Senate · Morning Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum?

[(The Clerk-at-the Table consulted the Speaker)]

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly stop the bell. I am informed that we now have the requisite quorum. Clerk, kindly call the First Order.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Rt. Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, President of the Pan- African Parliament in the Speaker’s Gallery. The Rt. Hon Charumbira is in the country for an official visit to the Parliament of Kenya. He is accompanied by Mr. Daniel Bucuane, an Officer from the Pan-African Parliament. Hon. Senators, I have had an opportunity to engag…

[(Applause)]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. We want to join you as part of the Kenya delegation, which is comprised of Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, the Hon. Member for the National Assembly, Hon. Mukami, the Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga, the Hon. Esther Passaris and I to welcome the President of the Parliament which is resident in South Africa. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this President has been very effective in terms of supporting th…

Thank you, Hon. Senators. I will now proceed to discharge the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Interior and Coordination of National Government. I have noticed that most of these so-called supplementary questions can actually be posed as substantive questions. The mere fact that you have not gotten an opportunity

to ask your supplementary question, you still have a window to actually pose your supplementary question as a substantive question to the CS and still appear here. Hon. CS, thank you for coming. You stand discharged for the day. I will proceed to call the Senator for Isiolo, Sen. Dullo to ask her question. Before you do that, kindly give us a few minutes to usher in the responsible CS.

A point of clarification, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Yes, what clarification are you seeking, Sen. Cherarkey?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I agree with you that this is the first time that we are doing this. Through the Senate Business Committee (SBC) or your office, under Standing Order No.1, you should have at least allowed us to ask questions. I know that is behind us, but the point I am trying to make under Standing Order No. 1 is that I wish the SBC, especially when the CSs of Interior and Coordinat…

Thank you, Sen. Cherarkey. This is the first Session we are having on these newly introduced Standing Orders. Going forward, of course, we

are learning. Looking at the weight and the interest that is normally generated whenever the CS for Interior and Coordination of National Government appears, either before the National Assembly or the Senate, I believe as we sit in SBC, we will take on board the very valid concerns that you have raised. Maybe whenever the CS is appearing, we do not have another CSs appearing on that particular day…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to ask the CS for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs the following Question:

Hon. CS, kindly proceed to respond to the question. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, and Hon. Members of the Senate, I have my comprehensive statement on the issues raised. However, before I read them, I take this

opportunity to thank the Senate for providing a platform where we can be able to share the details that happen in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs. In regards to the issue of the moratorium, my response would be as follows.

In addition, the Department has undertaken a comprehensive audit of all mineral rights holders with a view to cleaning existing data. With no new license being awarded, the Government managed to find out all expired and inactive licenses within its register with a view to degazetting them hence freeing up areas for potential investors. The Government recognizes the central role played by over 800…

Sen. Dullo, do you wish to exercise your right to ask two supplementary questions. If you have none, then I can proceed to call the other Senators.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity and also the CS. I wish to ask supplementary questions. I do not know how many you can allow me to ask.

Only two.

The CS has given an elaborate strategy on how they are going to improve the sector. According to me, the Government over the years has really neglected that particular sector. I wish the uplifting of the moratorium happened because it is

beneficial to the communities especially in Northern Kenya where we are losing a lot of revenue, specifically, when are you planning to uplift the moratorium? Secondly, are you aware that there is so much smuggling of special minerals in these countries especially the areas you have given out licenses? Thank you. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya): …

Hon. CS, maybe I help you by rephrasing the two supplementary questions. They were, one, the Hon. Sen. wishes to know, when are you going to lift this moratorium? Specific date as to when you are going to lift the moratorium. Secondly, are you aware that there has been so much smuggling of minerals from this country? Those are the two questions that the Hon. Senator wishes you respond to. The Ca…

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. Keep it short. CS, as you are responding, keep it under one minute.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my concern is about raw materials be it iron and other mineral metals. What is the CS doing to ensure that the strategy that has impoverished Africa and Kenya in particular over the years of exporting our raw materials is curbed? Does the Ministry have a strategy of ensuring we move from trading in raw materials to trading with the processed mineral materials? Finally, with your…

[(A Hon. Member spoke off record)]

That was question 1 (b) I had said Question 1 (a) . I was going to Question 1 (b) .

[(An hon. Senator spoke off record)]

[(Laughter)]

Proceed, Sen. Mungatana.

Mr. Speaker, Sir. I thank the CS for the answers he has given. He has told us that there is a review of the policies and that is why there was a moratorium. He has also told us that there is a geophysical survey that is now complete. I wanted to find out something from the CS. Tana River County is mining gypsum in Bura Constituency, Bura area-Charitende. There is no benefit to the locals there. I…

Proceed, Hon. CS. Keep it short. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya) : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Mining Act of 2016 is very clear on the sharable benefits for mining and other mineral activities. The Act stipulates that 70 percent of revenue in terms of royalties will be shared to the national Government, 10 percent will go to the local communit…

Hon. Senators, we are left with only 39 minutes to prosecute the remaining two questions. I call upon Sen. Veronica Maina to proceed to ask her questions.

Question No. 005

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have another Question that is broken down into three sections.

Waziri, those are almost three questions in one. Sen. Veronica Maina, you are too smart in this question. They are almost three questions. CS, proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya) : Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, these questions are substantial, and I promise that we will be giving this information as required. Our response to the first part of the…

In terms of the progress of this project, the procurement process for Kabonyo Fisheries and Aqua Culture has already been finalized. We are now in the process of finalising the country agreements. We should be able to do groundbreaking for this project. The other project that relates to this Question is the Aquaculture Business Development Project. This is a Kshs14.9 billion project, funded by G…

Hon. CS, maybe you should present it in point form because of time so that the Mover of the Question can also raise her Supplementary Questions. Maybe you can share with the Member the comprehensive report or does she already have the report? Then, summarise. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya) : Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I was complying wit…

Victoria to be value-addition centers, so that it is not just landing the fish, but the fishermen can immediately find cold storage at the landing sites. The landing sites can then provide them with an opportunity to delay sales. This is the most important departure from previous activities. Alongside this, these landing sites are going to be in beach management units. We are already working arou…

we are handing over 18 new boats to artisanal fishermen so that they can improve the fisheries activities. A number of interventions are also in place. This includes solar cooling and drying technology. Here, we are looking at the technology of using solar to cool and dry systems. We are piloting this programme in Mwazaro and Vanga in Kwale County. Basically, we are looking to have a cold chain o…

Hon CS, I have followed your report submitted to the Member and it is comprehensive. I will ask Sen. Veronica Maina if she is satisfied with the answer form the CS because of the hour we are in.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the Hon. CS for the very comprehensive responses he has given. They are very impressive. I hope they follow up to track it.

I am satisfied. However, I am not satisfied with the amount of time that has been given to this CS. We will restructure it in SBC. Such a presentation would change the economy of this nation. We are looking for answers and they are here. The public is not even aware of the resources being held out there. They are busy still looking for these resources on the land. When we call such a CS again, we…

Hon. CS, you can make your concluding remarks. Hon. Senator, you can do a lot with this information. You can bring it back here as a different report which we can adopt as a House and get a way forward on our marine issues. Hon. CS, thank you for your time. I will give you one minute for your closing remarks. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Mvurya) : Th…

Hon. CS, as the Chair of this Session, I will request that we do a retreat with your ministry so that we benefit from what you are doing. I recommend that the concerned Committees should do a retreat on all your areas so that we can benefit and be able to serve our people better. Have your seat Hon. CS.