Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Senators criticised the lack of exit clauses in power purchase agreements, high electricity tariffs, Kenya Power's mounting debt and excessive system losses, while urging court review and a performance audit of the energy sector. They also highlighted regulatory lapses by EPRA, transformer shortages, and questioned the reliance on Independent Power Producers, proposing greater focus on geothermal and even nuclear options. The debate combined strong criticism with constructive recommendations for reform. Senators criticised the high cost of electricity, calling for the termination of monopolistic licences, greater competition and a thorough audit of Kenya Power’s billing to recover alleged fraud. They urged swift release of pending regulations and praised the committee’s report while also welcoming university students and highlighting the link between cheaper power and industrialisation. Senators warned that Kenya is suffering prolonged blackouts because of inadequate transmission lines, over‑reliance on a single sub‑station and high transmission losses, while existing power purchase agreements favour producers and drive up costs. They proposed separating KETRACO and Kenya Power duties, expanding renewable and nuclear generation, tightening governance and procurement, and tackling illegal connections and wayleave fees to lower costs and improve reliability.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Kindly, stop the Bell. We now have quorum. Clerk, proceed to call the First Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, I take this opportunity to inform you that the Senate Business Committee (SBC) has convened a one-day non-residential retreat for all Hon. Senators. The retreat will be a follow-up on the two induction retreats that were held at the commencement of the 4th Senate in October and November 2022. The objectives of this one-day retreat are as follows:
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, Tuesday, 27th February, 2024- Report to Parliament on all new loans contracted by Government of Kenya from 1st September, 2023 to 31st January, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statement of the County Executive of Nyeri for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statement of the County Assembly of Nyeri for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statement of the County Government of Nyeri-County Revenue Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of t…
Next Order?
Statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) . Proceed, Sen. Joe Nyutu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the current status of medical equipment supplied by Mega Scope to Level Five Hospitals across the country; specifically, CT-Scan and X-Ray machines. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Hon. Senator for Marsabit County, Sen. Chute?
Sen. Chute is not in the House. That Statement is dropped. Hon. Senator for Taita Taveta County, Sen. Mwaruma?
[(Statement dropped)]
Sen. Mwaruma is not in the House. That Statement is dropped.
[(Statement dropped)]
Let us go to the next Statement by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda.
Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda is not in? That Statement is dropped. Proceed, Sen. Fatuma Dullo.
[(Statement dropped)]
[(The Clerk at-the-Table and Sen. Cheruiyot consulted with the Speaker)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health concerning the operations and state of the Isiolo County Referral Hospital Morgue. In the Statement, the Committee should explain-
Hon. Senators, at this juncture, allow me to rearrange the sequence of today’s Order Paper so that we deal with the Motions. We have three Motions starting with the one under Order No.11. Clerk, please, proceed to call that particular Order.
Hon. Senators, having failed to attain quorum at the expiry of 10 minutes, the Senate stands adjourned pursuant to Standing Order No.41 (2) (a) until tomorrow Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, at 9.30 a.m. When we resume, Sen. Kavindu Muthama will have 19 minutes. The Senate rose at 6.02 p.m.