National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting

Have you finished? Thank you. Next Order. Hon. Joshua Mwalyo, give your Notice of Motion. Are you no longer holding briefs for the Chairperson?

I am still holding brief for the Chairman.

Go ahead

Hon. Speaker, I would like to give notice of Motion on the ….

It is not a matter of liking. You beg to give notice of the Motion.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

Thank you. Next. Hon. Mwalyo, I have been advised that what you said does not amount to giving notice of a Motion. Can you go and repeat for the record? You are a senior Member of this House. You should not be caught in this kind of thing.

Hon. Speaker, I would like to give notice ….

Order, Hon. Mwalyo! You say: “I beg to give notice of the following Motion…”

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on National Government Constituencies Development Fund on fifty-one constituency committees laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 10th June 2025 and, pursuant to the provisions of section 43 (4) of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Act, Cap. 414A and paragraph…

of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Regulations, approves the following list of nominees for appointment to the National Government Constituency Development Fund Committees –

Thank you, Hon. Mwalyo.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disappearance of one Mr Abdirizak Mohamed Yale.

On 28th September 2023, Mr Abdirizak Mohamed Yale of ID No. 40063840, a resident of Garissa County, was allegedly abducted in Nairobi under unclear circumstances. The incident was reported at the Nairobi West Patrol Base under OB No.14/30/92023. He has neither been traced nor presented before any court of law since then. Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of security of each in…

Thank you, Hon. Umulkher. Hon. Tongoyo, that request is to your Committee. When can you bring a response? In two weeks’ time? Were you even listening?

[(Laughter)]

Hon. Speaker, I was a bit disrupted. Nevertheless, I beg for your indulgence. I have 17 requests for statements that have not yet been responded to.

We are dealing with only one – what Hon. Umulkher has requested.

Hon. Speaker, what I was trying to ask for is this: If you agree with us, that I write to the Cabinet Secretary to appear before the Committee and Members because there are so many requests. That way, we will expedite all of them, if possible.

Why not? Go ahead and do so.

We can combine all of them for the Cabinet Secretary to respond to them next week. Thank you.

Hon. Yakub Adow Kuno, Member for Bura. Hon. Gitonga Mukunji.

[(Hon. Yakub Adow’s request for statement deferred)]

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental

addiction, support, training and deployment of personnel involved in the rehabilitation of such individuals, and to facilitate community-based programmes for prevention, treatment and reintegration. The country continues to grapple with a rising tide of drug and substance abuse that has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities across the nation. In recent years, an increase i…

Chair of Departmental Committee on Health, when can you bring a response?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I think we need, at least, two weeks. I know the complexity of the issues involved. Therefore, we should be able to get a result within, at least, two weeks.

Right, two weeks. Thank you. Hon. Machua Waithaka, Member for Kiambu.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture regarding sponsorship and nurturing of a top amateur golfer in Kenya, Mr Michael Karanga. Mr Michael Karanga is a 30-year-old amateur golfer who hails from Ndumberi Ward in Kiambu Constituency. He has been playing golf for the p…

Portugal, South Africa, Rwanda, Jordan and Egypt. Currently, he is ranked 76th in the world men’s golf amateur ranking and 4th in Africa. Hon. Speaker, despite that sterling performance and remarkable achievements, the Government is yet to show any commitment in sponsoring him. Golf is an industry and it provides an opportunity for the Government to support an upcoming top golfer. Remarkably, Mr.…

Thank you, Hon. Waithaka. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, Hon. Dan Wanyama, when can you bring a response?

Hon. Speaker, I can give a response in two weeks’ time.

Hon. Caleb Amisi, I am sorry I skipped your request for statement and went to the next one. I had not noticed your presence and thought you were not here.

Thank you Hon. Speaker. I rise, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands regarding the delayed compensation to the Sokoni Community Development Organisation Project in Kitale Town for land compulsorily acquired by the Kenya National Highways Authority for the construction of the Kitale-Endebess-…

Thank you, Hon. Caleb. Can we have a commitment from the Departmental Committee on Lands? Hon. Nyamoko, when can you bring the response?

We will bring the response in two weeks’ time, Hon. Speaker.

Two weeks. Thank you. Hon. Catherine Omanyo, Women Representative for Busia County.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the urgent need for expansion of the Busia–Kisumu Road and the Bungoma–Malaba Road to dual carriageways. Hon. Speaker, the Busia–Kisumu Road and the Bungoma–Malaba Road are vital transport networks in…

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. GK, when can you bring a response? Give him a microphone.

Hon. Speaker, we will bring a response in two weeks’ time

Two weeks. Thank you.

Hon. Jared Okello.

Hon. Tongoyo, respond to the Statement by Hon. Dorice Donya.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Before, I respond to the request for statement by Hon. Donya, I seek your indulgence. I also have the response you had directed me to bring last week – that, we update the House on the progress of investigation on the alleged abduction of Hon. George Koimburi, the Member for Juja.

Hon. Tongoyo, today we have the Committee of Supply, which we will move into at 3.30 p.m. I can see you with volumes of files on Hon. Koimburi’s matter.

However, you will respond to that tomorrow. Go ahead and respond to Hon. Donya in the shortest time possible because we have to go into Committee at 3.30 p.m. Bring your volumes tomorrow.

[(Laughter)]

I am well guided, Hon. Speaker. I will now respond to the Statement sought by the Member for Kisii County on the tragic death of Ms Sylvia Kemunto and the escalating cases of gender-based violence. The Member sought to know:

Thank you. Hon. Dorice Donya, this matter appears to be a homicide case already before court. Therefore, you should tread carefully so that what you say and ask now does not prejudice the criminal proceedings before the court. You may seek a clarification if you wish.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am well conversant with that. I did media law. What the Chair has said is correct. I have been following up on the matter. The statement has captured the issue very well. I appreciate the response. People do not know the direct line for gender-based violence (GBV) cases. Sometimes, they want to report GBV cases, but they do not know the number. So, if I can share the nu…

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following procedural Motion:

THAT, pursuant to Standing Order 30(3) (a), this House orders that, should the time appointed for adjournment of the House be reached before conclusion of business under Order No.10, the Sitting shall stand extended until the conclusion of the business appearing under Order No.10 (Committee of Supply). This is one of the prime duties that we must conduct as a House.

And this is his forte. He loves the Committee of Supply. So, prepare your guns. This is a very important debate and work. The Budget cannot be without the Committee of Supply. The money we will appropriate here cannot be issued out unless we have a Committee of Supply session to supply every department with the funds they require to run the next financial year. This is a noble duty. Therefore, we…

Hon. Millie.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I do second. This is a very straightforward procedural Motion to extend our sitting time. I do second.

Thank you. Members on your feet, take your seats.

[(Several Members walked into the Chamber)]

[(Question proposed)]

Put the Question!

Should I put the Question?

Yes!

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Hon. Members, that means you will go on with the Committee of Supply up to midnight. If you do not finish it tonight, you will continue tomorrow morning. So, we will allow the proceedings to go on up to midnight, which is the end of the day today. One minute past midnight is tomorrow. We will stop the clock at midnight. If you will not have finished, we will continue with the Committee of Supply t…

Hon. Speaker…

Hon. G.K, hold your horses. Next Order.

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

Yes, Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Chairlady, thank you for giving me this opportunity. Allow us to ask the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to explain to Kenyans why this Office has close to Ksh3 billion for recurrent expenditure and only Ksh100 million for development. He needs to explain what the Office of the Deputy President does that requires a whopping Ksh3 billion and yet, there are no drugs in ho…

Chairperson, Budget and Appropriations Committee, do you want to respond? Before you do so, let me first give an opportunity to Hon. Makali and then I will come to you.

Thank you very much, Hon. Chairlady. I associate myself with Hon. (Dr) Oundo’s comments. Even though I am a Member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, we have said many times that it is good to get our priorities right. I hope the money allocated here is not what is being distributed to Kenyans all over the country. I believe it will be put to good use because we said harambees are not all…

[(Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah spoke off the record)]

Leader of the Majority Party, do you want to say something? The question was directed to the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Do you still want to say something, or is it Hon. Baya? If not, Hon. Atandi proceed.

Hon. Chairlady, before I respond, I would like to ask Hon. Tongoyo, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, to respond briefly and then I will conclude.

Hon. Tongoyo.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I confirm that Hon. Makali Mulu is a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. He was there when I was defending this allocation in the Committee. I confirm to the House and country that the money allocated to this Vote is used prudently. When you compare the money in this Vote for the current office holder versus what was allocated in the previous office holder…

[(Loud consultations)]

Hon. Atandi, proceed.

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

Let us allow Hon. Atandi to, first, answer.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. We have really rationalised this Vote. If you remember, the previous office holder used to have Ksh5 billion in this office. We have only Ksh3 billion today. This is a constitutional office. The Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya assists the President of Kenya to run the country. It is not an office where somebody spends money without working. The D…

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

Hon. Makali, proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Looking at the Programmes under this Vote, like Policy Coordination and Strategy, and General Administration, Planning and Support Services; we need to do better in terms of prioritisation. Even as we support this Vote, some of these programmes do not make a lot of sense to a country which faces a lot of challenges in health and education.

Hon Oundo.

Hon. Chairlady, I find the programmes under this Vote extremely interesting. More so, they contravene the Constitution of Kenya. Article 95 of the Constitution provides that the work of Parliament belongs to Members of Parliament. What exercise are we doing here in this particular office? What kind of legislation is done here, yet most of the Bills that come in this House are under the Leader of t…

Yes, Hon. Owen Baya.

Hon. Chairlady, Hon. Oundo, the Professor, needs to be educated on how a Bill starts. It is the Office that is mandated to liaise with Parliament. The Bill bears the name of the Leader of the Majority Party. The only mandate of the Leader of the Majority Party is to table it here. There is a whole process that starts from the Cabinet and many other ministries. Before a Government Bill is born to b…

Hon. Chairlady, I want to educate my brother on what supply is. We will do it. Come and question the Budget. Let us handle the supply. (Programmes 0759000, 0760000 and 0761000 agreed to)

Put the question.

Hon. Mbui? Let me give a chance to Hon. Nyikal.

Hon. Chairlady, whereas I do not oppose, I think in future, even on this Vote, we should have the programmes. An amount in excess of Ksh8 billion is a lot of money. We need to know what is being done. “State House Affairs” alone is not adequate explanation to the public on what is being done with this money.

Hon. Makali.

Hon. Chairlady, some of us have been in this House for a long time. Even under the Committee of Supply, there is no harm in making observations on the Budget. We want to improve the process. We support the proposed supply to the Vote of State House, but the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party appreciates that we have many mini-state houses in this country. We should ask ourselves whether we are ge…

diligence because they have staff members and everybody? It becomes very expensive. We could make better use of some of these resources. It is not that we are opposing, but these are important observations. As we go into the future, we have a record of what we are saying. We support.

Hon. Chepkong’a.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I stand to support the supply to this Vote. Hon. Nyikal has just requested; just to know. If you turn to the next page, you will see under State House, for capital expenditure, it is Ksh894 million, which is not a lot of money as compared to recurrent expenditure of Ksh7.6 billion. Most of it is going towards recurrent expenditure. It is not even for development. I supp…

Hon. Members, I will now put the question. Yes. I did not see you. You do not have your card? Hon. TJ, proceed.

[(Hon. TJ Kajwang’ spoke off the record)]

I have my cards. It was just a…

Just press the intervention button.

Yes, Hon. Chairlady. Hon. Nyikal has asked a valid question but, of course, he knows that, for example, members of the Western Caucus last week went to State House. It is public knowledge that they went to State House. That nyama choma costs money.

[(Laughter)]

Thank you, Hon. Members. Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Chairlady, again, let us be very clear. Hon. Baya has misled the country. The Budget is being made now. The other time was just a committee report. Allow us to highlight what we think are areas or points of concern. While I accept that the presidency needs to run and function so that the country remains united, combining the two – the Deputy President and the President – having recurrent exp…

[(Programme 0704000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1017 agreed to)]

Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1018 (State Department for National Government Coordination).

Hon Wamboka.

As much as we are appropriating these finances to the State Department of Correctional Services, one of the President’s advisors recently made a very dangerous statement – that, people are buying positions to get into the Kenya Prison Service. That is a very dangerous thing. The Government must stop embarrassing itself and give Kenyans what belongs to them, especially young Kenyans who want to joi…

[(Programmes 0623000, 0627000 and 0628000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1023 agreed to)]

What is your point of order, Hon. Mwenje?

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I want to discuss the Ksh127, 091, 374,077 under Vote 1025. We have the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security in the House. One of the issues raised on one of the Votes on Correctional Services is about recruitment of prison constables. Looking at this Vote in detail, there will be recruitment of police officers in 400 sub-countie…

Hon. Oluoch.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I need to get an assurance from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security as I support the programmes in this Vote. That is as to whether the programme-based Budget - including the additional monies being asked for - includes the recently established police stations. A number of police stations are asking for additional money in t…

I ask this in relation to my neighbouring constituency and other constituencies within Nairobi, where I know that new police stations have been put up and operationalized. Please, confirm that this programme-based Budget has monies allocated to enable new police stations to operate. I support.

Hon. Shakeel.

Hon. Chairlady, I resoundingly support the proposal. However, as it has been said by others, the Government tells us that recruitment will be in sub-counties. The Government tells us that recruitment will be fair and professionally-conducted and yet, we find those who walk in and disrupt the process. Although this has nothing to do with the Budget, each sub-county should get its fair share of recr…

Those who want to contribute, please, press the intervention button. Proceed, Hon. Johana.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. On the issue of recruitment, other than the monies that we are allocating here, it does not make sense for people to pay money to be recruited into the National Police Service. Therefore, the department that deals with recruitment should be made to understand that this year, we do not want any corruption in that particular sector. Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

[(Hon. Wanami Wamboka spoke off record)]

I thought you had spoken to this. Hon. Wamboka, you are out of order. You just need to raise your hand and say you want to speak or press the intervention button. I am not going to have a back and forth with you. Hon. Mbui.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I only have one concern on the National Police Service (NPS) budget. In June last year and June of this year, the NPS spent taxpayers’ money to kill our youths. This time, they have also killed Mr Albert Ojwang’. Even as we appropriate money for the NPS, let them not use it to kill our children. Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

Thank you. Hon. Member for Embakasi South Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. It is very important that, as we fund some of those Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAS) and State departments, we must point out some of their mistakes. For example, the State Department for Correctional Services came to Embakasi South Constituency with some youths in two vehicles. People were made to run but, at the end of the day, the four youths who were brou…

Hon. Mawathe, you are out of topic. There was a Statement issued earlier today. It is in the Order Paper…

About the killing?

Many Hon. Members had a chance to comment on it. A progress

Hon. Chairlady, it is important that I speak to this matter. This is a matter of national interest. Therefore, as much as there is a Statement that is coming, it is wrong for …

The Statement already came up.

I am aware that you said there is an additional point. I hear you and I am fully guided. However, the point still remains that the death of Ojwang’, by hitting his head on the wall, is not possible.

[(Programme 060100 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1021 agreed to)]

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

What is your point of order, Hon. Mwenje?

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. We need some clarity on this amount from the Hon. Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, which I believe is what Hon. Wamboka was trying to find out. Why do we have this amount of Ksh17 billion, which is being referred to as “Recurrent and Development” when we know very well that any money going to the counties is being lost and plundered by the governors? …

Thank you.

[(Programme 0712000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1032 agreed to)]

Member for Mwingi West, Hon. Nguna, let us wait for this to get to the debate stage. I have not proposed the question. Therefore, hold your horses. Hon. Ngusya, you can now make your contribution.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Based on the prevailing weather conditions in most of the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) areas, I think this money is so little. We need to take note of that so that maybe, in future, we can add more money to this Vote through a supplementary budget. The State Department for Special Programmes has been under-funded completely. An allocation of Ksh609 million is too littl…

Thank you.

[(Programme 0733000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1033 agreed to)]

Where is the Mover of the amendment? Chair, Budget and Appropriation Committee?

THAT, Vote 1041 under the Programme 0801000 Defence be amended by deleting the expression “Ksh195,991,900,000” appearing in Column 6 and substituting, therefor, the expression “Ksh184,991,900,000.” We are rationalising the budget for the Ministry of Defence because we realised that we had given them more resources than they need at the moment. That is the reason for this amendment.

[(Ministry of Defence)]

[(Gross Current Estimates)]

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

[(Programme 0801000 as amended agreed to)]

[(Programmes 0802000, 0803000 and 0806000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1041 as amended agreed to)]

[[The Chairlady (Hon. Gladys Boss) left the Chair]]

[[The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’) took the Chair]]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I want to draw the attention of the Chairman of the Budget Appropriation Committee and that of the Chairman of the relevant Committee, if he is around, that we have quite a substantial amount under recurrent expenditure under Programme 0714000, which would suggest a high level of payment of rent and the rest. In the future, can we have an arrangement where we can securitis…

[(Loud consultations)]

We can build our diplomatic missions to reduce the amount of rent that we pay to foreigners. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Well said.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0714000, 0715000, 0741000 and 0742000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1053 agreed to)]

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hold your horses. Go ahead, Hon. CNN

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I am perturbed. About 15 constituencies have committed the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) towards the construction of technical institutes and yet, after going through this Budget, the money for the completion of those technical institutes has not been factored in. I have interrogated the Budget. Money has not been allocated for completion of …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I agree with Hon. CNN. As we allocate money for completion of the projects, let us also factor in money to complete and equip institutes so that they are operational. The Temporary Chairman : Where is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education? Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, do you have anything to say on this?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the allocations under TVETs are justified. We have provided resources that are necessary to enhance infrastructure in TVETs. I am aware of a communication circulating on short message service (SMS) to the effect that TVET allocations have been cut. That is not the situation. I wish to confirm that we have provided enough resources for TVETs. The Temporary Chairman : Hon.…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

[(Programmes 0505000, 0507000 and 0508000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1064 as amended agreed to)]

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh127,552,220,456 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1066 (State Department for Basic Education). The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Mbui.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Report of the Committee showed questions by the Departmental Committee on Education. I also had a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education last week, and he complained about the amount of money being provided for capitation. Can the Chairman of the Committee confirm to the House whether we are allocating enough money for our children to enable them g…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I would want to know from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education, as well as the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, whether there are sufficient funds that have been set aside to employ quality assurance and standards officers to meet the shortfall number of 2,000 in the country? Without quality assurance and controls, the quality of educ…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Let me start with the exam fee. The Government is currently engaged. As a House, we allocated Ksh5.9 billion for exams, knowing very well that it is not enough. We need about Ksh11 billion for examinations. But we know that the exams are not administered at once. There will be preparations for the exams and logistics. Payment of examiners will come later. I am sure that with Ksh5.9 billion, we can…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I thank the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee for understanding what we presented before his Committee. There was no allocation by The National Treasury and Economic Planning for examinations. We know very well that exams cannot consume the Ksh12 billion at once. We, therefore, allocated Ksh5.9 billion to cater for exam logistics and printing o…

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Members, you are well apprised.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : What is out of order, Hon. Mbui?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

It is just an observation, Hon. Temporary Chairman. When you put the question, at the point of “Aye”, you were louder than “Nay”. You have to regulate the volume. The Temporary Chairman : I do not vote.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

You have said “Aye” louder than “Nay” when putting the question.

[(Laughter)]

I have an amendment. Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move: THAT, the Schedule be amended in Vote 1071 —

[(The National Treasury)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, it is commendable that a substantial amount of close to Ksh59 billion has been placed under capital expenditure. Can the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee give us an assurance that this is not just money on paper? That the money will actually flow and do the work it is supposed to do, unlike what has happened in this Financial Year that we are just about …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, Hon. Oundo likes to play politics with this budget process. Hon. Oundo, you know that you are my brother. There is an opinion poll that comes at the end of the year about how many times somebody has spoken on this Floor. I urge you not to seek to be number one on that poll. You know very well that the Budget for this Financial Year is being implemented successfully. I have…

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Well said.

So, there is no doubt that the allocated money will be spent correctly. I also know that the Principal Secretary in-charge of this docket is from Hon. Oundo’s Constituency. I can assure you that, that Principal Secretary will be given the resources to do his work. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you. The Temporary Chairman : Order, Hon. Oundo.

[(Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 07710000, 0707000, 0709000, 077400 and 077500 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1072 agreed to)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Vote on medical services. You are all aware that health is a devolved function. I saw a number of health centres in the Second Schedule that seem to be set up for construction. I want to know from either the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee or the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Some of those health centres are being set up by the National Government to support the county governments in the form of Levels 2 and 3 health facilities. Many of them were established as presidential directives and so, we faced the dilemma of whether or not to stop projects that had already been started. Our decision was that if something has been started and money has been allocated to it, it i…

may not complete them in this Financial Year. Some may still appear in next year’s budget because they will not be completed. Many colleagues had facilities in their constituencies, whose completion had been promised and, therefore, we had to reduce the allocations to do so. If we were to consider these matters on principle, we would have refused to allocate funds to those projects. But since the…

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the issue of healthcare services and financing is an emotive issue at the moment. It is a matter that has been robustly discussed all over. For general knowledge and consumption, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health should tell us how much has been set aside for primary healthcare, critical health and chronic illness so that Kenyans can know. Thank you, Ho…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. As a follow up on that matter, it will be important for Kenyans to be told how much money has been put in the Budget for interns. This is because they are always out here and, therefore, we need to give them confidence so that they can go back to work. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Nyikal.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Primary Healthcare Fund comes under the broader financing of Social Health Authority (SHA) . There are two Funds: Emergency and critical cares which have not had an allocation before. This time we have allocated them Ksh10 billion. The Primary Healthcare Fund has, for the first time, had an allocation of Ksh13 billion. It is expected that this money will be …

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Thank you. Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I would like to thank Hon. Nyikal for that submission. I would also like to add that for the UHC workers, I can assure them that the money that has been allocated for their confirmation into permanent and pensionable is here. It is reserved. Therefore, I urge them to stop sending me SMSs and WhatsApp messages. This morning, I received about 1,000 SMSs. The Temp…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, Ksh6.1 billion. We allocated this amount since we know that most of those workers have either left the service or have been employed into permanent terms and so they are now few. That is why we believe that, that amount is enough for that process. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you. I will now put the Question.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0406000, 0407000, 0408000 and 0412000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1083 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move: THAT the First Schedule be amended in Vote 1091 under the Programme 0202000 (Road Transport) , by deleting the expression Ksh128,453,219,469 appearing in Column 7 and substituting therefore, the expression Ksh150,253,219,469. Hon. Temporary Chairman, this is one of the processes we are engaging in to ensure equity in roads allocation across the country.…

[(State Department for Roads)]

[(Gross Capital Estimates)]

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I have gone through the amendment. It will bring a difference of almost Ksh21.8 billion, which is not a small amount. It is only fair for the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to table the list of those proposed roads before we approve this amendment. It is a very big amount. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Chairman, go ahead.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, we have the list which we can avail to the Hon. Member. It consists of all ongoing roads whose budgets

have been cut substantially. We felt that if the monies are not brought back, then the roads will continue to stall. We can provide the list. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Abuor.

Hon. Abuor can see me so that I can give him the list of the roads. The Temporary Chairman : The list should be available to everyone.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, going by our Standing Orders, the list should not be provided to me, but it should be tabled in the House and approved by Members of Parliament. The Temporary Chairman : Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, the list should be tabled in the House before the end of the day. Can you undertake that it will be tabled before the end of the day?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I undertake to table the list.

[(Programme 0202000 as amended agreed to)]

[(Vote 1091 as amended agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, we have a substantial allocation towards rail transport. Can those of us who do not sit in the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure be generally informed where this money is going to be expended so that we can be aware? Secondly, I am not so sure whether the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee will apprise the country on the extent of …

Hon. Members, this is the third time Hon. Oundo is asking this question. We have the books and they are public documents. They are for Members of Parliament and everyone else. Hon. Oundo, I will not entertain a question like that because every Member has access to these books.

Yes.

You can see how much is going to health, transport and all the other programmes as indicated. We will be repeating ourselves. Not unless you are seeking a clarification but, in terms of the numbers, these are clearly in the books.

[(Programmes 0201000, 0203000, 0204000 and 0216000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1092 agreed to)]

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh5,683,384,683 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June, 2026 in respect of Vote 1093 (State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs).

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Hon. Mayaka, what is out of order?

Hon. Chairman, I have been pressing the intervention button trying to catch your attention.

It is not showing on my end.

Apologies for that. I also have a question. Looking at the Third Schedule on the Votes and the summary of what it contains, from Vote 1091 through to 1093, we do not have any information presented. Maybe, that is the concern most Members have because we are not able to follow the details of those particular Votes.

Thank you so much, Hon. Member. That is what I was speaking to. I have given direction that it must be availed to all Members before the end of the day. The Chairperson has undertaken that it shall be done. Because of the many amendments that have been done in that particular Committee, they are not ready. So, Hon. Chairperson, make sure that the list is available.

[(Programme 0220000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1093 agreed to)]

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh14,515,164,555 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1097 (State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development).

Hon. Temporary Chairman, thank you very much. I just want to put it on record and, maybe, seek your guidance. The earlier estimates that were submitted to this House last week, under this particular Vote Item, under the Third Schedule… I cannot see the page! But on something called Muozi Water Pan in Suba South. The amount presented today is a reduction of Ksh10 million, as opposed to the earlier…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, this is almost my fourth time talking about irrigation. In your simple logistics, what does one irrigate? You irrigate crops. We should do something about that department because it is misplaced. It is supposed to be under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The items mentioned here are not relevant. They should do something about it because it is just l…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, maybe, I will sit down with Hon. Caroli to confirm the specific project he is referring to. The Temporary Chairman : He mentioned it. Hon. Caroli, I suggest that you approach the Chairperson of the concerned Committee. You can cross the aisle. That should take 30 seconds because I want to proceed on this.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Hon. Caroli Omondi crossed the aisle and consulted with Hon. Kangogo Bowen)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, some projects were supposed to be implemented at the Headquarters. Therefore, we are reducing the allocation to the Headquarters, but increasing the allocation to the implementing agency, which is the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency. If you give me a few minutes after you finish the next Vote, I will come back to you as I show him exactly where this...

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): This Vote will be taken subject to what you have just said. This is a House of honour, Hon. Kangogo. Hon. Omondi, you do not need to belabour the point.

I am not belabouring it. I just want to put it on record that there is no concomitant increment as of now. The Temporary Chairman : He said that he wants to check that.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you.

[(Programmes 1014000, 015000, 1022000 and 1023000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1104 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, this is probably one of the issues that has elicited a raging debate regarding the mandate of the national Government and the county governments. There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal for the National Government to allocate or appropriate funds. Can the Budget and Appropriations Committee allocate some of the amount as conditional grant to the county governments, s…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I beg to differ with my colleague. One of the areas where the National Government does tremendous job is electricity connectivity. We know what is happening in the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and Kenya Power. However, in matters of the Last Mile Connectivity, the National Government must play a bigger role. County governments a…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

He has suggested that the National Government should give county governments conditional grants. He is adding roles to the county governments instead of reducing them, so that they can focus on health and Early Childhood Education (ECD) . The Temporary Chairman : I am happy you are seated next to Hon. Atandi. He can tell you how that works after answering the question.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, those projects are being implemented by the water authorities which have more technical capacity, including the number of engineers, compared to the county governments. Some counties do not even have technical officers. For now, the water authorities are best placed to implement those programme that we have allocated funds to. Thank you.

[(Programmes 1001000, 1004000 and 1017000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1109 agreed to)]

and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1132 (State Department for Sports).

Chair, could the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Energy explain why there is a reduction of Ksh520 million from Project 1152109701 for rural electrification schemes? We know very well that there is a need for more rural electrification because many people are still in darkness and the demand for electricity is very high. Can we …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Even as we pass this Vote, it is important to remember that the Last Mile Connectivity is just not only about constituencies in rural areas. There are constituencies with informal settlements in urban areas, including mine. Other such settlements are Mukuru and other places. They have not had electricity for nearly seven years. I can mention Hospital Ward in my constituency.

I hope the affirmative action included in this Vote is to ensure connectivity to my people and other informal settlements and will be completed in the Supplementary Budget. We will ask that additional funds be allocated so that we achieve Last Mile Connectivity in informal settlements. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Chair of the Departmental

The question by Hon. Mary Emaase is about the removed Ksh530 million. The money was for paying a pending bill. We realised the Committee justified that the money was not sufficient. Therefore, the money was transferred to cater for electricity to public institutions. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Emaase, you heard what he has said. The money was for paying pending bills, but they moved it from t…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Teso South, UDA)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairperson, the problem Mary is raising is everywhere. The Temporary Chairperson : She is Hon. Mary.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Sorry, Chair. The problem Hon. Mary is raising is everywhere. I know that there are so many court cases on Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) that are stalling the development of those programmes. I want to assure Hon. Mary that the funds that we have taken to public institutions are not specific to projects. As the Budget and Appropriations Committee, we decided that w…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0211000, 0212000, 0213000 and 0214000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1152 agreed to)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairperson.

When I look at this Vote, there is a new programme called National Livestock Development and Promotion Service (NLDPS) Board that has just been allocated a paltry Ksh50 million. This is a new board that was inaugurated four months ago and it needs to take off. Remember, livestock contributes 12 per cent to our Gross domestic product (GDP). Unfortunately, there is no seriousness in ensuring that th…

Hon. Temporary Chairman, thank you very much for that protection. Indeed, this is a policy issue. I must say that it is unfortunate that, that Board has not been properly funded to function. They had asked us for about Ksh500 million, but we were only able to give them Ksh50 million to begin their activities. I am sure that in the successive budgets, we will be able to see what we can add. I wan…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. This is a very important issue… The Temporary Chairman : But give it a minute. Do not go beyond.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Allow me this, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : I will not allow you more than a minute.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Okay. This is a very important issue. I want to confirm to the House and the pastoralist community of the Republic of Kenya that this morning, we had a serious discussion with the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on the same. Hon. Temporary Chairman, you are aware that the Bill was passed in 2013, but the Board was operationalised four months ago. You cannot just u…

morning, and we will still meet him again next week on Wednesday to deliberate on this. That Board must be funded. That is the long and short of it. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Correct. I think that is the long and short of it. When they do that, they will also fund the Kenya Fisheries Board. Hon. Caroli.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I note with very serious concern that there is a reduction in the Vote for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. From what was presented last week, there is a reduction, but it is being termed as an increment. It says: ”An increase of Ksh50 million for sustainable Tsetse flies and Trypanosomiasis free areas”, and yet, last week, we had Ksh100 million allocated to comb…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Yes. This came before us, and what we discussed is that we should improve the livestock policy to the extent that we have some programmes to export live animals, particularly to the Far East and the Middle East. We are discussing this in the Departmental Committee, and we will be able to do that. Exportation of live animals, particularly to the Middle East and the Far East, is important. The Temp…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, my question was… The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Wanyonyi, I thought…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Last week… The Temporary Chairman : A minute, Hon. Caroli. I thought you were answering the question by Hon. Caroli on the Tsetse fly reduction. He is not aware? The Temporary Chairman : Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, do you have any response to this issue of tsetse fly in Lambwe Valley?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(A Member spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, let me say this is a policy issue. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock would have been in the best place to respond to that issue. I hope I have satisfied the Members. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you. Members, I put the Question that the programmes under vote 1162…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : What is out of order?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I think the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee is evading the question. The question is whether there is a contradiction. There is Ksh50 million here and then there is Ksh100 million. That is not a policy issue; it is budgeting. Could the Chairman let us know if there is an internal contradiction? My home is in Lambwe Valley. Those tsetse flies usually rest on my trees every morni…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the total amount allocated for the Tsetse flies and Trypanosomiasis is Ksh100 million. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Caroli, you need to check that as I put the Question.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0112000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1162 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move: THAT, Vote 1169 , under 0108000 Crop Development and Management, be amended by deleting the expression Ksh20,166,811,411 appearing in Column 7 and substituting therefore, the expression Ksh20,316,811,411. This is an additional Ksh150 million to help in purchasing dryers for coffee farmers. Thank you.

[(State Department for Agriculture)]

[(Gross Capital Estimates)]

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : After I propose the Question, you can raise your point of order. Let us have Hon. Wamuchomba.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I just wanted to point out that Hon. Atandi is out of order. That is because in his amendment, he has

read out the first figure in billions, but has read the second figure without mentioning whether it is in billions or millions. He needs to be categorical. I am a coffee farmer and I am very interested in this. Thank you. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Okay. Hon. Makali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. This House approved the sugar reforms and the leasing of public sugar mills. The public sugar mills are owed Ksh5.6 billion. In this proposal, there is a reduction of Ksh530 million from the sugar reforms. Can the Chairman assure us that this will not affect the sugar reforms because the farmers are owed Ksh5.6 billion? The investors have taken over and yet the…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, this department oversees most of the value chain, and the so-called Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) ; whatever that means. I hope they have included sufficient funds for the textile value chain in terms of seeds for cotton, ginneries and the entire value chain. This will enable us realise that dream so that it does not become a rhetoric in public. The Temp…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Wamuchomba, we have just spoken on this. Go ahead.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have just had a chat with the Hon. Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. He has explained to us why he is changing the figures. But please allow him to submit the actual figures on record, so that we can record properly. This is because in the last financial year, the same was done. Some money was allocated but it was never implemented. This is a House of r…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I think this is a House where we should be allowed to express ourselves… The Temporary Chairman : You have, and I am responding to you just now.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

It is only right for us to be listened to and not to be dismissed. I am saying that the figure that the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee has read on the first submission is not the same figure he has repeated in his second submission. What figure are we entrenching? The Temporary Chairman : That is what I am explaining to you. It is because he is amending. The first figure he …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

But he did not tell us whether it is in billion or millions of shillings. That is what we want him to say so that we can keep track. Our work is oversight. The Temporary Chairman : No, he mentioned. But he can repeat. I heard him read out what you are saying he should. Hon. Atandi, kindly be on record again.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I beg to move: THAT, the First Schedule be amended in Vote 1169 under the 0108000 Crop Development and Management, by deleting the expression “Ksh20, 166,811,411” appearing in Column 7 and substituting therefor the expression “Ksh20, 316,811,411” I explained that this is an additional Ksh150 million that is meant for buying coffee dryers. Thank you. The Tempo…

[(State Department for Agriculture)]

[(Gross Capital Estimates)]

[(Question of amendment proposed)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(A Member spoke off the record)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, that money was re-allocated by the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and I think they directed it to the coffee sector.

[(Laughter)]

[(Loud consultations)]

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Caroli, which report is this?

Hon. Temporary Chairman, you gave us time to consult with the Hon. Chairperson for the Departmental Committee on the Blue Economy and Irrigation, together with the Hon. Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh5,093,490,075 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1176 (State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development). (Programmes 0316000, 0317000, 0318000 and 0319000 agreed to)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

We appreciate this allocation for the elderly. The only thing I wish is that we improve on the release of the money. There are a lot of delays in releasing the money and our senior citizens are actually suffering. So, if we could improve on it, that would be excellent. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng): Correct. Hon. Emaase.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I see a reduction of Ksh600, 000,000 from the National Social Safety Net. We should get a clarification and the reasons why. For more than three years, the elderly have not been registered. There is a good number of people who have achieved the age to benefit from that social fund and yet, they have not been on-boarded. Could the reason for the reduction be expl…

[(Hon. David Ochieng)]

Hon. Mary is right that so many elderly people have not been on-boarded. Also, many elderly people have died and their numbers have decreased. I can assure you that, as the process of on-boarding takes off, the budget will be reinstated. The Temporary Chairman : Okay.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0908000, 0909000 and 0914000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1185 agreed to)]

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Yes, Hon. Oundo.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I am not so sure whether the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee will apprise the country on the extent of exploration. I hope the Chief Whip of the Majority Party is not leaving. He could as well answer the question. We have heard reports in the past of oil exploration in Turkana and gas exploration in the Coast region. I can see an allocation of a whooping Ksh5 billion, which I …

[(Hon. Owen Baya withdrew from the Chamber)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I plead with you to save me from that policy question. It is not within the scope of the budget. The Temporary Chairman : I know Hon. Oundo would only come to the Floor with a proper question to the relevant Committee. Why would he ask for the status report of exploration from the Budget and Appropriations Committee?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Ultimately, the final word lies with the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. He must have been briefed. He is a diligent young man from my neighbourhood… The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Oundo, last time I heard, you were a member of the Departmental Committee on Lands.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

No! I have never sat in the Departmental Committee on Lands. The Temporary Chairman : Which Committee do you sit in?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I sit in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives as well as the Public Accounts Committee. The Temporary Chairman : Yes. Did your Committee bring a report before the Budget and Appropriation Committee?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Yes, but it has nothing to do with exploration. The Temporary Chairman : No. The point is when you sat as the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, you looked at all the things under your mandate and took them before the Budget and Appropriation Committee. Is that not so?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Yes, and when the Chairman went to the Budget and Appropriations Committee, he was requested to defend every single line of entry. I am sure by this time, the young man has got a lot of information which he can later discuss. The Temporary Chairman : I beseech you, Members, there is nothing untoward on this matter. Just because we have a break does not mean we should not. I want to proceed with …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Hon. Adan Keynan spoke off the record)]

I respect Hon. Oundo because he understands. When he was raising that issue, I am sure he also knew the answer. The budget-making process is stratified in such a way that there is a Budget Policy Statement which is a wish list that encompasses every policy objective of the Executive. Then it comes to Parliament. That Statement is what leads to putting it in figures. That is what ends up before the…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Please, I know you are somebody well-informed, well- reasoned and well-articulated. Bring it as a question, and I am sure the Chairman of the relevant committee will be in a position to answer it.

[(Programme 0215000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1193 agreed to)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. It is worth going on record on this matter – the programme on tourism product development and diversification. We are performing very poorly in this area in terms of tourism. This country has huge potential. I urge this Department to use that money effectively so that we can boost our numbers. We will also boost our revenue. Thank you. The Temporary Chairman :…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, some two weeks ago, we saw a serious backlog at the Kenya Wildlife Services, when many tourists wanted to access the park. It was embarrassing to the country and to those tourists. We hope the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, in this financial year, will put in place some measures to make sure that our tourists find it easy to access our parks. Thank you.

[(Programmes 0313000, 0314000 and 0315000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1202 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the human-wildlife conflict in this country affects many people. In Kerio Valley, where I come from, we have so many elephants which destroy many crops. Farmers were told to register at the nearby chief and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) , but they have not been paid. The compensation of human-wildlife conflict takes too long, and is now a pending bill of close to Ksh7 billi…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, on the same note, in Ndhiwa, we have many victims who have been mauled by crocodiles, but the compensation takes a lot of time. It sometimes takes two or three years before they are compensated. I join that question to be assured whether the compensation has been included here and whether it will be implemented. This is very important to us. The Temporary Chairman : Hon.…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I confirm that there is Ksh1.86 billion in this Budget for human-wildlife compensation. I believe the relevant Members of Parliament will pursue compensation for their constituents once this Budget is passed. The Temporary Chairman : Correct. Thank you. Address the same before the relevant committee. Yes, Whip of the Minority Party.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona spoke off the record)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I am glad that money has been allocated because my area is greatly affected by attacks by hippopotamuses. I share the same concern with ‘Wuod Chief’ who is also affected by other wildlife. Many people have been killed by hippopotamuses in our areas, but it takes too long to compensate them. We welcome the idea of allocating the money to compensate them.

[(Programme 1019000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1203 agreed to)]

Hon. Chairman, I want to confirm that this is the Vote where the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) falls, but I can see that there is no woman representative in the House. The Temporary Chairman : There is none.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

In future, when they complain that their money has been taken away, they should not blame anyone because they are not here when we go through some of these processes. The Temporary Chairman : There is nothing out of order there. The Chairman said there is no woman representative in the House and that is true.

[(A Members spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0911000, 0912000 and 0913000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1212 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, even if the county women representatives are not here, we are representing them. The Temporary Chairman : It is all agreed.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

The allocation for affirmative action .… The Temporary Chairman : That part is already spent.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we showed interest in it. The Temporary Chairman : Order. Hon. Emaase! You have been seated there and every time you have raised your hand, I have given you a chance to speak. Take your seat.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0710000, 0709000 and 0747000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1213 agreed to)]

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh5,354,954,345 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 1252 (State Law Office).

Chair, this is a very important line item, but I am just wondering whether this is really enough. Many cases are being lost now because witnesses are scared and do not show up due to lack of protection. I am not sure but, maybe, the Chairman, Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) , can react to this. This is a drop in the ocean. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Chair, the Member for Ndhiwa thinks …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

At least Ksh2 billion. In fact, I would even take from the prosecution. Without witnesses, the prosecution is null and void. The Temporary Chairman : Let us hear from the Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Hon. Oundo, what do you want to say?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, if you sit with many prosecutors and the police, you will realise that they are so frustrated. Witnesses are no longer willing to go and testify. In the new Constitution, the accused persons are given bail and bonds and they roam in the villages. We need to strengthen the witness protection system. Otherwise, we will not prosecute criminals who roam around successfully, in…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I appreciate the contributions from Members. The amount you see here of Ksh841 million is an enhancement by Ksh100 million and so, the Budget and Appropriations Committee is doing something. I have also taken note of the Members’ comments. We will continue to enhance it in future. This is an enhancement by about Ksh100 million. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Me…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0615000 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I do not know whether this money will take care of buying seedlings and planting trees. The Government policy of increasing forest cover is given lip service. Many of our women groups have seedlings, but they cannot sell them to anybody and yet the Government does not seem to have provided for that. Will this money be used to look into that? The Temporary Chairman : That…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Hon. Atandi consulted with the clerks)]

[(Programmes 1002000, 1010000 and 1012000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1331 Agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, there is a lot of intervention from the donor community in matters of afforestation, and money that is not captured in our Estimates. From the Estimates Vote under the State Department for Forestry, we have about Ksh1.5 billion that is meant for afforestation. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 1018000,1024000, and 1025000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1332 agreed to)]

THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh530,334,902 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure (Recurrent and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 2011 (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights). The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Makali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I just wanted to request the House that, as we move to the future, we look at this budget of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) because we are experiencing many human rights abuse cases. I wish we could even double this budget so that they document the cases to improve the situation as it is. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Put the Question. The Temporary Chairman : That was a comment.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0616000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2011 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the mandate of the National Land Commission (NLC) is to provide compensation for acquired public land. I chair a committee where so many water projects are donor-funded. Under the donor-funded projects, the Government of Kenya is supposed to provide the counterpart money for land compensation. The Government transfers the money to the NLC, but it takes them almost one year…

[(Hon. Johana Kipyegon crossed the aisle while speaking on the phone)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0119000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2021 agreed to)]

and Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 2031 (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission).

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I just want to make a plea to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) . A passionate plea on behalf of the teachers of Kenya who take care of our children. I hope the Budget and Appropriations

Committee Chairman is listening. The first one is that we have teachers who probably went to school a bit later. They are approaching 45 years and they have not been employed by TSC. With the enhanced budget and the fact that they will now employ 20,000 or so teachers, I make a plea that they give such teachers first priority. It is basic human rights. Number two, there must be fair distribution …

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I will not even spend a minute. I will just spend a second. This huge budget has money for promotions and recruitment. My plea to the new boss who will be heading this institution is that we need fairness in promotions, recruitment, and in distribution of teachers in this country. We are all children of this country called Kenya. We must be served by our motherland. Thank…

[(Programmes 0509000, 0510000 and 0511000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2091 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the Office of the Auditor-General plays a very important role in auditing Ministries and Government institutions. I want to point out an important issue to the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Reports of the Auditor-General must form part of the budget- making process. Every day, the Leader of the Majority Party lays papers on reports of the Auditor-Gen…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I sit in the Public Accounts Committee but since the question is directed to the Chairman and he has not paid me to answer on his behalf, I will let him ang’ang’ane na hali yake. I just want to make a plea to the Office of the Auditor-General. It is agreed and documented that this country loses a lot of money through pilferage, corruption and unaccountable loss of money. N…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

The procedure is simple. We table reports and once the House approves, the Public Accounts Committee becomes functus officio and the matters move to the Committee on Implementation. Again, some of the reports by the Auditor-General that come to us do not pick out misdemeanours and the loss and so, we require further forensic audit. We plead with them to rise to the occasion and undertake their man…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the Auditor- General works for this House. When they appeared before us, they also complained that this House amends their audit reports. They indicated that, sometimes, they bring stinging reports, but we end up amending them. In my opinion, the blame game is on both sides. In terms of their budget, we have finally given them the one-line budget which they have been aski…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, we take the reports very seriously. For example, the Auditor-General has given us reports on revenue projections that we normally use to project our revenue here. They have also audited budget performance. We take those reports into account because they are very important. The Temporary Chairman : No! We will not open this debate. I will give this chance to only one pers…

[(Hon. Makali Mulu spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I am very happy that the Office of the Auditor-General has been adequately funded before, and even this time. Number one, what we would like to see is not just the implementation of the audit reports, but a situation where if the Auditor-General confirms, through the various reports, the amounts of money we have lost in any financial year, such amounts should be removed fr…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

No, I am not debating. I am just making a point for their consideration. The auditors who are sent to audit NG-CDF move in vehicles with the NG-CDF committee members. How do you move around with the person you are auditing? We need reforms in this area. This Budget also needs to be properly applied. I thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Makali, I am sure you will s…

[(Hon. Makali Mulu stood up in his place)]

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I am happy that we sit together with you in this Committee. What the Auditor-General has said is that this House has let her down because she comes up with very clear recommendations, but we never take them on board. Our Chairman should accept that we have not been doing it. From this financial year to the next one, we must first get the audit reports to our table. If you …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0729000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2111 agreed to)]

Development) during the year ending 30th June 2026 in respect of Vote 2121 (Controller of Budget).

Hon. Temporary Chairman, this is the Office of the Ombudsman. I wish I was in that Departmental Committee because I would not allocate any funds to that Commission. There must be value for money. There is absolutely nothing on public record showing what that Commission has done for Kenya. Just reduce its allocation in future. Just pay the staff salaries because it is a constitutional commission, b…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, Article 249 of the Constitution requires us to adequately fund those commissions. I am concerned that since you and I came to this Parliament… The Temporary Chairman : On 28th March 2013.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I am concerned that since you and I came to the 11th Parliament on 28th March 2013, we have been reducing the budgets of those commissions to the extent that they are not able to discharge their constitutional roles. The Commission on Administrative Justice does a lot. It receives public complaints which would otherwise go to the Judiciary. How can they discharge that role, including acting as a …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programme 0731000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2131 agreed to)]

(Hon. Owen Baya, Hon. Naomi Waqo and Hon. Silvanus Osoro consulted along the gangway)

Order, Members.

[(Programmes 0621000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2141 agreed to)]

Hon. Mayaka.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. This is one of those authorities that really need proper funding, especially given the latest issue they are dealing with - the case of the late Albert Ojwang’. May his soul rest in peace. That Authority is grossly under-funded. They do not have enough manpower to conduct independent investigations. Therefore, this is one Authority that all Members of Parliament…

[(Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo raised his hand)]

I do not want a debate on this matter. Hon. Bashir.

[(Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo spoke off the record)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The name of this institution is Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) but, sometimes, they conduct their affairs under the wings of the National Police Service (NPS) . They use the infrastructure of the police officers whom they are supposed to oversee. They are not independent. Sometimes, they travel to areas outside Nairobi using police infrastructur…

Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I am generally disappointed by the performance of the Authority. Unless they account for the time they have been in existence, it might be time to think of defunding it completely, especially if they cannot deliver. We lost about 70 young people during the Sufuria and Unga

demonstrations and yet, no police officer has been netted. They were shot by police bullets. We lost those young people during the Generation Z demonstrations. We continue losing many more people who are abducted by police officers. As Hon. Bashir has said, they either become independent or we forget about them.

Thank you. Hon. Sunkuli.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the Authority really needs to be funded. Someone was killed in Kilgoris last weekend. When I went to see the family, I met two officials from IPOA who came to investigate why the police shot the boy, down at the rural area. They were operating with meagre resources. The way things are now, the more police are accused, the more we need someone to control them. IPOA needs to…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you very, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I also join the rest… The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Kaluma, can you say what is out of order?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Sorry? The Temporary Chairman : You are saying out of order. What is out of order?

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I have not said anything. The Temporary Chairman : Okay. Go ahead, Hon. Osoro.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I also feel that the IPOA is expected to do so much by the public, even by the police themselves but, with meagre resources, that cannot help them mitigate the challenges that they have. I also must appreciate the fact that I have heard several matters, sometimes for and, sometimes, against the IPOA. I must confess that they have so much in their hands. This budget is inad…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

They were speaking from a podium that was set up by the police that they are supposed to investigate. All this is about resources. The Temporary Chairman : Thank you. Hon. Emaase.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I join my colleagues in demanding that we increase the budget for IPOA. There is an increasing number of cases that are affecting police officers. It is not only murder, like the disgusting one where someone was killed in the police station, but many others, even related to gender-based violence in police stations. There is need for this budget to be enhanced fo…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I serve in the Committee under which IPOA falls. Our police officers have refused the reforms that were brought by the new Constitution. They are still behaving like a force, not a service. Those police officers are serving Kenyans across the country and yet, this particular Authority barely has even vehicles to move. It barely has petroleum for the few vehicl…

not able to do anything now, for good reasons, let every opportunity to add money to this Authority be utilised so that they can serve the public. Otherwise, they are incapacitated. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Baya.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the current IPOA is a new one. Hardly six months in office. I look forward to them discharging their duties better than the previous one. The previous one just sat and did nothing. We have a new Authority, which this House approved recently. We look forward to better discharge of duties. Also very important to note is, like Hon. Mary Emaase has said, we need to give them m…

[(Programme 0622000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2151 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the budget for the Judiciary is now stipulated at nearly Ksh27 billion. I want a confirmation from the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee that this includes the development budget for the courts across the country. Hon Temporary Chairman, when you and I were in the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, we started a court which was launched …

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I must appreciate that this has been a progressive appreciation of the Judiciary budget over the years. Looking at a similar vote last year, I must confirm that we have increased the budget to a substantial percentage, but one thing that is very clear about the Judiciary is that they currently have a challenge of staffing. There is a big challenge of staffing and lack of e…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, it has been established that the Judiciary is not very good at doing some of those infrastructure projects.

That is the truth. I think it is a Commission that should just focus on dispensing justice. The extent of their engagement in building their courts has become a problem. They have been unable to finish some of their critical infrastructure and this is something that the Budget and Appropriations Committee has taken note of. We have allocated Ksh1.7 billion in this Budget towards the infrastructur…

Of course, we have allocated about Ksh1 billion for the recruitment of new staff. Thank you.

[(Programme 0610000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 1261 agreed to)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, Article 95 (5) (b) of our Constitution provides that one of the functions of the National Assembly is oversight. Article 260 of the Constitution provides that a State organ includes an office or a commission. I want to ask the Clerk of the National Assembly or the Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission something. Who oversees the Parliamentary Service Commissi…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I have a question because I have learnt from the Government that the economy has improved. Taking into account that we were operating

under austerity measures, has the budget to Parliament reinstated our travel allowances back to normal? I do not know whether the Chairman has heard it. Hon. Jematiah is still consulting.

[(Loud consultations)]

Now that austerity measures have ended, I am asking the Chair whether he has reinstated our travel allowances. The Temporary Chairman : You have two questions to answer, Hon. Chairman. One: Who oversees the Parliamentary Service Commission? Two: Now that the economy is doing better, whether you have reinstated travel allowances for Members of Parliament. Go ahead.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. In terms of budgetary allocations, the Budget and Appropriations Committee oversees the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) because they come to defend their budget before us. To an extent, we do only that oversight. There is no other oversight we engage in. The only engagement we have with the Parliamentary Service Commission is in the budgetary process. The…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

[(Programmes 0765000 and 0766000 agreed to)]

[(Vote 2041 agreed to)]

Firstly, Hon. Temporary Chairman, as much as we support our colleagues on the other side, the Senators, there is a provision of Kshs500 million in this Budget for the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF) . If you read the Constitution, as Members of Parliament, we also play the oversight role, but we do not have such funds. Secondly, the Senators are more focused on what is happening in the National Assem…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I wanted to propose that a sum of Ksh500 million be deducted from this money. This is money that has been put in this Vote to cater for something called the Senate Oversight Fund. Under Article 240 of the Constitution, as read together with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Act, the pay or salary remuneration of any public officer is to enable them to discharge the…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

I urge that you get the Chair of Budget and Appropriations to deduct the sum that has been put here as Senate Oversight before we can vote on this. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Baya.

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

A little bit, Hon. Temporary Chairman. This is the last Vote we are doing. I want to thank you for a good job. On this Vote for the Senate, I want to say this, and I want the Senators to listen to me as we pass it. They should concentrate on overseeing counties. That is their job. We want counties to be properly managed. The reason we have pilferage and all those issues in the counties is because…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

We will move a Motion here to remove that Oversight Fund Ksh500 million. What is it for? What do they need it for? Those senators are

never even seen in the constituencies or in the counties. They stay here in Nairobi, use their money, have fun, and come here and turn the Senate into a talk show. They talk and talk and do nothing. We do not pay people to just have a talk show. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Thank you. Chairman of Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, the Member for Ndia. George…

Hon. Temporary Chairman, sometimes, when I stand here to talk about Senators who are our colleagues, I feel very sad. Sad to the extent that the Constitution was clear under Article 96 on what they are supposed to do,. Yet, they cannot do what they are supposed to do. For example, my Senator from Busia County gets Ksh20 million a year for doing nothing. We need to have a sober discussion with them…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

You find them doing what they are doing because they are not busy. They do not do budgets as we do. Today, we had the

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I want to join my colleagues in stating that the Senate is cut out for defending and upholding devolution. Of late, we see Cabinet Secretaries and State Departments appearing before the Senate on matters that have nothing to do with devolution. I do not know what will happen if, for example, our committees or the National Assembly was to summon Governors. How will that loo…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I have taken note of the Members’ concerns about the Senate Vote. I partly agree with them that, other than the Senator for Siaya, Dr Oburu Odinga, who is doing a very good job as a Senator, the other Senators are too young and they need to be given more active jobs than what they are currently given by the Constitution.

[(Laughter)]

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee of Supply do report to the House its consideration of the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2025/2026, and its approval thereof with amendments. Thank you.

[(Question proposed)]

[(Question put and agreed to)]

[(The House resumed)]

[[The Deputy Speaker (Hon. Gladys Boss) in the Chair]]

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has considered the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026, and approved the same with amendments.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Report of the Committee of Supply in its consideration of the Budget Estimates for the year 2025/2026 and, pursuant to the provisions of Article 221 of the Constitution, Section 39 of the Public Finance Management Act, CAP. 412A and Standing Order 240A, approves the issuance of a sum of Ksh2,549,543,978,440 from the Consolidated F…

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I do second.

Yes, Hon. Kaluma. Those who are interested in contributing can go to the intervention button.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am a very happy Member of Parliament today. I have gone through the Votes and also read through the Estimates, and it pleases me that for the first time in the history of this country, we are passing a Budget without much contestation. It is a Budget which is spread through all the sectors of Government in reasonable terms. It is also enabling all sectio…

Member for Funyula.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am also happy and I must pay tribute to my young brother, Hon. Atandi, for going through this rigorous process. We might have been hard on him, but that is the only way he can get harder. That is how we are brought up where I come from. There is an issue that was raised by Hon. Kangogo: The nexus between reports by the Office of the Auditor-General and the budget…

was only bringing it to his attention because I have sat in the Public Accounts Committee for the last four years and I understand. The nexus must be built. I would suggest that, at the commencement of the budget-making process, the Budget and Appropriations Committee should look at the blue book or various reports prepared by the Public Accounts Committees and Public Investment Committees. This w…

Hon. Irene Mayaka.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Budget and Appropriations Committee, led by my brother, Hon. Sam Atandi, for the great job they have done. I take particular note of what the Chairman has communicated to us in regard to Vote 1091 on roads. He said that they have taken into consideration the need for equal distribution of resources to all parts of Ken…

Member for Baringo County.

Thank you so much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I also add my comments on the passing of the Budget. This is an opportunity for Kenya to utilise this year's Budget in many ways. It is a Budget that has given us a sense of equity. As we look forward to this Budget’s utilisation, most of the monies we have allocated will impact Kenyans in many ways, specifically on electricity, the Social Health Authority (…

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I also wish to add my voice. I think it is a critical time for the country, especially when we are doing such allocations. Departments like the Ministry of Health are very critical for mothers across the country. Right now, we have a crisis of vaccines. I speak as a mother and so, I am very happy when I see that the Ministry of Health has also been allocated the amo…

We can have one more Member. Let us have Hon. Emaase first.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I also commend the Budget and Appropriations Committee for a good job. In particular, I appreciate the amount of fairness and the manner in which they have tried to address the issue of equity in the distribution of resources. When I look at the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and sports, I see sports academies spread across the country with, of course, one in …

Hon. Members, for obvious reasons, we will not put the Question. It will be put at an appropriate time.

[(Putting of the Question deferred)]