National Assembly · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Hon. Kassim Tandaza raised concerns about overlapping mandates and insufficient funding for the Gender and Equality Commission, urging a restructuring of responsibilities. Hon. Charles Nguna and other members praised the nominees, called for greater public awareness and adequate resources to tackle gender‑based violence and inclusion. The House ultimately deferred the motion for further consideration. Members debated the gender-balanced appointments to commissions, with Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga condemning the lack of women from his constituency and calling for regional and ethnic balance. Hon. Peter Kaluma raised a point of order, citing constitutional requirements for cumulative regional representation, while the Temporary Speaker managed procedural interruptions. The exchange highlighted tensions between gender equity goals and perceived regional inequities. Members praised Hon. Rehema Jaldesa’s nomination as Chair of the National Gender and Equality Commission and highlighted her experience, while repeatedly stressing the chronic under‑funding that hampers the Commission’s effectiveness. The debate also addressed the broader issue of gender‑based violence, calling for stronger community policing and societal change to curb femicide. Speakers called for greater resources and concrete action to achieve gender equity, including the two‑thirds rule and support for all vulnerable groups.
Hon. Members, there is no quorum. Serjeants-at-Arms, I direct that the Quorum Bell be rung for ten minutes.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Order, Hon. Members. We now have quorum. We may proceed to the first Order. Hon. Kosgei, we have started. Clerks-at-the-Table, call the next Order. Proceed Deputy Whip of the Majority Party.
[(Several Members walked into the Chamber)]
I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, or his representative.
I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: The Joint Report of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, on the vetting of a nominee for appointment as the Second Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) .
Thank you.
The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, or his representative. You may give your notice of Motion.
I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, in its Report on the vetting of a nominee for appointment as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, laid on the Table of the House on Wed…
Thank you. Next Order.
Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Procedural Motion: THAT, this House resolves to exempt the business appearing as Order Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (i) and 17 in today’s Order Paper from the provisions of Standing Order 40 (3) , being a Wednesday Morning, a day allocated for business not sponsored by the Majority or Minority Party, or business sponsored by a C…
I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Put the Question.
The mood of the House is that I put the Question. Next Order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Second Reading
Next Order.
House urges that the Government, through the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, undertakes a comprehensive overhaul of the education bursary system with a view to collapsing all bursary schemes and allocating the funds to the State Department for Basic Education for provision of free basic education through capitation to be directly remitted to schools.
Hon. Members, I will re-order the Order Paper for efficiency. We will go to Order No.14 and then we will come back to Order No.13. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs in its Report on the vetting of nominees for appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Commission on Administrative Justice, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 26th November 2024, and pursuant to Article 250 (2) (b) of the Constituti…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. After looking at the Report of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Committee, I have concluded that the nominees are suitable. I second the Motion, Hon. Deputy Speaker.
[(Question proposed)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.
What is your point of order?
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I know we want to pass this Motion, which is important. However, the procedure is important. This is a very important Motion on an independent Commission. I get very surprised when such an important Commission comes to this House and the only thing we can do is to put the Question without any comment from any side of the House. How I wish you gave an opportunity to…
[(Loud consultations)]
Hon. Makali, you are making allegations against the House. We are using the same procedures that we normally use. Let us move to the next Order.
Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection. Hon. Hilary Kosgei, are you the one standing in?
THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental
Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move: THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 3 and substituting therefor the following new clause 3— Application.
Hon. Temporary Chairman, I support that amendment as moved by the Chairman because it speaks clearly to the object and heart of the Bill. I hope it becomes an Act of Parliament, if we pass it. I would also like to indicate that I have an additional amendment to Clause 3, which I will be moving after we pass the amendment by the Committee. The Temporary Chairman : Are you aware that your amendme…
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
No. Hon. Temporary Chairman, my proposed amendment in (a) is exactly what the Chairman is proposing. The amendment in (b) is an addition. The Temporary Chairman : Your amendment to Clause 3 (a) will fall. Hon. Peter Kaluma : Yes. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Kaluma, could you approach the Table for one minute? This is a very important Bill. Hon. Kaluma and the Chairman, you may have to co…
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
[(Homa Bay Town, ODM)]
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
[(The Temporary Chairman (Hon. Omboko Milemba) consulted with Hon. Peter Kaluma)]
[(Question of the amendment proposed)]
[(Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)]
[(Clause 3 as amended agreed to)]
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Kaluma, what is it?
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
Hon. Temporary Chairman, I thought that because we agree with the proposal by the Chairman in terms of clause 3, upon the passage of the Chairman’s amendment, I be allowed to propose a further amendment to the New Clause 3, upon adoption, subject to your direction. Let me explain that I agree with the Chairman and the Mover completely in terms of that amendment. But on the additional provision tha…
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman : What is your point of order, Hon. Millie?
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
Thank you. It is just a matter of procedure that, ordinarily, when the Chairman has moved an amendment, any further amendment to it can only be done while standing at his place as the Chairman, and not how Hon. Peter Kaluma is moving. Therefore, procedurally, that process is wrong. The Temporary Chairman : Hon. Millie Odhiambo, we are aware of that, and that is why I was bringing in the Chairman…
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
Okay. Maybe, so that I can draw the attention of the Chairman, that should you wish to adopt the amendment by Hon. Peter Kaluma, could you also consider adopting it in the clear words that he said: That this process shall only apply to Kenyans. The way he is putting it is a bit convoluted and it even implies that you can only go through assisted reproduction if you already have a child. That is be…
[(Hon. Omboko Milemba)]
Hon. Members, we will start with the Coffee Bill.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Coffee Bill, (Senate Bill No.10 of 2023) , and approved the same with amendments.
Mover.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said Report. I also request Hon. (Prof)
Jaldesa to second the Motion for agreement with the Report of the Committee of the whole House.
Professor.
I second.
[(Question proposed)]
We shall prosecute the Assisted Reproductive Bill now. Hon. Temporary Chairman.
Mover.
Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said Report. I also request Hon. Millie- Odhiambo to second the Motion for agreement with the Report of the Committee of the whole House.
Hon. Millie.
I second.
[(Question proposed)]
Order, Hon. Members. The time being 1.13 p.m., this House stands adjourned until today Wednesday, 27th November 2024 at