Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Senators welcomed school delegations from Kwale, Taita‑Taveta and other counties before moving to procedural business. The debate then shifted to Sen. Sifuna’s extensive criticism of rising banditry, the deteriorating condition of national referral hospitals such as KNH, and the alleged misuse of security agencies and political interference in private enterprises. He called for accountability and better prioritisation of public resources. Senators highlighted the rapid shrinkage of Lariak Forest and the lack of a migratory corridor for elephants, urging the creation of wildlife corridors. They also raised acute insecurity in Vihiga and Migori counties, citing illegal weapons, police harassment, and the burning of a police station, and called on security committees to intervene. Additionally, a brief motion urged the Ministry of Education to integrate teacher‑training college students into the new funding model. Senators debated the shortcomings of Kenya's current higher‑education funding model, urging a shift toward scholarship‑based support for teachers, TVET and diploma programmes and greater equity beyond KUCCPS placements. They highlighted acute accommodation challenges for trainees, especially in remote counties, and called for coordinated funding to improve teacher training infrastructure. The discussion was constructive but underscored significant gaps in existing policies.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We now have quorum; therefore, we will go straight to the business of the afternoon. Clerk, call the first Order. Order, hon. Senators. Kindly take your seats, Sen. Osotsi and the Senator for Nandi.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. Osotsi and Sen. Cherarkey consulted loudly)]
Hon. Senators, I have a communication to make relating to a Point of Order, pursuant to Standing Order No.105, made by Sen. Jackson Mandago, EGH, MP, Senator for Uasin Gishu County, for Sen. Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, MP, Senator for Kajiado County, to substantiate a statement he made during a debate.
As you may recall, at the morning Plenary sitting of Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, Sen. Mandago, MP, rose on a Point of Order pursuant to Standing Order No.105, bringing to the attention of the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Catherine Mumma, MP, utterances made by Sen. Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, MP, while Sen. Seki was seeking clarification on a Question by Sen. Joyce Korir, CBS, MP, to the Cabinet Secretar…
[(Laughter)]
Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, rather than framed as a statement of fact. Further reading of the HANSARD indicated that the Point of Order by Sen. Mandago, MP, notwithstanding, the Cabinet Secretary responded to the question posed to him by the Senator for Kajiado County. There is no indication from the HANSARD that Sen. Seki or, indeed, any other Senator was dissati…
[(Applause)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for the opportunity. According to Standing Order No.105 (2) , I was supposed to substantiate in the next sitting, which was on Wednesday afternoon. Today is Tuesday afternoon. So, the issue has been overtaken by events. So, I do not think---
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Laughter)]
Sen. Chute, I will take it that you are not in a position to substantiate. I will give you the option to withdraw and apologise. If you are unable to do that, then you may sit and leave the Chair to make a further direction.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, I will come to you once I am done with Sen. Chute.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to table these documents. As you are aware, during Wednesday’s Question time, I posed a Question based on the information that I have. The Cabinet Secretary answered my question that day. So, let me table these documents. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want you to look at the documents.
[(Sen. Chute laid the documents on the Table)]
Very well. I will review the documents tabled and make a ruling on the same. Let us proceed. Next Order.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Yes, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the matter, currently before the House, is unprecedented in two aspects. I would require that with your indulgence, you guide the House. One, the matter on which the Member has been challenged arose after he raised a valid question to the Cabinet Secretary. Before the Cabinet Secretary could be given a chance to respond, the Senator for Uasin Gishu shot up with this point of ord…
On the first limp of your intervention, if you remember when this matter was live on the Floor of the House, I gave you an opportunity and you said exactly what you have said now. I directed on how to handle that matter. So, the matter was rested on that particular day. On the second limp, as to whether you were to substantiate, that must have been on the next sitting day. Indeed, you are suppose…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, looking at Standing Order No.105 (2) , it states that- “If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such a Senator substantiate the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Stand…
This Standing Order is quite clear. With profound respect, we think the next sitting day was Thursday, 19th March, 2026, upon which Sen. Chute should have substantiated.
The Chair has pronounced himself on that matter. We move to the next Order.
[(Applause)]
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare or any Member of that Committee. Yes, Sen. Madzayo, you may proceed.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sen. Wafula.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Tuesday, 24th March, 2026 - Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on its consideration of the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 4 of 2025) .
[(Sen. Wafula laid the document on the Table)]
Next Order, Clerk.
Sen. Veronica Maina, you may proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion – THAT AWARE THAT, Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, with Article 27 (3) providing that women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres; FURTHER AWARE that Article 27 (…
iv) Urges the State Department for Gender to submit to Parliament a comprehensive biannual report detailing actions taken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies to promote gender mainstreaming, key achievements, emerging challenges and proposed interventions; and v) Resolves that the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare continuously monitor the implementation of these resolutions and t…
We have heard you, Sen. Veronica Maina. Your colleagues have heard you, I saw them nodding. Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, you may proceed. Sen. Thang’wa is not in the House; therefore, the Notice of Motion is deferred.
NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy develops a Policy to promote Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies with particular emphasis on: i) promoting research and development of locally relevant AI solutions; ii) facilitating ethical guidelines to ensure responsible and beneficial application of AI; iii) creating innovation-…
Sen. Miraj Abdullahi, you have the Floor.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion – IKIBAINISHA KWAMBA, mnamo tarehe 29 Aprili 1994, janga la ajali ya feri ya Likoni lilisababisha vifo na majeraha kwa wananchi wasio na hatia, wengi wao wakiwa wakaazi wa Likoni na Kaunti ya Mombasa, na hivyo kuleta majonzi makubwa kitaifa pamoja na madhara ya muda mrefu ya kimwili, kisaikolojia, kijamii na kiuchumi kwa familia zilizo…
Statement Pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) , Senator for Baringo County, the hon. Sen. Kiprono Chemitei, you have the Floor.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity that you have given me to make a statement. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) to make a statement on a matter of countywide concern, regarding the recurring drought – flood cycle in Baringo County and the entire country. Over the past few months, Baringo County has experienced a moderate drought, particularly in the pastoral liveliho…
I thank you.
Sen. Hamida Kibwana, please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of international concern, namely the 13th Global Baku Forum, held from 11th to 14th March, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, an event in which I was honoured to participate. The forum brought together former and current Heads of State and government, senior United Nations officials, diplomats, ministers, legisla…
[(Loud consultations)]
Senator for Kitui County, kindly allow your colleague to make a Statement in silence, please.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From this engagement, Kenya stands to leverage important comparative examples and strategic lessons in the following areas-
Order, Sen. Chute and your colleagues.
Kenya can draw comparative examples on the governance of artificial intelligence, regulation of emerging technologies, digital inclusion, protection of rights in digital spaces and the building of ethical frameworks that support innovation without compromising public accountability.
Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Sen. Hamida Kibwana, you have a statement. You may proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Before I call Sen. Osotsi, allow me to address the matter by Sen. Chute.
[(Sen. Cherarkey stood in his place)]
Senator for Nandi County, take your seat.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am not going to withdraw because these are facts which are out there. I am not going to withdraw.
[(Applause)]
I will now ask you to leave the Chamber for the remainder of the day.
[(Sen. Chute withdrew from the Chamber)]
[(Applause)]
Sen. Osotsi, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to make two Statements.
deteriorate. The gruesome murders of Mr. Zablon Ambuka, Ms. Charity Beva and Mr. Henry Tiira, among others, underscore the urgent need for decisive and coordinated action to restore peace and security in the county. In this regard, I request the Committee to address the following-
[(Laughter)]
Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , I seek a statement from the Standing Committee of Finance and Budget on a matter of national concern regarding the recent placement of Trident Insurance Company, Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO) , Mutual Assurance Limited and Corporate Insurance Company under statutory management by the Insurance Regulatory…
[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) in the Chair]]
Sen. Seki of Kajiado County, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee of Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national concern regarding the working conditions of labourers at the ongoing construction site of the Bomas of Kenya. Concerns have been raised by workers and members of the public regarding safety standards, welfare of worker and pos…
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This is a request for a statement on human-wildlife conflict and failed interventions at Lariak Forest in Laikipia County. I rise to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of countywide concern regarding the escalating human wildlife conflict in Lariak Forest in Laikipia …
Thank you, Senator. Sen. Joyce Korir, proceed.
Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. I rise to seek a statement on the discovery of 14 bodies buried without authorisation at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho County. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.52 (1) , I rise to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the deeply disturbing discovery of 14 bodies buried with…
Hon. Senators, I have--- Sen. Hamida and Sen. Joyce Korir, take your seats.
[(Sen. Hamida and Sen. Korir stood in their places)]
[(Interruption of Statements)]
Hon. Senators, I have Communication from the Chair on visiting delegations. I would like to acknowledge the presence in the public gallery this afternoon, of visiting students and teachers from Sinendet Secondary School in Baringo County and Murray Girls Secondary School in Taita-Taveta County. The delegation comprises 133 students and 11 teachers from the two schools, who are undertaking an acade…
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker for the opportunity you have given me to join you in welcoming the new learners and their teachers in the House, and also to welcome the delegation from Kwale. You are most highly welcome in this House. I wish you all the best. The students from Sinendet are my neighbouring school. I know them very well. They have travelled from far. They are the neighbouring scho…
Thank you, Senator. Sen. Maanzo, you can welcome the students from Taita-Taveta because they are your neighbours.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Senator for Taita- Taveta, Sen. Mwaruma, I welcome students from Taita-Taveta. I hope you are going to learn from the Senate. Definitely, in your examinations, there could be a question to do with Parliament. It is good that you do your level best to learn something in Nairobi. I wish you safe travels back home. I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.
Senator for Mombasa, I want to give you the opportunity to welcome the delegation from Kwale.
Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa hii kukaribisha delegation kutoka Kwale katika Seneti. Kwale, ambayo ni Kaunti 002, ni kaunti muhimu sana katika nchi yetu. Hivi karibuni kumekuwa na mjadala mkubwa kuhusiana na mambo ya madini katika eneo la Kwale. Ni katika Seneti hii ambapo tutahakikisha kwamba rasilmali za Kwale zinatumika kikamilifu. Vile vile, watu wa Kwale wana madai mengi kwa Wi…
Hon. Senators, considering that we have a lot of statements that have been read and I am sure Senators want to make comments on them, I would like to rearrange the Order Paper just for one Order, so that we move to Order No.8, conclude with it, then go back to comments on Statements. Clerk, please call the Order.
Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30