National Assembly · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Hon. Tim Wanyonyi moved a motion urging the government to establish a comprehensive land‑use policy that designates separate zones for agriculture and built development, aiming to halt the loss of arable land and boost agricultural productivity. He linked declining yields to unplanned settlements, highlighted climate‑change risks, and cited international examples to argue for coordinated action among ministries and stakeholder participation. Members highlighted the rapid conversion of agricultural and pastoral lands into urban developments, warning that this threatens food security and could spark social unrest, especially among pastoralist communities. They criticised inadequate implementation of land‑reform policies while proposing integrated urban planning, equitable land‑use policies and stronger constitutional enforcement to mitigate the crisis. Members debated Motion No. 044, which proposes a national land‑use zoning framework to allocate land for agriculture and built‑up development, linking it to the affordable‑housing agenda. While the majority expressed strong support, citing agriculture’s contribution to GDP and employment, concerns were raised about existing land ownership laws and the practicality of implementation in areas with absolute private titles. The discussion highlighted the need for legal amendments, coordinated county planning, and youth training in farming to realise the policy’s potential.
I direct that the Quorum Bell be rung for ten minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Members, we now have a quorum. We may proceed.
Hon. Owen, on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table:
There is a request for a statement by the Member for Isiolo County, Hon. Bonaya.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disappearance of Mr Muktar Tache Ali. Hon. Deputy Speaker, Mr Muktar Tache Ali of ID No. 25917271, was reportedly abducted together with three other individuals along the Isiolo-19 Coins Road on Friday, …
Hon. Chairman, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. Hon. Tongoyo, how long will you take to get the response?
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I ask for two weeks to respond to her. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, as this is a case of a missing Kenyan, I would like to provide an interim response next Thursday, pending a comprehensive response in two weeks.
On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.
What is your point of order?
Hon. Deputy Speaker, we do not trust the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Tongoyo. I also requested a similar Statement regarding a missing person, Mr Bethwel Chesil. This is before we went for recess. It is recorded in the Hansard. He was abducted around the same time, on 7th July 2025. Hon. Tongoyo promised to provide an interim statement withi…
trust him to give a satisfactory answer to the Member for Isiolo County, when he has not even responded to my request for a Statement?
Hon. Tongoyo, do you have anything to say?
Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Member has made his statement in bad faith. We are all in this House and know how requests for statements are processed. According to our Standing Orders, a Member requests a statement, and then the Chairperson of the relevant Committee must relay this to the relevant ministry. The ministry can only provide a response once the officers on the ground have given their feedb…
Hon. Tongoyo, please assure Hon. Kangogo that you will follow up on this matter. You do not need to explain on behalf of the ministry. You are not holding brief for the ministry.
No, I am merely stating that we understand that investigations can be complex. Sometimes, it is not possible to provide explicit timelines. However, I assure the Member that I will do everything possible to follow up with the ministry to ensure that the response is processed and presented to this House.
That is the assurance he needed. Hon. Members, before we proceed, allow me to recognise the following schools seated in the Public Gallery: Christ the King Sambut Secondary School from Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County; Maxwell Preparatory Secondary School from Dagoretti North Constituency, Nairobi County; and Cardinal Otunga High School from Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Kisii County. On…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to recognise the three schools seated in the Public gallery. The school from my constituency is Christ the King Sambut Secondary School, from the Turbo constituency. I also welcome Maxwell Preparatory Secondary School and Cardinal Otunga High School to Parliament, where we legislate. We encourage you to work very hard in school so that…
I have been informed that Hon. Sunkuli attended Cardinal Otunga High School. I will give him an opportunity to say something before we proceed.
I also wish to join Hon. Sitienei of Turbo in welcoming the students. I attended Cardinal Otunga High School, and I am quite excited to see that they still wear the same uniform. This was a very good school during our time. I believe that it has lived through history, mentoring students not only academically, but also in terms of religion and discipline. I have not visited the school in many year…
Thank you. Next, we have a response to a Statement by the Departmental Committee of Education. The Vice-Chairperson is not here yet. Therefore, let us reorder the Order Paper. Let us have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Tongoyo, respond to the Statement by Hon.
Mumina Bonaya. Hon. Tongoyo, you may proceed as we await the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee of Education. What is your point of order, Hon. Gisairo?
I will allow the Chairperson to respond first, and then I will raise my point of order.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, in response to the Statement sought by the Member for Isiolo County, Hon. Mumina Bonaya, regarding the disappearance of Mr Abdullahi Bonso Abdi. The Member sought to be informed on the following:
Thank you. Hon. Mumina, do you have anything to add?
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. While I appreciate the response given, I must state my dissatisfaction. This is because it does not fully address the specific concerns that have been raised. Article 153 of the Constitution expressly requires Cabinet Secretaries to provide Parliament with a full and satisfactory explanation on matters within their mandate. Likewise, Standing Order 44 (2) (C) demand…
From experience, there are no abduction cases that the Government is not aware of. They are fully involved and aware. I honestly request that the Chairman give us factual, clear, and responsible answers on these abduction cases. You cannot always stand here and tell us you have no idea where these people are. We are representing people who expect factual answers from us. The Government should resp…
On a point of order.
Yes, Hon. Owen, what is your point of order?
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I appreciate the response coming from the Honourable Member of Parliament. Sometimes our Chairpersons have no control over Statements since they are generated by Cabinet Secretaries. When they are brought to this Chamber, the Chairs have to read them as they are. The irresponsibility that is alluded to by my lady here may not be on the part of the Chair. Chairman To…
Okay. Thank you…
My advice is that she bring a Question, so that we can call the Cabinet Secretary to this House to respond. Thank you.
Hon. Tongoyo.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I support what the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party has said. As I mentioned earlier, we all know that there would be a difference if the statement were reframed as a Question. This is because she will have the opportunity and privilege of interrogating the Cabinet Secretary when he is physically present. Having said that, I challenge my colleagues to stop insin…
Thank you. Next, we have a response to the Question by Hon. Joyce Bensuda, Member for Homabay County, by the Departmental Committee on Education. The Vice-Chairlady, are you ready? You may proceed.
Hon. Members, the time being 1.00