Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 31 October 2023
Senators debated whether to handle the Meru County governor impeachment through a special committee or in plenary, with most members supporting the committee as a fairer, more focused forum. Opponents argued for plenary proceedings and called for a review of standing orders to streamline future cases. The exchange highlighted concerns over constitutional compliance, procedural fairness, and legislative efficiency. The afternoon Senate sitting descended into personal attacks, notably between Sen. Munyi Mundigi and Sen. Faki, prompting the Speaker to restore order. The core debate focused on the appropriate procedure—committee versus plenary—to handle the second impeachment of the Meru County governor, with Senators voicing procedural concerns and the risk of litigation. Interjections and remarks about other members further heightened the tension. Senators debated whether investigations should be conducted in plenary or through committees, arguing the merits of each method for examining witnesses and ensuring procedural fairness. Points of order were raised about the ability of visually impaired judges to assess testimony and about the clarity of the motion, while the Speaker maintained order amid occasional laughter. The discussion highlighted procedural preferences, institutional memory, and the Senate’s quasi‑judicial role.
Clerk, do we have quorum?
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, I am informed that we do have Quorum now. Kindly stop the Bell. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order, please.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, I take this opportunity to welcome you back from the one-week recess. In accordance with the Calendar of the Senate for the regular sittings, Part V begins today, Tuesday, 31st October, 2023 and will conclude at the rise of the Senate on 7th December, 2023. Hon. Senators, you will observe that this will be the last segment of the Senate Calendar . It will be a short one at that, b…
[(Regular Sessions of the Senate in 2023)]
The resumption of regular sittings in this last part brings with it a certain degree of urgency to conclude the legislative agenda of the Senate. I believe that together we can navigate the intricacies of our legislative procedures and make meaningful contributions for the betterment of our country. It is in this context, I urge that we redouble our collective efforts in a bid to conclude the bus…
Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. I call upon the Senate Majority Leader to welcome them in under one minute.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I join you on behalf of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya to welcome this visiting delegation from our various county assemblies who are on a study tour of the Senate. The Senate continues to make its contribution in growing and nurturing our various county assemblies through various avenues such as the one presented today before us. It is my sincere hope that the …
Next Order, Clerk. Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Oketch Gicheru, we are waiting for you to take your seats. Kindly, hasten.
[(Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Oketch Gicheru walked into the Chamber)]
[(Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Eddie Oketch walked into the Chamber)]
of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act, 2012, for the removal from office, by way of impeachment, of Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County. The Message was transmitted to the Senate via a letter Ref. No. M/CARES/VOL.IV/43 dated Thursday, 26th October, 2023, signed by the Speaker of the County Assembly of Meru, and received in my Office on Friday, 27th October…
(Sen. Osotsi took his seat) Charge 1: Misappropriation and Misuse of County Resources The particulars of this allegation are that the Governor-
Chairperson, Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing, please, proceed. Sen. Thang’wa, I just called the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing, to present a report. Is your report ready?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Report on Petition on the Table of the Senate today, Tuesday, 31st October, 2023- Report of the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing on a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Nickey Muoko Mwancha regarding the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Chiromo along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi City County. The Petition regarding the construction o…
Whereas the Ministry of Roads, Transportation and Housing was not committed on the timelines when the construction of the pedestrian bridges would commence, the Committee has proposed the implementation of a milestone that will hasten the process of committal of budget for the construction of the pedestrian bridges. The Committee---
Order, Sen. Orwoba and Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Kindly take your seats. May the Senator be heard in silence.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Committee has also made recommendation in this Report for the implementation of short-term speed control measures to ensure pedestrian safety when crossing the highway. As I conclude, the Committee did not meet the petitioner because it was difficult to reach him. At the time of submitting the Petition, he never left his email, telephone number or any contact. As …
[(Sen. Thang’wa laid the documents on the Table)]
Chairperson Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations, please, proceed. Majority Leader, you are consulting rather loudly.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Petition report on the Table of the Senate today, 31st October, 2023- Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations, a Petition to the Senate by Julius Wairiuko Wanjohi concerning the lack of implementation of the absorption of contracted instructors under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) by the County Government …
The Petition was presented in the Senate on Wednesday, 24th May, 2023 by the Deputy Speaker, Sen. Kathuri, MP, pursuant to Standing Order No. 232 (1) (a) of the Senate Standing Orders. Consequently, the Petition stood committed to the Committee pursuant to Standing Order No. 238 (1) of the Senate Standing Orders. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the issues raised in the Petition were that in July 1989, the Peti…
Order, Hon. Senators! May the Senator be heard in silence, please. Sen. Munyi Mundigi and my Deputy Speaker, please, consult in low tones.
The petitioner was employed by the Ministry of Education as a Carpentry Instructor II and posted to Kiaguthu Youth Polytechnic in Nyeri County. Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the advent of devolution, the Youth Polytechnic Training function was subsequently transferred to the county governments pursuant to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. As …
The Committee received the written response on 24th August, 2023. Upon consideration of the response, the Committee made various observations and recommendations, which are set out in Chapter Four and Five of this Report, respectively. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in summary, the Committee recommended on the Petition as follows-
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Petition Report on the Table of the Senate, today, 31st of October, 2023- Report of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a Petition to the Senate by Benson Nyaga Kagete concerning the recognition and Remuneration of Village Elders under the Nyumba Kumi Initiative. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Petition by Be…
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Sen. Karungo and team!
Pursuant to Standing Order No.238 (1) , the Committee was required to respond to the petitioner by way of a report addressed to the petitioner and laid on the Table of the Senate. The major issues raised in the Petition were as follows-
Next Order.
Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 31st October, 2023 on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader-
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget. The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following paper on the Table of the Senate, today 31st October, 2023- Report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on its consideration of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 15 of 2023) . Briefly, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill (Senate Bills No.15 of 2023) ---
Sen. Wakili Sigei, just table and leave it at that.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay. Thank you.
[(Sen. Wakili Sigei laid the document on the Table)]
Next Order. Senate Minority Whip, hon. Sen. Olekina.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to give notice of the following Motion - THAT, WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act, on Wednesday, 25th October, 2023, the Meru County Assembly approved a Motion to remove from office, by impeachment, Hon. Kawira Mwangaza, the Governor of Meru County; AND FURTHER, WHEREAS by a letter Ref. M/CARES/VOL.…
AND WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 33(3)(b) of the County Governments Act, and Standing Order No. 80(1)(b) of the Senate, the Senate by resolution, may appoint a special committee comprising eleven of its Members to investigate the matter; NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Section 33(3)(b) of the County Governments Act, and Standing Order No. 80(1)(b), the Senate resolves to establish a Special Committee…
Hon. Senators, at this juncture, you will allow me, and this is for the convenience of the House, to rearrange the sequence of today’s Order Paper and straightaway, we move to prosecute Order No. 9 in the Order Paper. Clerk, proceed to call that Order. Proceed, Senate Minority Whip.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, can I do it on behalf of Sen. Dullo?
Yes, you can do that.
[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) in the Chair]]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the Report of the Senate Delegation to the 16th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 67) . I was honoured to be part of the delegation that proceeded to CSW 67 meeting in New York and I now present the report. The United Nations CSW is the principle global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerme…
Sen. Veronica Maina, please approach the Speaker. Proceed, Sen. Veronica Maina.
[(Sen. Veronica Maina approached the Chair)]
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move-
THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Senate Delegation to the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York from 6th – 17th March, 2023 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday 29th June, 2023. I will now go to the Report. The United Nations (UN) CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and t…
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to second this Motion and to table this report before this House. I want to congratulate the Mover of this Report, Sen. Veronica Maina and pray that it be adopted by the Senate. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the leader of the delegation, Sen. Dullo and all the Senators who accompanied this delegation. Mr.…
how to take care of ourselves, because we need to be good men to marry good women in future. In fact, I can dare say that she laid a foundation in leadership in Tana River of which I was a specific beneficiary. When I vied for the seat of a Member of Parliament many years later, many people would tell me: “If you are the son of Martha you do not need to campaign here, we shall support you”. Mr. …
Hon. Senators, I will now propose the Question.
There being no Senator wishing to contribute, I will, therefore, put the Question. Pursuant to Standing Order 84, I determine that this matter does not affect counties.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Pursuant to the provisions of Senate Standing Order No.146 (1) , I rise to move that the Prevention of Livestock and Produce Theft Bill (Senate Bills No. 12 of 2023) be read a Second Time. This Bill has come at the appropriate time while we continue to fight and struggle against cattle rustling and banditry. You have to appreciate where it has come from. The…
Order! Sen. Cherarkey, you will have a balance of 59 minutes when the Bill appears next on the Order Paper. Hon. Senators, it is now time to interrupt the business of the Senate. The Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 1st November 2023 at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.