Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Senators expressed strong support for the forest conservation bill, proposing school tree‑planting clubs, a national tree‑planting month, and revisiting the Chiefs Act to tighten control over tree felling. They called for mandatory public participation before permits are granted and highlighted the need to avoid non‑native species such as blue gums that threaten water resources. The debate combined constructive suggestions with concerns about implementation and environmental impacts. The Senate addressed the enforcement of Sen. Gloria Orwoba's suspension following a court stay, with the Deputy Speaker outlining the new suspension period. Subsequent proceedings were largely procedural, with several senators giving notice of motions to adopt reports on the Conflict of Interest Bill, teacher allowance discrimination, maize disease impacts, graft investigations, and alleged fraud in the beverage sector. Senators debated a forest conservation amendment, urging stronger enforcement, tax incentives and a dedicated tree‑planting week to boost Kenya’s forest cover. They highlighted weak current enforcement, proposed incentives for private owners, and expressed broad support for the Bill’s objectives.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Clerk, if we have quorum now, read out the first Order. I will be making a communication shortly after the messages. Hon. Senators, you will bear with me, I have several messages to go through. You must be a bit patient with them.
by the National Assembly, of the Public Finance Management (Amendment) (No.4) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2024). The Message, dated 6th December, 2024 was received in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate on the same date, when the Senate had proceeded on recess. It was subsequently circulated to all Senators via a letter dated 9th December, 2024. Pursuant to Standing Order No. 46(5),…
“PURSUANT to the provisions of Standing Order 41(1) and 142 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby convey the following Message from the National Assembly- WHEREAS, the Public Finance Management (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 44 of 2024) was published vide Kenya Gazette Supplement No.189 on 1st November 2024 to amend the Public Finance Management Act to provide …
WHEREAS, the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.48 of 2024) was published vide Kenya Gazette Supplement No.194 of 1st November, 2024 as a Bill seeking to amend the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, CAP 412C to, inter alia, prescribe the threshold of procurement that shall be exclusively set aside for local firms, and also require all procuri…
NOW THEREFORE, in accordance with the provisions of Article 110(4) of the Constitution and Standing Orders 41 and 142 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby refer the Bill to the Senate for consideration. Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.163, it provides that a Bill that originates in the National Assembly be proceeded with by the Senate in the same manner as a Bill introd…
Senate Majority Leader, you have a number of Papers to lay.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 12th February, 2025-
The Auditor-General’s Report on the County Governments (County Executives) for 2023 – 2024 (Vol. 1). The Auditor General’s Report on the County Governments (County Assemblies) for 2023 – 2024 (Vol. 2).
Thank you. Hon. Senators, you may realise that we have a Supplementary Order Paper, and if you have not checked, you should be aware. Before we go to the Next Order, I want to make the following Communication.
Second Session of the 13th Parliament, which ended on 7th December, 2023, as per Standing Order No.31 (1) of the Senate Standing Orders, which period amounted to 79 calendar days. However, Sen. Orwoba, MP, obtained leave from the Court staying the resolution of this House. By the wanting of the Court Order, the leave permitted a stay of the suspension of Sen. Orwoba, MP and her barring from the S…
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this time to possibly offer my apologies to the Members of this House and to the members of staff whom I might have offended as I pursued whatever I was pursuing in terms of oversight or legislation. If there is anyone - there are people who have come up to me and told me that I offended them - take this as my sincere apology, truly from the botto…
[(Applause)]
Thank you. As you have rated yourself, for sure it is like you are maturing. So, thank you. All the best. Next Order, Clerk.
The Senate Majority Leader, there is a Notice of Motion you were supposed to give. Sen. Wakoli, you cannot ventilate on a Communication from the Chair.
[(Sen. Wafula stood in his place)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to drop this notice. We consulted further this morning on what needs to happen and we will be bringing a more substantive Motion in the afternoon. So, allow me to drop this.
Okay. Fine. Well guided.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to give notice of the following Motion on the report of the Mediation Committee on the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 12 of 2023) - THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Mediation Committee on the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 12 of 2023) laid on the table of the Senate on Thursday, 5th of Decembe…
Thank you. Next is the Chairperson Standing Committee on Education. Sen. Sigei, kindly approach the Chair.
[(Sen. Wakili Sigei approached the Chair)]
[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]
I am a Member of the Standing Committee on Education. I rise to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Education on a Petition to the Senate regarding the discrimination by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on payment of hardship and enhanced allowances to some teachers in Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties, laid on the Table of the …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir I rise to give notice of the following Motion. THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a petition to the Senate regarding the catastrophic maize diseases that farmers in Bomet County have endured for the last 12 years, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 5th December 2024.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a Petition to the Senate regarding graft investigation by the Ethics and Corruption Commission (EACC) on the West Kano Irrigation, Scheme, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 5th December 2024.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to give Notice of the following Motion, on behalf of the Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism on a Petition to the Senate regarding alleged fraudulent dealings at Diageo PLC, East African Breweries Limited, Kenya Breweries and UDV (…
I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- 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 a Hospitality Professionals Bill, laid on the table of the Senate on Thursday, 5th December, 2024.
Thank you, Sen. Betty Montet. Next Order.
We do not have any Questions or Statements, so we shall proceed to the next Order.
First Reading
The Senate Majority Leader has requested that I defer the Motion under Order No.12. We will move to the Procedural Motions.
The Senate Leader of Majority, proceed. Give him the microphone.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise 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 respon…
Sen. Olekina, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. It is indeed important to limit the debate and the Motion being proposed by the Senate Majority Leader, or is it the Senate Minority Leader today? It is an important Motion for us to consider. I beg to Second. Hon. Senators, I see some Members have requested to contribute, including Sen. Wafula and Sen. Maanzo. I will proceed to put the question.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Let us call the next Order.
Senate Majority Leader, proceed to Move.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to Move the following Motion -
THAT notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 111(4), the debate on any Motion for 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 15 minutes for each Senator speaking, after which the Senate shall adjourn without question put, provided that when the per…
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a procedural Motion. I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Hon. Senators, similar to the Motion we have just dealt with, this is a Procedural Motion. Pursuant to Standing Order No.84 (2) , I determine that this matter does not affect counties. In the absence of any Member wishing to make comments to it, proceed to put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Next Order, please.
Senate Majority Leader, proceed.
I thank you and request the Senate Minority Leader,
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.
Next Order.