Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Sen. Dullo criticised the implementation of the Equalisation Fund, arguing it has deepened marginalisation due to opaque criteria, incomplete projects and misallocation, particularly in northern Kenya. He highlighted specific failures in roads, health facilities and electricity provision, and urged for transparent procedures, public participation and proper monitoring to ensure the fund meets its intended purpose. Sen. Sifuna criticised the current implementation of the Equalisation Fund, arguing that its allocation is insufficient to address the deep‑rooted marginalisation of northern, western and Nyanza regions and to deliver basic services such as electricity, roads and airports. He highlighted the disparity in infrastructure, cited the Adani PPP proposal that favours Nairobi, and called for greater transparency on how national resources are distributed to counties. The debate combined sharp criticism of past and present political decisions with a constructive push for equitable funding and accountability in a future administration. The session was marked by heated exchanges, with Sen. Cherarkey accusing Sen. Khalwale of condescension and personal insults, while the Temporary Speaker intervened. Sen. Khalwale shifted focus to the chronic marginalisation of northern and western regions, critiquing the Equalisation Fund’s implementation and highlighting stark healthcare disparities. The debate also touched on ethnic integration and procedural interruptions.
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)]
Order, hon. Senators. We now have a quorum. Therefore, we will proceed with this afternoon’s business.
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation from the Parliament of Uganda. The delegation comprises members from the office of the Leader of the Opposition. The delegation comprises 10 members, who are in the Senate to undertake training at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) . Hon. Senators, I will …
I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation. The delegation comprises officers from various county assemblies, institutions, and state departments. There are 17 officers in the delegation. They are in the Senate to undertake training on legislative media relations and reporting at the CPST. Hon. Senators, the programme has brought toge…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. It is indeed an honour for me to welcome these colleagues from across the border. When I look at them, they are fairly young. This is evidenced by my own brother, who is here.
We should soon get rid of the boundaries between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. We do not need them. We have 40 Members of Parliament from my community here in Kenya. We have 13 in Uganda, including my brother here. The same applies to the Maasai when you cross into Tanzania, and so on. Our Parliaments should actively engage, so that we rid East Africans of the burden of paying salar…
[(Laughter)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
Order, Hon. Senators. Sen. Faki, you may take the Floor. Senator for Nandi, you are out of Order.
Bw. Spika, asante kwa kunipa fursa hii kujiunga na wewe kuwakaribisha wageni kutoka mashirika mbalimbali. Wamekuja katika Seneti ili kusoma na kujionea wenyewe utendakazi wa Seneti. Ni fursa adimu kwa wafanyikazi kuja hapa katika Seneti. Kwa hivyo, tunachukua fursa hii kuwakaribisha na vile vile kuwatakia kila la kheri katika mafunzo yenu. Alasiri ya leo, mtapata fursa ya kuona baadhi ya viongoz…
Hon. Senators, before I allow the Clerk to call the next Order, I have got a further communication to make.
Change and Methane Emissions Reduction, and to purpose to participate in these important engagements, which form part of Parliament’s continuing climate action agenda and its commitment to promoting sustainable development. I thank you. Clerk, next Order.
Can we have Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53. Sen. Faki, with the level of technology we have, you need not shout to catch the Speaker's eye, but you may make your intervention.
[(Sen. Faki spoke off record)]
Asante sana, Mheshimiwa Spika. Ninaomba kauli kutoka kwako kuhusu uendeshaji wa ratiba katika Bunge hili. Jana alasiri tulipokuwa na mjadala kuhusu Mswada wa kubadilisha sheria ya mihadarati, Mhe. Naibu Spika, ambaye ni mdhamini wa Mswada huo, alikuwa ndani ya Bunge na alipendekeza Mswada huo. Mjadala ulipoanza, Mhe. Naibu Spika aliketi kwenye kiti cha Spika. Hatuna shida na hiyo lakini swala la …
Asante Sen. Faki. Hilo ni swala nyeti na nitapeana mwelekeo wangu kesho kulihusu.
We are on request for Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1).
Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing on the matter of Inter-County concern regarding the optimisation of the investment in the Ongata Rongai, Kitengela and Ngong SGR station. Hon. Speaker, Sir, the Ongata Rongai, Kitengela and Ngong SGR station were established to provide alternati…
Sen. George Mbugua. That Statement is dropped. Sen. George Mbugua had two Statements. Both Statements are dropped.
Hon. Speaker, I wish to submit the report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for the period January to April 2026. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (1) (b) to make a Statement on the activities of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for the period said. During this reporting period, the Committee carried out various act…
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education, proceed. That statement is deferred.
I am here.
Sen. Montet, the Floor is yours.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ee on Education for the period between February to April, 2026. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. (56) (1) (b) to make a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Education covering the period February 2026 to April, 2026 meetings. Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the period under review, the Committee held 30 sittings, during which various legislative…
Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education with the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) into the Diploma in Teacher Education, Pre-primary and Primary (DTE and PP&P). In this regard, the committee engaged the Council of Governors, Committee on Education and stakeholders, including the Early Childhood Professionals Association of Kenya and the Kenya Early Childhood Private Training Instit…
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on a matter of countywide concern regarding the continued occupation of Oldonyiro County Assembly Hall by Isiolo County Assembly beyond the expiry of the gazetted five-month period on 11th December, 2025 and the legal consequences on th…
Further, Oldonyiro County Assembly Hall is situated at a significant distance from the majority of Isiolo County residents and members of public. This distance continues to limit citizens' ability to access County Assembly services, particularly participating in Assembly’s proceedings and engaging in public participation processes. In the statement, the committee should address the following-
Hon. Senators, before I allow comments on the statements that have been sought, allow me to make this communication. Sen. Madzayo, kindly take your seat.
[(Sen. Madzayo consulted with Sen. Sifuna)]
[(Sen. Madzayo resumed his seat)]
The Senate Majority Leader, please proceed.
I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this chance. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 21 of 2025) be now read a Second Time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is rather embarrassing because today is the 6th of May,
Sen. Eddy, you may proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is indeed an honour to second this Bill as moved by the Majority Leader, Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot. In the same spirit, I urge the House to pass this Bill as has been tabled in this House, without amendments, for the reason that this is a Bill that needs to be fast tracked. Even as we do that, I add my voice to the concerns that the Majority Leader has raised about this particular…
Executive. What is happening is not right. To start with, we all know that the Equalisation Fund has a sunset clause, meaning that by 2030, this Fund should no longer exist within the context of our Constitution. However, if you look at the way the Fund has been treated in the last seven years or so of devolution, it has not achieved its purpose. I agree with the Majority Leader that we do not ev…
reason we are passing this Appropriations Bill is that in the last two instances, the Fund has had two appropriation Acts. The first Act was Act No.3 of 2018, which provided an allocation of about Kshs12.4 billion. That allocation was meant to serve the Financial Year 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016 and 2018. Then we had the next Appropriation Act, which was Act No.7 of 2023. It further allocated a…
I do not want to say much more than I have said. I know some of my colleagues here would want to contribute on this issue. However, after we pass this Equilisation Fund Appropriation Bill today or this week, we must retreat and find a strategy to ensure it is honoured. All the other arrears of about Kshs62 billion to this Fund that the National Treasury has not honoured must honour them, so we can…
The Floor is now open for debate. However, before we proceed let us hear the Senate Majority Leader.
[(Interruption of debate on the Bill)]