Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
The debate featured calls for an expanded executive structure and constitutional amendments, alongside strong criticism of county-level corruption, alleged femicide, and inadequate service delivery in Nandi County. Senators also discussed the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, highlighting the need for timely and lawful regulations to implement existing laws. While there was support for the broader government agenda, the overall tone reflected both constructive reform proposals and sharp disapproval of current governance failures. Senators debated the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, emphasizing the need for clear timelines and penalties for delayed regulations to prevent business disruption. The discussion referenced the NADCO report, highlighting the importance of dialogue, the two‑thirds gender rule, and reforms to the IEBC, while calling for stronger fines and greater inclusivity. Senators highlighted a severe governance crisis in Nyamira County, where two parallel county assemblies, speakers, and clerks are operating, threatening devolution and budget legality. They criticised the governor and county executives for alleged impunity and called on the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations to investigate, report, and provide guidance. The debate combined sharp criticism with constructive proposals for oversight and resolution.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the quorum bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, I am informed that we do have quorum now. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Order, Senator for Kakamega County.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale consulted loudly)]
Hon. Senators, I take this opportunity to welcome you back from the recess. I hope that you had time to meet with your constituents, friends and families over the past week. I also hope that you took some time to rest and rejuvenate your spirits for the resumption of the regular sittings. Part II of the Senate Calendar commences today and will run until the rise of the Senate on Thursday, 17th Ap…
To dispense with the business in a timely manner, it requires sacrifices to be made on the part of hon. Senators, including coming into the Plenary early, sitting through, and in some instances late, for progress to be made on the business scheduled. Above all, it is imperative that the Movers of the business listed in the Order Paper are in the Chamber to prosecute the same. On my part, I will,…
The Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, please, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, 1st April, 2025. Report of Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare in consideration of National Assembly amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2023 (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2023)
Next Order, Clerk. Let us proceed to Statements pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) . Hon. Sen. Alexander Mundigi, please, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to ask for a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the relocation of Embu Sewerage Treatment Plant (ESTP) by Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO) . In the Statement, the committee should address the following-
Sen. Mohammed Chute, please proceed.
Sen. Veronica Maina.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Veronica Maina, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the financial crisis at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and plans to lay off staff and alter employment contracts. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the planned staff reductions and restructuring raise serious concerns about the quality of …
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, hon. Senators. May Sen. Miraj be heard in silence, please?
Additionally, query the financial rationale behind these changes and their projected cost savings.
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move-/
THAT Clause 5 of the Bill be amended—
First Schedule
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the First Schedule and substituting therefor the following new Schedule—
Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government’s Share of Revenue in FY 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings) FY 2023/24
Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government’s Share of Revenue in FY 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings) FY 2023/24
This amendment to the Schedule is to delete allocation on transfer of museums function and increase the allocation on archives from Kshs2 billion to Kshs2.9 billion. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Mumma): Division will be at the end. Second Schedule
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule. Noting that the High Court in Issa, Elanyi Chemau Versus National Assembly Case No. HCPE423/2024 issued a conservatory order freezing funds held by the Kenya Roads Board collected as roads maintenance levy fund for FY 2024/2025 amounting to Kshs10.522 billion which was proposed to be allocated in …
[(Question of the amendment proposed)]
[(Question, that the Third Schedule be part of the Bill, proposed)]
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule. Noting that the High Court in Issa, Elanyi Chemau Versus National Assembly Case No. HCPE423/2024 issued a conservatory order freezing funds held by the Kenya Roads Board collected as roads maintenance levy fund for FY 2024/2025 amounting to Kshs10.522 billion which was proposed to be allocated in …
Division will be at the end. The Third Schedule (Question, that the Third Schedule be part of the Bill, proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (
Conditional Additional Allocations from proceeds of loans or grants from Development Partners for Financial Year 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings)
Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Fourth Schedule and substituting therefor the following new Schedule-
Conditional Additional Allocations from proceeds of loans or grants from Development Partners for Financial Year 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings)
Conditional Additional Allocations from proceeds of loans or grants from Development Partners for Financial Year 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings)
Conditional Additional Allocations from proceeds of loans or grants from Development Partners for Financial Year 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings)
Conditional Additional Allocations from proceeds of loans or grants from Development Partners for Financial Year 2024/25 (Kenya Shillings)
The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Mumma): Hon. Senators, I will now announce the results.
Division will be at the end. Clause 2, the Title and Clause 1(Question, that Clause 2, the Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. Can the Division Bell be rung for five minutes so that we go into Division?
Senate Majority Leader, please report.
The Temporary Chairperson (
[(Applause)]
Hon. Senators, I will now announce the results.
Hon. Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate the consideration of the County Government Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bills No. 1 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.
[(Question proposed)]
[[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Mumma) in the Chair]]
Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Githuku, Lamu County; Sen. Kavindu Muthama, Machakos County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet County; Sen. Korir, Bomet County; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen…
Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said Report. I request Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale to second.
Madam Temporary Speaker, very happily, I rise to second. I want it to remain clear that the reason we are struggling this much, this late in the financial year, is because Members of the National Assembly agreed on controlling more and more millions of shillings. That is the reason we were forced to remove the Kshs10.5 billion for the Road Maintenance Levy (RML) so that life can go on. Hon. Membe…
[(Applause)]
Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill (Senate Bill No.1 of 2025) be now read a Third Time. I request Sen. Edwine Sifuna to second.
Madam Temporary Speaker, I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, can you ring the Bell for two minutes, please? Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop ringing the Bell. Please, close the doors and draw the bars. Hon. Senators, we are now taking Division on the County Government Additional Allocations Bill (Senate Bill No.1 of 2025) . Hon. Senators, just give them a few seconds to sort the system. Hon. Senators, you may now vote. Hon. Senators, bec…
[(The Division Bell was rung)]
[(The doors were closed and the bars drawn)]
[(Voting in progress)]
[(Voting in progress)]
Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Dullo, Isiolo County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Githuku, Lamu County; Sen. Kavindu Muthama, Machakos County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet County; Sen. Korir, Bomet County; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen…
Sen. Shakila Abdalla
The results of the division are as follows -
Madam Temporary Speaker, I could maybe say this before I read my Statement. I hope the Senate Majority Leader can listen to this. We had sought money to upgrade the system. I am making this comment because of the breakdown we experienced.
Yes, Madam Temporary Speaker.
Order, Sen. Omogeni.
Sorry, Madam Temporary Speaker. I was reading. What is on my Statement reads, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the leadership and operational crisis currently affecting the County Assembly of Nyamira. The County Assembly of Nyamira is split into two rival groups, each condu…
Sen. Omogeni, please, sit down. I will allow a few minutes for Members to comment on the Statements that have been made. Sen. Abass, please proceed.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker.
Sen. Omogeni, I was told you have a Statement.
Yes, Madam Temporary Speaker.
[(Loud consultations)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, kindly defer the Bill to the next sitting.
That Order is deferred.
Let us have Sen. Mwaruma. If he is not here, that Order is deferred. Let us go to the next Order. Second Reading
Let us have Sen. Lenku Ole Seki. Since he is not present, that Order is deferred. Let us go to the next Order. Second Reading
Sen. Kathuri Murungi is not present. So, that Order is deferred. Let us go to the next Order.
Second Reading
Sen. Ledama Olekina is not present. Therefore, that Order is deferred. Let us go to the next Order. Second Reading
Sen. Edwin Sifuna is not present. Therefore, that Order is deferred. Let us go to the next Order. Second Reading
Sen. Ali Ibrahim Roba is not present. Therefore, that Order is deferred. Let us move on to the next Order. Second Reading
Sen. Karungo Thang’wa is not present. Therefore, that Order is deferred.
(Bill deferred) That is the last Order as per today’s Order Paper. Hon. Senators, kindly rise.
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 2nd April, 2025, at