Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Senators used the afternoon sitting to raise community grievances over overloaded trucks damaging Syokimau roads and to question a Kshs14.5 billion single‑source tender by the Central Bank for currency printing, citing audit‑report irregularities. Several standing committees reported on their oversight work, including agricultural seed distribution, pesticide safety, devolution matters, and education initiatives such as early childhood development and school feeding programmes. Sen. Cherarkey urged the Senate to eliminate the Kshs1,050 fee, decentralise and digitise the certificate of good conduct process, and make the certificate valid for life, highlighting corruption and inefficiency. The Deputy Speaker deferred the motion. Later, Sen. Olekina moved the second reading of the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, arguing for a KEBS‑administered, standard‑based registration system to curb KEPHIS bottlenecks and boost local seed innovation, while critiquing reliance on OECD‑aligned frameworks. Senators raised concerns over the Ksh700 billion education budget, demanding public disclosure of allocations to curb ghost schools and ensure value for money. The debate also highlighted recent school violence, inadequate feeding programmes, dilapidated ECDE facilities and accusations of political bias and misconduct among legislators, calling for stronger oversight and accountability.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We now have quorum. So, we will proceed with the afternoon’s business. 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, thank you. On behalf of my colleagues in the House, I join you in welcoming this delegation from the Parliament of Ghana; a very respected Member of the Commonwealth Parliaments that we exchange a lot of knowledge with. Many times, our staff also visit their country in search of good knowledge like they have done this time around. I do believe that during their stay, they will e…
Next Order.
FURTHER, whereas by resolution passed on 12th August, 2025, the National Assembly also considered the joint report and approved the appointment of Mr. Pius Angasa as a member of the Board of CBK; NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance to the provisions of Standing Order No. 41(1) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby convey the decision of the National Assembly to the Senate and further notif…
Lastly, I wish to report to the Senate that pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) and (5) of the Senate Standing Orders, I received the following Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the passage by the National Assembly of the Election Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, (Senate Bills No.28 of 2024) . The Message, dated Tuesday, 19th August, 2025, was received in the Office of…
Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.232 (1) (a) , I hereby present a petition by Hon. Isaiah Maina concerning amendments of the County Governments Act No.17 of 2017. As you are aware, Article 37 of the Constitution provide that – “Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities.” Article 119 (1) of t…
Pursuant to Section 31 (a) of the County Governments Act No.17 of 2012, a governor can dismiss CEC members without checks, undermining collective executive responsibility. The petitioner requests for an amendment to the section to require consultation and concurrence for at least 50 per cent of the county assembly present and voting before dismissal of a CEC member. Pursuant to Section 32 (3) of …
Legal Affairs and Human Rights) Thank you. Next Order.
I beg to lay the following Papers on the table of this Senate, today, Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025-
Proceed, Sen. Hezena.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the table of the Senate, today, 23rd September, 2025. Report of the consultative meeting of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliament of the Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, (FPICGLR) , held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from 22nd to 24th January, 2025, laid on the Table of the Sena…
[(Sen. Lemaltian laid the document on the Table)]
Sen. Lomenen, take your seat. Hon. Senators, I have this Communication to make.
[(Sen. Lomenen took sat in his place)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the report of the consultative meeting of the Executive Committee of the Forum of Parliaments of the Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, FPICGLR, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from the 22nd to the 24th of January 2025, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesd…
The Notice of Motion by Sen. Veronica Maina is deferred.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national pride and general topical concern namely, Kenya's extraordinary achievements at two of the most prestigious international sporting events, the 2025 Berlin Marathon and the 28th edition of the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on Sunday, 21st September, 2025…
Chebet, Faith Kipyegon, Lillian Odira, Faith Cherotich, Peres Jepchirchir, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and all our champions. I also urge the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to ensure that our athletes receive the recognition, support and welfare they deserve, both during their active careers and in retirement. As I deliver my maiden statement in the Senate today, I do so with humility, a deep se…
[(Applause)]
Let us now go to Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , beginning with Hon. Catherine Mumma.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have got the permission of Sen. Catherine Mumma to read the Statement on her behalf.
Sen. Wakili, I need evidence in that regard.
There is a letter already delivered to the table there.
Okay, you may proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I hope I am now formally allowed to do that which I was asked to.
Proceed, Senator.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Catherine Mumma, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a matter of nationwide concern regarding eviction of six households from Old Ngara Estate in Nairobi City County on 14th May, 2025. On 14th May, 2025, six households were forcefully evicted from the Old Ngara…
The next one was by Sen. Hamida Kibwana. Since she is not here, that Statement is dropped.
Kilifi licha ya kuwepo kwa sera za kitaifa na rasilmali zinazolenga kuhakikisha mazingira bora ya wanafunzi kusoma. Kamati hiyo izingatie yafuatayo-
Next is the Senator for Machakos County, Hon. Kavindu Muthama.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of countywide concern regarding the interventions aimed at protecting and preserving critical road infrastructure within Syokimau from further degradation and unlawful interference. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the residents of Syokimau, through the S…
Senator from Busia County, the hon. Sen. Okiya Omtatah
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have three Statements and I request that I read all of them at once.
You may, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of national concern regarding the award of Kshs14.5 billion tender by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to the German firm Giesecke+Devrient for printing Kenya's new generation currency. The 2024 Auditor-General's report flagged irregularities, including fa…
Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) . The Chairperson Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
Thank you, 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 Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries from 1st April to 19th September, 2025. During the period under review, the Committee held 22 sittings during which it considered four Bills and nine Statements. In the reporting…
in potato farming in Nyandarua County. The Committee later met with the researchers who apprised the Committee on the status of the research. The Committee also invited the Governor of Trans Nzoia County and deliberated on the procurement and distribution of maize seeds in the county. The Committee is still pursuing the matter viciously. The Committee conducted oversight visits as follows-
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1) (b) to make a Statement on the activities of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for the period commencing April to July 2025. During the reporting period, the Committee carried out various activities pertaining to its mandate. In summary, the Committee considered the following two Bills which w…
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education.
Hon. Senators, at this juncture, the business--- Hon. Senators, I was saying, at this juncture, we reorganise the order of business. We reschedule the business appearing as Order No.11, 12 and Order No.13.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Deputy Speaker)]
COGNIZANT THAT the importance of introducing an automated Good Conduct Certification system, including the utilization of biometric fingerprint verification through the deployment of biometric kits will enhance accuracy, security and expediency in verifying individual’s record; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the National Police Service Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of In…
Sen. Mandago was contributing to this Motion and had a balance of 16 minutes. If he is not in, we will move to Sen. Cherarkey Samson.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as Sen. Ledama prepares his Bill, I would like to offer the following comments. As I rise to support this Motion on automating and decentralizing the certificate of good conduct, one of the greatest burden on young people, many of whom are unemployed, is the cost of obtaining various clearances after being shortlisted for a job interview. These include KRA clearance, High…
The process is tedious and full of corruption. Even the payment of Kshs1,050 to obtain the certificate is punitive. If we truly want to protect and empower our youth, we must ask ourselves: Why, despite having biometric data through e-Citizen and other Government registration systems, do we still subject young people to this manual and burdensome process? The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (…
Hon. Senators, the Mover of the Motion is not around to reply. We reschedule that Motion to the next time. I also reschedule Order No.13 and move to Order No.14.
[(Reply to the Motion deferred)]