Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 1 October 2024
Senators debated the nomination of David Kibet Kemei as Director General of the Competition Authority, with concerns raised about procedural irregularities and alleged regional discrimination. While some members, notably Sen. Olekina, defended the appointment and highlighted broader economic issues such as telecom competition and support for milk farmers, others, like Sen. Chute, opposed the motion citing unfair resource allocation. The Senate approved the nomination of Mr. David Kibet Kemei as Director‑General of the Competition Authority after a thorough vetting of his academic credentials, professional experience and ethics clearances. Senators Mutinda and Dr. Khalwale highlighted his extensive background and unanimously supported the appointment, while the Speaker addressed procedural matters, including the redirection of a petition on county deputy governors to the appropriate committee. Senators highlighted the importance of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) in tackling unfair competition and urged it to address market dominance, especially in telecommunications. The debate centred on the appointment of David Kibet Kemei as CAK Director‑General, with concerns raised about bypassing qualified internal candidates and alleged political interference by the Prime Cabinet Secretary. The temporary speaker pressed for evidence to substantiate the claims, reflecting a contentious but issue‑focused discussion.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators! We now have quorum. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Tuesday, 1st October, 2024- Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Rabai Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County Government of Kilifi for the nine-month period ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Mariakani Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County Governmen…
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Isebania Sub-County Hospital - County Government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Uriri Hospital - County Government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Macalder Sub-County Hospital - County Government of…
Next, is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 1st October, 2024- Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on its consideration of the County Assemblies Pensions Scheme Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2024) .
Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the inquiry on the welfare of workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties.
[(Sen. Murgor laid the documents on the Table)]
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, Sen. Abass, you may proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, 1st October, 2024-
Sen. Abass, you are just supposed to lay your Papers. You will give notice of your Motions at some point. Have you laid your Papers?
Yes.
Then that is it. We are getting there, Sen. Abass. Let us go to the next Order.
[(Sen. Abass spoke off record)]
We will pend Order No.6 (1) , that is, Notice of Motion that was supposed to be given by the Senate Majority Leader. Let us have the Notice of Motion by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. If Sen. Murgor is not here, we can have any Member of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Chairperson, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on an inquiry into the plight of workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 1st October, 2024.
Sen. Abass, you may now proceed to give your Notice of Motion.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on its inquiry into the allegations on personal security concerns raised by Hon. Philomena Kapkory, Deputy Governor, Trans Nzoia County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 1st October, 2024.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts Reports of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on its inquiry into the state of markets in Vihiga and Bungoma counties arising from Statements sought by Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, MP, and Sen. David Wafula Wakoli, MP laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 1st October, 2024.
Let us go to the next Order.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on claims of grave mismanagement of employment, human resource, and payroll matters in Nandi County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Senator for Nairobi City County, proceed.
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 regarding the alleged grabbing of public utility and private lands in parts of Nairobi City County. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am standing to request this Statement, on behalf of the Senator for Kirinyaga. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the ongoing nationwide strike by academic and non-academic staff members in public universities.
The industrial action by both the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) has paralysed learning in the affected institutions, disadvantaging learners and fueling a crisis in the education sector in general. In the Statement, the Committee should-
The next Statement is by the Senator for Nyandarua County, Sen. John Methu.
Next is a Statement by the Senator for Kisii County, Sen. Onyonka.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding the status and management of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms in Kenya. The ADC is a crucial institution in Kenya’s agricultural sector, holding vast tracts of land intended to boost food security. Recent reports have b…
Chairperson, Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources.
Chairperson, Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a Statement on the activities of Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration for the period commencing April to September, 2024. . During the reporting period the Committee has carried out various activities pertaining to its mandate. It has transacted the followi…
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I will read the Statement on behalf of the Chairperson, who is indisposed. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations for the period April to August, 2024. During the period under reference, the Committee held 28…
Sen. Hezena.
Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Joint Sittings of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget of the Senate, on the approval hearing of Mr. David Kibet Kemei, nominee for appointment as the Director-General of the Competition Authorit…
Mr. Kibet also had certification from Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB). He was also a Certified Regulation Specialist from the Institute of Private-Public Partnership (IP3) in Washington, United States of America (USA). He was also a practitioner of executive coaching from the Academy of Executive Coaching in United Kingdom (UK). Mr. Kibet indicated a wide ex…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to second the report of the Committee on Finance and Budget on the appointment of Mr. David Kibet Kemei, as ably moved by the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, distinguished Sen. Tabitha Maureen Mutinda. Sitting and listening to that candidate during the exercise, I was personally and we were collectively convinced and persuaded that the Kenyan is eminently qualified for…
Hon. Senators, I will now proceed to propose the question.
[(Question proposed)]
Before I allow debate, hon. Senators, allow me to make the following communications.
Hon. Senators, having failed to attain quorum at the expiry of 10 minutes, the House stands adjourned, pursuant to Standing Order No.41 (2) (a) , until tomorrow, Wednesday 2nd October, 2024, at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 5.43 p.m.