Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
The Senate debated the Mediation Committee report on the Conflict of Interest Bill, focusing on provisions such as conflict‑of‑interest disclosures, dual employment, and the suspension of officials under investigation. Members highlighted redundancy with existing laws and criticized recommendations that allow civil servants to engage in private business, linking it to systemic procurement corruption. The discussion was deferred pending quorum, reflecting both constructive procedural work and strong criticism of perceived policy flaws. Senator Oketch warned that ongoing corruption and the practice of civil servants doing business with the government threaten Kenya’s stability, citing historic reforms and the Ndegwa Commission findings. He criticised the misuse of tax revenues and the failure of accountability bodies, while urging the fast‑tracking of a Bill to curb conflicts of interest and restore public trust. The speech blends strong criticism with a constructive call for legislative reform. The Senate afternoon sitting focused on adopting several standing‑committee reports covering education hardship allowances, an LPG explosion inquiry, devolution security concerns and market conditions. Senators also debated the landmark High Court ruling decriminalising attempted suicide, urging further mental‑health reforms, and raised issues on road safety during a cycling championship and the impact of imported wheat on local farmers. Procedural motions dominated the session with brief interventions and acknowledgments.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. I am informed we do have quorum now. Therefore, we will proceed with this afternoon’s business. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Sen. Boni, take your seat.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale consulted Sen. Gataya Mo Fire)]
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation from the Senate of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The delegation comprises Hon. Senators and parliamentary staff who are attending a capacity-building programme on legislative leadership and governance at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST). Hon. Senators, I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out, so that they may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition –
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take this opportunity on behalf of the minority side of the Senate to join you in extending a warm welcome to the visiting delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho. We feel humbled that you chose to pay a visit to our Senate and are grateful that they have chosen to come and visit with us. We will continue to engage even as we seek to do transfer of best practices in t…
The Senate Majority Leader, please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I join you, together with all our other colleagues, in welcoming this visiting delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho. This is a delightful occasion for us to have this delegation, particularly in the study that they are undertaking at the CPST; a key premium training institution run by the Parliament of Kenya. It enjoys good relations with other parliaments from across the regio…
have never been to the Kingdom of Lesotho and I have read interesting things about them. I would wish to go and see those things live. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on that trip, I would wish to be accompanied by the Deputy Minority Whip, Sen. Sifuna, because I know he loves those kinds of things as well. I thank you.
Next Order. The Senate Majority Leader, please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Tuesday, 25th February, 2025. These are the reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of Kilifi County for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Kilifi for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General …
Hon. Senators, you will notice that there are two Order Papers. Kindly switch to the Supplementary Order Paper. Next Order, Clerk. The Senate Majority Leader, please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to give Notice of the following Motion, which is the variation of Resolution of the Senate on the
report of the Committee of Powers and Privileges on the conduct of Sen. Gloria Orwoba, MP. THAT AWARE THAT, on 20th September, 2023, the Senate adopted the Report of the Committee of Powers and Privileges on the conduct of Sen. Gloria Orwoba, MP, and resolved to suspend the Senator from the precincts of Parliament for the remainder of the Second Session of the Thirteenth Parliament which period a…
The Chairperson Standing Committee on Education, the floor is yours.
[(Applause)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Education on a Petition to the Senate regarding the discrimination by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on payment of hardship and
enhanced house allowances to some teachers in Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024.
The Chairperson Standing Committee on Energy, please proceed. Hon. Senators, let us be alert. If you have been given some responsibilities through the reorganization of committees, please get used to those responsibilities. Proceed, Sen. Kisang.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Energy on its inquiry into the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) explosion in Mradi Area, Embakasi, Nairobi City County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 8th August, 2024.
The Chairperson Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, please proceed.
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.
There are two Notices of Motion. So, proceed to give the second one.
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.
Next order.
Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , Sen. Kisang, you have the Floor.
Thank you, 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 regarding the removal of speed bumps and pavements along the Moiben Road Junction to Kapuliot Junction leading to Iten in Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, respectively, during the Confederation of African Cycling (CSC) Road Cyclin…
Sen. Hamida Kibwana, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a statement on an issue of general topical concern and national importance regarding the recent landmark ruling by the High Court of Kenya in Constitution Petition No. E045 of 2022, which declared Section 226 of the Penal Code unconstitutional, thereby decriminalizing attempted suicide in Kenya. This ruling is a vict…
[(Loud consultations)]
The Senate Minority Leader, you may want to hear your colleague in silence.
Mr. Speakr, Sir, I take this opportunity to commend and congratulate the petitioners, including the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR) , Charity Muturi, the Kenya Psychiatrists Association and other stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to this noble cause. These efforts have set a precedent for a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to mental health in our country.…
Sen. Olekina, you may proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand here, on behalf of Sen. Mungatana, the Senator for Tana River County, to move the following Motion- THAT AWARE THAT the late Leonard Mambo Mbotela, a renowned media personality passed away on 7th February, 2025, at the age of 84; COGNIZANT THAT he had an illustrious career in media spanning over five decades, and was one of the most influential voices in Kenyan radio, e…
Sen. Mungatana requested Sen. Faki and I to move and to subsequently second. I will be very brief. Our heartfelt condolences and messages of goodwill to the family and friends of the late prolific radio and media personality, Leonard Mambo Mbotela. We continue to commiserate with the family. Many of us grew up listening to radio. Radio, unlike TV and other modes of communication has the highest c…
Sen. Mungatana requested Sen. Faki and I to move and to subsequently second. I will be very brief. Our heartfelt condolences and messages of goodwill to the family and friends of the late prolific radio and media personality, Leonard Mambo Mbotela. We continue to commiserate with the family. Many of us grew up listening to radio. Radio, unlike TV and other modes of communication has the highest c…
I hope the Nairobi City County has the foresight to even do that. However, I do not think they have foresight, if they can take dirt at the front of Electricity House. That is another story for another day. The second thing such heroes whom we have full recognition of, should be honoured through a state burial. This is somebody who said, “Je, huu ni Ungwana?” If Leonard Mambo Mbotela would have a…
Senator for Siaya, we are waiting for you to take your seat. You may take your seat, Senator. Hon. Senators, the Floor is open for contribution. The Senate Majority Leader, what is your point of information.
[(Sen. (Dr.) Oburu approached the Speaker)]
[(Question proposed)]
[(Interruption of debate on Motion)]
Senator for Siaya, we are waiting for you to take your seat. You may take your seat, Senator. Hon. Senators, the Floor is open for contribution. The Senate Majority Leader, what is your point of information.
[(Sen. (Dr.) Oburu approached the Speaker)]
[(Question proposed)]
[(Interruption of debate on Motion)]
Hon. Senators, as you may recall, at the Afternoon Sitting of the Senate held on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025, the Senator for Vihiga County, Sen. Osotsi, CBS, rose on a point of order, pursuant to Standing Order No.105 (1) to require the Senator for Busia County, Sen. Okiya Omtatah, MP, to substantiate statements made in the course of a debate.
Sen. Omtatah, I am trying to accommodate you.
informed the Senate on how the Janjaweed came to be and its metamorphosis to Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Other Senators who made comments to the point of order included Sen. Kinyua, Sen. Methu and Sen. Omogeni. Sen. Okiya Omtatah’s response to the point of order by Sen. Osotsi was to refer the Senate to a URL; https://www.cfr.org//global-conflict-tracker//conflict-power- struggle-sudan, despite b…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you for the opportunity to address this House. The last time in this House, if the record of the HANSARD will serve us right, I was told to bring the URLs I was referring to. It was not one. In your review, you have reviewed one URL, which was the second URL I had given. The first one was on Wikipedia, upon which Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale commented. I still do not understand …
Sen. Omtatah, I am trying to accommodate you.
they sent me a draft of what had been said here. I emailed an entire list of the 12 URLs to the Senate office. I gave a copy.
Sen. Omtatah.
I will proceed. If you do not want me to contextualize, what I am going to say is that I will withdraw and apologise. If that pleases the conscience of this House, so be it. Nonetheless, it is a sad day for this country.
they sent me a draft of what had been said here. I emailed an entire list of the 12 URLs to the Senate office. I gave a copy.
Sen. Omtatah.
[(Laughter)]
Next, Order. Proceed, the Senate Majority Leader.
Just one moment, Minority Leader. I have a communication to make.
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the public gallery this afternoon, visiting teachers and students from Kapkisiara Girls High School in Kericho County. The delegation comprises eight teachers and 103 students, who are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposure. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm wel…
[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) in the Chair]]
Just one moment, Minority Leader. I have a communication to make.
Hon. Senators, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 26th February, 2025, at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.