Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Senator Cherarkey condemned the state of county health services, citing severe staffing shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, and inadequate waste and mortuary facilities across multiple counties. He highlighted misallocation and under‑utilisation of substantial health budgets, urging governors to address corruption and improve service delivery under devolution. Senators highlighted serious shortcomings in county health facilities, citing ambulance shortages, expired drugs, mortuary and mental‑health service gaps, while also condemning irregular NHIF payments that favour private providers over public hospitals. The Deputy Speaker praised the active health committee and its field studies, but members repeatedly criticised mismanagement of the Facility Improvement Fee and called for greater transparency and equitable compensation. The debate combined commendation of oversight efforts with sharp criticism of corruption and service delivery failures. Senators debated a petition by Mr. Francis Otieno seeking compensation for sugarcane crops destroyed after a road diversion by the Department of Public Works. The speakers criticised the Senate Committee for referring the matter to private dispute mechanisms instead of issuing a substantive opinion, while urging the petitioner to pursue his claim and calling for a review of the Committee's approach. The discussion highlighted concerns about the impact of infrastructure projects on farmers and the need for clearer Senate intervention guidelines.
Clerk, confirm whether we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Clerk, if we have quorum, read out the first Order. Proceed, Senate Majority Leader. You have a couple of Papers to lay.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Sen. Cheruiyot consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, Wednesday, 26th November, 2025-
Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Busia County Cooperative Enterprise Development Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Busia County Health Services Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Kajiado County Executive Staff Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme Fund for…
Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Kilifi County Ward Scholarship Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive Car and Mortgage Revolving Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025. Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements of Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Catering Services Revo…
I have this Communication to make, Hon. Senators.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to debate this Report. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Report was occasioned by one Mr. Francis Otieno who wanted compensation for the damage on his sugarcane crop by the Department of Public Works, Roads, Energy and Transport in Pap/Oriang’ in Siaya County. I want to commend the efforts by the Petitioner who sought that the Senate C…
This Motion was discussed on Wednesday, 19th November, 2025 - Afternoon Sitting. If Sen. Kinyua is around, he has a balance of 16 minutes. If he is not around, we will go to Sen. Mungatana.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to debate this Report. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Report was occasioned by one Mr. Francis Otieno who wanted compensation for the damage on his sugarcane crop by the Department of Public Works, Roads, Energy and Transport in Pap/Oriang’ in Siaya County. I want to commend the efforts by the Petitioner who sought that the Senate C…
direction to another direction. Sugarcane crop valued this amount was destroyed and that yes, the petitioner is entitled to compensation. All this was not done. Instead, our petitioner, who saw that this is his last resort to getting justice was again referred to other adjudicative bodies. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I believe that we have power to deal with matters such as this and an opinion of th…
Next is Sen. Okenyuri Esther.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I wish to comment on the report by the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing. I equally share the sentiments of the Tana River County Senator, Mungatana, because after going through their recommendations and
Hon. Senators, there is no other Senator willing to contribute to this Motion. Therefore, we defer the replying by the Mover until next time. Next Order.
[(Reply to the Motion deferred)]
Sen. Joyce Chepkoech Korir, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this chance to also contribute on this report by the Committee. I would like to stand with the rest of the Members in terms of how the Committee has handled this matter. Since the matter is before the Senate, it would be prudent for this House to give justice to Mr. Otieno. I would want to request that the Committee should move further in terms of…
Hon. Senators, there is no other Senator willing to contribute to this Motion. Therefore, we defer the replying by the Mover until next time. Next Order.
[(Reply to the Motion deferred)]
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Health on the County oversight and networking engagement in Kilifi County laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025. This is the same as the one we have completed. All the stories in the 47 counties are the same. It talks about issues of staff, expired drugs, overcrowde…
There is also the timeline and maintenance of the repair of the hospital. The Facilities Improvement Financing (FIF) is meant for the minor maintenance and repairs of the hospital. There is also the issue of casuals not being paid. We have to recommend that the county pays those workers. The KEMSA issue has also come on board. We have to be keen on that one. Also, automation is there. All of the…
Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to appreciate my colleagues, led by the Chairperson and also the Vice-Chairperson, for the great teamwork. This responsibility requires a high level of teamwork. Actually, what we normally do--- Sen. Onyonka sits in this Committee. He is very good at looking at the incinerator. Sen. Wakoli will be looking at the mortuary, I will be looking at the pha…
Sen. Eddy, you have inquired whether you will still have an opportunity. I confirm that you still have 18 minutes to continue contributing to the Motion in the next sitting.
Hon. Senators, this Motion is now available for contribution. I invite Sen. Oketch Gicheru. You may put in your contributions to the Motion.
I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I know there is pressure of time. This is a very fundamental report. I thank the Committee on Health for having made a visit, and not just a visit, but also networking, meaning that they add a positive attitude towards being able to assess the state of health in Kilifi County. There are a lot of things I would have mentioned here, but I hope that maybe if …
Sen. Eddy, you have inquired whether you will still have an opportunity. I confirm that you still have 18 minutes to continue contributing to the Motion in the next sitting.