National Assembly · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Members highlighted the chronic lack of remuneration for village elders, arguing that unpaid work fuels poverty and corruption. They urged the inclusion of a dedicated budget line for elders in the upcoming fiscal plan, citing examples from Kilifi North and the need for equitable support. The debate combined criticism of current policy with constructive proposals for financial allocation. The National Assembly debated a series of procedural motions to set specific time limits for speeches on audit committee reports, other committee reports, and the President’s address. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved without significant opposition, reflecting a routine, orderly conduct of business. The proceedings were largely procedural with no substantive policy disputes recorded. Members highlighted the vital role of village elders in community governance and called for formal recognition and financial support through a new Bill. They urged the government to allocate budget resources for elders' stipends and health insurance, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment of both male and female elders. The debate combined praise for elders' contributions with criticism of current funding gaps.
I direct that the Quorum Bell be rung for 10 minutes. I can see that we now have quorum. We may proceed.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
Hon. Elachi, what is your point of order? I can see that you have pressed the intervention button.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Just to appreciate that all of us are back in the House, but more importantly to appreciate the Speaker
and ways of having knowledge reaching us. My point of order today is on the matter of our medical health cover. We have received a new one which has many queries. When you go to hospital, you find yourself solving many issues. More importantly on public participation, I doubt whether there was any questionnaire that went around with the aim of getting feedback or information on whether the last c…
That issue should be taken up by the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities in conjunction with the PSC. Hon. Yusuf Hassan, Kamukunji, you also have an intervention.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for the opportunity. I just wanted to bring to the attention of the House an incidence that happened in my constituency yesterday. It is a matter of urgency and one that needs attention. A group of multi-agency undercover operatives have put their focus on the business district of Eastleigh. They have targeted wholesale shops trading in milk products more specifical…
we can hold certain sections of the police to the rules by which they operate. I think what has been going on is above normal. They were looking for powdered milk. I just wanted to know whether powdered milk has now become a prohibited item and should not be sold in shops in our country. If that is the case, the Government should issue a statement to state the types of powdered milk that are prohi…
Thank you very much. That is on the Hansard but you better give a more formal Statement to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs. Next Order.
[(Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah rose on a point of order)]
What is your point of order, Leader of the Majority Party?
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have listened to both Hon. Yusuf and yourself. However, what you have said is not clear because the Chair, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs is not… Have you directed that the Chair avails a formal statement or that Hon. Yusuf does a formal statement that can then be responded to? If I listened to Hon. Yusuf carefully, there are issues that touch…
Leader of the Majority Party, let me make this one clear. I said that although it has been captured in the Hansard, I am asking Hon. Yusuf to take initiative and ensure that he gives the Statement to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs so that they can be able to respond appropriately. Hon. John Mutunga, Member for Tigania West had pressed the intervention button. Y…
[(Hon. John Mutunga rose on a point of order)]
Thank you, Hon Deputy Speaker. Kenya is self-sufficient when it comes to milk. Kenya has only allowed importation of a certain kind of powdered milk. This information is with the Kenya Dairy Board because they are the ones who give permits. So, not all powdered milk, but a specific type that is not processed in our country, is imported. What was confiscated is milk whose importation is already bar…
Let him seek a formal Statement and we shall give him the Government position.
Thank you, Hon. Mutunga. That is also my position. We should not speculate or be asked to respond without a comprehensive Statement having been sought. If Hon. Yusuf’s Statement touches on various committees, the same copy will be given to them so that they can proceed. Hon. Yusuf Hassan, there is no need for you to clarify anything because you will do so in your formal Statement. It does not mat…
[(Hon. Yusuf Hassan spoke off the record)]
[(Hon. Yusuf Hassan spoke off the record)]
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows: A maximum of forty-five (45) minutes for the Mover in moving and fifteen minutes
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I take this opportunity to also greet Members of the House and wish them a happy new year. I second the Motion. Thank you.
[(Question proposed)]
Hon. Pukose you are out of order.
Put the Question!
Is it the mood of the House that we put the Question?
Yes.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on Bills not sponsored by a Committee, the Leader of the Majority Party or the Leader of the Minority Party be limited as follows: A maximum of three hours and thirty minutes, with not more than thirty
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Before I second, I wish Catholics a happy Ash Wednesday and happy Valentine’s to the rest of the Members. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second. Thank you.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question!
Is it the mood of the House that we put the question?
Yes.
Okay. Next order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in a debate on any Motion, including a Special Motion be limited in the following manner: A maximum of three hours with not more than twenty (20) minutes for the Mover and ten (10) minutes for any other Member
Party, who shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes each, and that ten (10) minutes before the expiry of the time, the Mover shall be called upon to reply; and that priority in speaking be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party, the Leader of the Minority Party and the Chairperson of the relevant Departmental Committee, in that order. I ask Hon. Nabwera to second. Thank you, Hon…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish all the Members a happy season after the break. I second the Motion.
[(Question proposed)]
Is it the mood of the House that I put the question?
Yes.
Okay. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 97 (1) , this House orders that each speech in debate on Reports of Audit Committees be limited as follows: A maximum of 60 minutes for the mover in moving and 30 minutes in replying, and a maximum of 10 minutes for any other Member speaking, except the Leader of the Majority Par…
I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question.
Looks like I am in as much rush as you. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Procedural Motion:
orders that each speech in a debate on other Committee reports, including a Report of a Joint Committee of the Houses of Parliament or any other report submitted to the House for which limitation of time has not been specified, shall be limited as follows: A maximum of two-and-a-half hours, with no more than 20 minutes for the mover in moving and five minutes for any other Member speaking, inclu…
Hon. Dorothy Ikiara.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second.
Thank you.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question.
Is that the mood of the House?
Yes. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 28, this House approves the Calendar of the National Assembly (Regular Sessions) for the Third Session (2024) as contained in the Schedule to the Order Paper.
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Before I second, I also take this opportunity to wish all the Catholics a happy Lenten
House Business Committee, which was constituted yesterday, for the good job it has done. The Calendar is well thought out. By looking at it, it gives us enough time to execute our mandate in the Chamber, interact with our voters as well as spend enough time with our families. This is a very good Calendar for the purpose of planning our work. Thank you very much. I second.
Put the Question!
I am looking at Hon. Makali and Hon. Nyikal.
[(Laughter)]
Now put the Question.
Hon. Members, as you can see, I have your general permission, particularly that from Hon. Nyikal and Hon. Makali. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]