Wednesday, 25th March, 2026 Morning Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.

Serjeant-at-Arms, can you ring the Quorum Bell for further attendance?

We do have quorum now. Sen. Mumma, kindly take your seat.

Clerk, call the first Order, please.

Hon. Senators, we have one Question that needs to be responded to. We had expected two Cabinet Secretaries this morning to respond to Question No. 009, directed to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs, Creative

Economy and Sports and Question No.010 directed to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

However, I have just received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs that he is held up in a presidential function. Therefore, he will not be in a position to be with us this morning. That leaves us with only one; that is, Question No.009 by the Senator for Kisumu County, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC. This Question is directed to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

Clerk, could you confirm whether the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports is present so that we start our business this morning?

[The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports (Hon. Salim Mvurya) was ushered into the Chamber] Hon. Cabinet Secretary, welcome back to the Senate. You are before us for purposes of responding to Question No.009 by the Senator for Kisumu County, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC. I request Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda to proceed and ask the Question.

Question No.009

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, Senior Counsel, the Senator for Kisumu County, I beg to ask the following Question to the Cabinet Secretary, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports:-

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports (Hon. Salim Mvurya): Thank you very much, Rt. Hon. Speaker, and Members of the Senate. I am happy to be back here in the Senate for this engagement and the opportunity.

The Ministry has continued to actively support sports development initiatives in Kisumu County through infrastructure improvement, talent identification and youth empowerment programmes. Key among them is the rehabilitation and upgrading of major facilities such as Moi Stadium and Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground to enhance their capacity to host major national events.

The Ministry has also supported grassroots tournaments through capacity building for coaches and technical officials and strengthened collaboration with the county government and sports federations to promote inclusive participation and position Kisumu as a regional hub for sports development.

On the specific issues, the Talanta Hela Football Tournament, which is a flagship project of the Ministry, was organised through Kenya Academy of Sports in collaboration with county governments. The tournament was conducted in 12 regions across the country between August and December, 2023.

The Nyanza North region comprised three counties namely; Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay. Kisumu County, both boys’ and girls’ teams, emerged top in both categories and proceeded to the national finals. At the nationals played at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kisumu boys’ team was positioned second and received a cash award of Kshs3 million. Mr. Speaker, I have provided a table and the awards that were given for several counties including Kisumu.

The girls’ team was also positioned second and were given a cash award of Kshs3 million. I have provided details there.

Item number two on the criteria, the Ministry, through Kenya Academy of Sports has trained a significant number of athletes and sports technical personnel across various counties in Kenya from 2023 to 2025. The identification of technical personnel and athletes for training and development programmes is undertaken through structured school sports systems coordinated in collaboration with the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) and the Kenya Primary and Junior Schools Sports Association (KP&JSSA) and in effect also in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Technical personnel including coaches are nominated through these associations based on their active involvement in school sports programmes and their role in nurturing emerging talent at the grassroots level. Athletes are identified primarily during the national and regional competitions organised by the KSSSA and the KP&JSSA which serve as key platforms for talent identification.

During these competitions, the Kenya Academy of Sports deploys technical scouts nominated by national sports federations to observe and identify promising athletes across various disciplines. Athletes identified through this process are subsequently enrolled in structured training and development programmes implemented by the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) where they receive specialised coaching mentorship and capacity building support aimed at nurturing their potential and preparing them for higher levels of competition.

This framework ensures that talent identification and development is conducted in a transparent merit-based manner while strengthening the national sports talent pipeline.

It is important to clarify that the governance of sports clubs in Kenya falls under the jurisdiction of national sports federations and their corresponding international federations. These bodies set the rules standards and regulatory frameworks for club operations.

The Ministry's role is supervisory and policy oriented rather than direct management of clubs. Below are the tables showing the number of athletes and sports technical personnel trained by KAS for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have a long elaborate list of the participants and their counties for years 2023, 2024 and 2025. If you allow me, I will then allow members to go through it but it includes Kisumu and all the other counties for the three years 2023, 2024 and also

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I submit.

Sen. Syengo, do you have any supplementary questions?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to find out from the Cabinet Secretary the system used to identify talent in different counties because there are so many talented youths in different counties and the criteria used is not very clear. The Cabinet Secretary should clarify to this House how the identification is done and the communication.

Proceed, Sen. Mbugua.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Mr. Cabinet Secretary, in recent weeks, we have heard conflicting reports about the preparedness of the country to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) , 2027. I ask you to take this opportunity to inform the House how the country is prepared to host the games.

Proceed, Sen. Daniel Maanzo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Honourable Cabinet Secretary, the last time you were in this House, I saw in your data that you had given Makueni 28 points. I would like to know, now that you have reduced the capacity of Makueni from 15,000 to 5,000, what has happened in the last one year. There is no progress at all on the ground in the preparation of Makueni Stadium.

Sen. Mundigi.

Asante, Bwana Spika. Swali langu kwa Waziri ni hili: Ni criteria gani kilitumika kuchagua Kisumu kuwa na michezo hiyo yote? Je, criteria hicho kinaweza kutumika kwa kaunti zote arobaini na saba ili Embu iweze kunufaika pia? Mlitumia criteria gani kuchagua Kisumu?

Sen. Faki.

Asante, Mheshimiwa Spika. Ningependa kumjulisha mheshimiwa Mundigi kuwa criteria kwa Kiswahili ni mfumo.

My question is with regard to the Sports Fund. What is the criteria for disbursement of funds to sports federations? Major sporting activities like football, rugby and volleyball receive funds immediately without delays. However, other sports federations, such as the Deaf Sports Federation, Tong-IL Moo-Do and Karate, are struggling to get funds from the Sports Fund.

Sen. David Wakoli.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would like to ask the Cabinet Secretary about the status of our sports facilities. We have the Kakamega Stadium, the Masinde Muliro Stadium, the Talent Academy in Bokoli and the Nalondo Talent Academy. Will you kindly clarify when we are likely to conclude the construction of these facilities and hand them over to the great counties of Kakamega and Bungoma?

Sen. Catherine Mumma. Yes, your microphone is on, Senator.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity. Welcome, Cabinet Secretary. In the past few years, there have been scandals involving sexual harassment of athletes by team managers and coaches in some federations. What has the Ministry done to ensure that young athletes who travel abroad for competitions are not sexually harassed by those entrusted to accompany them?

Sen. Jackson Mandago.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would like to ask the Cabinet Secretary what plans they have to establish talent academies in Uasin Gishu County. How is it that Uasin Gishu County and Nandi County, the home, city and source of champions, have only one talent academy in Elgeyo Marakwet County? We cannot continue flying the national flag while the Government is not investing in sports locally, yet reaping where it has not sown. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing about this?

Finally, sexual harassment is not limited to men. There are also women who harass young men in the camps. We should address all genders involved in this matter. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to ensure we have enough technically trained staff, both male and female, so that young sportsmen and women in this country can benefit without harassment?

Sen. Fatuma Dullo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Waziri, karibu. I am going to ask the obvious question about Isiolo Stadium. We visited that stadium with you and the Principal Secretary. The Government has taken over. Apparently, there is a case in court between the previous contractor and the incoming contractor. The amount of money required is little. Meanwhile, our youths are really suffering. What plans does the Government have to unlock the current situation and ensure that the work continues?

Sen. Miraj Abdullahi.

Asante, Bwana Spika, kwa fursa hii. Nampongeza Waziri wa Masuala ya Vijana, Uchumi wa Ubunifu na Michezo kwa kiwanja cha mpira tulichokiona Kwale. Tumeona maafisa wamekuja Mombasa kuashiria kabumbu iendelee kuchezwa. Swali langu ni, kuna miradi mikubwa ya Serikali itakayofanywa kwa kaunti yetu ya Mombasa? Kuna viwanja vinne vya kabumbu ambavyo vitaathirika na miradi ile. Je, kuna mikakati gani kuona kwamba watoto wetu watapata mbinu mbadala kuendeleza talanta zao licha ya kuwa tunakaribisha maendeleo maeneo ya Likoni?

Pili, ukiniruhusu Bwana Spika---

La hasha, Sen. Miraj. Kanuni za Kudumu za Bunge letu zinakuruhusu kuuliza swali moja tu. Asante.

Proceed, Sen. Mungatana.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to ask this question. The Cabinet Secretary told this House, in response to the question before him, that there is a system used to identify personnel for training and also athletes. He gave us a table, county by county, from the year 2023 to 2025.

If you look at that table in response to that question, you will find that in 2023, there were 3,133 personnel trained. From the Cabinet Secretary’s answer, Tana River County did not get any opportunity. It is zero out of 3,133. In 2024, the total number trained was 2,480. Tana River County only got five.

The question raised by Sen. Syengo must be asked again. I am asking on behalf of Tana River County. How can it be, Waziri, that the system used to identify people for training selects 3,133 in 2023, yet none from Tana River County? How can it select 2,480 in 2024, yet only five from Tana River County?

What system is this that discriminates against other counties? Other counties also received only one. Is it that the personnel used are biased or is the system flawed? In fact,

we want the Cabinet Secretary to tell us why he is discriminating against Tana River County in identifying people to train and why this system is unfair against some counties and only some counties are benefiting?

Asante, Bw. Spika, ile stadium yetu ya kaunti ambayo Serikali na Wizara imerekebisha imekuwa sawa na ni ya kimataifa. Kwa hivyo, ninatoa shukrani kwa Waziri na Wizara yake. Pia, ninapongeza Wizara yake kwa sababu---

Sen. Issa Boy, swali lako ni lipi haswa?

Swali langu nikumpongeza kwa sababu stadium yetu ya Kwale Kaunti iko sawa na tunaendelea kushukuru Wizara.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. In the response of the Cabinet Secretary, he talked about instructions from the President that they were told to renovate a stadium using Kshs800 million. I want the Cabinet Secretary to tell this House whether that money was budgeted for? If yes, which year was it budgeted for?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to know, from the Cabinet Secretary, what plans are there for West Pokot. This is because we do not have Talanta Centre nor a stadium that people are talking about. So, what plans are there for the young people in West Pokot?

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Sen. Madzayo, huyu ni Waziri wa Serikali. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Ningependa kumwuliza, je, kuna mpangilio gani ambao Serikali imeweza kuweka katika hali ya kabambe kuona kwamba Kilifi, Malindi na Mtwapa zimepata stadium kama vile Kwale? Hii ni kwa sababu hizi ndizo towns kubwa? Sasa Kwale imepata na Kilifi ilikuwa mbele kwa mambo ya kandanda na kila kitu. Vile vile, kule Kitui, stadium ilijengwa kwa wiki mbili. Ni lini Kilifi itapata kiwanja cha kukuza talanta za watoto ili wafaidike ilhali wewe mjomba uko pale?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to, first, appreciate the hon. Cabinet Secretary for the report that he has given, especially in the data representation per county. Although Sen. Mungatana has complained, I am not complaining. However, I have a very special case which I want to ask what action you have taken.

In last year's East African Competition, there was a young grade eight student from Bomet County. Her name is Sheila Chelangat from Sotik Sub-County. She performed exemplary well and won in the East African competition in high jump, surpassing the national height attained of 1.59. She actually did 1.62. However, as of now, this girl has not been taken into any training institution. That is a matter of fact and I am aware of it. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, what plans would you have for such exemplary young, talented Kenyans to take such persons to the next level?

I am asking this because I know you are aware that we do not have any stadium in Bomet County. There are two presidential directives against two available stadiums, Bomet IAAF Stadium and Sotik Sports Stadium. I am happy to see the CEO of Sports Kenya, my good friend, Kilimo, in the House. He, definitely, could be having an answer

to that. What plans do you have for this girl as well as for the two stadiums, Bomet IAAF as well as Sotik Sports Stadium?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and thank you Cabinet Secretary for showing up.

My question is specific to your coordination with the Ministry of Land, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development especially in areas that have been earmarked for upgrading of modern markets as well as Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets in areas that were previously being used in those townships for sporting facilities.

Is there an agreement between you and the relevant Ministry on relocation of playgrounds for kids in those places? A case in point is in Sori Market in Nyatike where there is earmarked space for building a modern market. The place that has been earmarked for modern market buildings is where the community uses for sports. So, is there an agreement specifically for Sori to relocate that land and build a stadium for them somewhere else or is it that once the market is built, then the field is lost? Is that also dissimilar to other places where ESP markets are built across the country?

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Swali langu kwa Waziri ni hili. Nyahururu iko katika maeneo yaliyo juu na ni mahali pazuri sana pa mazoezi kwa wanariadha ambao wamekuwa wakija kufanya mazoezi. Ni mfumo upi ambao wanatumia kujenga stadium haswa za wanariadha? Kwa miaka na miaka, Nyahururu imekuwa ikitumiwa kama mahali pa mazoezi. Kwa nini hakuna uga wa michezo wa wanariadha Nyahururu?

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My question stems from the training of the licensed sport technical personnel by the Kenya Academy of Sports.

According to the response by the Cabinet Secretary, I see serious disparities in the identification and training of these personnel. I will just give an example. In 2023, Kakamega got 330 slots. In 2024, that county got 220 slots. In 2025, they got 233 slots. In 2023, in Kitui, we got 38 slots. In 2024, zero. In 2025, 58 slots.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, could the Cabinet Secretary tell us what informed the decisions on who, from which county, should be trained by the Kenya Academy of Sports and why there are huge disparities in the training opportunities?

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Wamatinga, you may proceed.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me an opportunity to ask a question to the Hon. Cabinet Secretary. We have Federation football and we have local clubs that have organised themselves using their own dynamics to participate in regional leagues, some of them even over regional or county leagues. There is a requirement that they have to pay a certain amount of money, which leaves us, as the leaders, to pay for them. Does your Ministry intend to support these young clubs alongside the Hustler Fund, so that they do not burden the local leadership or they do not fall out because they are required to pay Kshs25,000?

I thank you.

Sen. Cherarkey, you have the Floor.

Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to ask the following questions about the stadia knowing that Nandi and the North Rift regions are sources of champions. I would like the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Salim Mvurya, to clarify the status of the following stadia: Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, 64 Stadium in Uasin Gishu County, Kipchoge-Keino Stadium in Kapsabet, and the repair work on Kiprugut-Chumo Stadium in Kericho County, as all projects are either slow or have stalled.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I yield back.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and Members of the Senate. We have quite a number of issues that have been raised on the Floor. I will respond to all of them very briefly and where details are required, I will also provide them.

The first question on the system to identify talents and communication has been raised by Sen Beth Syengo. First of all, let me emphasise the fact that the Kenya Academy of Sports does not work in isolation. It works in conjunction with other institutions.

In this matter of talent identification, the Kenya Academy of Sports works with schools and also school associations. So, the list we have provided for the athletes are school-based that are identified through the school competitions and the numbers would not be the same. However, we have done affirmative action.

After this identification, we also do camps and for some of the counties that are low in the numbers, we will apply affirmative action from April, this holiday which is coming up. We have a process that we will use to identify and train the talented athletes and also personnel who are identified through the school system from April.

In some of the areas where we have low numbers, we will apply affirmative action from April. We have actually identified this as one of the challenges that we need to bring on board all other counties that are very low in talent uptake. This might also be because of the history of talent development where most of the counties previously did not have the requisite infrastructure.

So, we are addressing some of these issues through affirmative action and from April this year, we will do other activities to make sure that we pick more from the counties that are rating very low.

On question number two about Africa Cup of Nations, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, last year hosted a very successful Pamoja Chan which brought a lot of excitement to our country. Next year, 2027, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will still host the Africa Cup of Nations. I also want to assure you, and the country, that as a Ministry, we are also working very closely to ensure that we meet our financial and infrastructural compliance obligations.

Proceed, Waziri. Proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

So, on matters of Africa Cup of Nations, just to be very clear, the facilities that will be used for this tournament are Talanta International Stadium, which is Raila Odinga International Stadium, which is on course. It is almost complete and also Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The Nyayo National Stadium, and Ulinzi Police SACCO will be the training grounds and the training grounds around Kasarani.

I want to assure you that in terms of infrastructure, we will make sure that we meet the compliance obligations. We have already invited CAF. They were here in February to make an assessment and all the issues that they have identified will be addressed.

On the matter of the hosting fee, Kenya is supposed to pay Kshs3.9 billion. We are already working with the National Treasury and the requisite committee in Parliament to make sure that we comply with the financial obligations. So, I want to assure Kenyans and this House that the government is working around the clock to make sure that we meet our obligations.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the matters of Wote Stadium, I was here and I assured members that in Wote, we will be able to do a 15,000-seater capacity green field new stadium. The update now is that the Governor and the current government have identified a new site, which has now been assessed by Sports Kenya and we are now working on the other technical aspects before we make the advertisement. The original site of 5,000 is ongoing. We have paid for a certificate so that the contractor can complete the usability of this original stadium.

Number four, with regard to the question from the hon. Senator from Embu County, I want to update this House that there is a stadium in Embu. However, we have gone ahead to do the changing rooms, which is now complete. I know we also have a request for Njukiri, which we are working on.

Question number five is on matters of financing the Olympics team. I want to assure this House that last year, we supported the Olympics team to travel to Tokyo and we are happy that they won, they got medals. Right now, what is pending is to transfer Kshs56 million to those who won.

On matters Tong-IL Moo-Do, they had not been allowed to participate in any competition previously since 2022, but we successfully negotiated with the International Federation. Last year, December, we were able to finance the Federation to carry out the martial arts competition, which was done in Mombasa and it was fully financed by the Ministry.

I am aware that there are also issues that this Federation has raised, which we are dealing with the leadership. However, I want to assure this House that for all federations representing the different sports disciplines, they normally present their budgets, which then we review together and agree what is funded by the government and what is going to be funded by the private sector. As a matter of policy direction, we have directed all sports federations not to rely only on funding from government. They need to engage the private sector much more, so that we can commercialise sports.

We have begun this process in earnest with the Football Federation, the Safari Rally and many other federations that we have advised to focus more on raising funds and managing these activities through the private sector. However, the Government will

still continue to support them. However, we encourage as much as possible that the private sector comes in to finance most of the sports activities.

The other question relates to facilities in Kakamega. In Kakamega, we have Bukhungu Stadium, which is very historic. I am aware that, previously, Bukhungu Stadium had a different design. However, we engaged the county government and agreed to review the design, which we agreed successfully. Right now, the contractor is on the ground. In fact, last week, we paid a certificate. Maybe what we need to emphasise, especially for the leaders from there, is to see how some of the pending bills that were incurred before can also be paid because we agreed on a mechanism between the national Government and county government and we are on schedule.

On matters of the talent academies in that region, some of them are behind schedule and the contractors have already been issued with notices. In some of them, we have cancelled and some of them, we have advised they hasten, so we are on top of the game to make sure that we complete the academies in Kakamega.

On matters of Masinde Muliro, which is also a 10,000-seater, we have completed our part of the work. In fact, the contractor completed the roofing. However, there are emerging works which have come forward, for example, the pitch and also re-organising the changing rooms. They have been assessed now and anytime we should be able to deploy a contractor to do these works, which were not part of the original contract that we had.

The question by hon. Catherine Mumma is on matters of gender harassment. I want to assure this House that this is a challenge which is very alive. As a Ministry, we have set up a gender protection implementation committee, which is run by a CEO and steering board members. The aim and the mandate of this committee is to investigate, research on these issues and ensure that appropriate action is taken. What this committee has done just lately is to do sensitisation in most of the counties, so that then people who have this challenge know how to report, and enforcement is undertaken.

Question No.8 on Uasin Gishu, first of all, I want to assure the Hon. Senator of Uasin Gishu that the Kipchoge Keino Stadium is now on schedule. The contractor is on the ground and this time round, we will complete that stadium. Alongside that, we have academies in Nandi, which is Aldai Constituency. We also have academies in Turbo and we continue to monitor their implementation.

In Isiolo, Hon. Speaker and Members, yes, we had a small challenge with some court petitions, but that petition has now been resolved and the contractor is back on the ground. So, Isiolo stadium will continue.

Question No.10 by Sen. Miraj on Mombasa, first of all, I want to say that we are working very closely with the County Government of Mombasa and we have identified Likoni as one of the areas that we will be doing a community ground and the county government will equally do others. On a larger scale, we have agreed to resolve the outstanding issues of Mombasa stadium. Right now, we are on schedule to deploy a contractor through the Ministry of Defence to make sure that the stadium in Mombasa can be completed and that process is with us.

I think the other issue from Kwale was a compliment. I also want to say that that facility had been started by the county government and then completed during Mashujaa

Day. We embarked on making sure that it complies with sports standards. So we have completed the pitch and other auxiliary works. We should be handing over this for the county government to continue.

Sen. Chute had wanted to know the budget of Marsabit. In Marsabit, we are actually doing the facility in conjunction with the county government. There were a few issues of infrastructural integrity, which we resolved and the contractor is also on schedule to complete the remaining works. This facility is being funded through the Sports Fund.

What is your issue, Sen. Chute? I thought Waziri is responding to your question. What was your question again?

Hon. Speaker, I did not ask anything about Marsabit, maybe he got confused. I asked about the Kshs800 million he talked about. He said the President instructed them to invest Kshs800 million in a stadium in Kisumu. I asked him whether it was budgeted for. If yes, that budget was which year's budget? That was my question.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Okay, thank you very much, Hon. Senator. I also thought it was important for you to know what was happening at home before we can respond nationally. So, what I want to say is that for some of these facilities, some of the budget is in the Ministry of Defence and most of it, we do through the Sports Fund. That is the mechanism we use for most of these facilities. Otherwise, if you look at our budget, we have very little allocation for development. So, we normally deploy the Sports Fund to use in implementation of these facilities. I hope this now has responded to your question, but largely, you have also benefited from the information at home.

In West Pokot County, yes, we have a project there. We have a community ground in Kapenguria and Kacheliba. We should be deploying a contractor to work in that area.

I would like to move on to the question from Sen. Madzayo about Kilifi. Initially, we had agreed with the County Government to construct this stadium in Kilifi Town, where we have the ground called Uwanja wa Water. However, when we reassessed, we asked the Governor to see whether they can get a new area. I am happy to report that they have identified a good ground, where we will do the 10,000-seater stadium for Kilifi County. We should be able to deploy the contractor in the next few weeks.

The Senator from Bomet County has raised a question on a specific athlete, who is very good in high jump. Normally, we train these athletes through the holiday camps, where she is listed for the next camp in April, 2025. However, I also want to assure the Senator and the House that we will also move ahead to recognise this talent. We will take this as a very special case to ensure that we inspire talent development.

Just for information that may not have come to the question, in Bomet County, we have a 10,000-seater stadium, which has now been advertised and the advertisement process has been completed. Consequently, a contractor will be deployed to do a 10,000- seater.

On the other question with regard to collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, we collaborate, but it is not straightforward, because not all sites are converted into sports interest. Therefore, on

areas where a relocation has been identified, the Ministry could still relocate it through their own financing without necessarily involving us through the budget process. So, we participate as a technical eye, where they have identified to do a sports facility, but it is not straightforward.

It happens in one area and does not in another. However, in a general sense, all areas of housing should also have amenities for sports. Therefore, we have a collaboration in that respect.

There is an issue in Nyahururu---

What is your issue? You need clarification from the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, my question was specific. It is not about collaboration between the Ministry in terms of identifying sporting facilities as amenities where the affordable housing project is being done. Rather, I am talking about specific cases where the Ministry in charge of housing has identified a space to build modern markets, while previously, those spaces were being used for sporting facilities for those communities, and they are being converted into markets. Do you agree with them that even if they convert those places into markets, they should be able to give alternative place for developing a facility for kids to play? Do you participate in that kind of development? It is specific to places that have been converted.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is why I said, for those specific cases, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports comes in as a technical institution to ensure that the standards of sports are met. If it is at a location, normally, the responsibility of providing budget is also discussed with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development. Otherwise, we come in as a technical eye on matters sports under those circumstances.

As I said, it is not all the time that this relocation happens and therefore, it goes from site to site where we have collaborated. We have done this collaboration in many areas. I am sure we will follow up this case in Migori to ensure that the standards of sports are also maintained.

Then there was an issue in Nyahururu, where in Laikipia, we are doing Nanyuki 10,000-seater stadium, which will have tracks to make sure that we have the high-altitude training facilities for athletics, as well as for other disciplines.

So, I would like to assure the hon. Senator and the House that this facility in Nanyuki will also have those areas for training. It will have tartan tracks for high altitude training.

With regards to the issue that has been raised on the disparity on training of athletes and personnel, I had responded to say that we are also working on an affirmative action for those who have had low numbers in the last two years, so that we can bring them to speed.

Just a minute, Waziri. What is your point of order, Sen. Madzayo?

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Mheshimiwa Spika wa Muda, ningependa Waziri afafanue zaidi. Amesema kwamba wametambua kiwanja mahali fulani, ambacho kinaweza kujengewa stadium katika Kilifi County. Ningependa afafanue zaidi. Je, kiwanja hicho kiko wapi? Tunajua kwamba Kilifi iko na sehemu ambazo ziko na watu na watu ndio wanaojaza stadium wakienda kuangalia michezo. Tunataka kujua hicho kiwanja kiko Mariakani, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Malindi ama kiko wapi haswa katika towns zilizomo katika Kilifi County?

Can we give the Cabinet Secretary an opportunity to respond?

He did not get your question. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Bw. Spika wa Muda, mimi ndio bado nimesimama. Sijui kwa nini unaongea na--- Sijui kama macho yako yamepata kengeza.

Kiongozi, nilidhani ulikuwa ushamaliza.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Nilikuwa bado sijamaliza. Waziri

kiko wapi. Tunajua katika stadiums, normally huwa ziko kwa sehemu ambazo zina wananchi ili---

Sawa kiongozi, swali lako lishaeleweka.

Sijui kama Waziri ameweza kunijibu.

Waziri, pia kuna swali la Sen. Cherarkey; amesema hajajibiwa.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet Secretary should be honest before the House. There is no ongoing work in Kamariny. I do not know when last he went there.

Number two, Kiprugut Stadium in Kericho was opened. He needs to be specific on what they are doing there now. Are they doing the canopy? Also, there is no contractor in Kiprugut Stadium.

Finally, in Nandi, the military just came and scooped some soil, then disappeared. I come from Nandi. Can he be honest? If the contractor is not there, he should give us a timeline of when he will come. My people are watching and over the weekend, they will blame me for what is happening on the ground. Vitu kwa ground ni different.

What is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when Sen. Cherarkey speaks, we listen. Twice he has said that the Cabinet Secretary needs to be honest. Is it to say that the Cabinet Secretary has been dishonest in all the responses that he has given us? What exactly is the Senator for Nandi saying?

Proceed, Sen. Miraj.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, nilimwuliza Waziri kuhusu viwanja ambavyo vinaenda kuathirika na mradi wa Serikali wa Likoni Gateway Bridge. Viwanja hivi ni Peleleza, Vimbwanga, Viksula na Maasin. Katika jawabu lake, amenijibu kuhusu ushirikiano wake na Gatuzi la Mombasa kuhusu ile stadium ambayo iko tayari.

Swali nililomwuliza lilikuwa ni: Je, kuna mbinu gani mbadala ya kuona kwamba hatutapoteza zile talent ambazo zilikuwa zinatumia viwanja vile kwa sababu ule mradi tunautaka, utasaidia Pwani kwa jumla?

Shukran.

Thank you. Sen. Cherarkey, I do agree with Sen. Wambua that it is out of order for you to assume that the Cabinet Secretary is answering questions dishonestly. I accept your question, but I want you to withdraw the fact that the Cabinet Secretary is being dishonest, so that he can respond to your question. Please, withdraw and apologise.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it would have been bad if I had used the word “lying.” I said he is not being honest.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, can you protect me from the Minority Leader who is heckling?

Senate Minority Leader---

Why is he heckling?

Sen. Cherarkey, you are assuming that he is not being honest.

I am not assuming. It is a fact, unless he can prove there is a contractor on site. We can even go with him to confirm. Do you want me to lie before the House and say that there is a contractor on site?

Sen. Cherarkey, when the Cabinet Secretary is responding to your questions, he is answering to the best of his knowledge. He will answer your question, but withdraw and apologise the fact that he is not being honest.

I am trying not to use unparliamentary language. It would have been unparliamentary if I had said that the Cabinet Secretary is lying.

You should not even say the Cabinet Secretary---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, he should tell us the facts. I am not challenging your ruling.

Sen. Cherarkey, withdraw and apologise, so that your question can be answered.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I need to be taught---

You have asked a question which you need a response to and the people of Nandi County are watching you. It is wrong for you to cast aspersions against the Cabinet Secretary in his response. His response is as far as the Ministry is concerned. He will respond to your question, but to tell the House and the people of Nandi that the Cabinet Secretary is not being honest is wrong. That is why I am asking that you withdraw and apologise, so that he can respond to your question.

Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I did not use unparliamentary language. It would be different if I had said that the Cabinet Secretary is lying. My statement is that he is misleading the House, which is a fact.

Can the Cabinet Secretary now tell us his facts because I know, for sure, what he is saying is not what is on the ground?

Which part? Do I withdraw my question?

Withdraw that he is not being honest.

Can I replace the word with “he is misleading the House”? Is that better?

Withdraw and replace.

I withdraw and replace that he is misleading the House.

Very well. What is your point of order, Senator?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is concerning the way he answered my question. I had asked about Nyahururu Stadium, which I am aware of and yet, he is directing me to a different area.

So, he is not being---

Thank you. Cabinet Secretary, please, try to respond to the questions asked by the Senators.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

I also take the opportunity to give more information to Senators even when they have left it in the question. On Nyahururu Stadium, we have the contractor who will be reporting to the site soon. We have concluded the process. That is the update I have.

On Nandi where a lot of vocabulary has been used, on 7th March, 2026, the China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya (CRBC) were handed over the site in Nandi. They have begun work to relocate power lines and put the site into good, in terms of construction. That is what is happening.

If you have a photo, I also have photos and people who have been on the ground. I confirm that since 7th March, they have been relocating power lines in preparation for the real work of doing the Stadium.

In Kilifi---

Sen. Cherarkey, let us hear the response.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: CRBC on the 7th March.

I have mentioned the contractor; it is part of the details---

Order, Senators. You cannot engage the Cabinet Secretary while he is responding. Can we allow the Cabinet Secretary to respond in silence?

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Proceed, Sen. Boni Khalwale.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 227 of the Constitution stipulates that procurement of public goods and services must be done in a fair manner, a manner which is equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. Could the Cabinet Secretary explain to the House that China Road and Bridge Coroporation appears to have been given several stadiums in this country, including Talanta Hela Stadium?. How is the procurement of this company such that it keeps on succeeding in all projects? To the ears of the public, a pronouncement has already been made by the Government that they are

being done by the Defence Forces. Is it the Defense Forces doing the projects or is it this Chinese company?

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I say this with a lot of prompting from Kenyans who are watching. A few days ago, a man who was competing with this company bid for the construction of the railways in Nairobi and this guy’s bid was US$22 billion and because of that, the guy who was competitive was deported.

Senator---

I am building my question, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

I have no problem with you building the question but you are referring to “this guy”. Who is “this guy”? Be specific.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for taking me there.

Sen. Khalwale---

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

What is your point of order, Sen. Tabitha?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Senior, as I call him, Sen. Boni Khalwale, just called me shameless on the Floor of this House. As a senior Member, I expect him to show a lot of respect. There is always a beginning, there is always a starting point. So, I would like him to withdraw and apologise.

What is your point of order, Sen. Cherarkey?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No.101 on contents of speech. I demand Sen. Boni Khalwale, who is a gynae by medic---

Under Standing Order No.101 (6) :- “A Senator shall refer to another Senator by the title Senator”. He referred to Sen. Mutinda as a junior Senator and called her shameless. He said “shame on you”. Can the distinguished Senator of Kakamega, Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, withdraw and apologise to Sen. Mutinda and other first-time Members of the Senate? We will send him to Italanyi in Kakamega. If he plays around, we will send him to bullfighting.

Sen. Boni Khalwale, if you did indeed call Sen. Tabitha names, it is only proper, as a senior Member of this House, to apologise and withdraw and then proceed with your question.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to do so, but in a procedural manner. The Member raising the point of order has told all Kenyans who care to listen that he went to Kapsabet High School. The English of “Khalwale is a gynae by medic” does not sound like the English of somebody who went through a credible school like Kapsabet High School.

Sen. Cherarkey, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is on Standing Order No.101. I am not a subject of discussion. If he wants to discuss me, he can bring a substantive Motion. I will hold him by the balls. This is a disgraced Chief Whip; we removed him. If he was very efficient, why did we de-whip him? Can he withdraw and apologise to me? He cannot go on record. He must apologise for discussing the school in disrepute.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you cannot allow Sen. Boni Khalwale to go on record to discuss me. The Standing Order has provided for that. Why is he discussing me?

The issue was, he should withdraw what he referred to Sen. Mutinda. It was not about me. So, can he withdraw, or if he wants to discuss me, you can bring a substantive Motion. I do not care, I will deal with him. If he is smoking bhang, he should stop smoking it.

Order, Sen. Cherarkey. You are out of order. Before we even go to that matter, you are grossly out of order. I want you to apologise and withdraw this last statement you made on Sen. Boni Khalwale.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the point has been made. I withdraw but he knows what he consumes. That is why he gets confused and insults everybody.

Withdraw and apologise.

I withdraw and apologise, but he consumes that substance.

Sen. Cherarkey, that is not proper.

But he must also withdraw, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Cherarkey, we were going to ask him to apologise.

Okay, I withdraw and apologise to my good neighbour, Sen. Boni Khalwale, for what he uses.

Sen. Boni Khalwale.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker. I was making a very important point and the point is---

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, did you, in any way or form, disrespect the great school of Kapsabet Boys when making your submission?

Not in any way, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

What did you mean by your statement?

I was wondering how a great school like Kapsabet High School could possibly have ---

Be very careful so that you do not fall into the trap again.

Exactly.

Proceed.

Would possibly have churned out what the country is witnessing, but that is not the issue. The issue is that---

Order, Sen. Boni Khalwale. Just withdraw and apologise and proceed with your question.

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I have withdrawn and apologised. Any attempts to try and silence this very important point is not fair to the public. I said that China Roads and Bridge Corporation made a bid of US$29 billion and on the same project, China Communications Construction Company made a bid of US$22 billion. So, the guy of US$22 billion was not only denied that contract, but he has been deported out of the country. People with financial understanding are telling us that it might cost Kenya up to Kshs7 billion for denying this guy a fair opportunity to get this job.

So, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was using that to build the question to the Cabinet Secretary, that is Article 227 from which the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, 2015 is drawn, applicable in this story of stadia in this country? If it is, how come that CRBC keeps on getting these jobs? Then, we are told it is the Defence Forces which is constructing and when you go on site, you see Chinese people on the site and Chinese members of the military.

Sen. Boni Khalwale, just to better understand your question, the reference you made for the amounts bidded for a project, we need you to be a little bit more specific. Which project are you referring to?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the British Government is supporting the Republic of Kenya in upgrading the transport system using rail in Nairobi. This project is in public domain. So, I was using it to build my concern that this particular

contractor appears to be enjoying some privileges within the decision-making system of the Republic at the expense of Article 227, which provides that procurement of public goods and service must be fair, competitive, equitable, and must be done at a cost- effective fee.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports (Hon. Salim Mvurya): Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker and hon. Members. It is always a pleasure to be in this House and to witness the debate.

Coming back to the issues, first of all, I want to say that the facts that have been provided by the hon. Senator about procurement and the issues raised are not related to what we do in the Ministry. As much as they have been used to build a case, they are not related to what we do in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative economy and Sports. We can demonstrate that we have different contractors across Kenya who do the different facilities.

As much as the debate has gone in that direction, I want to confirm that the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports adheres to the procurement law. Therefore, we have no reason to send panic to Kenyans. The contractor who is in Murang’a is a different contractor. The contractor in Kitui is different. The contractor in Bukhungu is different. The contractor in Kapkatet is different. The contractor in Kipchoge-Keino is different from the contractor in Masinde-Muliro, Marsabit, Nandi, Mombasa and Kakamega. So, I think in terms of this session, allow me to confirm that we have followed the procurement law, and that can be demonstrated. I think the other details that there was procurement of US$22 billion and US$29 billion are not facts that we can use to build a case for the Ministry of Youths Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

So, I just wanted to make that clarification and to thank Senators for this opportunity. Given another chance, we will continue to engage on matters of sports, youth affairs and other matters that concern the Ministry. Otherwise, I want to thank you more sincerely and assure you that these are the reforms that His Excellency President (Dr.) William Ruto is doing to promote talent and development across Kenya.

These efforts have been unprecedented because you will remember that for 40 years, Kenya could not host a continental tournament. It is only during the leadership of His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto that now we are back in the continental affairs. As a Ministry, we are on schedule to implement the vision and ensure that we give opportunity to all Kenyans at the grassroots to have sports facilities where they can train and develop their talents and we make talents a source of livelihoods.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, along that direction, we have equally reviewed cash awards from different athletes so that we make sports a full-fledged livelihood programme. We will make sure that we develop a new policy and legislation that looks at how we can commercialise sports. In that policy and legislation, we will also make proposals on how we can manage sports infrastructure across Kenya, so that they are sustainable in order to support generations to come and that the public can have value for money.

Thank you so much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, and Members of the Senate.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was almost cut off but I appreciate. Before I ask a question, I want to appreciate the Cabinet Secretary for answering questions well and trying to be calm because sometimes, it is hot in this House.

The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports needs to tell this House because he has responded to many questions concerning different counties but I have not heard anything about Kajiado. Could the Cabinet Secretary tell this House the plans by the Ministry with regards to stadiums or sports projects in Kajiado?

There is also an important question that he should answer. An individual is constructing some stadiums in Kajiado County using Government money before handing them over. Last week on Saturday, there is an individual who launched a stadium in Kitengela to a tune of almost Kshs6 million purporting to be the Ministry’s money. I do not know if you have that funding.

It is good that I mention that he is the State House Comptroller. He is going round doing your work. I do not know if you have that budget---

Sen. Seki, I want to caution you. You should not drop names of officers. Please, withdraw.

I withdraw. However, you now know the name of the person who is doing some works on your behalf but I do not know if you have that in your budget. I would like to have the clarification from the Ministry. Does that money come from the Ministry? It is because he was ready to launch Kitengela Stadium just recently.

We would like to have that clarification because those are public funds. There is no way an individual can have more than Kshs7 million to put under a public stadium with knowledge of the Ministry.

Proceed, Sen. Joe Nyutu.

I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity. I wanted to ask the Cabinet Secretary whether he is aware that Gakoigo Stadium in Murang’a was approved for upgrading by the Ministry but then it has been moved to another area. I wanted to know whether he is aware and give reasons for moving Gakoigo Stadium to another place.

Finally, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I would like to inform the Cabinet Secretary that Kenya participated before President Ruto came to power. In 1987, we won the African Club Competitions in Nyayo National Stadium. It is important for the Cabinet Secretary to have that information.

Proceed, Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

: Thank you so much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, and hon.

Members. First of all, I would like to say that we have not allocated Kshs7 million for any facility in Kajiado County.

As I said earlier, we encourage the private sector to also participate in mobilising resources for sports activities. However, we do not have any Kshs7 million budget that has been allocated to an individual. Where this has been done, maybe at a later stage, we will look at the standards. However, we do not have that.

What we have is a plan in Kajiado West, Kajiado South or Kajiado North but we are still assessing. It is part of the list that we have submitted to the Sports Kenya so that they approve before we move ahead to do a proper facility in that county.

Individuals are also encouraged to make a contribution. However, the Ministry reserves the right to make sure that there is compliance with sports standards.

In Murang’a, we are doing Mumbi Stadium, a 10,000-seater. We had identified Gakoigo but the earlier site could not fit and there were also issues by the community. We identified some ground which is now being considered as the next site for the project.

I want to assure the hon. Senator that we are on schedule to make sure that Kenyans living in that area also have a facility to inspire their talents. However, Gakoigo could not fit. It is not just Gakoigo because there are many areas where leaders and communities identified them for construction of stadiums but when we go and look at them technically, some of them do not fit.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I mentioned that the stadium in Kericho also had a similar problem and we had to relocate it to Kapkatet. Therefore, the decision in Gakoigo is not isolated because it is part of what we do to make sure that we maintain the standards of sports activities in Kenya. Therefore, hon, Senator, I assure you and the Members here that we are on schedule to make sure the community still benefits from the sports infrastructure. However, the earlier site has issues and therefore, we will be moving to another site within the same locality.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think I have adequately responded to the two issues that have been raised lately. We are ready as a Ministry to work very closely with the Senate, and especially, the committee relating to youth and sports, the one on infrastructure and any other to make sure that we are very transparent.

Sports now should receive the attention it deserves. This is one of the sectors that had not been focused before. My comments on the 40 years also resonates with what the Senator has said because the last time Kenya hosted a tournament was in 1987. That was the time we hosted a continental showpiece, and since then, we have not had that opportunity until last year. The same rhythm in the 80s, that is the time we also had a big infrastructure on sports in Kasarani and in between, we have not had until now we have the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium here in Nairobi.

As a Ministry and Government, we will continue to make sure that we implement the vision to allow and create an enabling environment for our young people, men and women to inspire their talents and truly make sports and talent a source of livelihood.

Thank you, honourable Temporary Speaker and members. I wish you all the best in the rest of the debates.

Thank you Cabinet Secretary for taking the time to come and engage with the Senators and for your responses. We also

wish you all the best in your duties and in improving the sports facilities in Kenya. I now give you leave.

(The Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports

A quick look would show you that between 1st and 12th August, 1987 Kenya hosted the Fourth All Africa Games at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. That was perhaps actually one of the biggest events that we have held at a continental level, which brought together 42 countries and there were competitions within 14 sports.

A closer look again would have demonstrated that in the year from 2020 to date, Kenya has been hosting the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, which is an elite sports game bringing together elite African and international athletes.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, lastly, a quick look would have shown that in the year 2021, Kenya hosted the World Athletics Under 20 Championships at Kasarani. That was after we had hosted successively the Under 18 Championships.

It is important to interact with the internet in real time, for us to be able to know exactly what we are being told, whether it is true or we are being misled. I thought it would be important to put that record straight.

Going back to the Conference that we had in Kuala Lumpur, it was on the role of parliaments in shaping the future of responsible AI, which was organised by the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Parliament of Malaysia.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, during that conference, participants were very keen on examining how parliaments can guide the development, governance and oversight of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a manner that upholds human rights, advances sustainable development and protects democratic institutions.

At the conference, there were concerns which remain real today. One of the biggest concerns raised was how the power of AI has been concentrated within big companies and a small number of countries. It was noted that the seven big tech companies; NVIDIA, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Apple and Tesla, have taken over the development of infrastructure and models for AI. Smaller tech companies and countries with economies in transition are struggling to catch up with advancements in AI.

There was concern that parliaments, especially in the global south, must take a more active role in the development of AI. This includes its use within the chambers and in interactions with the populations we represent. The speakers explained that AI is already changing politics and public life, including through AI-generated content used in election campaigns.

We are about to enter a serious electioneering period. I call upon my colleagues, including Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, to reflect on where we are going as leaders in this country. Traditional campaigns may begin to take a back seat. Artificial intelligence may play a leading role in our campaigns. Engagement with voters will not be business as usual.

Artificial Intelligence now has the capacity to generate content for opponents who are tech-savvy. They can transmit that content through various media. At times, it may be misleading. In many cases, it is deliberate disinformation meant to change the political order. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us, including Sen. Veronica Maina, to invest seriously in AI. We must use it as a campaign tool and also as a model for parliamentary work.

I have demonstrated how easy it is to identify true information, misinformation and disinformation at the touch of a button. I invite my colleagues, in their free time or even now with the gadgets before us, to look at the effect of AI in elections held in Ireland, the Netherlands and the United States of America (USA). AI can make it harder for voters to know the truth in campaigns.

Participants also noted that many citizens are worried about how AI is being used. Too much power sits with big companies. In reference to the IPU’s October, 2024 resolution on AI and democracy, speakers emphasised the need for clear and strong laws, as well as active involvement in international talks on how AI should be managed.

their goals. For us, it will be important to use AI in live translations, voter outreach and the general management of our politics.

As I conclude, during the conference, certainly, this House must also know that they did not just send a Senator to go, sit and watch. I went there and I participated robustly in the conference. During the conference, Members of the Kenyan delegation were actively involved in the deliberations that greatly enriched the resolutions. In my contribution, I highlighted the practical opportunities that AI presents for parliamentary work, noting that Members of Parliament could benefit from AI-assisted summarisation of Committee reports and smart search tools across the HANSARD and Committee records to quickly retrieve relevant information for debates and oversight.

That is what I demonstrated a few minutes ago when the Cabinet Secretary gave misleading information about----

Madam Temporary Speaker, can I ask for one or two minutes to conclude?

You have one minute.

That is what I demonstrated a few minutes ago when the Cabinet Secretary gave misleading information about the number of sporting activities that have happened for the last 40 years. Just by a click of a button, I was able to identify that this is misinformation. That is what AI is supposed to help us on the Floor of the House.

I further observed that at the institutional level, AI-powered virtual assistants on the parliamentary website could help respond to common public questions, while automated faster production of subtitles for video streams would enhance transparency and make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to all.

So that we do not build silos and I am not campaigning for myself, it will be important for me, for purposes of continuity, to attend the next AI conference. I can build on this and then bring that resource back to my colleagues to help them appreciate AI even more.

With those many remarks, I move and ask Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Sen. Wambua, that is a very interesting proposition and suggestion that you should be sent back to another international conference. I hope the next AI conference will be in Kisumu City or Murang’a, so that you can equally have the same zeal and enthusiasm to attend a conference which is held locally to support the AI narrative.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, you are also Sen. Gicheru, right?

Yes.

You may proceed.

I am Sen Eddy Gicheru Oketch, proudly so. Born and bred in Migori, but as you might know, after my mother passed on in 2003, I was adopted by seven families who assisted me to go to school. Among those families was the Gicheru family, Okong’o Kennedy family and Adwar family. I cannot mention all of them because that was not the topic, but that is where I get my name. So, I appreciate the fact that it took very many villages to build this child. I always appreciate them in my life and they hold a dear place in my heart.

That is excellent. We

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Also, it is a genuine reminder that we are more one a people than these ethnical coups and divisions that we sometimes see in the country. We are one people as Kenyans. I hope that we will reach a point where, as a country, we will not be divided along ethnic lines and build one country.

That said, this is an extreme honour for me to second this Motion that has been presented to this House by Sen. Wambua. Of course, I will be remiss if I do not appreciate the delegation that went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This delegation recognised that it had a team of four. Of course, our own Sen. Wambua, CBS. He has really earned a lot in this House. We also had Hon. Robert Mbui, who is a friend of mine from the National Assembly and also accompanied by our able team from the Secretariat, Madam Marlene Ayiro, Principal Legal Counsel from National Assembly, as well as our own, Angela Macharia, Senior Clerk Assistant.

It is very interesting that Sen. Wambua has actually highlighted that during his time there, he looked for the opportunity to highlight that as a Parliament, we must start looking for practical opportunities, as well navigation into making AI presence in our work in Parliament as parliamentarians. As he sees it, we can actually use AI tools to promote HANSARD, as well as any other record that we have here and even while doing our committee work.

Beyond that, this report is generally about the use of AI in the context of responsibility, so that as a Parliament, we can evaluate our role in shaping the future of responsible AI. That is something that cuts across not just in our work in Parliament, but also making sure that in the country, we can have proper use of AI.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I think there is nothing that can explain technological advancement across the globe as compared to AI. This is because AI is basically how technology has advanced to the extent that it can consume data, replicate it, harness it and be ahead of just simple computing and give proper direction and information that can be used in any platform and in any manner. Therefore, the regulation gaps that we, as Parliament, are going to face is exactly what Sen. Wambua has talked about. How do you marry this technological advancement and the pace of that change with our own legislations? I think this is the key thing, so that our legislations can keep up with that speed and accuracy. This is because while there is advancement on the speed of AI, there also has to be accuracy on the side of our laws to the extent that this report and the conversation therein were looking at.

Madam Temporary Speaker, one of the biggest problems that we face as legislators is how we can keep up with that rapid advancement, so that we do not make outdated or premature laws. The other day, we were talking about the Finance Bill and there were conversations around taxation on platforms of content creation.

Today, if you look at the United States of America (USA) , you will see young people who have never had any vocals to sing, but use an AI platform to rap on the AI platform, generate beautiful music and sell right from their house by just using a phone,

not any other technology, just a phone with a proper AI interface and platform. They make millions of dollars doing that.

You will find that in our country, because we are not keeping up with that pace of change, you might want to move in an outdated manner or sometimes in a premature manner to tax that platform without knowing the basics. Before you realise, you are having problems with young people, the so-called Gen Zs, because of their basics. The basics include simple things like who are the owners of these platforms of AI, who are the developers, which companies are now developing AI and where are they based.

If Meta, for instance, is developing AI that is based in Ireland, would you not want as the legislators, to make sure that instead of taxing a young person, like Chipukeezy or Eric Omondi, who is just using this AI because they are also catching up with the simple technology that they are consuming, but advance into thinking about where these companies are based in terms of their corporate tax responsibility. We will then require legislation that will attract them to come to our country and have them pay the responsibility tax and responsibly put in place regulations that will make them use AI more responsibly, including being able to hold them accountable and ensure transparency in the data that comes from those platforms.

Madam Temporary Speaker, these basic things sometimes skip us. Sen. Wambua, if we may address you through the Chair.

Even in this House, recently, we had technology that changed very fast and we were invited to put our biometrics, so that we could use those biometrics to access the new devices here in Parliament.

Which one of us dared to ask who the owner of this technology we are using is? Where is that data going? Where is that data housed? We know that in Kenya, we do not have a proper data centre.

Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, you seem to be interjecting. Do you want to inform the Senator?

Yes, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Do you want to be informed, Sen. Eddy Oketch?

Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not mind being informed because this is a very good conversation and the Senator is a young legislator just like myself. I just hope that you hold all my time as well because these are very important contributions that---

Please, hold his time.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. It was rather a point of information. The hon. Senator for Migori County had asked if any Senator had questioned where our data was going, as far as the new devices installed are concerned. I just wanted to inform him that I had asked, but there was no clear information as to where our data was going.

Thank you.

Thank you. I believe you are duly informed and the secretariat, that was a serious inquiry. These are Senators of the Republic of Kenya, and it is important to know where the data in respect of the current

system in use is housed and who is keeping it because it is a new system. So, can you make sure that information is availed and information given to the Senators before the data is dispatched to the wrong quarters if at all the source is not known?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker and thank you for that information, Sen. Hezena.

As I have said, this was a very important conversation because the part that we must focus on is also being able to balance the idea of innovation and safety, so that we do not over-regulate. We have some AI features which are really good, but in the same manner, for you to have technological progress, you cannot also have insufficient oversight that leads to risks like misuse, privacy violation and misinformation that Sen. Wambua referred to.

That was in the context within which I was asking about how our data is being managed here. I know that in Kenya, we do not have competitive global data centres because AI is all about data. It is all about how data is gathered, aggregated and used in a way that can build different logs in what we call in technology, black boxes. I know this because I remember two years ago when the President went to the United States of America. You remember the time that he was hosted in the USA, as the first African President to be hosted since 2008, and there was a funfair around that.

When the President went there and met these tech gurus in the USA, he was given a chance by Google to come and build a data centre. When we got here, we did not have enough energy to even have a data centre because we only have about 3000 megawatts that we are producing currently, that data centre alone wanted 1,000 megawatts. That is why when you talk about technological advancement, you also want to look at facets of regulation that you want to put on other supporting basic technology.

I am proud of the President talking about the creation of nuclear energy. If nuclear energy is created in this country, then we can have the opportunity to produce about 10,000 megawatts in our country. Without 10,000 megawatts, then you cannot guarantee building data centres that can accommodate even one company to start building AI. This is critical in terms of the cost of power that goes with this AI.

Lastly, I wanted to talk very critically---

On a point of information, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, I think you have been informed by many Senators today. Sen. Enock Wambua would like to inform you.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I accept because, he is the one who brought this report.

Sen. Wambua, you may proceed.

Madam Temporary Speaker, as Sen. Eddy said and you have also alluded to, these are very important conversations. He has said that the President, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto was the first African Head of State to be hosted by an American President in the last eight years.

Now, I just went in there and checked. It tells me that President William Ruto of Kenya is recognised as the first African Head of State to be accorded an official state visit

to the United States in over 15 years and that it was the first state visit by an African leader since 2008, when Ghanaian President John Kufuor was hosted by President George W. Bush.

Thank you. That is important information.

You may proceed, Sen. Eddy.

Madam Temporary Speaker. I think I have just---

Give Sen. Eddy the microphone, please.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, you may go to the dispatch box.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I appreciate that information from Sen. Wambua. I think we are consistent, because I said that it was being given that official state visit since 2008. That was consistent when the President of Ghana was given the same kind of support. I was saying it in the context that, on my last point, when you look at this report, you quickly realise that AI development is actually a global agenda, so that if you have got inconsistency in regulations at a global level and not having a platform to have that cross-border harmonisation of our laws with what global laws look like, then you can get into a lot of problems in terms of cross-border jurisdiction compliances, as well as the scale with which you can go to advance your technology.

It is important that, first, we would look at how AI is being developed in our country from what the questions that were there. I hope that legislators will read that report, because there are some very good conversations there that can help us deal with our lack of capacity in terms of the regulatory frameworks. That includes the bodies that we need to put in place, that can look at those regulations, and look at how we can advance the technical export that we have in the country. This includes sometimes having serious audit functions.

Sen. Wambua just talked about the possibility of elections coming in a way that people can start using homograms in AI to talk to each other, but that is even less important. It is important, but less important by even possibly having a possibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) procuring gadgets that are using AI.

If you do not assess it and you do not have bodies that can look at the audit functions of those kinds of systems, that can ensure there is proper audit trades of those systems, then you can have a seriously bungled election that will also look very okay and fair. If you do not have those bodies put in place, the effectiveness of managing the AI system can be very complicated.

This is serious information and a very serious report that I hope this House will take seriously. If possible, read that entire report, support it, analyse it to the extent that it

can help us work on reviewing our data protection laws and ensuring that data is not something that we are just taking in respect of data privacy conversations.

Let him have one minute to finish that statement, please.

I was saying that look at it as Members of Parliament, not just in terms of looking at how data systems and data privacy is becoming a conversation that we all used to, especially because we are looking at training on data privacy matters. However, I want us to also look at this report in terms of creating a serious path of dealing with all conflict of interest in our data laws, both in terms of acquisition of technology from abroad, but also giving ourselves opportunities to create laws that can allow for creating our own technology that can beat AI. This will also ensure that we have conditions or preconditions of takeoff with AI development in our country.

I not only support this report and second it, but I also appreciate the fact that this team brought it to this House and engaged in that conversation. I hope they can engage in more and next time take some of us also with you, leader, to go and gather some knowledge in those platforms.

I thank you.

Thank you, Senator.

Hon. Senators, it is now time for you to make contributions to this Motion. Sen. Mungatana, please proceed.

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support this Motion. First, I appreciate the comments made by the two former speakers who have taken the Floor before me.

I really am amazed at what is happening in the world and it is good for this knowledge to come to us. I do not want to take too long because I am looking at the time and maybe other Members want to debate. The one thing that stands for us, as Members of the Senate, is that we are supposed to be the defenders of our counties; the mouthpiece for our counties.

This is yet another opportunity for us to make sure that even as this technology is hitting Nairobi, and is coming to other more established cities and counties, we should move it to the entire 47 counties across the country. I am thinking, if we are able to adapt this technology at the Senate and to process our legislation as fast as it is hoped this AI will do for us, how much better shall it be if, say, the same technology is adapted in the County of Tana River at the Assembly level and many other counties.

The real point I raise here as I support this Motion is just to say that let us think of a way as this technology is coming to the Senate, how we shall move this technology down to our county assemblies, so that they will be as efficient as the Senate when we start applying it. I would propose that there will be some thinking around this, so that we

can be proactive. When this technology lands here and it is being applied, it can equally move to our various county assemblies, so that we keep up with the time and deliver on quality.

With those few remarks, I beg to support.

Thank you, Sen. Mungatana. Sen. Abass, please proceed.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to also join my colleagues to support the report. Honestly, I think it is time that this House of Parliament must use AI. That is a new development that is today making life easy for human beings.

The use of AI in Parliament makes work easier, faster and more transparent that you cannot distort information. It makes the reports and the proceedings of Parliament to be easily accessed by the citizens in every part of the world. Anybody can click on Senate proceedings and easily access AI and it gives a real and correct report on the proceedings of the House.

Madam Temporary Speaker, this Parliament uses a lot of papers. The number of papers that are being used in writing reports and proceedings is enormous. The more papers we use, the more trees we cut to get more papers. Therefore, the use of AI will manage at least to minimise the unnecessary papers that we are using in this House to write reports, proceedings and many other things. It is therefore safe to say that AI helps in conserving the environment because we do not have to cut more trees to get papers.

Madam Temporary Speaker, AI makes it easier for the public to access the activities of Parliament, for instance, the reports and proceedings, instead of the public going to libraries to read and watch. Therefore, it is an advantage to the public because they are be able to monitor whatever we are doing in this House.

Through AI, it is easy to translate the debates for the public in any language that you want to use, in the shortest time possible. For instance, if I use Somali, I can access the report through AI. Therefore, AI in this House will make a lot of changes.

In regards to filing of documents where huge libraries and rooms are otherwise needed to file documents, with AI, it will be easier to click. In addition, you will use less space, papers and storage. The reports that we write in proceedings engage the members of the staff and secretariat so much. However, by using AI, the staff will have shorter working time and less workload when writing documents. It will also help the people with disabilities who are not able to access Parliament to easily access and get information through AI.

Madam Temporary Speaker, my only worry is, I see people misusing AI and distorting information. So, that can be a disadvantage to the procedures of this House.

With those remarks, I beg to support.

Thank you, Sen. Abass. There was a question on whether the data that has been collected for use in Senate, from the Senators, is safe, regarding the new system that has been installed, and is under use right now. I therefore wish to bring to the attention of Senators, a piece of Communication from the Office of the Clerk that was dispatched on 10th February, 2026, under reference SEN/DLPS/CORR/2026/02, addressed to all the Hon. Senators. Sen.

Eddy Oketch should have been here to hear this, but I see Sen. Hezena is here, so she will note and make sure that it is also brought his attention.

Let me just highlight just three parts of that Communication- “On the lawful basis of the data that is being collected from Senators, the processing is undertaken in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2019, and justified under performance of a public function vested in the Senate or Senators' explicit consent where applicable.”

In regards to data storage and security- “All biometric data will be encrypted, both at rest and in transmission, and stored on secure local servers within the Senate Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.”

That is important. It is stored within the local servers and accessed only by authorised officers with role-based credentials and audit tracking.

On data retention- “Information will be retained only for the Senator's term, for as long as necessary for the above purpose, and will then be permanently deleted.”

Finally, on data sharing- “The data will not be shared outside the Senate or with third parties except-

Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to speak on that Communication. I am not replying yet. I am here.

Madam Temporary Speaker, this is a House of record, therefore, the understanding is that information that is captured of Members here today shall be safely stored. A hundred years from today, our great-grandchildren may want to know what exactly we said about AI today. So, when you say that that information will be destroyed within the life of this Parliament, perhaps we need to have more engagement on that issue. There is need for more engagement.

It is not about destroying information. It is about safe custody of the data collected today for use many, many years to come.

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Thank you, Sen. Wambua. That is a conversation that can be had at a different level, then the Communication will be done. So, I will pend further discussion on that to a different platform. In the meantime, I invite Sen. Boni Khalwale to make his contribution on this Motion.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I would like to comment on the remark by Sen. Wambua. The Communication was not about what the HANSARD keeps. It is what the HANSARD keeps that your children, mine and grandchildren will want to revisit. She was talking about the biometric data. Once I leave Parliament, what should my biometric data be still doing here? It is perfectly in order that a decision has been made that it be kept secure. The moment we depart, it is erased. That is my understanding.

Having said that, I rise to support this Motion very strongly. Sen. Wambua, I was listening to you very carefully. If you look at the population in the House now, it is not because this matter is not important. It is because people are yet to come to terms with AI. In fact, you can see the hard debaters are the ones who are in the House at the moment. We should have time for this.

What are you asking us, Wambua? You are asking us to adopt the resolutions one up to 13 that you made in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, it might look easy, but when you read---

Sen. Boni, I would excuse others, but not you calling me “Mr. Speaker”. Can you adjust your address to me?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I did not even realise that I had made that mistake. It happens from time to time and with all the respect, I cannot mistake you for a man, you are a full-blooded woman from my point of view and, therefore, I respect that.

Madam Temporary Speaker, on the 13 resolutions that have been arrived at in this conference; the fact that we took only two Members of Parliament, one from the National Assembly and our brother here, Sen. Wambua, is further evidence that even Parliament itself does not understand the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) . We needed a number of Senators and Members of the National Assembly in this delegation.

In fact—

Please, inform me.

Go ahead and inform him; he has accepted.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Sen. Boni Khalwale, what you are saying is spot on. I inform you that at the conference, the leading delegation was from the Parliament of India, which was almost an entire Parliament. Different levels of parliamentarians were engaging and even trying to take the lead in developing a symposium for the global south for the use of AI. So, you are spot on; we looked very disinterested in what is happening in the world.

I thank you.

I appreciate that information. It was just out of quick reading of what AI is. When AI came to my attention, I took it negatively because one, that here is a tool that is going to take away jobs and as a defender of the youth and a father of some, I am very protective when it comes to job opportunities. So, I took it negatively because I thought it is going to take away jobs for our children. The second negative thing was that it was going to be abused. I remember a case in point where, by coincidence, the two Senators who are currently greeting each other, innocently greeted each other like that last year and a still photograph was taken. With AI, the photograph of those two Senators was transformed into a video where they were hugging and almost kissing. I said wait a minute, this is going to break families because a protective spouse will not have the patience to differentiate between AI and real.

Those two reasons guided me when I started taking AI seriously. Now that in the last six to eight months, I have taken trouble to acquaint myself with AI, I have realised that AI is actually not a new thing. AI was discovered by a cognitive computer scientist by the name of John McCarthy, an American born in 1927 and died in 2011.

He died many years ago and yet, AI had not captured the imagination of the world. It has waited many years posthumous to capture the imagination of the world. So, I followed it up and asked what this AI thing is. Listening to the second---

Just a minute.

Sen. Karen Nyamu, you know you cannot do your phone calls inside the Chamber. You are risking being declared out of order.

Proceed, Sen. Boni.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I am sure the Chair did not hear what the distinguished Senator from Vihiga County, Sen. Osotsi, my kid brother said.

Karen is not AI-generated.

River has the capacity that enables him to comprehend things. Now, here comes a computer or a machine that then simulates the Senator.

What is more, it can simulate problem-solving and decision-making. In areas where I think I am creative, it can even simulate me at par. What is scarier is that AI can simulate human autonomy. By our very nature, the Senator for Kisii County, Sen. Onyonka, is autonomous. I cannot simulate him, but AI can.

I was saying these things just to make this point that, Sen. Wambua, we are walking into a space that is over and above your resolutions. We should form a special joint parliamentary committee to think around AI. I see that we will need computer scientists who are now many from the university, including my son, a youth. He would be glad if you gave him a job here. Each committee would need a computer scientist.

Do you know what they say at the School of Humanity at Harvard? These days, they teach that human beings who work with AI work better than human beings who do not work with AI. That being the case, every committee should have a computer scientist who will support the Committee with AI.

As we support your resolutions; we also need that special committee to now factor into the budget of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to have a budget for AI for Parliament. What is more? This committee should also inform the Executive to now have a budget for AI for every ministry and Government department and agency, if we want to move at the pace that you can see India and China moving.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I say these things with a lot of respect because I know that in 1980, when just about everybody apart from Sen. Hezena, who is in this room now, was alive, 80 percent of the population in China was poor. Today, the poverty rate in China is zero.

It means, therefore, that if leaders can think around issues and make resolutions the way Sen. Wambua and his team have done, we can move our country from the misery we see today, where leadership means to some people that you have an opportunity to become rich and live large. That is what leadership means to African leaders. Leadership, in my mind, means you wrap it into the populace, so that the country collectively moves together and becomes better.

Madam Temporary Speaker, there are certain aspects that Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot do. For example, AI cannot replace the nurse at Gertrude's Children Hospital. It is impossible because the decisions made by the nurse when you arrive with your child are based on emotional awareness beyond the training the nurse has received. AI cannot replace the nursery school teacher. The nursery school teacher can look in the eyes of the child, probably four or five years old and know that that shift in the eyes of the child means that the child has peed on themselves or is going through some form of discomfort. AI cannot manage that.

What is more, we have certain traits, mainly in the field of engineering, which AI cannot simulate. Sen. Osotsi, just two minutes.

AI cannot simulate a surgeon ---

Sen. Boni, you have half a minute to finish that sentence.

Thank you. I just wanted to acknowledge that AI cannot simulate a surgeon because, as a surgeon, when you open the patient, you go in, you start making decisions once the patient is bleeding to death. The moment you operate, you open a patient, you start to kill that patient. So, you make decisions meant for you to solve the problem and come out of the disease while the patient is still alive.

Thank you. I overwhelmingly support this report.

Thank you, Sen. Boni, for those thoughts and contributions. Your submissions have a good sync with the AI and the capacity of AI to simulate Sen. Onyonka and its ability to become a Sunday school teacher, a nurse or a nursery school teacher. Sen. Lemaletian Hezena can bring the women leaders' perspective to the subject of AI.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I heard Sen. Boni calling you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, it is good to note that he can potentially see both genders being equally fit to be equal leaders. It is indeed true that the possibilities of AI are limitless.

We have had very serious questions as far as data is concerned, the use and the extraction of our data. We had a company the other day getting several thousand Kenyans queuing to collect some data related to people’s eyeballs. That was such a huge risk to our country. We also understand that AI has so much potential to help the youth of our country.

The missing link, however, is the fact that the whole world is talking about the exponential potential that AI has, but nobody is really realising that many parts of our country are still lagging behind. We are not connected to electricity. There is no electricity and internet, but the world has advanced too fast in the cities and the capital, the major capitals, leaving behind the rest of the world, especially in many parts of Africa.

Madam Temporary Speaker, it is important that all ministries within our country work together in a collaborative effort. This is to ensure that different aspects of different ministries come together to ensure that there is an interlinkage in ensuring that there is a smooth and efficient transition from one sector to the other, and to be able to catch up with the rest of the world.

There is also the issue of very many advancements that have happened globally as far as AI is concerned. We have also seen the creative economy growing because of AI. Many young people are employed through AI. I have been sent about three songs this week, and my attempts to look for the singer behind the music failed because I was told they were generated using AI, but the voice was so realistic that I thought it was a human being. I can imagine even people who had zero talent in music, perhaps like me, would be able to sit behind a keyboard and put words together and ask AI to do the needful.

We have also seen issues like the marketing industry has expanded hugely because of AI. There is a way that our creative industry is incorporating AI skills in marketing, banking and every other thing. We have seen the growth in the movie industry because of AI. However, there are downfalls. Every good thing has a bad side. We are also seeing exploitation through AI. It has actually fuelled cyber bullying whereby we have fake videos created to sell a certain narrative. We have words being put into people's

mouth. You will see a video of Madam Speaker addressing the people of Murang’a, saying a completely opposite thing than what she meant. Very soon, we will see somebody resigning even maybe from the presidency using AI, and that is such a huge risk to this country.

This would call for regulation in the sector. It is very interesting that I have seen the report has called on the various parliaments, organisations and associations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations (CPA), to work collaboratively to ensure that there is a deliberate effort between these institutions and especially the leadership of parliament to ensure that mechanisms and systems are put in place to streamline the use and operation of AI.

It is unfortunate to learn that there was a conference happening in Malaysia which brought this report and none of us from the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Committee had the privilege to attend and neither did we also have information that this was happening. That must be put into serious consideration.

I also sit in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and I can see from the list of the members who attended, none of them is a member of the CPA. I think this is why the report was categorically insisting that the leadership of Parliament needs to do more as far as streamlining, inclusion and mainstreaming of AI is concerned.

Madam Temporary Speaker, last but not least, I wish the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy can be proactive enough to ensure that we have enough network coverage, internet coverage, even using fibre and broadband across the whole country. You can imagine now, when we have those fake clips generated through AI spreading and circulating, sometimes they will be even talking about a certain outbreak, and these people can no longer distinguish between what is real and what is fake. Somebody in Samburu---

Sen. Lemaletian, you will have a balance of eight minutes for further submissions when the Motion is listed next on the Order Paper.

Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00