Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Senators highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive medical insurance and timely pension payments for teachers, while also drawing attention to the plight of widows and the prevalence of sexual harassment. They raised concerns about drug abuse among youth and the chronic failure of KEMSA to deliver medicines to hospitals, calling for investigations and concrete policy action. The debate combined supportive statements with strong criticism of existing gaps in social protection and health service delivery. Senators debated a motion to establish a dedicated professional board for the hospitality sector, arguing that current regulation by the Kenya Tourism Board lacks industry expertise. They highlighted the economic importance of hospitality, incidents of discrimination, and the need for self‑regulation, licensing, and training standards. The speakers expressed broad support and urged the Senate to advance the proposal. Senators used the afternoon sitting to table several statements highlighting systemic challenges, including the lack of transparency in education bursary allocations, delays in payments by the Social Health Insurance Fund, and reports of sexual harassment within the labour sector. Additional concerns were raised about rising security threats and procedural order in the chamber. The debate combined constructive calls for accountability with evident frustration over existing shortcomings.
Clerk, kindly, confirm whether we have quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Clerk, we now have quorum. Kindly, read out the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, I have two communications to make.
University Kigali, School of Law and five members of staff who are undertaking a study tour in the Senate. Hon. Senators, on behalf of the Senate and on own my behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them all the best during their visit. Thank you.
Another quick one, also from the visiting staff from the County Assemblies of Siaya and Kajiado. Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Speaker's Gallery this afternoon, of two visiting members of staff from the county assemblies--- Sen. Eddie Oketch! The officers are on a benchmarking visit with their respective counterparts in the Senate. Hon. Senators, in our usual t…
[(Sen. Oketch Gicheru consulted loudly)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I join you on behalf of my colleagues from both sides of the House to welcome the visiting students from Mount Kenya University. I assure them that in choosing to visit the Senate of the Republic of Kenya, they have made the right choice. This is a House of debate. It is a very mature House where debate on serious issues affecting this country, not just our counties, take…
Sen Tobiko?
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Let me take this opportunity to welcome the visiting delegation from the County Assemblies of Siaya and Kajiado. I will also take this opportunity to tell them to take their time to learn. Meanwhile, let them serve our country to their best in the positions they are holding right now. Also, as they do their rounds around here, they can make a little prayer. I d…
Thank you. Next Order.
Hon. Senators, I have received a Message from the National Assembly, which is a passage by the National Assembly of the Startup Bill (Senate Bills No. 14 of 2022) . Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that pursuant to Standing Order No. 46 (3) , I have received the following Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the passage by the National Assembly of the Startup B…
Another one is still a Message from the National Assembly, and it is passage by the National Assembly of the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Senate Bill No.7 of 2023) . Deputy Majority Whip, you are a seasoned legislator in this House. What you are doing is contrary to our Standing Orders. Also, what Sen. Hamida and the Majority Whip are doing is contrary to our Standing Orders. When the Speaker …
[(Sen. Tabitha Keroche, Sen. Kibwana, and Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale stood in their place)]
[(Sen. Tabitha Mutinda stood at the Bar)]
Hon. Senators, in this regard, I direct the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Affairs to liaise with the sponsor of the Bill, Sen. Crystal Asige, MP, and deliberate on the National Assembly amendments and report to the Senate. Further, pursuant to Standing Order No. 165(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, I direct that the National Assembly amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Bill (Se…
Proceed, the Senate Majority Leader, as you have a number of Papers to lay this afternoon.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 4th March, 2025- Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Marsabit for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Marsabit for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Fi…
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Senators. Senators seated on the right of the Chair, kindly, consult in low tones,
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Let me continue to lay the Papers on the Table of the Senate. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Nyamira for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Nyamira for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Stateme…
Thank you, Deputy Majority Whip. Next Order, Clerk. There is a Notice of Motion to be given by Sen. Thang’wa.
Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT AWARE THAT, Pursuant to Article 53 of the Constitution, every child in Kenya is entitled to free and compulsory basic education, and the Basic Education Act provides that, basic education should be guided by principles such as equitable access to all youth and equal access to education or institution…
Thank you. Next Order.
Hon. Senators, we have several Statements under Standing Order No.53 (1) . There are four Statements from Sen. Catherine Mumma, MP.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will be representing her.
I understand Sen. Veronica Maina that you have the power of attorney to do that.
Yes, I do.
Proceed. You have four Statements.
Thank you. In any order, Mr. Deputy Speaker?
The Order appearing here is, first of all Health, National Security, Agriculture and the last one, Education. Nonetheless, you can just read them if they are not in that order.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. This is a request for Statement on delays by the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in approving and paying for procedures in public facilities. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the levels of functionality of the new health service delivery systems under t…
Sen. Cherarkey, familiarise yourself with Standing Order No.118. For the benefit of Sen. Cherarkey, let me read it because he is notorious. Order, Sen. Methu. He cannot even hear what the Chair is saying. I want Senators to familiarise themselves with Standing Order No.118, which states that- “Except when passing to and from his or her seat or when speaking, every Senator when in the Chamber sha…
[(Sen. Methu stood up in his place)]
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Before you read the last Statement, let me hear the point of order from Sen. John Kinyua.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is a lot of noise outside. I am getting worried whether people are visiting us. There was a time people were coming to kutusalimia. I do not know. Please, help us.
The Serjeant-at-Arms should find out what is happening. Otherwise, I also feel not safe from where I sit. He will bring back the report right away. Proceed, Sen. Veronica.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is the fourth Statement.
Thank you. The next Statement is by Sen. Tabitha Mutinda.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee of Labour and Social Welfare regarding claims of sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination at the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels and Educational Institutions and Hospital Workers (KUDHEHIA) . In the Statement, the Committee should-
The next Statement is by Sen. Cherarkey, who has two Statements.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the increase in protected hooligans operating within offices in several counties across the country. In the Statement, the Committee should –
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the state of Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and the other health facilities in Nandi County. In the Statement, the Committee should –
Sen. (Dr.) Murango, proceed. Sen. Kinyua, do you have any instructions?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) Murango, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the challenges facing teachers’ medical cover. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the National Treasury have not remitted medical cover to the teachers' medical insurance provider, causing the provider to withdraw serv…
Sen. Onyonka, you have two Statements. Read them simultaneously.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Committee on Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources regarding the ongoing land dispute involving Mrs. Agnes Kemuma Bichanga, a resident of Chirichiro Sublocation, Ibeno Location, Keumbu Sub-county, Kisii County, who has been subjected to an unjust eviction order from her late husband's …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the transfer of the principal of Kisii National Polytechnic amid allegations of financial mismanagement. The Kisii National Polytechnic is one of the country’s leading technical institutions, playing a vital role in equipping young Kenyans with technical and…
Next is Sen. Mandago.
113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 167(3) of the Senate, approves the mediated version of the Bill. (Motion deferred)
We now move to Order No.13. Clerk, do we have quorum for us to put the question?
Hon. Senators, we will now look at Order No. 16. We will later go back to Order Nos. 14 and 15.
Sen. Okenyuri, are you still the one presenting the Report on behalf of the Chairperson? You may proceed.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move– THAT the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism on a petition to the Senate on the need for the introduction of the Hospitality Professionals Bill, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 5th December, 2024. Madam Temporary Speaker, I request Sen. Mungatana to second.
Madam Temporary Speaker, if you can remember, there was a time--- First of all, I beg to second. There is a time that Human Resource (HR) practitioners never used to have a professional body. I remember many years ago when we were serving in the National Assembly, HR practitioners approached us and said that there are lawyers, quantity surveyors, doctors and so on and so forth. All these are old …
The hospitality profession needs to have its own board, so that they have professional and ethical standards. This is a good step towards giving these people professional independence. I am saying so because as it stands now, the hospitality profession is regulated by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) which oversees the tourism and hospitality sector. It is also affected by the Tourism Regulatory Auth…
Hon. Senators, I will now propose the question. I can see there are Senators who intend to contribute to this Motion. Let us start with Sen. Nyamu.
[(Question proposed)]
Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to support the Motion. There exists a lacuna in the law, where hospitality professionals do not have any legal framework to operate under. I support that they should have a professional association to operate under, where their interests can be taken care of. It is interesting that all this time, they have been operating without an association, given the fact that …
Product (GDP) of the country. In my view, this legislative proposal is an excellent one and I support it. With those few remarks, Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to support.
Thank you, Sen. Nyamu. Sen. Maanzo, do you want to contribute to this Motion on the hospitality professionals? You may proceed Sen. Dan Maanzo.
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. This is resulting out of a petition. Hospitality is a very key earner of foreign exchange into our country. It has to be organized in such a way that at all material times, visitors from other country feel free to come to our country. There was a time we had a little bit of political turmoil and many people had booked hotels, cancelled and flew to Seychelles in…
[(Sen. Veronica Maina)]
Thank you Madam Temporary, Speaker. I thank Sen. Mungatana for seconding this Motion and for also taking the moment to just support this work that is aimed at helping Kenyans. Madam Temporary Speaker, I also thank in a special way Sen. Karen Nyamu, who has also stood with me in supporting this Report. Finally, I also thank Senator Maanzo for also supporting this Report. Madam Temporary Speaker, …
The putting of question is deferred to the next sitting of the Senate. I will now reorganize the Order Paper and request the clerk to call out Order No.14.
[(Putting of the question on the Motion deferred)]
The putting of question is deferred to the next sitting of the Senate. I will now reorganize the Order Paper and request the clerk to call out Order No.14.
[(Putting of the question on the Motion deferred)]
Water Service Companies laid on the table of the Senate on Wednesday, 29th May, 2024;
Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and the Report of the Multi- Sectoral Working Group on the realization of the Two-thirds Gender Principle, laid on the Table on Thursday, 13th February,
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 5.06 p.m.
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 9.30 a.m. The Senate rose at 5.06 p.m.