Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Senators debated amendments to the Conflict of Interest Bill, questioning whether new provisions should be added or existing legislation like the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act should be amended. The discussion featured procedural frustrations over lack of quorum and strong objections rooted in cultural and constitutional concerns about asset declaration requirements. Several members called for a two‑thirds majority to reject the proposed referrals. Senators debated the definition of “relative” in the ethics bill, focusing on the term “affinity” which they argue is ambiguous and threatens freedom of association. They warned it could be weaponised for political persecution and called for the term to be removed or clarified, also raising concerns about the undeclared assets provisions. The discussion highlighted the need for clearer legislation to avoid abuse. The Senate opened with Sen. Haji’s laudatory remarks celebrating Faith Kipyegon’s and Beatrice Chebet’s record‑breaking runs, highlighting national pride and inspiration for youth. The session then shifted to procedural business, where Senators debated amendments to a Bill—particularly the definitions of “family,” “affinity,” and the role of the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission—raising concerns about legal clarity and freedom of association.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Order, hon. Senators. We now have quorum. We will proceed with the day’s business. Clerk, kindly, proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Hon. Senators, pursuant to Standing Order No.232 (1) (b) , I hereby present a Petition that has been submitted through the Clerk by Mr. Tom Mboya Ochieng’ concerning forced disappearances of young fishermen. As you are aware, under Article 119 (1) of the Constitution- “ (1) Every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including to enact, amend or re…
The salient issues raised in the said Petition are as follows-
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate today, 9th July, 2025-
The Chairperson Standing Committee on Health, proceed.
Let me do it on behalf of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health.
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, proceed.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 9th July, 2025- Report of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism on its consideration of the Startup Bill (Senate Bills No.14 of 2022) . Thank you.
[(Sen. Okenyuri laid the document on the Table)]
The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, proceed.
The Report on the Petition concerning the failure by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) , Kaplan and Stratton Advocates and Harrison Kinyanjui---
Sen. Murgor, when you are laying a Paper on the Table, you need to be at the Dispatch Box.
[(Sen. Murgor walked to the Dispatch Box)]
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 9th July, 2025- I beg to lay.
What exactly are you laying, Sen. Murgor?
The Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on its consideration of the Sports (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.45 of 2024) .
Sen. Catherine Mumma, proceed. That is dropped.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a Petition to the Senate by Mr. Lawrence Ndutu on behalf of 125 other former employees of Kenya Breweries Limited concerning failure by the Kenya Breweries Limited, Kaplan & Stratton Advocates and Harrison Kinyanjui Advocates to pay compensati…
Sen. Richard Onyonka, proceed. This business is dropped.
countries and progressively decentralize voter registration and polling services from embassies to community-accessible venues to facilitate wider participation; 2) IEBC rolls out civic education and voter sensitization campaigns within diaspora communities through digital and local engagement platforms; 3) IEBC to operationalise the additional polling stations in time before the next general el…
police reporting desks thereby affecting public trust and accountability on what happens to persons in police custody; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the National Government, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration:
Statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , Senator for Kitui County, the Hon. Enoch Wambua, proceed.
I thank you, 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 county-wide concern regarding the welfare of teachers serving in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and other hard-to-serve areas in Kitui County. Kitui County is predominantly an arid region. However, a significant number of teachers in the county d…
Senator for Samburu County, the Hon. (Dr.) Lelegwe, proceed. The Statement is dropped.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industrialisation on a matter of national concern regarding the move by the Government to grant the Business Bay Square Mall in Eastleigh approval to import 500,000 metric tonnes of rice into the country. This development has raised con…
Senator for Kisumu County, the Hon. (Prof) Tom Ojienda.
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 countywide concern
regarding the demolitions that are being carried out in Korando-Tiengre and other parts of Kisumu County allegedly to pave way for road expansion. In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-
In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-
Proceeed, Senator Eddy, for and on behalf of Sen. Sifuna.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you. I rise to request for a Statement on behalf of the Senator for Nairobi, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, which is a request for statement, on lack of electricity access in parts of Nairobi City County. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Energy on a matter of countywide concern regarding the continued lack of access to el…
Sen. Haji, you have the Floor.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a statement on a matter of general topical concern namely, the outstanding performance by Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet at the Eugene Diamond League, 2025
Prefontaine Classic held on 5th July, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America (USA).
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, hon. Senators. May Sen. Haji be heard in silence? Proceed, Sen. Haji.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Faith Kipyegon’s victory in athletics is rooted in humility and determination. Born on 10th January, 1994 as the eighth of nine children to a modest family in Bomet County, she ran barefoot to school and began athletics at the age of 14, after excelling in a Physical Education (PE) race, even before owning her first spikes. Her early triumphs include; edging out older…
[(Sen. Cherarkey consulted loudly)]
This breathtaking feat reaffirms her dominance and relentless pursuit of excellence in middle distance running. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it comes just nine days after she narrowly missed becoming the first woman in history to run a mile in under four minutes, a feat she has long pursued and which remains within her grasps, but she still managed to achieve to run the…
Hon. Senators, we will comeback to this Order for purposes of getting comments from Hon. Senators. For now, pursuant to Standing Order No.45 (2) , allow me, for the convenience of the House, to rearrange today’s Order Paper. We will now move to Order Nos. 8, 9 and 10, then we come back for comments. Clerk, you may proceed to call those Orders.
Let us move on to the next Order.
Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole on the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) has lacked quorum to proceed with business.
[(Sen. Cheruiyot spoke off record)]
Senate Majority Leader, the quorum bell rang for a period of 10 minutes and unfortunately, we were unable to raise quorum. Ten minutes have since lapsed and the Chairperson--- Order, the Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Cherarkey and Sen. Cheruiyot, take your seats.
[(Several Senators spoke off record)]
Hon. Senators, having failed to attain quorum at the expiry of 10 minutes in the Committee, the Senate stands adjourned pursuant to Standing Order No.41 (2) (b) until tomorrow, Thursday, 10th July, 2025 at 2.30