National Assembly · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Members debated a Bill aimed at harmonising the provision of certificates and diplomas across universities and TVET institutions. While some MPs supported the move to eliminate discrimination in examinations and employer recognition, others warned that restricting institutional autonomy could limit student choice and undermine specialised training. The discussion highlighted concerns over regulatory overlap, institutional roles, and the need for careful implementation. The debate focused on a Bill that amends the education Act to restrict universities to degree and postgraduate programmes, reserving diploma and certificate courses for TVET institutions. Speakers highlighted how the change eliminates regulatory overlap, strengthens quality assurance, aligns with constitutional principles and national development goals, and includes a saving clause to protect currently enrolled students. The overall tone was supportive and constructive, emphasizing the Bill’s potential to improve efficiency and skill‑based training in Kenya. Hon. Njuguna Kawanjiku praised recent government hiring of over 100,000 teachers and highlighted the need for timely promotions, reduced pupil‑teacher ratios, and better infrastructure. He advocated consolidating bursaries to make public day secondary education truly free while raising concerns about the impact on tertiary funding and the need for sustained investment. The discussion also touched on the broader goal of equitable, affordable education across Kenya.
Hon. Members, there is no quorum in the House to proceed. I, therefore, order that the Quorum Bell be rung for 10 minutes. The Whips and their Deputies are directed to ensure that Members are present in the House.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, please ring the Quorum Bell for another five minutes. Hon. Onchoke, you can actually cross the Floor when the Bell is ringing. I have seen you struggle. You can cross the Floor as long as we have not started. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Bell. Let us proceed.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Hon. Charles Onchoke crossed the Floor)]
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table:
Do we have Communication from the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Lands? Leader of the Majority Party, would you follow up on this?
Much obliged.
Just follow up so that we can know the status by the end of the day. Go ahead. Next Order.
Do we have Hon. Machele, the Hon. Member for Mvita in the House? He seems not in. Can we then have the Member for Kapenguria, Hon. Moroto? He also seems not in. This is not right. I used to think that whenever you had your Question on the Order Paper, you would wake up early and go to the House because that was your day? Two Hon. Members with Questions and none of them is in the House? Next Order…
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Hon. Kangogo, what is out of order?
Hon. Temporary Speaker, in yesterday afternoon sitting, our substantive Speaker directed me to bring a Response to a Question asked by Hon. Kasiwai on behalf of Hon. Moroto. Should I read the Response? Hon. Moroto is not in but Hon. Kasiwai is.
Hon. Kasiwai, go ahead.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, on behalf of Hon. Moroto, yesterday, Hon. Kasiwai asked the Chairman, Departmental Committee on Blue Economy and Irrigation three questions regarding the Turkwel-Lokichar Water and Irrigation Project under the South Lokichar Field Development Plan. Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is the Response from the Ministry.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am pleased to submit before this House a Response on the implementation of Turkwel-Lokichar Water and Irrigation Projects under the South Lokichar Field Development Plan. Among the issues, is to provide information on the cost estimate for the Turkwel-Lokichar transmission pipelines, including the criteria used to identify the designated beneficiary communities. As you ar…
Ministry has completed preliminary designs and planning for the following key water and irrigation infrastructure components along the Turkwel-Lokichar Corridor:
Pressure Reducing/ Management Valve
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise to ask the National Land Commission the following Question:
Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Lands. Hon. Member, are you a member of the Committee?
Yes, I am a member of the Committee, and I will undertake on that issue. Once we are back from recess, you will have the reply.
How far from recess?
The first week after the recess.
Okay. Hon. Machele, the first week when we come back from recess, please ensure that you follow up on the same.
Okay. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Thank you. I think that ends that section. Next Order. Hon. Members, before we go to the next Order, seated in the Speaker’s Gallery are students from Precious Blood Primary and Junior Secondary School, Juja, Kiambu County. They are here to follow our proceedings, and they are welcome to follow the same. Could you welcome them to Parliament this morning? Hon. Kawanjiku, is this your county?
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to welcome all the students, especially those from Kiambu County, where I come from, to the National Assembly. This is where laws are made and we want to encourage them to continue doing their best as far as their academics are concerned. We also encourage them to aspire to become leaders because after all is said and done, they are …
Hon. Members, also seated in the Public Gallery are students from Briar Rose Junior School, Lang’ata Constituency in Nairobi County, and students from Turasha Secondary School, Kipipiri, Nyandarua County. They are all welcome to our proceedings this morning. Next Order.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental
Let us proceed to Order No. 10.
The time being 1.03 p.m., this House stands adjourned until this afternoon at 2.30 p.m.
[(The House rose at 1.03 p.m.)]
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly