National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 8 November 2022
Members of the National Assembly, including Hon. Abraham Kirwa, Hon. David Kiplagat and Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, unanimously supported a motion to entrench the NG‑CDF and Senate Oversight Fund in the Constitution, highlighting their critical role in constituency development, education, health and poverty alleviation. They called for swift approval and allocation of the funds to address urgent needs such as bursaries, school feeding, drought relief and other grassroots projects. Members debated a constitutional amendment to entrench the NG‑CDF, NG‑AAF and the Senate Oversight Fund, highlighting the funds' role in supporting education and women’s political participation. While acknowledging legal challenges and the need for clear constitutional wording, speakers expressed strong support for fast‑tracking the legislation to safeguard public‑benefit programmes. Members debated a constitutional amendment to entrench the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and Ward Funds, emphasizing its role in supporting education, infrastructure and equity, especially amid drought and famine. The speakers highlighted concrete achievements in schools, health facilities and local administration, and urged unanimous parliamentary support despite acknowledging some opposition.
Hon. Members, we have quorum to transact business. Clerk-at-the-Table.
Hon. Members, take the nearest seats to you. Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Members, I have two Communications to share. The first one is on the election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. As you will recall, following a request from the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, the election of the Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson of the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Op…
You are invited in your individual capacities.
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the House: Proposed National Government - Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) budget ceiling for each constituency for the Financial Year 2022/2023. The first and second batches of nominees to the NG-CDF Committees from the NG-CDF Board for the following Constituencies:
The Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion: That, pursuant to the provisions of Article 127 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, the National Assembly approves the appointment of the following Members of the National Assembly and Senators to the Parliamentary Service Commission—
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Members, that is just a Notice of Motion. The Motion will come.
On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.
Hon. Makali Mulu, there is hardly anything going on. What could be out of order?
Hon. Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. In a Communication last week, you indicated that some of the oversight committees were not going to conduct their elections. You instructed the select committees to meet yesterday, and we were expecting some amendments to the placement of Members to the committees today. We are going through the main agenda of the day without delvin…
Thank you, Hon. Makali. Indeed, you are right. The matter came to the House Business Committee (HBC) . The committee met, but their report was not ready, so we gave them time. In the event they bring the report before we progress with our business, I will authorise the printing of a Supplementary Order Paper. If they do not, it will be on the Order Paper for tomorrow. Proceed, Leader of the Major…
The Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: That, pursuant to the provisions of Article 127 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, the National Assembly approves the appointment of the following Members of the National Assembly and Senators to the Parliamentary Service Commission—
Senators, who represent counties – we also ought to be facilitated in order for us to undertake public participation and get our people’s views, even as we represent them here. Hon. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, the Committee that oversees this Commission should not oversee particular commissioners, but the Commission as a whole. The Committee has a duty to ensure that the Commission enhances …
Hon. Speaker, I rise to second the Motion on the appointment of Members to the PSC. Article 127 of the Constitution is designed such that this Commission has Members drawn from the National Assembly and the Senate. Because of coalitions, sometimes it becomes very complicated and tricky to identify the specific Members that will serve in this Commission. For example, in the Minority Party side, we …
Put the Question!
Order, Hon. Members.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question!
Is that the wish of the House?
I will put the Question to putting the Question. Is it the wish of the House that I put the Question?
Yes!
No!
[(Question, that the Question be put, put and agreed to)]
Hon. Members, I will now put the Question. Remember that there is a precedence set in this House under the stewardship of Speaker Marende that in a situation such as this, we vote for the block as is; either accept all or reject all. Order, Hon. Members, Order! I acknowledge the following schools seated in the Public Gallery:
[(Question put and agreed to)]
[(Applause and loud consultations)]
[(Loud Consultations)]
Thank you Member for Narok North. Hon. Mule, you have a point of intervention?
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. For the interest of Members, I would like to move a Procedural Motion to extend the Sitting.
Hon. Members, the time being 9.00