Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. We now have quorum. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Emali-Sultan Hamud Municipality - County Government of Makueni for the year ended 30th June,

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Machakos County Assembly Housing and Car Loan Scheme Fund - MCAs for the year ended 30th June,

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Bungoma County Assembly Employee Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Vihiga County Facility Improvement Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of City of Nakuru - County Government of Nakuru for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

Deputy Speaker, what clarification are you seeking?

[(Interruption of Papers Laid)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have been listening to the papers being laid in this House. Let me add to the papers which have been laid here this afternoon; Level 4 hospitals, Level 3 hospitals--- Kenyans listening to us will think we are taking over the work of the county assemblies.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, maybe through your wisdom, through the Senate Business Committee (SBC) and any other relevant authority, including the management of the Senate, could we have a threshold of the papers that can be handled by the Senate and those that need to be handled by the county assemblies to go to the county assemblies? We should build capacity for the county assemblies, so that they can ha…

Yes, Senator for Nandi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise under Standing Order No.1. We need guidance. Having sat in most of these committees, colleagues will agree that these reports of Level 3, Level 2, Level 4 hospitals and policy, especially some of the papers that have been laid today, should have a threshold. This comes with the hindsight that the primary oversight is done by the county assemblies. We do the sec…

Proceed, Senator for Kakamega, before I give direction on this matter.

This matter does not invite the Speaker to rule. It is a matter that requires the entire Secretariat of Parliament and specifically the Senate, to reflect on and advise the SBC. Sometimes, when the Governor of Kakamega is appearing before CPIC and CPAC, I sit there and see the governor accompanied by the entire Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the County Assembly of Kakamega. So, as we work to …

Thank you.

Order, hon. Senators. Now, this matter has been of great concern to this institution. It has been so since the first cohort of governors, because then I used to serve as the Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the Council of Governors (CoG) . I even remember that due to a lack of clarity on this matter, it ended up with the Judiciary. If you remember Petition No.24 of 2019 and Petition No.27 of…

[(Applause)]

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the table of the Senate, today, 19th November, 2025-

Next Order.

I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, pursuant to Standing Order Nos.267, 268 and 270, the Senate approves the third report of the Procedure and Rules Committee on the review of the Senate Standing Orders, laid on the table of the Senate on Wednesday, 19th November, 2025. Thank you.

Next order.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. It should go on the record of the House that when you were the Chairperson of Council of Governors (CoG) for Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee (JLAHRC) , I was also the Chairperson of the Senate in JLAHRC. So, I agree with you. First timers, note that we have been around for some time.

jurisdictions have adopted zero-rated termination charges to promote consumer welfare and market competitiveness. However, the CAK instead announced a revised MTR of Kshs0.41 per minute effective 1st March, 2024, down from the previous Kshs0.58 per minute, but still substantially higher than the consultant's recommendation. This decision raises concerns about the rationale for deviating from expe…

Sen. Catherine Mumma.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of national concern regarding the impact of the delayed enactment of the County Government's Additional Allocations Bills for the 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years. The County Governments Additional Allocations Bill for the current financ…

Senator for Nandi and Senator for Nakuru County, may the Hon. Senator be heard in silence?

I will repeat that.

Proceed, Sen. Tabitha Keroche.

Mr. 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 on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the displacement of residents of Kihoto Village by the rising water levels in Lake Naivasha. The rising water levels in the lake have left homes submerged, destroyed property and livelihoods, …

As a flagship development for Nakuru County, the stadium was originally supported by the World Bank. Its upturned handover coupled with a lack of clarity on the use of funds and stakeholder engagement necessitates urgent scrutiny to protect public interest and uphold the principles of good governance. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Proceed, Sen. Shakila Abdalla. Now, Hon. Sen. Hamida, would you deposit your written authority to read this Statement on behalf of Sen. Shakila? We shall await a written authority. We will defer it for a moment as you sort that out.

Proceed, Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on a matter of national concern regarding low voter registration turnout witnessed across the country. Despite the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) launching a nationwide registration drive on 29th September, 2025 targeting …

preliminary reports indicate that many eligible Kenyans remain unregistered, citing logistical, technical and informational barriers. This situation threatens to disenfranchise some sections of the population, particularly those in rural areas, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the elderly and marginalised communities. It also points to systematic gaps in outreach, infrastructure and coordination…

Sen. Joe Nyutu, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of countywide concern regarding the rollout, administration and financial management of telemedicine services by the County Government of Murang’a. The County Government of Murang’a launched telemedicine services to facilitate remote consultations between…

Sen. Andrew Omtatah, you have the Floor.

Have I approved it?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Then proceed.

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 on a matter of national concern regarding the alarming rate of road safety on major highways and roads across the country. Although road transport is central to Kenya's economic activity, the increasing frequency of federal accidents, many of them p…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of countrywide concern regarding the recent discovery of over Kshs683 billion worth of gold deposits in Isulu, Bushiangala area in Ikolomani, Kakamega County by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited. Mr. Speaker,…

We will now hear from the Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. (53) (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of countrywide concern regarding delays in the issuance of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificates by schools and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) . Mr. Speaker, Si…

Ahsante Mheshimiwa Spika. Nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu ya 53 (1) ya Seneti kuomba kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Barabara, Uchukuzi na Makao kuhusu msongamano wa magari katika barabara ya Port Reitz, katika eneo Bunge la Changamwe, Kaunti ya Mombasa. Mheshimiwa Spika, katika siku za karibuni, kumekuwa na msongamano mkubwa wa magari katika barabara ya Port Reitz inayoelekea Nairobi, bandari…

Msongamano huo umekua kero kwa watumizi wa barabara hiyo. Wanapata shida kwa kucheleweshwa katika safari zao. Wagonjwa wanaotafuta matibabu katika hospitali ya Port Reitz pia wameathirika na hivi karibuni, watu watatu wamepoteza maisha kwa sababu ya kuchelewa kufikishwa hospitalini kutokana na msongamano huo. Katika kauli hiyo, Kamati izingatie yafuatayo-

Proceed, Hon. Senator.

Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I request to change my microphone because of light.

You can proceed to whichever microphone that will serve you correctly or come to the Dispatch Box.

[(Sen. Lemaletian walked to the Dispatch Box)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely the recent concluded Maa Cultural Festival, 2025, held in Amboseli, Kajiado County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Maa Cultural Festival, 2025 was a vibrant week-long celebration of Maasai heritage held from the 4th to 9th of November, 2025, at the Amboseli National P…

community's longstanding stewardship of the ecosystem and their role in conservation and cultural tourism. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this was a moment of pride and unity, where tradition met modern aspirations in a setting that celebrated both heritage and progress. I applaud the Maa leaders and elders for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding both culture and environment. Their leadership continue…

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, Senator for Kisumu County, please proceed. Is the hon. Senator not in the Chamber? That Statement is dropped.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , I hereby present the business for the week commencing Tuesday, 25th November, 2025. The legislative business before the Senate is as follows- There are 60 Bills that are pending conclusion, of which 40 are at the Second Reading, 18 are at the Committee of the Whole and two are awaiting First Reading; 30 Motions are pending conclusion…

Let us move on to the next Order. Clerk, ascertain whether we have quorum to put the question. Hon. Senators, I will re-organise the Order Paper. Order Nos.8 and 9 are deferred.

CONCERNED THAT there has been increasing reports of human rights violations, abuse, unexplained injuries, and deaths in custody, as well as security breaches and escapes from police cells across the country; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT despite the recommendations by the Justice Maraga task force, little or no efforts have been made to ensure modernization of police cells by installation of Closed-Circu…

We will now move on to Order No.16.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, you may proceed to move your Motion.

This was a Petition that was presented to us by one Mr. Francis Otieno Otieno, a man with a double name like Miguna Miguna, or a friend of mine called Oketch Oketch. That notwithstanding, this Petition emanated from Siaya County. Mr. Otieno Otieno is seeking compensation for sugarcane crop that was damaged by the Department of Public Works, Roads, Energy and Transport in Pap/Oriang’ in Siaya Count…

not in his name, given that the land was leased. As a result of that emerging complexity, we concluded at that. As the Chairperson of the Committee, I was in the entire engagement and I wish Members of my Committee were in the House. I recognised that there were a number of losses that this gentleman suffered. Despite the Department of Public Works in Siaya not directly executing the project, it …

If you remember, before I became the Chairperson of this Committee, the Chairperson was a Wamunyoro apologist. I do not need to discuss the name because the order of the House is that I should not discuss any name. However, the truth is, this Petition was being sat on somewhere by these characters. That kind of influence that people like Hon. Orengo are promoting to put down already poor people in…

If you remember, before I became the Chairperson of this Committee, the Chairperson was a Wamunyoro apologist. I do not need to discuss the name because the order of the House is that I should not discuss any name. However, the truth is, this Petition was being sat on somewhere by these characters. That kind of influence that people like Hon. Orengo are promoting to put down already poor people in…

Thank you, Sen. Eddy. Sen. Samson Cherarkey, proceed to second this Motion, please.

must include the interest, because Kshs1.3 million means small money to some individuals within Siaya County Government. I have seen in the report by the Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing led by the Chairperson, Sen. Eddy, that this matter went to the Commission on Administration on Justice (CAJ). I want to appeal to the Ombudsman to assist Mr. Francis Otieno Otieno, since this matte…

The county government can only invest in goons to harass the Deputy Governor not to access his office. We must call that out. I thank the Chairperson, Sen. Eddy, and agree with him that friendship, leadership and work are two different things. Governor Orengo must be called out. Let him assist Mr. Francis Otieno and ensure his rights are protected if he wants us to believe he is a human rights ad…

The county government can only invest in goons to harass the Deputy Governor not to access his office. We must call that out. I thank the Chairperson, Sen. Eddy, and agree with him that friendship, leadership and work are two different things. Governor Orengo must be called out. Let him assist Mr. Francis Otieno and ensure his rights are protected if he wants us to believe he is a human rights ad…

Sen. Cherarkey, you made reference to Standing Order No.101, but you bordered on discussing the person of a governor who is not here, but you corrected that borderline. Hon. Members, this Motion is now open for contribution.

[(Question proposed)]

voices that are seeking justice of areas where their rights have been trampled. That that is not how to run a county government. Therefore, I want to plead that after listening to the contributions of my colleague leaders, we will find a way to either amend this particular report, so that we call and put to task the County Government of Siaya to respond to us.

voices that are seeking justice of areas where their rights have been trampled. That that is not how to run a county government. Therefore, I want to plead that after listening to the contributions of my colleague leaders, we will find a way to either amend this particular report, so that we call and put to task the County Government of Siaya to respond to us.

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

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

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thought that there is a procedure for raising a point of order other than shouting.