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 that we now have quorum. Clerk, you may now call the first Order. Senator for Makueni, take your seat.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting students and teachers from Iwagi Comprehensive School and Karaguririo Comprehensive Schools, Nyeri County. The delegation comprises 89 students and 12 teachers who are undertaking a study tour to the Senate at the invitation of the Senator for Nyeri County, Sen. Wamatinga Wahome.

Hon. Senators, on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to them and wish them all the best during their visit.

I would also wish to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's Gallery this afternoon of seven young men and women who are undertaking an internship programme in the Senate. Hon. Senators, the objective of this programme is to provide young people with firsthand experience in the legislative processes and to expose them to the intricate world of public policy and public service. I request each i…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to welcome our visitors who are in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon. I appreciate the seven young men and women who are undertaking an internship programme in the Senate for seeing it wise to come to the Senate to get more experience. I request them to move to all departments of the Senate, so that they can understand what happens in the Se…

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to welcome students from Ihwagi in Nyeri County, Mathira Sub-County and Karaguririo School in Mukurwe-ini. It is in such excursions and learning expeditions that children get inspired. I take this opportunity to welcome you to the Senate. This the “Upper House” that deliberates, regulates and oversights the functions of county …

today will be an inspiration, so that in the future you would want to join us at the Senate. It is your determination, hard work and sheer obedience that makes you become what you want to be. In this House, we are 67 Senators from all the 47 counties and we live like brothers and sisters, ensuring that we promote devolution because the future of this country depends on the success of devolution. …

Next Order.

Proceed the Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 6th March, 2025- The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Controlled Substances) Regulations, Legal Notice No.53 of 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Nyeri for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial State…

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Karatina Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County Government of Nyeri for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Othaya Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County Government of Nyeri for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Mt. Kenya Sub-County Leve…

Before I allow the Clerk to call the next Order, I would like to make the following Communication. Order, Senators from Makueni and Kitui counties.

[(Sen. Maanzo and Sen. Wambua consulted loudly)]

I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting students and teachers from Bukuria School - Sen. Eddy, I hope I have pronounced that right - and Junior Academy, Migori County. The delegation comprises 50 students and six teachers who are undertaking a study tour to the Senate. On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the d…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you. This is a special group. In under one minute, I would like to welcome them to the Senate. However, you should meet them because they are from Kehancha in Kuria West Constituency, one of the most marginalised communities in this country. I am proud to see them here today because I started my journey also in the same area, in a place called Kiburanga Primary in Kuria,…

Sen. Eddy, I did not want to rule you out of order in front of your constituents. I will allow you to get away with that. Next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to the Standing Order No. 52 (1) to make a statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely, the state of insecurity in Samburu County. On Thursday, 27th February, 2025, along the Maral-Baragoi Road, a public service vehicle was ambushed by armed criminals, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives and serious injuries to several others. I stro…

Next is Sen. Hamida Kibwana.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my first Statement is on commemoration of International Women’s Day, 2025. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement in commemoration of International Women’s Day, 2025. Mr. Speaker, Sir, kindly, protect me from the Senate Majority Leader.

[(Sen. Cheruiyot spoke off record)]

Order! Senate Majority Leader, welcome to Bunge.

[(Laughter)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern namely the Commemoration of International Women’s Day, 2025. This day is not only a global celebration of the achievements of women, but also a solemn reminder of the work that still lies ahead in our quest for gender equality. This year’s theme; Accelerate Action for Gender Eq…

National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), which have collectively improved women’s access to capital and fostered economic independence. Regarding legislative agenda, we have enacted the Sexual Offences Act, the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, all which are pivotal in protecting women’s rights and addressing Gender Based Vi…

[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) in the Chair]]

Proceed to read the other Statement under Standing Order No.52 (1) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement of general topical concern namely, congratulating Bien- Aimé Baraza, an award-winning Kenyan music artist, for his outstanding achievement in winning the prestigious East African Best Musician title at the Trace Awards. This remarkable feat is not only a personal triumph for Bien but also a proud moment for Ke…

Since you have mentioned our condolences to Sen. Betty Montet and to her family, the Senate stands with her during this time of grief and sorrow. We now go to statements under Standing Order No. (53(1) . Sen. (Dr.) Murango you had two statements. That solidarity is good since he is your predecessor in the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to request Statements on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) Murango, Senator of Kirinyaga County, on the suspension of health care services under Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance cover by private hospitals. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Committee on Health regarding the suspension of healthcare services under SHA insur…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) Murango, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the challenges faced by beneficiaries of Inua Jamii Programme following migration to the e-Citizen M-pesa payment platform. In the Statement, the Committee should-

On a point of information, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Who do you want to inform?

The Senator of Bungoma.

Why are you informing him now and he was just reading a Statement? You can just interrogate that statement at the Committee level.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will help the House. I do not want to comment on the statement, but to help the House. The information very briefly is that the Statement sought on the issue SHA has been overtaken by time because the Chair of RUPHA---

That is what you could have done during the time of comments not now.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Today, the Majority Leader is in very high spirits, which is very good. Also, just allow me to convey my deepest condolences to our colleague, Sen. Betty Montet, who has been an industrious Member of this House and presently the Chairperson of the Committee on Education. The loss of the spouse is painful and we are sorry for that.

I will guide that maybe we create time for those condolences so that we do it together. I will create some time for that.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. That will be very highly appreciated.

I rise to seek a Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the lack of transparency in the financial operations of Migori County Government. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this follows a comprehensive visit together with the Committee on Finance and Budget led by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. I rise to seek pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the settlement of pending bills by Migori County Government. In the Statement, the Committee should –

Hon. Senators, I want to make a communication on the visiting delegation of teachers and students from Sacho High School in Baringo County. Honorable Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the public gallery, this afternoon, of visiting teachers and students from Sacho High School in Baringo County. The delegation comprises three teachers and 85 students who are in the Senate for …

[(Applause)]

I did?

Yes, you did. Okay, go ahead. One minute.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity to welcome the great, smart students, as we can be able to see, and to really encourage you to pursue further. Education has no limit. It is the only thing, the only weapon that you can always pride in, and nobody can take education away from you. As the Senate, we want to wish you the very best. Go to the highest levels and just know, a…

Okay, thank you. Next statement by Sen. Karungo Thang’wa.

[(Resumption of Debate on Statements)]

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to also request for a Statement on the issue of electricity disconnections in the counties. I rise pursuant to the Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Energy regarding the continued disconnection of electricity by Kenya Power, and its overall engagement with county governments and …

In the Statement, the Committee should–

Next statement is by Sen. Esther Okenyuri. Sen. Cherarkey, were you given instructions to do that?

[(Sen. Cherarkey stood in his place)]

Yes. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Esther Okenyuri, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) 1 to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the poor enforcement of anti-trafficking human trafficking laws amid growing concern over the increased cases of human trafficking involving vulnerable children and women in Kenya. In the Statement, th…

Last but not least is a Statement by Sen. Jackson Mandago, MP. This statement is directed to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding the status of purchase of wheat from Kenyan farmers. Is it yesterday that I had this Statement? The speaker gave some direction about the comments. What happened?

I think maybe it should be just a small typo, but we commented about it.

I want to give a few Senators a chance. You have the last one.

My Statement is on the recent wave of wildfires ravaging forests in the country. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a statement from the Standing Committee of Land, Environment, and Natural Resources regarding the recent wave of wildfires that have ravaged various forest reserves and national parks across the country, including the Aberdares, Isiolo, Nairobi Park, the Mau Forest…

Thank you. There is a Statement under Standing Order No. 57 (1) by the Senate Majority Leader.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) to hereby present the business for the week that commences Tuesday, 11th March, 2025. Allow me to give the status of legislative business pending before the Senate then I will make this presentation. There are 55 Bills, of which 43 are at the Second Reading Stage and 12 are at the Committee of the Whole. We have 31 M…

[(Protection of Livelihood)]

It is worth noting to the House that since we resumed this Session, we have never voted for any business beyond a voice call. I know that my colleague Senators are busy with committee sittings and other business beyond the voting, but it is equally important to vote and pass legislation. I hope that next week, we shall raise the requisite numbers to conclude all the businesses that I have read. So…

Thank you, the Senate Majority Leader. We will now have brief comments for the next 15 minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I could sense some anxiety on the part of the Senate Majority Whip when the Statement by the Senator for Kirinyaga, Sen. (Dr.) Murango, was being read. It was as though he did not want us to have an opportunity to speak about the Social Health Authority (SHA) issues. The Chairperson of the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association is a young man I schooled …

Sen. Sifuna, you have enjoyed five minutes out of the 15 minutes that are provided for Statements this afternoon. I did not give time allocation when we started, but from now, every Senator will now have two minutes to make a brief comment. You should not debate about the Statement.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will be unfair to us, but we will try to do justice to an ongoing important national conversation.

You can each have three minutes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will try to speak within three minutes. I agree with what Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale was informing the House. The Rural and Urban Private Hospital Association (RUPHA) has eventually come to terms with the reality of the day. When the Cabinet Secretary was here last week, what came out unequivocally from the conversation she had with the House is that the hospitals were complai…

Finally, after they were assured that after the verification process is done, they would be paid their money, they have resumed services. I visited my own county referral hospital two weeks ago and the medical superintendent informed me that every month they used to write off bills of between Kshs7 million to Kshs10 million from ordinary citizens of the county who, after being treated would tell t…

Sorry, Clerk, to be fair, let both Leaders enjoy their five minutes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in fact, I just need an extra minute. I was concluding. To be fair to the country, it is important that the report is tabled and subjected to thorough scrutiny by the committees of this House. The country should not rely on newspaper cuttings by some people who may be having other agenda against you. We know for a fact that there are people who used to benefit from the il…

they will sit pretty and watch this programme being rolled out? At every turn and opportunity, they will hire people to speak for them and will incite the media against this particular programme. That is why I want that report of the Auditor-General to be tabled before this House. I want the competent committees to go after the four breaches that the Auditor-General has highlighted. The final iss…

Sen. Osotsi, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, a lot has been said about systems. For example, there is a Statement on the issue of migration of Inua Jamii to E-Citizen platform. You have also heard clearly Sen. Sifuna raising a matter on the SHA system. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, one of the biggest problems in this country is that we have laws, which we do not implement. I am talking as an Information Technology (IT) e…

Very well. Thank you, Senator.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Hon. Senators, we must conclude the Statement hour because we have lined up some Motions and Bills. Last but not least is Sen. Maanzo Daniel from the Minority side.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to say that the moment we passed the SHA and SHIF law, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) law was repealed. Therefore, there is no possibility or chance that people will go back to that. Certainly, we must do our level best to make sure that this programme, which is very important and is touching all our counties and every single village in this co…

Investigations (DCI), should do everything possible to make sure that all the thieves are arrested, charged by EACC and the monies are recovered. Since, they live in this country, they are known and some of them are in Government. It is important for this issue of SHA to be looked into so that we bring this matter to conclusion. We should also come up with a way forward to make sure that a common…

Hon. Senators, let us move on to the next Order.

This is a voice vote, so I want to determine that this Motion does not affect counties and then also to ascertain whether we have the quorum. If we do not have quorum, then we will defer this Order.

I want to reorganise the business appearing in the Order Paper from Order Nos.9, 10, 11 and 12. These divisions will be deferred to the next sitting or when there will be space for them.

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, proceed to move the Motion.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to move---

Chair, give me one minute to recognise this delegation because you might take some time.

[(Interruption of debate on Motion)]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I welcome the students to the House. When you visit Parliament, you learn a lot. For those who are reading history and civics, you are going to have about 10 to 15 marks questions in relation to Parliament in your form four examinations. So, when you are here, get to know who the Speaker, Clerk and Serjeant-at-Arms are and how Parliament runs. It is special as t…

Sen. Wakoli, proceed to move the Motion.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I request your permission to remind my good Senator that after the function, he should see his students behind the tent for some motivation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a Petition to the Senate regarding graft investigation by the Ethics and Anti-…

The West Kano Irrigation Scheme received substantial amounts from 2008 and

Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. It is an honour to second this Motion. Yesterday, we debated a Motion on the issue of maize. Today, we are debating West Kano and the role of EACC in this matter. I want to agree largely with the report. Our farmers sacrifice a lot. They sometimes come together through cooperative movements. Sometimes, they save money. Unfortunately, a few individuals, especial…

made a single arrest. It is unfortunate that EACC bangled the investigations in West Kano because of corruption. Instead of fighting corruption, they are perpetuating it. Therefore, I agree that the DCI must seize the matter, do the needful, investigate, and charge people, including directors or officials who participated in the misappropriation of funds. Although I have heard the Committee has …

go and run for an elective office, which is bad manners that we are practising in this country, and it must stop. The third point is that the National Irrigation Authority is a failure. We must collapse some of these agencies.Yesterday, we discussed about the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA). I know there is a biting drought in Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Kajiado and northern parts of K…

Therefore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I call upon the CBK, which is the regulator, to enforce these regulations. We have the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, where they have defined the meaning of proceeds of crime. The issue of farm machineries and accessories must be looked into. We need to know the status of the machinery at West Kano Irrigation Scheme. Just like the commercial banks, …

The army!

So, you are proposing that we have court martial? If the EACC has bungled investigations, we can become radical and allow the army to take over through court martial. If the watchman is the one allowing stealing, who will ensure that the watchman is being watched? Just as the Member said, if the EACC has bungled investigations, the institution that should take over is the military through court ma…

I urge Members to support this report. I do not know whether Sen. Maanzo is a Member of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights. They should invite the EACC to appear before the Senate. They should stop arresting traffic police officers who take Kshs50 or 200. They should tell us where individuals who are stealing the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), those who used to steal f…

Hon. Senators, I will propose the question. Before I allow Senators to contribute to the Motion, I have the following Communication from the Chair.

[(Question proposed)]

[(Interruption of debate on Motion)]

You can now refer to your guiding notes.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on Wednesday, 17th April, 2024, Sen. Faki rose, pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement concerning the grievances facing employees of EPZs countrywide and in particular Ashton Apparel Limited in Mombasa. At its meeting on Thursday 9th May, 2024, the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare considered the matter and resolved to visit Ashton Appar…

Sen. Mungatana.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to second this Motion. I also want to thank the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Sen. Murgor, for ably moving the Motion on the inquiry of the welfare of workers in the EPZ in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. If you live in the coast, you will always see hundreds of people walking towards the companies tha…

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on Wednesday, 17th April, 2024, Sen. Faki rose, pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement concerning the grievances facing employees of EPZs countrywide and in particular Ashton Apparel Limited in Mombasa. At its meeting on Thursday 9th May, 2024, the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare considered the matter and resolved to visit Ashton Appar…

Sen. Mungatana.

Moving from that, there are EPZs and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Under this Government, on the SEZs, counties were meant to contribute Kshs250 million. The national Government to give counterpart funding of equal amount, so that we can set up them. The SEZs that have been formed under this Government seem to be only a few that have been selected. Only a few seem to be supported. These SEZs hav…

a follow-up meeting. There is a reporting mechanism. This will ensure that our recommendations as a Senate today and as we approve these reports, will be taken seriously and the relevant departments in Government can implement them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those very many remarks, I beg to second.

Moving from that, there are EPZs and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Under this Government, on the SEZs, counties were meant to contribute Kshs250 million. The national Government to give counterpart funding of equal amount, so that we can set up them. The SEZs that have been formed under this Government seem to be only a few that have been selected. Only a few seem to be supported. These SEZs hav…

a follow-up meeting. There is a reporting mechanism. This will ensure that our recommendations as a Senate today and as we approve these reports, will be taken seriously and the relevant departments in Government can implement them. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those very many remarks, I beg to second.

Before I allow Sen. Eddy to make his contribution to this particular report, for the benefit of Sen. Mungatana, you have raised something as you were concluding your contribution about the absence of the Implementation Committee in the Senate. Yesterday, in the course of the sittings of the Liaison Committee, that issue was brought up. A recommendation was made to the effect that the Liaison Comm…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to chime into the report that I find very comprehensive. As you may know, the EPZs anywhere in the world, particularly in Kenya, employ mostly semi-skilled and unskilled labourers. The skilled workers partake and share in the retail price of goods and services that come from EPZs. This is not an available option for semi-skilled and unsk…

should we stretch our thought a little bit into thinking about the living standards of the people who are exposed with the poor working conditions in these areas and the stress they have with medication? Up and above the minimum wages that they earn, as a House, could we look at an increment that is commensurate with the kind of conditions they work in? Is there a potential for provision of some …

Sen. Eddy, time is up. When the House resumes its sitting, you will have a balance of 14 minutes to conclude on your contribution to this Motion.