Senate · Morning Sitting
Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Senator Cheruiyot criticised chronic bottlenecks at the Malaba and Busia border posts, highlighting malfunctioning scanners, excessive paperwork and safety hazards that impede intra‑EAC trade. He urged relevant agencies—including KRA, KeNHA and the Ministry of Transport—to adopt a 90‑day rapid plan and leverage technology to achieve true regional integration. The speech combined sharp criticism with constructive calls for reform and coordination among East African parliaments. Senators highlighted serious shortcomings at Kenya’s border posts in Busia, Malaba and Mandera, citing inadequate infrastructure, loss of revenue, and rampant human trafficking and child labour. They contrasted these failures with the efficient One‑Stop Border Post at Namanga, urging the adoption of similar ICT‑based solutions, better equipment and coordinated action among ministries. Calls were made for formal border points, joint committee meetings and stronger regional integration mechanisms. Senator Cheruiyot moved a motion drawing attention to chronic congestion, inadequate infrastructure and stalled projects at the Busia and Malaba border posts, stressing their impact on trade, revenue and regional integration. He called for urgent, coordinated interventions to modernise facilities, streamline customs procedures and harmonise policies, urging fellow senators to share experiences and support faster clearance for truck drivers and the public. The debate combined criticism of current shortcomings with constructive appeals for reform.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly stop the Bell. We have quorum and we will proceed with the business of the day. Clerk, kindly proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT AWARE that the existing policy frameworks, including the East Africa Community (EAC) Customs Management Act, the EAC Common Market Protocol, and Kenya's National Trade Policy, advocate for the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures and the elimination of non-tariff barriers; NOTING that the Busia and Malaba bord…
and other EAC Partner States thus the efficient operation of border posts is critical for national revenue collection, trade facilitation, and the economic well-being of the public and more so residents of Busia; FURTHER NOTING that various challenges continue to impede operations at these borders, particularly at Malaba border, such as severe congestion, inadequate human resource, inadequate inf…
Hon. Senators, having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of sitting pursuant to Standing Order No. 34 (2A) , the Senate stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 8th October, 2025, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 1.15 p.m.