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Sittings /

Senate · Morning Sitting

Wednesday, 6 August 2025

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Session Summary

Senators debated the Committee on Health report, urging county governments to improve hospital security, ambulance availability, staff welfare, and digitalisation of health services. They highlighted gaps such as inadequate security walls, low morale among medical staff, lack of trained technicians for specialised equipment, and the need for proper body preservation facilities. The speakers called for greater Senate oversight and for other committees to submit similar reports for collective action. Senators highlighted the need for counties to act on health facility reports, urging proper use of the Facilities Improvement Financing Act and regular inspections to address maintenance issues, while condemning misuse of funds for non‑health activities. The House also moved a motion to automate the Certificate of Good Conduct system with biometric verification to improve efficiency and integrity. Procedural matters were addressed, including deferring a question and rearranging the order paper. Senators raised concerns over liquidity crises in SACCOs such as MUSCO and Afya, urging stronger regulatory oversight and amendments to the Cooperatives Bill. The Cabinet Secretary pledged a detailed report on the Hustler Fund and proposed funding reforms for SASRA to improve supervision. Members pressed for transparency on liquidation processes and safeguards to prevent future cooperative failures.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. I have confirmed that we now have quorum. Serjeant-at-Arms, you can stop the Bell. Clerk, read out the first Order.

[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker)]

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Hon. Senators, this morning, we are expecting the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs) , Development. We only have one question from Sen. (Prof.) Kamar. From where I sit, I am told the Cabinet Secretary is around the corner and he is coming here directly. So, is Sen. (Prof.) Kamar around?

[(Loud consultations)]

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

I saw her this morning. I am looking for Sen. (Prof.) Kamar and the Cabinet Secretary. [The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs), Development (Hon. Oparanya) was ushered into the Chamber] Hon. Senators, the CS is now in the House. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I welcome you to the Senate. You are an old timer in the Senate; you have appeared several times…

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Proceed, Majority Leader.

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Sen. Cheruiyot

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion- THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING, the resolution of the Senate made on 12th February, 2025 on the approval of Senators to serve in various Standing Committees of the Senate, and pursuant to Standing Orders 197, 199 and 228,

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Sen. Cheruiyot

following nomination by the Senate Business Committee, the Senate approves the nomination of Sen. Joe Nyutu, MP to serve in the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to replace Sen. Gloria Orwoba. This is a very straightforward issue. It is just about replacement of a colleague who has ceased being a Senator. It is a matter of public knowledge. Therefore, given that the Committee on Lab…

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Why are you being distracted by---

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Sen. Cheruiyot

Yes, I am being distracted.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

You are falling prey.

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Sen. Cheruiyot

Allow me to request the Senator for Laikipia, Sen. Kinyua, to second, because at least, he has been in the House and he knows what is happening.

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Sen. Kinyua

Mhe. Naibu Spika, ninaunga mkono Hoja hii kwa sababu Kamati lazima iwe na watu ambao wanawajibika na wenye uwezo wa kujadili masuala kwa undani. Hii ni kwa sababu Kamati hii haswa ni ya wafanyikazi. Nashukuru na ninaunga mkono.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Serjeant-at-Arms, you can make access to this other side of the House. I can see some Members want to speak to this Motion. Sen. Methu, is that the mood of the House?

[(Question proposed)]

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Hon. Senators

Yes.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Yes. Let us first confirm that we have quorum, in two minutes. However, the Mover can reply.

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Sen. Cheruiyot

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you for the opportunity to reply. On the addition of Sen. Joe Nyutu to this Committee, because of reasons that are well known to the House, we need people who can serve in committees and provide guidance. This is not a very complicated matter, and given that we have sufficient quorum required to transact this business, I beg to reply.

[(Several Senators spoke off record)]

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Sen. Methu

I am a good man, occasionally.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

Sen. Methu, you have done a commendable job. You are working on behalf of Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale. I think you should get that promotion.

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Sen. Methu

Sen. Boni is my cousin.

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The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri)

I will put the question. Next Order.

[(Question put and agreed to)]

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The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Mumma)

Sen. Joe Nyutu, proceed to move the Motion.

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Sen. Joe Nyutu

CONCERNED THAT many Kenyans are compelled to travel long distances to access this service, both for the initial application and for any subsequent applications making the process tedious, time-consuming, and costly; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT the current manual application system is prone to delays and inconsistencies, which may compromise the authenticity and integrity of a Certificate of Good Condu…

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Sen. Joe Nyutu

CONCERNED THAT many Kenyans are compelled to travel long distances to access this service, both for the initial application and for any subsequent applications making the process tedious, time-consuming, and costly; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT the current manual application system is prone to delays and inconsistencies, which may compromise the authenticity and integrity of a Certificate of Good Condu…

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The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei)

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC?

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Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I second the Motion on the automation of certificates of good conduct. This will not only be the foundation of convenience, but it will ensure that our young people spend less time and will access these certificates in no time. This is doable because we have centralized the data system and the issuance of IDs. This Motion is commendable. I second it.

[(Question proposed)]

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The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei)

Hon. Senators, the Floor is now open after the Motion was moved by Sen. Joe Nyutu and seconded by Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda. I call upon those who are willing to contribute to it. I will start with Sen. Mandago Jackson Kiplagat.

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Sen. Mandago

critical that needs to be addressed. When people are found to have broken the law and are put to prison, the purpose of the prisons is to offer correctional services. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are young people in this country who have been sentenced to prison and their fingerprints have been taken. They are unable to access these services because once they apply for the same good conduct,…

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Sen. Mandago

Sen. Mandago, hold your thoughts because it is one o'clock. You will have a balance of 16 minutes to continue your contribution to the Motion when the House next resumes. Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 6th August, 2025, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.00 p.m.

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The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Wakili Sigei)

Sen. Mandago, hold your thoughts because it is one o'clock. You will have a balance of 16 minutes to continue your contribution to the Motion when the House next resumes. Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 6th August, 2025, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.00 p.m.