Senate · Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, confirm whether we have quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We now have quorum, so let us transact business. Clerk, call out Order No.1

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today Wednesday, the 27th of March, 2024- Report of the Auditor-General for the County Governments for the financial year 2022/2023, Volume 1 - County Executives. Report of the Auditor-General for the County Governments for the financial year 2022/2023, Volume 2 - County Assemblies. Report of the Auditor-Gener…

[(Sen. Cheruiyot laid the documents on the Table)]

Sen. Kavindu Muthama, please, take your seat. Sen. Kavindu Muthama, you are an old Member of this House. Just freeze where you are. You do not need to run.

[(Laughter)]

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. In my capacity and on behalf of the rest of the membership of the House, I congratulate the young people and wish them well going into the future.

Thank you. Hon. Senators, I have another Communication to make.

welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them and, on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit. In under one and a half minutes, Sen. Beatrice Ogola, please, welcome the visitors.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, from the onset, I want to thank you for the opportunity given to the Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA) from Ndhiwa Constituency where I come from. On behalf of this Senate, I pass condolences to the Kenyatta University (KU) fraternity for the accident where a number of students lost their lives. As the Senate, we feel with you, and may the Lord rest their so…

Another one minute for the Senator of Homa Bay County, Sen. M. Kajwang’.

Bw. Naibu Spika, ninashukuru kwa kunipa fursa hii. Vile unavyojua, mimi ndiye mwenye boma kama Seneta wa Kaunti ya Homa Bay. Tunafanya kazi vizuri na Sen. Beatrice Ogola. Anafanya kazi vizuri chini yangu nami ninafanya kazi vizuri juu yake.

[(Laughter)]

Profesional setting ni kwa taaluma mbalimbali.

[(Laughter)]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I beg to give notice of the following Motion- AWARE THAT Article 43 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive health care; NOTING THAT in Kenya, we have five national teaching and referral hospitals with the Kenyatta University Research…

Thank you. Next Order.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the condition of markets within Bungoma County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Yes, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labor and Social Welfare regarding the safety guidelines at Rai Paper Mills formerly the Pan African Paper mills in Webuye, Bungoma County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Sen. Kinyua, you have two Statements as well.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on the state of insecurity in the Rumuruti area, in Laikipia County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Yes, Sen. Cherarkey what is your point of order?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just for order, we are following keenly Sen. Kinyuas’ Statements, which are on roads and the issue of title deeds. This is not in the Order Paper. Could we be guided properly?

Sen. Kinyua how many Statements do you have? First, read the ones on the Order Paper as we sort the other one.

[(Sen. Kinyua spoke off record)]

Thank you, Mr. Deputy 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 the status of processing of land ownership documents for residents of Majengo and Likii villages in Nanyuki Ward within Laikipia County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

On roads?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing regarding the repair and regular maintenance of the Nanyuki-Doldol Road in Laikipia County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

I will first confirm. Have a seat for two minutes. Sen. Orwoba, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have two Statements.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on alleged financial improprieties at the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) . In the Statement, the Committee should–

Thank you. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have two Statements.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise according to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations regarding the status of operationalization to town status conferred to towns in Kisumu County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Your second Statement. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING ROADS IN KISUMU COUNTY

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation concerning the state of construction and maintenance of existing county roads in various sub-counties in Kisumu County. In the Statement, the Committee should–

Sen. Chute, how many Statements do you have?

I have three Statements to read.

Mr. Deputy 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 regarding water scarcity in Korr Ward in Laisamis Constituency, Marsabit County.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I wish to welcome the teachers and students from Ayani Estate Primary School in Nairobi. We apologise that their Senator was here in the morning session and has not been able to join them this afternoon. However, we welcome them, so that they can learn and understand what we do as Parliament. As they work hard in school, they know that the future is v…

Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, you have less than one minute to welcome the visitors.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. As a delegate of Nairobi City County, on behalf also of our Nairobi City Senator, I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to this institution of the 13th Parliament. This is the “Upper” House called the Senate. It is a House with rules the same way you have rules in your learning institution. The same way you have principals and vice-chancellors, it is t…

[(Resumption of Statements)]

Let us get the next statement from Sen. Mandago. I am told he has delegated to Sen. Miraj.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration on employment opportunities and representation of the country’s diversity in the PSC. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Proceed, Sen. Fatuma Dullo.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy 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 the status of completion of Isiolo Export Abattoir. In this statement, the Committee should-

Proceed, Sen. Mbugua.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health concerning the expected impact of trained and experienced nurses seeking jobs abroad on nursing services in hospitals countrywide. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the provision of medical insurance coverage for teachers in Taita Taveta County. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Kindly expedite the speed of reading.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I will increase my speed. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the non-payment of Taita Taveta County Land Control Board committee members. In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you. Sen. Kinyua, can you clear your two last Statements?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations on the state of insecurity in the Rumuruti area of Laikipia County. In the Statement, the committee should-

Thank you. Next Order.

Majority Whip, what is it wrong with Order No.9?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Indeed, we are alive to the fact that we are supposed to vote this afternoon. We have done the usual mobilization, but we do not appear to be attaining the target, including the Mover of the Bill is not in the House. I would request that we defer that particular business and move on to the next business. I thank you.

Thank you. We defer that business under Order No.9.

[(Division deferred)]

Let us go to the Order No.10.

Senate Majority Leader, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to Move that the Conflict-of-Interest Bill, 2023 (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) be now read a Second Time. The Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023 (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) , was published by the Kenya Gazette, No.41 of 2023. Our colleagues in the National Assembly considered this Bill and sometime in November last year, they passed…

the conflict of interest. This where public officials and state officers take advantage of their position to enhance their own personal interest as opposed to public interest. If you do not curb this vice, I am afraid you may not have a country to write about in the next few years to come. Therefore, I urge colleagues, that you take time, listen and debate this Bill with all the energy and vigour …

collision course with public interest. All these issues are defined in Clauses 8 to 29, so that a public official will not come back and say, I did not know that this was wrong, including the Members of Parliament. As you debate on a Bill, you are duty-bound to make declaration of interest on this Floor. The same is provided for in our Standing Orders, but now it will be provided in statute. This…

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) as moved. I will be very brief. I take this House down memory lane. This is not the first time that the matter of conflict of interest is coming before Parliament. In 1971, after the death of Tom Mboya, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o wrote in his book that he went to Singapor…

[(Question proposed)]

I will call upon any hon. Senator who wishes to contribute to this Bill and I will start with Sen. (Dr.) James Murango.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda. Nimesimama siku ya leo kujiunga na Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi na pia Kiranja wa Seneti, kuunga mkono Mswada ulio mbele yetu. Kwa muda mrefu, wananchi wengi wamekuwa wakikosa huduma katika ofisi nyingi kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa maadili na pia ufisadi. Kwa hivyo, sheria kama hii ni muhimu sana ili kuhakikisha kwamba wanaotafuta huduma kwa zile ofisi, wanapata huduma bora, pasi…

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also rise to support this Bill. Abuse of office, corruption, favouritism and nepotism have been some of the key breakers of this economy and this country. This Bill seeks to cure such leakages that have bled our country to where we are today. With this Bill, we will ensure that every Kenyan, as has been envisaged, has and stands the equal opportunity to ac…

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I wish to bring to your attention the fact that we do not have sufficient quorum in this House to continue with business.

Serjeant-at-Arms, could you please ring the Quorum Bell for five minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, continue to ring the Bell for another 10 minutes.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]