Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Okay, hon. Senators, we now have a quorum. Clerk, you may now call out the first Order.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Nairobi City County for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Revenue Fund - County Government of Nairobi City for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Receiver of Revenue - County Government of Nairo…

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Mama Lucy Kibaki Level 5 Hospital - Nairobi City County Government for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2024. Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Makueni for the …

Next Order. Senators, note that we are using a Supplementary Order Paper.

This is a further reconstitution of the Standing Committees. I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolution of the Senate made on 12th February, 2025 on the approval of Senators to serve in various Standing Committees of the Senate, and pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199, 228, and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the following …

Sen. Joseph Kamau Githuku, MP, to replace Sen. Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire, CBS, MP;

Next Order.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Mumma, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education concerning the outdated resources, sapping processes that applicants must endure whenever they seek to replace lost or destroyed academic certificates at the Kenyan National Examination Council's (KNEC) offices. In the Statement, the Committee…

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Senators. I can see Sen. Miraj is struggling to read her Statement.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for protecting me.

Next Statement by Sen. Esther Okenyuri.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade Industrialization and Tourism, regarding reported cases of racism, discrimination, and nepotism involving staff and service providers in the Taita Hills Safari Resort, Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Fairview Hotel and Nyali Beach Resort. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you. Next is Sen. Munyi Mundigi.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to request for a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations regarding a fire tragedy that destroyed the Embu County Governor's Office during the June, 2024 Generation Z (Gen. Z) protests. This unfortunate incident severely disrupted county government operations and service delivery …

The Statement by Sen. Eddy Oketch is deferred.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the security situation in Kandara Constituency in Murang’a County. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there has been an alarming rise in insecurity in Murang’a County characterized by the killing of young children and the unexplai…

Next is Sen. Mwaruma.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I have two Statements. I would like to seek your indulgence, so that I read them simultaneously.

There are two Statements from the Senator for Kirinyaga County, Sen. (Dr.) James Murango. Is he around or has he assigned any of the Members to read on his behalf?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will represent him.

Please, do.

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to read these Statements on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) James Kamau Murango, Senator for Kirinyaga County, and it is such a pleasant pleasure to represent one of our own, Tungati.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the pending bills owed to the contractors and suppliers for goods delivered and services rendered to the County Government of Kirinyaga. This is a matter of great concern, considering that some of the contractors and suppliers have loans to service and the c…

Please, do.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, people are very excited, I do not know why. Yes, we are very proud to be Tungatis.

Next is a Statement from Sen. Richard Onyonka. I understand he has sent Sen. Eddie Oketch to do that on his behalf.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thank you. This is a request for a Statement on the victimization of teachers at Poroko Friends School in Transmara West Sub-county, Narok County, and I am reading it on behalf of Sen. Onyonka, the great Senator of the people of Kisii County. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding claims of victimiza…

Next is the Statement by Sen. Tabitha Karanja Keroche.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely, the deteriorating state of security and delivery of services to the residents of Nakuru County. Nakuru County residents have been left in a state of disbelief, shock, bereavement and helplessness following three separate incidences that have happened over the pa…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, even before we came to terms with the missing body of the seven-month old baby, Mercy Chepngeno, another shocking incident of a young man from Nakuru Town West by the name Brian Odhiambo disappeared from police custody without a trace on 18th January, 2025. To date, his whereabouts remain a mystery. These unfortunate incidences have left the families in anguish, pain, sho…

There is a Statement by Sen. Chute. I saw him when we were starting, but I do not know where he disappeared to. So, that Statement is dropped.

Hon. Senators, while using the powers bestowed to the Speaker or the Chair under Standing Order No.45 (2) , I will reorganise the business on the Order Paper. We will defer Order Nos. 8, 9 and 10.

Second Reading

Let us go to Order No.11.

Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolution of the Senate made on 12th February, 2025 on the approval of Senators to serve in various Standing Committees of the Senate, and pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199, 228, and the Fourth Schedule to the Standing Orders, the Senate approves the following Senators nominated by the Senate Business Committee to serve in Sta…

Second and most importantly, having listened to some of the Members on where they were placed, it became important to take into consideration their concerns and the need for them to serve where they felt their strengths will be better utilised. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is a fairly straightforward matter, which I want to beg the House to grant the permission to proceed. I request Sen. (Prof.) …

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second the Motion to replace Members. I hope that is in the spirit of the desire to serve in those Committees and that the President will be for it. The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) : Order, Senators. Sen. Cherarkey, I have been in Parliament for some time and when the Speaker is addressing the Senate, no Senator should even try to breath heavily. Hon. Senators I wish…

[(Question proposed)]

[(Senators responded in the affirmative)]

I want to ascertain that this Motion does not concern counties, and also that we have quorum. Next Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

I want to ascertain that this Motion does not concern counties, and also that we have quorum. Next Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

procedures. Previously, on any afternoon such as today, a Speaker of Parliament would rise or a Member would move a Motion and say that the House would not be meeting the following day. It was felt that it was important to keep this tradition of determining way in advance the days where Members would be sitting and on recess. It makes planning easy. This is a fairly straightforward matter. I req…

procedures. Previously, on any afternoon such as today, a Speaker of Parliament would rise or a Member would move a Motion and say that the House would not be meeting the following day. It was felt that it was important to keep this tradition of determining way in advance the days where Members would be sitting and on recess. It makes planning easy. This is a fairly straightforward matter. I req…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a straightforward Procedural Motion. I do not want to belabour because there is a lot of business to discuss, including some Members, who have not given some of their thoughts and opinion on what happened at the AU elections. I see Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe is eager to contribute. I second.

[(Question proposed)]

I do not know whether the Senators on my screen want to contribute to this. An. hon. Member: Put the question!

Is that is the mood of the House?

Yes.

Okay.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation of five staff from the Office of the Leader of Opposition of the Parliament of Uganda.

[(Applause)]

[(Applause)]

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, you can welcome the delegation in under one minute.

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Senators. Proceed, Sen. Boni Khalwale. You have 30 more seconds to finish.

[(Loud consultations)]

[(Applause)]

Sen. Sifuna Edwin, you have under one minute, kindly.

[(Applause)]

[(Loud consultations)]

Hon. Senators, we are welcoming distinguished visitors from our neighbour, Uganda. Order, Sen. Wamatinga, Sen. Mo Fire and Sen. Cherarkey.

[(Loud consultations)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I was saying that it is something that causes me personal pain and embarrassment as the Senator for Nairobi that Dr. Besigye faces the things he is facing right now, including an illegal and unconstitutional court martial. He was abducted in my own City of Nairobi. It causes me great embarrassment as a Kenyan that we handed over Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is a personal friend of mi…

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I was saying that it is something that causes me personal pain and embarrassment as the Senator for Nairobi that Dr. Besigye faces the things he is facing right now, including an illegal and unconstitutional court martial. He was abducted in my own City of Nairobi. It causes me great embarrassment as a Kenyan that we handed over Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is a personal friend of mi…

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Senators. Can you take your seats? Sen. Cherarkey, sometimes do not cause unnecessary drama in front of visitors. Order, Sen. Cherarkey. I will not call your name another four times. Why are you misbehaving? Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge Sen. Eddy Oketch.

[(Loud consultations)]

Order, Senators. Can you take your seats? Sen. Cherarkey, sometimes do not cause unnecessary drama in front of visitors. Order, Sen. Cherarkey. I will not call your name another four times. Why are you misbehaving? Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge Sen. Eddy Oketch.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I want to pick your cue and welcome students and teachers from Kamugongo Secondary School in Mwingi North Constituency and tell them that this is where leaders in this country exchange ideas and build the nation. What they are witnessing is just a small matter. I am very disappointed with my neighbour, friend and brother, Sen. Gataya. You owe those children and their…

Before we proceed, you know, that is not the behaviour of the Senate. So, Sen. Mwenda Gataya, if you have uttered such words, then you should honourably apologise. Give him the microphone to convey that apology. If that is what he said.

Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. My intention was not to hurt Sen. Wambua or the children. I intended to make sure that--- You know we have a tradition. Whenever a school visits, we normally give them sodas and mikates on behalf of--- That was my intention. Kamuguongo is my neighbouring school. However, I apologise if that has been taken in bad faith. I intended t…

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

No, hon. Senators. Conclude, Sen. Wambua

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

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No. 126, which says- “Any Senator may at any time, on a point of order, invite the Speaker or the Chairperson of Committees to name another Senator for gross disorderly conduct, but the decision whether or not to do so shall remain with the Speaker or the Chairperson”. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, unlike many professionals in this country, I know …

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No. 126, which says- “Any Senator may at any time, on a point of order, invite the Speaker or the Chairperson of Committees to name another Senator for gross disorderly conduct, but the decision whether or not to do so shall remain with the Speaker or the Chairperson”. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, unlike many professionals in this country, I know …

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, the Standing Order that you have quoted, No.126, before you proceed, is action to be taken on refusal to withdraw. Sen. Mwenda Gataya has apologised.

Mr. Deputy Speaker---

If he was---

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you allow me---

So now, which Standing Order are you now using?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir if you allow me---

This matter has been closed. Please, you may proceed Sen. Wambua.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us close that matter. Sen. Gataya has apologised. We accept his apology, but do not accept a cent--

[(Applause)]

Next Order.

[(Applause)]

Next Order.