Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, we now have quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Bell. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order. Hon. Senators, kindly switch to the supplementary Order Paper. That is the one we are going to use to run today's business.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Proceed, Sen. Mandago. We will defer that business.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, AWARE that the Senate of Kenya is established under Article 93 of the Constitution and its main role as set out at Article 96 is to represent, serve and protect the interests of the counties and their governments;

FURTHER AWARE of the critical role that the Senate plays in the interlinkage between the National and County levels of government and the need to enhance the interaction between the Senate and county governments, as a means of bringing the Senate closer to the counties and the general public; ACKNOWLEDGING the successes made during the sittings of the Senate outside Nairobi held in Uasin Gishu, K…

Order, Sen. Cherarkey and Sen. Kinyua.

FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGING the recommendation of the Senate Business Committee that a sitting of the Senate be held away from the traditional premises in Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, during the term of the 13th Parliament; and the subsequent resolution of the Senate made on 8th March, 2023, to hold plenary and committee sittings in the counties for a one-week period within the month of September in e…

Hon. Senators, just to remind you, under Standing No.117, you are not supposed to come between the Chair and the Senator speaking. Kindly note that. Proceed, Sen. Wakoli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Mandago, you will proceed to lay your Paper and give notice of the same.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 22nd July, 2025- Report of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference held in Sydney, Australia on 3rd to 8th November, 2024.

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

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, hon. Members. Pursuant to Standing Order No.45 (2) , allow me to rearrange today's Order Paper. Once Sen. Mandago has given the Notice of Motion, we will move straightaway to Order Nos.8, 9 and 12. Thereafter, we will resume the normal flow of today’s Order Paper. Proceed, Sen. Mandago.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference held in Sydney, Australia, on 3rd to 8th November, 2024, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025.

Clerk, proceed to call Order No.8.

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Division Bell for five minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may now close the Door and draw the Bars. Hon. Senators, we will do division on Order No.8; The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) . Before I put the question, so that you may vote electronically, kindly log out. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may go round the Chamber and pick any card that…

[(The Division Bell was rung)]

[(The Bar was drawn and the doors closed)]

[(Question put and Hon. Senators proceeded to vote)]

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

The “Ayes” have it.

Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga; Sen. Sifuna, Nairobi City County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Clauses 3-10 (Question, that Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. The First Schedule (Question, that the First Schedule be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. The Second Schedule

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefore with the following new Schedule—

Laikipia 477,594,112 511,501,082 543,968,003 406,459,778 Lamu 466,864,730 502,735,064 439,219,777 373,334,857 Machakos 924,156,126 957,194,136 817,384,477 540,775,483 Makueni 780,912,038 964,631,315 772,648,310 494,768,774 Mandera 825,043,653 917,936,058 709,410,958 511,948,091 Marsabit 666,740,178 741,494,088 620,635,223 458,101,332 Meru 991,451,371 1,033,230,263 1,046,885,894 565,023,558 …

proceed on to the next Bill; The Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2023). I request the Clerk to call out the clauses.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT Clause 3 of the Bill be amended by deleting the expression “204 (1) ” appearing immediately after the words “services under Article” and substituting therefore with the expression “204 (2) ”. To align that with the requirement of the Constitution. The Temporary Chairperson : Hon. Members, Division will be at the end Clauses 4, 5 and 6 The Tempor…

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

[(Sen. Veronica Maina)]

[(Question, that Clauses 4, 5 and 6 be part of the Bill, proposed)]

[(Sen. Veronica Maina)]

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move- THAT the Schedule to the Bill be amended in Column 2 of item 13 with respect to KITUI COUNTY by deleting the word “Kisumu” appearing immediately after the expression “30th June, 2026 in” and substituting therefor the word “Kitui”. The Temporary Chairperson : Hon. Members, Division will be at the end.

[(Question of the amendment proposed)]

[(Sen. Veronica Maina)]

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. Hon. Senators, that brings us to the end of the considerations under the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, (Senate Bill No.7 of 2025). Serjeant-At-Arms, can you ring the Division Bell for five minutes?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move- THAT the Schedule to the Bill be amended in Column 2 of item 13 with respect to KITUI COUNTY by deleting the word “Kisumu” appearing immediately after the expression “30th June, 2026 in” and substituting therefor the word “Kitui”. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairperson (

Hon. Members, 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. Hon. Senators, that brings us to the end of the considerations under the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, (Senate Bill No.7 of 2025). Serjeant-At-Arms, can you ring the Division Bell for five minutes?

We will verify the results before we go to the next division. Sen. Madzayo, where are you? You have not voted. Can you proceed to vote? We are moving to the next division on all Clauses. Sen. Madzayo, stay in the House. We will announce the results and then move to the next Bill.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments. (Question proposed) (Question put and agreed to) The Temporary Chairperson (

Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on the Bill by the Committee of the Whole, The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) . Proceed, Chairperson.

Mover.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the honourable House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request Sen. Faki to second.

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

Serjeant-at-Arms, the Bars can be drawn and doors opened.

[(The bars were undrawn and doors opened)]

Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on the Bill by the Committee of the Whole, The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) . Proceed, Chairperson.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mover.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the honourable House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request Sen. Faki to second.

Sen. Faki.

I rise to second.

[(Question proposed)]

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that The County Allocation---

[(Hon. Senators consulted loudly)]

Hon. Senators, let us listen to Sen. Roba in silence, please.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No. 9 of 2025) be now read a Third Time. I request Sen. Sifuna to second.

Sen. Sifuna.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I second. consulted the Clerk-at-the-Table)

[(The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Mumma)]

[(Question proposed)]

Division to be done later. Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on the Bill by the Committee of the Whole, The Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2025) . Chairperson.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mover.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request, Sen. Kinyua, to second.

Sen. Kinyua.

I second.

Mover.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that The Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7of 2025) be now read a Third Time. I request Sen. Wambua to second.

Sen. Wambua.

I second.

[(Question proposed)]

Serjeant-at-Arms, can you ring the Bell for two minutes? Hon. Senators, please, settle down. We are voting on The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) first. Please, log out. Serjeant-At-Arms, pick all unattended cards. Senators, you can log in and proceed to vote, please. Sen. Thang'wa and Sen. Madzayo, please approach the Table.

[(The Division Bell was rung)]

[(Hon. Senators proceeded to vote)]

[(Sen. Thang’wa and Sen. Madzayo approached the Clerks-at-the-Table and cast their votes)]

Hon. Senators, I had already put the question on the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2025) . Sen. Mundigi, please sit down. Hon. Senators, you may log out and log in. You may vote.

[(Sen. Mundigi stood in his place)]

[(Sen. Mundigi sat in his place)]

[(Hon. Senators proceeded to vote)]

Hon. Senators, I will read the results of the division on The County Allocation of Revenue Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2025) -

Hon. Senators, I will read the results of the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (Senate Bills No.7 of 2025) -

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to reply.

Sen. M. Kajwang’ had a balance of 15 minutes, but I do not see anyone on the screen. Can the Mover reply?

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Sen. Cherarkey. Please, be seated.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to reply.

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may withdraw the Bar and open the doors. Hon. Senators, we will now go back to Order No.7, which is Questions and Statements.

[(The Bar was undrawn and the doors opened)]

Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, the legacy of the late Hon. Catherine Nyamato---

Additionally, many people lose their lives due to the lack of anti-snake venoms in health facilities across the country. The Government should ensure that all health facilities are properly stocked with anti-snake venoms because snakes are present in every part of the country. I urge all Kenyans, including community leaders, schools, conservation organizations and citizens, to take time to learn …

[(Laughter)]

Order, Senators. The rights of snakes must be protected. Proceed, Sen. Okenyuri.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. This is a Statement on the demise and enduring legacy of the late Hon. Catherine Nyamato. Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national concern namely, the demise and enduring legacy of the late Hon. Catherine Nyamato, who passed away on Wednesday, 16th July, 2025. The late Hon. Catherine Nyama…

Madam Temporary Speaker, the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme is a visionary initiative led by Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo. It aims to restore and conserve the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem while uplifting surrounding communities. The programme is aligned with Kenya's national climate goals, supporting the country's target of planting 15 billion trees by t…

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Sen. Cherarkey, there is a point of order. Please, sit down. What is your point of order, Sen. Sifuna?

I need clarification, since you gave guidance. I would like to know whether what Sen. Abass is reading is part of what was approved by the Speaker or is he contributing to his statement?

Sen. Abass, you are supposed to read your statement. Please, read what is on your Statement.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on a matter of county-wide concern regarding human resource practices, payroll management and general staff administration within Elgeyo Marakwet County Public Service Board. Madam Temporary Speaker, the 2023 audit report on …

Sen. Abass, the Floor is yours.

Senator, please, just follow the ruling of the Chair. Just read the Statement.

Okay, Madam Temporary Speaker. Can I have the microphone, please? Madam Temporary Speaker, cases of unexplained abductions and enforced disappearance have become increasingly frequent in this country with civilians, activists and even public officers being taken without trace. A recent case is that of Mr. Hussein Abdulrahman, who comes from Wajir County, a senior civil servant who was the Deputy…

I need clarification, since you gave guidance. I would like to know whether what Sen. Abass is reading is part of what was approved by the Speaker or is he contributing to his statement?

Sen. Abass, you are supposed to read your statement. Please, read what is on your Statement.

Madam Temporary Speaker, what I had written is not what has been given to me. They have over-edited it. This is exactly what my colleague is complaining about. My statement is over-edited such that it does not explain my message, so I have to explain myself.

No. Let us follow the rule, and then we complain.

Honestly, it is over-edited. There are only two lines here.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant under Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of county-wide concern regarding increased cases of human-wildlife conflict in KwaleCounty. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, you may proceed and read the four.

Yes, Madam Temporary Speaker, I have four Statements this afternoon. The first statement is on preparedness for Digital-Era public participation

Okay.

Madam Temporary Speaker, Wajir County is an arid area that depends on shallow wells and subsurface waters. Everything is done through irrigation. The economy of Wajir County is largely dependent on agriculture and livestock. However, several small- scale farmers across the county have decried the lack of support from the County Government of Wajir, in addressing the lack of subsidised seeds, ferti…

Sen. Chimera, you may proceed.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I will do. He was removed. It is okay; I will apologise. He is no longer the Chairperson. This is the implementation of the Climate Change Act, 2016 as amended to Climate Change Act, 2023. In the Statement, the Committee addressed the following-

Sen. Seki, you may proceed.

Yes, Madam Temporary Speaker, I have four Statements this afternoon. The first statement is on preparedness for Digital-Era public participation

a matter of national concern regarding the implementation status of the Climate Change Act. Sen. Methu used to chair that Committee.

Senator, read what has been cleared.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I will do. He was removed. It is okay; I will apologise. He is no longer the Chairperson. This is the implementation of the Climate Change Act, 2016 as amended to Climate Change Act, 2023. In the Statement, the Committee addressed the following-

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker for this opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of nationwide concern regarding the requirement by the

Social Health Authority (SHA) that patients contribute for a full year before accessing medical care. Section 17(1) of the Social Health Insurance General Regulations, 2024 provides that households whose income is not derived from salaried employment shall contribute annually to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) at a rate of 2.75 percent of the household income as determined through the pre…

Sen. Hezena.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I have two Statements. I will begin with mine.

Sen. Mwaruma.

Madam Speaker, not

Social Health Authority (SHA) that patients contribute for a full year before accessing medical care. Section 17(1) of the Social Health Insurance General Regulations, 2024 provides that households whose income is not derived from salaried employment shall contribute annually to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) at a rate of 2.75 percent of the household income as determined through the pre…

Over the weekend at a function, I was actually challenged by people who could not distinguish between monthly and yearly payment. There is an assumption that everybody understands English and Kiswahili. That is not true. We live in a country, especially particularly those of us who represent rural counties, where we have the elderly who did not have the benefit of going to school. They too deserve…

Chairperson Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism to move the Motion. You are holding forth. Sen. Essy proceed as the Vice-Chair.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I am holding fort for the Chair. I am the Vice-Chairperson of that Committee. I beg to move-

THAT the National Assembly amendments to the Start-up Bill (Senate Bill No.14 of 2022) be now considered. The Start-up Bill seeks to provide a framework to encourage growth, sustainable technological development, new entrepreneurship employment and creating a more favourable environment for innovation and attract Kenyan talents and capital. I also wish to thank my sister, Sen. Crystal Asige, for…

Thank you. Sen. Okenyuri. Proceed, the Senate Majority Leader.

Thank you. Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to second this Motion by the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on

Trade, Industrialization and Tourism. The Start-Up Bill is a very important Bill. This Bill has gone full cycle because we attempted to conclude on it in last term but unfortunately, colleagues in our sister House did not agree with many of the provisions that we had put in at that particular time. At this point, I am impressed that they have considered, albeit with amendments, that many of us wi…

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the Technopolis Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 6 of 2024) be now read a Second Time. The Technopolis Bill (National Assembly Bill No.6 of 2024) was published in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No.30 of 2024, dated 2nd February, 2024 and passed by the National Assembly in December last year. After which, it was referred to this House in Februar…

Thank you, Senate Majority Leader. Hon. Senators, I will now propose the question. Yes, Sen. Osotsi.

[(Question proposed)]

[(Sen. Osotsi spoke off record)]

His name should be removed from the dashboard. Sen. Crystal Asige Kegehi, this is your Bill. You can contribute on it.

Madam Temporary Speaker, first of all, I would like to give my heartly gratitude to Members of the Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism who considered the amendments from the National Assembly on the Start-up Bill. I commend them for the work they have done. From what I have read, there were few amendments Members of the National Assembly proposed to the Bill. I also want to thank si…

Bill (Senate Bills No. 14 of 2022). If we continue with the route that has been suggested by the National Assembly, then I am afraid that this will not have a positive consequence on the people that it is supposed to serve, who are young people and entrepreneurs across the country. Madam Temporary Speaker, I would like to support the Report by our Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Trade a…

Thank you, Sen. Crystal Asige. There are no other Senators willing to contribute. I will, therefore, call upon the Mover to reply.

Madam Temporary Speaker, in a metropolis, you cannot limit the metropolis to a geographical area or a buffer zone, a defined area, and say this number of acres of land will be used by Konza City. We know technologies are growing every day. Therefore, the idea of limiting, for example, Konza City, to only about 2,023 acres is myopic and we should amend that, so that there is no limitation. It is li…

Works, Housing, and Urban Development or the National Land Commission and give it to this Authority? That must be looked into because this is another area that land grabbers will come in and allocate themselves land in Konza City and other technopolis. That must be looked into. Madam Temporary Speaker, I am being encouraged by my colleagues to be brief. However, you know, this is my area. So, let…