Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Kindly, proceed to call the first Order now that the requisite quorum has been established.

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

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of a visiting delegation from the clubs and societies of New Riverstar Academy, Nairobi County. The delegation comprises five teachers and 31 students who are in the Senate for a one-day study visit. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm…

[(Applause)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Let me join you and the rest of the House in welcoming the students from New Riverstar in Tasia, Embakasi East. I wish them a

fruitful visit to the Senate. I hope they get to learn something from the deliberations this afternoon. It is one of the better days to visit the Senate, and I hope we enrich their visit from the debate we will have here. I take this opportunity to also thank their teachers and parents, who voted for me overwhelmingly as their Senator, together with Hon. Babu Owino as their Member of Parliament (…

Hon. Senators, I have another Communication to make.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, can I request that it be deferred? I want to take some water. It is not easy defending---

Sen. Chute, the Floor is yours.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the status of carbon credit trading in Kenya. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery, we have 70 students, accompanied by three teachers, from Precious Blood School, Riruta, Nairobi City County, who are in the Senate on an education tour. In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit.

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you for allowing me to join you in welcoming the students from Precious Blood School, Riruta. This is a school that needs no introduction given the history of stellar performance that has been shown. Just by way of information to this House, my wife is an alumnus of Precious Blood. That is one of the things we have in common with the Chair. I am aware that the Speaker’s …

[(Applause)]

Feel fully protected, Sen. Sifuna.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is clear that the alumni of this school are a good group of people who are serious about life and look for good and solid partners with which to advance their lives. I want to take this opportunity to mention that I have been to that school. Recently, I met Sister Mary Joyce. We call her Mary J. She asked me, as the Senator for Nairobi, to do a few things for the school. I w…

[(Applause)]

Before we proceed to Statements, pursuant to Standing Orders No.56 (1) (b) , we had given Sen. Cherarkey a minute to catch his breath. You may now proceed to make that Statement.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology for the period commencing 4th October, 2022 to date.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology is established under Standing Order 228(3) of the Senate Standing Orders and is mandated to; consider all matters relating to technology, engineering and electronic research, information, broadcasting and information, communication and technology (ICT) development. During the period under review, the Committee held a total…

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Energy.

Thank you, 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 Energy for the period commencing on 14th October, 2022 to 31st March, 2023. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee on Energy is established under the Standing Order No. 228 of the Senate Standing Orders and is mandated to consider all matters relating to

fossil oil exploration, development, production and maintenance and the regulation of energy. Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the period under review, the Committee held a total of 24 sittings, considered eight Statements and has an ongoing inquiry. Regarding the Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53, eight Statements were sought from the Committee during the period under review. The Committee co…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee also visited Kenya Pipeline Company Limited; Fuel Refinery Limited in Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa County. During the visit, the Committee toured the Kipevu Oil Terminus to a new facility that allows four ships to dock at the same time when unloading petroleum products. This reduces the cost associated with the demurrage. The Committee also toured the old refine…

The Chairperson Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget’s report for the period commencing 13th October, 2022 to 31st March,

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

What is your point of order, Sen. Oketch Gicheru?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not ordinary for me to stop any Chair of any Committee at this point of presentation. However, I have heard Sen. Tabitha Mutinda reading that the Statement on pre-lending was concluded on. I am a Member of that Committee and that Statement has already been concluded. I Just wanted to be sure that---

Just allow the Senator to conclude, then I will give you an opportunity to share those comments with us. Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, proceed to conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. To my colleague in the same Committee, that is why it is always wise to attend all the meetings. To proceed, the disbursement of funds to county governments sought by Sen. Osotsi on the 20th March, 2023. Regarding the Statement on Delayed Disbursement of Funds to Counties, at its meeting held on the 5th April, 2023, the Committee engaged the Cabinet Secretary Nationa…

Sen. Madzayo, hoja yako ya nidhamu ni ipi? The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Bw. Spika, kwa heshima na taadhima ya hili Bunge la Seneti, hata ndugu yangu Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale ambaye ninamheshimu sana, anaweza kutanguliza hili swala. Tukimwangalia ndugu yetu, Sen. Methu, ni kijana shupavu, mdogo, pia ni Seneta katika Bunge hili na anaelewa sana jinsi tunatakikana kuvaa tukiwa ndani ya Bun…

Hon Senators, the dress code of this House is defined by Rule No.5 of the Speaker’s Rules. I will read for clarity purposes. “Senators are required not to enter the Chamber, Lounge of dining room without being properly dressed. This means that a male Senator shall be dressed in a coat, collar, tie, long trousers, socks and shoes or service uniform, religious attire or such other decent dressing a…

[(Sen. Methu withdrew from the Chamber)]

[(Laughter)]

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

[(Laughter)]

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

The Hon. Senator for Kilifi stood on a point of order and therefore, no point of order can be attracted out of his point of order. What is left is for me to make a ruling since the attention of the Chair has been drawn to the dressing of the Senator for Kiambu County. The Senator for Kiambu is seated and I might not be able to see much. Senator, kindly, be upstanding so that I can get to know whe…

[(Laughter)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. As I proceed, regarding the Statement on the delayed disbursement of funds to counties, at its meeting held on 5th April, the Committee engaged the Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning, who made a commitment that by 15th April, 2023, counties will receive some disbursement. The Committee is scheduled to consider the following business in the next…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Health during the First Session of the Thirteenth Parliament and the First Quarter of the Second Session.