Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Hon. Senators, we want to confirm whether we have quorum. Clerk, kindly advise. Kindly ring the quorum Bell for five minutes. Let us transact the business of the day.

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

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon, of a visiting delegation from Makueni University Students’ Association (MUSA) . The delegation comprises students who are in the Senate for a one-day visit. In our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and, on behalf of the Senate and on my…

I thank you. I will allow a few comments to welcome our visitors. I will start with the Senator for Makueni, Sen. Maanzo.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to welcome the student leaders who lead close to 2,000 students in different universities in the Republic of Kenya. They have been here since morning. They have been taken through the procedures of Parliament for them so that they can know what happens here. I also had a session with them so that I can role model in one or two political …

Hold on. Sen. Maanzo, I am not happy with the sound. Maybe, the technical team can kindly improve on the sound.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I had an opportunity to mentor quite a few. One of them became my personal assistant. Later on, he was elected as a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) of Makueni. We have Hon. John Kaguchia of Nyeri who was the Speaker for Nyeri County Assembly under this programme. He is now a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mukurweini Constituency. Currently, he is part of our team that …

Sen. Cheptumo, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I wish to also join my colleague to welcome the student leaders in this House. Several years ago, some of the

Members of this House were in the position of the current student leaders who are in the universities. The fact that they are now leaders in the universities is an indication that they will be our future Senators, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Cabinet Secretaries (CSs). I encourage them to be very vigilant, work hard in their studies, be responsible so that when this leadership of our age wil…

Sen. Okenyuri

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I also want to support Sen. Maanzo’s sentiments in welcoming the student leaders from Makueni. As you know, I am a former student leader at Maasai Mara University. So, I am a product of the university leadership breeding that transit to national politics. I also want to encourage female student leaders to take up these positions. Positions will not follow you …

The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot?

Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, thank you for giving me this chance. I join the rest of my colleagues in welcoming the students who are here today. Sen. Okenyuri has captured it quite well by reminding them that many of the leaders that you see here, chances are that they began their leadership training right from university or even earlier, yours truly included. Therefore, they are on the right track by…

have been enough papers that have been written about it. That is one of the projects that unfortunately, for reasons beyond our control, we were not able to set it up. It is one of the things that these students who visit Parliament, whether from the university, high school, or primary, should benefit from. It is something that you have seen in other Parliaments. If you go to the Lok Sabha in Ind…

Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika. Nachukua fursa hii ili niwakaribishe viongozi wa chama cha wanafunzi kutoka Chuo Kikuu cha Makueni. Kama wenzangu walivyotangulia kusema hapa Bunge ni mahali ambapo watajifunza mengi kwa sababu sisi hujadiliana kwa amani. Ninatarajia kwamba wakitoka hapa warudi kwenye chuo chao, watakuwa watu wanaoweza kusikiliza wengine, wasimamizi wa chuo na wanafunzi wenzao. Ikiwa kwam…

Asante. Nikiendelea na Kiswahili na tukimalizia, Sen. Maanzo ni rafiki yangu ambaye tumejuana kutoka mwaka wa 2013 wakati tuliingia Bunge la Taifa. Ningependa kuwaambia hawa wanafunzi wa Makueni kwamba wakifuata maadili, heshima na utendakazi uadilifu wa Sen. Maanzo, wataenda mbali. Sen. Okenyuri, umewashauri wakina dada wale wako pale vile wataendelea vizuri. Pia ningependa kuwaambia wanaume kwa…

Hon. Senators, I would like to recognize another group in the Public Gallery of visiting Teachers and Students from Wanjohi Mixed Secondary School, Nyandarua County.

In the Public Gallery, we have 28 students, accompanied by 23 teachers from Wanjohi Mixed Secondary School, Kipipiri Constituency in Nyandarua County, who are in the Senate on an education tour. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit. I th…

I am here, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Okay. I give you the first opportunity to welcome your guests.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to welcome our students from Wanjohi Mixed Secondary School. For those who may not know where Wanjohi is, it is in Kipipiri Constituency, currently represented by a Member of Parliament called hon. Wanjiku Muhia, the only elected woman MP from Nyandarua County. As I welcome them, I also commend them for their exemplary pe…

Thank you Senator. You are the Government. I am happy that you are one of the “bottom up” Senators that we have in this House. Therefore, your encouragement is quite in order. Let us have one encouragement from Sen. Cheptumo. He is a veteran leader in Parliament.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to join my chairperson for the Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural resources, who is also the Senator for Nyandarua County to welcome the students to this House. As I said earlier, all these Members were students many years ago. Some of us never got a chance to visit Parliament when we were in primary or secondary schools. It

is really inspiring for those who have a chance to be here, more so, when the Senator has some personal touch with the institutions which are visiting this place. I would like to encourage them to continue working very hard in their studies. The only way they can be guaranteed of a better future is when they excel in their studies and make their way up to leadership like those of us who are here …

Thank you, Sen. Cheptumo. Most of the students might be aspiring to be professors and lawyers. Therefore, let us hear from Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda who is a distinguished Senior Counsel in this Republic.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to address students from various institutions, some from the university leadership and others from other levels of learning. Coming to Senate is not just a beginning of inspiration to the walk in legislation for those who have interest in elective politics, but also the learning of how our institutions work. The Majority …

Thank you, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC. This House has two professors. I would be very unfair if I also do not recognize Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, the Deputy Speaker Emeritus, to also give a word of counsel to our students.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to join my colleagues in welcoming the students and the student leaders.

First, as we welcome them, I would like to tell them that their future is very bright in this country. However, it is bright for those who work hard and for those who concentrate and do what must be done when you are a student. The time of being a student is so limited. Basic education in Kenya is recognised from Pre-primary One (PP1) to form four. The period is so limited that if you waste it, y…

Asante sana, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii kutoa ushauri wangu na kongole kwa viongozi wa Chuo Kikuu cha kutoka sehemu ya Ukambani. Vilevile, naona vipusa wa shule ya upili ambao wamekuja kujionea kwa macho Bunge la Seneti ambalo lina weledi wa kutunga sheria na kuchanganua masuala ya siasa. Pia, kuchanganua masuala ibuka katika nchi ya Kenya. Hii Bunge ambayo ina wazee wengi ambao wana …

Asante sana, Seneta wa Kaunti ya Bungoma. Lakini, kuna methali moja umebuni leo sijasikia tena; panapo vijana chipukizi, wazee hutoa jasho.

[(Laughter)]

In the Public Gallery, we have 49 students, accompanied by three teachers from St. Anne, Gituba Girls’ Secondary School in Kirinyaga County who are in the Senate on an education tour. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit. I thank you.

Senator of Kirinyaga County, Sen. (Dr.) Murango, please proceed.

Asante sana, Bw. Naibu Spika. Kama mwenyekiti wa Kiswahili kitukuzwe katika Afrika Mashariki na Jangwa la Sahara, ni vizuri nifanyie Kiswahili haki kwa kuwakaribisha wanafuzi wa kutoka shule ya St. Anne Gituba. St. Anne Gituba ni shule moja ya maana sana kutoka Kaunti ya Kirinyaga. Kama mimi niko hapa, pia wao wanaweza kufika hapa. Nimesikia kuwa hapa kuna viongozi wa wanafuzi kutoka chuo kikuu c…

Asante sana.

Hon. Senators, in the Public Gallery, we have 61 students accompanied by five teachers from Pioneer Girls’ Secondary School in Murang’a County. They are in the Senate on an educational tour. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them. On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I wish them a fruitful visit. Thank you. S…

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to welcome the students of Pioneer Girls’ Secondary School in Murang’a County, which I represent in the Senate. I am also a teacher by profession. When I talk to students, I am like a fish in water because that is what I used to do all my days before I came here. May I tell them they made a good choice to come to the Senate today. …

Hon. Senators, I have another Communication to make this afternoon. It is in regard to changes in the leadership of the Senate Minority Side.

Yes, I am making my Communication. I will give you time to speak to it. I can give you even three hours, but I must make my communication as the Chair of this House. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, can you give me time---

I cannot. Respect the Chair, Senate Minority Leader.

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On a point of order.

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On a point of order.

was not a matter before the Tribunal and was, therefore, not covered by the Order of the Tribunal. Sen. Sifuna thus urged the Chair to separate matters that were not covered by the Order issued by the Tribunal and to, therefore, give directions on the matter of the seat of the Deputy Senate Minority Whip. Hon. Senators, I undertook to give further directions on the matter raised by Sen. Sifuna.

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Follow the Standing Orders.

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Follow the Standing Orders.

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[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) in the Chair]]

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[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) in the Chair]]

I can see one request from Sen. Cherarkey.

[(Laughter)]

Not on this one, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

In the last Parliament, we also adopted a report on the historical injustices against the Talai community. From where you sit, even your behavior, you are looking like a Talai. So, all those issues in that report were adopted and---.

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

Yes, what is out of order?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, did you hear what Sen. Cherarkey said? He said you look like a Talai. Unless he describes who those people are. He should clarify so that it can be on record that he said Maumau were compensated. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will be better if he said ‘some of them.’ There are some who have not been compensated to date. By him saying that---

In the last Parliament, we also adopted a report on the historical injustices against the Talai community. From where you sit, even your behavior, you are looking like a Talai. So, all those issues in that report were adopted and---.

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

Yes, what is out of order?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, did you hear what Sen. Cherarkey said? He said you look like a Talai. Unless he describes who those people are. He should clarify so that it can be on record that he said Maumau were compensated. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will be better if he said ‘some of them.’ There are some who have not been compensated to date. By him saying that---

What did he say I look like? That was the point of order.

He said you look like a Talai. I wanted him to explain what that is.

giving them cash to resettle and compensating them. These are the people that have suffered. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, most of our people in Nandi County suffered especially in Tinderet and parts of Nandi Hills. I saw an expose by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about sex for work in some of the multinational estates in Kericho County - Finlay and others. That is just part of…

I thank you. Next Order.

He lacks only the wisdom from the grey hair. Sen. Cherarkey, please proceed and conclude.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, to my brother Sen. Kinyua, Talai, in our community are feared people and they are very Solomonic. What you have done today by forgiving the four colleagues needed Solomonic wisdom and patience that you exercised today. I believe that is what I meant. I said ‘look like’ that is the use of euphemism. Some of the Mau Mau have been compensated so this is not a unique issue. T…

giving them cash to resettle and compensating them. These are the people that have suffered. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, most of our people in Nandi County suffered especially in Tinderet and parts of Nandi Hills. I saw an expose by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about sex for work in some of the multinational estates in Kericho County - Finlay and others. That is just part of…

I thank you. Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, am I safe?

[(Loud consultations)]

[(Laughter)]

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

We have a series of Statements. We will start with Sen. Wambua.

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Sen. Cherarkey, just consult Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. He is just across.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the afforestation programme in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) . In the Statement, the Committee should-

[[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei) in the Chair]]

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to read this Statement. The Statement I intended to read first has gone through processing and the one I have here has really been dismembered. I was going to bring this Statement but it was dismembered when being processed. Since this one has come earlier I will read it and then follow the secretariat to see where the initial version is.…

Sen. Cherarkey, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a House of rules, order, procedure and precedent. Standing Order 52, 53,54 and 55, if we allow Sen. Mwaruma to read his version of the Statement it might not meet the threshold of Standing Order No. 55 on the contents of request for Statement. Standing Order No. 55 – “ (3) A request for Statement shall not-

Alright, you have made your point. Sen. Mwaruma, if the Statement you intend to read is not the one that is approved by the Speaker then I would advise that you refer to the one that has been approved.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to read this Statement. The Statement I intended to read first has gone through processing and the one I have here has really been dismembered. I was going to bring this Statement but it was dismembered when being processed. Since this one has come earlier I will read it and then follow the secretariat to see where the initial version is.…

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei): Sen. Mwaruma, go ahead and make your Statement.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, given what has been happening here, I do not want to go into many issues because I am not in the mood.

Alright, you have made your point. Sen. Mwaruma, if the Statement you intend to read is not the one that is approved by the Speaker then I would advise that you refer to the one that has been approved.

Much obliged, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This Statement has gone through all the processes. It involves Mzima II. Sen. Cherarkey, what point are you trying to make by bringing Jevanjee Gardens issues here?

The Temporary Speaker (

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have a second Statement. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the construction status of a medical training college in Saku Constituency of Marsabit County. In the Statement, the Committee should -

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, given what has been happening here, I do not want to go into many issues because I am not in the mood.

Thank you, Sen. Mwaruma. If there are Members who want to comment on the Statement, I will allow one. If there is no one, I call upon Sen. Chute to read his Statement.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the construction status of a Level IV hospital in Sololo Town of Marsabit County. In the Statement, the Committee should: -

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have a second Statement. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the construction status of a medical training college in Saku Constituency of Marsabit County. In the Statement, the Committee should -

Thank you, Senator. Is there is any Member who would like to comment on the two Statements that have been raised by Sen. Chute? If there is none, I invite the Senator for Nandi, Sen. Cherarkey to seek a Statement.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I have two Statements and I hope you will allow me to read them concurrently, so that I do not come back here.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was worried because time was running out. I hope Members will have an opportunity to comment.

Sen. (Dr.) Murango, is everything okay?

Just a minute. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am now well prepared. Thank you. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, regarding plans by the Government to launch bottom-up football tournament in all 47 counties. In this Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, the second Statement is pursuant to the same Standing Order No. 53 (1) . I did request for this Statement two and half months ago. If you allow, I think we need to pull up our socks a little bit, so that we can get answers to this Statements, when they go to Committees.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No. 53(1), to request a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on updating the beneficiary database of the inua jamii programme. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was worried because time was running out. I hope Members will have an opportunity to comment.

Mr. Temporary 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 insecurity in the North Rift Region arising from illegal arms. In the Statement, the Committee should -

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you. I rise to support Sen. Kisang for the wonderful comment on insecurity in the north. I do not know what is going on in this country. We have got a lot of police officers that are deployed to man our borders and counties and yet, this kind of prohibition still happens in such counties. Today, if you look at Migori County, there are so many roadblocks in a cou…