Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arm, I am informed we do have the quorum now, so you may stop the bell. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.

[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]

[(The Quorum bell was rung)]

Hon. Senators, I request each Member of the delegation to stand, when called out, so that they may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition.

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I join you, on behalf of our colleagues here in the Senate, to welcome the visiting delegation from the Parliament of Zambia. Our colleague Members of Parliament, as you have noted, are here on an interactive and a study tour. I believe that they will drink to their fill as they interact with colleague Senators, either in committees and our orderlies here in Parliament. Zambia a…

nation of Zambia as a country. There have been conversations on many things that we need to collaborate with them, the things that they excel in. Mr. Speaker, Sir, what they are doing is nothing unique. We too learn from them on many occasions and that is the essence of humanity, to get the best out of your colleagues. It will benefit them to know that a few months ago, in my own home county of …

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take the opportunity to welcome the students from Starehe Boys' Centre, that they may follow the proceedings of the House. I am File No.8336, and I was in Chaka House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to highlight just in one sentence about the voluntary service that every student who goes through Starehe Boys' Centre must serve to any institution; either the hospital…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to welcome the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Kisumu County Assembly to Senate. I believe that the MCAs of Kisumu are here to learn the best traditions of Senate, specifically the role of Senate in oversight under Article 96. Their timing of the visit is important given that only two days ago, the Governor of Kisumu County appeared befo…

keep the County Executive of Kisumu in check. This is because, at the end of this service, it is only what you have done for your people that will count. I say this because one of the learning things that I hope they will carry away from Senate is that Parliament works through committees. You only work when you are in a committee that you can manage. I know that in the County Assembly of Kisumu,…

Hon. Senators, I have a further Communication to make. As you may recall, yesterday, Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, I informed the Senate that the Parliamentary Service Commission had expedited the completion of the Bunge Tower with a view to having the building ready for occupation by Members of Parliament. I am pleased to inform hon. Senators that significant progress in the completion of the Tower…

of Members had offices in different locations within the City, therefore, making it difficult for Members to effectively attend plenary sittings and committee meetings. Hon. Senators, appreciating the journey leading to the completion of the Bunge Tower, His Excellency (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces has acceded…

WHEREAS on 20th March, 2024, the National Assembly considered the said Bill and passed it without amendment and in the form attached hereto; NOW THEREFORE, in accordance with the provisions of Article 110(4), of the Constitution and Standing Order No. 41(1) and 142 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I hereby refer the Bill to the Senate for consideration.” Hon. Senators, pursuant to Stand…

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 17th April 2024- The Fisheries Management and Development Regulations, Legal Notice No. 49 of 2024. The Fisheries Management and Development (Inland Fisheries) Regulations, Legal Notice No. 50 of 2024.The Fisheries Management and Development (Recreational Fisheries) Regulations, Legal Notice No. 5…

[(Beach Management Units)]

[(Safety and Quality)]

Report of the Auditor General on Financial Statements of Marsabit Water and Sewerage Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2020. Report of the Auditor General on Financial Statements of Marsabit Water and Sewerage Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2021. Report of the Auditor General on Financial Statements of Marsabit County Enterprise Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2021.…

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nithi Water and Sanitation Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Kakamega for the year ended 30th June, 2023. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Siaya County Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2023. …

Let us go to the next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53

Yes, hon. Senator. You may proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the welfare of teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on fixed terms contracts. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Yes, Sen. Mumma.

[(Interruption of debate on Statements)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.37, the Senate do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter of urgent national importance, namely, the on-going strike by health workers in the country.

[(Several Senators stood up)]

Order, hon. Senators! Pursuant to Standing Order No.37 (5) , I have confirmed that indeed the requisite threshold has been met. I, therefore, direct that the Senate will adjourn at 5.30 p.m. to discuss the said Motion.

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the dumping of nuclear waste in the North-Eastern and Upper-Eastern regions of Kenya by multinational oil exploration companies in the 1980s. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Proceed, Sen. Beth Syengo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing regarding the status of construction of the Enziu River Bridge in Mwingi Central. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Statement pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (b) by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Energy.

[(Sen. Wamatinga switched on his microphone)]

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I guess technology becomes a challenge at times. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a statement on the activities of the Standing Committee on Energy from 1st January to 16th April, 2024. During the period under review, the Committee held a total of 15 sittings and considered eight statements. The Committee also considered two Bills and…

thereafter, stood committed to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy for the consideration and facilitation of public participation. The Committee proceeded to undertake a public participation on the Bill. In this regard, the Committee published an advertisement in The Daily Nation and The Standard newspaper on Tuesday, 19th October 2023, inviting members of the public to submit written memoran…

In line with the Standing Order No.103, the Senate Standing Committee orders, the Committee resolved to adjourn the meeting having declared the matter as sub judice. A report on the petition will be tabled on 18th March, 2024. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee conducted an inquiry on the high cost of electricity in the country, adopted and tabled its report on the 20th September, 2023. The Report o…

My Committee is also alive to the recent development of alleged Kshs19 billion worth of diesel that was imported to the country illegally. My Committee will report on its findings to the House as soon as the matter is concluded. In conclusion, the Committee intends to carry out the following key activities during the next quarter.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Budget, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders, to make a Statement on the activities of this Committee during the period running from 29th January to 30th March this year. Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the period under review, we held a total of 22 meetings. In one particular…

[(Laughter)]

Sen. Boni.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. With your permission. ii) The Rental Fees incurred by the County Government of Kakamega, again by the Senator of Kakamega; iii) Revenue of Generation and Usage by the County Government of Kakamega, again by the Senator of Kakamega; iv) Payments made to all Garbage Collectors and Sewerage Service Providers by all counties for the financial years 2021/2022, 2022/2023 a…

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Health.

Do we not have even a Member of this Committee to read the Report and table it? Sen. Kavindu Muthama, there are two statements that we have not called; one for Sen. Kavindu Muthama and the other by---

[(Statement dropped)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir. I arise pursuant to Standing Order No.51 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the outstanding bills owed to faith-based health facilities by the National Health Insurance Fund. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Sen. Kathuri, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to seek this Statement. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism regarding the drastic reduction of miraa prices and other issues affecting the Miraa sector. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Next Order, Clerk.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

What is your issue, Senator of Nandi County, Sen. Chararkey?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know we are pressed for time, but under Standing Order No.1, maybe you could have allowed us a few minutes, just to seek clarification on one or two statements. You can pick either a few Members of both sides.

Senator of Nandi County, I would easily accede to that request, but you must note that we have lost one hour. From 5.30 pm, we will adjourn to discuss that Motion. Therefore, we need to squeeze whatever is in the Order Paper up to 5.30 p.m. I am sorry, but I will not be able to allocate some minutes for intervention purposes. Next Order, Clerk.

First Time and ordered to the referred to the relevant Senate Committee)

Hon. Senators, at this juncture, allow me to invoke Standing Order No.45 (2) to rearrange the sequence of today's Order Paper. We will, from Order No.12, proceed to Order No.19. Clerk, please, proceed to call that Order.