Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
The afternoon sitting opened after confirming quorum and proceeded with messages from the National Assembly concerning the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill and the Public Service Internship Bill. Senators moved to adopt reports from the Mediation Committee on the Coffee Bill and the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, including petitions on former KCC employees’ benefits and a dismissal case. The session was largely procedural, focusing on the first reading of bills and adoption of committee reports. Senators voiced frustration over the lack of sanctions for officials who mishandle public exercises, urging stronger judicial action and accountability. The debate also focused on the contested 2019 population census, its impact on resource allocation, devolution, and the relevance of the Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill. While criticism dominated, there were mentions of positive initiatives such as affordable housing and infrastructure planning. The Senate debated the Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill, emphasizing the need to formally anchor the existing Population Council as a statutory body. Senators highlighted the critical role of accurate population data for revenue sharing, electoral delimitation and planning, while sharply criticizing the recent census for being deemed inaccurate and the lack of accountability for the failure. The discussion also touched on the role of counties and the Council of Governors in the institutional framework.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for a further 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Order, hon. Senators. We now have quorum. We will proceed with the afternoon's business. Clerk, kindly call the first Order. Sen. Munyi Mundigi, kindly take your seat.
[(Sen. Munyi Mundigi walked into the Chamber)]
[(Sen. Munyi Mundigi sat in his place)]
Hon. Senators, I wish to report to the Senate that pursuant to Standing Order No.46 (3) , I received the following Message from the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the passage, by the National Assembly, of The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.59 of 2023) . The Message dated Friday, 19th December, 2025 was received in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate on …
The Senate Majority Whip.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 11th February, 2026.
Proceed, Vice-Chairperson, Mediation Committee on The Coffee Bill.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Coffee Bill (Senate Bills No.10 of 2023) , laid on the table of the Senate on Thursday, 4th December, 2025, and that pursuant to Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order No.167 (3) of the Senate, approves the mediated version of the Bill. Thank you.
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. You have two Papers to lay.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a petition to the Senate by employees of the former Kenya Cooperative Creameries Limited (KCC) concerning non-payment of outstanding terminal benefits and Maziwa Sacco dues to former employees of Kenya Cooperatives Creameries Ltd, laid on the …
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a petition to the Senate by Mr. Titus Njoroge concerning his dismissal by the African Inland Church (AIC) of Kenya and non-payment of arrears owed to him, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 27th November, 2025.
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Health.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Health regarding the County Oversight and Networking engagements to Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit Counties, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 2nd October,
Next Order.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern regarding the 16 days of activism campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV) , including femicide, which was observed in the country from 25th November, 2025 to 10th December, 2025 as a build up towards the International Human Rights Day commemorated annually on 10th De…
Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , the hon. Senator for Kisii County, Sen. Richard Onyonka. That Statement is dropped.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two statements and I request to read them consecutively.
Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County, the Hon. Sen. Mwenda Gataya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the plight of Grade 10 learners across Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the transition of learners into Grade 10 has exposed significant challenges within the education sector, including financial barriers, preventing some students…
Senator for Kisumu County, the Hon. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, please proceed. Is Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda not in the Chamber? He has three Statements. Those Statements are dropped.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.111 (1) , the Senate resolves that debate on a Motion not sponsored by the Majority or Minority Party or a Committee shall be limited in the following manner- A maximum of three hours with not more than twenty minutes for the Mover, twenty minutes for the Majority Party official responder, twenty minutes for the…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I second the Motion. While I second the Motion, I wish to appreciate the limitation of time to the extent of Members being allowed to take certain timeline because of the business that is existing in the House and for purposes of ensuring that we are also able to transact whatever businesses that are placed in the Order Paper or which are placed before the House within a reasonab…
I will now propose the question. Now, hon. Senators, this is a Procedural Motion. With your concurrence, I may proceed to put the question, so that you can vote on the statement. Do I have your concurrence?
[(Question proposed)]
We do not have a quorum in the House, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Clerk, do you have quorum? So, Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[[The Speaker (Sen. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]
Clerk, please, continue ringing the Quorum Bell for another five minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Several Senators stood in their places)]
Order, Hon. Senators. Sen.
Clerk, we may now move to the next Order.
Senate Majority Leader, you may proceed.
[(Loud consultations)]
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No.111 (4) , the debate on any Motion for the adjournment of the Senate to a day other than the next normal sitting day in accordance with the calendar of the Senate shall be limited to a maximum of two hours, with not more than fifteen minutes for each Senator
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second since this is a Procedural Motion and for colleagues to have time to vote on it, so that we can dispose of it and proceed to other matters on the Order Paper. I think that this is important and it is a procedural matter as per our Standing Orders. With those few remarks, I beg to second. I thank you.
[(Sen. Cheruiyot and Sen. Olekina consulted while on their feet)]
The Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Olekina, please, take your seats. Hon. Senators, this being also a procedural Motion, I will proceed to propose the question. As I have alluded, Hon. Senators, with your concurrence, I will proceed to put the question because this is another procedural motion just like the previous one we dealt with. I believe we are in concurrence.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.27 (6) , the Senate resolves that the debate on the motion on the President's address to Parliament shall be limited to a maximum of three sitting days with not more than 15 minutes for each Senator speaking, excluding the mover in moving and replying, who shall be limited to 30 minutes in either case and that th…
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is another straightforward Motion. As per our Standing Orders, this will increase efficiency and effectiveness of the House to be able to transact most of these motions in good time and in line with our Standing Orders, as anchored in Article 123 of the Constitution of Kenya. I beg to second.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I second, I am impressed with the efficiency of the Senate Majority Whip. I saw even on the weekend when they were burying Prof. Siamba that although he was being intimidated, he stood his ground. We are proud of what you are doing.
Hon. Members, similarly, this is also a statutory motion, a procedural motion, and with your concurrence, and having also determined that this matter does not affect counties, I will proceed to put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
The Senate Majority Leader, please proceed.
I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that The Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill (National Assembly Bills No.72 of 2023) , be now read a Second Time. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a very important Bill. It is actually a National Assembly Bill No.72 of 2023, which our colleagues in the National Assembly have considered and duly now forwarded here to…
Senate Majority Leader, as Sen. Cherarkey takes the microphone, I take comfort in the assurance you gave regarding those doing the drafting from the Office of the Attorney-General (AG) and their responsibility to ensure they do the right thing. I am sure the AG is listening and will take responsibility in future legislation that comes to this House. Senator for Nandi, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. As I rise to second this critical Bill, I want to pick up from where the Senate Majority Leader has left. I will make a few observations because the rest of the Bill is more of a cleanup. What is happening in the State Law Office is simply resetting the old way of doing things into new recognition. Senate Majority Leader, it is important to note that most Bi…
Wait, I have not given you the microphone. You have not caught the Speaker’s eye. I am sure you have noted that the new system does not have a button for intervention. The only way you can catch the eye of the Speaker is probably by raising up your hand or by shouting. Sen. M. Kajwang’, I noted that you were not at ease when Sen. Cherarkey was contributing. What is your intervention?
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have sat in this Chamber for 10 years, but we seem to be regressing as far as technology is concerned. My point of order is this. As Sen. Cherarkey seconds this particular Bill, is he in order to celebrate Sen. Danson Mungatana for having upwards of six? I think even my Deputy Party Leader Sen. Osotsi, when we went for his celebration, he introduced his children and …
Sen. M. Kajwang’, please take your seat. Sen. Cherarkey’s celebration was to the extent of the number of children that Sen. Mungatana had on that particular day they met in the streets. He did not speak to the policy.
You know my Chair has been in the storm this week and it is understandable. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on a light note, you cannot disclose children of a Luhya man because they are never known. They are all over like the Abraham season. At least for Sen. Mungatana--- The Deputy Party Leader is my neighbour. When we went for his celebration, we saw quite a number. Nigeria is doing well at 359 m…
Sen. Cherarkey, on a number of occasions, the Speaker was tempted to remind you of the provisions of Standing Order No.120. As you submitted, you made several detours under the rule of relevance, however, you managed to bring yourself back on track. It is important, though, to be reminded of that particular Standing Order. Hon. Senators, this Bill is now available for debate. From my request list…
[(Question proposed)]
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to debate the Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill, (National Assembly Bills No. 72 of 2023) . I rise to support that this Bill be read a Second Time. When we say that through this Bill, we now want to anchor the gazetted institution - the Population Council - in law, some people think that it is just another th…
Sen. Osotsi, you may proceed. Sen. Osotsi. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Bill, the Kenyan National Council for Population and Development Bill (National Assembly Bills No.72 of 2023) . I understand that this Bill is supposed to enact into law an existing body called the NCPD which is existing based on the state corporation, the NCPD Order, 2004. This …
Sen. Osotsi, unfortunately, your time is up and the Chair will not allow you to extend. You have made your point. Take your seat. Sen. Wafula Wakoli, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity, and Members for your contribution. I would like to pick up from what my brother from Vihiga County has said. That, whenever we are discussing issues of revenue allocation, and all of us senators are up in arms that our population is rising, the pressure on the exchequer is rising, and many other parameters that we apply to distribute th…
Thank you, Sen. Wakoli. I have no other Member requesting to contribute to this Bill. In the absence of the Senate Leader of
This is a Bill by Sen. Johnes Mwaruma, MP, who is also not in the House. Therefore, that Order is deferred. Let us proceed to the next Order.
Sen. Seki is not present in the Chamber. Therefore, that Bill is also deferred to the next Sitting. Next Order.
Equally, Sen. Kathuri is not present in the Chamber. The Order is, therefore, deferred to the next Sitting. We call the next Order.
The Senate Leader of the Majority, who is supposed to move this is not present. Therefore, the Bill is deferred. Let us proceed to the next Order.
Sen. Karungo Thang’wa was here but has just moved out of the Chamber. In his absence, the Bill is deferred from today’s business. Next Order, please.
Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe is absent. That Order is deferred.