Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Senators complained that nominated Senators lack operational funds, staff salaries are unpaid and the Parliamentary Service Commission has not provided clarity, demanding greater budget transparency. They also raised issues of reduced political party allocations, perceived executive excesses, and a humanitarian crisis in Marsabit marked by food shortages, transport challenges and security threats. Calls were made for accountability and possible legal action to address these grievances. Senators demanded the immediate release of Treasury funds for Senate liaison offices and staff salaries, accusing the Executive of withholding money while spending heavily on projects such as a 150‑million‑tree planting programme and overseas trips. They called for the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence and Foreign Affairs to be summoned before the Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs to answer questions about their operations. The debate was marked by strong criticism of executive spending and a push for greater parliamentary oversight. The afternoon sitting opened with a quorum check and procedural adjustments before moving to a motion to change the Senate’s meeting hours on 7 December to accommodate a trip to Rwanda for the East African Legislative Assembly games. Senators raised concerns about unpaid staff and unequal travel opportunities, prompting the Speaker to rule on the admissibility of a personal‑nature statement. The debate remained largely procedural but reflected underlying frustrations over administrative and logistical issues.
Clerk, do we have 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)]
[(Several Senators walked into the Chamber)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Proceed, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Education. You have a Petition to lay. Where is the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Education? That Petition is deferred.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers at the Table of the Senate, today, 6th December, 2023 –
Next Order.
On a point of intervention, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
What is your point of intervention, Sen. Cherarkey?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise on Standing Order No.58 which says- “During Statements Hour, a Senator may, by the indulgence of the Senate, explain matters of a personal nature although there is no question before the Senate, but such matter may not be debated.” As you are aware, yesterday, we unfortunately adjourned unceremoniously because remember tomorrow is the last day of this Session. As we speak…
Sen. Cherarkey, are you proceeding to make a Statement under Standing Order No.58?
Yes.
I have not indulged you.
Okay. Let me sit then you indulge me.
You will make your personal statement immediately after the notice is given.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to give Notice of the following Motion - THAT, notwithstanding the Resolutions of the Senate made on 16th February, 2023, and on 29th March, 2023, pursuant to Standing Order No.32 on the approval of the Senate Calendar (Regular Sessions) for the Second Session, and pursuant to Standing Order No. 34 (4) (b) , the Senate resolves to alter its hours of meeting on Thursday, 7…
Sen. Cherarkey, I have looked at this particular Standing Order, the one you are invoking. Apparently, it talks of matters of personal nature. The Statement you are about to make, if your opening statement is anything to go
by, is not personal. It touches on the operations of yourself and your colleagues. It is more official. Therefore, I would advise you, during today’s proceedings, you can rise on a point of order, but not under Standing Order No.58 because it restricts you to matters of a personal nature. I do not think paying your workers at the county office is a matter of a personal nature. It is more official…
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to move Motion No.8, being the alteration of the hours of meeting on Thursday 7th December, 2023. THAT, notwithstanding the Resolutions of the Senate made on 16th February, 2023, and on 29th March, 2023, pursuant to Standing Order No. 32 on the approval of the Senate Calendar (Regular Sessions) for the Second Session and pursuant to Standing Order No. 34 (4) (b) , the Sen…
My office is up in arms that they are not being afforded an opportunity to travel and yet staff in another office fairly near to me are traveling. If we do not manage this properly, it can send the message that to participate in parliamentary functions, one has to do something else.
[(Laughter)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the Motion by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. As a member of the Senate Business Committee (SBC) , this is a matter that I am aware of. We discussed before the Committee that to accommodate those of our colleagues who have been lucky enough to represent our Parliament in the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) games, we move tomorrow’s afternoon sitting to t…
[(Sen. Cherarkey stood up in his place)]
Thank you. Sen. Cherarkey, kindly take your seat. Hon. Senators, I will now proceed to propose the Question.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No.96 and also with your indulgence under Standing Order No.1. As we talk and are happy that the session is coming to an end, we are not sitting pretty with our staff because they have not been paid for office operations. The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has found it not unwise--- It is disappointing that the Commissioners are not here. Sala…
[(Laughter)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Senators, you will not say that your money is stuck with the Executive and at the same time, you do not want to face the Executive. This is what is killing Parliament.
[(Sen. Orwoba stood up in her place)]
Sen. Orwoba, have your seat.
You cannot eat your cake and have it.
Sen. Cherarkey, have your seat.
Senators from the Kenya Kwanza side, I am not attacking you. You will not have your cake and eat it at the same time.
[(Loud consultations)]
Sen. Miraj, can we have order.
You will not have your cake and eat it. These are the facts.
Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Order! Take your seat.
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Loud consultations)]
views because it is not one view. Clearly, on this matter, you do not have a common position. Therefore, we have noted this---
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Loud consultations)]
[(Loud consultations)]
Clerk, proceed to call the next Order. Sen.
Sen. Methu?
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the termination of contracts of community scouts by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) . In the Statement, the Committee should-
Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC? That Statement is dropped. Next Statement by Sen. Betty Montet.
[(Statement dropped)]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing regarding renovation of stadiums identified to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. In the Statement, the Committee should-
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the last mile delivery to schools’ premises of textbooks and other tuition
materials that are centrally procured by the Ministry of Education under the Free Primary Education and Free Secondary School Programme---
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
Order, Sen. Mundigi. What is your point of order, Sen. Cherarkey? Your microphone is not on.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, looking at the Standing Orders, we are not properly constituted. I therefore request you to check.
Clerk, kindly ascertain the quorum. Serjeant-at- Arms, kindly ring the quorum bell for 10 minutes. Hon. Senators, kindly, take your seats. Let us be upstanding.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
[(Several Senators resumed their seats)]
Hon. Senators, having failed to attain quorum, at the expiry of 10 minutes, the Senate stands adjourned pursuant to Standing Order No.41 (2) (a) until tomorrow, Thursday, 7th December, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. I repeat, 9.30