Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Senators sought statements on several countywide concerns, including the lack of electricity in Sere Olipi (Samburu), the safety of animal feeds in Kisumu, and labour equality issues. The Standing Committee on Energy presented its quarterly report, highlighting a pending amendment to the Energy Act, investigations into an oil spill at Thange Ward, and reviews of public‑private partnership compliance. The debate combined procedural motions with substantive critiques of service delivery and regulatory gaps. Senators Khalwale and Olekina criticised the chronic delays in the Treasury’s cash disbursement schedule for county salaries, arguing that late payments cripple local economies and health service delivery. They urged amendments to the Public Finance Management Act and stricter alignment with constitutional provisions to guarantee timely funding and county autonomy over procurement. Senators debated the shortcomings of county procurement and financial management, urging greater transparency through e‑procurement and clearer reporting of fund allocations. They criticised delays and perceived neglect by the National Treasury in disbursing devolved resources, while proposing quarterly releases and empirical measures to assess county efficiency. The discussion highlighted concerns over fiduciary risk, salary‑driven spending, and the need for services to reach citizens more effectively.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We now have quorum. Clerk, you may call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 24th September 2025-
Proceed, Chairperson Standing Committee on Finance and Budget or any Member of the Committee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 24th September 2025-
Next Order. Proceed Chairperson Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to give a notice of the following Motion-
THAT the Senate adopts the report of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Affordable Housing Regulations (Legal Notice No.114 of 2025), laid on the table of the Senate on Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 and that pursuant to Section 59(4) of the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, the Senate resolves to approve the Affordable Housing Regulations (Legal Notice No.114 o…
Is Sen. Veronica Maina not here? That business is deferred.
Next Order.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the untimely closure of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loans Application System. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following issues-
Senator for Nairobi City County, Hon. Edwin Sifuna, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have two Statements. With your kind permission, I request that I take both of them at once. The first one is on the increase in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVET) fees.
I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the steep increase in fees paid to TVET institutions. While the Government has indicated a willingness to scale back on fees paid by university students, the opposite has occurred in TVET institutions. On average, fees have sharply increased from Kshs6…
Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County, Hon. Mwenda Gataya, proceed.
Mr. 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 a matter of nationwide concern regarding the improper waste disposal practices in this country. Improper wastage disposal means major environmental and public health challenges across both the urban and rural areas. In many cases, waste is dum…
Before I call the next Senator, allow me to make this Communication. Hon. Senators, as you may recall, at the sitting of the Senate held on Tuesday, 5th August, 2025, the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Hillary Sigei, MP, communicated a Message from the National Assembly, on the passage, by the National Assembly, of the Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bills No.21 of 2025) . Therea…
At the sitting of the Senate held on Tuesday, 5th August, 2025, Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, MP, was not able to substantiate his statement as required under Standing Order No.105(1). The Senator consequently sought the indulgence of the Temporary Speaker for more time to provide the evidence at the next sitting day, in accordance with Standing Order No.105(2). Having acceded to the request, the Tem…
ought to have filed a substantive Motion giving the requisite notice as required under our Standing Orders. In this respect, I find the comments by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale imputing improper motive on the conduct of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the National Assembly, to be out of order for offending Standing Order No.101. Hon. Senators, the second issue that requires my determination …
Mr. Speaker, Sir, have you seen Sen. Karen Nyamu and the way she is dressed today, walking into the House with one side of the jacket worn and the rest hanging loose? We can forgive; there is no problem. However, Mr. Speaker, Sir, you must enforce rules in this House. Next time I will walk in with my jacket hanging on my shoulder and demand that you take precedent of what has happened.
Sen. Karen Nyamu, you are out of order for violating the Speaker's Rules. You cannot walk into the Chamber--- Order, Senator for Nandi. I am the one delivering the ruling. In fact, you are guilty as charged. You were the one holding her hands while walking in the Chamber.
[(Sen. Cherarkey consulted loudly)]
[(Laughter)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to make a polite request that as Members of this House, we might need some guidance on admissibility of evidence. I believe this is the second time that a Member has attempted to substantiate, but the Speaker has found that the material was not admissible. I have fallen victim to that same rule. Going forward, so that we do not get into this back and forth about admissibi…
[(Laughter)]
Order, Senator for Nairobi City County. If you do not understand and do not appreciate the Standing Orders, the hon. Senator that you have just referred to has a firm grip of the Standing Orders. Her knowledge on the Standing Orders is unparalleled, I can confirm. However, hon. Senator for Nairobi City County, I have distinguished two things in this ruling; that this matter ought not have gone to …
[(Resumption of Statements)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Energy on a matter of
countywide concern regarding the electrification of Sere Olipi in Samburu East Constituency, Samburu County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the residents of Sere Olipi have raised concerns and made public appeals regarding the lack of electricity connection in their area. While electrification has already reached Lerata, the neighboring community of Sere Olipi remains unconnected, leaving schools, health faci…
The Senator for Kisumu County, Hon. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to seek three Statements.
My last Statement, Mr. Speaker, Sir, is on the quality and safety of animal feeds sold in Kisumu County. This is the last one. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a matter of countywide concern regarding the quality and safety of animal feeds sold in Kisumu County. Livestock morta…
In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-
Can we hear from the Senator from Busia County, Sen. Okiya Omtatah?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have four Statements. I request to read all of them together.
labour practices, equality and dignity, as provided for under Articles 27 and 41 of the Constitution. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-
Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) . The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Energy, please, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a Statement on the activities of the Standing Committee on Energy for the Third Quarter of the Fourth Session covering the period commencing 1st May to 31st August, 2025.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the period under review, the Committee held a total of 23 sittings. Attached to this Statement is a schedule of the legislative business considered by the Committee. During the period under review, the Committee considered and concluded five Statements. Seven Statements are pending consideration by the Committee. Responses on the pending Statements have been forwarded to …
smart meters are integrated into the electricity installations. These measures aim to reduce electricity cost, decrease Kenya Power’s monopoly and improve efficiency in the sector. The Committee adopted its report on 26th March, 2025. The Committee visited Wajir to assess the local energy challenges and found it disconnected from the national grid thus relying on local power generation. This has …
Next is the Statement by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget. We have the Senator for Mombasa.
I am standing in for my Chair, Sen. Roba, who has a problem with his vocals. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a Statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget for the First Quarter of the Fourth Session, covering the period from April to August, 2025. During the period under review, the Committee held 30 sittings, dur…
Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025) and the County Wards (Equitable Development) Bill (Senate Bills No.20 of 2024). Further, the Committee held joint sittings with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to undertake the approval hearing of Mr. Pius Angasa for appointment as a member of the Board of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which report wa…
Thank you. The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health, you may proceed.
Could the Mover now reply? Hon. Senators, I now put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Next Order.
Hon. Senators, I now put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Next Order.
Hon. Senators, I now put the question.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Next Order.
[(Laughter)]
Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Before I move, I would like to remind my brother, Sen. Sifuna, that whatever is said in this House cannot be a subject of any proceedings in any jurisdiction.
[(Laughter)]