Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Senators questioned the Cabinet Secretary on the clarity, implementation dates and impact assessment of the non‑essential foreign travel circular, as well as the number of university travel requests approved. The Cabinet Secretary outlined the criteria for essential travel, delegation size limits and noted that costs have been reduced, but admitted that a formal impact assessment and exact savings figures have not yet been completed. Senators repeatedly questioned the Cabinet Secretary about chronic shortages of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, inadequate remuneration and unclear internship pathways, and the absence of a clear JSS policy. They also demanded transparency on teacher deployment data across counties and raised concerns about the reliance on PTA‑appointed teachers in underserved areas. The debate was largely critical but framed as constructive inquiries seeking government action. Senators voiced disappointment over the Cabinet Secretary’s vague response on school electricity and water provision, demanding detailed lists and better coordination with counties. They also highlighted confusion around the Competency‑Based Curriculum and the lack of funding for school infrastructure, while briefly congratulating children sitting the KPSEA exams. The debate combined criticism of current shortcomings with calls for concrete action and accountability.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Order, hon. Senators. We now have quorum. We can proceed with today's business. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.
Hon. Senators, we expected two Cabinet Secretaries this morning for purposes of responding to the Questions as listed in the Order Paper. However, I have since received a communication from the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development that she is unable to attend today's session for purposes of responding to the Questions directed to her Ministry, the reaso…
I had a phone call discussion with the Principal Secretary in that Ministry, who explained to me exactly what the problem was. The hon. Cabinet Secretary underwent an eye surgery three days ago. By yesterday, she was very much willing to appear today. However, this morning, she woke up with a swollen eye and she cannot see. That is why she indicated and registered her regrets that she will not be …
Question No.119
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education the following Question, on behalf of Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do confirm that the Ministry of Education has effected the contents of the circular. The circular seeks to rationalise foreign travel and achieve prudence and cost-effectiveness in relation to costs associated with foreign travel.
With respect to the second limb of the question, I wish to clarify that the circular is not a blanket ban on foreign travel. The circular suspends non-essential travel. Travel to attend critical activities outside the country is still permitted. Requests for travel are assessed on a case-to-case basis and approved on their merits. Staff of our public universities have indeed continued to travel t…
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Each request for foreign travel has to demonstrate the value that such travel will add to the individual and his or her institution. There has to be a demonstration of value for money. The key factors that are considered are the value that such travel will add, the necessit…
Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you may now ask your two supplementary questions.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. From the presentation by the Cabinet Secretary, you have realised that the clarification on non-essential travel as it pertains to the Ministry is not that clear. So, my question is, Cabinet Secretary, have you been able to put a circular through the universities or public universities on what entails non-essential foreign travels and what entails essential foreign tra…
Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wanted to find out from the Cabinet Secretary the question on capitation. For every child to access capitation, you need---
Hon. Senator, we are done with that Question. We are now on Question No.048.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, could the Cabinet Secretary give us the reason why non-essential travel was banned and how much has been saved by the Ministry?
Sen. Onyonka, proceed?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity. Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba happens to be a good friend of mine. I want to congratulate him and wish him the best. I believe he is up to the task of the responsibility that the Government has given. Cabinet Secretary, you said the number of students is 4.2 million and that there was a physical census.
Sen. Onyonka, we are on Question No.048 on foreign travel.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I will ask him a question about foreign travel. You explained that the circular issued had something to do with essential travel and the number of people who are supposed to be travelling. I did not hear you mention the number. In other words, the feeling and the observation I have made is that when Government officers are travelling, even when you have reduced the nu…
Hon. Sen. Kisang’, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wanted to find out from the Cabinet Secretary since the release of the circular and requests that the universities have made--- Our lecturers are researchers; they go to conferences and also meet their peers to enhance their knowledge. Since the release of the circular, how many requests have been made to the Cabinet Secretary, and how many did they approve since th…
Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The circular is quite clear on what essential travel is, and it states that essential travel is part of the fulfilment of state obligations and pursuant to the conduct of critical state party engagements for the purpose of fulfilling a statutory leadership or members…
we have not done it yet to confirm how much money has been saved, how many people have travelled, et cetera. However, the numbers have reduced. Sen. Cherarkey wanted to know why non-essential travel was banned. It is because many people were traveling without good reason and it increased the cost of foreign travel by the Ministries. Therefore, it became necessary to ensure that there are regulati…
Hon. Senators, we will now move to Question No.52. Proceed, Sen. Ogola. Question No.052
Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to ask Question No.111. Could the Cabinet Secretary tell us:
Sen. Catherine Mumma? Question No.115. Question No.115
My question to the Cabinet Secretary is:
Thank you. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Question No.36. Question No.036
Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, you can proceed to answer those questions. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On the question by Sen. George Mbugua, in the Financial Year 2024/2025 at the Primary School Level, Kshs166.9 million was allocated as free primary education capitation to the 117,565 special needs education learners in Primary Schools…
Yes, Catherine Mumma?
Thank you for your indulgence. The fifth question is-
Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, you can proceed to answer those questions. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On the question by Sen. George Mbugua, in the Financial Year 2024/2025 at the Primary School Level, Kshs166.9 million was allocated as free primary education capitation to the 117,565 special needs education learners in Primary Schools…
This amount is for the provision of specialized learning materials, assistive devices and technologies. For learners in special boarding schools, Kshs455 million was allocated to cater for 43,645 special needs learners. This allocation is meant to subsidize boarding expenses and pay salaries for non- teaching staff and these allocations are indicated in Tables Six and Seven. For junior schools, …
On transparency: Vacancy announcements were published on the teacher service commission website, ensuring transparency and enabling wide dissemination. Publication of results: The results of successful candidates were published on the TSC website, announcing transparency and accountability. This allowed for public scrutiny of the promotion process, ensuring the outcomes were accessible to all stak…
On Question No.036 by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, the promotion of teachers is a constitutional mandate of the TSC in line with Article 237 (2) (d) of the Constitution. In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Commission advertised a total of 36,505 vacancies for teacher promotions. However, only 36,504 teachers were promoted, as one vacancy for the principal position in special needs remained unoccupied du…
Sen. Mumma, proceed.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my supplementary question is to request the Cabinet Secretary to provide county-level data on the number of classrooms, those furnished, and those with laboratories in preparation for these classes that we are talking about. That is the only way we can tell whether we are getting it done equitably.
Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, proceed.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to thank the Cabinet Secretary. In many years, I have hardly gotten such a comprehensive answer. You have given me an annexure of all the people who participated in the interview. I want you to take administrative action against the person in charge of Communication and Public Relations (PR) in your Ministry because these are the people who are making the Gover…
Just one, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, because we do not have time.
Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, proceed.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to thank the Cabinet Secretary. In many years, I have hardly gotten such a comprehensive answer. You have given me an annexure of all the people who participated in the interview. I want you to take administrative action against the person in charge of Communication and Public Relations (PR) in your Ministry because these are the people who are making the Gover…
Just one, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, because we do not have time.
I have already extended time. We only have three minutes left. Let us allow the Cabinet Secretary to answer. Please, Mzee. Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, please proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. Ogamba) : Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. To begin with the question on children being hidden by parents and whether we have plans to integrate schools to accommodate them, many of…
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.
Invoke Standing Order No.1.
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.10 p.m. Having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of the Sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No.34 (2) (A) , the Senate stands adjourned until today, 30th October, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.10 p.m.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.
Hon. Senators, it is now 1.10 p.m. Having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of the Sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No.34 (2) (A) , the Senate stands adjourned until today, 30th October, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.10 p.m.