National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Members debated the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), with Hon. Sergon highlighting alleged misuse and under‑utilisation in his county, while Hon. Millie Odhiambo defended the fund’s structure and accused him of misleading the House. Hon. Johana Kipyegon broadened the discussion to systemic corruption and praised NG‑CDF’s impact on schools and infrastructure, questioning why attention is on relatively small allocations. The Temporary Speaker reminded speakers to substantiate their claims. Members debated the challenges facing Kenya's education system, focusing on high uniform costs and the impending transition of students to junior secondary schools. The discussion centered on defending the NG-CDF, highlighting its role in building classrooms, providing bursaries and transport, and urging the release of its funds despite proposals to dismantle it. Members debated a petition urging the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Constitution, emphasizing the need for consolidated amendments. The session also celebrated Kenya’s leadership in the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disability Network, with Hon. Tim Wanyonyi Wetangula elected chairperson, while the Temporary Speaker managed procedural and technical matters.
Hon. Members, there are three Communications. We have a problem with this microphone. I think the people who were here were shorter. Maybe we needed one that is a bit longer so that I can be closer to it without bending.
Hon. Members, I have something that is going to really interest you. It regards one of our own. It is the election of Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi Wetangula, MP, as the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disability Network Africa Region. The National Assembly continues to engage in parliamentary diplomacy in its usual inter-parliamentary affairs at regional and international levels. In…
Hon. Members, the network supports elected representatives with disabilities in 180 Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth and ensures that issues of persons with disabilities are brought to the fore in parliamentary debate and in legislative matters. Hon. Members, the delegation to the 2nd Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Africa Region Conference in Dar es Salaam, Ta…
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Hon. Makali Mulu, what is your point of order?
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wanted your indulgence. You know the statement you have just read on CPA Africa Region
was relating to a network of parliamentarians with disabilities. The Members might think I have an invisible disability
[(Laughter)]
Under the circumstances, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, do you want to say a word
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I want to thank the Parliament of Kenya for facilitating us to attend this conference. It was the second one to be held since its inception. The first one was held here last year and Hon. Dennitah Ghati was the founding Chairperson. She was very instrumental in pushing for inclusion of disability in the CPA. The Kenya delegation was very active in this co…
Let us go on. Next Order! Hon. Osoro. Proceed
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am also very happy because Dr Makali has clarified. As I was seated here, Hon. Jematiah was raising queries about his position in that particular group. I do not want to speak out her speculations. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
What is wrong with your microphone? Proceed.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works the following Question:
My microphone is not working. The Question is to be replied to before the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. Let us move to the next Question. Member for Kirinyaga Central, Hon. Joseph Gitari. He has requested for the Question to be deferred. It is so directed. The Question is deferred. Question No.034/2022
(Spoke off-record)
Is that microphone working? Use the next one. I know you as Moria. Proceed. Question No.35/2022
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works the following Question:
Those are some of the challenges of our own way of doing things because cabinet secretaries do not come to the House. When we
were under the old Constitution, they were obligated to answer Questions because they were Members of Parliament. The Chairperson had a certain authority over them to make sure they respond adequately to the satisfaction of Kenyans and this House. Now we can only emphasise that they need to do something about that. The Question is to be replied to before the Departmental Committee on Transport and…
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development the following Question:
Order, Hon. Mary Njoroge. What is your issue, Hon. Muhia?
When will they respond to this question? It is very urgent.
Precisely so. Who is the Chairperson of this Committee?
Hon. GK.
I hear it is Hon. GK. Where is he today? Hon. GK, are you in the House?
[(Laughter)]
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to ask the following questions:
That Question is to be replied to before the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives. Hon. Gonzi Rai has demanded a Statement. Where is he?
I am here, Hon. Temporary Speaker.
Proceed.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to request a statement regarding the chemical spillage at Meli Kubwa Village in Kinango Constituency. Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of the Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining regarding the spillage of substance at Meli Kubwa Vill…
Where is the Chairperson,
[(Loud consultations)]
Juba.
[(Laud consultations)]
In Juba? Is any Member of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining here? Could you commit
yourself at the earliest time possible to get us an answer to this? This is a Statement. Ordinarily, you should have an answer within 48 hours unless the rules have changed. Have the rules changed? Proceed.
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am Hon. Beatrice Kemei. On behalf of the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, I request for 14 days.
14 days? Ordinarily, it is supposed to be 48 hours. It used to be called a Question by Private Notice in the older days. I do not know if I am right?
Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Chairperson is in Juba for sports.
He is in sports for the time being but the system is there. In any case, you are going to get those answers not from the Chairperson. It just comes in through the Chairperson as the conduit, but there is a Ministry involved. Can you go to the Cabinet Secretary and get this answer latest Tuesday, next week?
I will comply.
Next Order. Proceed Chairperson. Move the Motion.
THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Select Committee on the NG- CDF, laid on the table of the House on Thursday, 17th November 2022 and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 43 (4) of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Act, 2015 and paragraph 5 (2) and 10 of the NG-CDF Regulations 2016, approves the list of the nominees to the appointment to the following 68 Cons…
Order! Order! Hon. Sirma, I know you have been out of Parliament for a while. You move the Motion first before you debate it.
I started with that.
You have to read it verbatim as it is.
I did that, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The names which we have received so far and approved are 124. Today, we are approving 68 of them. I urge the Members who have not submitted their names that time is not on their side. It is incumbent upon Members to push their fund managers where they are so that we can finish this matter. The last group we shall be having as a committee will be tomorrow and if…
Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second the Motion that has been moved by Hon. Sirma, the Chairperson of the
Order, Hon. Members. The Chair has to propose the Question first. Order! Hon. Junet!
[(Hon. Junet Mohamed consulted loudly)]
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question!
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Let us have the Hon. Leader of the Majority Party. Order, Hon. Osoro.
Hon. Members, the time being 7.05