Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Senators highlighted persistent non‑compliance by county governors, exemplified by the Samburu governor’s refusal to provide audit documents, and criticised procedural gaps that allow audit matters to lapse. They urged amendments to the Public Audit Act to keep audit queries alive beyond the audit cycle and to grant parliamentary committees explicit powers to sanction offenders, seeking stronger oversight and accountability. Senator Oketch Gicheru highlighted serious shortcomings in public financial management, citing wasteful spending on feasibility studies, unpaid staff and high non‑revenue water in county water service providers, and inconsistent debt figures from the Auditor‑General, Treasury and Central Bank. He argued that the proposed amendment to the Public Audit Act is needed to empower special and forensic audits, improve debt oversight and hold individual officials, including accountants, accountable. While critical of current practices, he expressed support for the Bill and urged further refinements. Senators warned that the proposed amendments to the Public Audit Act would erode the independence of the Auditor‑General, potentially undermining accountability and encouraging corruption. They praised Auditor‑General Nancy Gathungu’s work, highlighted constitutional conflicts—particularly the contentious Audit Advisory Board—and called for the bill to be rejected or heavily revised.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, we now have quorum. Clerk, you may call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of visiting teachers and students from State House Girls High School in Nairobi City County. The delegation comprises three teachers and 56 students who are visiting the Senate for an academic exposition. On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of my colleagues here and the entire House, I join you in welcoming the students from State House Girls to the Senate. I hope that they get an opportunity to learn whatever it is that they can learn in the short period that they will be here. Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is a Swahili saying, tenda wema, nenda zako. Some people claim Sifuna has never built a singl…
Next Order.
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC) or any Member of that committee.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday 11th March, 2026---
Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe, I had called the Chairperson in charge of JLAHRC or any member of that committee. Are you a member of JLAHRC?
No, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Wait for your turn. Sen. Karen Nyamu, are you a member of JLAHRC?
Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Proceed to table the report.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 11th March, 2026- Report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a petition to the Senate by Hon Isaiah Maina, a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) of Nandi County, representing Ol’lessos Ward, on proposed amendments to the County Government Act, Cap. 265. …
The Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 11th March, 2026-
Next Order.
The Chairperson, JLAHRC. ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ACT (CAP.265)
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee of Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a petition to the Senate by Hon. Isaiah Maina, a member of the County Assembly of Nandi County, representing Ol’lessos Ward, on proposed amendments to the County Government Act laid to the table of the Senate on Tuesday, 10th Marc…
Sen. Andrew Omtatah.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the Motion on the provision of Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) reports for county governments to the Senate- THAT, AWARE THAT Article 96 of the Constitution provides that the Senate represents the counties and serves to protect their interests, determines the allocation of national revenue among counties as provided in Article 2…
[(Petition 24 and 27 of 2019 (consolidated)]
Proceed, Sen. Veronica Maina.
COGNIZANT THAT mainstreaming gender perspectives in all aspects of governance is essential to achieving inclusive development and safeguarding the rights and welfare of all citizens, particularly women, girls and other marginalised groups; CONCERNED THAT the integration of gender considerations remains inconsistent across the two levels of government and that legislative processes have often resu…
That business is deferred.
FURTHER AWARE THAT Kenya has made commendable strides in digital infrastructure and mobile innovation, positioning itself as a potential leader in Africa’s tech-driven future; NOTING THAT in a landmark decision, the African Union Executive Council endorsed the Continental AI Strategy during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, on July 18-19, 2024 to underscore Africa’s commitment to an Afri…
That business is deferred.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to give notice of the following Motion-
THAT, AWARE that, the Ministry of Education in Kenya, introduced Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) as part of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation marking a major milestone for the country’s education system, and a key opportunity to improve the quality of education available to students; APPRECIATING THAT, the Junior Secondary Schools programme play a vital role in shaping the acade…
Next Order.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My Statement is regarding the rising burden of sepsis in Kenya. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of nationwide concern regarding the growing burden of sepsis in Kenya, which continues to affect newborns, children and adults across the country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sepsis is a life-threateni…
You have a second statement to request.
My second statement concerns lead contamination in soils and water, the silent killer. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of countrywide concern regarding lead contamination in soils and water in Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, lead exposure, particularly among children under six years and pr…
The statement by Senator for Bungoma is deferred to tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of countywide concern regarding the pending payment of stipend to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Taita-Taveta County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, under the agreement between the national Government and the 47 county governments, CHPs are supposed to receive a monthly sti…
Senator for Baringo County, the Hon. Kiprono Chemitei. That statement is dropped.
Mr. 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 on a matter of county-wide concern regarding escalation of security and land-
related tensions in Moyam area within Marsabit County and reports of a proposed deployment of the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) camp in Tittu. Historically, land dispossesion and continued encroachment by the neighboring community into traditionally recognised Borana grazing areas have generated persistent tension in the affected region. Despite clearly demarcated administrative and community bound…
The Senator for West Pokot County, the Hon. Julius Murgor, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism on matters of county-wide concern regarding the corporate social responsibility programmes undertaken by companies operating in West Pokot. In recent years, several companies have established manufacturing and mining corporations within West Pokot Count…
[[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]
Thank you, Sen. Julius Murgor. Next is Sen. John Kinyua, Commissioner, Laikipia.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This is a request for a statement on deterioration of Nyahururu-Rumuruti Road A4 in Laikipia County. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the deterioration of the Nyahururu-Rumuruti A4 Road in Laikipia County. The Nyahurur…
[[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) left the Chair] [The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) resumed the Chair]]
Thank you, Senator. Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This is a request for a statement on the collapse of renal units at Samburu Teaching and Referral Hospital (STRH) . I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Committee on Health on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the collapse of renal services at STRH in Maralal, the only dialysis facility in Samburu County and the measures bei…
Sen. Eddy Oketch.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, if you may allow me, I have three statements. I will try to be as fast as I can.
You may proceed.
My first statement is a request for a statement on the state of the Migori Bridge along the Migori-Sirare Road.
Who is the chairperson of that particular Committee?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am the chairperson, but we have a committee and I am a member of that committee.
[(Laughter)]
casualties of young people were reported, including two individuals who sustained gunshot injuries. In the statement, therefore, the committee should address the following-
Hon. Senators, I will allow comments for not more than 15 minutes, as per Standing Order No.53 (3) . If you have an opportunity to speak, you will do so for not more than three minutes. Before we commence with the comments, however, please allow me to pass this Communication.
[(Interruption of Statements)]