Thursday, 4th June, 2026

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Serjeant-at-arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.

Honourable Senators, kindly take your seats. We now have quorum. Clerk, kindly call the first order.

The delegation comprises 12 researchers from the institution who are on a benchmarking visit to the Senate. I request each member of the delegation to stand when called out so that you may be acknowledged as per the Senate tradition-

Our visitors by now have noticed that I am the most sabotaged Senator in this House. My equipment almost always never works.

I take this opportunity, on behalf of the House, to welcome the team from KIRDI. Indeed, this morning, I had a conversation with my team about the place of industrialisation in the development of nations. It has worked in other places and those of us who have never been in government do not understand why we have not been able to achieve the levels of industrialisation that other countries have.

Part of the conversation - and I am not saying that this might be true in the case of KIRDI - was that we do not utilise the talent we have in this country. There are brilliant young Kenyans in all these spaces. They put out wonderful materials about how we can encourage investment in industry, deal with the cost of energy, the sort of infrastructure and taxation measures that we need to put in to encourage investment on industry. Somehow, when it comes to implementation, we see that maybe all of this knowledge is not being put to use.

We hope that in future we can have dispensations where there is appreciation of meritocracy and technical knowhow to see that some of the research that you are putting out finds its way in government policy implementation.

Karibu to the Senate. I hope you have a good afternoon.

Senator for Nandi, kindly take your seat.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. My name is Karungo wa Thang’wa. I am your Senator. That is PCEA Gichuru Memorial High School. The school is in Kikuyu Constituency, in Gikambura, Karai. It is a very beautiful school with bright students.

The school is a testimony that the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) works. The reason I am saying that is because I am one of the supporters of NG-CDF. Whenever people say that NG-CDF is not constitutional, I always support NG-CDF because it works with or without the MPs. Therefore, I take this opportunity to welcome the students even those from Embu. The Speaker gave me permission to invite the students from Embu. It is a good coincidence.

Sen. Karungo, you may want to allow your colleague to do the honours.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, now that he is here, I will allow him to do so. However, I will say that it was a good coincidence because I come from Kiambu, which ends with “mbu” and Embu also. So, you can see we are one people and that is why I wanted to welcome them. Their Senator is here and he can go ahead and do that.

For the students of PCEA Gichuru Memorial High School, when you go back home, say hello to your parents and tell them I am still fighting for their rights and development.

Sen. Mundigi, you may proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii nikaribishe shule ya Seven Forks. Iko Mbeere, Embu. Karibuni sana siku ya leo. Mumekuja kujifunza yale mambo tunafanya hapa Seneti.

Seven Forks ni moja ya shule katika kaunti ya Embu ambazo wanafunzi wanasoma vizuri. Pia, imeunganisha watu wa vijiji na wafanyikazi wa Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) . Ningewaomba ninyi mumekuja siku ya leo muangalie kile tunafanya kwa sababu tunaongea mambo ya devolution katika mashinani.

Ninawaomba msome vizuri. Pia, mjiepushe na mambo ya dawa za kulevya na bangi ili mheshimiwe kwa sababu wafanyikazi wa KenGen katika Kenya wanaheshimika. Nimekaa hapo katika Seven Forks na nimefanya kazi hapo miaka thelathini. Nilikuwa huko na nikakuja hapa. Sasa mimi ni Seneta. Mkikaa na msome vizuri, mtakuwa maseneta, spika au rais.

Bw. Spika, ninashukuru KenGen kwa sababu mwaka jana walifanya Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wakati dormitory ilichomeka hata kama si watoto waligoma. Ilichomeka yenyewe lakini bahati mzuri KenGen ilitoa mchango wa Shilingi milioni 850. Mkirudi nyumbani muwe mumejifunza na muelimishe wale wengine.

Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to request for a statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the challenges facing mango farmers in Embu County.

Mango farming is a critical economic activity and a major source of livelihood for many residents of Embu County, particularly in Karurumo, Kanyuambora, Mbeti South, Mavuria and Nthawa wards. Despite the sector's great potential, farmers continue to face significant challenges, especially during harvesting seasons due to inadequate and unreliable markets, leading to substantial post-harvest losses and low returns.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) . The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration or any member from that Committee.

Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , the Senate Majority Leader.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.57 (1) , to present the business for the week commencing Tuesday, 9th June, 2026.

Before I proceed to make the statement, allow me to take this opportunity to welcome hon. Senators back from the recess period.

With respect to the business before the Senate, the status is as follows-

Works, Housing and Urban Development and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

The tentative business for the afternoon sitting on Wednesday, 10th June, 2026, will include business not concluded on Tuesday's Order Paper and the following-

Bills at Second Reading-

Sen. Karungo Thang’wa.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the protection of property rights and security of residents of Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County, following reports of harassment, intimidation and threatened unlawful eviction.

The residents of Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru state that they are bona fide purchasers of parcels of land acquired from the estate of the late James Kanyotu and that they hold valid ownership documents. However, their ownership and occupation of the land has been challenged by one Mr. Willy Kihara Njoki, who claims to be the sole beneficiary of the estate and disputes the legality of the previous land transactions.

The dispute has escalated into threats, intimidation, destruction of property and attempts to forcibly evict the residents. The affected residents further state that their complaints to law enforcement agencies have not resulted in adequate protection or investigations. There also concerns regarding missing or unavailable land records at the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, which has further complicated the dispute and undermined public confidence in land administration systems.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the implementation and transparency of the school feeding programme.

The National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya, (NCONEK) , is a semi- autonomous agency under the Ministry of Education, is the primary implementer of school feeding programmes targeting food insecure and marginalised communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) with the aim of supporting vulnerable populations affected by drought, food insecurity and other humanitarian challenges.

Given the substantial public resources invested in this programme, there is a need for transparency and accountability in the sourcing, allocation and distribution of food supplies to ensure that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries and that public funds are utilised prudently and effectively.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of national concern regarding the transition rate in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya.

While the CBC was introduced in line with Kenya's Vision 2030 and global workforce needs to equip learners with practical skills and reduce reliance on high-stakes

examinations, its success is undermined if learners drop out before completing transitions, exposing them to risks such as child labour and early marriages.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a matter of urgent national importance concerning the country's preparedness for the anticipated super El Nino conditions and associated extreme weather risks.

Recent advisories from international and national meteorological agencies, including warnings by the United Nations (UN) through the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) , indicate a high likelihood of the onset and intensification of super El Nino in the coming months.

The UN has cautioned that such an event could trigger severe and widespread climate extremes, including intense rainfall, catastrophic flooding, landslides and significant humanitarian impact, particularly in vulnerable regions. These projected conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to livelihood, infrastructure and national stability.

The country risks experiencing heavy rainfall, flash floods, strong winds, displacement of communities, destruction of property, disruption of transport networks, damage to the public infrastructure, disease outbreak and interruptions of economic activities on a potentially unprecedented scale.

Kenya has previously endured the devastating consequences of inadequate preparedness during periods of intense rainfall. In Nairobi County and other vulnerable urban areas, flooding has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of homes, displacement of roads, bridges, drainage systems and public utilities. These experiences demonstrate that early warnings were not matched with decisive and coordinated action and exposed citizens to avoidable sufferings and loss.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, of particular and urgent concerns are flood-prone counties and regions where access roads, bridges, drainage systems and emergency responses infrastructure remain inadequate or fragile. In Narok County, for instance, areas such as Narok West, Emurua Dikirr and Narok South face a real risk of being cut off when rivers swell and crossings are submerged.

Critical access points, including the Double Cross area and the Mara Bridge within the Maasai Mara ecosystems require immediate assessment, reinforcement and contingency planning to prevent the isolation of communities, tourists, hospital facilities, emergency responders and essential service providers.

In the statement, the Committee should urgently address the following-

Sen. Olekina, stick to the version that I approved.

It is the one that I am reading.

No, you are reading from your phone.

It is much clearer; the font is so small for this one.

No, I can follow. The font in your phone is much smaller.

I can make it bigger. Anyway, let me just try to finish it. Umefanya hata nisahau.

Try your best.

In the statement, the Committee should urgently address the following-

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. Just a few comments on the statement sought by Sen. Karungo wa Thang’wa of Kiambu County on the Two Rivers Crescent Estate where more than 100 families occupy over 35 acres in Ruiru Town.

It is very unfortunate because most Kenyans, including us in this House, sacrifice so much to acquire property yet, the title deed now looks like just a piece of paper. How is it that residents of Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru Town in Kiambu County live at the mercy of goons? The other day, we were discussing goons in our politics, but it looks like there are goons in property also.

These residents have sale agreements; they bought it from the former Spy Chief, Kanyotu. They have every documentation to show ownership and possession and they have even built their houses. It is very unfortunate; the title deed should at least mean something in this country.

I call out the Inspector General (IG) of Police, the Officer in Charge of Station (OCS) and Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) , Ruiru because when goons attack these families, they fail to go and give them the necessary support. The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, must be called to order. He must ensure that there is protection.

This issue of goons will come and eat this nation; it is a cancer. If we cannot stop it in politics and on issues of property such as what we are seeing in Two Rivers Crescent Estate , it is very unfortunate. Police must know that as per their slogan, “Utumishi kwa Wote”, which means service to all, they should serve all. Even the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and National Administration must be called to order because of his lack of foresight and leadership. He must ensure the residents of the Crescent Two Rivers Estate in Ruiru are protected.

Finally, on Sen. Mundigi’s statement on the issue of mangoes, there is a problem. Today in one of the shows, we were discussing that farmers in this country still have a long way to go. Even us, the tea farmers, are suffering because of the issue of bonuses and pricing. Are you aware that there is more than nine million kilogrammes of tea that is yet to be auctioned in Mombasa? What is the net effect? This will affect the bonus and prices for tea farmers in this country, where 80 per cent of farmers in Nandi County grow tea. This includes other farmers of mangoes, nuts and dairy. We must stand with them and ensure that they get what is rightfully theirs because they feed this nation.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, allow me---

Sen. Eddy Oketch, proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you for this opportunity as I also appreciate Sen. Ledama Olekina for bringing this statement.

Time without number in this country, we have seen that when disaster is looming, there is no serious preparedness. There is no organisation at the national and county levels that includes even the formation of multi-urgency teams that can coordinate between counties and the national Government. Disaster management in this country should be a serious coordination between the national and county governments because these realities are affecting us at the grassroots level.

Between where Sen. Ledama and I come from, there is a river called Mogor River just outside the President's House. It connects many people in Lolgorian area all the way to Narok, Kilgoris and Migori. That bridge is washed away every single time a disaster happens. The Maasai, the Kuria and the Luo from that area cannot do business and yet, that area is the cornerstone of all the production that this country depends on.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I am speaking to you right now, Migori County is border number three in the country in terms of connecting Tanzania and actually on the southern border to our country. Do you know that for three months now since the Migori River Bridge was washed away, there has not been a proper response to mitigate the problem that we are facing with that place? It means that all the trucks coming with goods all the way from Mariakani going to South Africa, Mozambique and the southern part of this country cannot pass there.

In fact, the damage is so bad to the extent that the small roads that we now have in Migori County; the roads that we made with the small money that we get from the Migori County Government with small bitumen here and there, are now being damaged because the trucks are now being rerouted to them. You know how we have fought so much for the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to be given to counties to maintain roads.

The issues of disaster management is something that we must take very seriously because they affect our county's economic architecture directly. What Sen. Ledama has put here should probably be given priority by the relevant committee to the extent that if possible, the hand of the Senate must be in the preparedness that could come because of this El Nino.

I support and I thank you.

Sen. Mungatana.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you. I support the statement by the Hon. Mundigi on the issue of mangoes. The problem that Sen. Mundigi is raising for the markets of mangoes is similar to what we have in Tana River County. The first point I want the committee to look at is why sugar, tea and coffee are given such government support in terms of markets and mangoes are discriminated against.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want the committee to have a clear discussion. Why is it that 63 years after independence, we are still favouring tea, sugar and coffee, and not mangoes? In Tana River County, for example, we are suffering because even the effort that the ministry made was fake. The Coast Development Authority (CDA) misled the President into opening a factory that was supposed to crush mangoes. I attended that

function; it was pomp and colour. They said that they will be crushing 1.5 metric tonnes of mangoes every day. To date, since the day the President was there, it has not worked.

It started operating in 2017. On 4th April, 2023, when the President commissioned it, it has not functioned yet. They said they would be producing mango juice and mango pulp, but it is not working. A total of Kshs245 million was spent on that plant, but it is not benefiting the Galole farmers at Boji. The food factory that was supposed to be working with the Coast Development Authority has not been functional.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I call upon the committee, when they are looking at the markets for mangoes, to expand their investigations to cover counties, not only Embu County, but also Tana River, so that the people of Kenya, the people of Tana River and the farmers whose mangoes are rotting in their farms know the truth. How can a factory exist in Tana River County? How can the President open such a factory, put in Kshs245 million and the mango farmers do not have a market for their produce?

Sen. M. Kajwang’, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to make very brief comments on the statement that has been brought to the House by Sen. Ladema Olekina on the emerging El Niño threat.

The Secretary General of the United Nations said that every citizen must have access to early warning systems. The warning has been given, but we seem not to be doing anything. From where we sit, where we look at the preparedness of counties from a financial perspective, we must now encourage and push the message that the emergency funds and the disaster funds be activated because that has already been provided for in law.

This country is going to have interesting problems. Problems sometimes are out of our own making, including problems from global shocks. We are already seeing the effects of the Iran war on fuel prices and the effects of the Ebola pandemic, even on the politics of this country. If the El Niño comes, I hope it will not be the final straw that breaks the camel's back.

The Senator who sits behind me, I have forgotten her name just at this very moment, Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, has talked about the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NCONEK) . It must be known that nomadic education does not only apply to the ASALs and northern Kenya. Even though we, the people of the lake are fishermen, we are nomadic fishermen and we want this Council to give us that food.

It is wrong that the nomadic fishermen who move from Mfangano to Takawiri, Remba, Kiwa, Rusinga all the way to Sigulu in Uganda and other islands of Tanzania in search of fish--- We must also be given this food so that our children can stay in school and then we come back home.

Development, a Ministry that is run by an expert from ODM, was sent to the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Capital Development. If it were necessary for some elections somewhere, then it needs to be brought back to the relevant ministry.

Finally, on Sen. Sifuna's statement, I am a CBC parent and I am extremely concerned that this CBC favours children in private institutions---

Sen. Kinyua, you may proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kwanza kabisa nataka kuchangia kauli iliyoletwa na Sen. Karungo Thang’wa kuhusu mgogoro wa shamba la Two Rivers Crescent Estate.

Jambo hili la mgogoro wa mashamba limekuwa sugu. Huyu Bw. Willy Kihara ametajwa hapa na sio sehemu hiyo peke yake. Ukienda upande wa Imani kule Ruiru, amekuwa na haya mambo ya kufuatilia mashamba ambayo watu wanataka kufukuza wengine na kuwaletea wakora waweze kuwahangaisha. Watu hawa wana hati miliki za mashamba. Wengi wao, hata wamechukua mikopo kwa kutumia zile hati miliki za mashamba. Kwa hivyo, wana haki kisheria kuishi katika sehemu hizo.

Watu hawa tayari wameripoti hao wakora na majangili ambao wanawasumbua lakini hakuna hatua yoyote ambayo maafisa wa usalama ama maafisa wa ujasusi wamechukua. Kwa hivyo, kamati inayohusika inapaswa iangazie jambo hili kwa mapana na marefu ndiposa waweze kuleta uwiano katika jamii.

Kuhusu chakula ambacho kinapeanwa katika shule na kauli iliyowasilishwa na Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, kunapaswa kuwa na usawa. Katika wizara ambayo chakula hiki kimepelekwa, kimekuwa kikitumiwa badala ya kupewa watu wanaohitaji. Katika Kamati ya Elimu ambayo tunashughulikia watoto, idadi ya watoto wanaojisajili katika shule za chekechea ambapo wanapewa chakula inaongezeka.

Tukiangalia jinsi chakula hiki kinapewa katika shule za msingi na vile vile kinapewa katika wizara, wizara hii haishughulikii watoto wanaofaa kupata chakula hicho. Chakula hicho sasa kinatumika kufanyia siasa. Kinapelekwa sehemu fulani na watu wanaitwa na kuambiwa watapewa chakula ilhali ni watu ambao hawahitaji chakula hicho.

Watu hao wanakuja tu kwa sababu watu wengi wanapenda vitu vya bwerere. Kwa hivyo wanaitwa, wanapewa mchele na mafuta ambayo ingetumika shuleni, mahali ambapo kuna hitaji. Chakula kama hiki kinapaswa kuletwa mahali kunaitwa Kwetu, mahali ambapo kuna ukame.

Sen. Sifuna, you may proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, first, I want to tell my brother, Sen. M. Kajwang’, that when you have an important function like a wedding, make sure that you get your own coat because you do not go to a wedding with somebody else’s coat. You can be told to remove it at any point. He knows what I am talking about.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to just make brief comments on the statement that has been brought by Sen. Ledama Olekina. Indeed, we should all be gravely concerned about the spectre of El Niño, and we must be a country that listens to experts. Previous experiences with serious flooding in 2023/2024, for instance, we lost over 300 lives and there were almost 50,000 people displaced in many counties. Of course, we, in Nairobi here, bore the brunt.

Sen. Olekina, I remember in 2023, we were in this House with you when we were discussing whether, in fact, there was any level of preparedness in Nairobi. You remember, there were fights between the national government and the county governments over where the money for the emergency should be domiciled.

We saw the national government come to the residents of Mathari and make certain promises that were never fulfilled. Now that we have a proper time lead on this one, the warnings are there, and the science is in; there will be no excuses for the national and county governments not to put their act together. In fact, the national government must now tell us or publish a comprehensive El Nino preparedness response plan. We want to know what to do in the event of certain happenings. We want to see emergency evacuation centres being set up and all of us should know where those things are.

Lastly, Sen. Ledama, because when things like this happen, some people take advantage and see a gravy train, we want proper transparency and accountability for any monies that will be utilised in handling this El Nino problem.

As a final comment, Honourable Speaker, on the statement by Sen. Munyi Mundigi. It is not only the farmers in Embu. The other week, we were here when the Senator from Kirinyaga, the Honourable Murango, was talking about the rice farmers in Mwea and Ahero, because people have been allowed to import rice without care about the farmers in Mwea and these other places. We were in Bungoma last week with the Hon. Khalwale and the Hon. Connie Wakwabubi. I do not know if they got the opportunity, but I spoke to the farmers at Nzoia. As we speak, Nzoia Sugar Company is not producing sugar. They have imported sugar and it is in their godowns.

Honourable Speaker, we are sugarcane farmers. We are being told that you need a permit for your sugarcane to be harvested. When you go looking for that permit, you know what it means. You have to grease palms. When did we get to that place? There was a time, Hon. Connie Wakwabubi, when companies used to fight for sugarcane. However, these companies are not interested in milling our sugarcane. They have already imported sugar. They are no longer interested in our sugarcane.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to contribute to this issue of the impending El Nino. That is the global warming system that has been reported in the Pacific Ocean that is expected to really be one of the worst since the late 1800s. I thank Sen. Olekina for bringing this issue to light, even on social media, because it is an issue of grave concern considering there is no discussion in the country, not in the national platform, not in the Kenya Meteorological Service or in the budgetary provision in terms of some impending emergency that is likely to happen any time after October globally.

The predictions that it will affect East Africa - globally the discussion is that it is the worst since 1897 or thereabouts. If that is the case, then there should be an array of emergency planning around this issue by every department; the national government and the county governments are ill-prepared to adequately respond to an issue of such magnitude. It requires a drive by the national government, bringing on board also the county governments, and also setting aside resources, because it is not about whether or not it going to happen. The discussion by the global weather system has already indicated it will happen.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is extremely important, as leaders in this country, that we bring this issue for discussion by everybody. Nairobi City County that is overrun by small floods all the time should prepare by making sure they unclog and open all the drainage systems and improve where it becomes necessary. The national government must really look at the low-lying grounds, for instance, Tana River, where small rains can displace the population there. We also have the flatlands of northern Kenya, where heavy rains incapacitate the little resources we have following destruction of livelihoods and the need for support programmes. Human beings are also displaced.

It is critical as the Senate Future Caucus team picks it up and runs with it because that is the only way we can catalyse what is going to happen. Also, on the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK), there are concerns that have been raised by Sen. Lemaletian. It is extremely critical that transparent distribution of how this NACONEK support is affecting the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and the nomadic community be availed totally in order to make sure that we are not being moved.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Let me make brief comments on the statement sought by Sen. Karungo Thang’wa on the threats that a group of Kenyans are facing in Ruiru. It is very sad. I wish Sen. (Prof.) Kamar was here because she was telling me a story of an individual who uses the land's office to change the title deeds and put title deeds on top of a new title deed, and she almost lost her land. Reading the statement by Sen. Thang’wa, it is a similar situation, where this issue of succession, when they know that somebody is very rich, they sell land, after they are gone and the family having squabbles, then a smart individual who is connected to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development starts using his position to threaten Kenyans and kick them out of their land.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I really believe that Sen. Faki will deal with this statement and make sure that he brings the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) , the National Police Service and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and also that individual, Willy, who is selling land that has already been sold. That matter must be dealt with.

On the second statement by Sen. Lemaletian, it is sad that we have food which is supposed to feed children, so that they remain in school, but the food is being used for business. Seriously, I do not even know the word to use, but it like we were cursed. It is unfortunate that anyone can see a situation like this and just wants to make money out of it. It is sad that this is food, which is supposed to help bring some form of equity, but people are taking advantage. Moving a service, which is supposed to be offered by a particular ministry to another is criminal.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think I need to drink water. We do not even understand the distribution mechanism and sourcing of this food that is supposed to feed children from vulnerable families.

I support this statement by Sen. Hezena and hope that we can really take these matters very seriously to ensure a clear system of accountability; one, that if you take your iPad or your laptop and you go online, you can actually be able to trace where the food came from.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Asante, Mheshimiwa Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii. Kwanza, ninachangia kauli ya Mheshimiwa Olekina kuhusu kujiandaa kwa janga la El Nino. Tukipiga tu kurunzi katika kaunti za Kenya, moto umekuwa ukiteketeza mabweni na mafuriko yamekuwa yakiwasomba watu lakini ukifanya udadasi wa kujiandaa kwa gatuzi zetu, wale ambao wamekuwa wakihudhuria vikao vya Mheshimiwa Kajwang’ wakiangalia jinsi wanavyotumia fedha, kitengo cha kupambana na mikasa ya dharura katika gatuzi zetu yamewekewa pesa nyingi lakini ukienda mashinani, pesa hazionekani. Ni kana kwamba kula kwao ndio dharura na changamoto za dharura. Sasa naomba tuwamulike hawa magavana kwa sababu wanafanya mzaha kwa majanga ili kujinufaisha wenyewe.

Jambo lingine ni kuhusiana na mchakato mzima wa maembe. Nataraji kwamba gatuzi zetu zimepewa kile tunasema maeneo ya viwanda na ukuzaji wa viwanda. Magavana lazima wawe na nyenzo ambazo zinaleta maligavi kama vile mpunga, parachichi, katika maeneo haya ili kuwe na uwezo wa kuhakikisha kwamba bidhaa hizi zinafika sokoni. Ni kinaya kwamba magavana wanaitaka Serikali Kuu iendelee kuwasaidia ilhali wako na pesa. Lazima tuwasukume kwa sababu kama kaunti ya Mheshimiwa Mundigi, ni asilimia 90. Kule Bungoma zaidi ya Shilingi Milioni 200 zimezama. Lakini huku wanazunguka wakiinua vidole, wengine kimoja, wengine viwili, ilihali Wakenya wanapiga miayo na hawajui watapata ruzuku wapi.

Mwisho, wakulima wa miwa, mpunga na macadamia wana haki ya kushughulikiwa na serikali. Vile vile wale wanaofuga ngamia wana haki ya kushughulikiwa na serikali. Kwa hivyo, naomba viongozi wenzangu waliopo hapa watetee wanachotaka. Hata sisi tutawaunga mkono. Lakini usitumie miwa kama nyenzo ya kujitetea peke yako na watu wetu katika mkoa wa magharibi waendelee kuumia.

Mheshimiwa Sifuna amesema kuwa Kamati ya Ukulima, Mifugo na Uvuvi ilikuwa Bungoma kwa taasisi ya ufisadi. Wizari ya Kilimo na Ustawi wa Mifugo, magavana na maseneta walikuwa huko na tulilivalia njuga suala hilo. Wakulima na Wakenya kwa jumla msinyamaze. Pazeni sauti. Kama Maseneta, tutatembea nanyi kuhakikisha fedha za ushuru wenu zinafanya kazi jinsi inavyofaa.

Sen. Madzayo. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Asante, Mtahiki Spika. Kwanza,

Maeneo ya Pwani pia lazima yazingatiwe zaidi. Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale hata Taita Taveta ni maeneo yanayokumbwa vibaya na El Nino. Daraja mbali mbali, hususan maeneo ya Magarini, hukumbwa vibaya na El Nino na watu wengi hufa kwa kubebwa na maji.

Ni muhimu tahadhari kama hii ielezewe watu wote popote walipo. Watabiri wa hali ya hewa na serikali wahusike kutahadharisha watu ili kusiwepo na Mkenya atakayepoteza maisha kwa sababu ya El Nino.

Maeneo ya Budalangi, wengi---

Now honourable Senators, before I call the next Senator to give his comments, allow me to make this Communication.

I will call upon the Senate Minority Leader to welcome these two schools.

Sen. Chemitei.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity you have given me to comment and support the statement read by Hon. Hezena concerning the school feeding programme, especially in schools from nomadic communities and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) . It is a matter of serious concern and needs serious intervention.

The County I represent, Baringo, is among the counties that 70 per of the area is ASAL. My neighbouring counties, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu are also ASALs. If this feeding programme does not take place in the counties I have mentioned, you wonder where it exists.

In addition, in Baringo, due to the heavy rains we witnessed in the month of April, May and June, several schools have been forced to close. Some have been forced to shift their original places due to water increment in water bodies like Baringo. Schools like Loruk, Kambisamak, Mukutani and Kiserian have been closed due to water raise.

We expect the school feeding programme to give support to the schools I have mentioned. However, as we speak, we have never seen the support of the Ministry of Education or the Department of School Feeding Programme. As a House and leadership, we need to intervene and make sure that things are put in order.

Thank you.

Sen. Kavindu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to comment on the statements made by Senators, starting with Sen. Mundigi's statement about mangoes being destroyed by wild animals.

This happens across the country. For example, in Machakos County, we have so many mangoes and avocadoes that go to waste. As you know, once a mango or an avocado is ripe, it goes bad almost immediately. There is no way the farmers can preserve them to sell at a later date.

I call upon the committee that the statement will be committed to, to check across the country and see where mango and avocados trees are planted. The Ministry of Trade, Investments and Industry should intervene and perhaps build factories in each and every county and look for markets outside the country because our farmers are very active and do a lot of work.

It appears they labour for no good reason because everything goes to waste. Sen. Hezena also talked about the school feeding programme. Schools are suffering. Like Members have said, food that is distributed to schools is supplied to people who can afford food to eat yet there are many children suffering in schools.

There is also the issue of teachers. There are not enough teachers in most schools. We met with the Governor of Wajir and he complained that Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers are teaching in primary schools which should not be the case. The Government should employ teachers and deploy them to where they are supposed to go.

Another issue is the El Niño that is expected. It will not affect dry areas but the whole country. Therefore, proper measures should be taken so that our people do not die of rain. Rain should be a blessing and not a disaster.

Hon. Senators, we have long spent the 15 minutes that I had given for this session. Before we move to the next Order, allow me to make this communication.

Hon. Senators, as you will recall, during the afternoon sitting of the Senate held on Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026, while commenting on a Statement sought by Sen. Hamida Kibwana, MP, regarding the rise in cases of missing children in the country and that of Sen. Danson Mungatana, MP, regarding the decade- long ban on night-time travel for public service vehicles along the Malindi-Garsen-Lamu Highway, the Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, MP, stated as follows-

“Recently on this question of Ebola, even after our courts put a halt to that project until we give proper answers to Kenyans, our Government does not care. They are going on with the project. Reports show that activities are going on there and nobody is bothered that our own courts in this country stopped that particular project until we give answers to Kenyans.”

It is at this point that the Senator for Nandi County, Sen. Samson Cherarkey, MP, rose on a point of order, pursuant to Standing Order No.105, challenging Sen. Sifuna to substantiate his allegations that activities at Laikipia Air Base, which is a protected area, were ongoing. I thereupon directed Sen. Sifuna to substantiate his remarks as required under Standing Order No.105 (1) .

Hon. Senators, as you are aware, Standing Order No.105 states that – “ (1) A Senator shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts that the Senator alleges to be true and may be required to substantiate any such facts instantly.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, indeed, that is a proper account of the happenings yesterday. It has turned out that the God that I serve works in mysterious ways.

As we were having that debate, this House was not aware that in fact the Cabinet Secretary for Health had addressed the National Assembly yesterday morning where he confirmed exactly what I said.

I requested that I be allowed facility to play videos today. We have a video of the proceedings of the National Assembly yesterday. I also requested for the HANSARD of the National Assembly. However, before commencement of sitting this afternoon, I was told that the HANSARD of the National Assembly was not ready but I have a letter here that I wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly requesting that the record of those proceedings be made available.

When we started these proceedings, I approached the desk to ask them whether they should have the flash disk delivered up there for the video to be played showing the Cabinet Secretary, indeed, confirming that despite the court order, that project is proceeding.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, at this particular juncture, I request to table both a copy of the letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly requesting for the proceedings and the video of the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Duale, confirming that the project will, indeed, proceed.

You may proceed to table.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I do hereby table a video recording of the proceedings of the National Assembly yesterday, Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026, and a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Samuel Njoroge, CBS, requesting for the HANSARD of the said proceedings.

Thank you. I will review the materials tabled and make a further communication.

Before we move to the next Order, there were two Senators yet to make their comments. Sen. Mandago, you may proceed. Bear in mind that you have under three minutes to do so.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to support the Statement by Sen. Alexander Mundigi regarding mangoes and other fresh produce by farmers that go to waste. There is also mango production in Kerio Valley, West Pokot and Baringo counties. There is need for county governments to establish processing factories.

In the Statement, the Senator sought to know whether the national Government could set aside funds to establish processing plants. I would like to say that this House has been gracious to fight for additional allocation of resources to county governments and every year, there is an increased allocation to the counties. I, therefore, expect our county governments to take advantage of the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) and develop processing plants for fresh produce. I also encourage that counties

work closely with the State Department for Industry so that processing plants can be established.

Sen. Abass, you have three minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I support the statement by Sen. Hezena that the school feeding programme has been in existence for many years. It has helped many young children grow up and complete their studies. However, the programme has many challenges. The food does not reach every corner of this country, especially those areas that need it most. There are many hurdles and many people misuse it. Teachers do not take care of the food. Sometimes they do not have the means to cook and exclude some days for feeding the children. There are children who go to school without breakfast. When they get to school, sometimes, there is no water to cook. There are many challenges.

Another issue is that unscrupulous individuals buy the food and resell it. Therefore, as Sen. Hezena said, we need an audit of this school feeding programme. Instead of procuring food in Nairobi and transporting it all the way to Wajir, Mandera and Turkana, local suppliers should be able to supply the food. This will bring money to the towns and local business people can supply. While I know some food comes from the World Food Programme (WFP) , we should buy from local traders and empower them so they can supply food to schools up to the last mile. That is the only way we can save

costs. Otherwise, the overhead costs, including transportation, are too high. Reducing them will reduce the amount of money used for food supply.

Sen. Abass, you were the last contributor to the statement. Sen. Okenyuri, did you finish? Take two minutes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for your indulgence. I also support Sen. Hezena’s statement briefly by saying that these regions are already disadvantaged. That is why this programme was introduced as a measure to assist them. As a remedial measure, we should not have issues with transparency. Let the process be transparent so that everyone is satisfied that it was a transparent process and that all procedures undertaken are known to the public.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if there are issues ya kichinichini in this programme, it is a big blow, because the students lose and local suppliers who can provide the food are disadvantaged. Let this also be an avenue to empower local suppliers so that we do not rely on the same suppliers for school food. I hope the committee will investigate further and furnish this House with answers on this matter affecting our friends in northern Kenya.

Thank you.

Before we move to the next Order, there is this statement that the chairperson had not allowed. I will use my privilege to allow Sen. Wakwabubi to read it on behalf of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to present this statement on behalf of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration.

I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration for the period January to April

Next Order, Clerk.

The Chairperson, Senate Standing

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. That is a leadership role that my Chair has, that is why he is empowering me.

Thank me also for recognising that he is doing the right thing.

Yes, I am coming to that. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to reply to the Motion on the Report of the Standing Committee on Health, County Oversight and Network Engagement in Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kiambu, Bungoma and Kakamega Counties.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, first, I thank the Members who have contributed to this Motion as well as the Members of the Committee on Health who have done this oversight visits to these six counties. So far, we have done almost 30 counties as I have highlighted in the moving Report. Members have also contributed a lot on it.

We have identified deterioration of infrastructure and severe overcrowding. Deterioration of infrastructure means that there are so many floor cracks, falling ceiling boards and peeled paint. Sometimes when patients come, if the environment is neat and well done, they get mental healing. So, the counties must also take care of the environment of the patients so that, at least, before they are treated and get medication.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I reply to this Motion and give recommendations that the Committee has recommended to the stakeholders concerning the county visit.

The first recommendation is about the Social Health Authority (SHA) reimbursement. The Cabinet Secretary (CS) and SHA department must verify the outstanding reimbursement so that they can reimburse and take care of the monies which the counties have claimed. There must be a prompt payment on the SHA reimbursement.

The second one is infrastructural rehabilitations. There are so many stalled projects in the counties. Therefore, the Council of Governors (CoG) should coordinate and set the specific timelines for the finishing of those stalled projects.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is an issue also on medical equipment and emergency. Emergency issues are very crucial. We have noted that in the counties that we have visited. The county governments must restore all non-functional equipment which have been not been used for long, most of them due to lack of reagents. They must be installed. In addition, all the grounded emergency cars, that is ambulances, must be restored so that they are beneficial to the citizens.

There is an issue of human resource for the health sector. There is a shortage of human resource in all the health facilities we have visited. In that case, there are Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, which the Committee has followed very well. Later, this was recognised in the Division of Revenue. The Cabinet Secretary must now

implement the reports of the UHC workers as permanent and pensionable within 60 days of the adoption of this report.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, still on the human resource staff, there is lack of motivation of the staff who are working in the facilities. There are some who have worked in the facilities for 15 to 20 years, yet when it comes to promotions, they do not even get promoted. They do not get promotion opportunities. Some of them are on contracts while others are casuals. However, when it comes to absorption of those staff, instead of absorbing and making them as a permanent and pensionable, they go ahead and recruit other new staff instead of absorbing the ones on contract.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other issue is the health information system. The Cabinet Secretary must prioritise deploying of national health information systems across all the referral hospitals. Similarly, the county government must invest in digital infrastructure. This will help county governments to have good health records and standardised data accuracy, hence, enhancing accountability of the data.

The other issue is accountability of pharmaceuticals. We have realised that there is shortage of drugs in some counties because of delays in payments to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). KEMSA is not meeting its full rates because of the pending bills of the county governments. We urge the Council of Governors to coordinate the individual data and settle agreements within a maximum of six months. We also noted that when it comes to drugs, due to lack of digital systems in the pharmacies, there are some existing drugs but the doctors would tell the patients to go and buy from outside. However, when we checked the store, the drugs were available. So, there must be a collusion with doctors perhaps owning pharmacies outside the hospitals so that they can get business from their working space.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is another issue of Biomedical Waste Management. County governments must immediately cease open-field burning of biomedical waste, ring-fence emergency capital funds for the repair or installation of certified incinerators, and provide all waste-handling staff with appropriate personal protective equipment.

The other issue is also patients centre, care and accountability which we have noted in all counties we have visited. The facilities must stop detention of the patients over unpaid bills, and develop a social protection and indicate care protocols.

All staff must also wear visible identification name tags. Administratively, it means that we cannot differentiate between patients and doctors. The county governments must enforce that the staff wear visible identification name tags.

The county assemblies must also intensify structured oversight and require a regular progress report on implementation of the Senate resolutions.

The challenges documented in this report are not isolated to the six counties visited but are repeated in many other counties and constitute a national systemic crisis in devolution of the health sector.

The committee calls upon this House to adopt this Report and direct the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Executive Office of the SHA and the county governments to submit the implementation status to the Senate within 60 days of the adoption of the report.

I beg to reply. Pursuant to Standing Order 66 (3), I request that the putting of the question be deferred to a later date.

I request Senator Beatrice to Second.

No need. You are okay now. You have prosecuted your matter perfectly.

Thank you.

It is only for the Chair now to defer the putting of the question.

Next Order.

The Senate Majority Leader is not in the House, so I also defer the Mover’s reply.

Honourable Senators, if you look at the Order Paper from Order No. 10 to 22, all these are divisions. As you know division needs some threshold of Members. Unless the Clerk advises, we can do division. If not, we go to Order No. 23

The Chair, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee was the Vice Chair of the Mediation Committee on Order No. 23. I can see he is not in the House.

CONCERNED THAT, the integration of Junior Secondary Schools within primary school setups has posed major challenges for Junior Secondary teachers, including inadequate training on the new competency-based curriculum, limited opportunities for career advancement, conflict in leadership, decision-making and resource allocation leading to strained relationships with head teachers; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) face critical shortages in essential infrastructure such as laboratories, libraries, ICT hubs, and science equipment necessary for the implementation of the JSS curriculum, coupled with inadequate access to approved learning materials and teaching resources, resulting in inconsistencies in curriculum delivery hindering effective teaching, learning, and overall student development; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development should: - Provide for an independent administrative and operational framework for Junior Secondary Schools to enhance governance, streamline management, and create a more focused learning environment for the learners; Allocate adequate funds for the construction and equipping of Junior Secondary Schools with essential facilities such as science labs, libraries and ICT rooms, and provide adequate learning materials relevant with the curriculum; Offer professional development programs for Junior Secondary School teachers to help them specialize in specific subjects to effectively implement the JSS curriculum; Develop a clear career progression framework for Junior Secondary School teachers, including opportunities for promotions and additional responsibility allowances; Formulate clear policies and guidelines outlining the structure, curriculum, and management of Junior Secondary Schools; and Ensure an optimal teacher-student ratio to facilitate personalized student attention and effective learning. (Motion deferred) Order No. 34 Sen. Miraj also not available.

FURTHER AWARE THAT Kenya has made commendable strides in digital infrastructure and mobile innovation, positioning itself as a potential leader in Africa’s tech-driven future; NOTING THAT in a landmark decision, the African Union Executive Council endorsed the Continental AI Strategy during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, on July 18-19, 2024 to underscore Africa’s commitment to an Africa-centric, development-focused approach to AI, promoting ethical, responsible, and equitable practices; COGNIZANT THAT the Continental AI Strategy calls for unified national approaches among AU Member States to navigate the opportunities of AI-driven change, aiming to strengthen regional and global cooperation and position Africa as a leader in inclusive and responsible AI development;

Honourable Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 9th June, 2026 at