Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
The Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage explained the shift from a digital loan model to manual lending after high default rates, detailing disbursement figures and steps to restore credit histories for women groups. He also outlined new measures to broaden financial inclusion, including individual loan products, policy revisions, and stakeholder engagement. The response aimed to address past challenges while highlighting ongoing reforms. Senators debated the adequacy of budget allocations for devolution, questioning Treasury figures and urging a Kshs450 billion allocation to ensure meaningful county development. The discussion was marked by criticism of the National Assembly’s handling of audited accounts and the Equalization Fund, while also featuring a warm welcome to a delegation of Tenwek High School teachers and students. Sen. M. Kajwang strongly opposed the National Assembly’s lower allocation for counties, arguing that the Senate’s Kshs465 billion proposal aligns with constitutional requirements and the 10‑point MoU between ODM and UDA. He highlighted procedural flaws in using outdated revenue estimates, the need for adequate funding of health workers, and the transfer of road and service responsibilities to county governments, while also calling out governance lapses in some counties.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly let us take our seats. We do have quorum, so we will get on with the business of the day. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to seek your direction before the Cabinet Secretary gets in. I had received communication from the Office of the Clerk that the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning will be appearing this morning to respond to Questions, including a question I had raised. As you can see, we now have a Supplementary Order Paper, which means, the Ca…
Hon. Senator, that matter was deliberated upon yesterday when it came before the Senate Business Committee (SBC) . It was deemed that the two Cabinet Secretaries, that is the Cabinet Secretary in charge of National Treasury and Economic Planning and the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Tourism and Wildlife had valid reasons. They communicated to me through the Clerk and the reasons they had given we…
[(Sen. Wambua spoke off record)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is a clarification I am seeking from you. The House had already made a decision that there was some misbehaviour on the part of the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning. So, when you say that the Motion by the Senator for Kitui County may or may not be approved, I become a bit concerned. It should be fast-tracked, so that we are able to finish that …
The Motion is not a property of the House yet; it is still under processing. It may or may not get to the Floor, just like any other Motion. No decision has been made on the conduct of the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning. A decision of that nature is made pursuant to a Motion, and that Motion has not found its way to the House.
Mr. Speaker, Sir. The request we are making is just that the process of approval should be faster than what we are witnessing.
Hon. Senator, the Chair knows how to handle these matters. You simply put in your Motion and await---
Well guided, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Thank you. Is the Cabinet Secretary Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage in the House? Hon. Senators, let us not waste time on this matter; let us get down to business. Sen. Wambua, you have had your chance to speak on this particular issue. I have directed on how this matter is going to be handled. Let us leave it there. Let us dispense with these two questions then maybe time allowing, I wil…
[(Sen. Wambua spoke off record)]
[(Sen. Munyi Mundigi consulted loudly)]
Question No.050
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00