Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Senators questioned the Cabinet Secretary on the absence of a concrete timeline for reviving the Kimuri Coffee Factory, demanding a clear schedule and accountability. The debate also raised concerns about cooperative governance, chronic under‑funding and the need for capacity‑building institutions, while noting the new coffee revitalisation strategy as a positive development. The Senate examined the situation of Kenyan refugees in the Dillo and Megado settlements of Ethiopia, presenting detailed population figures and noting that a majority expressed willingness to return voluntarily. Senator Chute pressed for specific timelines and accountability, while the Prime Cabinet Secretary highlighted ongoing negotiations, the need for voluntary repatriation, and legal constraints. The exchange reflected both informative briefing and criticism over the lack of concrete action plans. Senators used the session to highlight growing tensions around refugee integration, citing host‑community unrest, a recent Kakuma camp riot and a controversial transfer of refugees to Germany, and they pressed the Prime Cabinet Secretary for clearer timelines, infrastructure plans and UNHCR coordination. They also raised questions about the government’s role in settling long‑term refugees and asked about the status of bilateral labour agreements, while the Speaker reminded members of procedural rules.
Kindly, ring the quorum bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, we now have quorum. We have three Questions. Question No. 002 by the hon. Chute directed to the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs. Question No.007 and 042 by Senator Eddie Oketch and Sen. Veronica Maina, respectively, directed to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and …
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Question No.007 is by Senator Eddy, but he is not present. I am informed by Sen. Ogola that she will be asking on his behalf having duly been instructed to do so. Once the Prime Cabinet Secretary takes his place, I will be asking Sen. Ogola to proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Just for clarification, I do not know why I came in thinking that the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and National Planning was supposed to be here to respond to a Question I had asked.
Yes, we had anticipated and expected the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Treasury and National Planning to be present today for purposes of responding to Questions from Members. However, he wrote a letter and it was deliberated upon during the Senate Business Committee (SBC) in its sitting yesterday. He is not in the country hence he cannot appear before the Senate to respond to those questions. H…
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(Sen. Abass spoke off record)]
Yes, but we need to be persuaded that you have full instructions from the Hon. Senator by producing written---
Mr. Speaker, Sir, he has said that he is almost arriving. If he does not come, then we can help him.
The prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Diaspora Affairs is already in the House. We cannot keep him. Hon. Members, you know this session starts at exactly 9.30 a.m. In my communication yesterday, I indicated that any hon. Senator who has business listed in the Order Paper must be present to prosecute it. I said that the business will be dropped if you are not present. It is…
[(Sen. Githuku consulted loudly)]
not know how long he will take. That cannot be tolerated. I am afraid I will have to drop his Question. Prime Cabinet Secretary, we are extremely sorry to have you here yet the holder of that particular Question is not around to ask it. I will, therefore, release you. You may leave at your pleasure. That Question is dropped. Can you usher in the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Co-…
Hon. Sen. Chute, please approach the Chair. Sen. Chute just walked in while we were in the process of dropping his Question. Clerk, confirm whether the Prime Cabinet Secretary is still in the House or has he already left? All right. Sen. Chute, you may proceed. First, explain your absence when this matter was called out. If the Chair is not satisfied with the reasons you are going to advance, we…
[(Sen. Chute consulted the Speaker)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My apologies to the Senate, the Cabinet Secretary, and you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I was held up in traffic. I came running all the way.
Hon. Chute, does that mean that you do not have a car?
I have a car.
So, why were you running?
I ran from my office. My apologies once again.
You may now proceed to ask your question.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have a Question for the Prime Cabinet Secretary. My apologies once again, Prime Cabinet Secretary. Thank you for coming. We do respect you a lot. I beg to ask Question No.002. Question No.002
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My question to the Cabinet Secretary is: What is the state of basic services that the Kenyan refugees in Magatho and Dilo Towns in Ethiopia have access to? Now that we are planning for their coming back to Kenya, what are the re-integration plans that we have as per our national standards, particularly on education, health and other basic amenities?
Sen. Cherarkey.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and good morning to my neighbour. Mine is straightforward. Under the Shirika Plan, how many Kenyans have refugee status across Ethiopia and across other nationalities? Under the Shirika Plan, how much resources does the Cabinet Secretary in charge of foreign affairs need to bring back Kenyans who are willing? He should give us the estimate so that we do not just use a…
Sen. Mungatana.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for the Floor. On 12th July, 2005, the Turbi Massacre took place and this is the basis upon which these refugees ran away to Ethiopia. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was a very sad moment for this country because 56 people are reported to have died. This country has a responsibility for the safety and the life of every Kenyan. What I want to hear from the Cabinet Secretary is h…
Prime Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond to those questions. The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. First, I will just talk to the issue of Shirika Plan. I want to state that there is still a lot of conversation that is taking place between the Government, the UNHCR and the host communities where the refug…
[(Hon. Musalia Mudavadi)]
being or economic status of refugees, which then determined the level of rations allocated to certain families compared to others. These are issues that, if not managed well, can also create a lot of tension in the refugee camps. This may be part of the reason that there could have been some challenges recently in Kakuma Refugee Camp amongst others. I would like to emphasize that, we, as a Gover…
I would like to emphasize, hon. Muthama that I concur with the Speaker that is an entirely different matter. Internally displaced Kenyans, for other reasons, are tackled separately and not in the context of the refugee programme. That would have to be taken up as a completely separate question. When discussing resources, I hope I have partly addressed the concerns raised by Sen. Beatrice regardin…
that has been done by the Kenyan Government. I think there is some misinformation somewhere. Thank you.
Thank you, Hon. Prime Cabinet Secretary. That terminates our interaction with the Prime Cabinet Secretary. We will now move to Question Nos.007 and 042. Prime Cabinet Secretary, you may now leave if you so wish. was ushered out of the Chamber) (The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development
[(The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (Hon. Musalia Mudavadi)]
[(Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya) was ushered into the Chamber)]
Order, hon. Senators. The Cabinet Secretary for Co- operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development is in the House for purposes of responding to Question No.007 by the Senator for Migori County, Sen. Eddy Oketch, and thereafter, Question No.042 by Sen. Veronica Maina. Let me take this opportunity to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to the Senate. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you o…
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until today, Wednesday 2nd April, 2025 at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 12.11 p.m.