Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Kindly proceed to call the first Order.

[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]

Hon. Senators, I take this opportunity to welcome hon. Senators back from recess, which coincided with the observance of the Easter holiday for the Christians and Ramadhan for the Muslims. I hope you had time to meet with your constituents, friends, and families over the past two weeks. I also hope that you took some time to rest and rejuvenate your spirits for the resumption of regular sittings. …

As hon. Senators are aware, the legislative business before the Senate is heavy. The Speaker in consultation with the Senate leadership will be---

[(Applause)]

Now, hon. Senators, in this regard, therefore, I direct that the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.3 of 2024) be read a First Time as listed in today’s Order Paper. I thank you. Before we move to the next Order, I have a Communication to make. Hon. Senators, kindly hasten to take your seats.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of my colleague Senators, I welcome our good friends and neighbours from their country of Uganda, our largest trading partner as a country. They are our important neighbours that we have enjoyed a good neighbourly relationship for the last many years.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is my sincere hope that we shall continue to build on this relationship, strengthen it and make it better even for the greater realization of the objectives of both nations. I hope that our colleague Members of Parliament from Uganda will find time to interact with many Senators that are here. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the unfortunate thing is that unless you are a sportsperson, ther…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I want to take this opportunity to welcome the delegation from the Parliament of our great neighbour Uganda. Uganda is indeed a very close neighbour to Kenya because it is the greatest trading partner of Kenya. If Kenya was to send ambassadors and high commissioners out of this country, Uganda should get the senior-most high commissioner because …

Next Order.

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Catering Services Revolving Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Elgeyo-Marakwet County Assembly Car and Mortgage Revolving Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements on Receiver of Revenue – Elge…

Next Order, Clerk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise under Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health concerning the status of healthcare service provision in all sub-counties in Kisumu County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, concerns have been raised about the lack of adequate supplies to healthcare facilities and stalled healthcare-related projects in Kisumu County, with some experiencing i…

Proceed, Hon. Senator for Uasin Gishu County, Sen. Mandago

Proceed, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Relations.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a Statement on the activities of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for the period commencing January to March, 2024.

During the reporting period, the Committee has carried out various activities pertaining to its mandate. As a snapshot, the Committee has transacted the following legislative business-

Proceed, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Education for the first quarter of the Third Session, covering the period between 15th February, 2024 to 15th April, 2024. The Standing Committee on Education is established under Standing Order No.228 (3) of the Senate Standing Orders and is mandated to co…

Mr. Speaker Sir, during the period under review, the Committee considered the following two petitions-

During the Second Part of the Third Session, the Committee is scheduled to continue engagements and follow-up on the implementation status of the policies on the new University Funding Model and the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC). The Committee is also scheduled to follow up on the Government commitment towards expeditious release of the Capitation Fund to learning institutions, payment of pen…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely, the 8th International Parliamentarians Conference on the Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) that was held in Oslo, Norway from 10th April to 12th April, 2024. Mr. Speaker, Sir, parli…

Sen. Cherarkey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement of general topical concern and national importance,

namely, the outstanding performance of our athletes at the Boston Marathon, held on Monday, 15th April, 2024, which was yesterday. Once again, our athletes have brought immense pride to our country by giving us their outstanding performance at the Boston Marathon. Our female athletes dominated the event, securing all top positions on the podium, while their male counterparts also demonstrated exc…

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, through you, I request the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, led by my brother, Sen. (Rev.) Julius Murgor, the Senator for West Pokot, to look into this issue and update the House. I also plead with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to intensify its efforts to root out unscrupulous agents and coaches, who engage in doping and match fixing, therefore, jeopardizing the careers …

Sen. Chute? The Statement is dropped.

Each one of us that has interacted with doctors knows the many years that they take as they undertake their studies. This is an area of profession where there is a lot of precision and passion. For what it takes one to become a doctor or nurse and the services they give to our people, as a country, we must look at their welfare. If you look at what the doctors are asking for, I do not think that i…

clinic sessions, expected to walk out of the hospital with a young baby; a bundle of joy. However, in 30 minutes or so, this young woman who walked to Ungako health centre had passed on. On the same note, this year, we lost two students, Ms. Caroline Orowe and another young student from a remote village in my constituency known as Ligotho. This happened in Ndhiwa Hospital. Madam Temporary Speake…

“Worse is that we cannot assure that every baby born stands a fighting chance celebrating their first month of life.’

In my active maternal life, I was once admitted to the Homa Bay District Hospital Ward Two, if I remember precisely. I spent almost seven days in the ward. As I was there as a patient, I thanked God I had a very committed doctor - the district gynecologist at that time - the late Dr. Ojwang' Ayoma; May the lord rest his soul in peace. That was a man who had a passion for his work. As I was lying …

Madam Temporay Speaker, before that, the Bill spells out the services that mothers are entitled to before they get pregnant. Next, it will spell out the services that the newborn babies are entitled to. When they are born, there are specific services that they are entitled to until they are 12 years. We must be intentional and do it by design. Even as children are born, there are specific service…

and the recognition that in offering these services, there are people with special needs. This Bill is going to spell out how that category is captured. On the principle for service delivery, this Bill talks about availability and access to services. It not only talks about access, but also timely and reliable information necessary to make an informed decision regarding one’s health and treatment…

and the recognition that in offering these services, there are people with special needs. This Bill is going to spell out how that category is captured. On the principle for service delivery, this Bill talks about availability and access to services. It not only talks about access, but also timely and reliable information necessary to make an informed decision regarding one’s health and treatment…

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 17th April, 2024, at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.