Thursday, 4th June 2026

Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell.

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

Read the next Order.

Members on their feet, take your seats.

Hon. Wamuchomba, take your seat.

Dr Nyikal, take the nearest seat.

Hon. Members, you will recall that on Wednesday, 15th April 2026 and on 2nd June 2026, I notified the House of the referral of the National Construction Authority (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 59 of 2022) , the Fire and Rescue Services Professionals Bill (Senate Bill No. 55 of 2023) and the Division of Revenue Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 2 of 2026) to mediation committees.

You may further recall that I also informed the House of the appointment of Members to represent the National Assembly in the respective mediation committees on the three Bills

and guided that they await the appointment of Senators for the respective committees to be fully constituted.

I have since received correspondence from the Senate notifying that the Speaker of the Senate has appointed Senators to the mediation committees to consider the three Bills as

Members on their feet, take the nearest seats. Hon. Members, I have a petition regarding the amalgamation of the Civil Service Non-Contributory Pension Scheme and the Public Service Superannuation Fund.

Hon. Members, Article 119 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 accords every person the right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority. Further, Standing Order 225 (2) (b) requires the Speaker to report to the House any Petition other than that presented by a Hon. Member. In this regard, I wish to report to the House that my office has received a petition from Mr. John Serem, Eng. Richard Bett and Mrs. Olive Chepkoech on behalf of the Kenya National Association of Public Service Pensioners, Kericho Branch. The Association represents former civil servants and retirees across the Republic.

The petitioners aver that the enactment of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme Act 2012 facilitated the transition from the traditional non-contributor-defined benefit system to the current defined contributor scheme effective 1st January 2021. The petitioners contend that this transition has created a discriminatory dual pension architecture. They argue that while new entrants benefit from the modern contributor framework, existing retirees remain tethered to an obsolete system characterised by inadequate and irregular payments. This disparity, they claim, constitutes unconstitutional discrimination against persons of the same class of entitlement.

Hon. Members, the petitioners further cite Section 5 of the Pensions Act Cap. 189, which defines a pension as an absolute right earned through service. They express grievance over the statutory requirements for retiring officers to commute one quarter of their pension, asserting that this practice significantly diminishes the monthly disposable income available to the retirees.

The petitioners further recall that in 2014, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) , guided by actuarial evaluations, recommended a periodic review of pension benefits every three years to safeguard against inflation. They allege that the National Treasury has failed to undertake these comprehensive reviews leaving pensioners exposed to economic hardships occasioned by the rising cost of living.

The petitioners are also concerned with the inconsistent application of Section 17 of the Pensions Act, which governs the payment of benefits to dependents. They claim that the administrative processes for next of kin to access benefits upon the death of a principal officer remain unnecessarily onerous and prohibitive. The petitioners are concerned that the government has inconsistently applied provisions of Section 17 of the Pensions Act that obligates payment of pension benefits to dependents upon the death of an officer. In this regard, access to pension benefits upon death of the principal officer by the respective next of kin remains administratively onerous, hence violating the said provision.

The petitioners confirm that the matters raised herein are not pending before any court of law or any other constitutional or legal body. In view of the foregoing, the petitioners pray that the National Assembly:

Yes, Member for Emuhaya, Hon. Milemba Omboko.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support that Petition to a good extent. First, on the inflation vis-à-vis the pensions, it is important for the Committee to look at that Petition. Indeed, there is inflation on pensions and as they have indicated, there is need to revise them.

I further agree with them regarding how the pensions are paid when the pensioner dies. The protocol involved is so long and the beneficiaries do not get it. However, regarding merging the two pension schemes, that is, the Civil Service Non-Contributory Pension Scheme and the Public Service Superannuation Fund, is a little bit more complex. This is because there was an age timeline for those who joined the contributory scheme. I think when we began it was 45 years. It may be complex to now include those who are above 45 years into that particular scheme unless a very serious actuarial study is done to determine how much they would contribute in order for them to benefit from the particular scheme.

Hon. Speaker, I happen to be a member of the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee and I noticed that the Pensions Department’s consumption of budget was so low. Their consumption was at about 39 per cent, yet many teachers, civil servants and other workers have not been paid their pensions. There is a gap between what is being remitted to the National Treasury by the Teachers Service Commission and the Public Service Commission and what the National Treasury is doing. National Treasury is not paying pensions to the pensioners. As we come to a new cycle of budget, it is one of the departments that has the lowest level of consumption yet pensioners are out there suffering.

I support.

Thank you. Yes, Hon. Wamuchomba.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I support that Petition. As a Member of this House, and noting that all of us are getting elderly, we will also get to a point where we will be following up on pensions. Without pre-empting, I am quick to note…

It is important to note that your pension structure is different from what is before the House.

Yes, Hon. Speaker. I agree with you but pension is pension. You are only given pension when you achieve the age. As you know, all of us are subject to ageing. It is the interest of all Members of this House to consider pension matters very critically. Historically, when people earn pension in this country, some taxes are deducted in the name of income tax. I am very happy that that issue has been addressed.

I am very happy that the issue has been presented to us in the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. We are considering how we are going to make sure that pensioners are no longer going to pay income tax on their income. Therefore, such a Petition presented in this House is just a representation of the population of Kenya.

It is in the interest of this House to make sure that all pensioners are treated fairly and whatever they are paid is their money without further deductions. I am very excited because I am a member of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. I note that all pensioners and their interests have been taken care of and surely pensioners are going to be happy.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Wamuchomba. At your age, please, note that once you cross sixty years, the pension is not taxed. There is a proposal before your Committee by the National Treasury not to tax any pension whatsoever and howsoever. It is your Committee to deal with that.

Next Order.

Deputy Whip of the Majority Party.

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

Thank you, Deputy Whip of the Majority Party Whip. Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Raso, are you ready?

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on its consideration of the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 52 of 2025) . Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Raso. Hon. Members, allow me to acknowledge the following schools in the Public Gallery:

Hon. Dorice Donya, Member for Kisii.

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 Administration and Internal Security regarding the alarming increase in cases of missing children across the country.

Hon. Speaker, the growing number of children reported missing in recent months has caused widespread fear, anxiety and outrage among Kenyan families. Reports from government agencies and child protection organisations indicate that hundreds of children continue to disappear under unclear circumstances with some cases linked to child trafficking, abduction, exploitation, neglect and other criminal activities.

This disturbing trend poses a serious threat to the safety, security and welfare of children contrary to Article 53 of the Constitution which guarantees every child the right to protection from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) , violence, inhuman treatment and exploitation. The increasing frequency of such incidents raises critical concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing child protection mechanisms, coordination among security agencies and the speed of response in tracing missing children and apprehending perpetrators.

Hon. Speaker 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:

Thank you. Is it that the Whip of the Minority Party? Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I just wanted to add my voice to the issue.

You want to joyride?

Yes Please. As a child protection expert, this is an issue I have spoken about before. There is a growing concern in this nation that the number of children who are disappearing is actually very alarming. We need to know instead of just speculating that it is for purposes of trafficking. We might be presuming that it is for purposes of trafficking, but it could be for other reasons. Those numbers are a bit crazy. Therefore, I am requesting that this matter be treated with extreme urgency. It is also very worrisome that children are being used to abduct other children. There was a case that was shown where a 15-year-old girl was abducting another child after being promised a phone. We also need to find a mechanism for warning our children and preventing them from falling victim to a crime, because that is actually a crime.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Mama Zamzam.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi ili niweze kuunga mkono dadangu, Mhe. Donya.

Kama mama katika nchi hii, ni huzuni kuona watoto wengi sana wanachukuliwa, tena watoto wadogo. Licha ya kuwa walikuwa wanawachukua akina mama na kuwaua, tunapata wametupwa huku viungo vingine vikiwa vimechukuliwa, sasa watoto wanaanza kutoweka kutoka katika majumba ya watu. Wengine wanatumia housekeepers na wengine, kama alivyosema Mmheshimiwa, mtoto mwenzake anaenda kumchukua mtoto na kumpeleka kwa watu wengine.

Mombasa pia tumepoteza watoto wengi sana. Kulikuwa na watoto 14 waliopotea; wawili walipatikana, lakini hao wengine 12 hatujui wako wapi.

Kwa hivyo, ni jambo la dharura, na ninauliza kitengo cha usalama wanafanya nini kuhakikisha kuwa hivi vifo pamoja na watoto kutoweka na kuibiwa, viwe jambo la kusahaulika katika taifa hili.

Kwa hivyo, ninamshukuru Mhe. Donya kwa kuleta suala hili, na ninatumai wale wanaohusika na kitengo cha usalama, pamoja na kamati husika, watatupatia majibu mwafaka.

Ahsante sana.

Thank you. Hon. Raso. When can you bring a response?

Hon. Speaker, this is a very serious matter that my Hon. Colleague has raised. Actually, it is in the media that there are people who are harvesting organs of children for whatever reasons. We request for two weeks to respond. Hon. Speaker: Thank you. Hon. Adhe Wario, Member for North Horr Constituency.

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 Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation regarding the humanitarian,

health and livelihood crisis in North Horr Constituency due to rising water levels in Lake Turkana. Hon. Speaker, the residents of Ileret, Selicho and Ilolo in Ileret sub-counties in North Horr Constituency are facing a devastating humanitarian, health and socio-economic crisis due to an unprecedented and alarming rise in water levels in Lake Turkana. Several homes, schools, grazing fields, fishing camps and public infrastructure have been submerged, rendering hundreds of families homeless. This has caused massive destruction of property, displacement of families and decimation of livelihoods among the communities residing along the lake basin. The situation is worsened by the fact that the affected communities, who are predominantly pastoralists and artisanal fisher folks, subsist to low incomes, rendering them economically incapable to relocate to higher grounds. In the recent past, cases of crocodiles attacking and claiming lives of fishermen and other residents have risen. Further, stagnant floodwaters have triggered outbreaks of malaria and waterborne diseases, and submerged shallow wells, leaving residents without safe drinking water. Boats, fishing gear, cold storage facilities and landing sites have also been destroyed, stripping families of their only source of income and deepening food insecurity in the region. It is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation on the following:

Yes, Hon. Makilap.

Hon. Speaker, allow me to joyride on this statement. There is a problem with the Rift Valley lakes. It is a national phenomenon that the country must address, even using international experts. As we speak today...

Is it a phenomenon or a disaster?

It is a disaster. As we speak here, Lake Turkana expands and submerges facilities around the entire Lake Turkana basin. Lake Baringo has already submerged 11 schools, hotels, and other facilities. The same is happening to Lake Naivasha. It is a serious matter that this country now needs to address so that we prepare our people. Last week, I had to go and relocate a whole school, Loruk Primary School, to a safer ground. And even at that safer ground, water may also reach there.

So, as the Cabinet Secretary brings a solution, this is a national disaster affecting all the lakes of the Rift Valley. The government must act to ensure that people living around those regions are secured in good time. The waters are rising at a very high speed. One week ago, there was no water in two classrooms of my school, but after two weeks, the entire school has been submerged. This is a serious matter.

Thank you.

Hon. Kiborek. Hon. Kiborek Reuben (Mogotio, UDA) : Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The rising water levels in our lakes is a concern that we should take seriously as a country. Lake Bogoria has submerged all the schools and roads around it. In Mogotio, there is also a new formation of a

lake in a place called Olkokwee. We need serious attention for people living around these lakes and other areas experiencing rising water levels. This issue should be given the seriousness it deserves.

We call upon the government, the State Department concerned, and all stakeholders to come to the aid of the affected people by providing humanitarian assistance and also supporting geological surveys, so that we can better understand the situation, warn our people in advance, and relocate them to safer areas. This is a serious concern that requires our full attention. We have a new lake that has formed and we need serious attention and humanitarian help. We need to find solutions. Thank you.

Yes, Hon. Robert Mbui.

Thank you Hon. Speaker. I think this is what we are calling climate change. The world is basically changing, and that is why the level of water is rising all over the world. Maybe what we need to do as a country is to look at the areas where people are settled, where we build our schools and our infrastructure, and figure out whether it is possible to relocate. Going into the future, the water levels will continue going up. Maybe it is time we started mapping out the country, looking at the areas where there are persistent floods, and we know that it is not going to stop anytime soon, so that we can relocate people and save them, so that in future we will not keep having this problem. You can imagine 11 schools submerged, and this is out of the meagre resources we get as National Constituencies-Development Fund (NG-CDF) . You put up those schools, and then they are all flooded. You end up having to move the children. This requires building schools again. This is a very complicated thing, but we need to do this properly so that we can get a solution that will last for years to come.

Thank you. Hon. Wamuchomba,

Hon. Speaker, I rise in support of Hon. Members from Baringo and areas affected by rising water. I understand the agony and pain the mothers are going through. I saw a documentary of how children are begging a canoe rider to take them to school, and you know sometimes girl children become vulnerable to such kind of negotiations. I think it is high time we came up with a very special budgetary allocation this financial year to cater for the schools that have already been submerged. Eleven schools is not a small number. Those are very serious children affected, and lives changed. Some of them have even dropped out of school.

Thank you. Hon. Bowen, I do not know whether this is a matter of disaster management or the blue economy.

Hon. Speaker, the question by Hon. Wario touches on the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry; Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and other ministries. It is a serious issue.

Some years back, Lake Baringo which is a freshwater lake and Lake Bogoria were 37 kilometres apart. They are only six kilometres apart today. There are now only six kilometres between the freshwater lake and the saline lake. I seek your direction on whether we can refer the matter to the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining because it has a significant environmental component.

Thank you.

Leader of the Majority Party, in my estimation, this is a very serious issue. There was a saline lake next to the freshwater Lake Naivasha. The two have merged. What is the environmental impact? The same concerns arise in relation to Lake Elementaita and many other areas.

I direct that this Statement be forwarded to the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary for coordination among all the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; Ministry of Interior and National Administration; Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation; the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum among others. He should also consult the National Disaster Management Unit. A comprehensive Statement should be brought to the House on one of the Wednesdays.

Hon. Bowen is off the hook on this matter. However, he is required to dress up properly. Next Statement.

The Member for North Horr had a second Statement. I will allow him to present it before Leader of the Majority Party takes the Floor.

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 Administration and Internal Security regarding the ongoing border conflict and intercommunity tensions at Arbjahan along the border between Marsabit and Wajir counties.

Marsabit County was historically part of the former Eastern Province, while Wajir County fell under the former North Eastern Province. The current county boundaries, under the Constitution, were derived from district boundaries which existed in 1992. Subsequent boundary review processes, including the Ligale Commission, did not alter the historical boundary between Marsabit and Wajir. On this basis, communities in North Horr Constituency and Marsabit County have coexisted peacefully for decades with communities from Wajir, including shared grazing arrangements and long-standing intercommunity relations.

Concerns have now emerged over alleged encroachment by parties believed to be from Wajir County into a territory within Marsabit County. There have been reports of destruction of colonial era boundary beacons and establishment of infrastructure such as boreholes, villages and schools within areas believed to fall within Marsabit County. This situation, similar to the ongoing Titu disputes, risks escalating tensions between the involved counties and may lead to insecurity, displacement and loss of life, if not urgently addressed.

Hon. Speaker, 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

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Millie has asked me to remind everyone that she will be the President in 2032. She will be the first Abasuba president.

Okay.

Hon. Speaker, I want to ride on the Statement raised by Hon. Adhe.

Go ahead and joyride.

This is a very serious issue that is being raised by all of us. When the counties were created, I believe you were in Naivasha at the time, it was stated that they would be based on the framework of the former districts as they existed in 1992. Those boundaries are known. The districts existed since Independence. Their boundaries are known.

In the northern part of the country, people are now fighting over land which is too big. Some of it is not being used. There is no grass on it. However, people are saying it is their land. Can they first make it productive so that people can fight over production?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Raso.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Junet is a fisherman. Sometimes, he does not understand why pastoralists fight over expansive lands. It is about grazing and water.

This particular issue raised by Hon. Wario, Member for North Horr, is on expansion. That is what we, as pastoralists of this country, are against. We will respond to the House in two weeks’ time, but we will also take other measures so that it does not escalate into a communal conflict.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Two weeks is okay. Next is Hon. Caleb Amisi.

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 Administration and Internal Security regarding the death of Mr Dennis Cheboren Ndiema of Saboti Constituency.

Mr Dennis Cheboren Ndiema was reportedly fatally shot by a Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) attached to Olingadongo ADC Farm on 27th May 2026 at around noon under unclear circumstances. He was employed as a farm guard at Sabwani ADC Farm in Saboti Constituency.

Following the shooting, he was rushed to Kijana Wamalwa Referral Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The tragic incident has occasioned immense grief among his family, friends and residents of Saboti Constituency. They are demanding justice, accountability and transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. Concerns have also been raised over reports that on 1st June 2026, security officers conducted a security operation in Kitalale Phase I, during which several residents were arrested and are reportedly being held at Kitale Police Station, under conditions alleged to be inhumane. These developments have heightened tensions within the community and raise questions regarding the conduct of the security operations and the protection of the rights of the affected residents. It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee of Administration and Internal Security on the following:

Thank you. Hon. Pukose.

A very sad event happened at ADC Olingadongo where Dennis Ndiema was killed. This is not the first time this has happened. We had two people killed in Chonipawa by NPR officers. To date, no one has been apprehended. The suspect disappeared. Recently, when they recruited the new team, we thought that adequate vetting had been done to ensure that we had disciplined officers. They are only meant to take care of the ADC farms. It is important to note that 11 boys are being held in prison as we speak today. They were taken to court yesterday and the police sought orders to detain them. They are being detained and tortured under inhumane conditions. This is very unfortunate. I hope the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act (IPOA) will be able to look into the circumstances under which the police have tortured them. Those police officers who have tortured innocent civilians must be held accountable. Those who have been arrested were not involved even in the burning of the ADC tractors and grass. These were people who were demonstrating. You cannot arrest any Kenyan for demonstrating. We would want this matter to be looked into expeditiously. We want to hold the officers who have tortured those people individually accountable. This should not happen. No Kenyan should be beaten. These people were taken to ADC Olingadongo and were beaten from morning until evening. After the torture, they were then taken to the police cells. This should not happen in modern Kenya. We should not have police officers being allowed to torture any citizen for demonstrating.

I urge the House to take this matter very seriously. We hope that the Chairperson will be able to respond within a week. It should not take more than a week because this is very serious. The parents of these young men who have been arrested are in agony. They keep calling Hon. Caleb Amisi and me to see what we can do to have them released. I hope that the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, now that the Chairperson is bereaved, will be able to get in touch with the Cabinet Secretary in charge and the Inspector-General of Police, so that this issue is resolved.

Hon. Raso can you bring a response next week?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. We will respond within a week. This is a serious matter, particularly when it involves law enforcement. Nobody should be considered to be above the law.

Bring a response on Wednesday next week. Hon. Caleb Amisi, what was the name of the subject person?

He is Mr Dennis Cheboren Ndiema.

That is correct. Is it correct?

The Clerk-at-the-Table thought she heard something different. Leader of the Majority Party, give your Thursday Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to present the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 to prioritise business for consideration during the week, and the business coming before the House in the following week. With regard to business scheduled for Tuesday next week, the House is expected to continue with the consideration of the Estimates of Recurrent and Development Expenditure for the year ending 30th June 2027 in the Committee of Supply, if not concluded today. I would like Members to know that the Committee of Supply is the most critical stage in the budget- making process, given that the Supply resolutions are what form the basis for the introduction of the Appropriation Bill of 2026. It is therefore important that Members actively participate in the Committee of Supply for purposes of making their contribution to the appropriation of funds towards the provision of services and financing development projects to improve the quality of life of our people - the people who have elected you as their representatives. The House will also prioritise consideration of expenditures of the Consolidated Fund Services under the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2026/2027 if not concluded today. Also scheduled for consideration is the Second Reading of the following Bills, some of which are listed in today’s Order Paper:

Thank you, Hon. Members. I have approved a Supplementary Order Paper that is in circulation. It will guide proceedings of the House from now on. Next Order by the Leader of the Majority Party.

I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to Standing Order 30

(3)

(a)

, this House orders that, should the time appointed for adjournment of the House be reached before conclusion of business under Order No. 13, the sitting shall stand extended until conclusion of the business appearing under Order No. 13

. This being a procedural Motion, I beg to move and request the Leader of the Minority Party to second.

Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, I second.

Hon. Speaker: Hon. Betty Maina and Hon. Elachi, take the nearest seats.

What that means is that you are likely to sit up to midnight. Should I put the Question?

Yes.

Hon. Members, before the next Order, in the Speakers Gallery, we acknowledge the presence of St. Teresa Gatura Girls from Gatanga, Murang'a County; and Nakuru West Secondary School from Nakuru West, Nakuru County. In the Public Gallery, we have Bahati PCEA Girls School from Bahati, Nakuru County; and PEFA Syokimau School from Mavoko, Machakos County. On my behalf and on behalf of the House, we welcome the students, their teachers and those accompanying them to the House of Parliament.

The Leader of the Majority Party.

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 49 (2) (a) , this House resolves to rescind its decision of Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 (Afternoon Sitting) relating to the Motion on the adoption of the Report of the Budget and Appropriations Committee on its consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure and the Medium Term for the Financial Year 2026/2027 to allow for recommittal of the General Debate. This is a Motion that seeks to rescind a decision of the House. Those who were here last night, including the Member for Magarini whom we left the House together at about 10:45 p.m., can remember that the Question was put on the Budget Estimates debate and agreed to it. However, following consultations with the National Treasury, we realised that there were certain allocations that were made in the Schedule that we had prepared.

As I had said during my contribution to the debate, there were certain strategic interventions that were being done by the National Treasury and the Government, especially around resource mobilisation in view of the global challenges that we have from the war that is going on in the Middle East. Such interventions included appropriation of certain monies of a figure of about Ksh1.78 billion to KRA, to help them modernise their systems and harness revenue mobilisation. That money had been taken away by the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning following consultations. We want to reinstate that money.

On the Primary Healthcare Fund, we had mentioned that there were strategic interventions touching on healthcare, the education sector for our children and food security. There was also a figure of about Ksh1.1 billion that had been taken away by the Departmental Committee on Health. Following consultations with the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Health and the National Treasury, we want to reinstate the Ksh1.1 billion that had been reallocated from the Primary Healthcare Fund. It is important to remember that this Primary Healthcare Fund is what allows members of the public to visit hospitals and get treatment under the Social Insurance Health Fund without payment. Therefore, it is important that we have adequate funds to ensure that the Primary Healthcare Fund is adequately resourced. We want to reinstate that money.

Finally, touching on our education sector, we have consulted with the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Education and Research, Hon. Melly. The Committee had

reallocated Ksh2.3 billion from the Junior Secondary School capitation. As we said in our debate, we want to ensure that no child is left behind, including those in JSS. I know the Committee had very good intentions, they had reallocated that money to the Kenya National Examinations Council.

We have agreed with the Ministry of Finance on how they will adequately provide funds towards our examination sector. That has already been done. It cannot even wait for the next Financial Year. It is something that needs to be done between now and the end of this Financial Year. All these is what informs this recission.

I want to ask the House to support the recission so that we go to the Committee of Supply without necessarily doing individual amendments. I beg to move and request the Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Junet Mohamed to second.

Thank you.

Hon. Junet.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand to second the Motion. This is a very important recission. It is majorly informed by the debate of the House. The House highlighted a few things that needed to be rectified. From consultation with the Treasury, it has been deemed necessary for some realignments to be made for the good of the people of Kenya.

Thank you, I second.

Hon. Speaker: Take your seats, Ambassador Sigei and Hon. Abdisirat.

Should I put the Question?

Yes.

Next Order.

Hon. Members, as the Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee moves that Motion, which you have been clearly explained to and you should not spend a lot of time on it, I direct that Order No. 11 and Order No. 12 be stayed and immediately after this Motion, which should be a very short Motion, will go straight to the Committee of Supply.

Hon. Atandi.

Order, Hon. Chairperson. I think you need some procedural assistance. Let the Leader of the Majority Party guide you.

Yes, Hon. Atandi, the words you had spoken to are expunged from The Hansard. You may proceed.

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Budget and Appropriations Committee on its consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure and the Medium Term for the Financial Year 2026/2027, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd June 2026, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 221 of the Constitution, section 39 of the Public Finance Management Act (Cap. 412A) and Standing Order 239—

Who is seconding you?

The Vice-Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Hon. Speaker, I second.

Put the question.

Hon. Members, as I had directed, we will stay Orders No. 11 and 12. As we proceed into the Committee of Supply, I wish to advise Members that this is probably the most important business in any year of your being in Parliament. It is the business that

carries the Budget, which affects your constituencies, government agencies and many operations of our country. I was amused to see, in the media, a Member at a funeral saying, “I will oppose it without reading it.”

Shame!

That was very shameful coming from a Member of this House. This Motion determines your salary, the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) , school fees in terms of bursaries, roads, security, and everything else. I encourage you to be reasonable and patriotic. As a Member of Parliament, you have a duty to oppose it for valid reasons. However, to declare that you will oppose it without even reading it brings odium to this House and its Membership. I encourage you to move away from that kind of reckless talk. The people at the funerals do not even know what you do in this House.

Hon. Members, now we will call out the next Order. Yes, Leader of the Majority Party

Hon. Speaker, I want to draw your attention.

Yes.

When you were reading the Motion, there was a Serjeant-at-Arms who was busy ushering the students in the Speaker's Gallery out of the Chamber. And you know this is a House of procedures. When you are upstanding, we freeze…

You freeze.

Yes. I know we do not have a Chief Serjeant-at-Arms; we have an acting one, but he probably needs to take his Serjeants-at-Arms for training...

Yes.

So that they know when the Speaker is upstanding, everybody should freeze, including the Serjeants-at-Arms…

Including the visitors in the Galleries.

And the visitors in the Galleries. I have noticed that. It is the second time I have seen it. These children, not children, but students…

They are your children too.

Our children, and they are the future leaders who will sit in this Chamber. They come to learn what goes on here, so we need to show them exactly what happens.

Let me just support your sentiments. Last night I had a discussion with the Member for Kiharu, Hon. Ndindi Nyoro, who was lamenting that at the time he was making his contribution, the whole section behind him was virtually empty. There were only about two Members. That is why I thanked the Members who remained here up to 10.00 p.m. This is the most important business of the House.

I also want to encourage us not to be tempted to always speak to the gallery and react to things that are being propagated on social media. A Member in one of our WhatsApp groups posted something alleging that the Finance Bill imposes taxes on coffee farmers. Another Member reacted quickly and said they would not support any measures that tax coffee farmers. The following morning, when I saw the post, I asked the Member where those provisions were because there are no such provisions in the Finance Bill. It would be beneficial for us to know where they are.

Let us also be careful about what we share on social media. Do not just pick up something from social media that is fake news, share it in groups, and then have some of us immediately reacting to it. Let us spend a little more time reading and understanding what is going on in the House before we react, even in the media.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Allow me to acknowledge, in the Public Gallery, St. Jude Karurumo Secondary School from Runyenjes, Embu. I welcome the students, their teachers, and those accompanying them to the House of Parliament.

Hon. Members, the House is now in the Committee of the whole House for consideration of the Schedule of the Committee of Supply on the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/2027. I wish to draw your attention once again to the fact that the Motion you have just passed made certain amendments to the original Order Paper. The Supplementary Order Paper now reflects exactly what was passed in the Motion. I therefore urge you to refer to your Supplementary Order Paper.

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

What is your point of order, Hon. Wandeto?

I had submitted some proposed amendments to the Speaker yesterday regarding this matter. Therefore, I seek your guidance.

Hon. Atandi, the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Speaker. We have not received any amendments, unless he shares the amendments with me right now.

Okay. Hon. Members, in that case, we shall proceed with what is on the Supplementary Order Paper, since the amendments are not formally before the Committee. Let us proceed.

Put the question.

Hon. Atandi, Chairperson.

I just wanted you to take note that you have not read the right figures for State House as captured.

Hon. Atandi, what figure do you have?

Ksh13,543,798,513.

Ksh13,543,798,513?

Yes.

I have Ksh13,443,798,513.

It is Ksh13,543,798,513.

Okay, seems I was looking at the older Order Paper. Thank you for that. Hon. Chairperson, it is important that you remain keen. I will take that again:

Yes, Hon. Muhia.

Hon. Chairlady, while I appreciate the Department for Immigration and Citizen Services for timely passport issuance, we have had a persistent problem on identity cards issuance. I hope that with such a large budget this problem will be a thing of the past. Even in our constituencies there are always issues such as unavailability of papers for printing identity cards, and at times the identity cards are stuck in Nairobi. We really do not understand why we have such issues yet the budget is approved.

Hon. Member, now that you have voted for them to have this budget, it will be up to you as a Member of Parliament, through the Committee on Implementation, to ensure that it is actually implemented and the issuing of identity cards will be efficient.

Thank you for that.

Yes, Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Chairlady, hoping that this disbursement will be done, I urge the police service that with this budget, they attend to the issue of police vehicles. Now with the budget, and I hope disbursement will be done, the Police

Service should attend to the issue of police vehicles. Many police stations in this country have got no police vehicles for patrol purposes and that is hindering delivery of services to the people of Kenya.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

What is your point of order, Hon. Raso?

Hon. Chairlady, I believe Hon. Oundo has not been following. Actually, that has been passed. Now we are at the State Department for Internal Security, not the police.

Thank you. Hon. Oundo, you are so informed. Hon. Makali?

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Now that we are going to pass this budget, there are quite a lot of districts and divisions which have been created but have not been operationalised. I would think with this budget now, we should make them operational by constructing offices for DCs and divisions and also buying vehicles for such offices. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, who is there? I cannot see you. Hon. Zamzam.

Hon. Members, before we proceed, allow me to welcome Anesta Boys Lanet School from Bahati Constituency, Nakuru County, which is seated in the Speaker’s Gallery. You are supposed to rise when you are recognised. On behalf of the substantive Speaker, myself and Members of Parliament, we welcome you to the House of Parliament. Thank you.

Do you want to speak? Why don’t you wait at the debate point? After I propose the question and the programmes have been called out, I will propose the programmes as read out by the clerk and then at that stage you can debate. So, allow us to proceed.

Hon. Njeri, you now can comment.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I think it is very critical we agree that devolution was provided for under the Constitution of 2010 so that our people can get services. Because Parliament approves these monies every year, it is only fair that governors also, once they get the money, they pay doctors on time, they equip health facilities and they ensure that our people are getting good services at the county level.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

Leader of the Majority Party, proceed.

Hon. Chairlady, thank you. I rise to support the appropriation of this sum to the Ministry of Defence, but also to request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, who is seated next to me... Hon. Martha Wangari is a member of this Committee, and with Gilgil Barracks being hosted in her constituency, she is very keen on defence matters.

In my neighbourhood, around ABC Place, there is a hospital that has been in existence for a number of years. It is a very important hospital as it is an extension of the Armed Forces Memorial Hospital located on Mbagathi Way, around Kenyatta National Hospital. I hope the Chairman has factored in adequate resources to ensure that we complete this hospital, because it is along the main highway, Waiyaki Way. It will also help the citizenry who are using that Northern Corridor.

I also note that the Ministry of Defence is doing a lot of critical interventions in the economy. I have seen the great work that was done in Wajir County in the construction of a stadium. In about three-and-a-half months, the Kenya Defence Forces were able to put up a stadium. All projects that you see under the management of the Kenya Defence Forces are implemented to perfection, within a very short time and within budget. I want to encourage the Chairman and the Committee to ensure that they continue to offer meaningful oversight over these resources, because they are quite a hefty amount of resources. They must ensure that they deliver as they have been doing.

I also urge them to provide adequate resources to ensure that those of our officers who are serving outside the country, for instance, the 450 soldiers who are on a peacekeeping mission in the Congo, are well taken care of, even with the threat of Ebola. We talk a lot here about Ebola this, Ebola that. As I was saying yesterday, very many of us have suddenly become experts in healthcare and epidemiology.

We must remember our soldiers who are serving in those peacekeeping missions. As we pray for them, please, ensure that they are well taken care of and that there are adequate resources so that, should any one of them suffer the misfortune of either being sick or anything else, there are adequate resources to evacuate them back home and good care given to them.

Thank you, I support.

Yes, Hon Wandeto, Member for Tetu.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I also rise to support this allocation to Defence, though I do not agree with the Leader of the Majority Party. We have seen increased involvement of our armed forces in what I would consider very civilian projects. All their work is to defend the country and maybe respond to emergencies. Building stadia is something that can be dealt with by local contractors. We have killed local contractors in roads and in other infrastructure projects, either in favour of the Defence Forces or some foreigners who I will not name.

While we support, this money should go to...

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

There's a point of order.

Hon. Chairlady, I am very keen to listen to Hon. Wandeto, a very good Presbyterian from Karen PCEA, Mutu-ini, but he has said that we have killed contractors. There is language that we can use on record here that may be misconstrued to mean other things, especially when we are talking about defence.

First, I am not aware of any road contract that the Kenya Defence Forces are doing except those within their barracks. They are not doing any! We have only involved them in the construction of stadia and hospitals, and they have delivered those hospitals. A case in point is one hospital in Kiambu County, Githunguri Level 5 Hospital. Dagoretti Constituencies Development Fund Hospital has also been completed by the Kenya Defence Forces.

The Kenya Defence Forces have not in any way competed with local contractors. In fact, Hon. Wandeto, for your information, what the Kenya Defence Forces do is project management. They do not have a construction company. They do project management. It is actually local contractors who are doing these things. The contractor in Wajir is a local contractor who is being supervised by the project manager, being the Kenya Defence Forces.

Maybe you would correct Hon. Wandeto so that we are not construed to mean that there is any contractor who has been killed.

Hon. Wandeto, maybe, you are so informed.

Hon. Chairlady, I agree with the Leader of the Majority Party informing me. I did not mean “killed” in that sense. It is just that we do not want the Kenya Defence Forces to do work that can otherwise be done by local businessmen. Having said that, I support that the Kenya Defence Forces must invest more in equipment modernisation. We are still using F5s, which was technology of the 1980s, and even our neighbours are getting ahead of us in terms of air superiority and other things.

I support this. Maybe if they focused on that and left stadia and these other things, it would even be better.

On a point of order, Hon. Chairlady.

I will come to you, Hon. Mogaka. Your point of order, Hon. KJ, and then I will come to you, Hon. Martha, because I know you want to contribute.

I did not want to wade into this debate, but allow me to just mention that even as we speak about military and army affairs in this day and age, the hon. Member must be informed that security has actually moved in leaps and bounds, as he would very well understand. The focus is actually more on digitising security and even newer ways of approaching issues of security. He should be speaking with a wider view, knowing fully well that even as there could be delays in upgrading the hardware, there is a lot that is happening with the software in our military.

That is where the world is heading, as we are seeing with so many other examples around the world. There needs to be a bigger investment more in software issues than hardware issues. Those who are heavily investing in hardware are finding themselves left behind in this very new world. It is not in his place to use the Floor of the House to try and imply that our army is operating from behind.

Thank you very much, Hon. Chairlady.

Hon. Mogaka.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I needed to weigh in as testimony that the Kenya Defence Forces and its budget needs to be enhanced because, in Nyamira, for instance, the Kenya Defence Forces management team has overseen and managed the construction of a hospital at Keroka, which was completed in record time. Besides, the Kenya Defence Forces are overseeing and managing the construction of Nyamira University at Kiabonyoru. I engaged them and asked whether the job was being done using the military. They clarified that what they offer is management. It is about local content, labour, and materials. Their's is only bringing military precision, which this country requires so much.

Thank you.

Hon. Martha Wangari.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I agree with the Leader of the Majority Party. I feel Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has 'suffered' the problem of being efficient. That is why they are being poached to do everything. I confirm that, as a Committee, we have done very serious oversight. We have asked questions on funding. When a Ministry contracts KDF, who gets the money? I assure this House that we are going to be on top of it to ensure that all is done.

As we speak, on the issue of Kabete Referral Hospital, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not just wait. It is doing a lot of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) . If you go to Roysambu near Thika Road Mall (TRM) , you will see the houses built there by KDF under PPP. They are already doing a lot of that. Even at Utumishi, we have requested them to come in because we are a military town. We want them to help us rebuild that school so that we re-admit the students.

I confirm to this House that not only are we supporting this allocation, but as a Committee, we are also on top of things to offer very meaningful oversight. We have to ensure that all is done as is required by the law and by the Constitution.

Thank you, Hon. Members. We all seem to be agreeing. Hon. Mayaka.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I just want to add my voice to this. I felt very agitated when Hon. Wandeto tried to downplay the importance of stadiums in his contribution. We have actually seen that some of the stadiums that have been supervised by KDF, like Ulinzi Sports Complex, Wajir Stadium, Kisii Stadium whose construction is ongoing, and a few others, have been very instrumental and helpful as sports facilities. So, it is very unfair for the Hon. Member to downplay the importance of building stadiums. For us sports people, we feel very disappointed.

Hon. Rindikiri.

Thank you very much, Hon. Chairlady. Sometimes when we rise up to speak here, we should not do it for the public gallery. That is because we have seen KDF do many things. As I speak, Meru Level 5 Hospital is being upgraded to Level 6 by KDF.

Second, we have rehabilitation of the Nairobi River that had been a headache for this country, ongoing. We know for a fact that they are disciplined. The KDF had been inactive, but they have now woken up and taken their rightful position. They need more funding. They are also doing the stadium in Meru, Maua stadium. When we trivialise that for popularity, we are doing the wrong thing.

Kenya is part of the international counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency network. If we do not adequately fund KDF, when war comes, who will defend this country? Sometimes we need to be sensitive. I really sympathise with Hon. Wandeto because we know where he is coming from and what he is going to propagate. Popularism without facts is not very important.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

I now put the question.

Yes, Hon. Oundo.

Hon. Chairlady, we support, but we hope there have been sufficient funds made available in the Budget. When I look at economic and commercial diplomacy, it is allocated a paltry sum of about Ksh50 million or so. I do not know how much that can do to deepen our economic ties all over the world and improve trade and related activities. I just hope that is realised somewhere so that we do not lose that trust.

Thank you.

(Programmes 0714000, 0715000, 0741000 and 0742000 agreed to)

We have to finish reading the programme and then propose the question. Then you can interject.

Yes, Hon. Mogaka, but make it brief.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I just want to say that, practically, we have underfunded the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The global economy and emerging conflicts require we proactively empower the Ministry to deal with the diplomatic solutions. Kenya is a renowned solution provider in world economic conflicts.

I support the budget line for this Ministry and expect a Supplementary Budget to come and fill in the gaps to enable Kenya play its role in the national community of nations. The diaspora gives us foreign exchange and we need to reciprocate because we badly need the support from the diaspora community.

Hon. Member for Buuri.

Hon. Chairlady, this is a State Department that is doing an incredible job by trying to open up the diaspora. You know this has not happened in a long time. The State Department is charged with creation of jobs in the diaspora through networking with various international countries. We also need to be continuously in touch with Kenyans out there who have a lot of resources to bring them back home. We need to create confidence in us because when we underfund them, we limit the opportunities to increase our visibility as a Kenyan labour market. We also miss on the opportunity to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora to bring back the resources they have. We urge the Committee, going forward, that we seize every opportunity through this State Department which is opening opportunities for us.

Hon. Chairlady: Thank you, Hon. Members. As it has already been alluded, we do not have to belabour on this point because the Supplementary Budget exists for those State Departments with absorption capacity. I will allow the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee only.

Hon. Chairlady, Members of Parliament are saying that the State departments are underfunded. What do they mean? How many billions have we allocated to the State departments? From the presentation we received from the departmental committees, we gave them sufficient resources to do their work. Otherwise, be very specific on the issue of underfunding. The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations is here and he has not complained.

Thank you, Hon. Members. As it has been clarified by the Chairperson, these figures come from the State departments.

Hon. Members, once the programmes are read out, I have to propose the question on the programmes first before you debate. Please, remember that I propose the question with the figures. The programmes are called out then I propose the question on the vote and programmes. Thereafter, you can have a brief moment to speak.

Hon. Zamzam.

Let me give Hon. Nyakundi an opportunity. He has not had a chance.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Nowadays, TVETs are very important to the society. I request the Ministry of Education to ensure that the existing TVETs are equipped and completed before they start other TVETs.

Hon. Oundo, and make it brief.

I will be brief. The issue that is becoming of concern in this country is the question of disbursement of capitation and the challenge of Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) exam fee...

If it is about capitation, that is an implementation issue which the relevant oversight committee can deal with. It is not a debate for this current topic.

I wanted to bring to the attention of the House that the last capitation was done in 2024.

Hon. Members, could we try and stick to the topic so that we are not talking about other issues that are the preserve of other things that are going to happen? Let us do that. Lawyers know that the judge always asks you for relevance. You have to establish relevance of what you are saying or else we will not finish any time soon. Thank you, Hon. Members. I appreciate that.

(Programme 0505000, 0507000 and 0508000 agreed to)

Put the question.

Let me first propose the question. Hon. Ngogoyo, you would have heard me explain the process if you had been here earlier. Therefore, wait for me to propose the question.

Hon. Ngogoyo, you may now proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. In good faith, I seek clarification from the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health. Now, Ksh42 billion for Public Health and Professional Standards in an entire financial year seems inadequate, particularly when we are expected to be prepared for pandemics. An example is if Ebola were to strike Kenya. In my opinion, Ksh42 billion will not be sufficient considering the health centres and facilities that would require support. I would like to know what matching funds have been provided.

In the Schedule, particularly under Public Health and Professional Standards, I have reviewed the itemised budget and it is not very clear. As we approve this allocation, I would like to be assured that we are placing our country in safe hands and providing necessary funding required for public health and professional standards.

Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Hon. Nyikal wishes to respond on his behalf.

Okay. Hon. Nyikal, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health.

The Ministry of Health has two State departments: State Department of Medical Services and the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards. At times, funds are allocated to one department or the other.

When we speak about public health and professional standards, we are largely referring to regulatory authorities. In fact, there are merely 30 or so regulatory authorities under that department. Many of them generate their revenue although they also receive support from the taxpayer. If you recall, there was even a policy proposal to merge some of them in order to reduce their numbers so that the bulk of the funds in this department are allocated to disease surveillance where issues such as Ebola preparedness fall.

We have now established a new Institute of Public Health. If you refer from the Schedule, you will note that we have significantly increased its allocation. Most of the Ksh42 billion is directed to the Institute of Public Health that is responsible for matters relating to Ebola, epidemics, and other public health concerns.

Should a major public health emergency arise, we are aware that additional funding will be required. At present, the Ministry is undertaking preparedness measures for Ebola. I am quite certain that further resources will be needed, specifically for preparedness at this time. Therefore, it is not only the funding reflected here; we anticipate that additional expenditure may be required.

Thank you. Are you satisfied, Hon. Ngogoyo?

Yes. I am satisfied with the Chairman’s response. However, let something go on record. In their pride, Principal Secretaries sometimes undermine what we have budgeted. You may find funds intended for surveillance re-directed to other State departments such as Medical Services. Those funds cannot be utilised as intended simply because the Principal Secretary of Public Health, who may be the accounting officer, does not have control over them.

If this National Assembly approves and appropriates funds for a specific purpose, we must ensure that the money is used for the work for which it was allocated. Based on the Chairman's explanation and considering his professional expertise, I am satisfied.

Thank you.

Vote 1091 - STATE DEPARTMENT FOR ROADS THAT, a sum not exceeding Ksh224,687,265,238 be issued from the Consolidated Fund to complete the sum necessary to meet the expenditure

during the year ending 30th June 2027 in respect of Vote 1091

.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I have no problem with the budget and I support it. However, the Department must be told that the projects it has started should be completed. I have three ongoing projects, none of which has been completed. It is important that some of them are completed so that we can showcase what the Department has done.

The year is coming to an end and we are almost heading into an election. Some of these projects will determine whether people vote or not. It is important that the programmes and projects are completed.

The Temporary Chairlady

: Yes, Hon. Rindikiri.

Yes, Hon. Chairlady. What the Hon. Member has stated is true. There are ongoing projects and at the same time we are focusing on new projects to fill gaps in constituencies and counties that are not yet covered.

We have had extensive discussions with the Budget and Appropriations Committee and agreed that the first acceleration factor will be directed towards ongoing projects. I want to assure Members that we are focused on this matter. We also agreed that at the Supplementary Budget stage, additional allocations will be made to accelerate and fast-track the completion of these projects.

I want Members to have confidence that these projects will be completed. As a Committee, we are very keen on this matter. We understand the expectations of Kenyans and do not want to let them down. We will ensure that these projects are completed in good time. There is no politicking involved.

The Temporary Chairlady

: Let us proceed.

Hon. Wanjala, I would appreciate it if we could do this in silence. Hon. Koimburi and Hon. Wanjala, please, be silent. You are interrupting everybody. You can consult outside. Let us proceed.

We have now moved on. I can only see the intervention by Hon. Peter Orero from Kibra. However, his intervention has been permanently on. Hon. Mishi, let me put the question. You can say it after that.

Hon. Mishi, what did you have to say?

Hon. Chairlady, I stand to support this allocation and also suggest that during the Supplementary Budget, we increase this amount. This is because in the coast region, we have a big water problem, and we have two projects: Mzima Springs and Mwache Dam. If they can be done, the issue of water scarcity in the coastal region will be a thing of the past. Thank you.

Development) during the year ending 30th June, 2027, in respect of Vote 1112 (State Department for Lands and Physical Planning).

Yes, Hon. Mishi. This is the right place to speak now.

Hon. Chairlady, I appreciate the allocation to lands and physical planning, and also wish that more could be added in the Supplementary Budget. I echo His Excellency the President when he visited the coastal region and other areas in this Republic. He talked about the settlement of squatters under the issue of historical land injustices. I appreciate him because he has started negotiating with those people who claim to own the land. We are now going to be Kenyans who own land and have title deeds. I beg to support.

Yes. Hon. Makali.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. Even as Hon. Mishi pushes for additional resources from the Consolidated Fund, this is one of the departments which can collect much more money through A-in-A. So, we urge them to go digital and collect more money from and through A-in-A.

Thank you.

Yes, Hon. KJ. Then I will come to you, Hon. Mishi.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I take this opportunity to recognise that this Committee is the most represented in the House as we undertake this very important business. I see Hon. Jematiah, the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Alfah Miruka and other Members of the Committee present in the House to conduct this important business. Our Committee is, therefore, very well represented.

The key issue that Members need to note is the need for effective communication as we move towards the elections. That is why we have consistently argued that this State Department ought to be better funded. We have appeared before the Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Hon. Samuel Atandi, and submitted that we cannot continue to rely on traditional institutional budgeting. We now need a budgeting framework that is fit for the times when new sectors of our economy should be funded appropriately. They should not be grouped with traditional sectors that have historically received the bulk of budgetary allocations. Such an approach does not adequately address the demands of the present. Therefore, I thank the Members of our Committee. I also wish to thank the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, under the leadership of Hon. Atandi, for the consideration they gave to the matters we presented regarding this State Department.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

Thank you. Next, we will have Hon. Mishi, followed by Hon. Makali. Let us be brief.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I wish to concur with what Hon. KJ has just said. It is important to note that, as Members of Parliament, we have, in collaboration with the national Government, established ICT hubs. Most of them are now almost complete. What we need now is to equip them so that they can become operational and begin serving the public.

Secondly, we need to educate Kenyans on Artificial Intelligence (AI) . Whether we like it or not, AI is already with us, and we need to understand it and prepare our people to use it effectively. Therefore, increasing the allocation under that Vote is, indeed, a priority.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

Hon. Makali Mulu.

Hon. Chairlady, I will be very brief. Actually, Hon. Mishi has taken the words right out of my mouth. Constituency digital hubs must be prioritised in terms of equipment.

I submit, Hon. Chairlady.

Thank you. Hon. Orero, your intervention button has been on for a while now. Is it by mistake, or do you want to say something?

Hon. Rindikiri, could you make it brief? If somebody has taken words out of your mouth, then you do not have to say them again. Just say, I concur.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I concur. However, the most important point to note is that we are preparing a generation that is embracing technology. Technology is the way forward. We are striving to eliminate technological illiteracy and nurture a population of young people who can create employment opportunities for themselves through ICT.

Therefore, this is a very important Vote that we need to support.

Yes, Hon. KJ.

Hon. Chairlady, I would like to say this, within the full earshot of the House, so Members understand that some of the issues we face as a country require us to budget for them. We are going into an election next year, and you can

see how thinly budgeted Government communication is, up to and including the national broadcaster, which shall be going up against many private radio and television stations. These stations do not have the same obligations as KBC regarding due diligence and proper reporting. We know that what is communicated can either speak peace to this country or lead us into chaos. I say this within the earshot of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. This sector cannot be ignored when it comes to funding, especially at a time like this, when we are facing a national election. With the allocation the national broadcaster is getting in today's Budget, the country is, of course, very exposed in terms of communication. What I would like to say finally is that we pray that, among the proposals we have presented to the Committee, KBC remains under the communication sector because it cannot operate from the National Treasury. It is a broadcaster, not a banking institution. We therefore pray that this very important communication installation for the country shall remain under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and not be moved to the National Treasury. Even as we sort out the historical problems of monies that are owed and those that merely appear in the books but are not actually owed as loans, such as the broadcasting van that was purchased for the 1987 All-Africa Games, which has already been paid for by the country, it should not continue appearing in KBC's books. Neither should it be used to force KBC into a sector in which it cannot operate. Thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

(Programmes 0207000, 0208000 and 0209000 agreed to)

Yes, Hon. Orero, the Member for Kibra.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I want to congratulate the Budget and Appropriations Committee for putting this kind of money into sports. You know, the biggest industry in the world right now is sports. If you can remember, just recently, everybody was watching the Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) game. That shows that each country in the world must invest in sports.

I want to thank the Kenyan Government for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) . We will be privileged to host it in our constituency at the Raila Odinga International Stadium. It is one of the best stadiums in this region. I encourage the prudent use of this money to develop sports facilities, empowering our youth and harnessing and developing their talents for the future benefit of this country.

Yes, Hon. Mishi.

Thank you, Hon. Chairlady. I commend the Budget and Appropriations Committee for this allocation in the Programmes under Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy. As we know, many of our Gen Zs are talented, and this is the time to develop their talents so they can create opportunities for themselves and others. It is also about looking at the innovation aspect so that their innovations are enriching and income-generating.

This will allow the youths to become employers as well, rather than just being employees. We need to put more focus on the State Department. It is important to ensure that our youth are not idle. Most of them are talented in film production and other creative endeavours, so we need to focus on this.

Hon. Rindikiri, do you have anything to say?

Hon. Chairlady, this Vote is very important. As you know, I come from a region where livestock keeping and dairy farming are major economic activities. Today, a lot is being done in the livestock sector through veterinary services, artificial insemination and the provision of animal feed. The Government of Kenya has been at the forefront in supporting dairy farmers. This is very important. We also need to promote our livestock industry and encourage meat exports. Therefore, this Budget is geared towards enhancing government activities in these areas.

I thank you, Hon. Chairlady.

Thank you.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, as you are aware, I am a fisherman, and so are my people. I rise to commend this Budget and hope we will find a way to ensure the allocated funds reach the grassroots and support the fisheries sector in Lake Victoria, as well as fish farming in the fish ponds scattered across Busia and Funyula constituencies.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Mishi Mboko, is it on this?

I pressed the Intervention Button. The Temporary Chairman

: Go ahead.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I wish to commend the Budget and Appropriations Committee on this issue. This is a department that had been left behind under previous regimes, yet it has many untapped resources. I am happy that our fishermen will now move from being peasant fishermen to commercialising by using bigger boats, so that when they go out fishing, they can catch tonnes of fish. Additionally, for our fishmongers, especially the women in our country, those along the Coast, around the lake regions, and those from the riverine areas, this allocation will go a long way in empowering them and ensuring they have sustainable livelihoods and other income-generating activities.

I commend and appreciate His Excellency, the President, (Dr) William Samoei Ruto, for changing this Ministry and appointing Hon. Ali Hassan Joho.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I have a lot of interest because I appreciate the Government, especially the State Department for Cooperatives. Where I come from, in Buuri and larger Meru. This State Department does an incredible job in the growth of coffee, tea, miraa and macadamia. This amount allocated will go a long way toward reviving our SACCOs and in continuously building the economy that the Government is focused on. This is a very important Vote. I support it because of the work the State Department for Cooperatives is doing.

I am sorry, Hon. Temporary Chairman, but I do not know why I am not appearing on your device. I wish to commend the Budget and Appropriations Committee. I also propose that they allocate more funds to the State Department for Trade, given the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) .

One of the SEZs is in my constituency, the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone. There is also one in Kilifi County and another in Naivasha. This is an area through which we can promote our economy and create job opportunities for our young generation. I therefore commend this Committee. I reiterate that we need to allocate more funds during the Supplementary Budget.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Zamzam.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I also echo my colleague Hon. Mishi Mboko. Initially, it was budgeted for 20 per cent of the full budget, but we were only given one per cent. This time around, I can see it is still dwindling. Hon. Chairman, if you can reallocate funds from the budget to support the SEZs, it will enable us to expand our industrial areas.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Oundo.

I wanted to inform my two colleagues that SEZs fall under the next budget line, that is Industrial Promotion and not under the Department for Trade. But suffice it to note that we need to continuously invest in manpower in the Department for Trade to ensure they negotiate and deepen trade locally and internationally.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Oundo.

As we pass this Budget, I need to remind the county governments that this House appropriated money since Financial Year 2022/2023 to hastily complete the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) . We cannot sink that kind of money, and the projects remain white elephants. We need to call upon them to hasten. Otherwise, we should stop any further CAIPs until the existing ones have been completed. Thank you.

The Temporary Chairman

: Member for Aldai.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I support my colleague because we sit together in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and we have visited many of these CAIPs.

For many of them, money has been appropriated and is sitting in their accounts because they cannot spend it, and it cannot be returned to headquarters. Yet we have children who cannot go to school. Therefore, continuously investing in CAIP construction will not actually help us develop what we want to develop. I am happy that this time around, the Budget and Appropriations Committee has considered the proposal to equip those who are complete. This will make them active and add value. So that young people in this country can utilise them, make money, and get employment. Thank you.

The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you. Members, you know the debate on this was done yesterday. I therefore expect short, pointed interventions. The Hon. Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, you had something to say on this?

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I just wanted also to guide that we do not allow too much debate, because we are going to debate…

The Temporary Chairman

: Yes, the debate was on already.

This is a very good programme, especially the cash transfer programme. However, older people complain, whenever you meet them; that the Ksh2,000 stipend per month is no longer sustaining their livelihoods because the shilling has lost value. A kilogramme of meat that used to sell at Ksh400 in 2022 or 2021 is now going at Ksh900. They are unable to sustain themselves. Going forward, I think we need to factor in inflation as we make these funds.

The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you. Member of Likoni.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. After this allocation, I hope that we are not going to face any challenges in disbursement of funds to our elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and orphans. There is a gap in social protection. The approved schools where we take our children for reforms are not properly funded, especially now in so many counties where we see mushrooming juvenile gangs such as what we call Panga Boys in the Coast Region. Approved schools are just like ghost centres. You do not see anything going on there yet you want to take our children there so that they can be rehabilitated.

I urge the Budget and Appropriations Committee to ensure that these allocated funds also go to fill gaps in reforming our children who have committed crimes.

The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Zamzam, you will speak on the next one. Let me put the question on this one.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman. Looking at the Budget, I support this particular State Department and underscore its importance in conducting thorough mapping, exploration and search for minerals. As a country, we should be thinking about enhancing the allocation this particular Budget Program because of the critical role it plays in mineral exploration.

The Temporary Chairman

: You cannot do that. You have to wait for it to be read. Hon. Makali Mulu.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I agree with Hon. Mutunga. We are struggling with revenue generation in this country, yet this is a sector from which we can generate a lot of revenue if we allocate more resources to it. It is time we focused more on this area. In Kitui County, where I come from, we have many minerals. Investing in this sector will greatly help the country.

The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Mishi, what is burning? I have said that debate was concluded yesterday. I would like us to proceed that way. I can give you a chance in the next one, but not on this one.

Asante, Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa

Hon. Temporary Chairman, this is a low hanging fruit, which we have not been able to exploit and tap. Kenya only receives seven million tourists, of whom five million are local. The difference of 2.7 million come in from outside the country. We will progress if we use the resources available in this Budget to increase that number to 12 million tourists, with a target of five million foreign tourists.

Thank you,

Let us have Hon. Jematiah.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, we should promote this very lucrative sector. Many areas in this country can generate a lot of revenue through tourism, specifically desert safaris in areas like the Chalbi Desert. We should use the funds set aside in the Budget for tourism promotion to generate more revenue for our country.

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda,

Hon. Temporary Chairman, we have a long way to go in terms of achieving gender parity. We should address the issue of women being disadvantaged. We should also address emerging issues of men also being disadvantaged. Gender issues have always skewed towards women, but it is time we started dealing with gender and affirmative action from the point of view of the boy-child. I support the Budget and hope that we can increase the allocations to the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Bwana Mwenyekiti, Wabunge wanasema hakuna kitu.

Iko kitu. We have allocated funds for gender issues. The Temporary Chairman

: Mhe. Mwenyekiti amesema kuna kitu.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, with the emerging challenges facing our youth, especially the boy child, I think we may need to rethink the National Youth Service (NYS) programme. Those who are slightly older than us will recall that, before proceeding to university, they underwent NYS training where they were taught national values and made to understand that life can be tough. I think Dr Pukose went through the programme.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Vote 1221 - STATE DEPARTMENT FOR

Hon. Temporary Chairman, it is very disappointing to see the allocation made to the State Department for East African Community Affairs, especially considering that its budget was increased in the last Supplementary Estimates. It has now been reduced by a whooping Ksh200 million yet as of today, this is one of the few State Departments with a clean record in clearing all its pending bills. Secondly, it oversees one of the most important areas of trade integration within the East African Community, from which we make most of our money. We have received numerous complaints and I would like the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to explain what is happening in this particular State Department because what is going on is very sad. The frustrations within the state department are extreme. I am even wondering whether it should be scrapped off yet it is very important and integral. Kenya is one of the most important countries within the East African Community. It cannot be that this is the one State Department whose budget has been reduced and which appears not to be receiving adequate funding. The Temporary Chairman

: Of course, it cannot be scrapped off because it is in a Ministry established by law.

Hon. Chairman, I thought you ran away from this because when I looked at your side, you were not there. This is done because we voted on it already. You can speak in the next Vote.

Thank you very much Hon. Temporary Chairman. I note that this budgetary provision with a lot of sadness because I believe this is where we should have provided for compensation of victims of police brutality and state- sponsored violence, especially the young people who have been killed on our streets.

For far too long, this promise has been made over and over again. Here we are, passing another Budget without making provision for their compensation, confirming the lies that have been told to them.

Kwa nini nimekatwa? The Temporary Chairman

: That is not true. Hujakatwa. You have not been cut.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman. It is really sad that both sides of the political divide have expressed themselves on this matter and made commitments that compensation would be provided. Yet, once again, there is no budgetary provision.

The Temporary Chairman

: Point made. Chairperson, what do you say to this?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I would like to respond to Hon. Caroli, that the funds for compensation of victims of political violence were appropriated in Supplementary Estimates I. The funds are actually being disbursed as we speak. That is why they do not appear here. In any event, those funds would fall under a Programme within the Vote of the Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration, and not under this State Department.

I also want to add something else. I listened to Dr Oundo make very good contributions during the budget-making process. I am wondering aloud what he is doing with this pressure group called Linda Mwananchi. Why does he not cross over to the government side? We need his expertise here.

Hon. Chairman, this is where the safeguards for economic development and justice lie. We keep on asking the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) to do much more than they are doing. We must commend them for their swift action today. They should spread their net much wider. There is so much being lost in the counties. If we can stop the bleeding, this country will take off. Hon. Atandi, the Chairman, do not be worried when I say...

Thank you, Hon. Chairman. On Vote 1311, the money for the Registrar of Political Parties, is very important especially at this particular time. The Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, during the Supplementary Budget, we request that this money be increased and released on time so that it assists us as we do our politics this time round.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, the State Department for Environment and Climate Change concentrates on planting trees. We have rivers that are already silted in very many areas like Budalang’i, River Nzoia, River Yala, River Nyando and River Kuja. Sometimes, because of silting, the rain water from the mountains is unable to move into the lake. In the process, there is back-flow that forces our people out of the land and nobody compensates them.

We are giving this State Department a lot of money. I request them to buy big dredgers, like the ones in Ghana, so that they can keep on dredging and de-silting the deltas, so that the water from the mountains can drain into the lake. If the rivers are deepened and widened, they will not be full.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you.

It is the opposition that is voting.

Which opposition?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The figures that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been discussing in the media, as its budgetary requirement to prepare for the forthcoming general election, add up to Ksh67 billion yet I see that they have been allocated only Ksh24 billion. Next year’s general elections will be very consequential, especially the presidential election, as it will be the first time the country will make history.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I also want to acknowledge the fact that the IEBC needs to be very well-funded because of the upcoming general elections. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge it. We have seen in recent by-elections they conducted, that they have done a very good job. Even losers, like the Democracy for Citizens Party

(DCP)

, who have gone to court to challenge the elections, have not been able to succeed because the IEBC has done a good job. Therefore, I acknowledge them and urge them to continue doing a good job. Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Zamzam.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I also want to echo what my friends has said. The IEBC needs more resources than it has been allocated. I want to challenge those who are doubting the IEBC, claiming that we are unlikely to have free and fair elections. Wanasema sijui IEBC ina nini, sijui hakutakuwa na free and fair elections. I want to tell them that the IEBC is set and the elections will be free and fair. The Temporary Chairman

: Order. You have got to decide which language you are going to use as you contribute.

The IEBC is going to conduct free and fair elections. So, DCP, prepare yourselves. It has been happening all these years. We have been in opposition and we have survived. You should also be ready to survive. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Members, I am now going to put the question. Hon. Caroli, I did not see your hand up. Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I want to urge the National Treasury and the Budget and Appropriations Committee to expedite the release of resources to the IEBC for it to procure the Integrated Election Management System in time, so that we can test the technology and have confidence in it. We do not want a repeat of Camargo and the other fellows. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Caroli, how many times have you tested these systems since you became an adult?

I was actually very instrumental in introducing them in 2013. The Temporary Chairman

: So, you tested them in 2013?

It was part of Agenda Four, of which I was in charge. The Temporary Chairman

: So, you tested them in 2013?

I tested them in 2013, 2017 and 2018. The Temporary Chairman

: Did they work?

Yes, they worked. The Temporary Chairman

: Great. Thank you. Hon. Atandi, what did you want to say on this one?

Hon. Ochieng’, you know Hon. Caroli is my friend. He knows very well that elections are not won using systems. They are won by registered voters. Elections are not won by youth without IDs, thronging political rallies. So, I urge you to, please, work on registering voters. Hon. Temporary Chairman, there is so much excitement around the “Linda Sifuna” movement. You go to some place, you find jobless youth without IDs and you think you are popular. Please, look for registered voters. The Temporary Chairman

: Order. Hon. Atandi and Hon. Caroli Omondi, who are you both talking to? This is because the last time I checked, you were on the same side. Hon. Wandeto, you have the last word on this one.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, it is unfortunate that the respected Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee has decided to bring party politics into this debate and, sadly, from his losing side of the political divide... The Temporary Chairman

: No, Hon. Wandeto. Order. You opened the debate about party sides. It was not the Chair. Hon. Members, I will now put the Question.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. First of all, I want to commend the TSC because of the good job they are doing in terms of helping learners. Secondly, they have also conducted themselves very well in the recruitment of the 100,000 teachers. This money will go a long way in recruiting another batch of 20,000 teachers on contract basis. I support the appropriation of these funds. The TSC should be allocated more resources next time to enable them recruit more teachers.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Obara.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. We must be clear that this money is for confirmation of the teachers who are on internship. However, we have another 20,000 because there are 44,000 teachers who need to be confirmed. Therefore, we have to be clear, and be cognizant of the fact that we have to look for money to ensure that all the 44,000 teachers are confirmed.

In the Public Service Commission (PSC) , individuals are placed on probation for six months. Why do we have teachers doing it for two years? It is not fair. Should an opportunity arise, the Budget and Appropriations Committee should ensure that all teachers on internship are confirmed.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Wandeto.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I wish to echo the sentiments expressed by my colleague. To the best of my knowledge, this money is not enough to confirm all the 44,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. Some of them have been on the streets and we need to bring this matter to a close. I hope that we can provide enough funding so that, even as we add the 20,000 new teachers, we can finalise the confirmation of the 44,000.

Secondly, based on some of the developments that have been occurring in the country, it is time the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) starts retooling its teachers and education administrators on matters concerning school safety and discipline. The incidents we have witnessed in this country need to be addressed, and the TSC is at the heart of this.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Thank you so much, Hon. Chairperson. Do you have something to say on this?

I wish to clarify that the JSS internship programme is a two-year programme. The teachers signed this fully aware of the duration. They were also cognisant that after the two years, they would automatically be confirmed. Therefore, those who have just served for a year cannot expect us to confirm them now, as we have plans to confirm them when their internship programme concludes. We are currently confirming the 20,000 teachers whose internships are ending this year. Next year, we will confirm the rest. That is how we planned this Budget, and therefore, I urge the public to desist from politicising this issue. This programme was initiated to help the country manage the teacher crisis. Many teachers remained unemployed, and we also need teachers to assist us in our schools. In the next financial year, we are going to budget sufficient funds to confirm the next cohort.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, under our Constitution, this is the office charged with keeping our books and records. It also ensures integrity in our financial systems, yet it has been consistently underfunded for many years. The Office of the Auditor-General is understaffed and not fully supported. Sometimes, it is subjected to political harassment.

As a House, this is one of the offices we should support, as it is one of the tools we have at our disposal as Members of Parliament to exercise oversight. Year in, year out, we underfund it and do not seem to engage in serious discourse on how to make it more effective.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng): Thank you.

In the future, without efficiency and accountability, which are the core functions of this Office, we will never have any money due to misuse, theft and other problems we have with development expenditure.

Thank you. The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Chairman, is it true that this office is underfunded?

No. I think Hon. Caroli does not have the facts. As a matter of fact, this is an institution that is directly oversighted by the Budget and Appropriations Committee. We have consistently increased its budget every year, including through supplementary allocations. In this Budget alone, we are even funding them to engage in development programmes. They are even building another office in Mombasa. Bwana Caroli, please note that they do not need an allocation of Ksh20 billion for you to feel that they are overfunded. They are funded, and their programmes are doing very well— even for the construction in Mombasa. In the last Budget, we allocated them Ksh400 million, and we have allocated them an additional Ksh400 million in this Budget. So, Hon. Caroli, they are okay.

All we want to say is that the Linda Wananchi team always complain about… The Temporary Chairman

: Did you have to go there, really?

They are always saying that institutions are underfunded, yet they are also saying that we should not borrow.

The Temporary Chairman

: To add on that, Hon. Caroli, for the first time, this office now has full authority over its budget. Under this particular Chairmanship, we have given them a single budget line. We do not tell them what to do with it.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I think as a House governed by law, we should be very careful as to how we expend money especially on

issues to do with the Budget. I am happy the Leader of the Majority Party has come, because I am aware that he sent a memo on 19th August 2025: NA/LOM/2025/059, requesting for the establishment of additional offices for the Leader of the Majority Party and Leader of the Minority Party, both in the Senate and the National Assembly. I am also aware that this request was approved by the Board of Management on 25th November 2025. I can read the costing including the rental and other costings. I only hope that…

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Let me finish. I only hope that this particular expenditure is not covered in this Budget.

The Temporary Chairman

: What is out of order? Let me hear from Hon. Ichung’wah.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, you know Hon. Caroli Omondi is fond of these things just to speak to the gallery. But I cannot allow him to use my name or that of the Office of the Leader of the Majority Party, insinuating that there are memos done I do not know by who, that are not tabled before this House. He cannot be alluding to things that are not in the purview of the House. What we are discussing is the Budget and not memos.

If Hon. Caroli Omondi wants to discuss or debate any memos from my office or from that market in Suba South, he has to table those documents here for you to scrutinise whether they are legit documents. This is because he is fond of this. Just collecting gutter things from out there and parading them in the House, just to speak to the people out there. So that he can record videos and circulate out there. We know you and we will not allow you to misuse this House.

The Temporary Chairman

: Order. Hon. Caroli, Hon. Ichung’wah is saying that you picked this letter from Machakos in the last rally on Linda Mwananchi.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I am ready to table the documents.

The office rent has been set at 3,000. Staff emoluments…Order. The Temporary Chairman

: Order.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Atandi, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I just wanted to make a comment on the submission by Hon. Caroli Omondi. The Budget and Appropriations Committee oversee Parliamentary Service Commission. We went through all the vote lines. We never saw anything like what Hon. Caroli Omondi is talking about. I am bitter with Hon. Caroli Omondi because he recently exposed my governor. He sent my governor to his Constituency to do a rally. Then my governor was beaten almost to death while Hon. Caroli was here in Nairobi.

And he has not given me a statement. Hon. Caroli, please desist from running propaganda in the budget-making process. Thank you.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Caroli Omondi, you know very well that we cannot admit or even allow you to read a document from your phone. You have not submitted it to the Speaker for approval and tabling so that then you make it part of the debate. It is just not what happens.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am raising this issue so that this House gives the country an assurance that such illegality is not committed. Because the Leaders of the Majority and Minority parties are already provided for offices. If they want extra offices, the political parties that nominated them are already funded by the public...

The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you. I think you have made your point. Hon. Ichung’wah, what is...

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I was just begging that you stop Hon. Caroli Omondi on his tracks. Because all he does, as I said, is collect, allow me to use the word rubbish, from whatever gutter he collects from.

The Temporary Chairman

: No. We cannot use the word rubbish in the House. Order. Use another term.

All manner of irrelevant, unnecessary and useless things. He just seeks the opportunity to get the microphone from the Speaker to speak to things that do not exist. Our Standing Orders are very clear. I know Hon. Caroli Omondi is serving his First Term. Honestly, for someone who purports to be a lawyer, four years into your term, you should have read your Standing Orders and understood them. You should know there are things you can say in funerals, like those funerals you are sending your governor to beat him up, but not here…

The Temporary Chairman

: Okay. Thank you.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, allow me to finish. I hear Hon. Caroli Omondi shouting from his seat that I address an issue. There is no issue to speak to. Indeed, I cannot address anything raised by you. Because you have no capacity to raise anything worth being addressed by a Leader of the Majority party leave alone the…

The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you very much, Hon. Zamzam.

Naibu Mwenyekiti wa Muda, wajua taifa hili linajengwa kwa kufuata sheria. Lakini tukianza kuendekeza fitIna na kuiweka mbele, ndiyo inachoma taifa. Hata hii budget ya State House, wanazunguka wakisema ni ya mandazi ilhali wanajua kuwa kuna wafanyikazi pale. Kuna State House nyingi ambazo zinafaa kuangaliwa, kuna usafiri wa nje na mambo mengine mengi. Kwa hivyo, hizi fitina ambazo wanazunguka wakieneza ndizo zinazochoma taifa.

Na mimi nataka kuwaambia, hata jana nilimwambia hapa Mhe. Ndindi Nyoro kuwa, alikuwa Chairman wa Kamati ya Bajeti na Uidhinishaji wa Matumizi. Amegeuza mambo kuwa

ya kutafuta clips za kuweka kwa TikTok, sijui mama Zamzam. Mimi nitasema ukweli. Hata ile Ksh5 billion ya youth, wakati ule, pesa hizo zilikuwa zinaenda sehemu moja. Sasa hivi, zinazunguka Kenya nzima kwa sababu Rais William Samoei Ruto ameamua kugawa kila kitu Kenya nzima. Leo, wamekuja tena kuleta fitina.

Hatuwezivunja wala kuchoma Kenya kwa sababu ya fitina. Vile tulipigana na ile Finance Bill nyingine ikaenda, mara hii tunasema haki na usawa. Na kama mnajifunza kuwa opposition, tujiulize kama sisi tulikuwa tunasema mambo ya kimsingi na sio fitina. Kwa hivyo, mara hii Bunge hili lazima lifuate sheria. Kenya hii ni yetu sote na hatuwezi kukubali ichomwe huku tukiangalia.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): This is spent. It is ordered that any reference to any document from Hon. Caroli Omondi’s phone is expunged from the record because it was not introduced to the House procedurally and therefore, will not be part of The Hansard. Hon. Members, we proceed to decide.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I support this, especially on training because, as has been very evident a few minutes ago, there are Members who need reorientation so that they understand the rules of this House not to bring issues from pressure groups for us to come here and debate instead of following the procedures that are required in this House.

So, I support this for that particular reason. Thank you.

Hon. Mwenje.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. One of the issues with Parliament is that in the next financial year, we will be having a form of feedback programme that will incorporate the youth. Therefore, it is important that we fund Parliament sufficiently so that there is feedback. Even when the youth out there, feel that Parliament is receiving some of the information that they need, we can debate it here and they can be heard. More importantly, we should give them feedback. We know that the Speaker is coming up with a wonderful programme that will affect several constituencies, mine included. Obviously, as it is rolled out, the youth feel they are part and parcel of the legislative process.

Thank you. Hon. Nyikal. Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal (Seme, ODM) As I rise to support this, I want to bring to our attention that I have noted staff in our constituency offices do not have a health cover other than the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which they had then, and now the Social Health Authority (SHA) . When they get sick, it becomes a problem. I know it is a new thing but I just want us to start thinking about it. This is a time to think about how we can cover them when we are well covered. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Wandeto.

Thank you, Hon. Chairman. The role of Parliament or parliamentarians is legislation, oversight and representation. I just wanted it to be on record that, as we come to the end of this budget discussion, I had indeed written a memo to the Speaker showing how I could save this country Ksh91 billion from this budget but I do not know whether we have inadequate staff because my memo seems to have been lost in the system. I have been looking for it from the Office of the Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Office to Hon. Samuel Atandi’s office but it is lost. As we conclude this, the country has lost Ksh91 billion, which I would have saved. It is very sad. If it requires Parliament to have more money, let it be given more money so that at least we can save the Ksh91 billion that I was hoping to save by my memo being admitted.

Sorry about that. Just do another memo. Hon. Members, I now put the question.

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda,

Ngoja kidogo. Kulet down kwa Kiswahili ni nini?

Order! We said you have to choose the language you are going to use. We cannot do that. Go ahead and tell us what kulet down means.

Sawa, shemeji yangu. Hawa

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. I support the allocation to the Senate with some observations.

We have noted a lot of duplication between the Senate and the National Assembly including overreach in which the Senate behaves as the National Assembly. The Senate finds what we oversee, a bit appetising especially when there are issues like fuel. Even when a matter does not concern the Senate, they are usually the first ones to rush to invite Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries to the Senate to explain issues that should be done by the National Assembly. It is very important not to waste the tax payers’ money on Senate duplicating work of the National Assembly. Let them concentrate on oversight.

The Temporary Chairman

: Thank you. Hon. Pukose.

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda, nilikuwa nimeomba nafasi ya kuchangia wakati Mheshimiwa wa Tetu alipokuwa akijaribu kupotosha Bunge kwa kudai kwamba amefanikiwa kukata zaidi ya bilioni tisaini na moja. Hayo ni mambo ya kusema tu.

Hata hivyo, tunapoelekea katika mazungumzo ya maridhiano kati ya Seneti na Bunge la Taifa, tunaweza kuzingatia uwezekano wa kupunguza sehemu kidogo ya bajeti ya Seneti na kuelekeza fedha hizo kwa kaunti. Hii ni kwa sababu wamekuwa wakisisitiza kwamba mgao wa kaunti uongezwe ufike zaidi ya bilioni mia nne na hamsini. Tunaweza kata kama bilioni tatu kutoka pesa yao ya safari za ngambo na kuelekeza fedha hizo kwa serikali za kaunti ili kuimarisha utoaji wa huduma kwa wananchi.

Kwa hoja ya nidhamu, Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda.

The Temporary Chairman

: Kiongozi wa Chama cha Walio Wengi.

Niko kwenye hoja ya nidhamu. The Temporary Chairman

: Haukuwa kwenye hoja ya nidhamu.

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda, kwa kuwa umenipa nafasi, ningependa kumwomba Mhe. Pukose ajiepushe kujadili masuala ambayo yamo kwa Kamati ya Upatanishi kati ya Bunge la Taifa na Seneti kuhusu mgao wa pesa za

serikali gatuzi. Akiwa naibu wa mwenyekiti, anajua mwenyekiti wake amefikiana na mwenyekiti wa Seneti. Kwa hivyo, tuzisema mambo ambayo yanaweza kuleta mtafaruku.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hapo umeenda sana na kumpotesa Mhe. Atandi. Hon. Atandi, Hon. Ichung’wah has said that Hon. Pukose should let the Senate be and let the National Assembly be. That is what he has said is many words in Kiswahili.

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda, Kiongozi wa Chama cha Waliowengi amenipa mawazo yake na sitasema mengi kupita hapo.

Ila tu kusema kwamba kuna baadhi ya kamati za Seneti ambazo mara nyingi, hujihusisha na masuala ya Jumba hili. Wakati tunapojadili kuhusu mgao wa fedha, tutumie equity kulingana na idadi ya watu tuko nao kwa Jumba hili na wale walioko Seneti.

The Temporary Chairman

: Asante sana. Mhe. Oundo, utakuwa wa mwisho.

I want to communicate. I normally use Kiswahili in political rallies.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman, for this opportunity. I wish to support the allocation to the Senate…

The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Zamzam, hamna upotovu wa nidhamu kabisa.

I am the one who has said I do not want to communicate in Kiswahili because I may not be able to put my points across.

The Temporary Chairman

: Go ahead.

What I am saying is that I support the allocation to the Senate and as I support, I just want to make two comments. Let them use the amount to oversee the county governments so as to avoid bleeding, wastage and duplication.

Secondly, I just want to plead with them since we are brothers and sisters, that we should not feel jealous of each other. They should not go out of their way to frustrate the National Assembly in execution of its work. It is very unfair for the Senate to make an appearance against the National Assembly in any form of litigation. We have never opposed them and we have gone out of our way to give them whatever they ask for. They should also let us live as they live well because we are also trying to live well.

Finally, I wish to appeal to the two Speakers, as my colleague has said, to address the issue of duplication between the two Houses. It results in waste of resources. We could save a lot if each House understood their mandate and executed it without encroaching on each other’s mandate and duplicating roles.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman.

Hon. Nyikal, lastly.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairman. As I support this initiative, one of the programmes under it is intergovernmental relations, an area

where, as a country, we continue to experience many challenges. It serves as the link between national government and the county governments. If I take the example of Health, the last time we passed money here for Universal Health Care workers, we really did not get through to do what we wanted because the link between the National Government and county government even in the Senate did not work. We have done it again, so I hope they will be cooperative and get that done. If you look at the Primary Health Care Fund, this is money that will be transferred to the counties. If the Fund, including the Facility Improvement Fund, do not work effectively, we will not get much from it. So, if they can look at the Intergovernmental Relations properly so that the National Government and the county governments can work smoothly, it will help the country a lot.

I support. The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): Hon. Members, we need to decide on this. Hon. Rindikiri.

I ride on what is happening in the Vote and particularly, on the Senate. There is money appropriated through the National Assembly and the State Department of Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works. That is money that normally comes from the donors particularly the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) and Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) , the one that goes to urban development. This is a good thing because the National Assembly is the one that is actually supposed to be overseeing. The Senate does not do that. We, in the National Assembly, do not ask for any oversight responsibilities on it but we still do it, so really the Senate needs to appreciate that we are doing so much.

Secondly, there is unconditional grant particularly in the road sector. The Senate must appreciate the responsibility of the National Assembly.

Put the Question.

The Temporary Chairman

: Hon. Members, this marks the end of the Committee of Supply. I thank the Members who have taken their time to be here this afternoon. Members who go through this process—and Hon. Ichung’wah will tell you this— leave this House quite enriched because this is really the budget-making process. It is not the debate we had yesterday.

I thank you so much for creating time to be in the House this afternoon and evening.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee of Supply do report to the House its consideration of the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/2027 and its approval thereof without amendments.

The Temporary Chairman (Hon. David Ochieng’): This is the first time in a long time— because I have been in the House for a while now—that we have concluded the Committee of Supply without a single amendment. Congratulations to the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and Leader of the Majority Party.

Chairperson.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has considered the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/2027 and approved the same without amendments.

Mover.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Report of the Committee of Supply in its consideration of the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/2027, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 221 of the Constitution, Section 39 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 (Cap. 412A) and Standing Order 240 (A) approves the issuance of a sum of Ksh2,923,706,913,184 from the Consolidated Fund to meet the expenditure of the National Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary during the Year ending 30th June 2027 in respect of the Votes as contained in the Schedule to the Supplementary Order Paper.

I also request Hon. (Dr) Pukose to second the Motion.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I take this opportunity to thank Members and particularly appreciate the Chairpersons of Departmental Committees who dedicated part of their recess to work together with the Budget and Appropriations Committee in considering these Estimates.

Let me also, in a very special way, appreciate the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, his Vice-Chairperson and all the Members of that Committee. As you can see, Hon. Nyakundi, Hon. David Ochieng’ and many others, including Hon. Jematiah, have sat through this process and dedicated a lot of their time to ensure that we conclude it successfully.

Lastly, as the Chairperson of the Committee noted, we have gone through the Committee of Supply without amendments. I must commend the consultative process that has gone on between the Chairpersons of the Departmental Committees, the Chairperson of the

Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of the National Treasury and Economic Planning. That is Hon. John Mbadi who is a great Cabinet Secretary, the expert from ODM, FCPA Hon. John Ng’ongo Mbadi.

Hon. Members may I put the question?

Yes.

05 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 9th June 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

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