Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum presented reports on the commercial viability of a pipeline and refinery, outlining a field development plan to move crude to market daily and requesting budget support for infrastructure such as a bridge. Senators questioned the prolonged delays in oil production, the adequacy of power supply in several counties, and the lack of corporate social responsibility benefits for Turkana residents, demanding clearer timelines and accountability. The Deputy Speaker managed the exchange, noting the need for further clarification and supplementary questions. Senators examined the economics of a small refinery in Juba and the broader oil field development plan, questioning oil volume measurements and revenue figures. They also raised urgent concerns about chronic power blackouts in Tharaka Nithi and Wajir counties, urging the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary to provide solutions and improve electricity infrastructure. The debate combined constructive inquiry with criticism of unmet promises. Senators highlighted persistent power blackouts in Tharaka Nithi County, faulty transformers, and the lack of functioning generators in Wajir, urging the Energy Cabinet Secretary to address these infrastructure gaps. The Cabinet Secretary responded by outlining ongoing procurement of new generators, commitments to enforce production‑sharing contracts, and assurances of improved service delivery, while the Deputy Speaker noted both challenges and positive steps. The exchange combined criticism of delays with commendation of the minister’s efforts, reflecting a mixed tone.
Clerk, confirm whether we have quorum. Ring the Quorum Bell for five minutes. Ring the Quorum Bell for another 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, I can confirm that we now have quorum. Clerk, proceed to read the Order Numbers.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, we have two questions today. The first one is Question No.15 by the Senator for Marsabit County Sen. Chute to the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry. On this Question, I understand that the Cabinet Secretary wrote a letter requesting for rescheduling because he is out of the country on official duties and the letter has been provided by the Secretariat. So, the S…
[(Question deferred)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir---
Just a minute, kindly. Who has given you the microphone? What is happening, hon. Chute? Are you hacking the system?
[(Laughter)]
No, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Question No.017
I was saying that the other Question is by the Senator for Turkana County, Sen. Lomenen. I understand the Cabinet Secretary is ready to appear before the Senate to answer Question No.17. Therefore, I will ask the Secretariat to present him to this House because we are ready for him. (The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum
[(Hon. Chirchir) was led into the Chamber)]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to talk about the issue of the Cabinet Secretary not coming here today, if you will allow me. The Deputy speaker (Sen. Kathuri) : Okay. Please proceed for only one minute. What do you want to add to my Communication? Sen. Chute: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. The Minister got this information or the letter for invitation on 15th of…
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. However, you see--- The Deputy speaker (Sen. Kathuri) : I have not given you---
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. The Minister got this information or the letter for invitation on 15th of March. He should have answered this question or he should have let us, the House, know that he is not going to be in because he received the letter from the Senate on the 2nd of May 2023. However, he deliberately ignored this letter because the answer came this mornin…
Sen. Chute, definitely, I am taking this matter with the seriousness that it deserves. I have requested that the question should be rescheduled within a week. However, I am a bit convinced that he is out of the country because this correspondence is quite enough. I have another correspondence that, His Excellency, the President is the one who sent him and he has communicated to the Ministry. So, d…
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. However, you see--- The Deputy speaker (
to the Kenya Petroleum Refineries where we had some tank firms. That is where the storage was done in Mombasa over a two-year period. The objectives of the early oil pilot scheme were as follows-
(Technical hitch)Thank you. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. My apologies. The Deputy speaker (
I do not know what is happening with the system. The technical team should work on this system with immediate effect so that we can do smart business.As I was saying, Sen. Chute, your issue is well placed on my table. I would like to assure you that the Cabinet Secretary must appear before the House.I welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum to the Senate. I also would like to ask th…
Cabinet Secretary, you can answer the supplementary questions from Sen. Lomenen. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum (Hon. Chirchir) : Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The objective of the early oil pilot scheme was to provide important technical data on our field development plan, test the marketability of the crude oil and establish logistical infrastructure, including reinforcing…
NOTING THAT, US Allies, including Kenya, have endured the great burden of death, and long-term and in many instances permanent, physical and psychological injury; FURTHER NOTING THAT, the United States Government has since compensated some of the victims and families of US citizens, leaving the families of Kenyan citizens and certain other victims uncompensated; NOW, THEREFORE, the Senate resolves…
[[The Deputy Speaker (Hon. Kathuri) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) in the Chair]]
Hon. Senators, this is a continuation of a Motion, which is the Adoption of the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on a Statement sought on the relocation of national Government Administrative services from Chuka Town to Kathwana county headquarters, Tharaka-Nithi County. Sen. Methu was contributing to this Motion and he had 12 minutes remaining. Since …
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to support the Motion for adoption of the Report. As you are aware, the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental relations visited Tharaka-Nithi County to analyze the situation as reported and found many things had been lacking. Most parts of the county are arid and semi-arid areas with very poor infrastructure. The headquarters in Kathwana are hav…
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with all due respect on your ruling, this matter that was brought by Sen. Kavindu Muthama on the compensation of victims of the 1996 bombing is very weighty. I had gone to the extent of asking the Temporary Speaker, by then Sen. Veronica Maina, to give directive to the House that a Committee be formed to look into the issue. I want to believe there are a few steps that…
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Chair)]
There being no other interest in the debate, I call upon the Mover to reply.
[(The Clerk-At-The-Table consulted the Chair)]
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply that the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on a Statement sought on the relocation of national Government administrative services from Chuka town to Kathwana county headquarters, Tharaka-Nithi County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday 19th April, 2023. As I earlier said, we need to…
Pursuant to Standing Order No.84
NOTING THAT, US Allies, including Kenya, have endured the great burden of death, and long-term and in many instances permanent, physical and psychological injury; FURTHER NOTING THAT, the United States Government has since compensated some of the victims and families of US citizens, leaving the families of Kenyan citizens and certain other victims uncompensated; NOW, THEREFORE, the Senate resolves…
(i.) develop and implement a policy framework to guide the cultivation of eucalyptus trees with the aim of mitigating their adverse effect on the environment; and (ii.) undertake a systematic nation-wide removal program for eucalyptus tree cultivations on riparian lands.
Sen. (Dr.) Murango is not present. Therefore, we will have to drop the Motion.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji)]
What is your Point of Order Senator?
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with all due respect on your ruling, this matter that was brought by Sen. Kavindu Muthama on the compensation of victims of the 1996 bombing is very weighty. I had gone to the extent of asking the Temporary Speaker, by then Sen. Veronica Maina, to give directive to the House that a Committee be formed to look into the issue. I want to believe there are a few steps that…
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Chair)]
Senator, I understand your appeal. However, according to the Standing Orders and the directions by the Senate Business Committee (SBC) , Motions that keep appearing every other time on the Order Paper should be dropped. However, the Senator will have the discretion to take it up with the Speaker. On the issue of the Ad Hoc Committee that you have suggested, the Liaison Committee will look into it…
Sen. Chute does not seem to be here. We will have to drop the Motion. Let us go to the next Order.
(i.) develop and implement a policy framework to guide the cultivation of eucalyptus trees with the aim of mitigating their adverse effect on the environment; and (ii.) undertake a systematic nation-wide removal program for eucalyptus tree cultivations on riparian lands.
Sen. (Dr.) Murango is not present. Therefore, we will have to drop the Motion.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji)]
Hon. Senators, that brings us to the end. There being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until today, Wednesday, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 11.42 a.m.