National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Members highlighted the constitutional imperative for public participation and the problems caused by the absence of a uniform law, which has led to inconsistent judicial interpretations and nullified decisions. The House discussed the 21‑clause Public Participation Bill, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines on responsible authorities, notice periods, and communication models, while also considering the interaction between national and county participation statutes. Members debated the need for clear, quantitative guidelines to define adequate and meaningful public participation in the legislative process, noting current ambiguities and the risk of costly, ineffective consultations. They called for specific thresholds on notice periods, participation numbers, and submission handling to improve accountability and reduce litigation, while acknowledging the challenges of implementation. Hon. David Gikaria highlighted shortcomings in the current public participation framework, calling for clearer notice, multilingual access, and stronger penalties for non‑compliance. Hon. Ruweida Mohamed reinforced the need for genuine, accessible participation, citing transport costs and inadequate incorporation of citizen input into legislation. Both speakers urged greater transparency and coordination to avoid duplicated efforts between the Assembly and Senate.
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Hon. Members, we now have quorum to transact business. Members on their feet take your seats. Hon. Raso, take the nearest seat.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Several Members entered the Chamber)]
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Auditor-General and financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2025 and the certificates therein in respect of –
Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee. Is it Hon. Mulyungi or Hon. Fatuma? Who is the Chair? Is Hon. Fatuma in the House? Next Order.
The Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee is absent. Hon. Fatuma is doing the wrong thing by engaging in conversations instead of doing her work. Clerk-at-the-Table, call out Order No. 5 again.
Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee.
I am sorry, Hon. Speaker. I was seated at the back under your instruction that I take the nearest seat.
The nearest seat does not block your ears.
[(Laughter)]
That is true. Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Nineteenth Report of the Special Funds Accounts Committee on Examination of the Reports of the Audited Accounts of Selected Funds.
Thank you. Clerk-at-the-Table, go back to Order No. 6.
Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the 19th Report of the Special Funds Accounts
Thank you, Hon. Fatuma. Next Order.
Hon. Members, you recall, we were to have the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation. Your Speaker received a letter from him requesting to be permitted not to be here today because he is accompanying His Excellency the President on a field trip to Nyamira and Kisii, which has a bearing on his Ministry. Your Speaker has acceded to that. Therefore, Leader of the Majority Party, resc…
Hon. Pauline Lenguris is not here. Next is Hon. Prof Guyo Jaldesa.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works regarding the lack of urban planning and regulation of construction of high-rise buildings in the country. Hon. Speaker, Nairobi City County is among the most densely populated and highl…
Let us have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works. Who is the acting Chairperson? Ako wapi Mheshimiwa Rindikiri? Any member of the committee present? Yes, Hon. Caleb, Member for Machakos. Can you bring a response in two weeks?
I am well guided, Hon. Speaker. I will inform the acting Chairperson, Hon. Rindikiri. Thank you.
Thank you. Hon. Pauline Lenguris, I had called you twice before.
Members on their feet, take your seats. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Order! Hon. Taitumu, take your seat. Oh, that is not Hon. Taitumu.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Hakuna Mheshimiwa angependa kuongea kwa Hoja hii? Kama hakuna, tutatamatisha majadiliano kutoka kwa Wajumbe. Kwa sababu mwasilishi wa Hoja hayuko, wakati Hoja hii itaratibishwa tena, itakuwa nafasi mwafaka kwake kujibu kabla itamatishwe. Next Order.
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I request your indulgence to step down the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill until further notice because we do not have the report yet.
Without much ado, the matter appearing under Order No.1 4 shall stand stepped down for future consideration for the reasons given. Next Order.
The Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, to move.
Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, and thank you for the assurance and encouragement. It really encourages us to continue doing the good work. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Seventh Report of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on its examination of the audited financial statements of the following state c…
Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia, I have not allowed you to speak. Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia can proceed to second the Motion. Give him the microphone.
[(Laughter)]
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to second the Report. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I can assure you that progressively, institutions have been improving; and that calls for the Committee to stand firm to make it better. Most of these issues are cross-cutting, and therefore, there is no need of just repeating what I had already said. The Committee has been able to make sure that there is sani…
Hon. Owen Baya.
If you allow me, Hon. Temporary Speaker, I would like to support this Report and congratulate the Committee for a well-done job. I emphasise the reason why oversight must continue to be what gives honour to this House. When we oversee as Parliament, we ensure that we have issues like collapse of institutions, mismanagement of resources and non-implementation of policy guidelines and statutes. I, t…
Hon. Owen Baya, that is not a request for you to make.
I apologise, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Your request is declined because this Motion involves Commissions, Boards and other State Corporations. It requires separate consideration and treatment. I want a Member to move Adjournment of debate, under Standing Order 96, for the convenience of the House. Hon. Baya was very engaged today. I will exercise my discretion, as the Speaker, to adjourn debate on this particular Motion to a future ti…
[(Debate on the Motion deferred)]
Hon. Members, for the convenience of the House, I order that the Businesses appearing under Orders No. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 be deferred for consideration by the House in future when they will be scheduled by the House Business Committee.
(Bill deferred)
Following upon that direction,
Hon. Members, the time being
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly