Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We do have quorum now, so we will start the day's business. Clerk, kindly call the first Order. Sen. Kisang’ and Senator for Makueni County, we are waiting for you to take your seats.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(Sen. Kisang’ and Sen. Maanzo stood at the door)]

[(Sen. Kisang’ and Sen. Maanzo sat in their places)]

On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and all other accompanying officers, and wish you a fruitful visit here in the Senate. I will ask the Minority Leader and the Deputy Minority Whip to extend words of welcome to the delegation from Ghana and also to the delegation from Kiambu County. You may proceed, Majority Leader.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. You had mentioned Minority Leader. That is why I was waiting to see who will take the honors, but I am glad you have since rectified. I wish to welcome the delegation from Ghana who are here on a study visit in the Parliament of Kenya. I have said times without number that in terms of ranking on professionalism and competence of public servants, our parliamentary staf…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the benefit of the delegation from Ghana, my name is Edwin Sifuna. I am the Senator for Nairobi, the City where you are, and the Deputy Whip of the Minority in the Senate. For your further information, I am also the

Secretary General of Kenya's largest Opposition political party called the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The reason I bring that up, is, in fact, there was an invitation from the African Governance Center (AGC) for my party to send representatives to Accra for a conference under the theme “From Politics to Prosperity” from the 12th to 14th August. Unfortunately, as political parties in this c…

Next Order.

Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) and 4, I have received the following Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the approval by the National Assembly of the Culture Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2024) . The Message, dated

Wednesday, 9th July 2025, was received in the office of the Clerk of the Senate on Wednesday, 9th July 2025. Pursuant to Standing Order No.46.(4), I now report the Message, that pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.41(1) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby convey the following Message from the National Assembly- WHEREAS, the Culture Bill (National Assembly Bill No.12 of…

Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.163 which requires that a Bill which originates in the National Assembly be proceeded with by the Senate in the manner as a Bill introduced in the Senate by way of First Reading. In accordance with Standing Order No.144, I direct that the Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill (National Assembly Bill No.72 of 2023), be read a First T…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Tuesday, 15th July, 2025- The Sugar , Order, Legal Notice No. 113 of 2025. I beg to lay.

[(Sugar Development Levy)]

[(Sen. Cheruiyot laid the document on the Table)]

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 15th July, 2025; Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on its consideration of the Labour Migration and Management No.2 Bill, (Senate Bills No. 42 of 2024) . I beg to lay.

[(Sen. Miraj laid the document on the Table)]

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the Chair, I beg to lay on the Table of the Senate the following reports of the Senate Committee today, Tuesday, 15th July, 2025- Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill 2025 (Senate Bills No.7 of 2025) .

Let us go to the next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My Statement is regarding the recent disturbing revelations concerning the conduct of Mr. Peter Ayiro, a senior teacher at Alliance Girls High School. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on deeply troubling revelations that have emerged concerning Mr. Peter Ayiro, a Senior Teacher and a long-time Christian Union (CU) patro…

I, therefore, urge this House to acknowledge the following-

Sen. (Prof) Margaret Kamar, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of international concern regarding the recently concluded continental consultations on the draft model law on labour migration in Africa, held from the 16th to 18th June, 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. The consultation was convened by the Pan-African Parliament, Committee of Trade, Customs and Immigr…

[(Loud consultations)]

Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats; may the Senator be heard in silence. Proceed, Professor.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This meeting brought together parliamentarians, Government officials, international partners and civil society actors to review and refine a harmonised legal framework to guide African Union (AU) Member States in managing labour migration in a coordinated and rights-based manner.

The draft model law has been in development for the past two years. Its core objective is to provide a uniform legal tool to guide Member States in enacting or aligning national labour migration laws to promote the protection of the migrant workers' rights, encourage fair recruitment practices, support gender-responsive policies and align national systems with international labour standards. Mr. …

What is the point of order, Senator for Kilifi County? The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Hon. Senators, the point of order that has been raised by the Minority Leader is extremely valid. There must be order when we are conducting our business in the House. We have given a lot of latitude to Members and we are beginning to feel a little bit more comfortable in the Chamber. We are consulting loudly and pace from one corner of the Chamber to the other. Some of us even receive calls on th…

Hon. Senators, the point of order that has been raised by the Minority Leader is extremely valid. There must be order when we are conducting our business in the House. We have given a lot of latitude to Members and we are beginning to feel a little bit more comfortable in the Chamber. We are consulting loudly and pace from one corner of the Chamber to the other. Some of us even receive calls on th…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I think Members must remember that labour migration is affecting all of them; from recruitment scandals to the destination issues that they have. I wish to take this opportunity to commend our colleague, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, for sponsoring a Labour Migration and Management Bill (Senate Bills No.42 of 2024) , which has been in the Committee for a while. The report of …

Hon. Senators, allow me to rearrange the Order Paper. There are three statements that we will come back to under Standing Order No.53 (1) . We will move to Order Nos.8, 9 and 10, and thereafter, resume the normal flow as contained in today's Order Paper. Clerk, you may proceed to call Order No.8.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Hon. Senators, allow me to rearrange the Order Paper. There are three statements that we will come back to under Standing Order No.53 (1) . We will move to Order Nos.8, 9 and 10, and thereafter, resume the normal flow as contained in today's Order Paper. Clerk, you may proceed to call Order No.8.

[(Interruption of Statements)]

Hon. Senators, the result of the Division is as follows-

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may open the doors and draw the bars.

[(The bars were drawn and doors opened)]

Hon. Senators, we will go back to statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 53(1). The Senator for Mombasa County.

The Senator for Nairobi City County, the Sen. Edwin Sifuna.

The Senator for Nairobi City County, the Sen. Edwin Sifuna.

The Senator for Kakamega County, the Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale.

The Senator for Kakamega County, the Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale.

Sen. Mandago, what is the issue? Just hold on, Sen. Nyutu,

Madam Temporary Speaker, because the school is on an academic tour, I think it is important for them to know and they know that their Senator is John Methu, the Senator for Nyandarua County. Sen. Nyutu is the Senator for Murang’a County. Further information to them is that Nyandarua County is in the Rift Valley. It would have been appropriate for me to welcome this delegation.

Sen. Mandago, you have a point on the fact that the Senator for Nyandarua is Sen. Methu, but I will proceed to allow Sen. Nyutu to welcome them on behalf of Sen. Methu.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. This is the kind of Standing Orders that I have taken issue with. Now, the former Governor for Uasin Gishu wants this House to believe that Nyandarua County is actually in Rift Valley.

Sen. Mandago, you have a point on the fact that the Senator for Nyandarua is Sen. Methu, but I will proceed to allow Sen. Nyutu to welcome them on behalf of Sen. Methu.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. This is the kind of Standing Orders that I have taken issue with. Now, the former Governor for Uasin Gishu wants this House to believe that Nyandarua County is actually in Rift Valley.

On a point of order---

Order, Sen. Nyutu, please.

On a point of order---

Order, Sen. Nyutu, please.

I have another communication to make on visiting teachers and pupils from Bonanza Primary School in Embu County. Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the public gallery this afternoon of visiting teachers and students from Bonanza Primary School in Embu County. The delegation comprises four teachers and 29 pupils who are in the Senate for one day academic exposition. Hon. M…

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. The Senator for Embu, your Senator, Sen. Mundigi, has just stepped out on official duties, but is always my immediate neighbour. I am also an alumna of St. Anne’s High School from the great County of Embu. So, I am also a product of Embu when it comes to my own levels. I take this opportunity to welcome you to the Senate. It is the ‘upper’ House. We also wish y…

Sen. Veronica Maina, please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on one of the Statement that has been brought to the Floor of this House by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. I want to first quote Article 3 of the Constitution- “ (1) Every person has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend this Constitution.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir. I am presuming that you have granted me the Floor to also contribute.

Yes, proceed.

I equally want to support the Statement by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale on the consequences of what was initially meant to be a very constitutionally protected right under Article 37 of the Constitution to demonstrate, picket and present petitions, which unfortunately, turned out to be a destructive experience which this country has previously not experienced. The Statement, which I believe once it is com…

Yes, proceed.

I equally want to support the Statement by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale on the consequences of what was initially meant to be a very constitutionally protected right under Article 37 of the Constitution to demonstrate, picket and present petitions, which unfortunately, turned out to be a destructive experience which this country has previously not experienced. The Statement, which I believe once it is com…

me are seeking to profile to the extent that they are making reference to certain arrests and people being charged, of certain communities---

Order No.10 is hereby deferred.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move- THAT the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, 2025, be read a Second Time. The Bill was published before this House and was first read on the 27th June, pursuant to our Standing Orders. The Equalisation Fund is also established under Article

[[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Mumma) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) in the Chair]]

Mr. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I thank my colleagues at the Committee level, led by my Chair, Hon. Sen. Ali Roba, and the rest with whom we worked very closely. I also thank the Secretariat, led by Gitonga, Beverly, Lucy and the team, with whom we worked closely on Committee matters. At this time, since we still have another timely Bill to consider, I call upon Sen. Cherarkey to s…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. It is good to see you again in this new week. I am impressed with how Sen. Mutinda is pronouncing my name. She is pronouncing it with a British accent or is it an American accent? I commend Sen. Mutinda for the good job she is doing as the Vice-Chairperson. That is why I said a few hours ago that she continues to distinguish herself as one of the prolific de…

[(Sen. Nyamu spoke off record)]

Ward and also Soba/Songor - Those wards, have been classified to get equalisation funds. I saw our local artists, DJ Kaptula, Arap Uria and a number of artists who were complaining that the roads are in a bad state. We agree with them they are in a bad state. However, it is because of lack of release of this money, so that we can fix the road from Cherondo all the way as it opens up to Imagi Tradi…

I saw the statement today on stalled projects. The Governor of Nairobi City told us “Lazima iwork”. Unfortunately, at the moment “haiwork”. I want to challenge the two leaders from Nairobi who are seated behind me to be at the forefront to ensure there are deliverables for the betterment of this country. As I conclude, on the issue of the marginalized, I would like to add something and request th…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to take the Floor on this matter. There is history behind the Equalisation Fund. For those listening to us, because I know people are listening to us, apart from the equitable share the Senate passes, there is the Equalisation Fund. In the Constitution, the makers of it thought that there were parts of this country that had face…

electricity, could get extra funding in order to catch up with the rest of the areas that started getting these funds before us. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I stand to support the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill No.7 of 2025. Tana River will be getting Kshs719 million. Bura Constituency will be getting Kshs259,489,901. Galole Constituency will be getting Kshs196,502,469. Garsen Constituency …

Sen. Karen Nyamu, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Equalisation Fund is not charity; it is a constitutional obligation under Article 204 of our Constitution. The people who framed the Constitution understood that if we do not deliberately empower the very forgotten corners of our country, then we risk more alienation and creating unrest in our country. Unfortunately, this noble Fund has experienced delays…

I want this to be the Parliament that reviews this allocation of the Equalisation Fund and allocates urban pockets that are marginalized. I do not know what happened to Senate Mashinani because I would like to suggest that as a House and committees, we take time to have sittings in our slums, in Kibera, Korogocho, Mukuru, Kiambiu, Deep Sea, Westlands and other places, and appreciate, particularly …

Proceed, Sen. Olekina.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let me begin by appreciating the good work done by the Committee on Finance and Budget in ensuring that they push for allocation of these funds. However, as they do their work, it is imperative to understand why the Equalisation Fund was put in the Constitution of Kenya and for what reasons. The aim was solely to address disparities among regions in the country that ha…

[(Applause)]

I want this to be the Parliament that reviews this allocation of the Equalisation Fund and allocates urban pockets that are marginalized. I do not know what happened to Senate Mashinani because I would like to suggest that as a House and committees, we take time to have sittings in our slums, in Kibera, Korogocho, Mukuru, Kiambiu, Deep Sea, Westlands and other places, and appreciate, particularly …

Proceed, Sen. Olekina.

about dividing money among the 47 counties when we will be looking at the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. This is not a day when we need to rush things. It is the reason I am here. Some people are probably not here because they have issues. This is a day when we need to stand here and ask: how much money is going to Narok County, for example. This is the Equalisation Fund and we have marginali…

[(Applause)]

framers of the Constitution drew the line for us by dividing resources. They went ahead to put a sunset clause on money to be send to counties. It is mind-boggling and self-defeating when today we start talking about two Equalisation Funds in order to implement marginalised policies when Kshs46 billion has been set aside. We will be reduced to a House that talks, but money does not go out. That i…

about dividing money among the 47 counties when we will be looking at the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. This is not a day when we need to rush things. It is the reason I am here. Some people are probably not here because they have issues. This is a day when we need to stand here and ask: how much money is going to Narok County, for example. This is the Equalisation Fund and we have marginali…

police post, bring electricity and give them water. You can also help them use the resources which are located in Lake Baringo. We can move that to other regions as well such as Narok or Garissa counties. The argument that I would like us to have is, how well we ensure that we send this money that we have allocated---

Sen. Olekina, you will have a balance of seven minutes when debate on this Bill returns on the floor of the House.