Hansard Summary

Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah used the Easter recess to call for national healing, emphasizing the independence of divine will from political desires and urging respect for the clergy’s role in prayer. The Speaker and other members then focused on procedural matters, allocating limited time for debate on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill and reminding members of the need to avoid repetition of earlier discussions. The session combined moral exhortation with routine budgetary and legislative housekeeping. Members debated the First Supplementary Appropriations Bill, noting a Ksh316.7 billion increase to the budget and emphasizing the need to fast‑track projects before elections. Contributions highlighted additional funding for higher education, airport development, and security agencies, while urging MPs to monitor constituency projects. Procedural motions to amend the Bill's schedule were also raised. Members debated draft regulations aimed at curbing the unsustainable wage bill and harmonising public‑sector pay through equity, caps on allowances and performance‑based remuneration. While many praised the reforms as necessary for transparency, morale and fiscal discipline, concerns were raised about transition impacts, safeguards for performance metrics and the lack of comparable remuneration for MPs. The discussion highlighted the need for clear implementation guidelines and robust public participation.

Sentimental Analysis

Mixed

THE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

THE HANSARD

Thursday, 2nd April 2026

[The Speaker (Hon. Moses Wetang’ula) in the Chair]
Hon. Speaker

Clerk-at-the Table, call the first Order.

Hon. Speaker

Deputy Whip of the Majority Party.

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

Hon. Speaker

Thank you, Hon. Naomi. Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy.

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

Fourth Report of the Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy on its Examination of Audited Financial Statements of Selected State Corporations in the Energy Sector. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture, Hon. Wangwe.

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

Ninth Report of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture on the Consideration of Audited Financial Statements of the following State Corporations—

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Let us have the Co-Chairperson, Mediation Committee, Hon. Sabina Chege.

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

Report of the Mediation Committee on the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2023) .

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, Hon. Major Bashir.

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

Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on its Consideration of the Following Defence Cooperation Agreements—

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, Hon. Wamboka.

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

Reports of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on –

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Next Order.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS

Hon. Speaker

Chairperson, Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture.

ADOPTION OF 9TH REPORT ON AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF SPECIFIED STATE CORPORATIONS

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the 9th Report of the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture on its examination of audited financial statements of the following State corporations laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026—

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Co-Chairperson, Mediation Committee, Hon. Sabina Chege.

APPROVAL OF MEDIATED VERSION OF THE FOOD AND FEED SAFETY CONTROL COORDINATION BILL

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 150 (3) , this House adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2023) , laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, and approves the mediated version of the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 of 2023) .

Hon. Speaker

Thank you, Hon. Sabina. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, Hon. Bashir.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON DEFENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENTS

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on its consideration of the Defence Cooperation Agreements, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 (4) of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act (Cap. 4D) , approves the Ratification of the following Defence Cooperation Agreements—

Hon. Speaker

The Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, Hon. Wamboka.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF SPECIFIED UNIVERSITIES

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on its examination of audited financial statements of the following Universities for the Financial Years 2018/2019, 2019/2020,2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026—

Hon. Speaker

Yes, go ahead.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF SPECIFIED NATIONAL POLYTECHNICS

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on its examination of audited financial statements of the following national polytechnics for Financial Years 2018/2019,2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026—

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Hon. Members, before the next Order, allow me to acknowledge in the Speaker’s Gallery, pupils from Good Shepherd Primary School, Kitui Central, Kitui County; students from Moyale Girls Senior School from Moyale, Marsabit County and students from Asumbi Girls Senior School from Rangwe, Homa Bay County. In the Public Gallery, students from Ewangan School from Narok North, Narok County, and St. Augustine Catholic from Njoro, Nakuru County.

(Applause)

Thank you so much, Hon. Speaker. Let me join you also in welcoming all the students to Parliament, more specifically, those from the Good Shepherd School from my constituency. I want to encourage all the students who are here to observe what happens in Parliament and tell them that everything is possible. At one point in time, we were seated where you are seated as students and today, we are here as Members of Parliament. You can equally make it here as long as you remain focused and committed to your studies. You are most welcome.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Speaker

Hon. (Prof.) Jaldesa, take one minute.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Together with you, I also welcome all the students who are present to the House of Parliament and tell them that in the very near future, there will be leaders who will be sitting in this House and they should aspire for the same.

I want to specifically congratulate Moyale Girls High School who in last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) had 97.5 per cent transition to university. I hope they will continue with that hard work. The Leader of the Majority Party is not here, but I wanted to tell him that we are not aiming to go to Alliance High School; our “Alliance” is these girls here.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Yes, Hon. Pareyio. You can take one minute. Give Mama Pareyio the microphone.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to welcome students from Ewangan Primary School to the 13th Parliament. I welcome and wish them a safe journey as they go back. I ask them to use this opportunity as a learning process so that they can see what happens in Parliament and tomorrow, I know some of them will have an opportunity to be in this House.

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. On my behalf and that of the House, we welcome all the students.

Hon. Naomi, do you want to say something?

Go ahead although I had said I will give Moyale County only one bite. Hon. Naomi Waqo

: Thank you, Hon. Speaker for considering me. On behalf of the Members of Parliament from Marsabit County who are here, I want to welcome all the students, especially those from Moyale Girls High School. We are

Hon. Speaker

proud of you. Just to encourage you, we were there where you are at one time and today, we are here as Members of Parliament. Aim higher and make sure that the sky is the beginning for you. Have a safe return journey. Moyale is over 800 kilometres from Nairobi. So, I am happy that girls from Moyale are here.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

(Applause)
Hon. Speaker

You know, I have been to Moyale very many times, and so, I know where it is. Hon. Members, on my behalf and that of the House, we welcome the students, their teachers and those accompanying them to the House of Parliament.

Still at Order No.6, Hon. Pkosing, you had been omitted on the listing. Go ahead and give your notice of Motion.

NOTICE OF MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SELECT STATE CORPORATIONS

I thank you, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy on its examination of audited financial statements of the selected State corporations in the energy sector laid on the Floor of the House on Thursday, 2nd April 2026.

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Next Order.

QUESTIONS AND STATEMNTS

Hon. Speaker

Hon. Member for Kericho County, Hon. Beatrice Kemei.

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT BURIAL OF UNIDENTIFIED BODIES AT KERICHO COUNTY CEMETERY

Hon. Speaker, I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security Regarding the circumstances surrounding the burial of multiple unidentified bodies in a mass grave at the Kericho County Cemetery.

The recent discovery of a mass grave in Kericho has occasioned serious public concern owing to the apparent lack of transparency, possible breach of inter-county protocols and the potential public health and security implications. It is reported that a number of bodies allegedly originating from Nyamira County were transported to and interred in a mass grave in the Kericho County Cemetery under unclear circumstances.

Of particular concern is the reported discrepancy wherein Nyamira County Government is said to have been granted the burial approval for 13 bodies yet a total of 33 bodies were untimely interred raising serious questions as to the origin, identification and legality of the burial of the additional bodies. The handling, transfer and disposal of human remains is governed by established legal frameworks including the Public Health Act (Cap. 242) and the National Coroners Service Act (Cap. 89) . Both laws require strict adherence to procedures on

alteration, post-mortem examination, identification, record keeping and inter-governmental coordination with regard to disposal of bodies.

It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental

Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following:

Hon. Speaker

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, I direct that that response comes from two committees, namely, the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Departmental Committee on Health. Hon. Naomi, can you communicate this to them? I give them a week. So, by next Thursday, I want a report here from both committees.

Most obliged, Hon. Speaker. I am sure they will do that. I thank you.

Hon. Speaker

Yes, thank you. Member for Luanda, Hon. Dick Maungu.

IMPLEMENTATION OF NAIVASHA - KISUMU - MALABA SGR

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding implementation of the planned routing of Naivasha

Hon. Speaker

Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure? Any Member? Yes, Hon. Komingoi. How long do you want?

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Hon. Adan Yusuf Haji, Member of Mandera West. Go ahead.

DISAPPEARANCE OF MR SHUKRI HASSAN ALI

Hon. Yusuf Adan (Mandera West, UDM)

Pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disappearance of one, Mr Shukri Hassan Ali.

Mr Shukri Hassan Ali of National ID No. 31xxxx25 and a resident of Mandera County currently residing in Nairobi was reportedly abducted by unknown persons on the night of 28th March 2026. Mr Hassan had gone to visit a sick relative in Fedha Estate when he went missing. His mobile phone signal was last traced at Runda area along Kiambu Road before it was switched off. His whereabouts have since remained unknown. The matter was formally reported at California Police Station under OB No. 52/30/03/2026 on 30th March 2026.

Despite the prompt reporting of this serious incident, there has been no substantive update from relevant authorities. The continued silence has subjected the family to profound distress and uncertainty while also heightening public concern over the rise in such incidents.

This case and others of a similar nature raise serious questions regarding the effectiveness of security and investigative frameworks as well as the State’s obligation to safeguard the lives and liberties of its citizens. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following:

Hon. Speaker

Thank you, Hon. Yusuf. Is Hon. Dido Raso the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. We will respond in two weeks.

Hon. Speaker

You were not here when there was a request from the Kericho Woman Representative. I direct that next week on Thursday, your Committee and the Departmental

Committee on Health bring a report on the 33 bodies buried in a mass grave in Kericho. Work

Most obliged, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Speaker

Hon. Bernard Kitur, Member of Nandi Hills.

POOR ROAD DESIGN OF MOMBASA - MALINDI HIGHWAY

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the poor road design of the Mombasa-Malindi Highway, specifically at Kadzengo area.

The Mombasa-Malindi Highway is a key route serving the coastal region, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers and fostering trade and tourism. However, the highway, particularly the section at Kadzengo does not have critical road safety features including properly designed speed bumps, clear road markings and standard signage. This has exposed motorists and other road users to safety risks.

Since completion of the road, multiple accidents on the road have been attributed to the poor design of the road especially the absence of visible road markings and signage. In fact, on 10th April 2025, a 25-year-old Mr Hezron Kiprotich of ID No.38317443 lost his life in a road accident at Kadzengo area. Road users have raised concerns severally about missing signage and lack of traffic safety infrastructure yet remedial action has not been taken to date.

It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following:

Hon. Speaker

The Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing. The Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Naomi. Sorry, Hon. Komingoi is there.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. We will respond together with the other request for a Statement in two weeks’ time.

Hon. Speaker

Okay. Hon. Abdul Haro, the Member for Mandera South.

OPERATIONALISATION OF KOTULO AIRSTRIP

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson

of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the condition and operationalisation of Kotulo Airstrip in Mandera County.

The Kotulo Airstrip was constructed in 2019 to serve the residents of Mandera South and Tarbaj constituencies, as well as neighbouring towns including Khorof Harar, Wajir, Gunana, Takab, Elwak and other adjacent regions. Despite its strategic importance in ensuring connectivity in northern Kenya, Kotulo Airstrip is currently non-operational. The continued non-utilisation of the airstrip has led to its deterioration negatively impacting connectivity and socio-economic development in northern Kenya. Operationalisation of the airstrip would facilitate access to essential services, reduce travel time to northern Kenya, and promote trade and investment in the region. Further, in a region prone to emergencies including drought, floods and insecurity, a functional airstrip would enable rapid humanitarian response and evacuation, especially when road infrastructure becomes inadequate or impassable.

It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following:

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing, Hon. Komingoi, pay attention.

Hon. Speaker

When can you bring a response?

In two weeks, Hon. Speaker. I am also being reminded that some of the Questions, like Hon. Kitur’s Question, lapsed in the last session whereas we had a response for it already. We will consolidate them and submit them in two weeks.

Hon. Speaker

That is alright. Two weeks it is.

BUSINESS FOR THE WEEK OF 6TH TO 10TH APRIL 2026

Hon. Speaker

The Leader of the Majority Party. Your Thursday Statement. Where is the Leader of the Majority Party? He was consulting behind here.

Sorry, Hon. Speaker. I was consulting at the back there with the chairpersons of committees.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee which met on Tuesday, 1st April 2026 to prioritise business for consideration during the week and the business coming before the House in the following week.

I wish to officially welcome Members back from the just concluded short recess and commend the committees for diligently utilising the recess to finalise on priority business that was referred to them before proceeding on the recess. Allow me to singularly laud the Public Petitions Committee for the exemplary work done during the recess by prioritising the consideration of various public petitions. You may recall that yesterday, Wednesday 1st April

2026, the Chairperson of the Committee tabled a record 15 reports on public petitions that have been pending before it. I urge other committees who are yet to finalise their pending business to emulate this dedication and expedite consideration of such business.

With regard to business scheduled for Tuesday next week, the House is expected to continue with consideration of the following Bills, should they not be concluded today:

Hon. Speaker

The Leader of the Majority Party, I direct you to get in touch with your counterpart in the Senate and meet all the designated co-chairpersons of mediation committees on various Bills. Some have gone for six months if not more and some over a year.

Most obliged, Hon. Speaker. In conclusion, on behalf of the House Business Committee and, indeed, on my own behalf, I take this opportunity to wish all the Members a Happy Easter.

The House Business Committee shall reconvene on Tuesday, 7th April 2026 to schedule business for the rest of that week. I now wish to lay this Statement on the Table of the House.

With your indulgence, as you very well noted yesterday, the Public Petitions Committee has done exemplary well and we must commend it with its new chairperson, Hon. Karemba Muchangi. They concluded 15 reports on public petitions over the recess period. That is why

we say the short recesses are 'working' recesses. Besides all the other departmental committees and the Budget and Appropriations Committee that were very busy during the short recess considering the Supplementary Budget, the Public Petitions Committee has also set a very good example. We want to encourage all other committees... Hon. Speaker, you have rightly said that we should engage our counterparts in the Senate with regard to pending business before committees, especially Bills that have been referred for mediation. I have in mind the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. There is the Food and Feeds Safety Bill, which I believe is a 2023 Bill, that is still in mediation between the two Houses.

I want to urge the Members, even as we go on a short break for Easter, we should take time to rest during those four days. It is the usual break from Friday to Monday, but this being the Easter period, let us also take time to join fellow Christians in our churches. We should continue encouraging our church leaders and clergy to pray for this nation and its leaders, who are elected by the people. It is also important to address the issue of the clergy being asked not to engage in matters of politics and being accused of having prayed certain administrations into office. It is important to state that the clergy and the church have a cardinal responsibility to pray not only for leaders but also for the country. If prayers are answered in a way that does not please someone, the church should not be blamed. We pray to God to answer prayers according to His will, not according to individual desires. Therefore, anyone who is unhappy because prayers were not answered as desired should accept this and move on. It is time to heal and to recognise that the will of God can never be the will of man. There will never be a time when the people of this country will worship an individual or a family. That will not happen.

The people of Kenya must be allowed to pray and be guided by their clergy and the church in prayers for the nation, the President, and all leaders, including those in this House and others outside. The church should not be demonised or accused of misleading the nation simply because it did not pray for a particular outcome. It is time to heal and move forward. I say this because I am a Christian, and when I pray and ask God to guide and lead me, I leave it to Him to do His will. I may have my own desires, but I cannot impose them on God, let alone on the people of Kenya. Yet there are those who seek to impose their will on both the people and God. They even attempt to dictate how the church should pray. With respect, no one occupies the place of God. My brother, you are a human being like everybody else. Individual desires are not the will of God. Therefore, accept, move on, and heal. It is good for you and for the country.

Hon. Speaker

The Leader of the Majority Party, you should remind them that God has never suffered from memory loss.

Indeed, Hon. Speaker, that quotable quote came from you. That the Almighty God has never suffered from memory loss. The God to whom we prayed, led by our religious leaders, is the same God who remains sovereign today. People may accuse others of having made mistakes, but the people themselves do not make mistakes. They elect the leaders they want, not the leaders preferred by an individual. One may have a personal preference, but the will of the people must be accepted.

Hon. Speaker

Thank you. Next Order.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL

Hon. Speaker

Hon. Members, we have a Supplementary Order Paper. At Order No. 8, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill is essentially a regurgitation of what was debated yesterday up to 9.10 p.m. on the Motion on Supplementary Estimates. I will, therefore, allocate this Bill only 30 minutes.

Members who have further issues may raise them under Order 9, during the Committee of the whole House, where detailed scrutiny of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill will take place. Member for Alego Usonga, you are invited to move the Second Reading. Please, line up your seconder. Within 30 minutes, we shall proceed to the Committee of the whole House, if not earlier.

On a point of order.

Hon. Speaker

Yes, what is your point of order, Hon. Jared?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. You have given clear direction regarding the time allocated for debate. I request your indulgence to further limit contributions to two minutes per Member so that as many Members as possible may be accommodated.

Hon. Speaker

Unless you want to be tautologous... Do you know what tautology is?

Hon. Speaker

Unless you want to be tautologous... I was in the chamber watching. Almost everybody who was here spoke on the Supplementary Estimates yesterday. This Bill reflects the same content, and it would not be an efficient use of time to repeat the same arguments. The best prosecution of this matter is at Order 9 for those with issues. Veterans like Hon. Keynan can tell you. Those who missed issues in the Motion yesterday can deal with them at the Committee of the whole House stage.

Correct. That is the guidance I was seeking from you.

Hon. Speaker

However, I agree with you that for those who wish to contribute, two minutes per Member will even be more than enough.

Yes, Hon. Atandi.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to move that the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 16 of 2026) be now read a Second Time.

As has been rightly noted, the House spent more than six hours yesterday discussing and approving Supplementary Estimates I for the 2025/2026 Financial Year. I wish to thank the Members who remained in the House until 9.00 p.m., to approve the Estimates.

Hon. Speaker

Actually, the House rose at 9.10 p.m.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Yes, 9.10 p.m. As indicated, the Bill is the same as the Supplementary Estimates that were approved yesterday. Its purpose is to grant the Government authority to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund and proceed with expenditure. This is what we are asking Members to give us approval so that the Government can move with speed and begin to spend the resources.

The Estimates approved yesterday included an increase of Ksh232,427,326,355 in respect of the Votes contained in the First Schedule. The detailed Schedules will be tabled shortly for Members’ consideration. Overall, the Supplementary Estimates approved an increase of approximately Ksh316.7 billion. This is an increase of about 7 per cent of the main budget of Ksh4.3 trillion, which we passed. With the passage of the First Supplementary Estimates, we will have a budget of Ksh4.6 trillion. We are approving the increase under the First Supplementary Estimates.

As I explained yesterday, all committees have been discussing these Estimates. One thing that came up is that we are not making changes to our Development Vote. All the projects that were passed in this House for this financial year have been protected. When I spoke to the

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

National Treasury, I confirmed that resources have been released to the agencies to implement the programmes. Even when Members go for recess, their projects will be ongoing. I urge Members to be attentive to, care for, monitor, and own the development projects in their constituencies because development is legislated in this House.

In the past, I have seen governors taking advantage of projects funded by the national Government in constituencies. I want to alert Members to own their projects. They must take charge of any project approved in this House and implemented in their constituencies to ensure that we promote the good of the Broad-Based Government.

I do not want to speak further because I want to allow Members who were not here yesterday to ventilate. I do not see my Vice-Chairman, and therefore, I ask the Leader of the Majority Party to second the Bill.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to second the Supplementary Appropriations Bill for this financial year. I have nothing much to add to what was said during the debate on the Motion for adoption of the Supplementary Estimates. However, as I indicated, the Supplementary Budget is benefiting quite a number of sectors. Top among them are our university students who are getting an extra Ksh15.4 billion under the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund Board to ensure that no child misses an opportunity to access higher education.

[The Speaker (Hon. Moses Wetang’ula) left the Chair]

beginning the recruitment of members of the board to make the Fund a reality. This will enable them to earnestly begin building a new hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and to develop other airports. That way, Kenya will become a focal point for global trade and movement of citizens of the world.

You can imagine the opportunities that would abound if the Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and other major airlines had an opportunity to use JKIA as a hub when rockets, drones and missiles fly over the Middle East. Because it is not the end of wars in the world, we must be prepared. We do not foresee any wars in our region. Our only challenge is insecurity due to terrorism. That is why there is an additional allocation in the Supplementary Budget to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for intelligence gathering, which will ensure that we continue to safeguard our borders. We also allocated additional resources to our armed forces and police service to ensure that our country remains safe.

With those many remarks, I beg to second the Bill. Since we debated the Report on the Supplementary Estimates yesterday, I urge the House to allow the Temporary Speaker to propose the Question, and God willing, with her indulgence, we can put the Question.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Hon. Members, you have a maximum of 30 minutes to debate the Bill. Member for Chepalungu, Hon. Victor Koech, you will have the first shot.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am actually rising under Standing Order 95. Since Members deliberated and debated on the same yesterday, the mood of the House is that the Mover be called upon to reply.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Hon. Members, a Member has risen in his place to request that the Mover be called upon to reply.

Mover.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also thank all the Members for fast-tracking this very important Bill because many Government programmes need to be fast-tracked. Since we are soon approaching the elections, we do not want to leave any project behind, including those that have already been procured.

With those many remarks, I beg to reply.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. Martha Wangari)

Next Order.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE

IN THE COMMITTEE

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move- THAT, the First Schedule to the Bill be deleted and replaced with the following New Schedule. Vote No. R1011, Recurrent Expenditure, the amount required in the year ending 30th June 2026 for current expenses of the Executive Office of the President in the following programmes: Programme 0603000, Government. The Temporary Chairlady

: Chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, you do not have to read the whole of it. I just need you to move that the First Schedule be deleted and replaced. After you move that, provide justification.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Thank you. Let me take that again. Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, the First Schedule to the Bill be deleted and replaced with the following New Schedule—

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

SUPPLEMENTARY I BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropriatio n in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh

Sub Cluster Total 207,331,449,6 16,439,430,51 223,770,880,134

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I am just wondering if you have a new Order Paper? What I have seen…

The Temporary Chairlady

: There is a Supplementary Order Paper. Serjeant-at-Arms, the Speaker had already said we have a Supplementary Order Paper. Please, circulate it.

Please, let it be supplied so that we can follow the debate.

The Temporary Chairlady

: Get Hon. Makali the

Supplementary Order Paper.

Hon. Ruweida, I see you on the screen. Are you on this one? You are not on it. Hon. Salasya, are you on this?

Yes. Hon. Temporary Chairlady, from my observation, you realise that inasmuch as we are increasing the money going to the Office of the President, we need to make some observations. You realise that this money being allocated is going to be spent by the end of this financial year. However, you realise that in the Budget Estimates, the absorption rate of most of the money is very low. In some cases, up to 70 per cent was not absorbed.

Members in this House were against the electronic Government procurement (e- GP) , but the Executive never listened. As we increase the allocation, we should look at the absorption rate of the ministries. They say that they want to go to “Singapore”, yet the absorption is very low. This is very important.

The Temporary Chairlady

: You have made your point, Hon. Salasya. This was also conversed yesterday in the debate.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairlady

: Very well.

Second Schedule

The Temporary Chairlady

: Mover, move your amendment. You will do the same thing you did with the First Schedule.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, the Second Schedule to the Bill be deleted and replaced with the following New Schedule—

SUPPLEMENTARY

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropria tion in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh Recurrent Expenditure

SUPPLEMENTARY

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropria tion in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh Recurrent Expenditure

SUPPLEMENTARY

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropria tion in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh Recurrent Expenditure

SUPPLEMENTARY

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/26 (Changes) (1) (2) (3) (4) Vote

Service or Purpose Supply Appropria tion in Aid Gross Current Estimates Ksh Recurrent Expenditure

Sub Cluster Total (1,212,158 ,342) 6,863,604, 5,651,446,221

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

(Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 5 and substituting therefor the following new clause— The supply granted for the services of the year ending on 30th June 2026, in respect of Votes R1092, R1094, R1122,

R1169, R1186, R1212, R1252, R1321, R2011, R2131, D1032, D1066, D1071, D1083, D1094, D1122, D1123,

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting Clause 2 and substituting therefor the following new clause— The National Treasury may issue the sum of Two Hundred Ninety-Three Billion Eight Hundred Seventy-One Million Four Hundred Fifty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Ten shillings out of the Consolidated Fund and apply it towards the supply granted for the service of the year ending on the 30th June 2026. Issue of Ksh293, 871,458,510 out of the Consolidated Fund for the Service of the year ending 30th June 2026.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is also in respect to changes which were made on the original Bill that was tabled in the House by the Ministry of National Treasury and Economy Planning.

(Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to) (Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bill No.16 of 2026) and its approval thereof with amendments.

IN THE HOUSE

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT ON THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Chairperson.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 16 of 2026) and approved the same with amendments.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Mover.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I request the Leader of the Majority Party to second the Motion for agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Leader of the Majority

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to second.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Thank you.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Mover.

Hon. Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga, ODM)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bill No.16 of 2026) be now read a Third Time. I request the Leader of the Majority Party to second.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to second.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Thank you.

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Next Order.

APPROVAL OF DRAFT SRC (REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS OF STATE AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS) REGULATIONS

Hon. Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Chairperson of Committee on Delegated Legislation. I can see you are in the House.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission

Regulations 2025, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 12th March 2026 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 26

(2)

of the Salaries and Remuneration Act

(Cap. 412D)

, this House approves the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission

2025 with amendments.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, these Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Regulations were first presented to the Committee on Delegated Legislation in 2012. We considered them and we recommended to the House that they be annulled. The House annulled them because they had very many inconsistencies, errors and in some cases unlawful and in contradiction to the parent Act.

When these Regulations were first submitted, public participation had not been conducted. The Public Service Commission, the Judiciary and the Parliamentary Service Commission were never consulted. Therefore, we found that the Regulations were inconsistent with Articles 10 and 118 of the Constitution.

The Regulations were amended and thereafter brought to the House for reconsideration. The Committee reconsidered the Draft Regulations because the SRC Act, 2011 requires the SRC to forward to this House the Regulations in draft form for approval before they are gazetted or published. That is what they have done. These Regulations are what is referred to in law as sui generis because ordinarily, we consider own Regulations that have been published and/or in the alternative, forwarded for pre-publication scrutiny. However, in this case, the law requires that this House approves the Regulations in draft form once we are satisfied that they are constitutional and in line with the parent Act and the Statutory Instruments Act.

In compliance with Section 16 of the Statutory Instruments Act, the Committee held pre-publications scrutiny meeting with SRC on 11th April 2025. During the meeting and subsequent considerations, the Committee examined the legislative framework, the scope of the proposed Regulations and the extent of stakeholder participation.

Article 230(4) of the Constitution mandates the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to:

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Order. The representatives of

I beg to move and request Hon. Oluoch to second. With the comments that you have just made, we could recommend to the SRC to consider some Members who are not orderly in this House. Their salaries could be reduced when we pass these Regulations.

(Laughter)
The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

We should be very careful while doing that because maybe what they are discussing is very useful to the country and their salaries may end up being increased. We will, therefore, not do that.

Proceed, seconder.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Before the seconding? Yes,

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I do not know whether the Mover forgot that there is a very peculiar consultation also going on between Hon. Ichung’wah and Hon. Teresia. With what is going on politically, I do not know if there is a new merger coming up? Maybe they can clarify because this is a very unique consultation for those who know politics.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

I had actually noted it, but because of its sensitivity, I decided not to mention it. Now that it has been mentioned, there is need to give a chance to the Leader of the Majority Party to say a word.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Hon. Millie and I come from very far in our long-lasting relationship over the last 15 years. I do not want to say she is jealous, but my sister Teresia hails from Kiambu, from a small village called Nyacaba in Juja Constituency. That is where she was born and brought up. She appreciates that last week on Friday, none other than His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya was in her village to commission the Nyacaba and Juja Affordable Housing Project – a whole new establishment with a new primary and high school and a Level 3 hospital.

She was telling me to convey her thanks and the thanks of the people of Nyacaba to the President, if I see him; and to assure the President, because he nominated her to this House through the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) , that she will stand with him and the UDA Party now and in the future. That is what the consultation was about. She was also condoling me for being heckled. She told me that the people who heckled me in Nyacaba were not her neighbours in Nyacaba, but they had been brought there by the Governor of Kiambu in the usual Kiambu politics, which we take in our stride and move on. We shall never be discouraged or dissuaded from doing what we do in the best interest of the people of Kiambu.

Indeed, I have assured Hon. Teresia and the people of Juja that the road leading to her house, because she has a house there, will be tarmacked within the next two months. I am referring to the Matangini - Kimbo - Gwa Kairu Road in Juja Constituency. This is in addition to the affordable housing units and hostels at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) , where Hon. Koimburi has been very instrumental in pushing for hostels for students of JKUAT. Hon. Koimburi hosted the President during that function last week. Is it Caroli Caroli or Caroli Omondi? Nowadays you cannot tell whether there is a Kalonzo Kalonzo or Caroli Caroli. I know Caroli Omondi is excited because Caroli Caroli had purported to be the Leader of the Minority Party, arising from a letter sent to the Speaker by Kalonzo Kalonzo.

Thank you.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, I told you that seemed to be a very important and deep conversation, and it is highly encouraged. Chairman, before seconding, you wanted to say something. Have you dropped your interest so that I can go to the seconding?

No, I did not. I was to respond because I had the microphone, and I thought the problem with Hon. Millie was the colour of the two. You know that opposites attract. That is the reason she had some problems with it.

(Laughter)
The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Members, let us proceed with the business. Who is there? Hon. Wandeto, do you want to weigh in on this subject?

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

No. I want the seconder. Hon. Oluoch, please, proceed. Because we have very important business, let us proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second the Report on the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission

Regulations, 2025. The purpose of these Regulations, as highlighted ably by the Chairperson, was to facilitate achievement of fiscally transparent, fair, and harmonised pay in public service. They sought to outline the principles for the SRC in terms of the advisory input in Collective Bargaining Agreements. The

Regulations also sought to provide clear principles and criteria for determining remuneration and benefits, and establishing the procedures for evaluation, to ensure equity and transparency.

As per Article 230(4) of the Constitution, SRC is mandated to set and regularly review remunerations of State officers. These State officers are from national Government and the counties. However, the Statutory Instruments Act imposes a mandatory requirement to comply with the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution. This is mirrored under similar provisions in the Statutory Instruments Act. When these Regulations were first tabled before the Committee, they appeared to have been in breach of the Statutory Instruments Act, as read together with Article 118. Therefore, the Committee recommended their annulment. This necessitated the SRC to republish them.

This House will note that there are two procedures through which statutory instruments come into law. The first is a negative procedure in which regulations come into force seven days after publication unless they are annulled. The second procedure is what is now applying in the instant case, where specific Acts such as the SRC one requires that any regulations that are brought under it, must first come to this House, so that the House applies its mind to them and determines whether the prerequisites that have been set in terms of what meets the statutory instruments and the regulations, have been complied with. The Committee having looked at the republished Regulations, applied its mind to the issues that had led to the nullification of the first instrument, and has proposed that these Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission (Remuneration and Benefits of State Officers and Other Public Officers) Regulations 2025, be approved. Therefore, I have no hesitation that in light of the compliance, these Regulations now meet the requirements of both the Constitution and the Statutory Instruments Act. I urge that this House proceeds to approve these Regulations. I second.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Thank you very much.

Yes, you may proceed.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker for the opportunity. It is important to underscore that outside the Budget and Appropriations Committee with a membership of 25, this is the second well-represented Committee that we have in the House, with 21 Members. This feeds into the complexities involved and the amount of work that goes on in this Committee. Just under a week, the Committee had to deal with more than 15 Regulations at a go. That informed a retreat that happened in Mombasa. Besides that, there are many pending Regulations that need the participation of this House. This is therefore, one of the most important committees in this House, chaired by my friend and brother, Hon. Chepkonga.

The Motion before us on the Draft Regulations by SRC, need to be supported. You have been taken through the history; how it began, the inconsistencies that were involved, the typographical matters that arose, together with the inconsistencies with the laws that established SRC. That informed an annulment. They had to re-invent the wheel and start the process all over again. This is one Committee that will never allow any usurpation of legal processes that are involved in the drafting of Regulations The annulment had to be corrected in a way that responds to the aspirations of our laws. Every Regulation is anchored on the Statutory Instruments Act. Any that does not align with the tenets of this particular Act, definitely falls by the wayside. What we now have before us responds to all the necessities of our laws.

There has been a haphazard way of apportionment of either allowances or salaries cutting across our public service. Public officers and State officers, as enshrined in Article 260 of our Constitution, have had to undergo a lot of disparities. For instance, there is a parastatal that sits at the very position of another, getting more allowances to the detriment of the other. Therefore, the Regulations that are before us create a level of uniformity and certainty, in matters remuneration; not just on allowances, but also on salaries. This is because at the end of the day, they serve the same Government.

The creation of our Constitution in the Year 2010 was meant to address many issues. One of which was the formation of the SRC. We understood that before then, there were a lot of disparities cutting across the public service. This is one of the independent institutions that have been granted real independence, but they have to decide on this fundamental issue. There are many cases, including the mismatch in the Mwongozo guidelines, that have in one way or the other, ended up in court. The courts have consistently referred to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission as the only organ with powers to determine either salaries or allowances given to State or public officers. Therefore, the Regulations before us are meant to correct the ills that may have permeated the system and provide certainty going into the future. This ensures that anyone interested in joining the Public Service does not have to live in fear or uncertainty about how much they will earn or what allowances, according to regions, will apply. This, therefore, settles these fundamental concerns once and for all.

Therefore, I support. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Thank you very much. Hon. Esther Passaris, Member for Nairobi City County.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to contribute to the consideration of the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission Regulations, 2025. I acknowledge the importance of these Regulations because a structured, transparent and accountable remuneration framework is essential in managing the public wage bill and ensuring consistency across all Government entities.

However, as we pursue physical discipline, we must not lose sight of the human reality behind the numbers. These Regulations seek to introduce fixed and standardised salary structures across the Public Service. While this brings order, we must be cautious that it does not introduce rigidity, a system that does not allow room for progression, performance, recognition or adjustment to inflation risks. This might end up demoralising many of the very workforce that we depend on to deliver essential services to our citizens.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the clarification that pensionable salary will be based on basic pay, excluding allowances, may streamline the system, but we must ask ourselves whether this strengthens or weakens the long-time financial security of the public servants. We must also reflect on equity. These Regulations cover both national and county officers. If not carefully implemented, they may unintentionally widen disparities between sectors, cadres and levels of Government. A remuneration framework must be physically sustainable, fair, competitive and responsive to the cost of living. If we fail in this regard, we risk losing skilled professionals to the private sector or even brain drain outside the country. Public servants must remain in a place where talent is attracted, nurtured or retained, not a place where people endure.

[The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’) in the Chair]

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Member for Chepalungu Constituency, do you want to say something on this?

Yes. Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support the Motion before us on the consideration of the Draft Salaries and Remuneration Commission

Regulations, 2025. It is very critical to understand that these Regulation are coming in to standardise the salaries in the parastatals and different State departments for any State officer.

As Members, it is quite important that we see it through, that when these Regulations are implemented, it should be done in a fair way to avoid a situation where any parastatal or State officer uses them to undermine or demean employees. It is important as well to note that maybe some of the parastatals, State departments or Government entities were waiting for this to cut its employees’ salaries. It is important to note that this is not the will of these Regulations. These Regulations, in their entirety, are only meant to standardise the salaries so that as you get employment, you are sure of your remuneration as a new employee.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the Motion before us. Thank you.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Wandeto.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support and commend the Committee on Delegated Legislation for initially rejecting the Regulations that were brought before them. This shows that this House has teeth to bite. It also shows that our committees do a thorough job. The fact that the SRC has submitted the revised Regulations is a good thing. I fully support the position of the Committee.

Remuneration is very important. In this country, it is one of the things that we have contended with, for a long time, especially with regard to the ballooning wage bill. You are aware that a huge percentage of money that we collect in this country, whether by way of taxes or borrowing, goes into meeting the wage bill and the other portion goes into repaying our debt and very little is left for development. As a country, unless we put mechanisms in place to check the ballooning wage bill, it threatens to sink the country. A strengthened SRC with proper Regulations will ensure that the wage bill is sustainable. It will also promote equal pay for equal work. Sometimes, some of the bottom of the pyramid workers are paid very little; and yet, they are the ones who are forced to contend with all the challenges of the cost of living in the country.

Ensuring fairness across all the cadres of the pay grades is important. However, something else that I wish to note, and perhaps for this House to consider going forward, is that we also have multiple agencies determining salaries. We have the SRC and other commissions like the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) , the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) , the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) , and others. At times, they are not subjected to the same grading and pay scales. This brings about confusion in the Public Service.

As we go on, it is important that the whole issue of salaries is determined from a single source. By doing so, across the board in all public service institutions and parastatals, we can have a harmonised pay structure, and this will lead to a motivated Public Service and a sustainable wage bill.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Ibrahim Saney.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the 2025 SRC Regulations go to the core of public trust, fiscal discipline and equity in our governance. The Kenyan citizens are really weighed down by the high cost of living. Parliament must offer stewardship in ensuring fair and prudent use of these public resources; the taxes we collect. So, the SRC has the constitutional mandate to set and review State and public officers’ remuneration. These Regulations, therefore, strengthen the mandate of the SRC and propose to come up with a structure that is clear and an enforceable framework.

Parliament should, therefore, ensure that that framework is legal, practical and fair as much as possible. Our wage bill has been very unsustainable, often crowding developmental expenditure, which is badly needed in this country. The Regulations control the recurrent expenditure without undermining service delivery. Meaning there will be more funds for development at disposal if recurrent expenditure is maintained at the requisite levels. We must therefore ask ourselves whether we really allocate money in a way that benefits the common man. If we are to do that, then these Regulations will in a big way make sure that we take care of the interests of the Kenyan public. With regard to equity and fairness in remuneration, there has been a lot of discrepancies and disparities in pay for similar work done by people across agencies and institutions. These Regulations target to harmonise that, so that salaries and benefits operate on the principle of equal pay for equal work. Otherwise, it will appear discriminative that the same work done by different people is paid differentially. That is discrimination in a very big way. This is essential for morale of our public service. It is essential for cohesion and professionalism in the public sector if it is so done. Further, allowances and hidden benefits have always been a problem to create disparities in remuneration and salaries. These have always circumvented salary controls, leading to inflated compensation packages. These Regulations rightfully propose that there are clear ways and caps on allowances. They will not be as haphazard as they were. This will enhance transparency and eliminate abuse of public funds in the long term. On performance-based remuneration, this is a welcome move that has been espoused in these Regulations. There should be a tendency or we must develop the practise of rewarding not only the holders of offices, but for delivering measurable results. Quite often, we pay office holders without regard to outputs or the work they do. What do they do for citizens? Are they of impact to the society? That should be at the centre of remuneration, not just titles and offices they hold. This will ensure performance evaluation. This will ensure public officers are rewarded not only for holding office, but for delivering measurable results, ensuring performance evaluation systems are objective, transparent and free from manipulation. It will be about professionalism, competence and work output. We need to protect the talent of the human capital pool of this country and motivate them. The Regulations really delve into that aspect. While fiscal discipline is a critical thing in this country, we must avoid a system that demotivates and drives away skilled workers. Competitive and fair compensation is necessary to attract and retain talent in the Public Service and service delivery consequently. A balance must be struck between the cost control and workforce motivation if we are to have a good working force for this nation. The implementation on challenges of transition is a key concern. Some people will be affected if these Regulations will be implemented. Some salaries or some remuneration may be brought downward, and so, there will be issues with the transition, especially where benefits are reduced. Institutions need clear guidelines and capacity support to implement such challenges as they occur effectively. A phased-out implementation strategy will come in handy. Public participation and transparency are important to these Regulations. These are important, and significant Regulations that attempt to handle remuneration and salaries holistically in this country. To that extent, public participation and how that shall be done transparently should be given what it deserves. Regulations affecting all taxpayers and public

servants need a robust public participation and that is an essential requirement in our Constitution. There is need to introduce clear safeguards to prevent manipulation of performance metrics. If salaries and remunerations are to be pegged on performance, then the performance metrics must be safeguarded carefully and jealously. In doing so, we need regular reviews aligned to inflation and economic conditions of the time. We also need to come up with oversight mechanisms for compliance, real compliance. Finally, we need political and moral responsibility if these Regulations are to see the light of the day. We must rise as Parliament above petty personal interests and stand for the Kenyan workforce. The engines that drive our economy are our workers. We need to motivate them, come up with laws that serve their interests and give responsible guidelines. The public is watching. It is time to support our working class. With those few remarks, I support.

The Temporary Speaker (David Ochieng’)

Hon. David Kiplagat of Soy. There being no further interest on this, could we request the Mover to reply?

I thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to thank the Members who have contributed very effectively and in a very robust manner to the Draft Regulations. As you have just heard, very many Members have spoken to this. We need to ensure that the salaries that are approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission will ensure that there is fairness and value for money, and also ensure that the Public Service is productive. We should not only pay people because they have been employed. They must be rewarded for work done. We hope the SRC will ensure that those institutions, for instance, Parliament, where Members are here all the way, like yesterday, up to 9.10 p.m., are considered. They should be adequately remunerated for doing work that belongs to the public. It is not something personal.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, what is out of order?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am not too sure whether the Honourable Member is my junior or my senior in law. I cannot remember, so I will let it pass. But I just wanted to know, because I am listening to the Honourable Member, and he is talking about how Members of Parliament sit here until

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Are they civil servants?

Well, they are not civil servants, but they are State officers, and salaries and remuneration set standards even for that. I am just wondering how come he has not mentioned the fact that Members of Parliament are not treated the same. They do not get any salary increment, no house allowance, and since I joined here, I have had the same salary.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Your point is made, but I do not think there is anything out of order.

It is out of order because he is misrepresenting facts.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Chepkonga, please, put the facts straight.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have a lot of respect for Hon. Millie Odhiambo, being my junior, of course, but being also a very senior Member of this House. She is a very senior Member of this House, and the reason I respect her is because she is a very senior Member of this House. In fact, when she speaks, we all listen. I remember one day reading somewhere where the late Justice Madan found two lawyers who were quarrelling, one senior and one junior. He told the junior one, please, respect the senior one, because he has the benefit of experience which you do not have. Then he turned to the senior one and he told the senior one, be very careful, respect the junior, because he has the benefit of recent learning. I am aware that Hon. Millie Odhiambo has the benefit of recent learning. Therefore, I must listen to her new knowledge, which in fact has added to my contribution.

I totally agree that, in fact, we are not receiving equal pay like all other public servants. When I was a Commissioner with the Parliamentary Service Commission, we ensured that members of staff of Parliament are paid a late allowance for staying with us up to 9.00 p.m. or

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Members, the decision on this matter will be made the next time it is in the Order Paper for obvious reasons.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Wandeto, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, there are many things out of order, but the one I rise on is Standing Order 35, to notify you that we do not have a quorum in this House.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Is it true that we do not quorate? I, therefore, order that the Quorum Bell be rung for the next 10 minutes.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Members, having rung the bell for the last 10 minutes and failing to achieve quorum, I order that it be stopped.

ADJOURNMENT

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

The time now being 5.02 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 7th April 2026 at 2.30 p.m. Enjoy your Easter.

The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Published by Clerk of the National Assembly

Parliament Buildings NAIROBI