National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 8 June 2023
Members raised concerns over high fertilizer costs and their impact on food security, while also moving a motion to approve appointments to the Judicial Service Commission. The debate then focused on the status of NG‑CDF and NGAAF funding, noting past disbursement delays but highlighting recent Treasury commitments and World Bank support to release the remaining allocations. Overall, the discussion combined criticism of challenges with constructive updates and promises of continued resource mobilisation. The Speaker urged members to engage with the Leader of the Majority Party on budget disbursement issues and highlighted upcoming budget statements, while members raised concerns about fiscal mismanagement, inequitable resource allocation and corruption. The debate reflected both constructive calls for patience and cooperation and sharp criticism of systemic failures in tax and expenditure management. Members debated the clearance of NG‑CDF arrears and the need for emergency funding for school facilities after heavy rains, with the Leader of the Majority Party assuring disbursement of allocated funds. Opposition members questioned why NG‑CDF and NG‑AAF were not prioritised over county allocations, citing World Bank money and ongoing infrastructure deficits. The exchange combined constructive commitments with palpable frustration over budget priorities.
No CDF, no Budget! No CDF, no Budget! No CDF, no Budget!
No CDF, no Budget! No CDF, no Budget! No CDF, no Budget!
Ah, sawa sawa! Order, Hon. Members.
[(Loud consultations)]
Yes!
You do not have to regurgitate what you have said. You have said it and I have heard loud and clear. Let us carry on with the business. I will pay attention to that. The Budget is coming next Thursday, not today.
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Hon. Members, I have a Communication in relation to Hon. Sabina Chege, but it will come between 3.00 p.m. to 3.15 p.m. So, we can go on with other businesses.
Leader of the Majority Party. I can recall that you also promised to make a Statement today about the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) .
Yes, Hon. Speaker. But if you allow me…
So, are those loud statements towards you or the Speaker?
They are well taken care of, Hon. Speaker.
[(Laughter)]
Order, Leader of the Majority Party. We are on Papers.
Papers?
Yes. We are on Papers.
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Speaker, you must understand that when there is a chorus of “No CDF, no Budget”, you tend to rush to Statements.
Yes.
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Reports of the Auditor-General and Financial Statements in respect of the following institutions for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2022 and the certificates therein:
Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Reports of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on its consideration of the following:
Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Lands.
Hon. Speaker I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Lands on its consideration of the Lands (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.40 of 2022) . Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
Next Order. Hon. Naomi Waqo, CBS, M.P.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, aware that National Transport and Safety Authority Act, 2012 provides for the establishment of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) ; further aware that the Authority in line with Section 4 of this Act plays a critical role in ensuring the provision of safe, reliable and efficient road transport service; concerned tha…
Thank you Hon. Naomi Waqo. Hon. Geoffrey Ruku.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, aware Kenya is an agricultural based economy with a significant portion of its population relying on farming for their livelihood; noting that the quality and quantity of crops yield in Kenya has been hampered to a large extent
by lack of adequate and quality fertilisers leading to decreased agricultural productivity and economic losses; further noting that the Government has committed to improving agricultural productivity through various initiatives including provision of subsidised fertilisers; concerned that the cost, quantity and quality of fertilisers are subsequently increased due to a number of factors among them…
Thank you Hon. Ruku. The Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs in its report on the vetting of nominees for appointment as members of the Judicial Service Commission, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 8th 2023 pursuant to the provisions of Article 171 (2) (h) of the Constitution and Sect…
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Thank you. Hon. Members, before we move on to the next order allow me to acknowledge the following institutions in the Speaker’s Gallery: Good Testimony School, Embakasi East,
Nairobi; Mt Kenya Academy, Nyeri Town, Nyeri; and Stepping Stones Elementary School, Kajiado East, Kajiado On your behalf and my own behalf, I welcome the institutions to Parliament. Next Order.
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Speaker, I would rather start with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) .
Whichever you want.
[(Loud consultations)]
I think in the interest of the attention of Members, Hon. Speaker, allow me to start with the Statement from the National Treasury on funding the NG-CDF and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) . In a letter dated 8th June 2023 addressed to Hon. Speaker, they said they were referring to their letter referenced AG1351, Volume 4 (76) , dated 24th January 2023. I wish to update th…
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[(Laughter)]
Order. Go ahead.
Hon. Speaker, I was saying the delay in keeping up with weekly disbursement of Ksh2 billion was occasioned by challenges in resource
mobilisation both domestically and externally. However, the situation has improved with the disbursement of funds from the World Bank’s Development Policy Operations Facility this week. Two, the NGAAF was allocated a budget of Ksh2.13 billion in the 2022/2023 Financial Year. The National Treasury has so far released 50 per cent of this allocation. That is an amount of Ksh1.065 billion. It is in t…
Appropriations Committee this afternoon, let it be at the back of our minds that for whatever expenditures we are discussing, including NG-CDF because it is in that Report, we once got to a point where we had to take a haircut on NG-CDF. Hon. John Mbadi will remember this was back in 2018. It is good that amidst all the difficulties, we have not had to take a haircut on either the NG- CDF or any o…
Hon. Millie Odhiambo, what is the point of order?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I want to thank the Leader of the Majority Party for presenting that. Before I raise my point of order to laud him for acknowledging the ‘last two years,” and I hope he has taken note that I am underlining the words “last two years,” the NG-CDF was not reduced. I am glad that he is also acknowledging the challenges of running a Government. He has always been complaining an…
[(A Member spoke off-record)]
Yes, second class citizens, and we are the ones who are in charge of the Budget? Could the Leader of the Majority Party please, explain why that money from the World bank cannot be prioritised to us? Secondly, why are we putting counties ahead of the NG-CDF yet people are suffering in the counties? I am glad you have said that your toilets are down. Our toilets are also down. The roofs of our cla…
[(Laughter)]
Leader of the Majority Party, go on with your next Statement.
Hon. Speaker, Hon. Millie says she is getting a Kikuyu accent with the word “prioritising”. Mr. Ndung’u is watching our debate. He has just sent me a text saying they are sending Kshs5 billion today and next week for both NG-CDF and NGAAF. He will disburse the funds today but it will hit the accounts of the Board tomorrow. Maybe, I had not got that right. As Hon. Millie has asked, it is indeed tr…
[(Laughter)]
Order. That Statement on NG-CDF is self-explanatory. The only person who raised the issue was Hon. Robert Mbui. After he finishes his second Statement, I will give you two minutes to make a comment and close it there.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to welcome back all Members once again after the long recess.
[(Hon. Peter Masara rose on a point of order)]
On the same matter, Hon. Masara?
Hon. Speaker, for the first time, I have heard the Leader of the Majority Party call the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto. Are you, in any way trying to tell us that you have removed other titles, now that you are discussing NG-CDF, Mr. Ichung’wah? It is quite out of order for you, the Leader of the Majority Party not to use all the titles somebody has earned. It seems things are …
Order. That is the most frivolous point of order.
[(Laughter)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. You must appreciate Hon. Masara. At least, he is no longer protesting and saying that he does not
recognise His Excellency, President, Mr. William Samoei Arap Ruto as the President. At least, he appreciates that the President is Dr. William Samoei Ruto.
Hon. Speaker, I wish to welcome back Members after the long recess. I trust that you are all well and refreshed for this part of the Second Session. As Members are aware, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, CBS, appeared before the National Assembly Plenary to answer questions on education matters yesterday, Wednesday, 7th June 2023. I would like to thank Members for their …
Hon. Members, I wish to acknowledge students seated in the Public Gallery: Miharati Boys High School, Kipipiri Constituency, Nyandarua County; Moi High School Kabarak, Rongai Constituency, Nakuru County; and Arokyet Girls High School, Bureti Constituency, Kericho County. On my behalf and that of this House, I wish to welcome the students and their teachers to Parliament. Hon. Wanjiku Muhia has a…
Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
I take this opportunity to welcome Miharati Boys High School. It is one of our great schools from our Sub-County Headquarter in Kipipiri Constituency. They could not have visited this National Assembly a better time than during Budget; and now, they have heard from the Leader of the Majority Party. They now have good news to take home. Go and inform your parents that the NG-CDF will be disbursed …
Hon. Robert Mbui, I am giving you two minutes
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. First, I want to clarify that even as I raised this Question in the last Assembly, this issue of NG-CDF is not an issue of Members of Parliament. Sometimes, the public get confused. Members of Parliament are interested in ensuring that this money goes to the Constituencies for development. I want to thank the Leader of the Majority Party for highlighting some of the chall…
Hon. Robert Mbui, you brought a noble request. I could have easily said that you go and talk to the National Treasury. I directed the Leader of the Majority Party to bring you a response which he has, and he has said that they are disbursing the money. The debate on the Budget is ongoing and the Question will not be put today because we have up to next week. I, therefore, want to encourage you tha…
Hon. Ichung’wah…
[(Loud consultations)]
general comments on the proposals contained in the Memorandum by His Excellency the President. (Moved by Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah on
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across the country, the National Treasury submits a report to the National Assembly showing the distribution of national projects across all counties over the last three financial years by 30thSeptember 2023. This will facilitate the National Assembly in its ongoing efforts to enhance equity in distribution of national resources.
the three projects under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework by 31st December 2023. The PPP framework should clearly state the measures put in place to manage the associated risks and contingent liabilities.
school fees for continuing Government of Kenya (GoK) sponsored students in private universities to avert dropout cases.
Ksh88.856 billion to meet various expenditure shortfalls. However, due to prevailing resource constraints and the need to contain the fiscal deficit within a certain limit, most of these requests could not be financed.
The Member for Wajir North Constituency was on the Floor. You have a balance of four minutes. Proceed.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Let me proceed from where I was interrupted yesterday, in supporting the Report of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. The Budget Estimates entrench equity and sustainability in both tax and expenditure. This was first and last seen during Kibaki’s term in the Vision 2030 and the Economic Stimulus Programme. More so, these are fundamental principles in our Constitutio…
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Hon. Members. Order! The Whip of the Majority Party, will you take your seat, please?
[(Applause)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I was saying that we are in a very critical situation in the fiscal management of our nation that was built in terms of tax management, corruption, and wastage since Independence. There has been failure to rationalise the two tiers of Government — both national and county — in terms of size and operations since 2010. This was further exhibited by the handshake which led to…
Your time is up. Member for Chuka/Igambang’ombe, Hon. Patrick Ntwiga. Hon. Patrick Ntwiga (Chuka/Igambang’ombe, UDA) : Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Report on the 2023/2024 Budget Estimates as tabled by the Budget and Appropriations Committee. The Report proposes to increase allocation to the health sector from Ksh140 billion to Ksh141 billion. This support will build a progress…
targeted vulnerable households. In an effort to change buyers from curative to preventive and promotive health, the Government is focused on strengthening primary healthcare through resourcing primary health facilities, establishing primary care networks and strengthening community health services. This means we want to move this country more from concentrating on curative to preventive and promot…
Thank you. Hon. Nabii Nabwera.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Having looked at the Budget Estimates for the 2023/2024 Financial Year and noting that I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Education and the Public Accounts Committee, I have various issues to raise. There is only one teacher in every Junior Secondary School (JSS) class. Instead of increasing money allocated to the education sector, we are doubling the money all…
by the former President, Mwai Kibaki and twice by the Jubilee Government. When the current President was the Deputy President, he came to launch the road at Pan Paper. There is no single cent in the Estimates allocated for Road C44. Are we not Kenyans? I have an issue with land. When I look at this Budget, I get concerned. The other day, I saw a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for the National …
Thank you. Order, Hon. Members. Allow me to stay this debate, go back to Order No.2 and deliver the following Communication.
Hon. Members, you will recall that on Thursday, 4th May 2023, I issued a Communication on the Replacement of the Deputy Minority Whip. In that Communication, I guided the House that the communication received from the Minority Party with regard to the replacement of Hon. Sabina Chege as the Deputy Minority Whip was incomplete when viewed against the requirements of Standing Order 20A. Consequently…
[(Several Members stood in the gangways)]
Hon. Members, in keeping with the requirements of Standing Order 20A, the letter from the Leader of the Minority Party, accompanied by minutes of the meeting at which the removal and replacement of the Whip was done, and a record of the membership of the Minority Party present at the meeting, suffices to effect the changes sought by the Minority Party. Fourthly, my office has also been served wit…
[(Applause)]
Order, Hon. Mbadi and Hon. Sabina Chege.
[(Laughter)]
process despite the discomfort that the decision caused to the business of this House. Immediately thereafter, I instructed our litigation counsel to challenge the orders in court. As your Speaker, I remain cognisant of the obligation imposed on me by Article 3 of the Constitution to respect, defend and uphold the Constitution in guiding the proceedings of the House. On one hand, the Minority Par…
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It is so ordered.
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Order! Hon. Millie and Hon. Sabina Chege will leave the Chamber. Order, Hon. Millie!
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Serjeant-at-Arms, will you take out the two suspended Members? Hon. Kajwang’ you will also follow. You will also follow.
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Order, Hon. Members! Take your seats. Order, Hon. Members! Hon. Mbadi, call for me Hon. Opiyo Wandayi.
[(Several Hon. Members sang a song)]
[(Hon. Opiyo Wandayi consulted with the Hon. Speaker)]
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On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.
What is the point of order, Hon. Murugara?
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. We were in the middle of debating the Motion on the Budget Estimates. Most of the Members whom I have spoken to are in agreement and in support. Under Standing Order 95, I do apply to you, Hon. Speaker, to allow the Mover to reply.
Order, Hon. Members. I will go ahead and put the question.
[(Question, that the Mover be called upon to reply, put and agreed to)]
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I thank all the Members who have contributed to this debate and Motion on the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2023/2024. As you have noted, there are many proposals on how we will be expending our resources.
[(Loud consultations)]
We are taking 30 per cent of our Budget, which is Ksh630 billion, to education. We have put monies to buy fertilisers to our farmers. We have also allocated Kshs3 billion to finish the on-going Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets, and many more proposals. I have listened to Members and benefitted from their opinions and contributions. I want to assure them that these Budget Estimates will be…
[(Loud consultations)]
Division! Division!
Next Order! Order, Hon. Members! Take your seats. Hon. Members, you very well know the rules that apply and govern divisions, and you have not observed them. You have not observed the rules and you have no capacity to call for Division on this matter.
[(Loud consultations)]
Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining.
Hon. Speaker, I beg your indulgence because the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining is not in the House. I, therefore, beg that you adjourn that particular Motion until a time when the Chairman is available. He was engaged elsewhere. I beg your indulgence and ask that the business be stepped down today.
(Hon. Speaker spoke off-record) Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I had indicated that the Chairman of the Departmental
Hon. Members. Orders No.10, 11 and 12 are stepped down for this afternoon.
Next Order.
General Meeting, held in Doha, Qatar, from 8th to 9th March 2023, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 26th April, 2023. Leader of delegation to this United Nations Convention. Is he in the House? Is Hon. Shakeel Shabbir in the House? The matter is also stayed. (Motion deferred)
Leader of the Majority Party, are you ready to move?
Hon. Speaker, as indicated in Order No.14 on the Miscellaneous Statute Amendment Bill, there are still two Chairpersons of Committees who are yet to finalise their Committee Reports, and we had not intended to reach to this Order in the course of this afternoon. I, therefore, seek your indulgence to also step it down for today.
On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.
Hon. Leader of the Minority Party, you call for a point of order when something is out of order. However, you are calling for a point of order when you yourself is in a disorderly position. You have remained standing throughout the proceedings, contrary to the Standing Orders. You have countenanced an unlawful choir in the House as the proceedings are going on. You cannot benefit from the Standing…
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Members, the time being 5.04 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 13th June 2023 at 2.30 p.m.
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi