Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Senators used the historic Kamba diaspora to Paraguay as an example of successful cultural preservation and argued that the Culture Bill should empower the Cabinet Secretary to protect and rehabilitate endangered cultures. They highlighted the Bomas of Kenya as a national melting‑pot that must retain authentic representations of all communities despite ongoing construction, and called for mechanisms to restitute illegally taken cultural artifacts. Concerns were raised about Clause 6’s allocation of roles to county governments, but overall the debate was constructive and supportive of the Bill’s objectives. Senators debated a cultural heritage bill, praising its intent to preserve and promote Kenya’s diverse cultures while urging stronger county involvement and less centralised control over benefit‑sharing and royalties. The discussion featured personal anecdotes illustrating cultural ties across regions and highlighted concerns about the bill’s clauses assigning key roles to the cabinet secretary. Overall, the Senate expressed support for the legislation with suggested amendments. The Senate afternoon sitting focused on procedural matters and a series of statements requesting committee input on infrastructure and development issues, including the upgrading of Ngandi Road, the condition of urban roads in Machakos, safety at Kisumu International Airport, and a proposed tomato processing plant in Kirinyaga. Senators highlighted concerns over neglect, security threats, and the need for coordinated action, while the Deputy Speaker managed quorum and order of business.
Do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, I now confirm that we have a quorum. Clerk, read out the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
There is a Paper to be read by the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources. The Vice Chairperson or any other member of the committee.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on its consideration of the Environment Management and Coordination Bill (National Assembly Bills No.66 of 2023) . Thank you.
[(Loud consultations)]
Very well. Hon. Senators, there is some unpalatable noise from my right-hand side. Next Order, Clerk.
Hon. Senators, we have several statements starting from Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) . Sen. Hamida Kibwana, MP. If she is not in the House, then her statement is dropped.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of countywide concern regarding the upgrading of Ngandi Road in Mwea and Makima Divisions, Mbeere South Sub County, Embu County, to bitumen standards. Ngandi Road, which covers approximately 32 kilometres, traverses Kaluku, Kyauzini, Mbonzuk…
Next is Sen. Mwenda Gataya. He is not in the House. His statement is dropped.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have two statements and I hope you will allow me to read them consecutively.
Kshs10 million through manipulation of hospital payment processes linked to the e- Citizen platform. In the statement, the Committee should address the following-
Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwine Sifuna.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and
Housing on a matter of countrywide concern regarding safety standards at the Kisumu International Airport after it was besieged by goons on Saturday, 21st February, 2026. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) through Annex 17 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation establishes the international standards and recommended practices for protecting civil aviation against acts…
Senator for Machakos County, the Hon. Kavindu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On behalf of the Senator for Machakos County, Sen. Kavindu Muthama, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of countywide concern regarding the state of the urban road network in Machakos County. Kivanguli Road is an important urban access road in Machakos County. The …
Now, the statement by the Senator for Wajir County is dropped.
Asante sana, Mstahiki Spika. Nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu (53) (1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Kilimo, Mifugo na Uvuvi kuhusu mradi wa kiwanda cha kusindika nyanya, kinachopendekezwa kujengwa eneo la Kangai, Kaunti ya Kirinyaga. Kaunti ya Kirinyaga, hususan maeneo ya Mwea na Kangai ni miongoni mwa maeneo yanayozalisha nyanya kwa wingi nchin…
Sen. Miraj Abdillahi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the implementation of the policy exempting children aged 0-5 years from medical fees at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) and the continued billing and collection of payment from families within this age bracket despite the stated exemp…
Senator for Kisii County, the Hon. Richard Onyonka.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have two statements. I hope you will allow me to read them consecutively.
The Statement by Senator for Nakuru County is deferred.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, on a matter of national concern regarding the status of the Talanta Sports Stadium project. In the statement, the Committee should address the following-
Senator for Tharaka Nithi County, Sen. Mwenda Gataya, please proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me another chance. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern, regarding the rising cases of student fatalities in boarding schools across Kenya. In the statement, the Committee should address the following-
There is a statement pursuant to Standing Order No.58 by the Senator for Isiolo County, Sen. Fatuma Dullo.
Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 5th March, 2026, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.