Thursday, 16th April 2026

Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell.

Hon. Members, we now have quorum to transact business.

Members on their feet, take your seats.

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42, I wish to report to the House that I have received two Messages from His Excellency the President, seeking approval of persons nominated for appointment to various diplomatic and State offices.

In the first Message, His Excellency the President conveys that in his exercise of the powers conferred to him by the provisions of Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution, he has nominated two persons for appointment as High Commissioner and Ambassador as follows:

Deputy Chief Whip of the Majority Party.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

Reports of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on its Consideration of—

Next Order.

Yes, I am Hon. Speaker. Thank you. I wish to give a response regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of a minor at Gilgil Hills Academy, requested by Hon. Martha Wangari. I respond as follows:

On 27th March 2026, a report was launched at Gilgil Police Station by the principal of the Gilgil Hills Academy, Mr Joseph Thuku Kihato. The report indicated that around 11 a.m., a three-year-old playgroup learner, Master Faiz Lesly, had been found drowned in a school fishpond. The child was immediately rushed to Gilgil Sub-County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police officers responded promptly and confirmed that the body had no visible external injuries, though the clothing was wet and there was a whitish discharge from the nose. The scene was processed and documented, and the body was preserved at the hospital's mortuary pending post-mortem examination.

The investigation was initiated by the Sub-County Criminal Investigation Office, Gilgil, under Enquiry File No. 4 of 2026 on 28th March 2026. The scene was revisited and thoroughly examined by investigators alongside crime scene investigation personnel. A post-mortem examination conducted on the same day by the pathologist, Dr Titus Ngulungu, established the cause of death as aspiratory asphyxia, secondary to immersion of the nose and the mouth in water. Samples, including body tissues and deceased clothing, were collected and

submitted to the Government Chemist for toxicological analysis, DNA testing, and further examination. The results of the same test are still pending.

Several witnesses have since been interviewed and their statements recorded. Additionally, a court order was obtained to facilitate the acquisition of the relevant mobile communication data to support the investigation. At this stage, no arrest has been made and no charges have been preferred. The investigation file has been forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal review and guidance. The matter remains under active investigation.

On the toxicology findings, as indicated, samples were submitted to the Government Chemist on 31st March for toxicological examination and related analysis. The results are pending and will inform the next course of action upon completion. Hon. Speaker, this was to be submitted by the Departmental Committee on Health.

Regarding the previous incidents at Gilgil Hills Academy, according to the police record, there has been one prior reported death at the institution in the case of a 13-year-old pupil, Linda Chepkorir, who passed away on 28th July 2008 while undergoing medical care at the school. The investigation established that the cause of death was peritonitis arising from a medical condition. However, the court later found the school nurse culpable of negligence. Civil proceedings were subsequently instituted by the family, resulting in an award of damages. The matter is currently pending before the Court of Appeal. The issue relating to psychological support, safety policies and school enforcement on the ban of corporal punishment, and the installation of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Education.

In conclusion, we wish to assure the Committee that we are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and investigations are ongoing. Signed by Dr Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I submit.

Hon. Wangari.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I appreciate the Chairman. However, I have been following this matter and have a few questions. Could the Committee or the Principal Secretary confirm whether the family was allowed to have their own pathologist during the post-mortem? Second, we have a problem with this toxicology, and it is not just in this case. I have raised it before. We do not have a Government Chemist in Nakuru, so we end up taking our samples all the way to Nairobi, Mombasa, or Kisumu. I feel the Ministry does not prioritise testing, and this also applies to sexual and gender-based violence cases. I remember a case I followed in 2023, and it took almost a year for the DNA results to come out.

So, if the samples were transmitted on 31stMarch, this means it has been two weeks. Why are the results not ready, and when do we expect them to be ready? As the Statement says, the report will inform the next course of action in this investigation. When can we expect the toxicology results?

Hon. Tongoyo.

Hon. Speaker, I may not have a specific date; that was largely intended to be handled by the Departmental Committee on Health.

But I referred it to your Committee and the Departmental Committee on Education.

You also included the Departmental

Committee on Health. I remember yesterday in the afternoon you mentioned that Hon. Pauline

Is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health here? I know Dr Nyikal is bereaved. Where is Dr Pukose? Is he still a Member of that Committee?

It seems he is not a member. However, the report indicated that the toxicological report was not yet concluded.

Okay.

But that is the question.

Yes, Hon. Wangari.

Hon. Speaker, I have heard the Chairman. However, the reason I am pushing this is that even in the Statement he has just read, it indicates that the investigation cannot proceed until the toxicology report is concluded. Even the post-mortem results were pending, waiting for the toxicology report.

It has now been two weeks. There needs to be a minimum timeline for how long it should take to obtain these results. The investigation cannot remain pending, and we cannot wait indefinitely. I am not certain which committee should handle this matter. My understanding is that, since this is an investigation under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) , they would be responsible for following up on the toxicology report. I recall a case I raised in 2023 involving defilement where it was the DCI that followed up on the DNA results. I still believe it is their responsibility to report to the House.

Hon. Tongoyo.

It is okay, Hon. Speaker.

What is okay?

I meant to say that we can still push...

You know, when I directed this response, Hon. Martha had insinuated, or even directly alleged, foul play. Your Statement is very coy on this.

I beg to differ. The post-mortem is actually conclusive, and I want to read it again for record.

Read.

A post-mortem report examination conducted on the same day by the Government Pathologist, one Dr Titus Ngulungu, established the cause of death as asphyxia, secondary to immersion of the nose and the mouth in water; that is actually drowning. The others were just supporting issues. They have already confirmed the cause of death.

It could be the cause of death, but what caused the child to get into the pool? That is where the crime lies.

Yeah, which I think, if Hon. Martha could say, the child was known to be suffering from a central nervous system (CNS) condition.

Anyway, I have seen Hon. Melly come in. Is that Hon. Julius Melly? You have something to do with this Statement regarding the drowning of a child in Gilgil. And I directed that while Hon. Tongoyo was to tell us if there was foul play, you are to tell the House about general safety in schools.

Parents give their children to schools, and schools become foster parents. They have a duty to look after them. We cannot accept a situation where a small child is found floating in the pool alone. Somebody must take responsibility. Yes, Hon. Melly.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. You have rightly put it. Indeed, schools and teachers are foster parents. They have a responsibility when they take the students in. In fact, I remember that particular time when Hon. Wangari asked the question, I promised the House that I would transmit the questions to the cabinet secretary so that we could respond to the House together with Hon. Tongoyo.

I will find out from my clerk if they have responded, so that we can bring the response to the House. It was supposed to be ready in two weeks after Hon. Wangari’s Request for a Statement.

That is in order, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Wangari, is that okay with you?

Let me put effort into getting the toxicology and the DNA report from the Government Chemist.

You see, as I said, asphyxia is a sudden deprivation of oxygen. Right?

True.

Then your Statement says it was secondary to an immersion of the nose and mouth in water, which is drowning.

Yes, drowning.

In law, we have a maxim that things do not just happen. So, you need to look at that.

I will. However, Hon. Martha confirmed to me that the child was known to have a CNS condition. She seems to... Anyway, I will bring the...

You are out of order.

Yes, Hon. Martha.

The Chairman is misleading the House. The reason I raised this issue is because the family felt that the school should have been more careful to ensure that what happened did not occur. Additionally, the questions they raised have not been answered. The first question is how this child ended up in the fish pond, which was secured and fenced off. There are many questions surrounding this investigation.

Second, if the toxicology was not important, why was the investigation still flagged as “pending” even after the post-mortem report was obtained? Even the Statement indicates that the next course of the investigation will be determined by the toxicology. In their own admission, the toxicology report is the issue derailing the investigation. That is why we are pushing for this to be published and made public, so that we can know the next course of action on this investigation.

Hon. Tongoyo, when Hon. Melly brings his part of the response, you should also be here to complement.

Next is a response from Hon. Tongoyo to Hon. Dick Maungu. Is Hon. Dick Maungu in the House?

Hon. Speaker, I had assigned my Vice-Chairman to read the Statement.

Hon. Raso, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to respond to the question by Hon. Dick Maungu, regarding the prevailing incidences of insecurity in the country with particular reference to the recent attack on the Senator for Vihiga County, Hon. Godfrey Osotsi.

Circumstances surrounding the incident are that on 8th April 2026, at approximately noon, Hon. Godfrey Osotsi was at Java House located at West End Mall in Kisumu County

attending to a private engagement. He was seated with a female companion when they were approached by a group of about 15 individuals. The individuals initially appeared friendly with some greeting the Senator before surrounding his table. They questioned him on his presence in Kisumu and alleged political affiliation. Before he could respond, they turned hostile and physically assaulted him using blows, slaps and kicks. The Senator’s security officer was temporarily absent having been sent on an errand to a nearby M-PESA outlet. Staff at the establishment intervened, prompting the attackers to flee. The Senator sustained injuries and was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu before being evacuated to Nairobi for further treatment.

During the incident, the Senator’s mobile phone was stolen as was that of his companion. Police officers promptly visited the scene and commenced investigations. Closed- circuit television footage has been secured and forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations forensic laboratory for analysis. I wish to inform the House that three suspects have since been arrested within Nyalenda and Manyatta areas. They are currently in police custody and are expected to appear before the Kisumu Law Courts on 17th April 2026 for plea taking pending the recording of the Senator’s statement.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was orchestrated by an organised criminal group with early findings suggesting a political motive given that no other patrons within the establishment were targeted. However, the financiers behind the attack are yet to be identified. The suspects so far arrested have alleged that the woman accompanying the Senator was romantically involved with one of them and that the assault was carried out as an act of revenge. The claim remains subject to further verification as investigations continue. Meanwhile, security agencies have identified efforts to apprehend additional suspects linked to the incident and to recover the stolen items.

Hon. Speaker, measures being taken to curb politically instigated violence include the

Hon. Maungu.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I thank the Chairman for the response. However, the response provided by the Chairman is highly contradictory because on one part of the second page of this response, it is said that early findings suggest political motive, and that is what had been captured earlier. Later on, a love triangle is brought in. I have spoken to my Senator who hails from my area about this version of a woman being involved. His view of the response is that it does not capture the truth.

That is what I am doing, Hon. Speaker.

No, you are reading the Statement.

I am only quoting a section of the Statement, Hon. Speaker. The Chairman says that the lady was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the people who assaulted him. I would wish to know what evidence we have that the Senator was involved in a romantic relationship with that lady. The lady in question is known as Ms. Jennifer, a staffer of the Senator, who is well known to me. The Chairman has not given us any evidence suggesting the lover of this lady who is involved in this case and the extent of what resulted into this.

Second, we have a challenge in this country with goons emerging all over, be it in funerals, church services or public spaces. The Chairman has given steps that should be taken. We are approaching a very political moment in this country, but the Chairman has not put it clear what steps they are going to put in place to ensure the safety of Kenyans out there. It is not only about leaders in this House. The moment you allow goons to take over our streets, places of worship, restaurants or hotels, there shall be no peace in this country. If we allow every politician to come up with their goons, that will be a wrong way to go. What steps is the Chairman proposing that can ensure Members of Parliament, leaders in the Executive, and common mwananchi are secure in their movement across the country?

Hon. Raso, you can take a few comments before you respond. Yes, Hon. Gisairo.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. In the response, the Chairman stated that they could not find the financiers. However, one of the suspects alleges that the lady with the Senator had a romantic relationship with him. Is it not him then who is the financier of the rest of the goons? He is the one then who brought them. Why have you not interrogated this person more deeply to give us better facts rather than issuing a whole report from a principal secretary that looks like it was written from his office as opposed to bringing an interrogative and substantive response? We may have differences in political opinions. That is the nature of democracy. We will forever disagree, but to reach a point where we are financing goons to beat a Member of Parliament or any Kenyan to prove a point and then know that we will control the structures to give flimsy and baseless responses, will not help this country. We have to know that our democracy dictates that all of us have the freedom to express ourselves. This response should not be accepted in this House. We need to get a substantive response and the culprits brought to book and their financiers identified because they are known. Let us not hide behind long statements that do not answer the questions.

Hon. Gisairo, put contrary facts to the Chairman. You will help the House better than by making a speech. Hon. Omondi.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. First, it is wrong for a Statement of this nature, on a matter like this one, to come from the principal secretary, who is my friend. I feel I have a responsibility to try and assist. Yesterday, we were at the police station with Sen. Osotsi. Before yesterday and the recording of the statement, Sen. Osotsi identified the Principal Secretary as a person of interest. It is only fair that the Principal Secretary distances himself from this matter and somebody else deals with it. There have been pictures…

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Hold on, Hon. Omondi. What is it, Hon. Raso?

Hon. Speaker, our Standing Orders are very clear. We cannot cast aspersions on somebody who is not a Member of this House. In case you feel that the Principal Secretary is involved, please, bring a Motion so that we can debate it as a House. Throwing around what he is not likely to be or what is not there is unfair.

Hon. Caroli.

Hon. Speaker, I have not accused anybody. I am saying that in terms of fairness and truthfulness, and to protect the Principal Secretary, Mr Raymond Omollo, he should not have been the one to write that Statement to this House. This is because the victim of that violent attack has mentioned him as a person of interest, both in the statement to the police and in actual social media. You have seen a lot of pictures circulating around, that is, his image and those of the goons.

Let me go to certain facts. Hon. Osotsi was attacked by 17 goons. We have identified each and every one of the 17 of them and given the names to the police. The three who have been arrested were not searched for by the police. They handed themselves in. In other words, the police have been reluctant to search for the goons who attacked Hon. Osotsi. Where are the other 14? Why are they not being arrested yet their location is known? Through phone triangulation, they can be traced. Why is it so difficult to get the 17? Their names, faces, images, and places of residence have been provided to the police.

The 14 or the 17?

The 14. They were 17, but the three who have been arrested were not even found by the police. They were forced to report to the police to cool down temperatures. Where are the other 14 to make the number 17?

Point made. Yes, Hon. Owino.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. On this issue, I would like to tell the Chairman that there is no arrest that has been made by the police. I concur with Hon. Caroli’s sentiments that these accused persons presented themselves to a police station. Of the 17 people who were there, 14 are still at large. To the Principal Secretary purporting to write a statement telling us where they are so far with investigations, I would like to tell him that you cannot allow a hyena write a proposal on how to keep goats. The hyena will instead write on how to eat the goats. The Principal Secretary, Mr Raymond Omollo, is vicariously liable for the attack of Sen. Osotsi. Therefore, arrests must be made. This Principal Secretary should not treat us with these mere statements of puff and innuendos. We will not tolerate this. Goons in this country must be finished once and for all. We will be in Kisumu on 26th, and we would like to meet…

Member for Kabuchai.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. We are your property, as Members of Parliament. First of all, we thank Parliament for taking quick action to move Sen. Osotsi from Kisumu to Nairobi for treatment. We thank the Speakers of both Houses for what they did. Second, this report tells us that there are two more people who must be arrested. The first one is that girl they are purporting to be in love. Can that girl be arrested and be taken to the police?

Order, Hon. Kalasinga. If you listened to Hon. Raso, and to be fair to that lady, whoever she is, sitting with the Senator is not an indication of being in love with him.

The only thing alleged in the Statement is that the lady accompanying the Senator was romantically involved with one of the assailants, but there is no mention of the lady being involved romantically or otherwise with the Senator. Go on.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. We read a lot. Before we even got this Statement, we had read bloggers of the Principal Secretary Mr Omollo. The first blogger of the Principal Secretary said that Sen. Osotsi had been beaten because of a woman.

On a point of information, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. Speaker, I would like to be informed.

It is important that we set the record straight. Yesterday we were at the police station. This particular lady came to record her own statement. She works for Sen. Osotsi and they were meeting that morning to plan for a football tournament. There is no love triangle. And even if Sen. Osotsi has a personal relationship with anybody, is that the reason to attack him? It cannot be! This lady is innocent. She is a member of staff. She came that morning from Vihiga to meet Hon. Osotsi at the restaurant in Kisumu. It was some blogger, a hired gun called Alai, who 10 minutes after Sen. Osotsi had been attacked, tried to spread that kind of lie. Sen. Osotsi has already lodged a complaint under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (Cap.79C) against that foolish fellow from Kileleshwa called Alai.

Thank you for the information. We are dealing with a serious matter.

Ask a supplementary question to Hon. Raso who brought the response. This is not debating time. This is Statement time.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. What I would like to request the Chairman to add to the fact that he has given is that the quantum of the report does not measure to the Houses that we belong to. We are serious people. We are moving towards an election and things must be taken seriously. As a Luhya from western, we are hurt. That is our son.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a.

Hon. Speaker, I was asking why we are discussing about the lady yet she is not here, and why we are making the information to be about that lady instead of talking about the Senator who was attacked.

Hon. David Ochieng’.

Thank you so much, Hon. Speaker. Our Standing Orders require that principal secretaries in various departments respond to us. Therefore, any insinuation that Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo should not have signed the response is out of order. It could have been Omollo or anybody else. It did not have to be Omollo, but he is the current Principal Secretary in that department.

I wanted to ask a supplementary question on whether the Committee has considered whether this attack was politically motivated, or it was an act of criminality on its own.

Order, Hon. Caroli. You cannot purport to rule anybody out of order.

Hon. Caroli should record a statement with the police because he has so many facts about this case. Maybe he attacked Sen. Osotsi. Who knows? He seems to know everything about this attack. Maybe he is a person of interest in this matter. He cannot keep on giving facts to Parliament. The police station is just across the road. In fact, I saw you there with Hon. Osotsi. Why did you not record a statement? If you know all these things, why are you giving them to Parliament? My question is… I do not want to be informed by you. The Committee should check to see whether the attack was politically motivated or it was an act of criminality. Politicians tend to smoke things. They may want to put up a smokescreen. Maybe, there is something deeper in this incident. Has the Committee gone ahead to find out whether the attack was an isolated act of criminality or was politically motivated?

I do not want.

Hon. Raso, can you respond? Hon. Caroli Omondi, you are being rowdy. Hold on, Hon. Raso. Let us hear Hon. Mary Emaase.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Whereas we condemn the attack on Hon. Sen. Osotsi or any form of hooliganism against any Member in the strongest terms possible, it is wrong for Hon. Kalasinga to refer to a girl being brought here or taken to the police station. Let proper investigation be done. Even the reference by Hon. Caroli to social media is misplaced. There are all manner of allegations on social media. Let us get the facts and allow for proper investigations to be conducted. That is the right route to follow without making allegations or reference to social media. A lot of things are said about us on social media. You cannot rely on what you see on social media about anybody.

Go on, Hon. Raso.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. It has been clarified by the department that this matter is under investigation. However, Hon. Caroli and others appear to be loaded with information. As good citizens and leaders, you should record statements with the police instead of harbouring the information within yourselves.

There are two things emerging. First, the department says they suspect that the attack was an act of hooliganism. Secondly, that it was politically motivated. The issue of romance is just a by the way. It has been said that one of the suspects could be a spouse, a fiancée or someone in a relationship. We wish to promise the House that we are meeting the Cabinet Secretary as a Committee on Tuesday. Those who have information and wish to prosecute this matter further should come forward, especially since there is already a criminal culpability that is ongoing in the investigation. In terms of asking the Cabinet Secretary deeper questions regarding the safety of leaders in public places, we should come forward and put questions to the Cabinet Secretary.

Finally, within this report, they have stated that they are conducting a forensic analysis as the CCTV footage is also available.

Proceed, Hon. Maungu.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Having listened keenly to the feedback from the Vice-Chair, I would request you to direct that what has been presented here is not satisfactory. Therefore, I request through you that the Vice-Chair returns to the House with substantive feedback after summoning the people involved. My good friend, the wakili, seems to have more information. He should equally be summoned to appear before the same Committee to ensure that we gather as much information as possible on this matter.

As we wait for the Committee Chairman to come back with a comprehensive response on this matter, there is a matter I would like to raise. Tomorrow, I may be attacked. It would be unfair for a woman to be brought in simply because I was seated in a restaurant with a lady,

and then I am accused of being involved in some misdemeanour. There is a pattern in this country. Whenever an issue arises, the name of a lady is brought in. Just to bring you up to speed, on that day, within an hour, the social media was awash with allegations similar to those captured here.

Avoid the temptation to use social media as a source of information. Once in a long while, I look at social media, and what I see is just reckless exchanges between angry people. It is hardly anything to go by.

Hon. Speaker, that is true. I appreciate the advice, but it is also a reality that social media is with us today. It helps us to communicate. It also serves as a medium of communication.

Three months ago, I led a delegation to India. While I was there meeting the Prime Minister of India, some hooligan in Kenya posted on social media that I was dead. Am I dead? I am still here. Did you see the post?

Yes, we saw it, Hon. Speaker. Finally, I call upon you to direct…

Hon. Maungu, you brought the Request for Statement. Your interrogation of the Chairman of the Committee should be on the three motives he has allege – political, romance and hooliganism. Those are the issues you should question him about since he has mentioned them on the Floor. He has also indicated – as Hon. Tongoyo told us yesterday

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I submit.

Hon. Gikaria, are you ready to respond to Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo’s Request for Statement? Is Hon. (Dr) Oundo in the House? He is always here, but I cannot see him now. He must have a legitimate reason for not being here. Let us give him more time. You will respond on Tuesday.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

We are supposed to have a Statement from the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. Hon. G.K., are you in the House? Are you ready to respond to Hon. Protus Akuja’s Request for Statement? Is Hon. Akujah in the House? Go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, the Member for Loima, Hon. (Dr) Protus Akujah, requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the lack of National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) services in Turkana County. The Member sought to establish, among other things:

Hon. GK, your response is very long. Summarise it.

I am almost done, Hon. Speaker. I have two paragraphs to go.

Hon. Protus Akuja. There is a microphone next to you.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I thank the Cabinet Secretary, through the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, for attempting to answer the questions I had asked. The Cabinet Secretary has not attempted to address the issue of timelines. As you are aware, Turkana County is the largest county in Kenya, covering an area of 77,000 square kilometres. Therefore, the county is supposed to be a region on its own.

From the response, I have heard that NTSA took over from the Ministry, operations in the administrative regions that existed before devolution. We will, therefore, continue to get services through the old regional centres. For example, Turkana is situated in the Rift Valley. The headquarters of the Rift Valley region before devolution came into being was Nakuru. Therefore, to get a logbook or a new motor vehicle registration plate, one would need to go to Nakuru to pick it. This has many disadvantages to the people living in Turkana County. This is because even in Lodwar, where he says there is a Huduma Centre, that centre is in Lodwar Town, which is 400 kilometres from Kibish. The distance between Lodwar Town and the farthest southern point of the county is more than 295 kilometres. Even accessing these services from within Turkana County itself is a challenge. Accessing the same services from Eldoret or Nakuru is even a bigger challenge for the people in Turkana County. We, therefore, need to know from the Cabinet Secretary, what immediate measures they are putting in place to enable the people of Turkana County to get their logbooks from the nearest administrative point. Even if it means getting them at Lodwar, we will be happy. Thank you, Hon. Chair.

Hon. Akujah, proceedings in this House are presided over by the Speaker, and not a Chair. Go on, Hon. GK.

Hon. Speaker, the Cabinet Secretary indicates that the Ministry is taking three actions, which are budgetary support for decentralisation of these services; availing the same services through Huduma Centres, and privatising these services as indicated in paragraph (e) of my response.

I believe he has the response, which cites Legal Notice No.13 of the Traffic

Rules, 2026, dated 13th February 2026. This will help the people of Turkana County and all other Kenyans to access NTSA services within the required timelines.

Hon. George Gachagua and Hon. Ekwom Nabuin, your statements will be re-scheduled for next Tuesday. Members on your feet, resume your seats.

Hon. Members, allow me to recognise students from the University of Nairobi, my university. I acknowledge the presence of a delegation of 54 students from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Nairobi, who are seated in the Public Gallery. The students, led by Ms Esther Njoki, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, are visiting the National Assembly to learn from the legislative and administrative processes within Parliament and gain practical experience on governance, institutional operations and interface between theory and practice in public administration.

On my behalf and that of the National Assembly, I welcome them to the National Assembly and wish them a fruitful and inspiring visit.

Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I request you to allow a few of us to say something to the students.

Just speak for yourself.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I take this opportunity to join you in welcoming the students from the University of Nairobi, who have come to the House to see what we do. Some of us were there many years ago. We want to assure them that in a few years, they can also be seated in Parliament serving Kenyans. Feel most welcome and work very hard in your studies. Your future is bright. Remain focused and committed.

Hon. Maungu, did you also go to the University of Nairobi?

Not really. I went to Kenyatta University.

What do you mean by “Not really?” You either did or you did not.

Hon. Speaker, let me not belabour that point. I seek your indulgence to raise a matter of public interest. Two weeks ago, I requested for a Statement about the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Station in Luanda. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure committed to respond to the Request for Statement today. It has been two weeks since I raised the matter, but I have not heard him speak about it.

Hon. GK, in view of the direction that I have given, will you be able to respond to the Request for Statement on Tuesday?

Yes, I will, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Dick Maungu, can you wait until Tuesday?

I am much obliged, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Yes, Hon. Farah Maalim.

Hon. Speaker, I was also a student at the University of Nairobi. I want to encourage the students from the university, particularly those pursuing governance-related programs, to view this opportunity as serious business. In the developed world, people who study Political Science…

Hon. Speaker, protect me from the Kenyatta University graduates.

Hon. Gikaria, consult in low tones.

In the developed world, people who study Political Science, History, Literature and the Arts are top students in school. They are the future thinkers and politicians, who are supposed to take care of a nation. Law and medicine are trades. Young men and ladies, welcome to this business.

Winston Churchill once said that if you are 20 years old and you are not a socialist, then you have no heart, but if you are 40 years old and you are still a socialist, then you have no hate. That is what we call idealism and pragmatism. Not everything is about idealism and talking loftily as if you are the most learned.

You have made your point.

Fixing a government is like a small shop where you can sell all the good things, which will be delivered like manna. Becoming a politician is a process. Young people must understand that politics is business. The worst thing that young people can do is to make their country a failed State. There is no solution to a failed State. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia are failed States. It will take them 40 years to regain normalcy. Always protect the centre. We should also incorporate Political Science students in governance because they are the best in that field.

Lead Clerk, call out Order 8.

Hon. Speaker, let me shelve what I wanted to say and proceed with business.

You obviously did not go to the University of Nairobi, did you?

Hon. Speaker, I went to the Pennsylvania State University in the United States of America (USA) . It is an Ivy League University.

Go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion:

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 120, this House resolves to reduce the publication period of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2026) from seven days to six days. Hon. Speaker, we have an opportunity to reduce the load on Kenyans’ shoulders, especially in terms of the prices of fuel products. Therefore, instead of waiting for seven days to publish the Bill, we want to reduce the period to six days. It is urgent that we pass this Bill. I, therefore, request Members to approve the Motion on reduction of the publication period of this Bill.

With those remarks, I beg to move and request Hon. Kimani Kuria to second.

Kamau Kuria was my law Professor at the University of Nairobi. Proceed, Member for Molo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. As Kenyans are aware, we are facing a crisis. The House is rising to the occasion to fix that crisis. It is for that reason that this afternoon, this House will resolve to reduce the VAT on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 per cent. We want to reduce the publication period for this Bill to hasten the process and relieve Kenyans of the burden.

Hon. Speaker, allow me to also use this opportunity to welcome the students from the University of Nairobi. I encourage them to participate in the upcoming elections by vying and supporting their candidates of choice, so that they can start earning the experience that they need.

With those remarks, I beg to second.

Members on your feet, resume your seats.

Put the Question!

Next Order.

Hon. Members, let me have your consensus on this matter. Can we spend less than an hour on it? How much time do you want?

Order, Hon. Gikaria. Two minutes will not be enough to even say I beg to move. Is thirty minutes the consensus of the House?

Yes.

Okay. Go ahead, Hon. Owen.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move that the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2026) be now read a Second Time.

First, I thank Members for approving the Procedural Motion so that we reduce debate time. We are very grateful for that. At the outset, let me say that this is an emergency Bill. As you have said, nothing about it is ordinary or something we can spend much time on. It is also akin to the Bills we passed in 2022 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when we faced a situation

like this one. The House rose to the occasion and ensured that it passed laws that protected Kenyans during that time. This is such moment. We have to pass this Bill to cushion Kenyans.

Secondly, Kenya exists within the global financial ecosystem. The war and disruptions happening in the Middle East have greatly affected our country. We are aware that the war between Iran and the United States, and many other countries that have joined the war, has led to disruption of global trade. Fuel is one of the trades effectively affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Primarily, external economic factors rather than domestic policy decisions drive fuel prices in the current pricing cycle. We face a situation where global prices are now affecting this country. Domestic policies have not driven up fuel prices. It is the international market, trade and geopolitics that have driven up the fuel prices.

Kenya imports all its refined petroleum products. As such, international petroleum prices influence local fuel prices directly. This has affected the pump prices we see. As a House, we have been called upon to rise to the occasion and cushion Kenyans from this situation. The effect of these factors has resulted in a significant increase in landed costs of fuel that is ultimately reflected in pump prices borne by mwananchi.

You and I may have gone to the pump today and seen how we have been affected. All Kenyans have been affected by this situation. The ripple effect of the increase in the prices of oil products, as a consequence of the war in the Gulf, is an increase in the prices of many other commodities and services across the globe. First, fuel freight costs from the Gulf to Kenya are high. The prices of cooking gas, fertilisers and many commodities have increased automatically. Therefore, as a House, we need to rise to the occasion and cushion Kenyans on this situation.

We must adjust based on existing circumstances. Global petroleum prices increased sharply between February and March 2026 hence significantly raising the base cost at which Kenya imports fuel. The price of petrol rose from US$686.53 per metric tonne in February to US$973.39 per metric tonne in March. The price of diesel rose even more sharply, from US$637.76 to US$1138.78. The price of kerosene increased from US$681.20 to US$1,512.68 per barrel.

The data clearly shows that the prices of diesel and kerosene more than doubled within a single month while petrol recorded a substantial increase. The exchange rate moved from Ksh129.27 per US Dollar in January 2026 to Ksh130.08 in March 2026. Although this looks like a very small margin, it is significant when looking at the thousands and millions of litres we bring into the country. While the movement of the US Dollar from Ksh129.27 to Ksh130.08 may appear modest, it has a compounding effect because the US currency dominates fuel imports. Even a small depreciation or increase translates into a higher cost in local currency terms.

The landed cost of petroleum products clearly reflects the effect of rising international prices. The price of super petrol increased from US$582.11 per cubic metre in February to US$823.87 in March, representing a 41.53 per cent rise. That of diesel shows a 68.72 per cent increase. The price of Kerosene is even very high, at 105.15 per cent. This clearly confirms that the primary drivers of the current increase in fuel prices are the cost at which fuel is imported into the country, the landing costs, and the freight costs that we face.

What measures is the Government taking? Allow me to outline progressive measures that the Government has so far employed to cushion Kenyans against the rising global prices.

On Monday, 14th April 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury published Legal Notice No.69 of 2026 as a first attempt at emergency adjustment of taxes to cushion customers. The Legal Notice reduced VAT on fuel products from 16 per cent to 13 per cent within the allowed parameters of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Notably, Section 6(1) of the Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 476) allows the Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury to vary VAT taxes by up to 25 per cent of the statutory rate through a Gazette Notice. Chapter 476 of the Statute is very clear.

I know it.

Hon. Speaker, this variation, which was factored in during the ordinary pricing cycle that was published on the same day, resulted in pump prices exceeding Ksh200 per litre for both petrol and diesel. In Mombasa, petrol and diesel were retailing at Ksh203.69 and Ksh203.56 per litre, respectively. Kerosene was retailing at Ksh149.49 per litre. In Nairobi City, petrol was retailing at Ksh206.97 per litre while diesel and kerosene were retailing at Ksh206.84 and Ksh152 per litre, respectively. The slight variations reflect logistical costs within inland towns like Nairobi, which bear higher transport costs and distribution expenses compared to Mombasa.

Additionally, the Government provided a subsidy support of Ksh6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy to stabilise prices. The impact of these interventions has been significant. Without the Petroleum Stabilisation Fund subsidy and the VAT adjustment, the pump prices would have been considerably higher and hurting to the economy. The initial petrol price of Ksh206.97 per litre would have risen to Ksh217. The price of diesel wound have increased from Ksh206 to Ksh236 while kerosene would have ranged from Ksh152 to Ksh267. These are not marginal differences. They represent substantial relief to households and businesses across the country.

What is the objective of this Bill? Why are we moving this Bill and why are we doing with such speed? Despite these commendable interventions, the pressure at the pump is still being felt and it is still very high. Having exhausted the provisions of Section 6 of the Value Added Tax Act, we are now left with the option of an amendment Bill. That is why today I am moving this amendment Bill so that we can adjust the Value Added Tax beyond the margin of 25 per cent allowable in that Section. Therefore, it is necessary for this House to take additional steps of enacting this legislation that will help to cushion Kenyans.

Hon. Speaker, this Bill seeks to amend Section 5 of the Value Added Tax Act (Cap.

Asante, Mhe. Spika. Unajua Naibu Kiongozi wa walio Wengi anaashiria jambo ambalo lilikuwa mahali jana lakini tusiende kwa hayo. Mswada huu ni muhimu sana wakati huu kwa sababu utalenga kusaidia wananchi moja kwa moja katika kukabiliana na gharama ya juu ya bei ya mafuta. Ni wajibu wa Bunge, hususan Bunge la Taifa, kuhakikisha kuwa sheria zinasaidia wananchi wakati wa changamoto kama hizi.

Sababu kuu ya kudhamini Mswada huu ni kupanda kwa bei ya mafuta ambayo imekuwa mzigo mkubwa kwa wananchi. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba kupanda huku hakujasababishwa na sera ndani ya nchi pekee bali kiwango kikubwa kinachangiwa na hali ya soko la kimataifa. Kenya hununua mafuta kutoka nchi za nje na hivyo bei zake hutengemea bei za dunia pamoja na thamani ya Dola ya Marekani. Hii ina maana kuwa tunapoona bei ya mafuta inapanda, mara nyingi sababu iko nje ya mipaka ya nchi yetu.

Mhe. Spika, kati ya mwezi wa Februari na Machi mwaka huu wa 2026, dunia ilishuhudia ongezeko kubwa la bei ya mafuta. Petrol ilipanda kutoka US$686 hadi US$973 kwa tani moja. Dizeli ilipanda kwa kiwango kikubwa zaidi kutoka US$637 hadi US$1,388 huku mafuta ya taa yakiongezeka zaidi kutoka US$681 hadi US$1,512. Hii inamaanisha wazi kuwa gharama zimeongezeka kwa kiwango kikubwa sana ndani ya muda mfupi, hali ambayo imeathiri nchi nyingi katika dunia yote wala sio Kenya peke yake.

Wakati huo huo, thamani ya shilingi yetu ilipungua ikilinganishwa na Dola ya Marekani kutoka Ksh129.27 mwezi jana hadi Ksh180.08. Ingawa tofauti hii ya Dola inaonekana kidogo mno, athari yake kwa bei ya mafuta ni kubwa sana. Kwa kiingereza tunaita the spill effect. Matokeo ya mabadiliko haya yote yanaonekana moja kwa moja katika gharama ya kuingiza mafuta nchini. Petroli iliongezeka kwa zaidi ya asilimia 41, dizeli kwa karibu asilimia 69 na mafuta ya taa kwa zaidi ya asilimia 105. Kwa hivyo, ni juhudi gani ambazo tunafaa kufanya kuhakikisha kwamba bei ya mafuta imeenda chini? Jambo la kwanza ambalo limeangaziwa ni kutumia zaidi ya Ksh6.2 bilioni kupitia hazina ya uimarishaji wa mafuta ambayo kwa kimombo tunaita Petroleum Stabilisation Fund. Kwa hivyo ni vizuri kueleza Wakenya kwamba tayari Ksh6.2 zimetumiwa kupunguza athari ya bei ya mafuta isiwe juu zaidi.

Juu ya hayo, tuliona juzi waziri wetu wa fedha, kupitia notisi katika gazeti rasmi la serikali, akipunguza ushuru wa VAT uliokuwa kwa mafuta kutoka asilimia 16 hadi asilimia

Hon. Members, on your feet, take your seats.

Hon. Makali Mulu. Since we agreed on limiting time, how many minutes do we give to each Member?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand to support this Bill to reduce VAT on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 per cent. What this House is about to do today is very important. Yesterday, when we heard of the reduction of VAT from 18 per cent to 13 per cent, and then to 8 per cent, for a total reduction of 50 per cent, we wondered whether that was within the legal framework. It is important to note that what we are doing now is the way to go. A reduction of VAT by more than 25 per cent requires the approval of the House. We all live in this country, and I do not think there is any stranger here. We know what is happening out there.

Hon. Members, we need to cushion Kenyans who use public transport and those in manufacturing. The cost of energy has risen sharply due to higher oil prices. We need to pass this Bill as soon as possible. I have heard Kenyans debate why fuel is cheaper in Uganda, Tanzania, and neighbouring countries than in Kenya, yet we get it from the same source. The reason is that taxes and levies are imposed on the products. Leader of the Majority Party, we also implore the Government to look further into other areas where we can reduce levies and taxes so that we can make fuel cheaper for Kenyans. I like the idea of the 90 days. If the

situation improves because of the war, then we can go back to 16 per cent. We will have taken care of our people so that they do not suffer any more.

With those many remarks, Hon. Speaker, I support.

Thank you. Hon Raso.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Bill. Last night I watched Citizen Television, and Hon. Kuria Kimani was among the panellists. The debate happened as if we did not live in this country, or we did not understand what is affecting the world. Even if the current war ends tomorrow, its residual effects will be long-lasting and likely to impact the world more than what we are experiencing today. That is why the Government is following the law because it must. Nothing has the full force of the law under Article 94 (5) of the Constitution unless this House passes it. I thank the leadership of the House and the Government for taking quick action on this particular matter. I support the Bill.

Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to laud the Majority Party for their good thinking in reducing fuel prices by lowering VAT. While costing in the petroleum sector is unique and rare, many people say oil is cheaper today and will be more expensive tomorrow. Why? This is because costing in the sector is based on product replacement. While selling stocks in the pipeline today, where will the stock for tomorrow come from for the market to buy? It has to be bought at the current price internationally from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or wherever the product is obtained. Therefore, it is important to note that the Government has only one option: To reduce domestic taxes, as it plays no role in the international market.

The Government is doing well to reduce the fuel tax from 16 per cent to 8 per cent. However, at times, we ought to look at other formulas and how they can work. Let Excise Duty be an option. Whilst we are looking at the VAT, what are we doing on the Excise Duty? Will it not be good enough to reduce Excise Duty on petroleum products? But that is the only remaining source of revenue for the Government. If imported products loosen everything, they will be of no value to the Government. Even the infrastructure for shipment. I, therefore, support the Bill to reduce VAT on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 per cent, so that we can sustain and support all the production sectors of the economy.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Wanjala, what is your point of order?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The whole House agrees with the Government's proposal. We have a lot to debate in this House. Hon. Speaker, will I be in order to ask that we pass this Bill as quickly as possible so we can get on with other business?

Those are his views. The time you agreed on actually ends at 4.24 p.m. But given the interest that I have noted, we will call upon the Mover to reply at a 4.45 p.m. So, if we agree, we can each have two minutes to hear as many Members as possible.

Hon. Justice Kemei. Let us do two minutes each. Hon. Justice Kemei (Sigowet/Soin, UDA) : Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity you have given me to add my voice to this Bill. At the outset, I support it. The effect of the war in the Middle East on the global economy is so much that interventionist instruments are required at any given time.

The decision taken by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Finance to reduce VAT by 25 per cent is welcome. The decision we are taking, as a House, today to reduce VAT further to 8 per cent, will help the country's economy get back on track. We were a little taken off track

by the increase in fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East. This is a welcome move to reduce the cost of living and inflation, so that production in this country can continue.

Hon. Speaker, I support.

Hon. Kibagendi.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would also like to add my voice to this Bill. It is a welcome move by the Government to reduce VAT, which affects literally every sector of the economy. While this is a wonderful and welcome move, I wish the Government could do more by introducing subsidies and other measures to cushion Kenyans. We truly appreciate the effort and hope that more can be done.

Hon. Gikaria.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this very important Bill that has been brought by the Leader of the Majority Party. The first thing is the importance of the commencement date. As indicated in the Bill, this Act may be cited as the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2026) and shall be deemed to come into effect on the 15th. That is very key. Once it is passed today and assented to, it becomes law.

Second, it is unfortunate that some of the people who make a lot of noise out there, and who ought to have been here to contribute to this important legislation, are not present. However, we appreciate that the Government, through this Bill, has taken some steps to address a key issue. Lastly, we had an opportunity to go through this process with the ministry and the relevant stakeholders. It is important to assure Kenyans that we have enough petroleum products in the country. We hope that EPRA will take responsibility for enforcement and compliance.

Yes, Hon. Shakeel.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. First, I support the Government's emergency action to reduce VAT from 16 per cent to 8 per cent. This should be accompanied by other measures to ensure the intended effect reaches consumers. We have the Petroleum Development Levy Fund (PDLF) , and it should work in concurrence. I wish the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and National Planning could listen.

Hon. Kimani Kuria, Hon. Shakeel is demanding that you listen to him.

I kindly request. I followed what you said very well. The PDLF should be linked in as a twin action to reduce fuel costs and revive the economy. I have read a lot about this. I also request that paraffin be zero-rated. While it may not have a significant effect, it will still help the wananchi in rural areas.

Hon. Mukunji. There is a microphone there, go ahead.

I also rise to say that I support the reduction. However, we need to do more because every single part of our lives is affected by fuel prices. The messages I have been receiving since yesterday indicate increases in the prices of commodities, including cement. We must look at how we can do more.

We also have the Fuel Levy, which can be reviewed to further reduce the prices of diesel and petrol. Additionally, there has been debate on what is being referred to as a Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement. This House must clearly define whether this is truly a G-to-G arrangement. This is because there is concern that on the one hand, it appears to be G-to-G, while, on the other, individuals are benefiting. When it comes to fuel, we do not want to look at this and say we should have done more as a House. I propose we look at how to reduce the Fuel Levy. We should see how we can remove the increased Ksh8…

Your time is up. Yes, Hon. Mboni.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. From the outset, I support the proposal by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning. Two weeks ago, we met with the National Treasury to understand how the Government is prepared to address the global fuel crisis and three key issues emerged, namely, reducing VAT, sourcing alternative fuels, especially from Africa, and the possibility of a second Supplementary Budget, since the issue will affect the budget.

In 2021, the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning conducted an inquiry into fuel prices and established that about 50 per cent of the pump price consists of taxes, including VAT, Excise Duty, Import Duty, and levies such as the Road Maintenance Levy, Petroleum Development Levy and Railway Development Levy. These have made fuel very expensive. Currently, the price of petrol in Kenya is Ksh206, in Tanzania Ksh190, and in Uganda Ksh187. There is, therefore, an urgent need to reduce these taxes to lower the cost of fuel and production, thereby lowering the cost of living.

Hon. Moses Kirima.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. The reduction of VAT from 16 per cent to 8 per cent is a positive step towards cushioning Kenyans against escalating fuel prices arising from the war between Iran and the US–Israel alliance. Kenya discovered its oil wells some time back. Oil is an essential commodity. If we had developed and exploited the resources we have, we would not be facing the challenges we are facing now. Countries such as South Sudan, Nigeria, and Angola, among others, are not going through the stressful moment we are.

Hon. Speaker, everything has increased in price due to the escalation of oil prices. As Kenyans, why would we not, in one way or another, look to develop our own oil, which we discovered? Petrol has been discovered in Kenya, but nobody has ever spoken about it or what we are supposed to do to achieve production that can assist us. We could become massively wealthy if we developed our own oil.

Time up. Member for Kabuchai.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. At the outset, I support this Bill with the intention that it will reduce production costs across many products in this country. As I support this, I have in mind the transport industry, which must equally reduce its fares instantly. It is unfair that fuel prices have been reduced at the pump, while transport costs have continued to rise. We want to be notified instantly when fares are reduced.

Hon. Speaker, you come from a place that is the origin of boda bodas. The industry is doing very well, and we must nurture it. So, I would urge for further reduction of VAT from 8 to 0 per cent. It will even save us more, but that will be progressive. Thank you, Hon. Leader of the Majority Party, for bringing up this Bill.

Finally, I am concerned because we recently had an issue with the importation of substandard fuel in this country. We are left wondering why those four senior officers, whose cases are still under investigation, were forced to resign. We want to know why. Not unless the case is determined and we know whether they are guilty, they should not have been forced to resign at gunpoint.

Hon. Saney.

The happenings at the Strait of Hormuz have a global impact. Kenya is a non-oil-producing country. It is normal for commodity prices to respond to market forces, such as supply and demand. When fuel prices escalate, it is not a political issue or an Executive thing, but a response to a global economic situation.

I have read that churches have organised mass action just because fuel prices have increased. For God's sake, this is not the making of any government or president. It is a natural response to what is happening globally. What the Government has done today is at least to

cushion consumers and Kenyans by reducing VAT to 8 per cent. That itself is a concerned and sensitive Government doing the right thing. Mine is to appeal to the Kenyans out there, and to the religious bodies, be they Christians, Muslims or Hindus, to at least read the mood of the situation, not apportion all the blame to the Government, and see what is true in every problem.

Hon. Gisairo.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise first of all to support this amendment Bill to help manage fuel costs. In my 19 years' experience in petroleum - that is my specialisation- the biggest challenge for many governments is not taking into consideration the oscillating nature of the global pricing of petroleum and petroleum products.

This is where our country, Kenya, has been trapped. Most taxes and levies are increased during the downward oscillation. It is this very House that increased the taxes and the Ksh7 in the RMLF while we had a downward oscillation. Some of us rose in this House and said this would be a dangerous move once we had an upward oscillation. That is what we have currently. I request that while this measure is in the right direction, it should not be a temporary measure. This is because if we have it for 90 days and the oscillation goes down, what happens when it goes back up? Will we be having such a Bill every now and then? I also request that the Ksh7 increase in 2024 to the RMLF be considered and withdrawn to further cushion Kenyans.

Thank you very much. I also support this Bill. It is absolutely timely. The Government is responding to what has just occurred, which is negatively affecting our people, and we are trying to cushion them from the very high cost of living. We know very well that the Government does not have any other farms or industries, and therefore, it has nowhere to get funds other than through taxes. Whatever we do, we cannot do without taxes unless we are saying that we do not expect the Government to render any services to Kenyans. However, when the time comes and necessity calls, it is important to revisit those taxes to make it easier for Kenyans to live better.

This is one timely Bill which I support. I urge the Government, as my colleagues are, to do whatever else is needed to bring down the cost of fuel, although we cannot say we have to set the fuel tax to zero. Sometimes we need that tax to fund other services, including medical services, maintain our roads, and do whatever else that needs to be done. Most importantly, this is temporary; for 90 days, we shall be monitoring the market. We pray to God that the combatants in the Far East will be touched and that peace will result, stabilising these prices.

The war is in the Near East.

It is in the Near East, and we pray that they be touched by the grace of God, so that we can have these prices stabilise and move on with our normal lives. I support this Bill.

Hon. Caroli Omondi.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this Bill.

Where is Hon. Owen Baya? When Hon. Caroli finishes, it will be his time to reply.

I would like to note a few issues. I think the Government is only committing Ksh6 billion out of the Ksh17 billion available in the Stabilisation Fund. I urge that they commit more. Other than that, the Ksh5.40 cents we pay for stabilisation should also have been waived alongside the VAT reduction for that period, to give consumers more relief.

It is also time to interrogate the Government-to-Government framework for importing fuel in this country. I understand that under the term contract, it is the suppliers, Saudi Aramco and the rest that nominate the local company that uplifts the fuel and handles their local

logistics. In the oil industry, companies offer different levels of efficiency, logistics and financial capacity. Since we had the Government-to-Government, one company has been controlling 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the supplies. It is a very small company that does not boast of high efficiency or better logistics, including depots and storage, which is why prices have not gone down under the Government-to-Government framework.

There have been many positive outcomes under the Government-to-Government framework. There has been security of supply and stabilisation of the forex, but there is something in the fuel supply called the fixed premium, that fluctuates month by month, which is why fuel is cheaper in Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. In Kenya, it has been fixed at US$110 per tonne. When the contracts were signed, it was between US$60 and US$70. That reason alone makes our fuel more expensive, and I think we need to review this.

Finally, I urge the Government to be truthful with Kenyans. When it says that the Paloma fuel…

I will give Hon. David Ochieng’ and Mwalimu Kombe one minute each to contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I must commend those concerned for taking swift action. Those measures should not lull us into a false sense of security because we do not know how long this whole affair in the Strait of Hormuz will last. Parliament should start thinking about what it can do to ensure that Kenyans get the relief they need without Executive intervention through such Bills.

I also urge those responsible for implementing laws and policies passed by Parliament to do so in fidelity to the law. We should follow the law as it is. No one should seek to benefit or take advantage of this situation to enrich themselves. We are passing this Bill for Kenyans. Parliament is sitting on behalf of Kenyans and everyone is attentive because they want relief. Nobody should take advantage of this situation.

Your time is up, Hon. David. Let us have Hon. Kombe.

Ahsante, Mheshimiwa Spika, kwa kunipatia nafasi hii. Ninauunga mkono Mswada huu wa kuupunguza ushuru wa mafuta. Ni vyema kuwa Serikali imeamua kuchukua hatua hii kwa sababu itawasaidia wananchi kwa njia nyingi. Kwa sasa, bei ya vitu vingi imepanda. Hata hivyo, iwapo ushuru wa mafuta utapunguzwa, Wakenya watapata nafuu katika gharama ya maisha.

Wengi jana walikimbilia kwenye runinga kuikashifu Serikali na kuitisha maandamano. Ni jambo la kusikitisha kuwa hakuna hata mmoja wao aliye hapa ndani kuiunga mkono hatua hii ya kuupunguza ushuru wa mafuta.

Your time is up. Lastly, let us have Hon. Wandeto. You have one minute to contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support the VAT reduction from 16 per cent to 8 per cent to avoid the spiralling costs of fuel across the economy. This is a good start. We can even temporarily lower or remove other tariffs such as the Excise Duty and the Petroleum Development Levy. We can also tap the entire Ksh16 billion in the Fuel Stabilisation Fund to achieve even lower costs.

However, we must also accelerate our energy security programme through adoption of electric vehicles (EV) . We killed our oil refinery in Turkana. That was a mistake. We should also expand our strategic reserves and diversify our oil sources outside the Middle East to other African countries. We also have to look at the entire value chain. The Government-to- Government oil deal approach is not working. It has been called the Government-to-Gangster oil deal.

As I conclude, it is sad that as we regularise what was announced yesterday, others are already undermining Parliament. Hon. Speaker, you have to protect Parliament from being undermined.

Let us have Hon. Owen Baya.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I thank every Member who contributed to the debate and overwhelmingly supported the Bill. This is one of the few Bills that everybody has supported.

We join the league of other countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Namibia and Ghana, which have also reduced taxes to cushion their citizens. We are on the right trajectory. We are not just reducing fuel costs, but we are also saving our economy because fuel impacts many other sectors of the economy. This is a move in the right direction.

I noted Members’ suggestions that we need to revise other levies to bring down costs. The Government is aware that it needs to do everything possible to ensure that fuel prices do not skyrocket. At times like this, Parliament must rise to the occasion to protect its citizens. We have done that under your leadership, Hon. Speaker. The 13th Parliament will be remembered for rising up to protect our citizens.

Lastly, the war in the Middle East should end because it is impacting us. We never wanted to be involved in it, but it is affecting us. As we amplify our voices, those responsible for that war should end it, so that the current fuel crisis comes to an end.

I beg to reply.

Members on their feet, take your seats.

Next Order.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, we propose to drop this amendment because we do not want to give a further extension apart from what was already given.

The Temporary Chairlady

: Hon. Members, we have come to the end of the Committee of the whole House. Mover to move reporting.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move that the House reports its consideration of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2026) and its approval thereof without amendment.

Chairperson.

I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2026) and approved the same without amendments.

Mover.

I beg to Move that the House do agree with the Committee in the same report. I also request Hon. Murugara to second the Motion for agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Thank you very much. I second.

Thank you. Hon. Kuria Kimani, take your seat. You are very mobile today.

Put the Question.

Mover.

I beg to move that the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2026) be now read a Third time. I also request Hon. Kuria Kimani to second.

I second.

Put the Question.

Thank you, Hon Members. We now go back to Order No. 7. We are left with one Statement by the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) and on behalf of the House Business Committee that met on Tuesday, 14th April 2026, to prioritise business for consideration during the week and the business coming before the House in the following week, I rise to present the following Statement.

About business scheduled for Tuesday next week, the House is expected to continue considering the following Bills, should they not be concluded today.

[The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Farah Maalim) in the Chair]

Ni nani anayechangia Hoja hii? Ni Mhe. Irene Mayaka. Je, yupo na amebakisha dakika ngapi?

Yaani, haujasikia Hoja ambayo imeandikwa kwa Order Paper ikisomwa?

Hoja kwa Kiswahili ni nini?

Makarani wa Meza, someni Shughuli ya Tisa tena.

Asome tena kwa sababu hatujasikia.

Haya, rudia.

Mtoahoja anayehitimisha Hoja hii ni Mhe. Irene Mayaka.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa nafasi ili nihitimishe Hoja hii ambayo tulijadiliana. Wabunge wenzangu waliokuwa hapa walisaidia kwa kutoa mchango wao katika Hoja hii ambayo Kamati yetu ya Utangamano wa Kikanda, au kwa Kimombo Regional Integration, iliwasilisha katika Bunge hili.

Naomba nimsaidie mwenzangu, Mhe. Charles Nguna, nimweleze ya kwamba hii ilikuwa Hoja ambayo sisi kama Kamati tulileta mbele ya Bunge hili ili tujadiliane tuone ya kwamba mapendekezo ambayo tulikuwa nayo, kama vile Tume ya Kiswahili ya Afrika Mashariki ifadhiliwe kifedha na pia kiwafanyakazi, kwa sababu tuna Tume ya Kiswahili pale Zanzibar ambayo tunataka isaidiwe.

La pili ni kwamba Bunge liunge mkono mafunzo ya Kiswahili kwa Wabunge na wafanyakazi wa Bunge. Wizara ambayo inahusika na masuala ya Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki ijihusishe kidiplomasia kushughulikia changamoto za lugha ya Kiswahili.

Sababu muhimu ambayo Kamati yetu imeleta mjadala huu ni tunataka kueleza kwamba lugha ya Kiswahili katika eneo la Afrika Mashariki iweze kutumika katika majadiliano yanayohusu uchumi, upanuzi wa biashara, ushirikiano wa kitamaduni na utulivu wa kisiasa miongoni mwa nchi za Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki. Mwezi uliopita, tulikuwa na mkutano wa marais wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki ambao walipatana na wakazidi kusisitiza kwamba sisi kama nchi zilizo katika Jumuiya hii tuendelee kusaidiana, kuwajibika na kuhakikisha kwamba tunafanya biashara pamoja. Katika nchi ya Kenya, tunafanya biashara nyingi zaidi katika ukanda huu wa Afrika Mashariki kushinda pande nyingine za dunia.

Nataka tu kuwashauri Wabunge wenzangu tushirikiane kwa maneno haya. Kuna Mbunge mmoja aliyesema hapa kwamba sisi kama Wabunge wa Kenya tunafaa tuweke kando siku moja, hata kama ni masaa mawili, tuweze kuongea lugha ya Kiswahili kwa sababu hii ndiyo lugha ambayo tunatumia tunapoongea na wananchi tukitafuta kura. Kwa hivyo, tunasisitiza kwamba hata sisi Wabunge wakati tuko hapa Bungeni, tushirikiane tuongee lugha ya Kiswahili.

Kwa hayo machache, ningependa kuchukua fursa hii kushukuru ofisi ya Mhe. Spika, ofisi ya Katibu wa Bunge, ambayo ni ofisi ya Clerk, na pia kuishukuru Kamati yangu ya Utangamano wa Kikanda, ama kwa Kimombo Kamati ya Regional Integration, kwa kuhusika pamoja kuhakikisha kwamba Ripoti hii imefika katika Bunge hili na tumeweza kuijadili. Nawahimiza Wabunge wenzangu mtusaidie ili tupitishe Hoja hii.

Kwa hayo mengi, naomba kuhitimisha. Ahsante.

Hongera kwa Mhe. Irene Mayaka kwa kuendeleza Hoja hii kwa lugha yetu ya kitaifa. Mimi sasa nikiwa nimethibitisha kwamba kuna akidi kwa minajili ya Bunge kufanya uamuzi, naitoa Hoja iamuliwe.

Leo natafakari kwamba nimeweza kuhitimisha Hoja hii kwa lugha yetu ya taifa, Kiswahili.

Tuendelee na utaratibu unaofuata wa shughuli.

Next Order.

Who was on the Floor previously and how many minutes did he or she have remaining? Hon. Irene Njoki, is she in the House? Any Member who is interested now can proceed. Yes, Hon. Saney.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This Bill is very noble, progressive and transformative in all intent. It gives us a golden opportunity to reflect on how we do business and trade with ourselves and with other countries. The Bill supposes that local content be protected, that is, some form of protectionism and trying to make sure that our small, nascent industries thrive without being engulfed or suffocated by multinationals and that they are given the space to grow to an international level. That is the intent, a very noble thing, so as to create employment. We do not have to send our Gen Zs, our youth, for risky errands, crossing the Pacific in search of employment. We protect what we have and absorb most of the unemployed youth locally. That is what it proposes. That prevents the development and growth of local talent because of that kind of protectionism, for both industry and manpower growth. It synergises local supplies and strengthens them so that multinationals in this country can also have an appendage of some local content, where supply is intended to come from home. For quite some time, the benefits of multinationals are taken out of this country, but the country does not receive commensurate benefits for all the profits they earn in a year. So, that is the kind of mindset I have seen our good lady, Hon. Jane Kagiri, espouse in her Bill.

However, I am a bit disturbed how this Bill will be practical. How will it be implemented? Majorly, this work goes to the Government. It is for Government to do this protectionism. I feel what is proposed in the Bill in terms of penalties and regulations by the cabinet secretary has to strike a balance between the good things it proposes, on one hand, and the actual practicability which is the implementation, on the other. How can a multinational be forced to build capacity of a local entity? That begs many questions. They come to trade and they have a license. It is not upon any multinational to build the capacity of our local institutions. That is the work of our Government. The Government should also provide subsidies so that our small industries are not suffocated, but are cushioned so that they have an edge and be competitive and offer better services locally.

This Bill raises serious compliance issues. How do we comply? Through this Bill, how do we force multinationals to comply with the requirements of this law? Who is the monitor

and prefect? Who shall make sure that big companies, some of them more powerful than the Government, comply with these regulations?

There is risk of investor flight with this kind of strict regulations because they do not talk about quality and attainment of standards required by the same foreign investors. It is upon us to showcase our talents and attain international standards. Without that, if we just ensure that all companies and international investors comply with these rules as espoused, there will be some kind of deterrence. Investors will leave the country to avoid the complications and bottlenecks. There are consequences of losing out on other benefits once they leave, in terms of employment, investments and possibly conflicts.

Imagine trying to implement it once the Bill is passed and the President assents to it. Can we think of the consequences? Can there be some antagonism or conflict with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules? That is a concern. Kenya must adhere to international obligations. It is a member of the WTO. So, there is the possibility of conflicts emerging while we are unprepared. We need to look at it thoroughly and make sure that it can be implemented seamlessly without causing any negative outcomes. This is an act of balancing between the benefits that will accrue from the Bill and its practicality.

Who is the regulator in this Bill? Who will regulate international corporations to comply? What is the form of compliance? That is a big concern. In as much as the thinking is good and the intentions are clear and well-intended, I believe there are very many things that are discordant. The Bill needs further rethinking.

With those few remarks, I still support, reluctantly, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Member of Parliament for Molo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I would like to congratulate my good friend, Hon. Jane Kagiri, for coming up with this very timely and useful Bill, the Local Content Bill.

This morning, the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning visited M-KOPA Company based in Industrial Area, who locally assemble smartphones. It was very interesting to note that they actually assemble 7,500 smartphones a day. They employ more than 400 people. But the question is: Are these phones being consumed locally? This just demonstrates that it is actually possible for this country to assemble and manufacture anything. This is the protection the Bill sponsored by Hon. Jane Kagiri seeks to do.

We had a discussion with the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association about two weeks ago, and one of the commitments they made is that out of all priority medicine, they are going to make sure that by the end of the year, they will manufacture 24 of the priority medicines here in Kenya. These are Kenyan investors who have demonstrated that if there are correct policies in place and they are given incentives, they can actually grow our local manufacturing and we can ensure we have local content.

In addition, as we put this into law, we need to also put this in our hearts. How many of us consume local products? The other day, one of my colleagues told me that he bought a shirt from the United States only to realise it is manufactured here in Nakuru by Bedi Investments Limited. People think that because such a shirt is bought in London or in the US, it is of much better quality than what we have here in Kenya.

In the Finance Act of 2023, this House approved and introduced Excise Duty on imported furniture. It is very beautiful to note that in our lounge here and all our other spaces, we have locally made furniture. Locally manufactured furniture creates jobs. In as much as we approve creation of local content, as Kenyans in our hearts, we must begin to appreciate that Kenya has come of age and there are many products we can manufacture locally.

While we were at the Pharmaceutical Companies Conference, we asked if one had a choice to buy a Panadol written made in Kenya, another one made in India and another made in the US, which one would one buy? We must begin to change our attitude towards local

products. For example, this House approved incentives for local manufacturing of tiles. That sector has now really grown. We are seeing a lot of locally manufactured tiles across the country. This is one of the things that is driving the affordable housing agenda. I congratulate Hon. Jane Kagiri for this particularly timely Bill. I also ask Kenyans to begin, from our hearts, to acknowledge that Kenya has come of age to produce a shirt, a piece of furniture and any other product locally. Kenya can now manufacture key products.

Lastly, we have seen what reliance on imports can do. Someone in the US decided to flex their muscles against Iran. All over a sudden that affected us because of value chains. The COVID-19 also taught us that we cannot rely on imports from China and other countries. I urge all of us to embrace “Buy Kenya and Build Kenya”. We should be proud of our products. This particular Bill will make sure priority is given to local content even on public procurement.

I sponsored a Bill that this House passed all the way up to the Committee of the whole House, on increasing the threshold for local contracts to Ksh1 billion. However, one year later, the Bill is still in the Senate and has not been processed. I urge our leadership to fast-track this law. We have several public finance management laws and procurement legislation pending before the Senate. These laws intend to fix specific problems. When the Senate delays these Bills for so long, justice delayed becomes justice denied.

With those remarks, I beg to support.

Hon. Wandeto, do you want to communicate or contribute to this Bill? Proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I apologise. I was responding to an emergency, but I am ready to contribute.

I support the Local Content Bill, which is timely and important. I must thank the Member for Laikipia County for finally thinking about the local person. Far too many times, multinational companies come into this country, but drivers, lift operators and borehole operators are sourced from other countries. I will give an example. Let us not think about the big multinational organisations. We have many traders in this country, especially the ones of Asian origin, who bring a lot of unqualified personnel through the back door whenever they set up a business here. They operate machinery, manage shops in industrial area, operate borehole rigs and other activities. I have first-hand experience of this.

Anybody who wants to set up a business in Kenya must integrate it with locally available materials and skills. This is important to enable local businesses to grow their capacity. Everything that a growing country like ours wishes for is basically to invite local investors, but then gradually grow their capacity to produce the same goods and develop their manpower to operate at the same level of skills. When foreigners are employed as drivers, this is not working well. We have a sad situation in the construction industry. Some Chinese contractors import their cement and steel that can be produced locally here in industrial area. As a country, how can we industrialise? How will we get to Singapore when it has been hijacked by foreigners who are importing goods?

This Bill must be handled with caution. Kenya is a signatory to many international trade agreements which we must respect, as far as trade is concerned. That is something Hon. Jane needs to think through. We must also be careful not to send the wrong signals to investors. We do not want to tell them to come and invest, but give them many conditions. One of the things that Kenya has managed to do very well with the foreign direct investment is that we have a fairly liberal economy. We can repatriate profits easily and do things much more freely. There must be a careful balance so that after we pass the Bill, we do not send the wrong signal.

One of the things that Hon. Jane can consider is gradual implementation of the provisions of this Bill. Asking the investors to purchase 60 per cent of local materials and give 80 per cent of the employment to local people is too much at the beginning. We may also need to classify industries. Some of them are very specialised. For example, if the Boeing Company

starts manufacturing aircrafts here, it will take years for us to understand the technology of how this is done. We may need to re-look at this Bill and fine-tune it, so that it does not send wrong signals to investors and create chances for rent-seeking by local cartels. This country has many cartels. Every time something like this happens, they want to benefit from contractors by asking for 60 per cent of the materials. Politicians and other well-connected people may take advantage of this Bill. Instead of helping ordinary Kenyans that the Member for Laikipia seeks to help, it may end up enriching the same individuals who are operating Government-to- Government (G-to-G) oil deal, and construction of stadia and the Bomas of Kenya. They operate like foreign investors, but they are the same people who do things through proxies and backdoor arrangements.

I support the Bill, but Hon. Jane has some work to do. We will interrogate it further as it goes through the various stages.

Hon. Mayaka.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice in support of the Local Content Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2025) by Hon. Jane Kagiri. I take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Hon. Jane Kagiri, for bringing this important and game-changing Bill on the Floor of this House.

The lack of local content regulatory framework in this country has caused a lot of harm, in terms of inhibiting the growth of local industries. It has made the business environment unfair to local business people who have become incompetent. Therefore, this Bill is crucial in providing a legal framework that guides the space and manner in which the local content is undertaken. This is not new. We have similar laws in other jurisdictions. For example, we have them in Nigeria and Angola where they majorly focus on oil and gas. Brazil has a similar one which focuses on oil and gas. Our neighbouring country, Uganda, passed a similar Bill in 2022 which ring-fences local goods and services, especially in big project areas. I am grateful because we will have it in our country.

I will focus on some of the important clauses of this Bill. Clause 4 (1-4) of the Bill states that 60 per cent of foreign companies must procure inputs, goods and services from local manufacturers that have been mentioned like insurance, finance, construction and logistics. This is important because when we put a specific figure on it, then it means that someone will not take advantage and try to say that it has not been allocated. It is very important that this Bill has mentioned that.

Another important section is Clause 4 (6-7) of the Bill which provides that at least 80 per cent of the workforce in foreign companies that are established in Kenya must be Kenyan citizens. This will not only encourage more of our youth to be employed, but also ensure that the skills that we have within our country are utilised in this particular space. I believe Kenya has a high literacy rate and many skilled people. We should not have situations where a foreign company is established in this country, and they import labour from their countries. We must have a larger percentage of our people occupying these spaces.

We should also have local companies which deal with oil, gas and mining. We are currently experiencing a global crisis. Imagine a situation where we had our own oil refineries, where we get oil from Turkana and we refine it. A very good example is Nigeria. Their oil refining industry has done a very good job and it has been really supported by the Government of Nigeria. If we had a similar situation, the Bill will help us with that. Imagine what would have happened during the crisis that we have? Compliance and penalties are very important. Clause 4 (8) (a) and (b) speak about fines and stringent measures that have been put in place. I applaud the sponsor of the Bill. The fine that has been put there of Ksh100 million and potential imprisonment of CEOs, is very important. It ensures that anybody who does not comply with

the Bill once it becomes law, faces consequences for noncompliance. That will ensure that people take this law seriously.

The primary benefit that we will get from the Bill is economic empowerment. We seek to have a country where many people access jobs, make profit and grow our local industry. Industrial development and technology transfer are also very important. Conflict mitigation is important. If we have an area which is resource rich in a particular industry ring-fenced and supported, it will help us. I want to urge my fellow colleagues to support the Bill. It is going to be a game changer in our country. It will assist people for eternity.

With those few remarks, I support and I submit.

Hon. Bisau.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I congratulate the able Woman Representative of the good people of Laikipia for bringing the Bill. I support it because world over, countries are protecting their local content. If you look at the World Trade Organisation within the United Nations Conventions, every country is deliberately doing everything possible to ensure that its local content is protected. For example, in donor funding, if you seek to get a donation for something like transport support and go to a country like Sweden, they will propose to give you funds, but in essence, you will be buying their Scania buses.

The Bill is long overdue. Again, I am happy to support it. When you talk about addressing the issue of unemployment, the Bill will certainly do that. It will also ensure that there is no capital flight. When you hire more foreigners to do jobs, they will repatriate their earnings to their countries. I know there might be an issue of balancing foreign investment interests and our interests as a country. However, we are not short of expertise. If you go to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) , you will find a Kenyan in that space agency. So, we do not have shortage of expertise.

We need to support the Bill and walk the talk. Today, through devolution, we are having many projects being done at the county level. An example is the housing project. We must be seen to be walking the talk. The local content available in counties of fabrication of windows and doors, should be utilised. It is good that the housing department is practicing that. There will be need for lifts. From the latest approach by the State Department of Housing, if you supply lifts, they have to be locally manufactured. So, we must protect local content with zeal.

Lastly, in the United Nations, where I was in charge of procurement for technical items sitting in Geneva, there is a component of local content. That meant that when you are in an operational area, you have to ensure that a certain quota of staff and materials are from that area. So, I support the Bill.

Hon. Ochieng David.

Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Jane Kagiri for this very important Bill. I will contribute on the Bill as a person who has done work in this area for a long time in international trade, where I advise so many countries on rules of origin negotiations. I would like to give an example of what Hon. Jane Kagiri is talking about. When we did our first Kenya Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) , the amount of cement that was used in doing SGR could have established a whole cement industry. But what happened? When the Chinese came here, they imported all the cement that they used to do the SGR from Mombasa to Naivasha. Our own companies complained, but were told that the cement produced in Kenya was not suited for the SGR construction. When they were asked what was lacking in our cement and what if it were to be included, it led to a lot of back and forth. By the time our local cement was allowed to be used in the construction of the SGR, the Chinese had imported so much cement that they had to sell some locally. So, we did a project that was worth half a trillion shillings without having a single factory or town rising in the wake of it. In contrast, when the original 1 metre gauge railway in

Kenya was done, it rose to a hundred towns, starting from Mombasa through Voi all the way to Butere and Malaba. It was done at 10 per cent value of the SGR. The SGR costed more than half a trillion with no single town and factory on its wake. We were importing bolts and nuts.

We have a factory in this country owned by the Government of Kenya called the Numerical Machining Complex (NMC) which is well sorted. If it were to be given three to five months, it would have produced all the bolts, nuts and the rolling stock, but it was not given a chance. What was the net effect of that? We spent half a trillion shillings keeping people at work in China making bolts, nuts, cement and rolling stock yet we are still talking of lack of jobs. I have been around from the time the late President Kibaki was a Minister and President, and when Uhuru was the President. This administration told us that it would not import any furniture. Some of the best furniture are produced along Mombasa Road. However, ministries are importing furniture every other day.

We have put a lot of money in the housing project. However, seeing what is happening with those projects, if not careful, we will lose the Local Content Bill that Hon. Jane Kagiri is talking about. How the Chinese are building now is that they fabricate walls. They mix cement, water and sand in China. Then they bring walls that are already done and that is why they are building houses in one month. They bring walls that are already done and tell you that a construction project will take two months. When you allow the Chinese to bring a wall that is already done, it means that you are importing water, sand, cement and labour. Local content is the key of industrialising any country. If you cannot enforce rules on local content, you cannot industrialise.

I am happy that this Bill will become a law and not just a policy, a suggestion or a speech by the President. It will be a law passed by this Parliament. We are spending humongous amounts of money importing fertiliser. In future, we will need factories that manufacture fertilisers to set up shops locally. This would enable them to import some raw materials, but obtain some locally. We will require them to also hire our local labour to produce the fertiliser. When Uhuru Kenyatta was the President, there was a plan to bring the Rapid Bus Transit System to Nairobi. Our companies here in Industrial Area said they could produce the same type of buses. Tanzanians imported their buses from Kenya, from Industrial Area. What did we do? We asked South Africans to bring us eight or 10 buses. In fact, when their President came here, the number of buses increased from 8 to 32, then to 64. Importing buses from South Africa while Tanzanians were importing theirs from Industrial Area in Nairobi was interesting. This is because of the lack of a law on our local content.

Local content is central to our international trade. If we do not implement it, then even our East African Community (EAC) negotiations, where we agree that goods will attract zero or minimal tariffs, will become ineffective. What is happening is that Indians, Chinese and Americans are getting their products into Uganda or Tanzania, making minor modifications, and then claiming that those products originate from those countries. They are then brought into Kenya duty-free.

This law will require policymakers and implementers to ensure that, as a country, we commit to purchasing a significant percentage of goods locally, for example, 70 per cent. I say this with a lot of respect. I always wonder why even in Parliament we must wear suits. That I have to go to some Italian shop and get a nicely cut suit with a tie to come here, yet we have Rivatex producing very good vitenge. We could be allowed, even if it means tying the knot at the collar to wear our own manufactured clothes. But we cannot promote our local industry if we think local is inferior. We must love our country first before we are loved by any other person in this world.

As for the housing sector, we stated that we would produce windows, doors and nails locally, ensuring that materials used in the housing projects are produced here. The first few months were promising, but as of now, I invite the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban

Planning and Public Works, after we pass this Bill, to ensure strict adherence. The Housing Fund involves substantial resources, and it could stimulate many industries in the country. There must be strict compliance with local content law and policy.

I have also been looking at what we are importing. For example, car components such as brake pads and other service parts. If we know that the largest supplier of vehicles in the country is Toyota Kenya, we should require that while their vehicles are allowed into the market, they must also establish local industries to produce related components. Whether it is brake pads or other service parts, these should be produced locally. We cannot industrialise if we import a car and then import every single component, including headlights, tyres, rims and bushes. The same applies to motorcycles. We import them, and even their servicing depends on imported parts. That is not how a country grows.

I, therefore, thank Hon. Jane Kagiri for this very good Bill and urge that once passed, the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives should ensure its full implementation. Through this, I am certain that the counties and the entire country will grow, and employment opportunities would be created.

I support the Bill and hope that Parliament will do the same.

For clarity, we already have laws that protect domestic industries. Previously, to qualify as a locally produced product and benefit from preferential ratings, including minimal or zero tariffs, a product needed about 37 per cent local content, including labour. In this Bill, unless amendments are made, it appears that foreign companies are required to meet at least 60 per cent. This raises a concern as to whether this provision may inadvertently favour foreign companies more than the previous framework.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this relates to the rules of origin embedded in trade agreements that we have signed. As mentioned earlier, countries such as India and China, bring in nearly complete products, repackage them in Uganda or Tanzania through transhipment, and then export them to Kenya as regionally produced goods.

Under the Customs Union, goods circulating within the East African Community are not taxed again.

Correct. It is now one market. But then we will require authorities to restrict and ensure that this Bill closes those gaps.

Institutions such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards must remain vigilant because as you put it, and I am conscious about what you are saying, such practices occur frequently. Even under AGOA, the intention was to develop the domestic industry and enable local producers to benefit from tax incentives in the United States. However, foreign companies established operations locally and utilised those opportunities, which undermined the original intent. It is not right.

Yes, Hon. Dorine.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. You have called me the name they used to call me while I was in high school, Dorine. I am known as Donya Dorice Aburi, Mama County from Kisii.

I rise to support Hon. Jane Kagiri. I have previously supported one of her Bills on electricity. On this one, Hon. Jane, let me just affirm to you that they always say that one word is enough for the wise. This Bill will promote local wealth retention. Money will remain within local communities, just as devolution ensured that resources reached counties rather than being concentrated in Nairobi. With local participation in these projects, wealth will circulate among the people. In Kiswahili, they say, “mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone.” The people in the village will feel the circulation of money when they are employed in these sectors. There will be significant employment opportunities, and the benefits will be visible at the grassroots level. For that reason, I support the Bill because it will enhance wealth retention locally.

Excellent. Before proceeding to the next speaker, I wish to welcome students from the Mombasa Aviation Institute, who are in the Public Gallery, from Mvita Constituency, Mombasa. I encourage Members from the coastal region to welcome these progressive and ambitious young men and women from the Mombasa Aviation Training Institute. Hon. Mnyazi.

Asante sana Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Nichukue fursa hii kuwakaribisha wanafunzi wetu kutoka Mvita, Kaunti ya Mombasa. Tunawakaribisha katika Bunge hili la Taifa. Kama mnavyoona, hii ndio Nyumba ambayo sheria za nchi zinatungwa. Mambo mengine mengi yanayohusika na mambo ya kenya, yanafanyika hapa.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, ninawaona wasichana warembo na vijana ambao niko na imani kuwa watakuwa wabunge, magavana na marais wa hapo mbeleni. Pia sisi watu wa Mombasa, tuko na mpango. Tunataka kuwa mstari mbele kushikilia bendera ya nchi. Karibuni sana wanangu. Tunawapenda. Feel free. Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Hon. Mwashako.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity again to welcome students from the Mombasa Aviation Training Institute. I think it is important to add to what my sister, Hon. Amina, has said. This is a great opportunity for the youth, who come to see what happens in Parliament, to shape their ambitions and life aspirations. I have lived in Mombasa for many years and Mombasa Aviation Training Institute is one of the premier institutions in the county that shape our youth into responsible adults who add value to this country.

I want to tell the youth that it is important to take time to study, but at the same time, appreciate what happens in the country. You have got an opportunity to come to this House. Let this be your wake-up call to grow your dreams. If your dreams do not scare you, you have not started dreaming. If Gen Zs are to shape this country, you need to take responsibility and initiatives that will make you great, not only in your villages, but also outstanding in the country and beyond. I wish you well in your studies, but more importantly, make sure that mko kadi.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Fair enough. Hon. Fatuma, Full Network, would you also want to do the same? I thought you would also speak Kiswahili.

No. Let us first finish with the students. Member for West Mugirango, Hon. Mogaka, itakuwa bora zaidi ukizungumza Kiswahili. Endelea.

Mhe. Stephen Mogaka

: Nashukuru, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa nafasi mwafaka ya kupokea wanafunzi kutoka Pwani waliotembelea Bunge letu la Taifa.

Bunge hili ndilo linalotunga sheria humu nchini. Mtakapomaliza masomo yenu, tunawaombea muwe wabunge, majaji na wataalamu nchini Kenya. Tunawaomba muendelee kukuza utalii Pwani, kupokea wageni wetu na pia, muendelee kujifunza lugha zingine kando na Kiswahili. Tunawakaribisha katika Bunge na tunawatakia heri na fanaka katika masomo yenyu. Majaliwa, tutawatembelea kule Pwani. Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Hon. Rose Buyu.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am Hon. Rozaah. I take this opportunity to welcome our young ladies and gentlemen from the Coast region. Like Mheshimiwa has just said, they look beautiful, but I also want to let them know that this is a place for them in future. At the moment, the seats might not be so full, but this is where laws are made. I know they are aspiring to be part of the law makers in Kenya. The sky is the limit. Keep it up, work hard and you will get there. I thank them for coming, and wish them the best when they go back.

Fair enough. I think that does it for the students from Mombasa.

Mheshimiwa Bisau, basi ongea Kiswahili tukuskie vile utakavyowahimiza wanafunzi ili wafanye mambo mengi mazuri. Endelea.

Shukrani, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Ninachukua nafasi hii kuwakaribisha wanafunzi hawa. Masomo ni muhimu na ni kifunguo cha maisha. Hakuna kilicho kigumu. Bora muweke masomo mbele na mtie bidii, kila kitu kitakuwa sawa. Kila kitu iko na wakati wake. Tunawakaribisha hapa kwetu, na mjue Jumba hili ni la yeyote, bora mtie bidii maishani. Mnaposafiri kutoka Pwani na kufika hapa, inadhibitisha kwamba kweli mko na nia ya kujua nini inafanyika katika nchi hii. Nyinyi ni watu wenye bidii. Mnaporudi Pwani, Maulana awajalie, na msafiri salama. Shukrani, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Mhe. Fatuma, pia wewe ungependa kuchangia jambo hili la wanafunzi?

Nitajaribu kuchangia kwa Kiswahili.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, sikuwa na nia sana ya kuwakaribisha lakini nikakumbuka Mswada ulio katika Bunge ulioletwa na Mhe. Jane Kagiri, unaangazia kuweka mikakati ya ajira, ili kuwapa wakenya zaidi nafasi.

Order!

Nahimiza watoto wetu kuwa…

Unawahimiza ama unachangia ule Mswada?

Kwa sasa siuchangii. Mara

Nafikiri tumefika kikomo cha kuwakaribisha wanafunzi wa Mombasa Aviation Training Institute.

Sasa ninampa Mhe. Mutunga, fursa hii ili naye auchangie Mswada tulio nayo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

As the students leave, I want to tell them that they have received the best reception in this House because, rarely, will you find two Members of Parliament welcoming students.

I stand to support this very important Bill by the Woman Representative for Laikipia County, Hon. Jane Kagiri. This Bill comes in to provide a framework to regulate local content in Kenya, which has not been regulated for a very long time. It is important for us to regulate local content in order to promote local industrial development and provide for sourcing and utilisation of locally produced materials, goods and services.

At the outset, let me slightly go back in history. When we were young students, we learnt geography. I, particularly, have a reflection of the Great Lakes region geography in America. If Americans did not protect the Great Lakes agricultural production, I do not think it would be where it is today. Many countries grew through agriculture, and they started by

recognising the potential of the people who form the greater population. They made sure that their people's production followed a line that gave them optimum or maximum benefits. That is in line with protection of the local content.

In my very considerate opinion, the one-year time frame given to effect this Bill after being assented to is adequate. We need requisite adjustments per sector. Some sectors will move fast to adjust, but other sectors will take a bit of time based on the levels of complexity, the nature of business and the extent to which some of the investments in the sector have relied on inputs from other countries.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, local content basically involves value addition to the country’s economy, through procuring from within the country and supplying materials to the various activities that happen. I have taken some time to consider the objectives of this Bill, and I am happy to endorse the prescription of minimum local content quotas across sectors. Hon. Kagiri might perhaps consider adjusting the 60-40 ratio; I believe this prescription could extend to a 60-40 basis depending on the nature of the industry itself, allowing for flexibility in transformation. These industries must transform and refocus. Once we pass this as law, we will need those adjustments so that people and industries do not feel overly constrained.

There is nothing better than promoting local industry. This country possesses immense and highly developed human resources that are seeking job opportunities. We have many youths in search of employment today. If we were more intentional about how we utilise our natural resources, about our production from farms in agriculture, and if we were particular in how we exploit our mineral endowments and other resources, we would create opportunities to employ Kenyans faster and more effectively. Therefore, local content is crucial. Manufacturing is key to the growth of this country, as we need industries. Industries will bring better job opportunities and greater potential for absorbing Kenyans into the workforce.

Focusing on the agricultural sector, I believe Kenya is predominantly an agricultural country. I recall that some Members have stated in this House that we should not take pride in Kenya, constantly, talking about a 40 or 50 per cent contribution to the GDP. In my considered opinion, what such a Member should be asking is: How we can leverage this 30, 40, 50, or 60 per cent contribution to enhance output from the manufacturing and service sectors? This is not possible unless we focus on local content.

I envision substantial local content as utilising our produce in the agricultural sector in this country; first, even as we consider exporting. I have in mind investments in the service industry that sell or promote agricultural products. We have services in the form of supermarkets, food outlets and so on. It is disheartening to realise that some investors in this country import even chilled potatoes to make chips, when Kenyan farmers can produce any variety of potato that we might need in this world. We possess the capacity to produce any variety. We have both the technical capacity and our farmers have the ability to do it. In fact, Kenyan farmers assure us that if we specify what we want to be produced and provide them with a market, they will deliver. They have never failed us.

Since the Kenya-Kwanza Government, through the efforts of our President, committed to supporting production rather than subsidising consumption, this country has been food secure. Farmers have been supported with fertiliser. When we import goods like eggs from South Africa or other regions, we are hindering Kenyan farmers from producing eggs. Similarly, when we import chilled potatoes for chips, we are restricting our farmers. To foster economic growth, we must emphasise supporting our people by prioritising the utilisation of local content. We have a sufficient supply of this local content, save for a few areas.

Let me take a minute to reflect on our import bill. This country has seen growth in import bills from around Ksh224 billion in 2020, rising to around Ksh500 billion in 2022 and

Let us have Hon. Esther Passaris, then Hon. Mnyazi.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the Local Content Bill 2025, moved by Hon. Jane Kagiri. As we debate, we must strike the right balance. Kenya must remain attractive and competitive as a destination for investors, while ensuring that our people benefit meaningfully from the investments that come into our country. Investors are partners in our development, and we must appreciate the role they play in creating jobs, transferring skills and driving economic growth. The Bill should, therefore, not be seen as punitive, but as a framework for mutual benefit and shared prosperity. The requirement of 60 per cent local sourcing and 80 per cent workforce participation is a step in the right direction. We must approach this with flexibility and realism. We can start with a lower achievable percentage and progressively scale up as our local capacity grows. The phased approach will build confidence, encourage compliance and avoid discouraging investments.

Even as we discuss the workforce threshold, we must be guided by data and reality. I understand that multinationals operating in Kenya currently employ less than 5 per cent foreign staff. If that is the case, we must be careful that the policy does not unintentionally create room for increased foreign labour at the expense of Kenyan jobs. Therefore, let us ground our decisions on verified data and ensure that any flexibility strengthens rather than undermines local employment.

Recent global tensions, including the threats in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and goods from the Middle East to Kenya, remind us how vulnerable we are to external shocks. When that route is disrupted, fuel prices rise, the cost of goods increases and our local economy feels the strain. Therefore, this Bill is not just about participation; it is about economic resilience and security.

We must also be honest about our current capabilities and limitations. Where local capacity exists, it must be prioritised. Where it does not, we must create a pathway through incentives, partnerships, and phased implementation to build that capacity without discouraging investments. We must be realistic about sectors such as the motor vehicle industry. We do not yet have all the raw materials required for full manufacturing, but through regional value chains within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and by focusing on assembly, components and value addition, we can still build a strong competitive industry base. Therefore, we must look beyond our borders and leverage regional production, clusters to strengthen competitiveness and expand markets and position Kenya as a manufacturing and logistic hub within the region.

We have heard concerns about investors importing materials such as prefabricated panels for housing, but we must be honest. We cannot blame investors, whether Chinese or otherwise, for sourcing externally if local products do not meet the required standard, price or consistency. As mentioned by Hon. David Ochieng’, even basic things such as screws and bolts come down to competitiveness and quality. Therefore, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry should work together with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and sector ministries to ensure that our local industries are competitive, certified and able to meet investor needs. Local content must be earned through quality, reliability and price competitiveness, not enforced at the expense of standards.

If we are serious about attracting investors to set up locally, we must also provide targeted incentives. That includes tax waivers and duty exemptions on machinery and equipment required to establish manufacturing plants. By lowering the cost of setting up, we encourage investors to build locally, create jobs and transfer skills to our people. At the same time, we must take a practical approach to skills transfer. Work permits for specialised foreign expertise should be structured in a way that ensures deliberate knowledge transfer to Kenyan workers. Those permits should be time-bound and should transmit training, mentorship and capacity building to our people.

We must also ensure that local content does not become a preserve of a few well- connected entities. It must intentionally include small and medium enterprises, women-led businesses and youth entrepreneurs, who form the backbone of our economy. We must guard against fronting where foreign companies hide behind local proxies while real value continues to flow out of the country. Therefore, strong monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are critical.

We must also address the fundamentals that make local manufacturing viable. If we lower energy costs and ensure reliable supply of raw materials, we will attract investors to manufacture locally. This will reduce production cost, eliminate excessive transport cost and make goods more affordable to Kenyans. At the same time, we must invest in the quality of our raw materials and the standard of workmanship of our people so that the products can compete locally and globally. Ultimately, local content must mean real partnership, opportunity

and transformation of our economy. Let this Bill send a clear message: Kenya is open for investment, but investments that grow us, build us and benefit our people.

I support.

Hon. Amina Mnyazi, endelea pia wewe uchangie huu Mswada.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Jambo la kwanza ni kukushukuru kwa kunipatia nafasi kuchangia huu Mswada. La pili, namshukuru dadangu Mhe. Jane kwa kuleta Mswada muhimu kama huu. Naunga mkono Mswada huu unaolenga kuunda mfumo wa kudhibiti maudhui ya bidhaa za Kenya ili kuhahakisha kwamba kampuni za wawekezaji wa kigeni wanaweka kipao mbele kwa bidhaa, huduma na kazi za Kenya ili kuweka thamani ya kiuchumi nchini.

Natoka sehemu za Pwani. Tunajulikana sana kwa biashara ya utalii. Nilipokuwa nasoma huu Mswada, kuna vitu ambavyo vimenivutia. Ya kwanza ni jinsi Mswada unapendekeza kwamba asilimia 80 ya wafanyakazi katika kampuni za kigeni nchini Kenya iwe ni Wakenya. Hii imenivutia kwa sababu, kama unavyojua, kule Pwani ni mahali pa tourism na tuko na vilio kule. Wale ambao wanafanya kazi za utalii wanaelewa kilio cha kwanza. Katika kazi za utalii, utakuta kuna hoteli na kampuni za watalii. Wageni wakiingia hapa Kenya, wanachukuliwa na kupelekwa ndani ya zile hoteli. Wanapochukuliwa, wanaonyeshwa watalii ambao ni wawekezaji hapa Kenya na kuonyeshwa watalii wengine ambao wamekuja kuzuru nchi yetu. Wanaogopeshwa na kuambiwa wasifanye kazi na watu ambao wako kule nje. Nikisema hivyo, namaanisha kuwa katika biashara ya utalii ndani ya hoteli, kuna biashara ndogo ndogo kama za vitenge. Ukizunguka pale Mombasa na Malindi, utaona wamama na vijana wengi wameweka biashara zao za vitenge, pareo na bidhaa ndogo ndogo. Tunavyozungumza, wale watalii wanawafungia hawa wageni wasiende kununua vitu ambavyo vinauzwa na Wakenya.

Swali langu ni: Iwapo mtalii ametoka Italy na amefika Malindi, mbona anaambiwa akae ndani ya hoteli asinunue pareo na leso kwa wale wamama wako pale nje? Wale wamama wangu wa pareo watakula nini? Sisi tunaleta hawa wageni ili tuwe na uhusiano wa kusaidiana lakini si kwamba waje hapa wajifaidi na sisi tusipate chochote. Inasikitisha kwa sababu wageni ambao wanamiliki hizi hoteli wako na biashara ndogo ndogo mpaka zile za pareo. Kumaanisha kwamba wewe kama mgeni umefika pale hotelini Malindi, badala ya kununua pareo nje kwa wale wamama na vijana ukawasaidie, unalazimishwa kununua ndani ya hoteli. Wenye kuuza zile pareo ndani ya hoteli ni wazungu ambao wanamiliki zile hoteli. Hapo watu wetu na wananchi kwa jumla wanaumia. Inasikitisha kwamba kuna wageni kadhaa katika hizi hoteli za kigeni lakini hatufaidiki.

Hata pia zile safari, kama ni mtalii amekuja ako Malindi katika hoteli moja, unauziwa safari za kuenda Amboseli au Mara. Hapo juzi na jana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, Wakenya wetu ndio walikuwa wanamiliki hizo kampuni za safari. Sasa hivi, kile kinachoendelea hizi hoteli zinazomilikiwa na wageni zinauza safari pale ndani hotelini. Ina maana kuwa huyu mtalii aliyetoka Ujerumani na amefika Malindi, akitaka kuenda Mara, hapitii katika mikono ya mkenya, bali kwa mikono ya wale wageni. Badala ile pesa iweze ku circulate ili kila mtu aweze kupata pande lake, pesa zote zinamalizikia kwa yule mgeni na yule mwenye hoteli pale, ambapo naona si vizuri.

Imefika kiwango mpaka hivi sasa, kazi zile ndogo, kama vile animator, zimechukuliwa na wageni. Animator ni wale vijana utawaona na akina mama ambao wanazungusha watu pale hotelini, kuwaongelesha na kuwapatia historia ya mji wetu wa Malindi. Inasikitisha ya kwamba, mpaka dakika hii kazi ndogo, kama animator pia, zinabebwa na watu ambao si wakenya wala raia wa inchi ya Kenya, wanazifanya wao hizo kazi. Hivi leo nilipoona huu Mswada, nilipiga simu nyumbani haraka kuuliza mambo yako vipi. Naambiwa saa hivi mpaka waiters, ukizunguka Malindi, kuna hoteli zingine ambazo waiters ama wahudumu wa pale, pia

ni wazungu. Sasa mimi najiuliza swali, hawa Wakenya na Waafrika wetu wanapata nini ama wataenda kupata nini kama kazi zote wameweza kuzichukua wao wenyewe?

Ninaposimama hapa, naunga mkono huu Mswada kwa sababu nataka wawekezaji wafike Malindi na hotel industry imeweza kufufuka. Lakini, ninapopigania hivyo vitu vyote, napigania pia watu wangu waajiriwe katika zile hoteli na kuweza kufanya kazi na zile hoteli, na si kwamba mtalii amekuja kisha akafungua biashara hapa, na kila kitu anachukua yeye. Hilo nalo hatuwezi kulikubali, na ndio kwa maana naunga mkono Mswada huu.

La pili, kama unavyojua sisi ni wapwani. Tuko na access pale Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), lakini inasikitisha kama vile Wabunge wengine walivyotangulia kusema kwamba kuna baadhi na vitu vingi ambavyo vinaletwa katika nchi yetu ambazo sisi wenyewe tunaweza kujitengenezea na kuajiri watu wetu, na kusongeza maisha ya nchi yetu mbele. Lakini kitu ambacho kinasikitisha ni kwamba zile kazi katika hizi kampuni hususan zile ambazo zinapatiwa kandarasi kubwa na Serikali yetu, kama wale ambao wanatengeneza daraja na barabara hapa Kenya, zinafanywa na wageni. Nikizunguka wakati wa kujenga Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) na barabara zilipokuwa zinatengenezwa, waliokuwa wakifanya kazi za chini kabisa ni wa ngozi nyeusi ama Wakenya. Lakini wale walio katika anga za juu ama wenye positions za juu, ni watu ambao hawatoki Kenya, ila wanakuja kutoka nje. Hawa watu wanalipwa mishahara na zile pesa, badala ya kutumika hapa, pesa nyingi zinaenda kule nje na kutumika huko.

Wanaleta bidhaa wanazotumia kutoka nje kwa maana hawataki kutumia bidhaa zetu za hapa Kenya. Kuna kampuni kadhaa na nimeona hii tabia sana sana na Wachina, utaona kwamba vitu vyote vimeletwa, wanajinunulia wenyewe na kujifaidisha wenyewe. Tunaona madharau madogo katika hizi kampuni. Kama tutakuwa tunapatia hawa watu kandarasi na wanaajiri watu wa chini ambao hawaangaliwi vizuri kwa ajili ya madharau mengi ambao yanaendelea pale, pesa zote zinaenda kule kwao. Hili ni jambo la kusikitisha sana. Tunataka mabadiliko. Sisi ni Wakenya, na lazima tuweke interest ya Wakenya mbele na iwe mwanzo.

Naunga mkono huu Mswada ya kwamba kama vile kimombo wanasema: “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya”, ningependa kutoa wosia pia kwa Wakenya wenzangu tupende vile vitu ambavyo sisi wenyewe tunavitengeneza ili tuweze kuinuana sisi wenyewe kama Wakenya na tuzidi kusonga mbele.

Mhe. Fatuma, kisha Mhe. Rozaah Buyu, kisha Mhe. Mwashako. Msimu huu unaonekana ni wa wanawake, bwana. Endelea.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I must say you are very gender sensitive today. Thank you for this opportunity. As I stand here, I support Hon. Kagiri’s Bill. This is a very good Bill. My sister, being a first-timer, is really working. This is the second time she is bringing a serious item to the Floor. Yet, not in a bad way, we have many here who have been long-timers, but have done very little, if any. She is encouraging us who came into this House at the same time with her.

This Bill will create many jobs. I will give an example. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Duale, withdrew licences for foreign doctors who are not specialists some few months ago. I am not sure which term to use to describe them in doctors' terms, but I think they are called specialists. Hon. Duale stated that he wanted local doctors who have the same expertise to offer the same services.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is your point of order?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Colleagues, we need to be sensitive to each other. This is a very important Motion which we want to support. I urge my colleagues…

It is out of order because we only have 29 minutes remaining. Why can’t we only take five minutes each, so that we can all contribute? Because others also want to contribute.

Was I really out of order?

No, no, you are not out of order.

Then why did he have to raise it when I am speaking? That is unfair to me, but I will continue. I am a very “short” person.

afford. It is very beneficial to us to promote Kenya by employing Kenyans and promoting our own products.

As I finish, I would also like to make a recommendation that instead of calling it the Local Content Bill, we could call it the Local Sourcing and Content Bill so that it can cover a larger area. I am very grateful for the opportunity. I pray that the Bill is passed by the House. I applaud my sister, Hon. Jane Kagiri, for coming up with the Bill. Keep it up dear sister.

If you spend as little time as possible without repeating what has already been said, we will accommodate every Hon. Member who is interested in contributing. I have noticed there is a lot of interest in the Bill.

Hon. Rozaah, proceed. I know you are very precise, concise and you make a lot of sense.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. However, you are limiting me.

I am not limiting you.

Thank you for this opportunity. I want to congratulate the Member of Parliament for Laikipia County, Hon. Kagiri, for coming up with such a Bill at a time when Kenya is grappling with a high unemployment rate. This Bill is about Kenya and its people. It is about the protection and enhancement of goods and services, labour, skills and everything about Kenyans so that at least they can benefit from what they have.

This Bill is timely because Kenya believes in offering or inviting investors into their country. However, that does not mean that investors should come to benefit from Kenya without Kenyans benefiting from their investments. We know what happens with trade when it is one-sided. People can import a lot of things into our country, but when it comes to us exporting anything into their country, they have issues. What this Bill is talking about is that Kenya will offer investment opportunities, but at the same time, it must also benefit from that investment. The Bill states that 60 per cent of the goods that are used must be supplied from the local market and 80 per cent of people employed in the industries must be Kenyans. That only goes to enhance the fact that Kenya must benefit from what it has.

We have heard one Hon. Member talk about a particular investor who opts to import potatoes because they want to operate in Kenya, but they think that our potatoes are substandard. This Bill seeks to encourage that investor to invest in skills and techniques in this country so that the potatoes that we produce can be up to the standard they require. That will upgrade our skills and ensure that our potatoes are used instead of potatoes coming all the way. That way, people can operate and make profits in our country while promoting local producers.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, if we protect our country, it will lead to good governance. Unemployment is a major concern in this country. Where are we going to take all the unemployed people if we even import waiters to work in our hotels? The construction industry is booming in Kenya. But even foremen are not Kenyans because contractors do not believe in the skills Kenyans have. We know that Kenya is a highly skilled society. If the Government is serious about tackling unemployment, it must take this Bill very seriously. The Bill will reduce the high unemployment rates in the country.

There is also something called dignity. You can have many investors in your country, but your larger population languishes in poverty. What does it benefit a country to have very many industries but have over 80 per cent of its population languishing in poverty?

I commend Hon. Kagiri for thinking about Kenyans and thinking about her country. What I also like most is that no investor can come up and say they will go against this Bill. If they are caught going against what the Bill says, they will be liable to be penalised Ksh100 million, which is not a mean amount. The CEO of that industry or that investment company can be jailed. We need such determent measures. Everybody thinks that they can come to Kenya and whatever they do or whatever sin or crime they commit, they can always go around

it and be safe. But this Bill stipulates that they are liable to be penalised Ksh100 million or the CEO can even be jailed.

For that reason, I support the Bill.

Hon. Mwashako, then Hon. Naomi Waqo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity to support the Local Content Bill as brought to the House by our sister, Hon. Jane Kagiri. My colleagues have said much, but I want to say three things.

This Bill comes at the right time when the country is grappling with very high levels of unemployment. We know for sure that we churn out a number of youths from universities and technical colleges, but they do not get employment opportunities.

We have been talking about the ease of doing business by attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to this country. I know the Government, through our diplomatic missions abroad, has been doing everything possible to bring in investors into our country. But as we debate this Bill today, and I am sure this is what Hon. Jane Kagiri had in mind, we want to tell foreign investors that we are ready to receive them. We are truly ready to receive them, let them come and invest in our country because we truly need to partner with people who have capital abroad, people who have ideas and people who want to run their businesses within our country. But as we encourage them to come and set shop in Kenya, we cannot be blind to the fact that, previously, we have had foreign investors coming into the country and taking advantage of our good laws, our goodwill and our situation. Because we are looking for investors, we become very vulnerable. We do not demand anything. We give everything and even lose the sovereignty of our resources. When I talk about sovereignty of resources, I mean that when foreign investors come, we give them land and raw materials which they process, add value and move everything abroad. When they come to Kenya, they come with their people to work here. Instead of creating the jobs that we are looking for, they end up bringing in their people from abroad. They employ extremely low numbers of our people. Many times, Kenyans who get an opportunity to work for the foreign firms, work in lower cadre positions. I am pleased with this Bill.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, a minimum of 80 per cent of employment must be for Kenyans which is not high enough. If I am given an opportunity, I would propose an amendment to take it to 90 per cent. We have investors who come to this country who do basic work. About 90 to 95 per cent of the work can be done by Kenyans. Therefore, 80 per cent of employment for Kenyans is the minimum.

We must also enforce knowledge transfer. When the investors bring in their experts, whom they call expatriates, at top level, they need to sign an agreement with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. Within a few years, those expatriates should transfer that knowledge to Kenyans and then they go back to their countries. At some point, we should have almost 100 per cent of employment. However, we expect that when they make their money, they can still use it the way they wish. In terms of employment, the expatriates must go home at some point, so that Kenyans can take over those positions.

When international companies set up businesses in Kenya, they give out contracts that are extremely huge. They do not unbundle them. A company sets up a business in Kenya and then they want a local company, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) , to supply them with goods, services and labour. However, they bundle everything in one contract. Therefore, many Kenyan companies cannot successfully bid for those jobs. They run out there and say they are unable to get a Kenyan company to bid. This Bill must directly talk about unbundling of contracts. A big contract must be split. For example, it must be broken down to procurement of security services, equipment and labour. These services can be rendered by a local SME.

When these big companies come to Kenya, we lose out sometimes. They complicate things by saying that they are unable to get specific items within the country. The Bill allows them to get up to 40 per cent of items outside the country. Even if they bring in items from abroad, they need to demonstrate a plan that they can transfer technology. Within a few years, we must build capacity in small firms to produce goods and services that are not locally available.

I want to conclude so that my colleagues can get time to contribute to this Bill. We must also enforce compliance of what we pass in Parliament. We have very good laws in this country, but the biggest challenge is enforcement. The Government does not put its feet down. There is a lot of laxity and compromise. Therefore, the cabinet secretary in charge must enforce compliance. As Parliament, we must also do our oversight role well, so that this law helps the country to grow and create the jobs that we need. We will grow our economy and continue to bring in foreign investors.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the Bill.

Next is Hon. Naomi Waqo, followed by the Member for Kaiti.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this very important debate on the Local Content Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2025) . I congratulate Hon. Jane Kagiri for coming up with this Bill that is very relevant and timely. As leaders of this country, we know that our young people graduate every year, but they do not get employment. This is a big problem to every leader in this country. We have young people who are qualified for different jobs, but they do not get employment, and that creates a lot of challenges for us. I took time to go through the entire Bill. It is quite brief, but has good content to transform this country. That is why I have already congratulated Hon. Jane Kagiri.

I also want to thank the Members who have sat here and supported it, especially the female leaders who have contributed and shown a lot of passion because, as mothers, we know the suffering of our people. I support this Bill because local content means the added value brought to the Kenyan economy through procuring locally available services, goods, supplies, and workforce.

Many times, invited investors bring their own workforce, their own supplies, their own goods, and even their money goes back to their country. That is unacceptable because Kenya has come of age. While we have invited investors to come and invest in our country, that does not mean we lose all the rights we have as citizens. This Bill provides a framework for regulating local content by prescribing minimum local content quotas in various sectors. Unless we do this, investors will continue taking advantage of this country, and our young people will lose the opportunities.

Again, when it comes to the workforce, we have seen local people working in international companies here and the mistreatment they go through. They are mistreated, beaten, and subjected to many injustices. They are confused, underpaid, and even assigned jobs that do not match their qualifications, and are often given low-cadre positions. That is why this Bill is quite important.

I know time is not on our side, but when you look at it, it promotes the agricultural sector through sourcing produce from Kenyan farmers, not only crops, but even livestock and meat. Let them source locally so they promote our own people instead of importing. Unless, as a country, we import less and export more, our economy will not grow.

I know many others want to speak, but when you look at unfair labour practices, including the right to fair remuneration, many times our local people are disadvantaged. That

is why today I am a proud leader to support this Bill, which can transform that sector and create more opportunities for our young people. I would have said more, but let me stop here so that others can benefit.

I fully support the Bill.

That is very kind of you. Hon. Kimilu, followed by Hon. Kombe and if there is still time, the Member from Nyamira. Proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is a very important Bill. Before I offer my support, I want to congratulate Hon. Kagiri, the Member for Laikipia, who has come up with a very important Bill.

One thing I realised when I came up with a Bill this year is that it is not easy for a Bill to go all the way unless it truly touches the hearts of Kenyans. I assure Hon. Kagiri that this Bill will, indeed, see the light of the day because it is very important and as Members, we will support it so that Kenyans can benefit from it.

Madam Speaker, if you go around the country, you will find many foreign companies operating here and there are many cases of exploitation. This Bill seeks to address and regulate such practices. This Bill will ensure that Kenyans benefit from the taxes generated within this country. As a nation, we are currently struggling with debts and borrowing to sustain our economy. This Bill will help increase revenue collection.

What is your point of order, Hon. Naomi?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am sorry to interrupt. The Member referred to you as “Madam Speaker.”

Oh my God. Hon. Kimilu, do you remember when I mispronounced your name as Kimuli and it was something else?

The only challenge I have is that Ms Kagiri is my senior somewhere else which I will not mention here. That is why I have repetitively mentioned the word ‘Madam’. I also say that this Bill, Madam Speaker…

Order! The Temporary Speaker is not a Madam. He is of the male gender.

This Bill will also help create employment opportunities for our youth, many of who have been loitering around unemployed. With increased investment and better regulation of resources, more jobs will be created. In my county, for example, there is a fruit processing factory that has greatly benefited the local community by providing jobs and improving income in Makueni households. I know the importance of this Bill and it will help those in rural areas to benefit.

Furthermore, foreigners come to Kenya to invest in industries and we will also be in a position to benefit as a country. In Eastern Kenya, you will find valuable agricultural products such as coffee particularly in the Mount Kenya region, but due to weak regulatory frameworks, foreign investors often benefit disproportionately leaving local communities with little gain. This Bill aims to ensure that such investments are structured in a way that benefits the people of Kenya. Some investors come as investors or construction firms, but end up extracting local resources such as sand, stones and other materials. They export everything to their country and fail to benefit the locals in our country.

Once this Bill becomes law, I am confident that many Kenyans will smile including me as a businessman. I understand the importance of ensuring that local communities gain from such economic activities. Because of time constraints and my brother equally needs to contribute, I support the Bill.

Hon. Kombe.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Order, Hon. Owen. Hon. Kombe is on the Floor and we only have a minute. You should have been in the House and whipped Members of Parliament to take the time they took. There is the lady who wants to reply and she has a whole message to reply. Proceed, Hon. Kombe.

Ahsante kwa kunipa fursa hii kuchangia.

What is your point of order?

My point of order does not deny Hon. Kombe an opportunity to speak. Looking at the time and looking at the time and schedule we have next week, Members have had ample time to debate the Motion. I request that the Mover replies in this sitting.

Order! Are you conscious of what time it is?

Yes. You can extend the sitting by a further five minutes. Let the Mover reply to the Motion today. I request you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Request denied. Proceed, Hon. Kombe.

Mheshimiwa Spika wa Muda, ninachukua nafasi hii kuiunga mkono Hoja hii itakayowapatia Wakenya nafasi za kupata ajira. Mara nyingi, wawekezaji wa kigeni wanapokuja nchini, hata kazi za kufagia hupewa watu kutoka ng’ambo. Hizo ni kazi ambazo wenyeji wanaweza kuzifanya vizuri zaidi kuliko wageni hao.

Vilevile, bidhaa zinazotengenezwa na Wakenya ni safi kabisa na ni za viwango vya kusafirishwa na kuuzwa ng’ambo. Hata hivyo, hazitiliwi mkazo kwa sababu zimetengenezwa hapa nyumbani. Ni wakati wa kujivunia bidhaa zetu. Tusitegemee sanaa vitu vya kigeni.

Hon. Members, the time being

Published by Clerk of the National Assembly