National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Members lauded Kenya's recent Olympic achievements and highlighted the inspiring story of Emmanuel Wanyonyi, urging the government to review Athletics Kenya's selection and training processes. A debate then emerged over the participation of transgender athletes in women's events, leading to procedural challenges and a point‑of‑order exchange. The discussion combined commendation, concern over sports governance, and contentious gender‑inclusion issues. The afternoon sitting saw multiple committee reports tabled, a motion to adopt the security inquiry report for six North Rift counties, and a two‑week extension granted to obtain Treasury tax‑waiver documents. It also featured a celebratory invitation to MPs for the granting of city status and a charter to Eldoret, Kenya’s fifth city. The House celebrated Kenya’s strong performance at the Paris Olympics, highlighted by Faith Kipyegon’s historic third gold medal, and proceeded with procedural business including messages on Senate mediation committees and the nomination of a Director‑General for the Competition Authority. Members also welcomed schoolchildren to Parliament and introduced a petition urging the repeal of the criminalisation of attempted suicide, citing mental‑health concerns. The debate combined commendation, routine legislative matters, and a call for legal reform.
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Hon. Members, we now have Quorum to transact business.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Members on their feet, take your seats. I have Communication on the performance of our athletes at the Paris Olympics.
[(Applause)]
Hon. Members, as you are aware, Kenya has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1956 and has sent athletes to compete in various disciplines over the years. Most recently, Kenya took part in the just concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. Hon. Members, the sterling performance by the Kenyan athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics was an improvement from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the athletes havi…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Members, take the nearest seats. I have two Messages.
Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 41 (4) , I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from the Senate regarding the appointment of Senators to two Mediation Committees. Hon. Members, the Message conveys that, pursuant to the provisions of Article 113 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the Senate has appointed Senators to Mediation Committees to consider…
Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42 (4) , I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from the then Acting Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on the nomination of a person for appointment as the Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) . In the Message, the Acting Cabinet Secretary conveys that, in exerci…
In this regard, the vetting of the nominee will be undertaken by a joint sitting of the relevant committees of the respective Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the established practice. For clarity, the vetting exercise shall proceed in the following manner:
Hon. Members, before I prosecute that Order, allow me to acknowledge in the Public Gallery:
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to welcome the students from Chesigot Primary School from my constituency and the other students from Baringo in Parliament. On my own behalf and that of the House…
Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
On behalf of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, myself and the House, I wish them a pleasant stay here as they observe the Parliament proceedings. These students are the future leaders of this country. Some of them are preparing to take over from us. I wish them a pleasant stay in the city. I thank you, Hon. Speaker.
[(Hon. Umulkher Harun stood up in her place)]
Thank you. Hon. Umulkher, could you take your seat?
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs on the Inquiry into the State of Security in the Six Counties of North Rift, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Laikipia declared as disturbed areas, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 13th August 2024.
Thank you, Hon. Tongoyo. Next Order.
I will start with Hon. Chepkonga.
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. About two weeks ago, you referred a Statement by Hon. Kawanjiku, the Member for Kiambaa, on an agreement that was signed by the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning together with a company in Kenya to grant them waivers of taxes. We had a meeting this morning where we interrogated the officials from the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Pl…
Two weeks extension granted. INVITATION TO MEMBERS TO CONFERMENT OF CITY STATUS CEREMONY AND GRANT OF CHARTER TO ELDORET MUNICIPALITY
Hon. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to extend an invitation to Members of Parliament. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 83. As you are aware, the President will grant Eldoret city status. He will grant a Charter on Thursday, 15th August 2024 to make Eldoret the fifth City of Kenya. As you know, Uasin Gishu County, which hosts this city, is the home of champions. All the six constituencies …
Boss—I would like to warmly extend our rich welcome to the Members of this House to attend the grant of the Charter to Eldoret as the fifth city in this Republic. This is the City which has produced many champions. This is the home of the first athlete, Mr. Kipchoge Keino, who won a gold medal for Kenya. It is intended that he will be recognised. It will be very nice that Members of Parliament at…
On a point of information, Hon. Speaker.
Hon. Ngusya, what is your point of information?
Hon. Speaker, I want to inform my colleague here that there is no place called Makueni. He should have said Wote. Makueni is just a name but the town is called Wote.
Hon. Speaker, I have been corrected by a person who knows the place. The Member is popularly known as CNN. He watches Cable News Network (CNN) a lot. So, he has more information than me. I agree with him.
Next, we will go to the Statement by Hon. David Ochieng’. He is not in the House. We will stay the matter until tomorrow. Next is Hon. Machua Waithaka, Member for Kiambu. Go ahead.
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding the arrest and prolonged detention of two Kenyan citizens in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) . The two siblings, namely, Mr Kevin Mbugua of Passport No.BK3490508 and his sister, Ms Nelli…
Is the Chairperson for the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, Hon. Nelson Koech, here? Is any Member of the Committee present? Leader of the Majority Party, inform them to bring the response in two weeks’ time. Yes, Hon. Kandie?
I will let my Committee Chair know that the response should be brought to the House in two weeks’ time. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
Hon. Joseph Namuar of Turkana Central is next.
Hon. Speaker, I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42 (2) (c) .
Speak with some energy. We cannot hear you.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42 (2) (c) , I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation regarding National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority’s incomplete projects in Turkana County. The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority was established under Section 30 of the Water Act of 2016 with the main mandate of…
Yes, Hon. Bowen. You are the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority has had serious challenges. It is among the 47 institutions listed for winding up. I will check up with the Ministry and bring a Response in two weeks’ time.
Thank you. Let us have Hon. Catherine Omanyo, the Member for Busia County.
Hon. Speaker, Hon. Oundo, the Member of Parliament for Funyula, had requested for a Statement to be informed on the criteria for and the status of distribution of Government vehicles to National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) . Specifically, he sought to know the criterion used and the status of distribution of Government vehicles, what steps the Government has taken to ensure that all …
In 2021, the Ministry retained 200 units of Ford Ranger model motor vehicles after expiry of the leasing programme based on the mechanical report from the field administration officers. The units were distributed to all the departments and field administration unit as follows:
Hon. Oundo, are you satisfied? Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo (Funyula, ODM) Hon. Speaker, I have had a discussion with the Chairman earlier. What he has indicated here is what he had told me. Of course, I am not satisfied for two reasons. Number one, the timelines are not given. As I stand here, the Motor Vehicle Registration GK B391H that he talked about is actually grounded and yet the County Commissi…
Thank you. Yes, Hon. Pukose.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Hon Tongoyo said that County Commissioners have been given 102 vehicles for use by ACCs. I do not know how that distribution was done because many of the ACCs, including the ACCs in Endebess, Chepchoina and other places, have no vehicles. I do not think they are able to even access the pooled vehicles. Secondly, out of the vehicles that are bought, 68 are given to the DCC…
Hon. Speaker, I appreciate the counter response from the Members. In my opening remarks, I made it very clear that there is an acute shortage of motor vehicles. I said that this problem is not just in the sub-county of the concerned Member but it is in a majority of the administrative units in the country. The solution to this problem lies in this House. It is a matter of allocation of resources –…
Let us go to the next one. Is Joseph Namuar in the House? Okay, go ahead and respond to his request for statement.
Hon. Members, the time being 7.02 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Wednesday, 14th August 2024, at 9.30 a.m. The House rose at 7.02 p.m.
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi