National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Members first thanked colleagues and highlighted issues such as zoonotic diseases, research collaboration and the loss of expertise due to early retirement of researchers. The debate then shifted to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill, with Hon. Owen Baya outlining the Senate's proposed amendments, indicating which clauses the House should accept or reject, and urging mediation instead of a full Committee of the Whole debate. The discussion reflected both constructive cooperation and disagreement over legislative details. Members debated a Bill to elevate the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) from a legal notice to an Act of Parliament, emphasizing its historic role, research capacity in antivenom production and disease investigation, and the need for institutional stability. The discussion was largely supportive, highlighting partnership opportunities, the institute’s contribution to COVID‑19 research, and the importance of retaining senior scientists beyond the standard retirement age. Procedural interjections were brief and did not detract from the overall constructive tone. Members raised concerns about inadequate KURA road maintenance in Nairobi slums and urged the Cabinet Secretary to extend coverage, while Hon. Hilary Kosgei requested spur roads to support the sugar belt. The Cabinet Secretary responded with plans to improve low‑volume seal roads, introduce weight‑limit technologies, and convene meetings with contractors to address pending projects, including funding allocations for Nairobi’s urban roads. The exchange combined criticism of current gaps with constructive proposals for infrastructure upgrades.
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Hon. Members, we now have a quorum to transact business. Clerk-at-the-Table, proceed.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Hon. George Murugara, Hon. Mwengi Mutuse and Hon. Rahim Dawood consulted loudly during and after prayers)]
Order, Hon. Murugara, Hon. Mutuse and Hon. Dawood. I take great exception to the fact that when the Speaker was praying, you were engaged in loud and audible conversations. A prayer is a very solemn moment, whether in Parliament or in your bedroom, car, church or mosque. Some of us take prayer very seriously because it is the single moment you are in communication with your God. Please, do not do…
[(Several Members spoke off the record)]
[(Laughter)]
Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. On behalf of these three Members of Parliament and the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, we apologise profusely for consulting loudly as the prayer was going on. It is about an issue that had come regarding our Committee. I do not know why we could not withhold ourselves. We apologise for that.
Thank you.
To err is human. We are human beings who are subject to erring.
Thank you.
Thank you. I believe that in the face of God, everything can wait.
[(Applause)]
Leader of the Majority Party. Hon. Pukose, are you the agent of necessity?
Hon. Speaker, on behalf of Leader of the Majority Party, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
Thank you. Next Order.
Hon. Members, can I confirm from the Majority Party leadership if the Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works is coming? I have been told that he is already here. So, Members with questions for the Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works, be ready. We will get to that. Let us deal with the Statements. Hon. Gonzi Rai, hold your horses. Allow me to acknowledge, in th…
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to welcome all the students to the august House and to appreciate that we have a sitting today. I wish to inform them that, in this House, each one of us has a story. That story reflects the hard work that brought us to where we are today. I want to thank Elstar Primary School. I saw the fantastic videos. It is clear that we have brilliant future journalists among…
Thank you. Hon. Yegon, you have half a minute. I thought I had asked Hon. Elachi to speak for all of you but, please; proceed for half a minute.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for also giving me this opportunity. I would like to take this chance to welcome all the students to this august House. The students from Koibeiyon Secondary School, you are most welcome. As has been said by my colleague, Hon. Elachi, we all ought to do well in life. I want to say to all the students, let this be a learning experience for you. Know that the sky is the limi…
Member for Dagoretti South, Hon. KJ, you have half a minute.
Hon. Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome all the learners from the various schools present today. In a special way, I also welcome Kids Palace from Dagoretti South Constituency. I have one message for these learners. By the time you are of age to come to Parliament, the world will have changed drastically. One of the key drivers of that change is technology. Computers are learning at a ra…
Use your time in school to understand that you must become more human, as computers become more computerised. How do you achieve that? Do not leave school without mastering critical thinking. Learn logic and problem-solving. Develop emotional intelligence and empathy, and be patriotic. Those four soft skills are areas in which computers will never outperform you, because the one thing a computer …
Hon. Gonzi Rai.
Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disappearance of Mr Charo Mae Karisa. Mr Charo Mae Karisa of ID No.23108474 is a resident of the Samburu-Kibaoni area in Kinango Constituency, Kwale County, and worked as a mechanic in …
Chairperson of Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Tongoyo, when can you bring a response?
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. We shall be able to provide the response in two weeks’ time.
No, a Kenyan has disappeared without a trace. I give you one week to bring at least some preliminary explanation.
I am most obliged, Hon. Speaker. However, I seek your indulgence. The Hon. Member has alluded to forced disappearance, and I believe we should be responsible enough not to draw conclusions before any investigation or formal response is issued.
Your answer will address or reverse the allegation.
Very well. I am well guided.
Yes. You can bring a response next Wednesday afternoon. Hon. Members, as you are aware, in the past one week we have lost two former Members of this House: The Hon. Phoebe Asiyo and the Hon. Catherine Moraa Nyamato. The Members from the constituencies where our late colleagues hailed from, Hon. Okuome and Hon. Steve Mogaka, have requested for opportunity to make Statements in that regard. I shall …
[(Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo spoke off the record)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to bring to your attention, and I also brought it to the attention of the Clerk, that there is another former Member who served with you. He was the first Member of Parliament for Rarieda, the late Hon. Bob Jalang’o Nyanduga, who also passed away last week.
Bob Jalang’o died? I was not aware.
Yes, four days ago. Therefore, I was requesting that, as you give other Members the opportunity, you also include him in that list. Thank you.
Then you may begin. You have two minutes.
Hon. Members, we will now move to Order No. 7 on Questions and Statements. The Cabinet Secretary is in the House. We shall begin with Questions. Each questioner will have one supplementary question, along with two joyriders. Hon. Beatrice Adagala, you will start.
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, your response must be concise and precise so we can use our time effectively. Before you ask your question, Hon. Adagala, I wish to acknowledge the presence of students in the House today. In the Speaker's Gallery, we have St. Faustin Kirogo from Kirinyaga County and Yaa Girls High School from the Central region. In the Public Gallery, we have St. Peter's Girls from Molo C…
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Could the Cabinet Secretary-
Hon. Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport : Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members of this honourable House, good afternoon. Let me respond briefly to Mheshimiwa's question regarding Gisambai-Hamisi- Senende-Shamakhokho Road Junction Project. I wish to state that the project is currently 95.4 per cent complete, with 13.7 kilometres of the project road upgraded to bitumen stand…
[(Mr Davis Chirchir)]
contractor was instructed to carry out remedial works and has already resumed activity on site. They are currently mobilising materials and equipment to complete the necessary repairs. It is envisaged that completion will be by the end of August due to the ongoing April and May rains which delayed the contractor’s immediate resumption and hampered the work progress. I submit. Thank you, Hon. Spe…
Hon. Adagala, are you satisfied? If you are, save time so that we can go to the next question.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I believe that most of the areas have been well covered by the Cabinet Secretary. However, I would like to raise a concern regarding the Kisigiwa area. The area is extremely delicate. There have been multiple landslides reported. In fact, even around Munzatsi, another landslide is currently taking place and the road is getting damaged. Additionally, the hill around Jepses …
Hon. Milemba, if the questioner is satisfied, why do you want to joyride? Go ahead and joyride.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this joy- riding opportunity. I am sure that when the Cabinet Secretary was preparing for this question, he looked around Vihiga County. At the same time that this road was being constructed, there were three other roads in the area that I would appreciate if the Cabinet Secretary could also address – as nothing has been done on them to date. These roads include: Masen…
There is no area in your neighbourhood called the “Luo side”. I believe you mean the Siaya side.
Yes, I meant the Siaya side. I do not intend to undermine my question. Thank you again.
[(Hon. Zamzam Mohammed spoke off the record)]
Yes, Zamzam.
Asante, Mhe. Spika. Nami pia niweze kujoyride kwa kumuuliza Waziri swali. Kuna barabara ambayo imekuwa tatizo sana ndani ya Mombasa. Hata hawa Wabunge wanapokuja huko kwenye kamati zao wameiona. Yaitwa Links Road. Mhe. Waziri, umeweka mikakati ipi kuhakikisha kuwa barabara hii imetengenezwa? Pale pale kumetokea ajali - mwanamke mmoja aliwa ndani ya tuktuk akadungwa jicho. Hivi tunavyosema yuko ho…
Cabinet Secretary.
The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport (Mr Davis Chirchir): Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Let me respond specifically. I may not have full information on all the roads mentioned, but I can confirm that we have addressed the issue of the Maseno-Kombewa Road, and allocated resources accordingly to complete the link on the Vihiga side. I may not have full details about the other roads raised, but …
Hon. Simon King’ara, Member for Ruiru. Is he in the House?
Hon. Speaker, I rise to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport the following Question:
Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport : Thank you again, Hon. Speaker. The new generation smart driving licence was introduced as part of Kenya's broader commitment to modernise its road transport system, enhance road safety and align with regional and international standards. The licence incorporates advanced security features and integrates with the National Transport…
[(Mr Davis Chirchir)]
The Ministry, through the NTSA, continues to review stakeholders' feedback and any necessary enhancements to the system including potential adjustments. We are working on accommodating the date of first issuance in the data structure within the digital data structure. Therefore, that will be done in due course. In respect to the second question, the Ministry acknowledges the importance of reflect…
Hon. King’ara, that is a very adequate response to your question. Is it not?
Hon. Speaker, I just request that the process is fast-tracked because diaspora remittance is an economic enabler. Many Kenyans out there cannot work because of lack of experience, which was not captured when they got the new driving licence. As much as it complies with the world requirements, I am in the diaspora. Apart from the big towns in the world, Kenyans in small villages out there do not ha…
Thank you. The last question is by Hon. Jayne Kihara. Cabinet Secretary, note what the Member has indicated. Hon. Jayne Kihara, use the microphone next to you on your right. Question 57/2025
Stop engaging the Cabinet Secretary. You can only speak through Hon. Speaker.
Let us have clarification because on this Coca-Cola Road, there is funding. I also indicated there are affected persons who have not been paid. I indicated that when we did the asset back--- What has come to be known as securitisation--- We took care of our affected persons and we provided funding, therefore, it is just a question of reaffirming the payment process. Thank you.
[(Hon. Robert Basil spoke off record)]
Hon. Basil, what is it? I thought you asked a question and it was answered.
No, he did not answer my question. It was actually about Matuu-Ekalakala Road where the contractor abandoned site. He has never been to the site.
Yes, I think you made a general response.
The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport (Mr Davis Chirchir): I indicated that I will follow up with contractors where work has stalled, especially where the second tranche of 40 per cent is due. We have called contractors for a meeting on Tuesday. For this particular road, let us get the full details. If the delay is due to non-payment, we will ensure the contractor resumes work. If it is du…
Hon. Kipchumba, what is it? We have concluded questions.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity. There are roads that have been abandoned by contractors. Cabinet Secretary, what is the status of maintaining roads that contractors have abandoned? I have several of such roads in Marakwet West, including Kibat-Kapcherop, Chebororwa-Kokongoi and Chepkaitit-Kipkundut, which have been abandoned for almost three years. Who is supposed to maintain roads a…
Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport : As I said, where contractors resume work on roads, we will ensure they not only continue construction but also repair sections already built. Some of these roads have been abandoned for years and sections that had been built are destroyed. To the extent that we have latitude to vary a contract or where the dilapidated section is b…
[(Mr Davis Chirchir)]
Thank you, Members. We have come to the end of Question time. Cabinet Secretary, thank you for your endurance and clarity of answers. The Cabinet Secretary has indicated a meeting with all contractors on Tuesday. All Members with records of stalled roads to drop the lists with the Clerk and we will forward them to the Cabinet Secretary. Cabinet Secretary, thereafter compile that list and send it t…
Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am ready to move. If you give me permission right now, I will do exactly that.
Yes, fair enough.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move: That, this House do now consider the Senate amendments to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill, 2023 in accordance with Article 112 of the Constitution and in line with our Standing Orders. The House will recall that on the 27th March, 2024, we passed this landmark Bill with the aim of establishing a coordinated and sustainable framework for…
I have reviewed the Committee's reports and noted that the Senate proposed amendments. Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is where the rubber meets the road. So, the Senate has proposed amendments to clauses 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29, 32 and 52 of the Bill. In doing that, they have already set the Motion for mediation because definitely if they have rejected our amendments, my capacity and my tho…
I beg to move and request Hon. Pukose to second. No, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Lochakapong, is here. I request him to second me on this. Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to second the Bill as moved by the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party. On 30th April 2025, you conveyed the Message from the Speaker of the Senate on the Bill and requested the Departmental Committee on Regional Development to consider the amendments and thereafter report to the House. The Senate has proposed amendments to so many clauses. We have agreed…
Fair enough. Yes, Hon. Pukose.
[(Question proposed)]
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I believe the correct position would be to oppose the Senate amendments to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 24 of 2023) . As aptly put by the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party in moving, and also by the Chairman of the Committee, this means the Bill is now going into mediation, so that consensus can be reached. A Mediation…
There does not seem to be a lot of interest in this.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also want to add my voice in support of my senior, Hon. Pukose, to oppose the Bill. This is something that is supposed to be done concurrently with this House. Managing a disaster is not easy. We need concurrence so that when we start managing the risks and disasters that happen in the country, everything is put right so that no one can blame the other for the …
Fair enough. There seem to no more interest. The Question will be put at an appropriate date and time in the future. Next Order. Order! Sorry, the Mover needs to reply. Proceed, the Deputy Leader of Majority Party.
Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I agree that this Bill must be defeated on the Floor of this House so that we give chance to mediation. As a country, we need the Bill. However, because the Senate has done what it did, it is important that we allow the democratic process as it is enshrined in the Constitution to take place so that we come up with an agreeable Bill. I thank the Speaker,…
The Question will be put at an appropriate time in the future. Incidentally, the Next Order is the Committee of the whole House in consideration of Senate Amendments to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill. Therefore, order No. 11 does not arise. Let us move to Order No. 12
[(Putting of the Question deferred)]
The Deputy Leader of the Majority Party, are you ready to Move it?
Hon. Temporary Speaker, now that there is no interest on this Bill, I request that you allow the Mover to reply.
On Order No. 12?
Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
It is on resumption of debate adjourned on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. There is no interest on the Bill. Fair enough. Proceed and reply.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to reply. This is a very important Bill that criminalises certain election offences. It is clear that in the past elections we have had criminal activities. Elections were not really fair and just. We want to ensure that there is justice in the electoral process. That is the clarion call of all Kenyans…
Justice in the electoral process that is free and fair.
Yes, free and fair elections. I want to infuse a new word: "electoral justice” in it. There are very many electoral malpractices. The Bill emanated from the discussions of the adopted report of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) that was first tabled in the Senate. We had an opportunity to debate it as the National Assembly. After the Question is put and agreed to, the Bill will proceed to t…
I hope that also includes TikTok. Many American states have banned TikTok. The offences committed can be criminal. This begs the question of who is committing the offences because a person can be out of your jurisdiction. Social media right now allows somebody to address Kenya when they are in Costa Rica or Guatemala or anywhere else in the world. That criminality itself, can never be brought to j…
Is the Chairman of Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy in the House to move this, or even a Member of the Committee? Fair enough, under these circumstances, this Order is deferred to an appropriate date in the future when the Chairman is in the House and to move the Motion. Next Order.
Is the Chairperson of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee, a Member of the Committee or the Vice- Chairman in the House to move this Motion? Since the Chairperson is not in the House, I direct that this be put on the Order Paper at an appropriate date in the future for the Chairperson or a Member of the Committee to move it. Next Order.
Is the Chairperson of the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity in the House? That must be Adan Member for Mandera West, am I right? You are in there? Are you ready to move this?
[(Hon. Yusuf Adan spoke off the record)]
Hon. Temporary Speaker, given that this Motion was exhaustively discussed yesterday, I beg to reply. I do not know whether there is any other Member…
Fair enough. This has been moved and exhaustively debated. This was a resumption of yesterday’s debate. So, there being no further interest from Members, I direct that you reply.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, this Report is very important as it highlights some of the inequalities in employment across government departments. Yesterday, the only issue that was raised concerned the use of the term "Kalenjin" in the report regarding the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where 66 per cent of employees belong to one tribe. Hon. Members questioned whether there is indeed an ethnic gr…
Fair enough. Hon. Members, the question on this Motion will be put at an appropriate date. I direct that this be placed on the Order Paper for consideration at an appropriate date in the future.
[(Putting of the Question deferred)]