spent. We shall therefore rest it right there. Now, before I call the Majority Leader to make his Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , two Papers are supposed to be laid. There is a report by the Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations. Also,…

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 30th May, 2024- Report of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defense, and Foreign Relations, on the Fire and Rescue Services Professionals Bill, 2023, (Senate Bills No. 55 of 2023) . I thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 30th May, 2024- The Report on the 14th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly and related meetings of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes held in Livingston, Zambia from 15th to 19th April, 2024; on behalf of the Head of Delegation, Sen. Ali Roba, EGH, MP.

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

Thank you. Do you have another Paper to lay?

I have a Notice of Motion on the same.

You may proceed to give the notice.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also beg to give Notice of Motion on the Report of the 14th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly and related meetings of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region held in Livingston, Zambia from 15th to 19th April, 2024. Mr. Speaker, sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the report of the 14th Ord…

Before the Senate Majority Leader takes the Floor, I have a Communication to make.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Nakuru. I know that this is a good school. I would like to tell them to make use of this opportunity because during our time, we did not have the advantage of visiting the Senate and the National Assembly. They should make use of the opportunity that they have to expand their knowledge. We wish them the best in thei…

[(Resumption of Statements)]

The Senate Majority Leader. Proceed to make your Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) .

Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No. 57 (1) , I hereby present the business of the Senate for the week commencing Tuesday, 25th June, 2024. As hon. Senators are aware, in accordance with the Calendar for the Third Session, at the rise of the Senate today, the Senate will proceed on recess until Tuesday, 25th June,

[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair]]

Clerk, next order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, the National Assembly Amendments to the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Bill (Senate Bill No. 9 of 2022) be now considered. I observed a few days ago that we are entering a very beautiful phase of our legislative journey. To the best of my recollection, this is the fifth or sixth mediation reports that I am moving before…

[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]

This is to ensure that we professionalize and observe these standards similarly across all our 47 counties. I like the fact that we are now standardizing the approach of these matters across all our 47 counties. Before this, there were counties which would set a process and other counties would choose a different procedure. Therefore, I like that. Clause 5 is inserting words, which includes the n…

counties and those of our colleagues in the National Assembly who might represent other entities. Therefore, I congratulate both teams that sat down in this mediation exercise. I urge our colleagues to support this exercise. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, I beg to move. I ask the Senator for Kakamega County, the Senate Majority Whip, to second.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This is the said Senator for Kakamega County, invited by the Senate Majority Leader to second the Motion. I agree and rise to do so. Whereas, Senate Majority Leader has taken a fairly reasonable short time, but seriously speaking, this is a procedural matter. Being procedural matter, the good comments and the comments adding value that the Senate Majority Le…

[(Question proposed)]

Hon. Members, I have seen a good number of you with requests. I believe these requests are towards the Motion that has just been moved by the Senate Majority Leader. I will start by inviting Sen. Mungatana, MGH.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, may I pass because I think I have been given the wrong Motion.

From my dash board, I have Sen. Oketch Gicheru. Senator, you have requested to speak to this particular Motion. Unless you pass as well? Sen. Methu? Hon. Members, it appears there is no member who is interested in speaking to this particular Motion. In the circumstances then, I will direct that the mover proceeds to reply. Senate Majority Leader, proceed to reply.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thank you for this opportunity. I sympathize with the young Senator from Nyandarua. He wanted an opportunity to speak to this Motion because he is a man who is involved in many businesses across various counties. Therefore, this law affects him specifically. However, allow me to reply on his behalf and say perhaps what he would have said, that this is great progress …

[(Sen. Methu spoke off record)]

I do not mind.

Sen. Methu let me first confirm whether the Senate Majority Leader is willing to be informed by you, sir.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you know I found Sen. Methu from Nyamakima where he was working as a trader. When you are doing any law on licenses, he knows this matter very well. Therefore, I shall do very well with his advice.

Very well, Sen. Methu, proceed to inform the Senate Majority Leader.

[(Sen. Cheruiyot’s seat broke)]

Sorry to the Senate Majority Leader. Metaphorically, I once heard that in my county where the then powerful Minister for Finance came from; on one of his trips, the flag of his car fell off and it was an indication that his days as Minister were almost coming to an end. I imagine that it is not the same for the seat of the Senate Majority Leader. Without running the risk of being seen to contribu…

Is it a comment or a point of information? Proceed to inform the Senate Majority Leader.

It is not a comment. I am informing my elder brother from Kericho County. First, this mediated version is giving birth to a law, that will become a solution to some of the very pertinent issues that are serving but hurting our people. He was actually on that point when he was contributing. Case in point, for the last about three, to five weeks, there has been a big physical battle between traders…

Now that we are passing this to become law, it will bring uniformity, sobriety, and eliminate a small route that has been used by finance committees in the county assemblies and executives that send these memorandums. This is where they get a small clique of people to conduct public participation and when you ask the traders if this public participation was conducted, no one can stand up and say t…

Sen. Cheruiyot, proceed to conclude on your reply. I believe you have been informed.

I am not sure whether I have been informed or misinformed. However, it is always good to learn. Therefore, with those many remarks, I beg to reply. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in accordance to Standing Order No.66 (3) , I request that you defer the putting of a question until a later date.

[(Putting of the Question on the Motion deferred)]

Next Order. Hon. Senators, we will have to rearrange the Order Paper so that we progress with the business that is ready for transaction. Therefore, Order Nos. 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are deferred to the next sitting.

Clerk, proceed to call the next Order.

This Bill was moved by Sen. Kibwana. At the time the House rose, Sen. Tobiko had 16 minutes to conclude her submissions. I do not seem to see Sen. Tobiko in the House. Therefore, I will pass. There are requests by Sen. Mandago, Sen. Eddie and Sen. Orwoba. I do not know whether you desire to speak to this Bill as well. Fair enough. I will therefore ask Sen. Kibwana, who is the Mover of this Bill,…

[(Sen. Mandago spoke off record)]

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate my colleagues who contributed to this Bill. I took note of every contribution that they made. I relate to Sen. Mumma’s contribution on the need to put in place a system so that Kenyans are not defrauded by the Government. There is also need to allow digitization to be left squarely for people using the system. I also appreciate Sen. Mungatana because he s…

Thank you, Sen. Kibwana. Division on this particular Bill is deferred to the next sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No. 66 (3) . Hon. Members, I will further rearrange the Order Paper, so that we have the Motion by Sen. Cheptumo, which has been pending for a long time. Clerk, call out that particular Order so that Sen. Cheptumo can prosecute it.

[(Putting of the question on the Bill deferred)]

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the National Government through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and in collaboration with the Council of Governors:

Before this Motion was deferred, Sen. Murgor had a balance of six minutes. Since he is not in the House, I will therefore permit Sen. Cheptumo, who is the Mover, to reply.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me a chance to reply to this Motion. It has been on our Order Paper for a very long time. When I got indisposed, I was unable to finalise. This Motion received overwhelming support from Members of this House. Out of all Members who spoke to this Motion, nobody opposed it. All Members who supported this Motion justified that banditry and cattle rus…

Therefore, three questions arise: has cattle rustling caused a serious disruption of the functioning of the community or society? The answer is yes, in fact, a big yes. Two; has cattle rustling caused widespread human, material, and economic loss and suffering? Again, the answer is in the affirmative. Thirdly, does the suffering caused by cattle rustling exceed the ability of affected communities …

Sen. Cherarkey, what is your point of order? Sen. Cheptumo, please resume your seat.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know you are finishing. However, under Standing Order No. 105, I do not know what the senior meant by saying that the CDF died because of this menace. I wish he rephrased and said: He died because he had visited there to fight cattle rustling so that, there is no confusion. You know it is a very sensitive matter.

I thank you.

Very well. Sen. Cheptumo, proceed.

Thank you, my learned junior, Sen. Cherarkey. You are right. I think I had earlier said that our CDF was trying to visit the schools that were destroyed by the bandits and in the process, he lost his life together with the other officers. So, it is true that he died in the process of helping the situation. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I had said that when this Motion is passed, I will appeal to th…

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.84 (1) , I have determined that the matter does not affect counties. Therefore, I will proceed to put the question. Hon. Members, having concluded on that particular Motion, we will go back to Order No.18. Clerk, please, call out that Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Majority Whip, are you moving this Motion?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Proceed. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to Move- That pursuant to Standing Order No.31 (23) the Senate adjourns until Tuesday, 25th June, 2024.

Standing Order No.31 states that- “(1) Except for the Session commencing immediately after a general election, regular Sessions of the Senate shall commence on the second Tuesday of February and terminate on the first Thursday of December.” In Standing Order No. 31(3) – “(3) Subject to paragraph (1), the Senate shall continue to be in session and may adjourn for such number of days as it may deter…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I stand to support, and Second the Motion moved by the Senate Majority Whip. We have had a marathon engagement as a House since January. We have transacted crucial business for this House. It is high time that Members take a rest. Considering the fact that we have had torrential rains, which have caused havoc in quite a number of places in this country, it i…

Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, you are meant to Second the Motion. If you need to contribute further to the debate on adjournment, do it later.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I am well guided. I Second.

[(Question proposed)]

I will invite Members to contribute to this Motion of Adjournment. I will start with Sen. Mungatana, MGH.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Motion. As I always say, the independence of this House was earned. People imagine that we just go and come back. In the Constitutional history of this country, we were there when the President had absolute power. If something is happening in this House that the President does not like, he had the prerogative to dissolve this House. If it was a M…

Mr Temporary Speaker, Sir, as we go to our various counties, I take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to the people of Tana River for having elected me and all the contributions and for the wonderful people that we have met here. I know very many of us have been going over the weekends, but now we have a longer opportunity to consult. We shall look at the issues that are facing us and one…

Thank you, Sen. Mungatana.

Hon Members, I still have a list of three Members who would like to speak to this Motion. As you contribute, kindly be mindful of the time because of the colleagues who have queued. Sen. Karungo Thang’wa?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also wish to support the Motion of adjournment of the Senate for the hon. Members of this House to go and replenish, rest, be with their families and their constituents. We need to know that good work ethics requires good resting ethics, remembering that I have a pending Bill here of holidays because I believe that those who work extra hard, require a day t…

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, because of time and the fact that the hon. Senator has contributed, I would like to be heard in silence.

What is your point of order, Sen. Mungatana?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, did I hear the Senator for Kiambu suggesting that a governor cannot ban, and in particular, the governors from the Coast region cannot ban muguka, or that the governors cannot take action to tame a habit that is killing a whole generation? Did you hear the Senator suggest that what is existing as law cannot be changed? Are we now saying that the law is for man or the m…

Sen. Mungatana, your point has been made. Resume your seat, so that Sen. Thang’wa can clarify on that. Take your seat. Give Sen. Karungo Thang’wa the microphone.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the hon. Senator misunderstood what I said. I said no governor can give a declaration that goes against the law. I did not even comment on the goods that he is banning because the next time, you will hear a governor banning coconut in his county. You might hear another governor banning ugali in his county, or another one banning mabuyu or korosho in their counties.

We are trying to say that if you are banning anything, ban it within the law. Use the law that is there. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thank you.