Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
The debate focused on the government’s initiatives to improve employment access, assistive technology and accessibility audits for persons with disabilities, alongside a large‑scale registration of PWDs, the elderly and orphans under the Inua Jamii programme. Senators raised concerns about practical implementation in remote counties such as Marsabit, questioning logistics, fuel demands and the Cabinet Secretary’s awareness of on‑the‑ground challenges. The Cabinet Secretary defended the programme, citing nationwide registration targets and upcoming verification and payment measures. Senators raised concerns about digital literacy and assistive technology for persons with disabilities, questioning how the government ensures skills and access to expanding e‑services. Queries also focused on the reach of employment portals for PWDs in remote counties like Mandera and on funding for special‑needs schools. The Speaker managed procedural disputes over supplementary questions, directing the Cabinet Secretary to provide further analysis. Senators queried the Cabinet Secretary on the status of bilateral labour agreements aimed at creating overseas job opportunities for Kenyan youth, receiving assurances that several agreements are at an advanced stage and job orders are expected within the year. The discussion then shifted to the education of children with disabilities, where concerns about inadequate teacher numbers and facilities were raised, prompting the Cabinet Secretary to commit to coordinating with the Ministry of Education for more trained staff and improved resources.
Clerk, do we have quorum?
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for another 10 minutes, please. Serjeant-at-Arms, I am informed that we have the quorum. Kindly stop the Bell. Clerk, proceed to call out the first Order please.
[(Several Senators walked into the Chamber)]
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this morning, of a visiting delegation from the Federal Parliament of Somalia. The delegation is undertaking a benchmarking visit with their counterpart Committee in the Senate. I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out so that you may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I join you, on behalf of our colleagues in this House, in welcoming the visiting delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia. They are our very good neighbours. We enjoy good neighbourliness despite the many challenges that exist, especially in our border towns and internally. Somalia as a Republic has made great strides in the last few years in trying to advance …
Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to join you, the House and the Senate Majority Leader in welcoming the delegation from Somalia. I welcome them to the City of Nairobi. I am the Senator for Nairobi. I hope that you will learn a few things in your time in the City of Nairobi and in this Senate. Let us continue with our friendship. As you understand, our borders have allowed us to live together for a long…
Next Order.
available to the Senate Business Committee (SBC) during its sitting yesterday. It indicated that the Cabinet Secretary will be unavailable for purposes of responding to these questions owing to the fact that he accompanied His Excellency the President to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Therefore, he will not be present today to respond to this Question. Question N…
will conclude your session and release you to go back to do the work that you are appointed to do. Therefore, with that, let me now invite Sen. Mbugua to proceed to ask the Question. Question No. 020
Proceed, Sen. Dullo. The Motion is dropped.
[(Sen. Dullo was not in the Chamber)]
COGNIZANT THAT the Banking Act 2015 CAP 488 does not provide for renegotiation on the loan repayment agreement whenever the business environment becomes unfavorable as a result of the high cost of living, lowered earnings from the App providers and high interest rates; NOW THEREFORE the Senate urges the National Treasury and Economic Planning to come up with a policy framework to review the Banki…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and thank you so much for according me the opportunity. My sincere apologies for coming late into the House. I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, AWARE THAT Section 68 (i) (b) of the Health Act, 2017 provides for interventions by the national Government to reduce the use of tobacco and other addictive substances and to counter exposure of children and others to t…
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until, today, Wednesday 20th September, 2023 at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 12.36 p.m.