Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Senators debated the government's handling of fertilizer distribution and the need for a local fertilizer factory, while also pressing the Cabinet Secretary for clearer regulations on sugarcane transport, weighbridges and the alleged theft by cartels. The Deputy Speaker highlighted concerns over taxation narratives and the lack of transparent accounting for Ksh1.3 billion spent on sugarcane farmers. The discussion mixed criticism of current policies with optimism about upcoming fertilizer production projects. Senators questioned the Cabinet Secretary on the status, funding and timelines of several water infrastructure projects, including the Athi‑Tana, Kibuka and Thwake dams, as well as the Mzima Springs pipeline. The minister responded with updates on project evaluations, PPP arrangements and plans to re‑advertise for investors, while acknowledging delays and the need for more information. The session concluded with procedural motions to move on to the next set of questions. Senators highlighted the severe impact of drought on livestock and a looming glut in the Mombasa tea auction that threatens farmer incomes and foreign‑exchange earnings. The Cabinet Secretary detailed government responses, including artificial insemination programmes for ASALs, a new fertilizer distribution plan, and upcoming tea export agreements with China to stabilise the market. He also expressed appreciation for the senators' concerns and outlined steps to address the issues.
Clerk, do we have a quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Clerk, now that we have quorum, kindly proceed to call the first order.
Hon. Senators, today we had three Questions and we expected three Cabinet Secretaries to appear before the Senate today for purposes of responding to those three Questions. However, I received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration stating that he will not be able to attend Parliament today, reason being that he is involved in the bilateral talks between Kenya…
Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development. We are going to start with the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and we are going to assign her exactly one hour. Thereafter we shall hear the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development for another hour, so that we have time to prosecute other businesses. Clerk, is the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitatio…
Let us give him the benefit of the doubt. When I introduced him, I said he is a seasoned Member of the Senate and he knows what he has promised. That is enough. Next is Sen. Munyi Mundigi. Do you have a supplementary question?
Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Swali langu ni kwa Waziri wa Kilimo na Maendeleo ya Mifugo. Katika Kaunti ya Embu, Mbeere North, Mbeere South na Manyatta, kuna Karibu Kata 12 zinashughulika na ukulima wa maembe. Maembe yako katika ukulima. Ukulima ni njia moja ya kumaliza njaa nchini. Kama kuna uwezo wowote, ningeomba kama kuna mipango ndani ya wizara yako ya kusaidia wakulima mashine ya kukausha ma…
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, please proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development (Hon. Linturi) : Kama sheria za Bunge hazijabadilika, nafikiria swali lingeulizwa kwa Kiswahili lingejibiwa kwa Kiswahili. Kwa hivyo, nitajaribu kujibu hilo swali kwa lugha ya Kiswahili. Nakubaliana na Sen. Munyi Mundigi ya kwamba kilimo ni idara ambayo inaweza kubadilisha na kumaliza umaskini …
Let us give him the benefit of the doubt. When I introduced him, I said he is a seasoned Member of the Senate and he knows what he has promised. That is enough. Next is Sen. Munyi Mundigi. Do you have a supplementary question?
Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Swali langu ni kwa Waziri wa Kilimo na Maendeleo ya Mifugo. Katika Kaunti ya Embu, Mbeere North, Mbeere South na Manyatta, kuna Karibu Kata 12 zinashughulika na ukulima wa maembe. Maembe yako katika ukulima. Ukulima ni njia moja ya kumaliza njaa nchini. Kama kuna uwezo wowote, ningeomba kama kuna mipango ndani ya wizara yako ya kusaidia wakulima mashine ya kukausha ma…
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, please proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development (Hon. Linturi) : Kama sheria za Bunge hazijabadilika, nafikiria swali lingeulizwa kwa Kiswahili lingejibiwa kwa Kiswahili. Kwa hivyo, nitajaribu kujibu hilo swali kwa lugha ya Kiswahili. Nakubaliana na Sen. Munyi Mundigi ya kwamba kilimo ni idara ambayo inaweza kubadilisha na kumaliza umaskini …
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may respond.
Sen. Wambua, please, proceed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, because we learn every day, and I have seen my friend, the former Senator, now Cabinet Secretary, hon. Linturi, struggling with value addition in Kiswahili, it is called kuongeza thamana. I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his response to the question by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda. I know that Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda has said that he is satisfied. However,…
Secondly, we are implementing the warehouse receipt system and we are now asking people if they have produced and they do not want to sell now, there is no pressure, they can have their cereals properly stored. The NCPB store is a warehouse for all the farmers in this country, and we have sufficient capacity. They can deposit there and get a receipt for them to sell at the appropriate time or dep…
The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development (Hon. Linturi): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am an implementer of presidential directives. The President indeed directed that we do what is practically possible to ensure that the interests of farmers are taken care of and that we safeguard them from exploitation. We have been trying to address this particular question, but …
Secondly, we are implementing the warehouse receipt system and we are now asking people if they have produced and they do not want to sell now, there is no pressure, they can have their cereals properly stored. The NCPB store is a warehouse for all the farmers in this country, and we have sufficient capacity. They can deposit there and get a receipt for them to sell at the appropriate time or dep…
Thank you.
Prof. Margaret Kamar is not here. So, that Motion is deferred. Next Order. Yes, Sen. Cheptumo?
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I beg to move the following Motion - THAT AWARE THAT, cattle rustling banditry is a major menace and security threat in the South and North Rift regions and some other parts of our country; CONCERNED THAT, the menace has since left negative socio-economic impacts which include, but are not limited to an increased number of widows, widowers, orphaned childre…
Proceed, Sen. Olekina.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to second this Motion on declaring banditry a national disaster. First of all, I would like to congratulate the distinguished Senator for Baringo County, Sen. Cheptumo, for bringing this Motion. You will forgive me for this, but in Maasai, we say; kairuru ngiri. My spirit is restless because of the challenges of cattle rustling. I was in Baringo over the weeken…
The other day, I told my friend, a former Senator and Deputy Speaker, Hon. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki, to leave Harambee House and go to Baringo, Samburu and Narok counties where terrorists have decided to terrorize people. They can call all the shots. Cattle rustling is one of the biggest trades that has made billionaires in this country because it has enriched people. Blood money enriching you? Sh…
Sen. Olekina, you will have a remainder of 13 minutes to continue seconding the Motion.
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until today, Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.00 p.m.