Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Several Senators walked into the Chamber)]

Order. Hon. Senators, we do have Quorum now. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation from the Department of Administration of the Parliament of Ghana. The delegation comprises seven staff who are on a benchmarking visit to the Parliament of Kenya to equip them with the best practices and operations on their administrative function. I request each member to be u…

[(Applause)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for nominating me to welcome our visitors from Ghana. On behalf of my colleagues, I assure them that they will have an enjoyable experience. Kenya is a wonderful country and they should not feel confined to the precincts of Parliament. Instead, they are encouraged to explore further. If they wish, I am happy to share my contact information with them.

Additionally, I would like to mention that I am well-acquainted with Ghana, having undergone training at the World Bank Group located on Independence Avenue in the rich suburbs of Accra.

[(Applause)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to welcome Maranda High School to this august House. For the information of the House, this is my home school, where I began my education in Standard One, studying under the shade of trees. This is also the school where my father was educated, the same school where my brother, Hon. Raila Odinga, attended and indeed the school that all of u…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to extend my warm regards to the students in the gallery and to welcome them to this ‘Upper’ House, the Senate of Kenya. As you can see, this is not a House exclusively for older men. It is a House where women are represented, alongside a number of young legislators. First and foremost, I want you to feel welcome. Additionally, I urge yo…

Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Thursday, 3rd April, 2025- Report of the Auditor-General on Kitui County Climate Change Fund for 15- month period ended 30th June, 2024.

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

Next is a Paper to be laid by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 3rd April, 2025- Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations and the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Laban Omusundi concerning restraining county governments from hiring law firms to represent them in co…

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

Let us go the next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to give Notice of the following Motion- AWARE THAT, vide Gazette Notices Nos. 1901 and 2643 dated 14th February, 2023 and 1st March, 2023, respectively, His Excellency the President declared one (1) vacancy for the position of the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) , and six

Sen. Abass, you may proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give the following Notice of Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations and the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Laban Omusundi concerning restraining county governments from hiring law firms to represent them in court cases, laid on the…

Let us go the next Order. We will start with Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) .

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am reading the following Statements on behalf of Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC. 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 professionalism in the public service transport sector. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the 12th of March, 2025, a conductor of a Super Metro Sa…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order (53(1) to seek a Statement from Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations concerning the scheme of service for national Government administrative officers, specifically chiefs and assistant chiefs. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Let us have Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale representing the Senate Majority Leader to present the Statement on the business for the coming week.

Hon. Senators, this is a matter that does not affect counties and, therefore, voting shall be by voice.

Second Reading