National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Hon. Antoney Kibagendi asked for a statement from the Health Committee Chair on the shift from a two‑test to a three‑test HIV algorithm, and the Speaker granted a two‑week period for a response. Hon. David Gikaria then delivered a detailed reply focusing on historical oil‑exploration activities in northern Kenya, associated water contamination, de‑commissioning shortcomings, and recommended remediation measures. Members debated the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill, with several MPs expressing strong support for locking funds to address long‑standing marginalisation of the original 14 counties. They also highlighted persistent problems of mismanagement, corruption and uneven distribution that have limited the fund's impact, urging timely release of arrears and stricter oversight. The discussion called for focused investment in infrastructure, water, electricity and health services to bring disadvantaged regions up to parity. Members criticised the National Treasury for delayed and opaque disbursement of the Equalisation Fund, describing it as ‘rogue’ and demanding the Principal Secretary appear before the House. They highlighted the marginalisation of many counties, citing lack of electricity, roads, schools and flood mitigation, and called for a thorough audit and transparent allocation of funds. The debate combined strong criticism with constructive calls for accountability and equitable resource distribution.
Do we have quorum? Hon. Members, we have quorum to transact business. Clerk-at-the-Table.
Where is the Leader of the Majority Party and his team? Let us have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Dr Mutunga. The Chairperson of the Public Petitions Committee, Hon. Nimrod, go ahead.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
Thank you, Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee. Is the Office of the Leader of the Majority Party in the House now? Leader of the Majority Party, I have called you twice under Order No.5 on Papers.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for your indulgence. I was watching from the office as I attended to other business and I have come running. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Reports of the Auditor-General and financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2023 and the certificates therein in respect of:
Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. Is there any Member from that Committee with a brief from their Chairman? Leader of the Majority Party, where is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock?
Hon. Speaker, I know they had a Committee meeting. I do not see any Member of the Committee here. It is most likely that they are not yet through. You can seek their indulgence.
Sorry, we have Justice Kemei here. Are you a member of the Committee?
Yes.
Do you have your Chairman’s brief?
Hon. Speaker, I do not have the brief. I was with him in two Committee meetings earlier in the day. He mentioned that he was going to be in the House this afternoon. I do not have any brief.
Go look for him. Capture and bring him here.
Okay. I will do so.
Next Order.
Hon. Nimrod, give your notices.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to give notice of four Motions…
Order! You say, “I beg to give notice of the following Motion:” Give each notice on its own.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for your guidance.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Petitions Committee on its consideration of Public Petition No.7 of 2023 by Mr. Fredrick Gaya regarding Gazettement of Rachuonyo North as a hardship area, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 11th June 2024.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Petitions Committee on its consideration of Public Petition No.71 of 2023 by Hon. Victor Koech, MP regarding gazettement of Chepalungu Sub-County as a hardship area, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 11th June 2024.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Petitions Committee on its consideration of Public Petition No.70 of 2023 by Hon. Ken Chonga, MP regarding hardship allowance and affirmative action for teachers in Chonyi Sub-County, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 11th June 2024.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Petitions Committee on its consideration of Public Petition No.57 of 2023 by Hon. Tom Odege, MP regarding the gazettement of Nyatike West, Nyatike North and Nyatike South as hardship areas, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 11th June 2024. For accountability, I wish to notify the …
Let us go back to Order No.5.
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Dr Mutunga.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on its consideration of Senate Amendments to the Sugar Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 34 of 2022) .
Hon. Kibagendi, Member for Kitutu Chache South.
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 Health regarding the proposed transition from two-test to three- test algorithms for HIV testing in Kenya. On 22nd August 2023, the acting Director-General for Health in the Ministry of Health, vide a circular Ref: MOH/ADM/1/1/12 directed …
Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Health. Were you listening to that?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I request that you give us two weeks to respond to the request for statement by Hon. Kibagendi.
Okay, two weeks is ordered. Hon. Rozaah Buyu, Member for Kisumu West. Leader of the Minority Party, where is your Member? You are not the keeper?
I have no idea.
No idea? Okay.
Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining.
Hon. Speaker.
Yes, Hon. Gikaria?
I am ready with the response to request for Statement.
You are ready?
Yes.
Go ahead.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for your indulgence. I was slightly held up in the office attending to a constituent who had come from Kisumu. I have a request for a Statement regarding compensation for land compulsorily acquired to construct Kisumu Northern Bypass. Pursuant to provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands…
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands. Hold on, Hon. Nyamoko. What is it Hon. Jared?
[(Hon. Joash Nyamoko stood in his place)]
Thank you very much Hon. Speaker for allowing me to joyride on the Statement as read by Hon. Rozaah Buyu. Hon Speaker, the situation is uglier than she is putting it. When the idea of coming up with the Kisumu Northern Corridor that joins the Airport Road to Mamboleo, Muhoroni and ultimately Londiani Junction was birthed in 2015, the owners of parcels of land along that corridor were forcefully e…
Thank you. You have made your point. Chairman of the Departmental
In the next two weeks, Hon. Speaker.
Thank you, for that. Hon. Members, before we resume debate, at Order No.10, we will go into Committee of the whole House to consider Senate amendments to the National Rating Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.55 of 2022) and the Kenya Drugs Authority Bill (National Assembly Bill No.54 of 2022) . With regard to the Kenya Drugs Authority Bill... Abdullahi Sheikh and Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah consulted l…
[(Hon. Major (Rtd)]
amendments are looking for. That is the law, both in our jurisdiction and in comparable jurisdictions around the Commonwealth.
[(Applause)]
Hon. Members, for the convenience of the House, the Question to this Bill shall be put when it will be listed next by the House Business Committee. Hon. Members, the time being 7.08 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, 12th June 2024 at 9.30 a.m. The House rose at 7.08 p.m.
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