Senate Hansard: Thursday, 5th November, 2026 - Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum? (The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker) Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung)

Order, hon. Senators. We now have quorum. So, we will proceed with the business of the day.

Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order. Proceed, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Thursday, 5th November, 2026-

Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the delay in the completion of the Gikuyari-Kirie-Karerema-Ishiara Road in Embu County. The Gikuyari-Kirie-Karerema-Ishiara

Road, spanning approximately kilometres, is a vital infrastructure project for Embu County. It connects key agricultural zones, supports access to market and essential services and enhances community mobility. However, its implementation has been slow, raising concern among residents and road users, who have been waiting for improved connectivity and reliable transport.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Senator for Murang’a County, the Hon. Joe Nyutu? That Statement is dropped.

Sen. Hamida Kibwana.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My Statement is regarding the enforcement of Nairobi City County laws.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights concerning the enforcement of Nairobi City County laws and the prosecution of offences under county laws.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the effective implementation of county legislation is essential to the delivery of service maintenance of public order and protection of the interests of residents of Nairobi. However, concerns have been raised over delays in the processing and prosecution of matters referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The situation has also raised questions about the respective responsibilities of Nairobi City County and national institutions, the coordination of the enforcement activities and the measures available to ensure that county laws are applied consistently.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Sen. Essy Okenyuri, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have a request for a Statement on the support and accommodation of learners with dyslexia in our learning institutions.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the identification, management and support of learners with dyslexia within Kenya's education system.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, many learners with dyslexia may progress through the education system without their condition being identified. In some cases, difficulties in reading and writing may be wrongly attributed to laziness, low intelligence, indiscipline or inability to learn. This may expose such learners to stigma, ridicule and discrimination, undermining their confidence and academic performance and adversely affect their progression to further education and employment.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Sen. Mungatana, Senator for Tana River County.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1), to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the capitalisation, utilisation, audit status and financial accountability of the Tana River County Inuka Fund established under the Inuka Fund Act, 2016.

Next is the Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) by the Senator for Nandi County, Hon. Cherarkey.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1), to make a Statement on a matter of immense national pride and international recognition following the election of Prof. Phoebe Okowa to serve a full nine-year term as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).

On 3rd November, 2026, Prof. Okowa was elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to serve in the court for a full term commencing on 6th February, 2027, and ending in February, 2036. She secured overwhelming support, receiving 183 votes in the General Assembly and the requisite majority in the Security Council. Her election follows her earlier appointment in 2025 to complete the unexpired term of Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf.

This achievement is a matter of great national pride and a significant milestone for Kenya and the Kenyan legal fraternity. Prof. Okowa becomes the first Kenyan to serve as a judge of the ICJ, reflecting both her distinguished career and Kenya’s growing contribution to the development of international law and global governance.

Prof. Okowa is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a graduate of the University of Nairobi (UoN) and holds advanced qualifications, including a doctorate in Public International Law from the University of Oxford. She is a professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London and has earned international

Next is the Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57(1) by the Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker Sir, on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, pursuant to Standing Order No.57(1), I hereby present the business for the week commencing Tuesday, 10th November, 2026. Before I proceed with the Statement, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome honourable Members back from recess. It is my hope that you had a restful recess and fruitful time to interact with your constituents and are back with renewed energy.

Honourable Senators, I will allow comments on Statements that have been sought for not more than 15 minutes. Therefore, if you get an opportunity to speak, kindly do so for not more than three minutes.

Sen. Maanzo Daniel, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana. The issue of collapsing buildings and who is responsible is a key thing in this country. There are tall buildings like the one that collapsed recently in Eastleigh. The county government has a role to play to make sure that the law is followed and a building is allowed to cure properly. The county government is also responsible for issuance of certificate of occupation under the current law.

If anybody disobeys or does not follow the law, whether it is the Government doing Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) or any housing, the final authority to issue certificate of occupation lies with the county government in any part of the Republic. Therefore, a county government has a serious role to play. In the case of Nairobi, the county government is responsible for the two buildings that collapsed; the one in South C and the other one in Eastleigh.

When Nairobi City County Government says it has no authority to prosecute anyone, part of prosecution amounts to criminal negligence by builders, the owner of the building and people who approved. It means that officers of the county government should be prosecuted. In that case, the complainant will be the Republic. Therefore, it is upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take up an initiative on its own motion to prosecute such cases without waiting for relatives of deceased persons to come and complain. The offence there is criminal negligence and that can only be prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

When it comes to the normal city courts, there are other offences relating to people who breach laws in relation to construction. That includes people who do not follow the code of construction and those who commit one or two offences like having been stopped by the county government, but then they continue with the construction.

Therefore, there is no space for complaining or excuse by the county government to say that it is not responsible. In fact, people who are charged with that responsibility should have been charged by now. However, we have not seen any arrest. There are such cases in other jurisdictions. For example, when a roof collapsed and killed 16 people in Serbia, university students rallied against the government and sent it home in the next election. In other parts of the country where we have a similar law, such people are immediately charged with criminal negligence.

There have been quite a number of buildings that have collapsed in the past 10 years but there are no reports. This matter has been directed to the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights where I sit. We will do a thorough job and make sure that a report is brought here as quickly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support.

Next is Sen. Kinyua.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii kuchangia Taarifa iliyoletwa na Sen. Hamida kuhusu sheria ambazo zinapaswa kutekelezwa katika Kaunti ya Nairobi. Kaunti ya Nairobi ina mifumo miwili kwa sababu inafuatilia sheria za kitaifa na vile vile sheria za Kaunti ya Nairobi. Hata hivyo, mifumo hiyo haifuatiliwi na ndiposa nyumba nyingi zinaanguka.

Bw. Spika, sheria zinapofuatiliwa, kutekelezwa ni ngumu. Kitambo kidogo kulikuwa na mahakama katika gatuzi hii ya Nairobi lakini baada ya mahakama zile

Sen. Okong'o Omogeni.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana. First, I pass my message of condolences on my behalf and the people of Nyamira, to the families of the people who lost their lives when the building that was under construction in Eastleigh collapsed. However, there are some questions. You know this is a house of record, and whatever we do here is scrutinised by the public. The story that was in the newspapers - I hope the committee that will look into this matter will go into details - gave an impression that the County Government of Nairobi had licensed people to do businesses on the basement of that building which was under construction. That is what we read in the newspapers. It may not be true or if indeed it is true, the question I want to ask is: How can the County Government of Nairobi, led by Hon. Sakaja, license people to do business in the basement of a building that is under construction?

I mean, it should never be allowed anywhere where we have a civilised form of governance, Majority Leader. You cannot be doing a building like the one we saw in Eastleigh, and because you want to collect revenue, you are allowing some Kenyans to be exposed to some danger that they can be doing business in the basement of that building while construction is ongoing.

In fact, if that is true, Hon. Sakaja should actually quit office, because he is the one who exposed those Kenyans to the danger that led to their death. In the case Sen. Maanzo is referring to in Serbia, a canopy of a railway station collapsed. The students led a revolt that has toppled a government in Serbia.

We should also hold our leaders to some form of accountability. The issue of ensuring that there is proper planning, proper compliance with our building laws, is at the doorstep of our governor, who was our colleague here, and is somebody we all admire, but there are some things that should not be happening under the watch of Governor Sakaja.

If you speak to the people of Nairobi, they will tell you that even the approval of buildings in areas that were zoned for low-density houses are now having flats. Somebody was telling me that where they live, somebody has done a flat next door. If they step out and they are having tea in their balcony, somebody can watch from the other side. We need to call Governor Sakaja to order. This is the capital City. We do not have any other. We all live here. Let him--- (The microphone was switched off)

One minute.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, let him ensure that there is proper planning and order in construction, so that we do not see situations of innocent Kenyans dying because we have allowed a construction to go on while other people are doing business at the basement. I hope we shall have accountability. We want a country that respects governance. The people who issued the licenses can be tracked. If this committee is serious, it can do an inquiry. We will know who issued a license for people from the County Government of Nairobi to run a business in a construction site.

I support Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Methu.

I will start with Sen. Okenyuri's statement on the support and accommodation of learners with dyslexia in our learning institutions. Dyslexia is one of the conditions of the brain that are identified very late in the day and most of the people, especially learners in institutions of learning with this condition, are accused of being lazy. They are thought to be slow learners just because there is a problem in the brain that makes it difficult to coordinate what is in your mind and what you are reading. In fact, dyslexia is only noticeable when you are doing actual reading. In this statement, Sen. Essy Okenyuri seeks to have dyslexia formally recognised because as it is today about 15 per cent of our population is suffering from the disease, which in its own right may look like a condition, but most people who suffer from it live for a long time without actually knowing that they suffer from dyslexia. Mr. Speaker Sir, maybe you and I are suffering from this because 15 per cent is a huge percentage in the population and most people who have this condition of dyslexia have very special talents and abilities. Today, the 5th of November, 2026, only one learning institution in the whole Republic deals with dyslexia, despite the fact that 15 per cent of the population of our learners are suffering from this. Some people live for a long time, some actually give up midway in the course of education because they are condemned by the society. You are told that you are a slow person or lazy, just because you cannot read.

People suffering from dyslexia, hardly distinguish B from P. They hardly distinguish P from Q, just in their reading. A person suffering from dyslexia can actually pronounce one word in one statement, in one text, three different ways just because they are not able to learn. The world over, so many people have come out to actually confirm and take a lot of pride that they were suffering from dyslexia and they did not know that they were suffering from dyslexia. It will surprise you, Mr. Speaker, that one of the most celebrated people in the technology world, the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, suffered from dyslexia. In fact, at 16, I think he left school. There are many other people, including one of the most celebrated boxers, Muhammad Ali---

Add Sen. Methu one more minute

Muhammad Ali, all his life, he was never able to read texts that are written to him. In fact, he kept saying, “I do a lot of boxing, but some people read on my behalf.” So, dyslexia must be identified. I completely seek the indulgence of our

Senate Majority Leader. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I just want to make a quick comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana, on the enforcement of Nairobi City County laws. I once brought a Bill to this House; I think about five or six years ago, on how to relook Nairobi as a devolved unit and whether it makes sense for it to be managed the same way you would manage Nyamira or different counties. The then Governor said certain things about things we used to do with him in this House when he was a Senator. Therefore, I will be very careful even as I make this comment about what works and what does not work.

It is unfortunate because we have become a reactionary society. Every time there are such incidences, nobody ever gets punished and that is a problem. You would recall that just last year, a similar building collapsed in South C. From the engineers who oversaw that building, because they had to be people that submitted their drawings, and the professional bodies that they belong to, nobody has been sanctioned.

Criminal culpability on all the agencies that either by commission or omission abetted that crime, none has been punished to date. I know there were people who were taken to court but they get away with a simple fine, and that is the end of that matter. People can do these things in Nairobi because they know that, at the end of the day, even if you run into a problem, you will be taken to Kibera Law Courts, pay a fine of Kshs100,000 or Kshs200,000 and your life continues. Crimes like these should begin to be punishable and enforceable by law, so that people see that if you commit such crimes you will face the law, particularly those officers that do it either by commision or ommision.

I say that because even if it was the case, as we are being told in this instance of this building that collapsed in Eastleigh, that they did not have approvals, there are enforcement officers in that region. These people are always alert; you cannot even change a chicken house in your compound before they show up at the gate and say there is some construction that you are doing. How can a building of 18 floors go on without them noticing? That means they had been compromised to look the other way if this building did not have the approval.

It is my hope that all agencies do their work and we need a holistic approach on this. I keep on saying these things, then my colleague, Sen. Omogeni, tells me that I should not touch the Judiciary because it is a holy sanctity that should never be questioned. I keep saying they must help us, so that when such culprits are presented before them, they also at least deliver the verdict in quick time.

You have got 10 seconds.

Five disappeared before I noticed the light was back. Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that can we punish those who are involved in these kinds of dealings for once, so that people know that if you do these kinds of things, then the law will catch up with you. That is the only problem and concern that I have.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also rise to make a brief comment on this statement by Sen. Hamida. If I can piggyback on what the Majority Leader was attempting to say, albeit beg very carefully. He was saying that the problem of Nairobi is that it is a city run by cartels and full of impunity. They control the waste management system, public transit and City Hall. That is exactly, in simple terms, what the Majority Leader was saying.

The distinguished Sen. Hamida has raised concern about the procedures followed to be able to ensure accountability. But how do you ensure accountability in a city which is managed like a city during the colonial period? An example is the constant rezoning without really looking at how rapidly the city is growing.

There were areas zoned for single houses. Now there are flats. There is no water or roads. Secondly, and this is systemic, there is greed in terms of the engineering structure. A lot of these buildings in Nairobi are not collapsing because the earth is not stable. It is because of structural greed where we see people building high-rise buildings with no approvals.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other day, we were heading to Jacaranda for a regular rally which was attended by over 50,000 Kenyans. That tells you how strong ODM is. I could see a building where the engineer, if there was one, decided at some point that the beams had to go right and again, had to go left.

I am not the only visitor in Nairobi. All of us have seen the survey carried out of all the buildings in Nairobi. Seventy-seven per cent of all the buildings, in our estates, especially those over 10-storey, are unsafe. What exactly are we saying? The only way to do this is to completely stop the approval and construction of any other building in Nairobi.

When we were growing up, and I know Sen. Mandago will remember this very well, the late Hon. William ole Ntimama stopped the construction of anything in Narok Town. Other people could have argued that it was for other reasons. For almost eight years, there was nothing coming up. It is only until recently that buildings have started coming up in Narok.

The only solution that we have for Nairobi, is not to follow up to see when people violate the law, when the matter is forwarded to the ODPP. What happens then?

You have your 30 seconds.

We have already been told here that this is a system run by cartels, which is full of impunity. The only way to do it is to be intentional in developing legislation that will stop any further development in the City of Nairobi.

Nairobi is the capital of East Africa and the biggest economic capital in the entire East African region. Let us now build Narok County and others. Let us stop this, I do not know whether you call it rural-urban migration because our counties are not rural

Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. What we are saying is one word. This is corruption that is perpetrated in Nairobi City County and if it is led by a governor who is incompetent, you can imagine.

I can foresee, because I am privy, that there were people doing business when a building is under construction. Even if some of us did not do engineering classes, it is basic or common sense that you do not approve businesses to be done in a construction site. It is as simple as that. In fact, if you want to prosecute anybody about the collapsing buildings, you must start with the Governor of Nairobi City County. It is as simple as that, because Kenyans have died.

I encountered a situation where the County Government of Nairobi was telling us that they did not approve the building plans. I can tell you, as the Majority Leader has said, you cannot do anything in this City without the alertness of county askaris. I am surprised that the enforcement county askaris of Nairobi are quick to bludgeon and fight the boda bodas and people selling small sweets in the streets as well as the mama mbogas, but they cannot implement some of these aspects that we are talking about.

The reading of Article 157 spells out that, as Parliament, we have an obligation, that we must come out and ensure that the ODPP should be transparent in their prosecution. I remember when we used to have municipal courts to handle some of these county by-laws, it was easier in terms of discharge of prosecution on matters such as what we are seeing. The ODPP must be held to account and told in no uncertain terms that it is not a laundromat of the corrupt. We have seen the ODPP on several occasions, withdrawing high-level corruption cases which leave Kenyans wondering if they are the laundry services or they are fighting corruption as per Article 157 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya.

My final contribution is on the Statement that has been brought by the distinguished Senator of Embu County on the Gikuyari–Kirie–Ishiara Road. The contractor working on that road should be blacklisted. I have look at the Bill of Quantities (BQ) and programme of the implementation and there is no justification why this road has been delayed. Therefore, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) should blacklist the contractor immediately because we have established a national infrastructure fund and no contractor has not been paid in this country.

With those many remarks, I beg to support.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not every day that I agree with Senators from the majority side, especially the Senate Majority Leader and the Senator for Nandi. If you see that both sides of the political divide are giving the same diagnosis to a problem, then it demonstrates that we could be on to something.

What is happening in Nairobi City County and other places when it comes to collapsing buildings is impunity that derives its strength from corrupt networks and corruption in this country. As the Senator of Nairobi City County, I have got into a place

One minute, Sen. Sifuna.

Therefore, if we have to confront the culture of corruption that breeds impunity and the confidence to bend the rules--- We had a conversation with the city governor. The law requires that there should be an appeals board that residents can go to if they have a problem or a challenge to a construction in their neighbourhood. There should be an appeals board that they can take their case to. At some point, that board was non-functional because their allowances were not being paid. We summoned the Governor of Nairobi City County to the Senate, we had that conversation and we thought the matter was resolved.

If you go to Kileleshwa and Kilimani, you will note that many of those residents' associations are tired of going to court over these constructions. Some of their leaders have decided to run for offices as Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in this

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to make very few comments on the Statement by Sen. Essy regarding the issue of dyslexia. I support her Statement and it is true that the identification of this particular disease at an early age is very critical, especially for our learners.

I encourage the Ministry of Education to ensure that we have more trained teachers who are able to understand and manage young learners who develop the symptoms of this particular disease. This condition is not different from autism that we have addressed in this House. The Bill is in the Committee on Health where I serve. We looked at it keenly but the Ministry of Education should train more teachers who are able to identify the symptoms from our young learners.

My good friend, Sen. Hamida Kibwana has sought a Statement on the city laws. I represent Nairobi City County in the Senate and it is sad because this is the sixth building that has come down. Families have lost their loved ones. Colleagues have spoken but what has not come out, which is my biggest concern, is why Nairobi City County, the one that gave approvals for this building, did not ensure there was enforcement. The officers in charge of enforcement should do their role. If that is done, this would be avoided.

In the case of Eastleigh, the MCAs said that fire licences were issued by the same county. Business permits have been issued by the same County to businesses that are operating in buildings under risk. You will, therefore, realise that there is a gap in the enforcement department. As we speak, I have received information that there is a building on a road called Zanzibar Road in South B that is a risk. It is sad to mention this, but any time--- (The microphone was switched off)

One minute, Honourable Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. That building might fall any time.

We cannot narrow down and only blame the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) because people are being given low fines of Kshs50,000 or Kshs100,000. This is a collective responsibility. I urge Nairobians not to occupy a building if it is not complete because they put their lives and those of their family members at risk. They might want to do so to expand their business but their lives are a priority.

As one of the leaders of this County, I urge the Judiciary to give an example of one culprit who has faced the full law. That person should then become an example. I agree with my colleague---

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to make a brief comment on the Statement on dyslexia. When we were growing up, we used to laugh at the people who used to have difficulty in reading and doing their math properly. Teachers, especially in rural counties such as Tana River, were not able to identify these people with reading and spelling difficulties. As the Committee looks at this, I emphasise that teacher training is critical.

How many people have been listed in this country? Where is the national database for people suffering from dyslexia? It has not been done. The Committee must also push for specialists attached at the Ministry of Education to be attached in every county, at least so that they can assess children with dyslexia. We must not throw away these children; we must not make them live the way we lived many years ago when we were in school and left others behind.

In sports and entertainment, people like Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world record holder has come out to say that he has dyslexia. In entertainment, big names like Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Cruise and even Steven Spielberg, the movie director, have come back to say that they suffer from dyslexia. In politics, it has been said that big personalities like the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, suffered from dyslexia. Even big corporate personalities like Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, suffers from dyslexia and talks openly about it.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, maybe, those people we used to laugh at and have left them behind in Tana River County and other counties are talents that could have been developed into big corporate personalities and big scientists--- (The microphone was switched off)

You have one more minute Hon. Senator.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, something needs to be done about our education system, so that we can help our people and maybe even nurture the talent that is hidden behind spelling and reading difficulties. Some of these people are super talented and I have mentioned just a few to give examples. The need to recognise dyslexia in our education system is dire and needs to be done urgently. I hope the Standing Committee on Education will deal with this matter with the urgency it requires.

I thank you.

Sen. Kisang, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also want to comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida on Nairobi City by-laws. I am of the view that it was a mistake to make this particular county called Nairobi City County a county. It should have been run as a metropolis with a minister as the person in charge and then have a mayor. For the last five or so years, we have had about six or seven buildings come down. We just react when the buildings collapse, families mourn their loved ones and then after about two or three months, people move on.

There are professionals in charge of approvals, inspections and monitoring, whom we just ignore. Just like the Senate Majority Leader said, if you make slight renovations in your house such as building a perimeter wall, they will be at your door within 30 or 40

Sen. Wakoli, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to ventilate and contribute to the matter raised by Sen. Mundigi about roads. We all come from villages and counties where devolution ought to work. As we are speaking, a key example is the dual carriage in Bungoma County. This is a road that is going to take over nine years now to construct. A budget of Kshs1.4 billion was allocated, but when you go there, there are no flyovers, streetlights and pavements, yet I have seen them painting it.

This is the kind of impunity that we always talk about; that Government must exist in perpetuity, however, these ones will turn a blind eye on the implementation, but cash in on the fines and penalties that the contractor ought to get.

When we talk about the matter raised by Hon. Hamida on buildings that are substandard, we should also be cognisant of the fact that county governments are leading across the country in putting up buildings that cannot be related. The monies allocated and the structure on the ground are two different things. We have an executive building in Bungoma with no slab or beams, but the contractor has been paid Kshs85 million. Yet, they are being given more money at the expense of service delivery.

There is a Level 4 hospital building in Sirisia that has not been completed in seven years. It even has no sewer and yet, we are told it is a Government project. We also have an abandoned milk processing plant worth Kshs350 million. What we are saying is that as we throw stones at contractors, we must also look at Government officials who are supposed to supervise and ensure that there is value for money and expected outcome of the projects that are being funded by the coffers.

Finally, I reiterate and support what colleagues have raised; that we cannot afford to lose a life. A life lost in Nairobi is a life lost in Bungoma and Machakos counties. Every life must be protected and everyone in the line of duty who has not done their work must be brought to book as individuals. I am seeing a scenario where people will hide behind big bosses and titles and yet, innocent lives are being lost because of carelessness and laziness of the people in charge.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Mandago, proceed.

Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, Sir. Allow me to comment on the Statement sought by Sen. Essy Okenyuri on the issue of dyslexia.

The biggest challenge we have in this country and why most of these disability issues go unnoticed is not on training or treatment, but on detection and determining that this child or this person is suffering from this kind of disability. In this country, the only place with an assessment centre is the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) which also has a training facility. Most of our facilities, including hospitals, do not have the necessary equipment, training and human resource capacity for early detection. (Sen. Cheruiyot and Sen. Methu consulted loudly) The Majority Leader and Senator for Nyandarua are consulting a lot. They may need to go to an assessment centre.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to urge the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Government to establish assessment centres, at the minimum, at least eight in every region. They should set aside resources to train experts for assessment and early detection, so that this population, which is part of this nation, can get good care, early detection and, therefore, the most appropriate assistance in terms of treatment and even assistive devices.

Counties have the responsibility for early childhood education. That is the point where it can easily be determined whether a child has a challenge, but without training and without assessment centres, it will be impossible for those children to be detected. It is a pity.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, those of us who have worked in education, particularly previously when corporal punishment used to be administered, unfortunately, a majority of these children may have suffered corporal punishment. This would be on account that they are lazy, slow to learn and so forth, without the teachers knowing that this is a special child with a special condition that needs a different way of handling.

I urge the Government to consider establishing regional assessment centres and building capacity for teachers to train the other teachers.

Take one minute

Finally, is on the issue of Nairobi City County and the issue of planning and urban development. Urban development is a very serious issue and counties need to take this seriously.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the approval of plans, we want to urge our counties to automate the process of approval to minimise human intervention, so that we deal with the issue of corruption. We have seen situations where some building plans are approved and signed by architects and structural engineers, but to the surprise of many, those are actually fake signatures and stamps. There are cartels who have manufactured rubberstamps of high-performing architects and high-performing structural engineers. They forge their signatures, apply their stamps there, and when the engineers and the architects are called, they find that these are fake and have been used for approval.

Sen. Kavindu, I will permit you to read your Statement, but it shall not attract any comments. You will read it and it will stand committed to the relevant committee.

Proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for this opportunity. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding the availability and accessibility of anti-snake venom in public health facilities, especially in snake-infested areas.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the death of journalist Kitavi Mutua on Friday, 30th October, 2026, while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital (KUTRH) following a venomous snake bite at his home, and the reported failure of Kitui County Referral Hospital to manage his condition, raises concerns about the preparedness of public health facilities to manage snake-bite emergencies, including the availability of anti-snake venom and access to timely treatment.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Next Order.

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. That Order is deferred.

Next Order.

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. That Order is deferred.

Next Order.

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am a Member of the Committee and I would like to do this on behalf of the Chairperson, the Hon. Wakili Sigei.

This is a request which came to the Senate by way of a petition by Mr. Mohamed

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. From the comments that have been made by Sen. Maanzo for Makueni, I wish to second and say that the laws are very clear. If there is a popular name that you want to use, what you need to do is follow the laws, get the deed and then the name will be amended. I know in the past there were many people who have done that and their IDs are changed and then the IEBC allows that popular name to appear on the ballot paper, if you believe that will give you votes. However, the issue is that many people have made efforts to bring this same amendment severally through petitions because with the belief, that their popular names will give them votes, but they do not. So long as the people have loved you, they like you, it does not matter which name you use, you will still get your votes.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to second and agree with the Committee that we reject this proposal to have popular names by IEBC without them going through the proper channel of amending names appearing on their national identity cards. (Question proposed)

Hon. Senators, seeing that there are no members interested in contributing on this matter, we shall defer the putting of the question to a later date. (Putting of the Question on the Motion deferred) Clerk, next Order. (The Clerk-at-the-Table called out the Order)

Where is the Chairperson, Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources? He was here a few minutes ago. (The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Abdul Haji) consulted with the Clerks-at-the-Table)

Hon. Senators, we will have to re-arrange the Order Paper. For Order No.12 to Order No.16, there are no movers and some of the chairpersons are not ready, so we shall defer.

Order Nos.17 to 26 are divisions, and we do not seem to have the numbers. We shall defer them too. We shall also defer Order Nos.27 to the end.

Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 10th November, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 4.09 p.m.