National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah condemned the chaos and high fatality rates in Kenya's transport sector, especially among bodaboda riders, and criticised lax enforcement by police. He called for comprehensive legislation and stronger oversight by the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, invoking the legacy of former Minister John Michuki as a benchmark for effective regulation. The speaker urged a shift from populist politics to decisive leadership to restore order across all modes of transport. Members, particularly Hon. Catherine Omanyo and Hon. Atieno Bensuda, raised concerns over uncredited funds for sanitary products and the stagnation of NG‑CDF allocations, demanding accountability and greater support for women’s initiatives. The Speaker repeatedly called for order, criticizing the rowdy conduct of several women representatives while acknowledging their grievances. The debate highlighted tensions between frustration over perceived mismanagement and the push for constructive policy action. Members voiced concerns over the opaque leasing of five public sugar mills, demanding statements from the Agriculture and Livestock Committee and urging transparent, participatory processes. The Speaker directed the committees to provide responses after recess and emphasized timely follow‑up. The debate underscored the sugar sector’s importance to livelihoods and called for community peace initiatives.
Hon. Members, we have no quorum in the House. Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Order, Hon. Members, we now have a quorum to transact business. Clerk-at-the-Table, proceed.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Yes, Hon. Speaker, I am holding brief for the Leader of the Majority Party.
Go ahead.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table:
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation. Hon. KJ? The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, Hon. Bowen.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee On Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation on the Budget Implementation Review for the First Half of the Financial Year 2024/2025 for the following State Departments:
[(July to December 2024)]
Thank you. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection, Hon. Alice.
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table: Reports of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on its Consideration of:
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. Order, Members. Order, Member for Busia. Order, Hon. Donya. Many of you are first- time Members. Order, Hon. Kiborek. To our distinguished ladies, if there is any issue… I can observe the way you are arranging your hair. It appears as though you wish to demonstrate something.
[(Hon. Catherine Omanyo, Hon. Dorice Donya, Hon. Kiborek Reuben and other Members consulted loudly)]
Yes.
If you wish to do so, and it is a matter not included on the Order Paper… Order, Hon. Melly and your group. I am addressing your colleagues. If you have a matter not listed on the Order Paper, the proper and decent course of action is to approach the Speaker and inform him that you have an issue you wish to raise. It is highly unlikely that I shall deny you the opportunity. However, one does not …
[(Hon. Julius Melly spoke off the record)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for that directive. I beg to lay the following paper on the Table: Joint report of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on the Approval Hearing of Nominees for Appointment as Board Members of the Central Bank of Kenya. Thank you.
Thank you, Member of Parliament for Kesses. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on its consideration of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 41 of 2024) . Thank you.
Thank you, KJ. Next Order.
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on the approval hearing of nominees for appointment as Board members of Central Bank of Kenya, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesd…
Thank you. Next Order
On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.
Member for Busia County.
Hon. Speaker, I rise under Standing Orders 83 and 245A on Budget Monitoring and Implementation. Hon. Speaker, the 47 County Women Representatives (CWRs) in this country are bleeding right now. All of them have been castrated with a blunt burdizzo. We usually think on our feet and ahead of the curve by planning. Everybody here plans. But, when you plan and somebody puts a hitch, then you only have…
[(Loud consultations)]
but they have no clue. They are all looking at each other as if they do not understand their role in those offices. All 47 CWRs are here to demand their rights because they were elected to represent their people. Several County Women Representatives: We want our money back! We want our money back! We want our money back!
As I speak, even the money for sanitary towels has never been credited into the accounts. The children in schools ….
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Hon. Catherine. Take your seat. Honourable distinguished ladies, you do not make your case any better by being rowdy. Kofi Annan always spoke with a soft voice but with a powerful message. You can deliver a powerful message with a soft voice. Being rowdy does not amplify your message. Allow Hon. Omanyo, who I believe is your representative, to finish what she is saying.
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Speaker, this is not easy. Maybe it is because I do not have a soft or soprano voice. It came out like a bass. What I am asking is: how do I go to Busia County and tell them that I represent them if the money was stolen, and I was sitting here acting like I am sober? I do not know what to do. I just want to understand what happened to the money. The money itself is so meagre that it should no…
[(Hon. Dorice Donya spoke off record)]
Today, we are joyless, and that is why we are wearing black.
What is on your head is not black.
This is the NGAAF colour. The rest is black.
[(Laughter)]
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Speaker, we are not okay. We feel that this country is not ours. (In a shrill voice) Why are they doing this to us, Hon. Speaker?
Thank you. You have made your point. Hon. Bensuda.
[(Loud consultations)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Now we want the House to be entirely silent.
[(Applause)]
Order, Hon. Bensuda. The panel never said that.
A question arose, Hon. Speaker, and how the Cabinet Secretary responded is on record. We do not want a Principal Secretary who is not on his toes, tackling issues. He came here and found that Ksh500 million was stuck. While our money was being deducted, the women were in full support of increasing the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) , a worthy Fund that is of help in o…
You have made your point.
Hon. Speaker, even if we are putting on flowers, we are not flower girls. We are competent women leaders in this country.
[(Applause)]
On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.
Yes, Hon. DK, what is your point of order?
We cannot allow that charade to continue. When you refer to men as clueless...
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding investigations into escalating cases of femicide and gender-based violence in Kericho County. Article 26 of the Constitution guarantees every person's inalienable right to life, regardless of age, gender, and socia…
Hon. Tongoyo, when can you bring a response?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I will issue a response in the first week of resumption after recess.
Dekow Barrow, Garissa Township.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request a Statement from the Departmental Committee of Education Chairperson regarding the status of key projects at Garissa University. Garissa University was first established as a constituent college of Moi University on the 12th August 2011 through Legal Notice No. 116 under the Moi University Act (CAP 210A) …
Hon. Keynan, on the same? One minute.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Garissa University is the only university in the entire region of Northern Kenya. You are also familiar with the history and the circumstances of that university. I do not need to belabour this. By now, I thought the university would almost be a publicly funded university with branches in nearly every sub-county of the entire region. I am sure you are aware that this regi…
There is no time we will have enough resources for everybody. We must sacrifice for particular groupings or regions that require those services as and when the situation demands. I plead with the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education and the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to urgently put in place mechanisms to assist Garissa University on an affirmative action ba…
Hon. Rachael Nyamai, one minute.
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I support Hon. Dekow's position that this university must be funded. We should not forget the circumstances that led to its closure. If I am correct, we lost 148 students on 2nd April 2015. Certain things are extremely important as we work towards ensuring this university gets budgetary allocations. I want to tell Hon. Dekow, Hon. Keynan, and all other Members f…
Thank you. Hon. Melly, when can you bring a response?
Thank you. The issues raised by Hon. Dekow and the other two Members are very weighty. They affect all universities in this republic. Members of the Committee and I walked across most universities in the eastern and western parts of the Rift. We noted a number of what we call white elephant projects. We even went to Garissa and found students taking lectures under trees. We are proceeding to rece…
Thank you. Hon. Bowen, are you on the same issue?
Hon. Speaker, I appreciate the answers given by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education.
He has not given any.
It is the promise that he is going to give us an answer soon. The Chairman has just said that many of our universities are struggling financially. Again, we are seeing the same Ministry of Education opening other universities. We as a country need to think as the Chairman looks into the financial constraints in these institutions. Do we need more universities when strong universities like Garissa…
Hon. Oundo.
Hon. Speaker, I concur with the sentiments of Hon. Bowen. The truth of the matter is that our universities are limping. The
Government or the Executive does not have the capacity to fund and sustain them. As he comes up with that Statement, we need to be very clear on what modalities or measures we are putting in place to ensure that the existing universities remain afloat. Which measures will we put in place to shut down those that have no capacity to stay afloat? A university is opened every day. When you go to the …
Hon. Melly, you will do as you have promised. Hon. Keynan.
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental
Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Energy, Hon. Gikaria, when can you bring a response?
Hon. Speaker, if given an opportunity, we can bring it after recess. I remember the same issue was raised again here two weeks ago. It is a very critical matter.
So, you will combine them and bring a response during the second week after recess. Hon. Machua Waithaka, Member for Kiambu County. Sorry, Member for Kiambu Constituency.
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands regarding the attempted land grabbing targeting the family of the late Mr Wilson Mbothu in Ting’ang’a Ward, Kiambu County. Mr Mbothu’s family owns and resides on their 236-acre parcel of land in Ting’ang’a Ward in Kiambu, with their …
Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands. Is there any Member of the Departmental Committee on Lands?
Hon. Rachael Nyamai, can your Committee bring a response in the second week after the recess?
Yes, Hon. Speaker. I commit to informing the Chairperson so the response can be brought during the second week after opening. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
Thank you. Hon. Cynthia Muge approached the Chair and indicated she was going out for a meeting. Her request for a Statement is deferred to tomorrow. Hon. Julius Ole Sunkuli.
[(Request for Statement deferred)]
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the unfortunate incidents at Angata Barikoi in Kilgoris Constituency. Yesterday, Monday, 28th April 2025, was a very sad day for Kilgoris. Six persons from there, namely Mr Paul Barsaben from Kaps…
Hon. Kitayama.
Mhe. Spika, kwa ruhusa yako, naomba kumuunga mkono jirani yangu, Mhe. Sunkuli. Wazaramo wana msemo unaosema kuwa mla huliwa. Matatizo mengi sana yameibuka katika eneo hili. Tunashangaa kuwa mara kwa mara, kilio kikubwa zaidi kinasikika wakati vyombo vya dola kutoka kwa serikali tofauti tofauti vimeingilia swala hili.
Juzi tu mwezi wa Novemba, Mhe. Sunkuli aliomba kauli kwa ajili ya mambo haya haya na wakati huo, alizungumzia maeneo ya Angata Barrikoi, Guitembe na Mpakani ambapo jirani zetu Wakuria na Wakipsigis wanazozana. Wakati huo, ilionekana kuwa ni jambo lililohitajika kuzingatiwa kwa dharura. Nakushukuru, Mhe. Spika, kwa sababu ulitoa agizo kuwa Kamati ya Utawala na Usalama wa Ndani inayoongozwa na rafik…
Maliza.
Mhe. Spika, Mhe. Sunkuli ameomba kauli ya pili kuhusu suala lile lile. Kwani Kamati hii ina watu wazembe ambao hawataki kufanya kazi au wanafurahia Wakuria na Wakipsigis wakifa? Wanataka akina nani wafe ili waje kutatua tatizo hili? Jambo hili linaudhi sana.
Tosha! Mhe. Tongoyo, ni uzembe au ni kutotaka kufanya kazi? Je, suala hili linapaswa kuzingatiwa na Kamati ya Ardhi au Kamati ya Utawala na Usalama wa Ndani?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Knowing the importance and sensitivity of this matter, we will respond immediately on resumption from recess. Having said that, I want to join…
Hon. Tongoyo, given the gravity of the matter and the loss of lives… Is there somebody playing with a gadget in the House? Who is playing a gadget in the House? It is out of order. Is that you, Hon. Kajwang’?
[(Hon. TJ Kajwang’ played music on his phone)]
[(Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona spoke off the record)]
Hon. Speaker, I apologise.
Hon. Tongoyo, are you able to bring a preliminary response tomorrow afternoon?
Yes, I will, Hon. Speaker.
Lives have been lost. We are hearing of heightened tensions in the area. We saw a policeman with an arrow in his head and many other things. Can you get in touch with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and bring a statement tomorrow afternoon?
I am much obliged, Hon. Speaker. However, just give me a minute to say something. I want to join my colleague, Hon. Sunkuli, in sending my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The preliminary report is that five lives of locals have been lost. About four police officers sustained injuries, including the one you mentioned, who had an arrow in his head. He had to be evacuated to g…
Hon. Members, I spoke to Members from Baringo. I am happy to see Hon. Makilap and his neighbour sitting together. I wish Hon. Kamket were also with you. We are going on recess for a whole month. I want to urge Members of Parliament from the area – like Hon. Kitayama, yourself, Hon. Sunkuli and Hon. Johanna Ng’eno – to go to the ground and pacify the communities. Go to the ground and speak to our p…
[(Hon. Sarah Korere spoke off the record)]
Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg your indulgence. I have consulted the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and he says that the Committee is currently in a meeting with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) deliberating on some of the effects of the proposed amendments. I beg your indulgence that we defer the consideration of this Bill until the Departmental Commi…
The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Members, the request by the Leader of the Majority Party is acceded to. (Committee of the whole House on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill deferred)
Hon. Members, the time being 7.07