November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Thursday, 19th November, 2015

No, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Next Order.

There are just a few Statements; three to be precise.

Is there any Senator seeking a Statement? If none, let us go to the responses. Hon. Senators Kagwe and Ndiema are not here. Senate Majority Leader, are you ready to give your Statement now?

Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Could we have it and see if the other Senators would have come?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Hon. Senators, I am pleased to issue the Statement relating to the business of the Senate pursuant to Standing Order No.45.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir. In keeping with the traditions of this House, could the Chair direct that the Senate Majority Leader apologise to the House before issuing this Statement, which is long awaited? This is for

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Sorry, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. Which Statement did he fail to issue, is it the one he is about to issue now?

Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir. We have had issues about this particular Order. The House witnessed an occasion where in an unprecedented manner, the Senate Majority Leader failed to issue a Statement. I spoke to it. Could he apologise?

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, before I make a ruling on whether or not he will apologise, you have ambushed me. This is the first time that, that kind of a point of order has been raised in the House. Could you suggest to me how you want me to proceed on that? Do you have a Standing Order that you can rely on? Are you able to point out a specific Thursday that the Statement was not issued? If you manage to do so, I may need to look at the HANSARD. I do not want to appear unfair to you or the Senate Majority Leader on making such a demand that he apologises.

So, you would have to guide me; let me know what Standing Order you are relying on and then point out to the specific breaches. This Statement is issued on Thursdays. I would like to know exactly when this was so that I can make an informed decision on the issue.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am rising on Standing Order No.45 which provides that the Senate Majority Leader shall issue a Statement as he is about to do now. I want to draw your attention to an intervention, which I made a few weeks ago. I drew the attention of the Chair that the Senate Majority Leader had failed to issue a Statement. It is in the HANSARD.

If the Senate Majority Leader will be expected to be as candid and honest as I am, he will remember that day when he failed to issue a Statement and then apologise.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. That happened last Thursday. However, he delegated it to the Senate Majority Chief Whip. When she was about to make the Statement, the Deputy Senate Majority Leader came. Then the Speaker directed that she could not give the Statement and that it be given by the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, which he did.

So, I do not see any reason Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale would raise this issue. Yes, it is procedural, but the Senate Majority Leader is not an angel. He could be sick or away. He has authority to delegate.

This is a straightforward issue. If Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is relying on the Standing Order 45 (2) (c) which states that:-

“The Senate Majority Leader or, in his or her absence the Senate Minority Leader or, in the absence of both, the Senate Majority and the Senate Minority Leader, a Member of the Rules and Business Committee designated by the Senate

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, what Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale did not mention are the traditions and precedents of Parliament. Yesterday, when we were looking for quorum, the Senate Deputy Majority Leader told us that the Senate Majority Leader had left.

Order, Sen. Okong’o! Take your seat. You have risen on a totally different issue. We are now dealing with the failure of the Senate Majority Leader to issue a Statement when he was supposed to issue one. If you want to raise another issue, you will have another occasion to do it where I will not stop you as long you do it correctly and at the right time.

I do not want to dwell on that issue right now because if what Sen. Haji said is correct, then a Statement was issued. As long as a Statement is issued on Thursday on the last day of the Sitting as provided in the Standing Order No.45 (2) (c) , then there is absolutely nothing wrong. The Statement does not have to be issued by the Senate Majority Leader himself. It can be issued by his deputy or the Senate Minority Leader because all of them sit in the Rules and Business Committee (RBC) .

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, if you are not satisfied, you can always raise the issue on the Floor or directly with me at another time.

Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki, please, proceed with your Statement.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I said, I rise under Standing Order 45 (2) to issue a Statement of the business of the Senate for the week starting Tuesday, 24th November, 2015.

On Tuesday, 24th November, 2015, the RBC will meet to schedule the business for the week. Subject to the directions of the RBC, the Senate is expected to continue with debate on the Bills that are in the Second Reading or Committee of the Whole, including the following;-

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order 45 (2) (c) and 37 (1) to appeal to the Senate Majority Leader that the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC) has completed the hearings and report writing and has tabled a report on the Auditor-General’s Report on the County Executive of Homa Bay County.

In the remaining two weeks, could he kindly schedule the business of the House so that we can debate and dispose of the report on the Homa Bay County Executive? That way, we can be seen by the country to have dealt with one county conclusively. So far, it has been extremely difficult to carry out our mandate because of court injunctions for us to dispose of accountability in our county governments. Could that be put on the Order Paper for next week?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, the Chairperson of the CPAIC for bringing up that matter. I share the same view. I undertake to him and the Senate that I will place that request before the next meeting of the RBC.

It is very important that before we go on recess, we debate at least a report of the Auditor-General and Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale’s Committee for at least one county because there is a lot of backlog and expectations by the people of Kenya on the work that the Committee of Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is doing and the whole Senate of the Republic of Kenya. I undertake to table that request to the RBC next week.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I had put my intervention earlier before the Senate Majority Leader responded. I support my Chairman noting that the CPAIC is a Sessional Committee and we will lapse before the end of the year. It will be very important to table the business that we have dealt with so that we move to the next year.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders are here. I am sure that the two of you will see to it that the RBC finds it fit to place this matter before the Senate next week.

Please, proceed Sen. Obure.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, several county governments have recently complained on delayed disbursement of shareable revenue and other dues by the national Government. The delays have allegedly caused the county governments to default on their statutory obligations and commitments. The delays have disrupted implementation of planned activities by both the county executives and assemblies. These delays are said to have led to an accumulation of pending bills on the part of the county governments. In this context, I request the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget to:-

Sen. Obure, you did not start by saying which Committee you are directing your question to.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I said the Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget

Sen. Mositet, when will you give an answer on this?

In one week’s time, Sir.

That is Thursday 26th November, 2015?

Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kembi-Gitura) Is that suitable, Sen. Obure?

That is all right, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Thank you. Sen. (Dr.) Machage, do you have any issue?

On a point of order. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wanted an addendum to Sen. Obure’s---

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Your name does not appear on my screen.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, maybe there is something wrong with that gadget. I already have the microphone.

What do you want to do?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I request that you accept that I make a rider.

Go on.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in addition to what Sen. Obure has asked, could the Chair of the Committee also give reasons why some counties are favoured in allocation of funds whereas others are ignored for many months thereafter?

In that specific rider, you need to be specific because Sen. Obure has given specifics. You are talking about some counties being favoured beyond others. For that one, you need to be specific and say which counties have been favoured or something like that.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would rather leave it at that.

It will be difficult for the Committee.

Let them attempt.

I beg your pardon, Sen. (Dr.) Machage.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am sure the Committee will have an answer. Let them try.

I will not allow that to happen.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Sen. (Dr.) Machage has made very serious allegations about favouring and disbursements that some counties are favoured while others are denied funds. It would only be better if he gives specifics with substantiations so that we can know what he is actually talking about.

You heard what I said. I told Sen. (Dr.) Machage, that it is not fair to expect the Committee to go on a fishing expedition so that they are able to determine which ones are favoured and which ones are not. In fairness, if you want the Committee to deal with that, you have to be specific, otherwise, that request will not be allowed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thought it was fair, but let me substantiate.

You do not need to substantiate, just give examples that you have in mind.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, an example is Kiambu County, which is always favoured. Mandera County is always left out.

On a point of order. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. With all due respect to the distinguished Senator for Migori, as a Chairman of the County Public

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Sen. (Dr.) Machage, are you in order? Like Sen. Wangari and the Chairman of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee have said, it will be unfair and unfortunate to make the kind of statement you have made, unless you are able to substantiate.

You may be asked to substantiate because I am not going to muzzle you or anybody else from saying what they want to say. What I will require of you if you want to make substantiation is that you appear before the relevant Committee; the Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget, and put your case before them, that there is favouritism in the allocation of funds. Then they can include your views when they make their report or the findings to the Senate.

As Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale and Sen. Wangari have said, the kind of statement you have made is unfortunate because it is the kind of statement that can create despondency where none should exist. As Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale says - he should know because he is the Chairman of that Committee - it is not necessary, if you ask me.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would not want to argue with the Chair.

Actually, there is no argument.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, neither, would I want to appear not to agree with the Chair. However, my concerns have been recorded in the HANSARD and let it be.

Thank you very much.

I am striking them from the HANSARD. I have said it is of no consequences and it should not be considered by the Committee when it is considering the request by Sen. Obure.

Let us move on to the next Order.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Order, Senators. I have a short Communication to make.

I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of visiting delegation of Members from Kilifi, Embu, Siaya, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Bungoma county assemblies. The Members are here on a capacity building.

I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out so that they may be acknowledged by the Senate. I request that they stand so that we make one round of applause that is reasonable.

Kilifi County Members, please, stand up when you are called. The Members are as follows:-

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Order, Members. Something seems

Order, Senators. Like the Senate Minority Leader said, the system does not seem to be working. This has to be a noise point of order like we used to do a long time ago.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Wetangula) :

What about the HANSARD?

We do not know. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, is your speaker working?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes.

So, you will be heard on it.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to welcome al the visitors we have this afternoon and most importantly, the visitors from my home county, Bungoma. I congratulate them for being here.

Allow me to apologise to them because they have come on a day when the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee was looking at the accounts of Bungoma County Assembly and I was not in attendance.

In view of the unique things

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, I request the County Assembly of Bungoma to invite me to their Assembly so that I take them through what is expected of the protocol on a Presidential Visit in a county.

Thank you.

When we were practicing law, there was something that was called touting. You want to invite yourself.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki) : Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to join my colleagues--- (Inaudible)

Hon. Senators, we have a technical problem because the system seems not to be working. We shall not adjourn but improvise what we have. Therefore, you will continue talking from the Dispatch Box, if necessary.

The Senate Majority Leader, you were on the Floor.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to join my colleagues in welcoming the honourable Members of various county assemblies, including Tharaka-Nithi County Assembly, who have visited us today. Today, I feel very privileged to have Members of my County Assembly (MCAs) visit the Senate.

On behalf of all of us in the Government side and all of us in “the Government in waiting,” as the Senate Minority Leader has correctly put, I welcome and wish them all the best. I want them to know that we take county assemblies and their work very seriously, especially as the first bull work against the excesses that we see in our counties across the country. I just want to let them know that we cherish what they are doing and

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to join my colleagues--- (Inaudible)

Hon. Senators, we have a technical problem because the system seems not to be working. We shall not adjourn but improvise what we have. Therefore, you will continue talking from the Dispatch Box, if necessary.

The Senate Majority Leader, you were on the Floor.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to join my colleagues in welcoming the honourable Members of various county assemblies, including Tharaka-Nithi County Assembly, who have visited us today. Today, I feel very privileged to have Members of my County Assembly (MCAs) visit the Senate.

On behalf of all of us in the Government side and all of us in “the Government in waiting,” as the Senate Minority Leader has correctly put, I welcome and wish them all the best. I want them to know that we take county assemblies and their work very seriously, especially as the first bull work against the excesses that we see in our counties across the country. I just want to let them know that we cherish what they are doing and

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Let us be brief.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice and join my fellow Senators in welcoming the five counties that are visiting the Senate.

I am so happy this afternoon because counties that are visiting. Early this month, we visited Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and Meru counties. I realised that when it comes to matters of accessibility, I think Embu County carries the day because they are more concerned about disability issues and their Assembly is friendlier. They are very concerned in both physical and external accessibility. Other counties should learn from Embu and Meru counties.

This morning when we met them as the Committee on Delegated Legislation, we learnt that Kilifi County Assembly has passed a Bill on economic empowerment with regard to the disabled. This is promising and encouraging. This is the way to go because as legislators, we must think about vulnerable groups and how we can empower them economically and how friendly we are making our services to them.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also rise to welcome our colleagues from county assemblies who may not be seeing me but may be the screen is showing me. Let me raise one point, that it is a very good practice for committees of county assemblies to come and meet with counterpart committees in the Senate. It is also very good for them to come and see these committees in action.

It is also very encouraging for them to come and see the Senate in action. I think it is Sen. Khaniri from Vihiga County who has spearheaded this movement. We have had many delegations from there. Could I request that a communication comes from either the Speaker’s or the Clerk’s Office informing all counties and encouraging them to come to the Senate. Some counties do not seem to be aware that this is something that they can benefit from. I must say that my county has not taken advantage of this but maybe because they are not quite knowledgeable on the importance and usefulness of such visits.

As I welcome my colleagues in the Gallery, I would like to inform them that communication comes from your office or the Office of the Clerk that would encourage these committees and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to come, discuss with us and see our Committees in action.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice and join my fellow Senators in welcoming the five counties that are visiting the Senate.

I am so happy this afternoon because counties that are visiting. Early this month, we visited Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and Meru counties. I realised that when it comes to matters of accessibility, I think Embu County carries the day because they are more concerned about disability issues and their Assembly is friendlier. They are very concerned in both physical and external accessibility. Other counties should learn from Embu and Meru counties.

This morning when we met them as the Committee on Delegated Legislation, we learnt that Kilifi County Assembly has passed a Bill on economic empowerment with regard to the disabled. This is promising and encouraging. This is the way to go because as legislators, we must think about vulnerable groups and how we can empower them economically and how friendly we are making our services to them.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not speaking as the King of Meru. I am speaking as the Senator for Meru County. I take this opportunity to thank you and my colleagues, especially Sen. Omondi who visited Meru County. I also thank the hon. Members of county assemblies and the various committees that have visited the Senate today. They have come here for the purposes of interacting with their sister committees.

It has always been our desire to encourage very close cooperation and working relations between the Senate and the county assemblies because we cannot discharge our functions of oversight under Article 96 unless we work closely with county assemblies. I would like to encourage more committees to come and interact with their counterpart Committees in the Senate. I know we have not yet interacted with the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. We intend to write a programme for meeting these committees on agriculture across the 47 counties next year.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

The King of Meru!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not speaking as the King of Meru. I am speaking as the Senator for Meru County. I take this opportunity to thank you and my colleagues, especially Sen. Omondi who visited Meru County. I also thank the hon. Members of county assemblies and the various committees that have visited the Senate today. They have come here for the purposes of interacting with their sister committees.

It has always been our desire to encourage very close cooperation and working relations between the Senate and the county assemblies because we cannot discharge our functions of oversight under Article 96 unless we work closely with county assemblies. I would like to encourage more committees to come and interact with their counterpart Committees in the Senate. I know we have not yet interacted with the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. We intend to write a programme for meeting these committees on agriculture across the 47 counties next year.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to those of the other Senators who have welcomed various delegations from the county assemblies. Let me just emphasise to them that the success of devolution in this country rests, maybe not so much in the Senate, but primarily on county assemblies more than even the Senate, particularly, over your oversight role. I would like you to play that role vigorously because we do not want corruption to be devolved to county governments.

Also, I commend your Senators for their very valuable work in this Senate. The Senator for Kilifi County is the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, playing a very important role in that area. The Senator for Embu County is the Chairperson of the Committee on Land and Natural Resources, which is very important. Only yesterday, we passed one of his very far reaching legislations.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senator for Siaya County is here and he is the Chairperson of the Committee on Delegated Legislation and plays a very important role in this Committee. The Senator of Tharaka-Nithi – I do not have to repeat to you – is like our Prime Minister here, being the Senate Majority Leader.

The Senator for Bungoma is a very important Senator and as you know, he is the Senate Minority Leader. The Senator for Meru County, of course, belongs with me in the same class although I do not yet have the title of “King of Luhyas”, he has the title of the “King of Meru” and so on.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senators that you have are very active in this Senate. I would urge you to work very closely with them, so that we bring closer symbiotic relationships between the Senate and county assemblies. Whether you like it or not, you are our younger brothers and sisters. We have to work together for the implementation of our Constitution. As the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, I have met the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of all the Committees but we will have a programme in which we shall visit our counterparts at the grassroots to see how they operate. This is so that we can see how we can implement legal issues, the Constitution, issues related to elections, administration of justice and so on.

I hope you have learnt something and that you will go back strengthened to serve your counties effectively.

Thank you very much, Sen. Wako. Before, we proceed with the next Order Sen. Hargura had requested to make a Personal Statement.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES PERSONAL STATEMENT PREVALENCE OF CANCER IN MARSABIT COUNTY

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to make a Statement on an issue concerning my county under Standing Order No.45 (2) (a) . The issue is about prevalence of cancer in parts of Marsabit County.

Just before the turn of the millennium in 1998, we had an outbreak of what we refer to as throat and stomach cancer. Those cases have been persistent. There have been several reports of this in the media. The coverage has been done five times since 2004 to date. In the last two years, we had a very detailed coverage on television. Every time this issue comes up, the Government sends teams to go and do some investigations and nothing has come out of that. The first time, it was said that it is the issue of water. Detailed reports on this were done. Testing has been done about five times and it has been ruled out that it is not water.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the last report which was done by the inter-ministerial Committee in 2009 stated very clearly that detailed investigation needs to be done. These cases of cancer are localized. They occur only in Kargi area of Laisamis Constituency and Maikona and Kalacha areas of North Horr Constituency. These centres are occupied by different communities. They are also distant apart, about 60 kilometres apart.

In Laisamis Constituency, the lifestyle of the whole community is the same but we are wondering why it is, that all of a sudden, there is an outbreak of cancer in one part of the constituency.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in North Horr Constituency, which is the largest Constituency in this country, about 40,000km2, the cancer occurrence is localized to two centres. Right now, we have lost not less than 500 people within that locality. I remember there is a time that one of our late surgeons, Dr. Alkama, a very selfless person who had been treating people from that area, reported that by 2006 it had reached epidemic proportions because he was treating not less than three persons every month in Nairobi coming from this area. This meant that there were many more who were left behind. Those are the ones who could not make it to town. Many were and are just dying painfully there. Every time this occurred, it appeared in the media and the Government would rush there.

There was a time the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the National Oil Corporation (NOC) went there. The reports are there. The last inter- ministerial report had very clear recommendations which were not followed. But we ask ourselves: Why is it that this is localized to this part?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, from 1986 to 1990, there was oil exploration in that part of the country. The major ones were in 1988, 1989 and 1990, where the Kenya Government gave that area to an American Company called Amoco to do oil exploration. Drilling was done within those three centres; near Kargi, Maikona and Kalacha. So, why

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Please, conclude, Senator.

People also need to be compensated for that. So, I am bringing to the attention of the Senate and the public that we are suffering. The Government needs to take responsibility and the county government needs to do what it can.

I do not see any request on the Floor. As I said, you need to make a “voice” request now.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Senator for Marsabit, Sen. Hargura, has raised a very grave matter. He has talked about the emergence of cancer in his county which has claimed the lives of more than 500 people. This is attributed to the activities of oil exploration and projects of that nature which are being undertaken at national scale. Serious action needs to be urgently taken.

I do not know what the Senate is going to do, but we cannot just sit by when citizens of a county are dying at such a rate. This matter should be reported not just to the national Government, but even to the World Health Organization (WHO) , because it is beyond the capacity of the County Government of Marsabit, which is in charge of the health docket. It is, definitely, a matter that requires great research and more importantly, swift action.

I do not know what ruling you will make, but I urge you to think about this as a matter of grave concern.

Thank you.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the matter that the Senator has raised is very serious. I chair the Board of the Africa Cancer Foundation and we have done a baseline survey in ten counties in this country. We have also already done screening exercise in ten counties; screening about 13,000 Kenyans. We are screening mainly three types of cancers; cervical cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. But in the survey, we used index cards in hospitals to find out the prevalence of other cancers in this country.

I want to give the following statistics to underscore the point that Sen. Obure and the originator of the Statement have made. With regard to cervical, prostate and breast

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

I have two more requests on this issue, but I would like us to be very brief. As Sen. Obure said, Sen. Hargura expects to get a way forward in this issue. I will give you two minutes each.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the situation in Marsabit because I was part of the team which licensed oil and gas exploration in Block 9. The residents there raised issues and said that even cows were dying because of the mud which was being spewed out in the process of drilling. A study was commissioned involving environmentalists and other people. They reported that the mud from the drilling was harmless and there was no cause to worry. But if people are dying of cancer, time has come for another team of experts to be taken to that area to establish whether it is the drilling activities that are causing the cancer.

Let me add that according to the national statistics on cancer, 30 percent of all the cases reported at The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are from Meru County. We also do not know why there is such high prevalence of cancer in Meru. As the team will be looking into the cases in Marsabit, we would also have a similar research to be done in Meru, to find out what leads to those very high cases.

I would also like to request my friend, Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o, through the Africa Cancer Foundation, to also supplement Government efforts and visit our two counties. I know that you have capacity through the Foundation to move quickly.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

I have many requests. I will give you two minutes each. I hope that the clerks are timing.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, indeed, it is a sorry state. We know that cancer of the oesophagus or throat cancer is rare. Maybe because of the high index of suspicion and an increase in medical services, we are now recording quite a high number of cases. But we know the etiology that has been partly enumerated by Prof. Anyang’-Nyong’o. These would include things like tobacco use, which has been studied in that area, eating smoked fish and consumption of excessive alcohol, which I would not expect much from that area, since it is a Muslim Community. There is also exposure to asbestos. It is possible that whatever was mined had components of asbestos. Studies have to be conducted in that region to determine whether there are any asbestos but the causes include even poor oral hygiene.

The hon. Senator is very much in order to demand that the Government goes back and relooks at the etiology of these cancers in that region, instead of keeping quiet and considering only commercial benefits of explorations in Kenya.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also wish to join my colleagues to express my sentiments regarding this cancer menace that we have in our country. I come from a county where throat cancer is a challenge. Being a medical professional, we have had to look at some of the likely associations with the cancer.

We realised that in high altitude areas, the huts probably retain a lot of smoke and fuel wastage, coming out as ashes. That probably contributes to some of the cancer cases in high altitude areas. The prevalence level of cancers is worrying because it is increasing. We, therefore, need to address this issue. One of the things that we might wish to do is to increase the funds we allocate for research. We would need to know what is causing these cancers through serious research.

We also need to keep an eye on where the international community, especially the super power countries, which are using nuclear, dispose their waste. We know that there are challenges on international law with regard to where the super powers are disposing their waste. We are in jeopardy in Kenya because some of our neighbours, like Somalia, are not stable. We know that this is where the super power countries dump their waste. Therefore, we must be very careful about more specifically the food chain, because this is where the toxins come through and eventually get into the population.

Research is the way to go so that we can have sufficient information. It will arm us with the knowledge to identify the cases before we find ways of dealing with them. I agree with my colleague who said that we must set up a commission---

One minute Mr. Deputy

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. It is unfortunate that Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o walked out when I just wanted to say something which I wanted him to hear. As a former Minister in charge of the health sector, he gave us a few statistics or indications of the trends in various regions in this country, which I personally found very useful listening to because what is being raised by Sen. Hargura pertains to

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First, let me congratulate Sen. Hargura. To my knowledge – I stand to be corrected – this is the first time that a Senator has exercised his powers under Standing Order 45 (2) , to bring a county Statement. It is very harrowing to hear what he has told us.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

It seems like your time is over, Senator. The Senate Minority Leader (

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Asante sana, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi niweze kuchangia Hoja hii ambayo imeletwa na Seneta Hargura. Nchi nzima kweli kuna kilio kingi na tumewapoteza watu wengi kwa sababu ya ugonjwa wa saratani.

Nimesikiza Seneta Hargura alipokuwa akituelezea zile shida wamepitia katika lile eneo, na vile watu wamepata wasiwasi kiasi kwamba wanataka kuhama maeno hayo. Nilisikia nikiwa na hofu sana rohoni mwangu kwamba Serikali ingeona kwamba eneo fulani lina shida na haijaweza kujitokeza na kuhakikisha wamepeleka wataalamu wa kuangalia na kujua shida ni nini.

Bw. Naibu Spika, wakati umefika ambao katika taifa nzima, filimbi ya ugonjwa wa saratani iweze kupigwa na tuweze kushikana ili tuone kwamba ni vizuri tujitolee kwa mbinu zote na tuone kwamba hatutapoteza watu tena. Hata kwa kaunti yangu, ugonjwa wa saratani haukuwa pale mbeleni, lakini siku hizi, kama ni harambee ya wagonjwa hospitali, ni kwa sababu ya saratani. Kama ni maafa, unasikia ni saratani.

Kuna shida nyingi hata katika hospitali. Ingekuwa vizuri kama pesa tunazotengea kaunti zingetumiwa kununua vifaa muhimu vya matibabu ili watu wetu wasife kutokana na ukosefu wa vifaa hivyo. Zaidi ya hayo, uharibifu wa raslimali zetu kama misitu na chemichemi za maji umechangia---

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Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to take off from where my colleague has left, and that is to do with the level of seriousness that we are addressing this pandemic of cancer. In Nyeri County, cancer has become a number one killer. People used to talk about HIV/AIDs and other diseases, but cancer is the most serious disease. Every other death that you hear is related to cancer. I am not a doctor but a layman. I have absolutely no doubt that it is related to the environmental degradation that we are carrying out in our own areas.

When most people in Nyeri, and other counties in this country, drink water directly from the rivers--- When you have a farming community like ours, and they are spraying coffee with chemicals, using fertilizers to grow maize and have completely cut down the vegetation that stops fertilizers and chemicals from being taken down to the river by rain, then, clearly, if you drink a cup of water directly from the river, it is like getting a cup of water, adding a tea spoonful of fertilizer and half a spoon of chemicals, stir that concoction and drink it. Why would we not get sick?

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Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi nichangie Hoja hii kuhusu saratani. Sen. Hargura aliongea kuhusu saratani katika kaunti yake na kusema kuwa watu wanataka kuhama kutokana na vifo ambavyo vimetokea kwa sababu ya ugonjwa huo. Ningependa kumjulisha kwamba visa vya saratani viko kila mahali. Ninapoongea, kuna mazishi ambayo yanaendelea katika kijiji changu. Kifo hicho kilitokana na ugonjwa wa saratani.

Serikali inafaa kutilia mkazo mambo ya utafiti ili tujue kinachosababisha ugonjwa wa saratani. Tunadhani kwamba ugonjwa wa saratani unasababishwa na mazingira machafu, chakula ama mbolea. Lakini lazima Serikali itenge pesa za kuwezesha utafiti wa kina. Pia, watu wanafaa kuelimishwa kuhusu saratani kupitia vyombo vya habari. Hii ni kwa sababu watu hawaendi kupimwa kama wako na saratani. Watu wengi wanagundua kuwa wana ugonjwa huo wakati wameathirika na wanakaribia kufa.

Thank you, Senators. Sen. Hargura, you have seen the hefty interest that the matter has drawn. You rose under Standing Order 45 (2) (a) and the matter just ends there. Since you have seen the interest it has drawn from your colleagues, it is up to you to make a decision of how you want to proceed after this. You could seek a Statement from the relevant Committee or seek for the formation of a select Committee to deal with the issue. You can also bring a Bill; all those avenues are open to you. But it is good that you have brought the issue. You have seen and heard the contributions that have come from your colleagues.

That is the end of that. We need to move to the next Order.

consulted the Clerks-at-the-Table) Hon. Senators, it looks like I will have to re-organize the Order Paper. This is because Order Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 are up for division, and quite obviously, we do not have the numbers and I cannot see the Whips here. I am again advised that Order No. 13 cannot be disposed of now.

Before we re-organize the Order Paper, what is your point of order, Sen. Wetangula?

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Wetangula) : On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. It is getting very frustrating in this House. Yesterday, we committed ourselves to getting Members here to vote today. We have seen Members just walk away, even when they know that we will vote. The Chair must help this House.

More particularly, I want to bring to the attention of the Chair that yesterday, when we protested that the Senate Majority Leader had walked away when we were

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I watched it, Sen. Wetangula. The Speaker ruled that there was going to be a ruling on the several issues that consumed the whole afternoon of Tuesday. The ruling has not been made. All you have done is to further strengthen your case so that when the Speaker makes that ruling, he puts into account what you have now said.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Wetangula) : Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand guided.

The ruling will be regarding the electronic vote which you may not have canvassed that time and the voice vote which was also taken. Although I see there are some requests here, I do not want to protract this issue. The issue to be determined here is essentially what the meaning of Sen. (Dr.) Machage disowning his decision on what he vitiated is. I am not going to allow this issue to be reopened. It is pending the ruling of the Speaker.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Wetangula) : Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to put further material on record so that the ruling can encompass all these.

I did not know what you were going to go to. However, now that I know, all I can say is that what you have said should be taken into account when the Speaker gives a considered ruling on the issues that arose on Tuesday. However, you cannot now ask me to make a ruling from where I am sitting because a ruling is already pending.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Wetangula) : Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I totally agree with you. I stand guided. Therefore, the Speaker should encompass what exactly Sen. (Dr.) Machage vitiated.

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. It is getting very frustrating in this House. Yesterday, we committed ourselves to getting Members here to vote today. We have seen Members just walk away, even when they know that we will vote. The Chair must help this House. More particularly, I want to bring to the attention of the Chair that yesterday, when we protested that the Senate Majority Leader had walked away when we were

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Sen. Wetangula, what are you asking me to do in your point of order? The Senate Minority Leader (

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise under Standing Order No.39 (2) and 20. I request the Chair that having convincingly carried the House in re-arranging the business on the Order Paper, that you move under Standing Order No.1, that this House adjourns and discusses the position of the Senate Majority Chief Whip, the Senate Minority Chief Whip and their deputies. I believe you did not rearrange the Order Paper out of pleasure. You did so because of the prevailing circumstances in plenary this afternoon.

We should discuss this for the reason that these four officers think that they are doing this House a favour. A number of these Senators are always in this House. The success of this House will be measured by whatever business we conclude. These four officers enjoy unique privileges including perks. Over the last few months, they have not been making any effort whatsoever to discharge their duties.

There is need for the House to discuss them. If possible, we pursue their respective political parties and coalitions to have them replaced because we want business to be transacted. If they want to tell us that there are certain Senators in this House who are busier outside the House, then allow us to retreat to our medical practices, see our patients in hospitals in this country, make money and come and earn a free salary here.

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I watched it, Sen. Wetangula. The Speaker ruled that there was going to be a ruling on the several issues that consumed the whole afternoon of Tuesday. The ruling has not been made. All you have done is to further strengthen your case so that when the Speaker makes that ruling, he puts into account what you have now said. The Senate Minority Leader (

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Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I plead with you not to go the way that the distinguished Senator for Mombasa has suggested. For us to adjourn, it should be a decision by the House. Whenever we want to adjourn for any purpose, the matter should be placed before the House and a decision made. It should not be a matter left to the Speaker. In any case, we have a programme which is preset. To interfere with it, you will need a resolution of the House.

I say this out of experience because we fought over this matter a long time ago when you would be told that there was Harambee at Kenyatta University and the whole House was required to go there because the President was to attend or when he was travelling back from New York, all the Members of Parliament were required to be at the airport to meet him. That always came from a fiat from the Speaker.

In order to exercise our independence, we should at all times ensure that if we want to adjourn, a decision should be taken by the House notwithstanding that the guest who is coming is none other the Pope. Sometimes it depends on our relationship with whoever is coming. For instance, when President Obama came, he did not think that it was important to talk to Parliament. Therefore, if we had adjourned under those circumstances, it would not have been proper.

On the issue of attendance, I agree with Sen. Kagwe that there is a deeper problem. He addressed it from one component. The second component is that we need the leadership of the House to determine whether we are a Parliament exercising its legislative authority. This is because no Bill that we have passed here has ever seen the light of day in terms of Presidential Assent. Even when we take Bills across to the other House, they are never dealt with yet we religiously deal with any matter that comes from the other House.

The leadership of the House, particularly the Senate Majority Leader and the leadership around him should take up this matter with the Executive. Personally, I have overheard Members say what point is there about passing a Bill yet it will not go anywhere. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale’s Bill was one of the Bills that we passed when we were still at the “garage” at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) . That Bill is dead like a dodo. It has never been heard of again.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the linkage with the National Assembly and the Executive is important to make sure that we are not being taken for granted. Otherwise, with the way we are going, at the end of the day, we may as well take up other matters

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Hon. Senators, first, is on the issue that was raised by Sen. Hassan. You were here when the Senate Majority Leader read the business of the Senate for the week commencing on Tuesday, 24th November, 2015. Therefore, I cannot interrupt it from where I am sitting. I believe that if the RBC sits on Tuesday and makes a decision, the same shall be communicated to you. However, just because the National Assembly has adjourned for those two days does not set precedence for me to adjourn this House.

On the issue raised by Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale and reiterated by Sen. Kagwe and Sen. Orengo, I would agree that it is a much deeper situation and not a matter on which I can make a decision that we adjourn to discuss the leadership of the House partly because it is a very deep issue. If you want to discuss the leadership of the House, my advice is that you bring a substantive Motion. I am not in any way trying to lessen the importance of what you have said, but I am just trying to look for a proper way to deal with it because it is a very important issue.

We have taken a position that we cannot vote unless there is a threshold. I do not think that is correct. This is because not having a threshold is also a way of voting. Maybe people are not here because they do not want to vote “yes”, “no” or “abstain”. I do not believe that the way to go is to keep rearranging the Order Paper and saying that we cannot vote. If a matter has to be voted, it is our duty to be here to debate and vote. These issues cannot be kept in abeyance forever. Time will come when we must vote and you might find that the threshold is not the determinant of the vote. What it means is that the Bill will be lost. That is a decision that has to be made.

I agree with you that it is time to sit together whether in a Kamukunji, retreat or any other forum to discuss and find out why it is not possible to get threshold when we should have it to vote. Those are all important issues that have been raised. Personally, I would like to leave it at that for now, but there are many avenues that are open.

However, the RBC knows it as well as I do that not having threshold is not a reason to say that there still be no vote taken. I believe that I have dealt with the issue that was raised by Sen. Wetangula. We said that we have to abide by the ruling of the Speaker which will be coming in due course and that will determine how we will proceed with Order No.8, of Tuesday this week that was deferred for the ruling to be made.

Hon Members, I will now defer Order Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.

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Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I totally agree with you. I stand guided. Therefore, the Speaker should encompass what exactly Sen. (Dr.) Machage vitiated.

Let me put it this way so that we can put this matter to a close: I agree with you that it is important that, the ruling must decide exactly what was vitiated so that we know where exactly we stand or we are going back to status quo on item listed as Order No.8 of the Order Paper or whether we are only dealing with the voice vote. (Music was heard playing in the background) The Senate Minority Leader (

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Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I sit, do you hear that nuisance? That undermines the efficacy of this House. The custodian of order is the Speaker.

Order, Members! Sen. Wetangula, I am used to finishing one issue and dealing with another. I was trying to deal with the issue that you raised which I have done. Now you want to bring up the issue of music, you can do that.

In the meantime, could the orderlies check where that noise is coming from; whether it is in the precincts of Parliament? If it is, order that bit be stopped.

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On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. Is the distinguished hon. Senator from Bungoma in order to insinuate---

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Who was on the Floor? Sen. Orengo, are you assuming you are the one I will call? Are you not going to allow me the privilege of announcing that Sen. Orengo was on the Floor and that his five minutes are remaining? That is the way it should be done.

Take the Floor, Sen. Orengo. You have five minutes.

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On a point of information, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will accept the information provided that my time is held.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform my colleague, the Senator for Nyeri, that Article 204 of the Constitution does precisely say so. It calls for the Equalisation Fund to cover needy areas in the counties. The focus is actually not the county per se, but areas in the counties that are disadvantaged.

Madam Temporary Speaker, obviously, my distinguished colleague and friend, the tycoon from Nyeri County was not listening. I did not say the other side of this House. I just said the other side of the political divide. By the way, on the other side, there are some very decent people like the Senator for Nyeri whom I have great and tremendous respect for. We even wish you were the Senate Majority Leader. Things would be different.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. Is the distinguished Senator really in order to say that we should make changes of leadership on this side of the House? We have total and complete confidence in the Senator from Tharaka-Nithi as the Senate Majority Leader.

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Sen. Kagwe, I did not hear the Senate Minority Leader state that he wishes a change. He is speaking his mind. He has simply said he wishes and we cannot inhibit him from wishing or stating what is in his mind. The Senate Minority Leader (

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Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Bill even though I believe there are many parts of the Bill that should be looked at when it comes to the Committee of the Whole. When you form a country, there has to be reasons people get together rather than live alone. One of the reasons they would do so, is because they believe that numbers can create opportunities that singular individuals would not. We, as a family, take care of those amongst us, even within your own family, you take care of the weak.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it was an English writer who said: “The most able must provide the least requirement for the least able”. What the Bill proposes to do is to

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Order, Senator! I am not “Madam.”

I am sorry, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. You are not a madam, but a real moran from a famous tribe of this country.

I believe that since Sen. Hassan’s Bill proposes that the county governments should be monitored, one of the first thing that they should be monitored on is to what extent they are living up to their obligation or supplying education to a three-year-old or four-year-old. Some of the counties have their priorities completely messed up. County governments cannot possibly start talking about building secondary schools – which is a function of the national Government - when the function that they have been given of managing nursery schools is forgotten and not being prioritized.

Sen. Boy Juma Boy and I, visited a nursery school in Kwale County. When we asked where the toilets of the little boys and girls were, they pointed at a maize farm. They told us that is where the boys go to relieve themselves while the girls do so at the other side of a maize farm. Even as we talk about human rights and the right to education, how would those rights be realised if our children are learning in deplorable conditions? The first point of monitoring is to make sure that the county governments are performing their functions as per the Constitution. For example, Baringo County is spending Kshs100 million per annum to build modern kindergartens and nursery schools. When you visit one of the changed institutions, you see changed faces; children are happy and enjoying school life. Therefore, in future, you can expect those children to be interested in education. The issue of prioritizing where to spend money so that we can meet the obligations that we have in the Constitution, as far as economic and social rights are concerned, is what would be monitored and reported to us.

In terms of national and county programmes, the first question we should ask ourselves is: How does this project support the youth in creation of jobs in the county? We must get our priorities right. If we have to initiate two projects, we must ask ourselves which one will create job opportunities for the youth. For instance, even if we have to start a huge project, but does not create jobs, then we must do the one that creates job, so that we can meet that economic right of the people. Therefore, if we take what is proposed in this Bill seriously and make it clear to the people that it is not the role of the Government to micro manage individuals. Government is not a micro manager of individuals. For example, you cannot stand in front of your house where you have mud and trees that you can cut and build a decent place, but you still say that you are waiting

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On a point of information, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will accept the information provided that my time is held.

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Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the good information from the distinguished Senator for Nyandarua. It is exactly what I was emphasizing. There is a mistaken notion, particularly in the Senate, that the Equalisation Fund should be shared on the basis of counties. It should not be counties, but areas within the counties that are disadvantaged. I believe that the Equalisation Fund should be managed by the county governments and not the Members of National Assembly, and it should be on the basis of regions and constituencies that are suffering and not simply looking at a county in its holistic sense.

We must also look at the conflicts that might be in this Bill and other organs which are charged with monitoring. For example, I do not know whether there is any conflict between the Ombudsman’s office and the Kenya National Commission on

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Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Bill. First, I thank Sen. Hassan for being innovative enough to come up with this Bill on economic and social rights.

This is an area that has previously not been emphasized. Although we have been having many policies by the Government on how to improve the economic and social welfare of our people, we have never had a framework legally or an institution to ensure the implementation of the desired goals. This Bill seeks to bring that framework and institution to oversee the realization of the economic and social right.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to repeat what the social and economic rights are because they are in the Constitution. We have not had a mechanism to ensure that those rights are realised. This Bill has come at the right time. Its success will depend on a few areas that we should ensure fare properly implemented. We know that social rights cannot be achieved overnight or even in 50 years because parameters change often according to the global situation. However, what we are talking about in this Bill are the basic rights.

We all know for many years, this country has been crafting development visions but what have we realised so far? Those are just statements. There is some progress with regard to electricity connection to schools. How do we measure all the promises we have been making to our people in the various policy statements and plans?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Bill is a vehicle with which we shall drive towards the realisation of Vision 2030. There are very important issues that must be tackled on the issue of statistics. We should ensure that we have up-to-date statistics of the welfare and economy of our people. Currently, statistics are centralized. They are based on national figures. We have since devolved, but it seems that the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has not devolved. We cannot tell the economic statistics

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Order, Senator! Your time is over! Since there is no other request, I now call upon the Mover to reply.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, first and foremost, I thank all my colleagues, the Senators, who have contributed very robustly to this Bill. I have bulleted quite a number of their concerns, which I believe shall be subject to amendment or introduction at the Committee Stage. I believe that whatever recommendations were given, are extremely useful in terms of perfecting or improving on this Bill.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, most Senators appreciated that Article 43 is one of the most fundamental gains of our new Constitution, 2010. Article 174 (f) states that one of the objects of the devolution of government is: “to promote social and economic development and provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya.” Therefore, this Bill intends to reposition devolution in terms of psyche of county governments. One of the speakers raised similar concerns that partly inspired this Bill; where the governors think that the only development they can do is to lay cabros and do a few other things here and there, but not make the lives of our people better.

I was also quite enthused by some of the contributions, particularly a comment made by Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. He said that we should not celebrate when governors launch toilets and boreholes, 50 years after Independence. In fact, we should be a nation in shame. To respond to that issue, this Bill intends to depoliticize policy, so that governors do not demonstrate as if issues around social justice and all economic and social rights are out of their magnanimity, hospitality or good nature. This Bill intends to depoliticize policy, so that whenever governors execute functions and mandates within our Constitution, people should realise that it is based on a certain right and a strategic plan that is carefully implemented or developed through the participation of the people.

I also take the views of Sen. Ndiema who said that we need to enforce or strengthen the capacity to conduct statistics. What will be required is what Sen. (Prof.) Anyang'-Nyong'o talked about, that is, evidence or research-based planning, which is scientific in nature, so that it can guide us to some of the areas of development that need to be strengthened.

Equally, I totally agree with the interventions of Sen. Kagwe which were strengthened by Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki through a point of information. One of my fundamental concerns has been this very simplistic arena of how we define marginalization or the index that is used in terms of Government statistics to define marginalization. That is why in the Second Schedule of the Bill, we have broadened the criteria because we realise that we have what we call the urban poor. You can be in Mombasa, but living in a place called Burukenge. Are you aware that there is a place called Burukenge in Mombasa? Just yesterday, it was said that floods killed one person in that area. I can tell you for a fact that whenever you hear some of these names like

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What is the point of order, Senator?

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise under Standing Order No.54 (3) to seek that you defer putting of the question because this is a Bill that affects counties.

As he has put, the Bill concerns all counties. As you have requested, I defer putting of the question to next week.

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The first Motion is also deferred.

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Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:-

AWARE THAT, the Senate on 30th July, 2015, resolved to establish a Select Committee consisting of nine Senators to conduct an inquiry into the needs of the forty-seven counties for headquarter facilities and report back to the House within three months of its establishment; realizing that the three months period lapsed on 30th October, 2015, but owing to the magnitude of the work involved the Committee was not able to complete its work within the duration; noting the need for more time to carry out a thorough inquiry into this matter; now therefore, the Senate resolves to renew the mandate of the Committee for a further period of 45 days to enable the Committee to complete its work and report to the House. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Committee which I have had the honour to Chair has done most of its work.

Since Sen. Kiraitu is not in the House, we will defer the Motion.

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Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the Motion.

It has come at the right time when we were wondering why some counties do not have county headquarters to the amazement or embarrassment of the country which has been built for the last 50 years.

It is important that we get to know why we do not have county headquarters even at the defunct local authorities. You find that there are no established headquarters. I believe the Committee which is chaired by Eng. Muriuki, who is normally known as the

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Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I happen to be a Member of that Select Committee. I want to confirm that the assignment given to that Committee proved to be massive. It involved consultations with a number of institutions, including the Transition Authority (TA) , Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and so on. The assignment also entails travelling to counties to look at the facilities available and engage with stakeholders, governors and the county assemblies.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and the devotion demonstrated by the Chairman of that Select Committee, Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki of Nyandarua County. Being a Member of that Committee, I have immensely enjoyed working with him and appreciating his commitment to this assignment. Despite the hard work and devotion, it is simply not practical to complete this assignment within the period given. I know a lot of work has been done, but in order to produce a good quality report, it is necessary to extend this period of time to enable the Committee to compile a reasonable report which will be a reflection of the situation on the ground.

I support.

Order, Senators! It is now time to interrupt the business of the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 24th November, 2015, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I also join to support this Motion for the reason that the issue is important and the findings are awaited. However, the tendency to create Select Committees even in areas where there are specific committees to deal with the matter, is something that this House needs to address. This is a matter for the Committee on Devolved Government and it should have been handled so. I believe this is now affecting the quorum for the other committees. Not to mention, I do not know how it

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So, Senator, are you a Member of the Committee on Devolved Government?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am a Member of the Committee on Devolved Government. I feel this responsibility was taken away from us.

So, you feel you are not did work as per the way you should operate?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

I now call upon the Mover of the Motion to reply.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, first, I want to thank the Members who have supported the Motion and also to respond to one or two issues. One is the issue raised by Sen. Ndiema which I very much appreciate. However, my position away from this particular ad hoc Committee – and by the way it is called an ad hoc Committee and not a Select Committee – but nonetheless, there are some agenda which come to the House which require very intense and short term investigation. Whenever we have this kind of thing, it is always better to have an ad hoc Committee to look into it because the regular committees normally have a lot of regular business.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I also wish to assure Sen. Ndiema that in the budget of Parliament, there is a reserve for a limited number of this kind of ad hoc committees. Therefore, we are not at all eating into the budget of the Committee on Devolved Government.

As Sen. Obure said, this Committee has actually gone round not to every county, but to selected ones that we really sampled and the number of observations we made, one of the ones I would like to tell the House is that we realised – although it was not the agenda which was taking us there – that we seem to be slowly creating marginalization in counties which were originally marginalized and they still continue being marginalized and others which are coming on board now, because of the formula we have for allocation.

We realised that there were some counties which had a problem of headquarters. However, since they had a huge budget, they were able to commit Kshs1 billion and build their county headquarters. There are some counties, like Lamu and others which were originally marginalized, but the money they get is just enough to run their government. They cannot build extra roads. Therefore, we must give counties enough money to run their governments and for development.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those few words, I beg to move.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the issue of the select Committee is what is in the Standing Orders. This Motion is also referring to a select Committee. So, I did not create the word “select” instead of “ad hoc.” It is already in the Motion.

Sen. Ndiema, I would like you to note that there was a real need for that Committee to be formed. The Senator tried to convince this House to provide for some funds to go to the three counties, but he was unable to do so. The only way to try to achieve that was to come up with a Committee. That Committee will come up with a report, which could convince the House that there is need for those counties to have money for their headquarters.

Since this Motion does not affect all the 47 counties, I will put the question.

Since Sen. Kiraitu is not in the House, we will defer the Motion.

November 19, 2015 SENATEDEBATES

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Chairperson of Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation, Sen. Chiaba, I beg to move the following Motion:-

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation on visits to Lamu and Nakuru Counties, laid on the table of the House on Wednesday, 29th July, 2015. This Report documents the visits by the Senate Standing Committee on Roads and Transportation to the two counties of Lamu and Nakuru during the months of May and June 2015, respectfully. The visits were undertaken in fulfillment of the constitutional role of the Senate, as articulated in Article 96 of the Constitution and in exercise of the mandate of the Committee as provided for under the Senate Standing Orders.

Order! Sen. Obure, you have almost one hour, according to our Standing Orders, to move the Motion. Therefore, you have 58 minutes remaining.

Order, Senators! It is now time to interrupt the business of the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 24th November, 2015, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.