National Assembly · Morning Sitting

Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Session Summary

The sitting opened with procedural business before members moved to adopt reports on the employment of persons with disabilities and a diversity audit in public institutions. The main debate centered on an amendment bill to remunerate village elders, with several MPs praising their essential role and urging legal and budgetary support. Overall, the discussion was constructive but highlighted ongoing gaps in compensation and inclusion. Members debated a bill to formally recognise and remunerate village elders, proposing allowances of up to Ksh6,000 per month to aid community mobilisation against illicit alcohol and other social issues. Several MPs voiced strong support, citing the elders' vital role, while others highlighted procedural concerns such as gaps in parliamentary recordings and urged swift passage of the legislation. The discussion combined constructive advocacy with criticism of parliamentary processes. Members debated a Bill to codify the retirement age at 60, highlighting cases of unemployed senior teachers and the unfairness of prolonged acting appointments. They criticised the misuse of extensions and acting contracts that demoralise staff, while expressing broad support for the legislation to impose clear limits. The discussion also touched on pension timing and succession planning in public institutions.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Hon. Members, there is no quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Bell for 10 minutes. Order, Hon. Members. Serjeant-at-Arms, halt the ringing of the Bell. We will now transact the business of the day.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

The Deputy Majority Whip.

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Hon. Naomi Waqo (Marsabit County, UDA)

Thank you. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

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Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West, UDM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on the compliance to Article 54 (2) of the Constitution on Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Public Institutions. Thank you.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Next Order.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Hon. Haji.

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Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West, UDM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on Compliance to Article 54 (2) of the Constitution on Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Public Institutions, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 21st February 2024. Thank you. I have another one.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Do you have another notice of Motion?

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Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West, UDM)

Yes.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Okay. Move.

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Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West, UDM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the First Report of the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on Employment Diversity Audit in Public Institutions, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 6th July 2023. Very well. Next Order.

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Hon. Robert Basil (Yatta, WDM)

Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi