Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
The Senate session featured requests for statements on lion incursions in Kajiado and alleged mismanagement of the Mount Elgon coffee mill, followed by procedural exchanges and a detailed critique by Sen. Cheruiyot of the Bicameral Relations Bill’s handling. He highlighted limited member participation, confusing legislative procedures, and warned against undermining the bill at second reading. Overall, the debate reflected concerns over governance, wildlife management, and parliamentary processes. Senator Wakili Sigei moved a motion to approve the Procedure and Rules Committee's second report, proposing several amendments to Senate Standing Orders to improve pre‑publication scrutiny, implementation oversight, and petition handling. The amendments aim to replace the “or” conjunction with “and” in Order 131, empower relevant standing committees to follow up on recommendations (Order 228), streamline petition reporting (Orders 237‑239), and set clear timelines for consideration. The debate was largely procedural and constructive, focusing on enhancing legislative efficiency. Senators criticised weak controls in the e‑Citizen platform and called for stronger accountability mechanisms for both national and county governments, especially regarding financial transfers and reporting. They urged revisions to bill clauses on function transfers and cost‑determination to ensure joint national‑county oversight, and advocated for quarterly reports and enhanced powers for the Controller of Budget. The debate combined sharp criticism with constructive proposals for legislative and institutional reforms.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats. I am informed that we do have quorum. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon, of five officers from the Committee on Post-Retirement Medical Scheme of the County Assembly of Kajiado, who are on a benchmarking visit with their counterparts in the Senate. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and …
[(Applause)]
I call upon the Senate Majority Leader to extend a warm welcome under one minute.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my colleagues here in the Senate, I join you in welcoming these colleagues of ours from the County Assembly of Kajiado. I had a brief opportunity to interact with them just before lunch. They were with Sen. Seki, whom I can see in the House. He introduced me to the powerful delegation from the County Assembly of Kajiado. It is my hope that they will get full value f…
Let us now have the area Senator. Proceed, Senator. Why are you raising your hand?
I thought you forgot that they are a delegation from Kajiado.
The Chair knows. Proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also take this opportunity to join you and the Senate Majority Leader to congratulate particularly members of the secretariat from the County Assembly of Kajiado, led by the Deputy Speaker. Thank you for choosing to come to the Senate to benchmark particularly on issues concerning pension and medical scheme for your members. I believe you will have an opportunity to get more i…
Hon. Senators, I have another Communication to make.
Hon. Senators, I wish to bring to your attention that recently there have been concerning trends in the conduct of Senators during Plenary proceedings. Instances of lack of decorum during debate, divisions and disruptive actions, including use of mobile phones, have become increasingly common. I have on several occasions cautioned individual Senators on the need to maintain order during plenary p…
Respectful conduct, adherence to speaking protocols and civility towards fellow Senators are not just formalities but standards that must be upheld by all Senators. While it is natural for us to have differing opinions and perspectives, it is crucial that we express these views in a manner that is respectful and conducive to constructive dialogue. Disruptive behaviour, shouting matches or persona…
Next Order.
We will start with Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . The first one is by the Senator for Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Sen. Kisang’.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I arise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding delayed payments by New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) to dairy farmers. In the Statement, the committee should:
Sen. Mariam Omar?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. (53) 1, to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment, Natural Resources regarding the recent sighting of lions roaming around human settlements in Ongata Rongai area in Kajiado County. In the Statement, the Committee should:
The next Statement is by Sen. David Wakoli. Proceed, Sen. Chute.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am reading this Statement on behalf of the distinguished Sen. Wakoli. It is on the mismanagement and corruption in the Mount Elgon Cooperative Union coffee mill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism regarding the mismanagement and corruption in …
The Senator for Kisumu County, hon. Tom Ojienda? Is there any Senator holding brief for Sen. Tom Ojienda?
The Vice Chairperson, Procedure and Rules Committee? Sen. Wakili, are you holding a brief for the Vice Chairperson of that Committee? That particular order is deferred for just a moment. We will proceed to the next Order.
[(Sen. Wakili Sigei consulted the Speaker)]
Senate Majority Leader, you may proceed to reply.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Sen. Gloria, how do you raise a point of order when there is no Senator on his or her feet? You are out of order, Sen. Gloria. Proceed, Senate Majority Leader. There are better ways you can--- Approach the Chair.
[(Sen. Orwoba spoke off record)]
[(Sen. Orwoba approached the Chair)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank colleagues who took time to speak to the Houses of Parliament (Bicameral Relations) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 44 of 2023) . In my moving notes on this Bill, I pointed out to the House that in my humble opinion and having seen this battle run for ages, this Bill presents us with an opportunity to succeed or fail spectacularly as a House, in something that we belie…
However, be that as it may, there may be Senators who have not had the opportunity to say something about this Bill. This is one such occasion where a written memorandum should be provided to this Committee as they deliberate on the final amendments to this Bill. I say so because the user department of this Bill is Parliament. It is these Members of Parliament in their various Committees who stru…
Finally, I do not see how you can serve in this House and not have a say on such an important Bill. For one reason or the other, many may not have known the importance of this Bill. They should take the time to write to the Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee and inform their views on this Bill and how it needs to move. Eventually, when we convene to do the Committee of the Whole, t…
It is so ordered. Next Order.
[(Putting of the Question on the Bill deferred)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for five minutes.
Kilifi County; Sen. Mandago, Uasin Gishu County; Sen. Mariam Omar, Mandera County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Mungatana, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu, Siaya County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wa…
Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:
Before we call the next Order, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon, visiting teachers and students from All Saints Karambari Secondary School in Embu County. The delegation is in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming guests to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and on behalf…
Asante Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii kukaribisha wanafunzi wa shule ya upili ya Karambari. Wamekuja kutembea kujifunza yale tunayofanya hapa Seneti. Nawakaribisha hapa Seneti. Hapa Seneti tumejifunza kuongea vile hili ‘Jumba la Juu’ linaongea mambo ya serikali za kaunti na vile pesa zinaenda huko kaunti. Pia, wakipata hizo pesa, vile serikali za kaunti zinafanya kazi kule mashinani kama mahospi…
Bw. Spika, kule hii shule imetoka, hakuna maji na stima na ningeomba Serikali ya Kenya Kwanza iangalie shule kama hizo ndio zifunzwe kama zile shule zingine za nchi hii yetu. Wakirudi Embu, waseme wanawakilishwa vizuri na Seneta wao wa kaunti ya Embu. (Kicheko)
Next Order.
Embu County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu, Siaya County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County. NOES: Sen. Kavindu Muthama, Machakos County.
Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-
Next Order, Clerk.
Sen. Mariam Omar, Mandera County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Mungatana, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu, Siaya County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; Sen. Wamatinga, Nyeri County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui Co…
Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-
Next Order, Clerk.
Makueni County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Mandago, Uasin Gishu County; Sen. Mariam Omar, Mandera County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Mungatana, Tana River County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu, Siaya County; Sen. Ogola, Homa Bay County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakil…
Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-
Serjeant-at-Arms, you may now proceed to withdraw the Bar and open the Door. Next Order, Clerk. We had deferred an Order earlier, so we will proceed to call that order and thereafter we will resume normal flow as contained in the Order Paper. That was Order No. 8. Proceed, Sen. Wakili Sigei.
[(The Bar was undrawn and the Doors opened)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to make a general Statement on this day of International Menstrual Hygiene Day, 28th May
Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day and this year's theme is: ‘Together for a Period-Friendly World.’ The global platform of raising awareness about the challenges that women and girls face regarding menstrual hygiene and advocating for the necessary changes to ensure their dignity, health and well-being are well catered for. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in Kenya, many girls face significant barriers in ma…
Before we call the next Order, allow me to make this Communication.
Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No. 45 (2) , I seek to rearrange today’s Order Paper. We will proceed to Order No.21 before resuming the normal flow as contained in today’s Order Paper.