National Assembly Hansard: Tuesday, 13th October, 2026

Hon. Members, I have confirmed that we are in order and so, we shall we proceed. (Several Hon. Members walked along the aisle) Order. Hon. Members on their feet, take your seats.

Hon. Members, I have Message No.9 of 2026 from the Senate.

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 41(4), I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from the Senate regarding the approval of the National Assembly’s amendments to the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, (Senate Bill No.8 of 2026).

The Deputy Whip of the Majority Party.

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

Well done. The next Paper is to be laid by the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

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

Addendum Report of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on its consideration of the Elections (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, (Senate Bill No.29 of 2024). Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

I do not see Hon. Chepkong’a. Chairperson of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation. Hon. Gichimu.

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

Reports of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the following:

Next is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. If the Chairperson is not in, let us have the Vice-Chairperson. Deputy Whip of the Majority Party, are you aware of these Papers to be laid? (Hon. Naomi Waqo spoke off the record) Okay. Let us go on to the Liaison Committee. Hon. Nanok, you have a Paper to lay.

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

Reports of the Liaison Committee on the following:

Next is the Chairperson of Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. If the Chairperson is not here, let us have the Vice-Chairperson.

Is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development ready with his Papers? Is the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development present? Is it the Committee led by Hon. Lochakapong?

Chairperson of Departmental Committee on Finance and Planning, take the nearest seat and lay the Papers you are carrying on the Table of the House. Go ahead.

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

Is the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development present? We shall skip that part.

Next Order.

We have several notices of motions. I cannot see any of the Chairpersons. Is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Delegated Legislation in the House?

Go ahead.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Draft Privileges and Immunities (Africa Finance Corporation) Order, 2026, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 17 of the Privileges and Immunities Act, Cap 179, this House approves the Draft Privileges and Immunities (Africa Finance Corporation) Order, 2026.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Draft Privileges and Immunities (Ford Foundation) Order, 2026, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 17 of the Privileges and Immunities Act, Cap 179, this House approves the Draft Privileges and Immunities (Ford Foundation) Order, 2026. Thank you.

Let us have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. He is not here. Let us have the Chairperson of the Liaison Committee. Hon. Nanok, you have notices of Motion to give. Just use the microphone next to you. Go ahead.

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

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 200 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, this House adopts the Third Quarter Progress Report of the Liaison Committee (January to March 2026), laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 13th October 2026.

Notices for the two Motions are accordingly received.

Hon. Members, for the convenience of the House, I wish to indulge the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. We shall go back to Order No.5 to enable the Chairperson of the said Committee to lay a Paper.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for being gracious and allowing me to lay the Paper.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table: Progress Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on the Implementation of Resolutions of the House on the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) Inquiry and the Kenya-United Kingdom Defence Co- operation Agreement

Very well. Still under Order No.5, I will indulge the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development to also lay her Paper. Hon. Liza Chelule, proceed. (Hon. Silvanus Osoro consulted with Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah) What is out of order, Hon. Silvanus Osoro? The Departmental Committee on Regional Development has a Paper to lay. What is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Hon. Osoro was wondering why we have gone back to laying Papers. I have explained to him that the Chairperson had a Paper to lay, so that he can give a notice of Motion on it.

I had lunch with Hon. Osoro today and I told him to be talking frequently to Hon. Ichung'wah. Hon. Osoro, I told you over lunch that you should be speaking frequently to Hon. Ichung'wah. You will learn many things if you keep talking to him.

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

Report of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development on the Budget Implementation Monitoring for the Financial Year 2025/2026 for the following State Departments —

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Hon. Mulyungi?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Chairperson who is laying the Paper is not audible.

What is out of order, Hon. KJ?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Member who is on the Floor is actually an alumnus of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation. Her problem is how she is using the equipment. Hon. Temporary Speaker, if only you could direct…

Order! Take your seat, Hon. KJ. Hon. Liza Chelule, no one will lecture you in my presence. Go ahead and lay your Paper.

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

Report of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development on the Budget Implementation Monitoring for the Financial Year 2025/2026 for the Following State Departments:

The Paper is accordingly laid. You will wait for your turn to give a notice of Motion on the same.

Next Order.

For the convenience of the House, I will give the opportunity to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. (Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah consulted with Hon. Nelson Koech) Leader of the Majority Party, allow the Chairperson to do his job. He is not listening. It is your turn to give a notice of Motion for the Paper you laid a few minutes ago.

Hon. Speaker, we were actually consulting over the same matter. My apologies.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Progress Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on the implementation of resolutions of the House on the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) Inquiry and the Kenya-

Well done. Hon. Liza Chelule, you earlier on laid a Paper. Now, give a notice of Motion on the same. Give her the right microphone. That microphone had an issue earlier on. Hon. Member, walk to the microphone at the front.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development on Budget Implementation Monitoring for the Financial Year 2025/2026 for the following State Departments, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 13th October 2026 —

Hon. Members, I wish to introduce to you a delegation of Commissioners from the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (ICDP) based in Madrid, Spain. The delegation is on a visit to the country to ascertain the status of efforts to eradicate the death penalty in Kenya.

On my behalf and that of the House, I warmly welcome them to the Parliament of Kenya and wish them fruitful engagements. Karibuni sana.

I thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to welcome, together with the House, the visiting delegation from ICDP. As the Chairperson of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), I work very closely with them on the issue of abolishing the death penalty. As a Caucus, we have also met with them, together with the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC). We were also with them in Arusha last week, where they held a panel discussion, and we participated as PGA on the abolition of the death penalty.

Hon. KJ.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the business that brings this team to Nairobi is very important. Kenya has a precedent. We know that the death penalty ended up in our laws under very unfortunate and traumatic circumstances. However, it is common knowledge that in over 30 years, Kenya is yet to execute a person. The laws, which are sitting in our law books, need to be reviewed and the best place to start the process is in this House. Allow me to welcome this esteemed delegation to the House of Parliament and tell them that the work they are doing is great not only for the job that they do, but also for humanity.

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Next is Hon. Mutuse. One minute for each Member speaking, please.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, on behalf of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation. I also wish to report to the House that earlier in the day, we had a very fruitful engagement with the delegation. We briefed them on our country’s position, including the fact that the National Commission on Administrative Justice (NCAJ) has proposed amendments to various statutes relating to the death sentence. The proposed amendments were brought to Parliament, read a First Time and referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. The Committee has also processed them in line with the court’s determination in the Muruatetu case.

We have carried out public participation and tabled a Report on the same before the House. Through the House Business Committee (HBC), we have requested the House leadership to prioritize the matter to ensure that before we get to the end of the current Parliament, Kenya gets a legal regime that fully recognizes the constitutional right to life and, if that is the consensus of Kenyans, abolish the death sentence. Finally, you are welcome to Kenya. We support giving the right to life full meaning in our laws. We are thankful for your visit.

Member for Ndhiwa.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also welcome the delegation to Kenya. Karibuni sana. I commend you for what you are doing in this space. It has not been proven that execution deters any crime more than long-term imprisonment. Further, the death penalty is applied selectively and discriminatively. We support your work. I am happy that a Bill is coming to enable us to correct that situation in our laws. Welcome and feel at home.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Elachi, lastly.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also wish to thank the Whip of the Minority Party and everyone who has welcomed the delegation. I also appreciate the work we have done and note that, as we maintain the moratorium on the use of the death penalty, it is important for Parliament to come up with a comprehensive way of working with the judicial system and the human rights team as we introduce those amendments. That will enable us to address various Articles that bring in a lot of conflict within the law, particularly Article 26, which is part of the Bill of Rights. We need to lobby and work together.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Member for Suba South.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also join my colleagues in congratulating the delegation and expressing our support for its work. Kenya has been at the forefront of the global fight to abolish the death penalty. On 31st July this year, the French President awarded a Kenyan, Peter Marlinson Ouko, the French National Merit Order for his contributions to the global efforts to abolish the death penalty. Mr Ouko, a former student of Alliance High School, spent 18 years in Kamiti Maximum Prison before the Innocence Project was able to get him justice. Alongside these efforts, Parliament should move with speed to conclude the amendments that seek to decriminalise suicide as an offence.

Finally, I have the pleasure of informing the House that one of our own, Hon. Kipchumba, was awarded the Distinguished Polio Advocacy Award this afternoon by the Rotary World Disability Group. I believe he deserves a round of applause for his service as an anti-polio immunization ambassador around the world.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Well said. Congratulations to him. Let us have Hon. Francis Kimani.

Thank you. As I welcome this delegation, it is important to inform this House that research carried out by various institutions, including the National Academy of Research from the United States of America (USA), has concluded that deterrence depends primarily on the certainty and swiftness of punishment rather than its severity. It is how swiftly the action is taken that deters crime, not just the severity. The process of carrying out a death sentence takes years. By then, people may have forgotten the crime, regardless of its severity. This is a welcome proposal. The JLAC should bring those amendments to this House so that our laws are aligned with international standards.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Members. That should end this. There is no debate, really. We are just welcoming members of ICDP. Hon. Kanyuithia, what is it? Go ahead.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. We are well aware of the fact that the death penalty does not only apply when one person kills another person. It also applies in the event of robbery with violence or attempted robbery with violence, even where nobody dies. This review is important in the sense that it is likely to give somebody who may be a mistaken identity, who may not have committed such a crime, a chance to live. It is a good idea and we embrace it. In Kenya, the death penalty has not been carried out since 1987. That means the country has stayed this particular process. In view of that fact, we believe that, as a country, we are looking at a situation where we shall review our laws to the extent that we do away with the death penalty.

Thank you.

Well said. Members, there is no debate on this matter. Therefore, we shall go on with our substantive business.

Hon. Members, before we proceed to the next Order, join me in welcoming students of the University of Nairobi (UoN) from Starehe Constituency, Nairobi County, who are seated in the Public Gallery; and students of a school which Hon. Mulyungi would read as chumbe, which is spelt out as Kyumbe. They are students of Kyumbe Primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) from Mwingi Central Constituency, Kitui County. They are welcome to follow the proceedings this afternoon and evening in the House of Parliament.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Member for Suba North?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Hon. Babu is requesting for the point of order on my behalf because he is saying that there are comrades in the House and he wants to welcome them. He was away from his sitting place because he was consulting with me.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, where I have reached, even though I was at the University of Nairobi, I am no longer considered a comrade. However, Babu is. I have grandchildren who are 20 years old. Are those grandchildren or grand adults? I am no longer a comrade. Therefore, Hon. Babu can welcome them.

Order. We are now at Order No. 7. (Hon. Millie Odhiambo-Mabona spoke off the record)

Order. The last time I checked, you spoke for the people of Suba North, and not for the people of Embakasi East. Unless you prove to me that Hon. Babu is from Suba North, I am not able to indulge you on that matter. Hon. Babu Owino, you will have a minute.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to welcome comrades from the University of Nairobi. During our time in the comradeship constitution, rule number one stated that a comrade is always right. Rule number two stated that a comrade is never wrong and rule number three stated that if rule number two is wrong, you refer to rule number one - That, a comrade is ever right.

Comrades power!

Order! Member for Dagoretti South! That is way out of order. These are like your sons now. You do not shout from your seat and you know that very well. Therefore, will you take that microphone and apologize for saying, “Comrades power!”?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I would not want to go on record stating the wrong things in this House. Allow me to speak the truth that I was speaking to my friend, comrade and age mate in the university, Hon. Babu Owino. It is only that the communication equipment in this House is so good that it caught my voice. I was just sending

Thank you. We shall now proceed with Order No.7, which had already been called out.

Hon. Kemei, I hope you are aware that you have a statement request to make. Please, go ahead.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is a request for a statement regarding the research, development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Kenya.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No. 44(2)(c), I rise to seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation regarding the research, development, regulation and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.

As we know, AI is rapidly transforming communication, education, health, research, industry and public service delivery. While it presents significant opportunities for innovation, productivity and economic growth, its rapid adoption also raises concerns relating to data processing, privacy, cyber security, employment, academic integrity, accountability and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Notably, there is no clear national framework that promotes AI innovation, while protecting citizens and ensuring that its benefits contribute to Kenya's development practices.

It is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on the following:

Hon. KJ.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank you. I must also thank the Hon. Member for bringing such a timely request for statement. Our Committee shall be reporting next week on a raft of other issues that we need to report to the House. Therefore, we are seeking your magnanimity to allow us two weeks to respond to Hon. Justice Kemei's request.

Hon. Kemei, two weeks is not a long time. Give the microphone to him.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, as much as my request for statement is urgent, the issues being raised on AI are far-reaching and giving the Committee two weeks to respond would be sufficient enough for them to bring comprehensive answers.

Thank you. The second one is the Member for Starehe, Hon. Amos.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Ichung’wah, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, allow me to ride on that request for statement by the Hon. Member for Sigowet/Soin and ask the Chair of the Committee - which I used to call the ICT Committee but Hon. KJ keeps telling me that it is the CII Committee. He tells me that it is because when we joined Parliament with you, it used to be called the ICT Committee. You and I are still stuck in the past.

Nonetheless, I request the Chair to also invite the Ministry of Education so that we hear their views on what they are doing to regulate the use of AI in our schools, especially in high schools and universities, since the request for statement is on regulation of AI. As Hon. Babu Owino was saying, comrades may be right always, but they cannot be right in using AI in writing their academic papers. They must use the intellect of people like Hon. Babu Owino, and not AI. Therefore, I request the Chair to incorporate in his answer measures that the Ministry of Education and the State Department for Higher Education are taking to regulate the use of AI in academia.

Secondly, Hon. Temporary Speaker, it will also be good for the Committee to engage either the Ministry of Health or the Departmental Committee on Health, on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. This is because we are in an era where people are now treating themselves and prescribing drugs for themselves! They see no need to see a doctor because of AI. I just wanted to ask Hon. KJ's Committee to look deeply into this thing. I was very happy when the Hon. Member for Sigowet/Soin agreed to give them at least two weeks. This is because it is an important matter that poses real danger not just to the growth of use of technology in our country, but also in how we develop our children, especially those who are in schools. Some of them have now turned to AI for everything.

I say that as a father. My daughter, the other day, was telling me that if I do not know how to cook something, all I need is to get my mobile phone on the table and go to YouTube, use AI and I will cook whatever I want. Hon. Temporary Speaker, Hon. Millie learnt how to cook from her grandmother, her mother and her aunties. I also learnt how to make ugali from my own mother. We should not be using AI to do that. I am just saying this to buttress the need for the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation to interrogate this matter beyond just the policy issues at the level of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. It should also involve the Ministries of Health and Education. This is because it is becoming very disruptive, especially in academia. In the future, we will have doctors who are doctors on paper; I mean doctors who wholly depend on technology and cannot interrogate things and diagnose correctly, as the likes of Dr. Nyikal would do in their days in service

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Millie, do you want to add something on it? Okay, one minute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish I had more than one minute because of what I want to say. I want to request the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to join Hon. KJ's Committee because of the legal issues that are emanating from here. I am a PhD student at Daystar University and I use AI. The challenge we face as a country is that technology is moving faster than us. I will give an example from the multi-partism period. I am approaching my diamond birthday, and I have seen many things. When multi-partism was coming in, I remember one of my cousins telling me that

Thank you.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, let me just tell you, when I input things about me on the internet, the internet tells me it is AI. The internet thinks I am artificial intelligence because there is a lot about me in the internet. So, it depends on how we use AI. It is not an animal. It is not a bad thing. It is just that we are moving fast. In fact, from what Hon. Ichung’wah is saying, now we can learn to cook many things using AI. I do not need my grandmother to teach me because our grandmothers are all dead and our mothers are dying young and so our children need AI to learn to cook. We must change with technology. I am glad I went back to school because I am young at mind, at heart, and, even now, in the body because of AI.

Thank you. AI will tell us about that. Hon. KK.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank the Member who came up with this discussion. I want to remind most of us that the first time we conducted academic research was, I think, when I was a first-year student at the university. You had to go to the library to borrow a book, and at that time, there were only three copies of Business Accounting by Frank Wood at Kenyatta University (KU). You had to wait until a copy became available at the library for you to read it.

Then came the internet, and the notes and books we used to queue for at the library for a whole semester became available on the internet. What we are facing now is that all that information combined is available through AI. The risk we face is that people may fear this technology, just as some did a few years ago.

Those are the same people who opposed M-PESA when it was introduced in this country, when banks warned that M-PESA would crash the banking sector. What we have seen over the years is that the digital platform called M-PESA continues to exist, the banking sector continues to exist, and new payment methods, such as digital wallets, bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, ethereum and other networks, have also emerged.

So, as this Committee and all those committees that could be enjoined in this discussion of AI consider the matter, they must not think of AI as a menace or as an animal. Rather, they should consider how we can integrate it to ensure that the academic intelligence we learn in our schools is still ingrained in our students, without having to tell them to go back to the library and wait for a book that will become available to them three or four months later. So, for us, it is an opportunity.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, lastly, if you remember, a few years ago, if you went to an office, you would find a receptionist, a typist, a secretary, a messenger and a boss. So, that one office, for example, would employ five people. When you were taking notes, there would be someone to take them down in shorthand, then another person to convert them into a typed document using a typewriter. However, all that has been collapsed. You can do your work in the office by yourself,

Hon. Wa Muthende, I will give you 60 seconds, which is a minute. Please, adhere to it so that we are able to move to the next one.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I really requested to speak because most people do not believe in evolution. Actually, our next name is Homotech Sapiens and we have no choice but to embrace AI and technology. We should not feel threatened by AI or technology; we just need to work with it and around it so that it is supportive of our work. Even in theatres, we now have robotic surgeries which are guided by surgeons. This is actually making prognosis for surgery cases much better. We have to use AI in our presentations and in our studies. Even the lecturers or doctors who feel like AI is here to take up their work, just need to apply AI in their work. Anyone today who is not applying AI is misplaced.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I agree with my colleagues that Kenya is an open and progressive society. Artificial Intelligence is one of the tools we cannot do without. One of the key pillars of national development and success is technology. We must do everything possible to promote technological advancement and to support our students in their academic studies.

Given the limited time, I am reminded of the resistance we faced when some people opposed Uber, M-Pesa, and other technological advancements. Let us embrace technology to build a flourishing society.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. KJ, this is my ruling on the matter. The statement, as raised, is broad enough, as it concerns the use of AI in Government. This covers the entire Government.

In fact, I wanted to extend the response period beyond two weeks. We would like the Committee to provide a comparative analysis of how AI is being used elsewhere. Members should also be allowed to appear before the Committee when the relevant Cabinet Secretaries are invited.

These should include the Cabinet Secretaries for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Education, and Health, as well as any other Cabinet Secretary the Committee

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank you for your magnanimity. The interest shown by Members of this House reflects what is happening in the technological space. Without pre-empting the Committee's work, allow me to inform Members that the submissions we have received reflect both sides of the debate. History shows that whenever groundbreaking technology emerges, debate arises on both sides.

However, the country's interests are not served by suppressing technological advancement but; rather, we must adopt the approach taken in the past. For example, when nuclear technology emerged, it presented the potential to annihilate humanity. The world had to come together and agree on conventions to govern its use. The aim was to maximise its benefits while avoiding existential risks to humanity. I understood that to be the request for a statement presented before this House by Hon. Justice Kemei.

Your guidance is well taken, and we appreciate the time you have given the Committee. I assure you that the Committee will undertake a thorough examination of the matter. We have already laid the groundwork. Kenya leads in data protection legislation not only in Africa, but also globally. The groundwork has, therefore, been laid. It is now for us, as a people, to agree on what is best for Kenya in the use of technology.

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you, and all the best. Member for Starehe, Hon. Mwago.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the deplorable state of roads and drainage infrastructure within Starehe Constituency.

Several roads within Starehe Constituency, including Racecourse Road, Park Road-Ngara, Kirinyaga Road and Kombo Munyiri Road, are in a deplorable state, with large sections containing dangerous potholes. The lack of maintenance of the road sections has created high-risk situations for both motorists and pedestrians.

Additionally, drainage systems within the constituency are either blocked or damaged and are inadequately built to handle heavy rainfall. With the anticipated El Niño rains, it is imperative that the Government takes immediate action to address the rehabilitation of the roads and improve the drainage infrastructure within the constituency. This should include the reconstruction of

Hon. George Kariuki, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. We will respond in two weeks.

What will you respond to?

Sorry, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I was discussing AI with Hon. KJ.

I have told you several times that if you sit next to Hon. KJ, you must be very careful.

I agree.

When Hon. KJ's request for a statement was raised, he stopped talking to you and listened to the Member. When yours was being raised, he continued engaging you. I have told you several times that Hon. KJ is not the person to sit next to.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. KJ, allow him to proceed. Go ahead, Hon. Mwago.

That is not characteristic of someone who identifies with the comradeship movement. I am also an alumnus of the University of Nairobi and the Member of Parliament representing the area where the University is located.

No. Proceed with your request for a statement.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following:

Hon. GK, you have now heard the request for a statement. Proceed. Hon. GK,

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I believe you agree that I heard part of the request for a statement. I will, therefore, maintain the two-week timeline.

Very well. Two weeks. Before I return to Hon. Mwago, Hon. Mwenje.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to contribute to the request for a statement raised by Hon. Mwago. The problem in Nairobi is that the performance-based contracts managed by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) have completely collapsed.

About a month ago, I raised the same request for a statement concerning Embakasi West. The Chairperson, Hon. GK, undertook to respond within two weeks. The Leader of the Majority Party was present that day, as was Hon. Munyoro, I believe.

I, therefore, request that you direct Hon. GK to stop campaigning for Deputy President and concentrate on the matters he is required to address in this House.

Order, Hon. Member. As far as I know, we have a Deputy President. That position is not vacant. I do not think that is true. Before I hear from the Leader of the Majority Party, let me hear from Hon. Joseph Munyoro.

Go ahead. You have the microphone which is lit.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to ride on what Hon. Mwenje has said. I remember very well that when I requested for a statement and follow-up question, you were seated on that Chair. I asked the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure about our road where the contractor was paid in full for the work owed, but has never returned to the site. We had not gone for recess then.

We are about to go for recess. I had been promised to get a response on that request for statement before we went for recess. I raised the matter on Kamukabi-Gachocho Road, which is halfway done.

I remember it.

I cannot emphasise what Hon. Mwenje has said any further. We must get an answer from the Chairman, Mr Deputy President.

Can I have a chance to say something, Hon. Temporary Speaker?

Leader of the Majority Party, go ahead. You will get your chance to contribute, Hon. GK. Do not worry.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, allow me to defend the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. GK. He is one of the most diligent Committee Chairpersons we have in this House. He is very keen on answering questions.

The Member for Embakasi West has said that Hon. GK is busy campaigning to become the Deputy President. There is nothing wrong with that. Every person here has an ambition to become something, including Hon. GK. In fact, it is only wrong when Members of Parliament, who are elected by their people, abandon their heads and brains and follow another man who cannot be anything and cannot take them anywhere.

Order, Hon. Odoyo from Nyando. Hon. Jared Okello, I know you need a ticket from Hon. Junet, which is okay, but this is the House of Parliament.

The Member for Nyando is engaging with Hon. Babu Owino because we are discussing about Nairobi City County where Hon. Babu Owino wants to be the governor.

That is why he should listen to you.

That is within his right, just as I have said it is within the right of the Member for Ndia to aspire to become anything in this country.

Some months back, Starehe Constituency suffered devastating destruction of infrastructure, including loss of lives. Drains had blocked along the river. When the water broke through, it swept away people in their cars. Many people who work along Kombo-Munyiri Road that he has mentioned, where I used to work, as well as Kirinyaga Road, were affected. Massive damage was caused. I know there is a lot of work that needs to be done there.

Order, Leader of the Majority Party. Is this fool the name of person or it is “fool” which is a noun?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have not named anybody.

Okay. Go ahead.

I have only described how foolish that person is. He claimed there was not a single wheelbarrow on the Rironi-Mau Summit Road. Anybody with eyes who drives along that Road today can see the ongoing work.

Therefore, if possible, I request Hon. GK to respond to the Member for Starehe before we go on recess. We do not want to see the devastating losses that occurred during the last rains.

Since the fool has been proven wrong and people have since cleared away from the river, allowing water to flow, it is now time to restore the infrastructure that was destroyed. Kenyans cannot be misled by fools. None of us in this House will ever follow the fool.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Member for Suba South, Hon. Caroli, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, with all due respect, parliamentary time is very precious. We cannot spend it on imaginary enemies, statements and things nobody understands in this House. We cannot use unparliamentary language, for heaven's sake. Let us take our work seriously.

It is not clear to me what the honourable gentleman has talked about. He has referred to people we do not know and subjects we do not understand. He has talked about something that is not in the Order Paper. It is simply an obsession with imaginary enemies. It is a waste of our time and the nation's precious time.

Order, Hon. Members. We cannot go on like this. Hon. Junet, do you want to inform him or what do you want to talk about? Going forward, you should not use offensive words.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have listened to the debate keenly. I seek your indulgence. Parliament is a House of debate. Constitutionally, we are allowed to debate anything and everything of concern to the citizens of the Republic of Kenya.

All along, I thought Hon. Caroli was going to name the clever person when he asked for time. I also thought that Hon. Junet was going to name that clever person.

May I name him?

Do not name that clever person for that matter. Hon. Mwago, go ahead. Hon. Junet what is it?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, can you give me the mic? I can go on record. From the description the Leader of the Majority Party has given, the description he has taken time to give of that fool, it is a fool that we impeached in this House.

Hon. Mwago.

Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker. It is unfortunate that the Leadership of this House has undertaken to make this topic about a certain person instead of letting the Chair address this pertinent question on a matter that affects the livelihood of the people. The Leader of the Majority Party was a trader along Nyamakima and he understands the pain the traders at Grogan underwent, where cars were swept away, and shops were flooded. Traders lost goods and stuff. To really put this matter like it is the doing of one person, it is so unfortunate. It is not only in Starehe Constituency, Gikomba, and Grogan area that floods hit in Nairobi. Even there were City Centre floods, and Hon. Rigathi Gachagua has never spoken about them. (Hon. John Kiarie consulted loudly)

Order! Allow Hon. Mwago to make his remarks. Hon. John Kiarie (KJ), you do that again… Just a minute... Order! You do that again and you will see the door! You must allow Hon. Mwago to make his point. Go ahead! He should be heard in silence. Go ahead.

Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker for your protection. As a House, it is time we discuss this issue of House Leadership. Every time we bring up very serious issues, they trivialise and reduce them to political gimmicks and, maybe, political hula- baloo for whatever reason. I never named the failure by the Government about all these issues. I never named any person or trivialised this issue. Why should you now try to trivialise the issue which is very serious? Thank you. I am the local area Member of Parliament, I have the right to speak.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, you are out of order.

I think that is done. Hon. Donya, you are out of order completely. There is no day the Temporary Speaker is out of order. There is no single day...

Who said that?

You cannot do that ever! Hon. Francis Kimani.

I did listen to the discussion by the Leader of the Majority and Hon. Junet. The issues that they articulated among them was the Gikomba Market and the Rironi - Mau Summit Road. The issue that Hon. Mwago is alluding to was not the subject of discussion in which the Leader of the Majority Party and Hon. Junet were speaking to. In fact, the Leader of the Majority Party in many instances inferenced Hon. Mwago, congratulating him for raising the question and saying that there are some projects that were done. An example is the clearing of the river, which now the Leader of the Minority Party also confirms. So, for Hon. Mwago to say that we now need to discuss the Leadership of the House for assisting the Hon. Member to articulate and inform...

Do you want to be informed?

The formidable Leader of the Majority Party can inform me any day, any time, any second.

Okay. Hon. Ichung’wah, you will use one minute to inform him, and not more than that.

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In fact, I am just informing the Member for Molo that it is true, I stood to support Hon. Mwago, especially on Kombo Munyiri Road, Kirinyaga Road and Landhies Road. That is why I mentioned the issues of

Thank you.

Because even if we repair the roads and there is no water passage, we will repair those roads today, and tomorrow, they will be damaged. Therefore, Hon. Mwago, be rest assured that those roads will be done just like they are being done in Kilimani and many other parts around the country. Those with eyes that do not see and deny what is going on... I must thank our former Vice-President, the Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka. You know, being a member of the AIC Church, he has turned out to be a painfully honest person. Painfully honest because I know it hurts some people within the Opposition.

Are you still informing Hon. Francis?

Yes, I am informing Hon. Francis that the honesty with which Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka has been speaking while confirming how roads are being done in Kitui and across the country is wonderful. We must commend Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka for that honesty. I know there are some injustices going on there, but we will stand with Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka.

Thank you. Hon. Francis, you have one minute to wind up.

So, to conclude, I have taken time to find out what the definition of a fool is and to find out why then the Hon. Member adjudicated that name to who a fool is. Our good dictionary defines a fool as a person who lacks good judgement or common sense, a silly or imprudent person or a professional clown. So, I think the definition of that name would follow under either of those particular definitions because the Leader of the Majority Party did not name anybody. I will also not name anybody but just to give the Hon. Mwago an English definition of who a fool is. Maybe, the Hon. Mwago then will tell us how that definition would now sit in the character of the person that he mentioned. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Order! This is a House of debate. I remember all of us used to like debates in this House. This is not a mechanical place where you come, ask and you are answered that one plus one is two. So, I think, Members, allowing debate for me is something that we must always encourage as long as it is done within the confines of the law in a decorous manner. If you think you are up the wrong way, you respond to it, debate goes on and we resolve matters in this House. Hon. G.K, you are going to have the last word on this: Are you running to be the Deputy President that it affects you from doing your work? What is your response to Hon. Mwago's question and the issue of roads as asked by Hon. Mwenje and Hon. Joseph Munyoro.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I do not know why Hon. Mwenje is afraid of me being in that arrangement. I think he knows that it will distort his political plans and strategy. So, Hon. Mwago relax. We have a very good way, as Government, of doing things and so, we will not be distracted by the way you look at things. The same people who told us that Rironi-Mau Sammit Road construction would not progress, are the same people who are telling us today that the Government is doing nothing about road projects.

Hon. George Kariuki, I will hold you personally liable if this House does not receive responses within two weeks to the three questions that have been raised by Hon. Mark Mwenje, Hon. Joseph Munyoro, and Hon. Amos Mwago, regardless of your personal views on fools and non-fools. We need concrete answers to those specific questions that have been asked on the Floor of the House. A commitment of two weeks is acceptable. However, we expect full responses to all the three inquiries without any sideshows. (Hon. Joseph Munyoro spoke off the record)

There is nothing out of order for now. Hon. Joseph, what is out of order?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I have asked this question four times and the Chairman of this Committee has never been in this House to respond. He must withdraw his negative comments about my attendance of the Sittings. We can go to the Speaker’s Office and establish the number of times each one of us has been present.

No. I have settled this issue.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, when you are describing fools…

Are we still there? I thought we had moved on?

We must agree that even with…

Order! In all fairness, we need to settle this matter. Hon. GK, I take exception to how you described Hon. Joseph. A Member’s attendance does not determine whether their question should be answered or not. Once a question is asked, you are duty-bound to bring a response to the Floor, whether or not the Member is in the House. Therefore, the absence of the Member cannot be an excuse. The issue raised is important. You cannot tell a Member that he does not come to the House when you do not take a roll call. (Hon. George Kariuki spoke off the record)

Order. Let us proceed to the next request for statement by the Member for Gichugu, Hon. Gichimu. I hope this will not have a lot of fools in it. I see a lot of tea. Go ahead.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c), I rise to request for a statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the decline and disparities in payment of annual bonus to tea farmers in Zone Five Tea Factories.

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Zone Five factories, comprising five tea factories; namely, Thumaita, Kimunye, Kangaita, Mununga and Ndima, received their bonuses recently, for the 2025/2026 Financial Year. This was a significant reduction compared to the bonuses paid in the 2024/2025 Financial Year. In particular, Thumaita Factory received Ksh30 in the 2025/2026 Financial Year, compared with Ksh40.40 in the 2024/2025 Financial Year, a reduction of Ksh10.40. Kimunye Factory received Ksh40 compared with Ksh46.00 in the previous Financial Year, a drop of Ksh6.00. Kangaita Factory received Ksh35.70 per kilogram, compared with Ksh40.20 in the previous Financial Year, a drop of Ksh4.50. Mununga Factory received Ksh47.00, compared with Ksh57.00 in the previous Financial Year, a decline of Ksh10.00. Ndima Factory received Ksh37.25 per kilogram, compared with Ksh47.00 in the previous Financial Year, a drop of Ksh9.75.

The decline in bonus payments, as well as the disparities among factories operating within the same zone, has raised concerns among tea farmers regarding the reasons for the drop and disparities, and the measures that are being taken by the Government to address their concerns.

They have heard you. Go on.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is against this background, that I request for a statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on the following:

I saw Hon. (Dr) Mutunga. The Vice- Chair is here. Member for Konoin Constituency, Go ahead.

In the next two weeks, we will be able to respond.

Okay. Two weeks.

Yes.

Okay. Go ahead. A minute please.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for Gichugu Constituency for raising this vital question. I plead with you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, because West Mugirango Constituency is also a prominent tea-growing area within Nyamira. I urge that when the response is rendered, it encompasses Nyamira County as a whole and, in particular, the factories within West Mugirango; namely, Kebirigo Tea Factory and Gianchore Tea Factory.

I stood up because the tea issue is a perennial problem. Year-in and year-out, we are confronted by farmers asking why Parliament is not intervening in the tea business. While agriculture is a devolved function that squarely lies with the Senate, our Departmental Committee on Agriculture is already seized of the matter. Furthermore, some litigants have gone to court to seek redress. Among the complaints they are raising is that factory directors are incurring debts to pay bonuses, whereas in sound financial management, bonuses are supposed to be paid strictly from profits or surpluses.

I am pleased that the Vice-Chair comes from a tea-growing region and is a neighbor to Nyamira County. I plead that I also get answers to give to my farmers, particularly those who are delivering tea to Kebirigo and Gianchore tea factories. Thank you.

Please include West Mugirango Constituency. Hon. Yusuf. There is no tea in Nyando.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The importance of the tea sector cannot be over-emphasised. We have done a lot, including holding debates in this House regarding payment disparities. Although the factories in my constituency, Zone Two, receive better pay, it is not good enough. As a matter of urgency, we must address the issue of taxes that are imposed on tea. Tea is burdened with about 57 tax related issues. This must be reviewed so that our farmers are not overtaxed.

Secondly, in terms of management, we should standardise operations by establishing clear guidelines. We must put regulations into practice regarding how factories are run and how much money directors can spend on behalf of farmers, and ensuring that farmers actually earn a profit. Every tea farmer in this country is crying out because we did not receive our rightful due this year. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Member for Nyando Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity.

The Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock has already given an undertaking as to when the response to this petition or question will be tabled before this House. However, the issue of payment disparities regarding bonuses has triggered widespread fury among our farmers.

Tea is grown in two distinct regions: the eastern part of the country, which encompasses the Mount Kenya region, and the western part, which spans the North Rift, South Rift, Nyamira and Kisii areas. While tea is fundamentally the same product, farmers in the west consistently

Well said. Hon. Brighton, you have heard the concerns raised. We look forward to a comprehensive report from you and the Committee. The Floor now goes to the Member for Kericho County.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the Member who has raised this vital issue concerning bonus disparities. I represent Kericho County, a major tea growing region. Our farmers are suffering heavily due to the skyrocketing costs of production. There are also critical concerns regarding leaf quality, thus resulting in many growers missing out on their deserved payouts. Momul Factory where I deliver my tea is performing relatively well. Kapkatet has shown some improvement while many other factories in the region continue to struggle. As the Committee compiles its report, I request that the plight of Kericho County farmers be fully addressed. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Hon. Brighton, please ensure Kericho County is included in your scope.

The next request for a statement is by the Member for Kipipiri Constituency, Hon. Wanjiku Muhia.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c), I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining regarding the deforestation of the Aberdare Forest in Nyandarua County.

Aberdare Forest plays a critical role in environment conservation, protection of biodiversity and mitigation against the adverse effect of climate change. However, residents of Nyandarua County have raised concerns over the ongoing tree-felling activities within the forest, with reports of hundreds of trucks being seen transporting large quantity of logs that are harvested from the forest. The activity has raised questions regarding the extent of the tree harvesting, the legality of the exercise and its potential impact of the forest ecosystem, noting the concerns regarding the adverse effect of climate change.

It is important that we protect and conserve our forest to enhance resilience against climate change. It is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on the following:

Is the Chair of the Committee in the House? The Member for Kericho, you are a member of that Committee. How long will it take you to respond to this very important matter?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for asking that question. We will respond in two weeks. I will let the Chair do so.

Hon. Ngogoyo.

Allow me to ride on this question. I would want the Leader of the Majority Party to listen to me on this one specifically.

Order! The question was addressed to the Committee concerned.

Okay. I thought it was the Leader of the Majority Party who had answered.

No.

Ngong Forest falls in my constituency. There are also the Ololua Block, Kibiko-Ngong Block and Ngong Hills Block. When answering this question, I would like the Committee to answer to the issue of Ngong Forest. We have organic trees. Is there any harvesting that is going on in that forest on all the three blocks? If there is any, why has it not been declared like they normally do?

On the issue of bringing down the trees everywhere, whenever we build roads, the Kenya Forest Service refuses the bringing down of trees. However, when they are licensing, they easily give people Special Use Licenses. I want to specifically say that the forest that borders Kikuyu Constituency at Kerarapon and Kajiado North Constituency – which is my Constituency- borders with Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah’s. I want Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah to pay attention to this! I do not want him to be a fool on this one. He must not be tricked on this one. Why...

Order Members! We have spent so much time today on Questions. I wish you could just put your Questions straight without casting aspersions. Go ahead and ask what you want to ask.

My question is in regard to police officers who entered the area to bring down trees at the boundary of my constituency and Kikuyu Constituency, which is represented by Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, under the guise of harvesting mature trees. That is an organic, indigenous forest. It is not a commercial plantation forest where trees are planted and declared mature for harvesting after seven years. Are there any specific forest management activities that have been slated by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) along the boundary of my constituency and that of Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah? (Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah spoke off the record)

Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, he may have said something against you, but this is not about Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah or constituencies’

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to confirm two things. First, I do not neighbour Hon. Ngogoyo anywhere. I do not live anywhere near the places he lives, and he is well aware of that. I will never be his neighbour. As you know, one can choose his or her neighbour, or if you have the capacity as I do, you can simply choose to relocate if he happens to neighbour you. Fortunately, he does not.

Two, Ngong Forest extends to Thogoto Forest. I am aware of that because I am a Member of Parliament who pays keen attention to what happens in Kikuyu Constituency. I know that the trees that were harvested were mature eucalyptus trees from a plantation that had reached maturity. The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is actively planting trees there. I know these facts because I am a diligent Member of Parliament. Therefore, allow me to just leave it at that. I know the only reason Hon. Ngogoyo would want to mention my name…

Please, do not go there!

Hon. Temporary Speaker because I have a right of reply whenever anybody mentions my name. Whenever you hear these first-time Members of Parliament mention my name so often, at times in vain, it is because they know exactly who I am. I do not pretend to be anyone other than who I am.

Secondly, some tell their constituents that if they stand up in this House and mention Hon. Ichung’wah’s name, they will get re-elected.

Thank you.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Hon. Ngogoyo?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order 91 on the responsibility of statements of facts. The Member for Kikuyu has mentioned my name without a substantive Motion, raising issues that are

Order! You know, when you cut, it cuts both ways. I sat here and warned you against going in that direction. You called Hon. Ichung’wah’s name four times. I allowed you your time. I heard you tell him not to be a fool and I chose not to intervene. Hon. Ngogoyo, you know that when you invite injury upon yourself, you must bear that injury when it happens. So, let us not complain now, because I sat here pensively. I did not want to stop you, even though you made very unsavory remarks against him, because I knew he had a right of reply and possessed the capacity to respond. He has just done so.

Mount Kenya Forest.

Mount Kenya Forest is also noted. However, the question asked was specific.

So, we will now move to responses to request for statements going forward. The first response comes from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the Question by Hon. Ruweida Obo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wonder if the Member for Kandara is in the House.

No! The first Question I want you to respond to is the one by Captain Ruweida Obo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Member for Lamu East, Hon. Ruweida Obo requested to be apprised on:

I would like Hon. Ruweida to hold her horses a bit so that we can take this together. Hon. Dido, I would like you to respond to the second question you have. Is the Member for Kandara in the House? Hon. Njuguna Chege? I think you should proceed to table.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Obliged. Yes, I will table the second report. (Hon. Ali Raso tabled the report on the demise of Mr Kamau Maina)

Hon. Ruweida.

Ahsante Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipea nafasi nami nichangie Taarifa iliyoletwa. Jambo hili linasikitisha na kushangaza sana. Mambo haya yamekuwa yakitokea kwa muda mrefu, lakini yanawalenga watu fulani huku wengine wakiachwa.

Maoni yangu ni kwamba Bunge hili lishirikiane ili Tume ya Kitaifa ya Uwiano na Utangamano (NCIC) ivunjwe. Kwa nini nasema ivunjwe? Tume hii iko na majukumu mengi ya kutekeleza lakini jukumu lake kuu ni kuzuia uchochezi wa kikabila na matamshi ya chuki.

Hata hivyo, Tume hii imekuwa na tabia ya kuzilenga jamii ndogo. Nasema hivyo kwa sababu utaona kuwa Tume hii inawafuatilia sana watu kutoka jamii zenye idadi ndogo ya watu nchini Kenya. Kinyume chake, kwa wale wanaotoka jamii kubwa, Tume hii haichukui hatua yoyote.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, mnamo mwaka wa elfu mbili ishirini na mbili, tuliandamana na jamii ya wafugaji na tukatoa taarifa ya kukataa mfumo uliopendekezwa wa shilingi moja, mtu mmoja, kura moja, kwa sababu wajibu wetu ni kuwakilisha wananchi. Katika eneo letu, idadi ya watu ni ndogo, na mfumo huo ungetuumiza sana. Ilibidi nikatae na nikasihi kwamba kule Lamu mtuhurumie kwa sababu pia, kuna wakazi wanaotoka ukanda wa Mlima Kenya. Maudhui ya hotuba yangu yalikuwa ni kuwatetea watu wangu ili wapate rasilimali zitakazowanufaisha kila mkaazi wa Lamu. Lamu si makazi ya Wabajuni pekee.

Alhamisi mwendo wa saa nne asubuhi, nilielekea Mombasa jioni. Siku ya Ijumaa, nilihudhuria mazishi kule Mombasa. Nilistahili kufika mazishi fulani pale Bondeni, ilhali kulikuwa na watu waliokuwa wakinifuata kutoka Idara ya Upelelezi wa Makosa ya Jinai (DCI). Walinifuatilia kana kwamba mimi ni mhalifu au mwizi aliyetoroka na asiyejulikana mahali alipo, ilhali mimi ni Mbunge ninayepatikana hapa Bungeni. Kwa nini wasipitie kwa Ofisi ya Spika ikiwa wanahitaji nifike mbele yao? Nilikuwa nikifuatiliwa kipelelezi. Mlinzi wangu ambaye ni wa kutoka jamii ya Wakikuyu, aliambiwa haendi popote. Hata hivyo, mlinzi huyo alinisimamia na kunitetea. Hatusemi watu wa jamii fulani ni wabaya. Kuna watu binafsi tu ambao ni wabaya ndani ya kila kabila. Mlinzi huyo alinitetea kwa dhati hadi afisa mwingine ambaye namfahamu kutoka kule Mombasa akashuka kwenye gari na kuniambia niende Kituo cha Polisi cha Urban na kuwa wangenifuata nyuma. Tulifuatana nikisindikizwa kama mhalifu hadi nikafika pale kurekodi taarifa kuhusu maneno hayo hayo.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kabla sijaelezea matukio hayo, siku ya Jumatatu niliamriwa kufika katika ofisi zao. Nilienda katika ofisi hizo, wakasaili na kunisumbua kwa maswali mengi, lakini hatimaye wakagundua kuwa jambo hili halikuwa na ukweli wowote. Cha kushangaza ni kwamba, maneno hayo hayo niliyoyatamka mimi, yamezungumzwa pia na Mhe. Methu lakini hadi sasa, hakuna hatua yoyote iliyochukuliwa dhidi yake. Je, nitakuwa na makosa nikisimama hapa na kudai kuwa Tume hii ivunjiliwe mbali? Nasema hivyo kwa sababu, kwani walengwa wa Tume hii ni wale viongozi na raia kutoka jamii ndogo peke yao? Walengwa wanapaswa kuwa Wakenya wote kwa usawa. Badala yake, Tume hii imekuwa ikitumika vibaya kisiasa. Tumesikia hata watu wakitoa kauli za kibaguzi kuhusu Tume hii na kuuliza hadharani, ‘‘Kwani watu fulani hawana matumbo ya kuzaa viongozi! Mbona muweke wahindi?’’, lakini hakuna hatua zilizochukuliwa.

Thank you. Hon. Ruweida, I allowed you because you had something to say. I was hoping you were going to ask something about the response he has given.

That is the response.

I was going to ask whether the response given is satisfactory or not, because what you have done is merely share your personal account. I thought it was important to you, which is why I allowed you to finish. Now that you have concluded, please, return to the report.

Nilikuwa nimesimama kusema sijaridhika na yale wameniambia maanake mimi nilizungumzia kuhusu Tume hii ya uwiano. Hiyo taarifa ndefu ambayo imeletwa sio ya ukweli kama wanavyozungumzia. Hawafanyi vitendo. Ndio maana nikasema naomba Tume hii ivunjiliwe mbali. Haina kazi yeyote. Ahsante.

Thank you. Noted. I think your point is noted. Just a lot of advice. You can actually draft a Bill to delete the law that creates it. Just do a deletion or repeal of that law. That is how Parliament works, and then you will get your wish. I think that is it on that matter. Hon. Dido.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. There is something called a fool's paradise. This expression appears in a play by Shakespeare and it means a state of happiness, contentment or success that is built on false hope, mistaken beliefs or ignorance of real problems. Someone in this situation feels good only because they do not know or refuse to see how bad or unstable things actually are.

Any institution we build in this country is as good as we can make it. NCIC is good if we fund it and obey the rules that are laid down by the Act that brought it into existence. If we really want to make this country good, if we want Kenya to move forward, NCIC must be funded, and the summonses that it issues must be obeyed, regardless of the position of authority one holds in this country. I have read the names of those who have been issued with summonses. All of them are leaders in this country. If they are the ones refusing, what would you ask Rose and Jane on the street? For that reason, Hon. Obo, we cannot do away with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). We only need to make it stronger, better and make it work for this country.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Kaluma says he attended the summonses. Next, we are looking for a response from Hon. George Kariuki. I thought I saw him. Could someone get him? (Hon. Peter Kaluma spoke off the record) Order! Hon. Kaluma, what are you saying? Can you give him the microphone?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Hon. Dido Raso makes an important point that when institutions we have established for the good governance of the country summon you, whoever you are, you should attend. While all the leaders who have been summoned by the NCIC never attend, I am the exception. I attended deliberately so that we could set the right precedent.

Those institutions must be allowed to work because that is the only way our democracy can function. I attended the NCIC, and I can assure those who fear attending that the members are very professional and act within their statutory mandate. I was personally worried. I mean, look at the determination they made in respect of my case. If anybody thought I would be favoured, or that they would lean in any direction, it was very objective. I attended after a lot of negative media bias about what actually happened in Homa Bay.

They reviewed the evidence and listened to me, as they would to any other Kenyan, and made their determination for the good order of the country. I join Hon. Dido Raso in encouraging

Hon. Dido, do you still want to say something on this?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Wakili Kaluma has stated it as it is. This is a law-making House, and we must move out of our comfort zone. If individuals in this country arbitrarily refuse to obey and try to override institutions that are established by the Constitution, this House must take its rightful position and call them to order.

Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. GK, I was worried you had left and yet, I know you as a Chairperson who is always in the House when your questions are called. You now have a chance to respond to the statement requested by Hon. Dorothy Ikiara on the pending road projects in North Imenti Constituency. Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I had taken a short health break. The nominated Member, Hon. Dorothy Ikiara, had requested a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the status of stalled and pending road projects in North Imenti Constituency.

In the request for statement, Hon. Ikiara sought to establish the status of the construction of the dual carriageway from Ng’onyi to Meru ASK Showground and from Meru Makutano Trading Centre to Maua-Kithoka Junction, including the amount of funds allocated for the project and the timelines for completion. She also requested the status of construction of the Giaki- Kaguma-Kariene Road, which forms part of the Coca-Cola Kithaku-Kithirune-Kariene-Kaguma- Giaki Road, whose construction commenced in the year 2017 but has since stalled, including the amount allocated and the timelines for completion of the affected sections.

Also, the reasons for the delayed reclassification of Kithoka Junction to Kwanchege Road from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) road network to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), and the timelines for completing the construction, noting that only a three- kilometre section has been constructed under KeRRA. The Committee received a response from the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, through the Clerk of the National Assembly, which I now wish to make.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, regarding the status of the construction of the dual carriageway from Ng’onyi to Meru ASK Showground and from Meru Makutano Trading Centre to Maua- Kithoka Junction, the Cabinet Secretary submitted that the dualling of the Meru Town Roads Project Phase I was awarded by KENHA to M/s Stecol Corporation in joint venture with M/s Gragab Agencies Company Limited on 3rd June 2022 at a contract price of Ksh4.7 billion.

The contract agreement was signed on 22nd July 2022 with an implementation period of 30 months; followed by a 24-month defect liability period. However, the project has not commenced

Hon. Dorothy Ikiara.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I thank the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. GK Kariuki. As the Leader of the Majority Party alluded to, the Chairperson is always available when he is required to respond to matters of national importance.

I have listened to the response, and I am not very satisfied with it. The dual carriageway construction from Ng’onyi to the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Showground covers a stretch of land that is a corridor with no encampments. The Chairperson should re-examine his response because when he mentions the outstanding land issues on compensation, I do not know which stretch he is referring to, as that corridor is clear. The people of Meru need that road as soon as possible. Last week, we lost four people in a terrible road accident, and 16 are still recovering in hospital. This is occurring because Meru Town is so congested. The congestion in the mapped area between Ng’onyi and the Meru ASK Showground is severe. To assist Meru residents, the construction of that dual carriageway must begin as soon as possible.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, other roads are still under construction, and progress is slow. It is important to note that 24 kilometres are complete. The Chairperson has also raised the issue of the contractor's financial instability. He should reassess this matter because this particular road commenced in 2017, and from the look of things, it might take much longer if the contractor is not well funded to complete the project.

Otherwise, I thank the Chairperson and state that the response is relatively satisfactory. Thank you.

Hon. Moses Kirima.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to listen to the response from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure concerning the query from Hon. Dorothy Muthoni. We do, indeed, have a proposal for a dual carriageway from Gikumene to Meru Town and then to the Meru Showground. That area is also very close to my constituency, and it affects me significantly, as that is our only route to Meru Town.

The corridor is clear and there is adequate space. When I hear from the Chairman that individuals are waiting to be compensated before the road starts, they should have another excuse. There is ample space. The road is so wide that it is almost like the Thika Super Highway. There is nothing concerning compensation. What is required is a partner to collaborate with the Government as was initially intended, along with a budgetary allocation from the Government. With that, things will become easy.

The area is so narrow. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I believe you must have travelled to Meru at some point. The road is so narrow that even two vehicles cannot pass each other, despite Meru’s population being around one million people in such a small area. It needs to be addressed immediately.

Regarding the Coca-Cola-Kithaku-Kariene-Kaguma Road, most of it falls within my constituency. The report I am receiving, based on what the Chairman has stated before this House, is misleading. This Report needs to be revisited to ensure that the correct version is presented before this Chamber. The report currently indicates that the entire stretch from a town called Kariene to a place called Kithirune, which is about 9 kilometres, is assumed to have been covered by that 75 per cent. However, it has not yet been addressed all the way from Katheri Market to Kithaku. That section remains under base or sub-base and has not yet been initiated. Furthermore, work has not yet commenced from Kaguma to Giaki. I do not know if those who provided you

Your point is made. Chairman, you know we want all roads in Mount Kenya to be dual.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I agree with my colleagues that, that road is very busy. It is a section of the Meru Highway, and we are working together to ensure there is enough budget allocation for that project. So, I want to ask my good colleagues to relax and know that we are working together.

Hon. Kirima, please, note that the Committee has not at any point reallocated or reduced the budget for that road. I am your partner in this, and we will work together to ensure that, that road is tarmacked.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Dorothy Ikiara, you can engage Hon. George Kariuki on the promises and undertakings he has made. So that, to the extent possible, the people who are served by that road, like other Kenyans, can have a proper road. When I say that road should be dual, I know what I am saying. The soil around Mount Kenya is very loose since it is around a volcanic mountain.

Much obliged. All the areas Hon. Kirima has mentioned in Meru are in dire need of roads.

Thank you so much. I will take it up.

Thank you. Next Order.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. You will recall that we adjourned debate on this Bill last week. Although it was not explicitly stated, the adjournment was largely to allow the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to table its report, which it did today. Therefore, since many Members have contributed, I hope once the Chair and I make our contributions, we will be able to conclude the debate today.

Firstly, it is a very short Bill. As the Mover indicated, it is a three-clause Bill whose first objective is to amend the principal Act that domesticated and anchored the Charter of the East African Development Bank (EADB) in our laws when it was established under the Treaty of 1980.

Secondly, it seeks to amend Section 2 of the principal Act so that all payments that are made to the EADB from the Consolidated Fund are subject to parliamentary approval through the Appropriations Act and approval by the Controller of Budget. Any monies paid by the Government of Kenya (GoK) to the EADB, whether as a subscription for shares or as a loan extended to the Bank, must be provided for through an Appropriation Bill and form part of the monies that are appropriated by the National Assembly. This allows the National Assembly to oversee the monies and the affairs of the EADB.

Thirdly, the amendment proposes to require the Cabinet Secretary to report to the National Assembly, within three months after the end of each financial year, on all payments made to the Bank. Again, as I have said, this is intended to enhance accountability and ensure that the National Assembly plays its oversight role over all the monies that are contributed to the EADB.

The amendment also requires the National Assembly's approval before the Cabinet Secretary raises loans or issues securities to finance payments to the Bank. The Act allows the Cabinet Secretary to raise loans or issue securities to fund payments to the EADB. This, again, requires that, if money is to be raised, the Cabinet Secretary must seek approval from the National Assembly before paying the EADB or borrowing money to make payments to the EADB. That way, the National Assembly approves any debt that is incurred by the people of Kenya to raise money for investment in the EADB. This, of course, will be undertaken through the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, which has done very well in amending this

Hon. Robert Basil.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also want to add my voice in support of these amendments. As the Leader of the Majority Party has said, of course, it is a short Bill. It amends the EADB Act (Cap. 493A), which requires the National Assembly's approval before the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury disburses funds from the Consolidated Fund to EADB.

Under Article 95, our role as Members of Parliament is oversight, legislation, representation, budgeting and public accountability. This particular amendment strengthens our role, particularly on oversight. That is why these amendments are so important. As people’s representatives, we have a duty to protect public resources. These amendments will also improve transparency. Clause 3 of the Bill requires the Cabinet Secretary to table an annual report in the National Assembly within three months. That is important to enhance transparency. Therefore, the amendments are very timely.

On another front, the amendments will boost better control of public borrowing and strengthen the protection of EADB, particularly its assets. This amendment provides essential legal protection and will also enhance EADB's protection as a creditor. This is reflected under Clause 3 of the Bill.

Hon. (Dr) Makali Mulu.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to join my colleagues in saying that this is a very good Bill. The amendment is timely. I get very excited when I see attempts to bring Members of Parliament into the discussion of resources that the Government advances to the EADB. Since those are public resources, I do not think any institution is better suited to oversee the Bank than Parliament. Therefore, I ask everyone to support this Bill. This should extend to many other areas where public resources are used, because we have often been accused of not being very keen on how public resources are used. Oversight falls squarely under this House. So, the departmental committees that oversee various sectors should also strengthen their oversight role so that, at the end of the day, we ensure that Kenyans get value for public resources. These are our taxes. Even when we do not use taxes, we borrow. You can imagine a situation where you borrow money, but you are not very keen on how you apply that money afterwards. So, I support this amendment.

The other proposal to have annual reports submitted to the House is also very important. Many reports have been tabled in this House from various institutions, including commissions and ministries. I always wonder how closely we examine those reports. Can we isolate the important recommendations from those reports and act on them? I have been in this House for a long time. Many times, when reports are tabled in this House, I think we just read them and take them very casually. The time has come to single out reports that are very important to the country in terms of managing public resources and interrogate them in more detail to see how we can help this country. Otherwise, it is a very timely and important Bill.

I support, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Thank you.

Hon. Moses Kirima, do you want to contribute to this Bill? I can see your request.

No, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Not on this Bill but the next Order.

Yes. You are concerned about the dualling of the road to Imenti. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, Hon. Kuria Kimani.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Wa Muthende, what is out of order?

Hon. Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 95 to move that the Mover may now be called upon to reply, after the Chairman has made his contribution.

Your request under Standing Order 95 is noted. I will put the question on whether the Mover should be called upon to reply after the Chairperson has made his contribution.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Leader of the Majority Party sponsors this Bill on behalf of the Executive. It was referred to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and has been ably articulated by the Leader of the Majority Party and the other speakers.

I want to highlight a few things that the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning established during public participation, and in the reports we tabled before this House this afternoon—which I must also acknowledge are from the formidable Members of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this Bill seeks to amend the East African Development Bank (EADB) Act, Cap. 493A, specifically to require the National Assembly to approve all charges and the issuance of public funds from the Consolidated Fund to the EADB. The EADB Act, as amended in 2013, erred fundamentally by violating Articles 10, 95, 201, 206, and 228(5) of our Constitution. This particular amendment is also a direct response to a judgment delivered by the High Court of Kenya, commonly referred to as Nusu vs. National Assembly and six others, in which the Law Society of Kenya was an interested party. The case was Constitutional Petition No. E009 of 2023 and 2025, and KEH 7162 (KLR), delivered on 20th March 2025.

The court delivered its ruling on 20th March 2025. When this House realised the error, its leadership and the Executive committed to correcting it, as it did in 2011, when this amendment was passed. This shows the commitment of not only this House, but also this Administration to ensuring that the laws we pass comply with our Constitution and the rulings of our respected courts. In the petition, they declared Sections 2(1) and 2(2) of the EADB Act unconstitutional because those provisions allowed the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to charge and issue funds from the Consolidated Fund to the EADB without requiring parliamentary approval or oversight. The court held that those Articles of the Constitution I mentioned, which require transparency, accountability, good governance and legislative control of public funds, were violated.

For the record, Article 95(4)(b) of the Constitution on the roles of the National Assembly states as follows: 95 (4) The National Assembly

The Mover will now reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Allow me to thank Members who have contributed to this debate and all those who have supported this Bill. As I said, it is a very good Bill that creates accountability and reinstates our oversight role of the funds that will be going into that bank. The only thing I would like to mention in my reply is on a Member who, last week, said that it was not clear to him what the amendments in the Schedule sought to protect or whom they were intended to protect. I cannot remember who the Member was, but I noted that as I was watching from my Office.

First, the amendments in the Schedule simply give the provisions in the East African Development Bank (EADB) Charter the force of law. For instance, the amendments provide that the bank will be accorded the same creditor status as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other multilateral development institutions, such as the International Development Association (IDA), the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, in the member States where the bank operates in our region. The EADB will enjoy the same

We revert to Order No. 10.

Hon. Naomi Wako had two minutes remaining. Where is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities? I saw him here. Wherever the Chairperson is, he should be matching into the House because we have to conclude this business. Do we have Hon. Naomi Wako? Is any other Member interested in speaking to this Motion?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for allowing me to contribute to this Motion. There are very critical issues that have been noted in this Report. One of them is ethnic dominance, whereby some communities remain over-represented in employment while others have been marginalised. Article 10 of the Constitution demands fairness in

Hon. (Dr) Lilian Gogo, this week must be very heavy for you, considering that it is the week the nation remembers the late former Rt. Hon. Prime Minister. Do you want to contribute to this, or are you on the next Motion?

Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Indeed, it is a very tough week for me and you know my relationship with Baba. But I am waiting to second the next Motion.

I thank you.

Thank you for being present, even with the emotions I know you carry. Baba fondly referred to you as Mum, and you fondly referred to Baba as your son, Wuod Nyalego. So, we will wait for the next Motion.

There being no more interest… (Hon. Kassim Tandaza spoke off the record) Is that Hon. Kassim Tandaza?

Yes.

Please make your contributions.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Hili suala la uajiri tukiliangalia na maadili ambayo yako kwenye Katiba ya kutambua sehemu na makabila mbali mbali yaliyo kwenye Katiba yetu ya mwaka wa 2010, ni suala muhimu na la kuzingatia. Lakini mpaka sasa, miaka zaidi ya kumi tangu iwekwe, bado hayo matatizo yanaendelea. Utakuta kwamba mashirika mengi bado yana ubaguzi na hayana usawa. Hii ni kwa sababu sisi wengine ambao tunatoka kwenye zile zinazosemekana ni kabila ndogo ndogo, hatukupata fursa kuanzia hapo mwanzo ya kuwa na watu wetu katika mashirika mbalimbali ama katika vyeo mbalimbali kwenye hii Serikali ya Kitaifa.

Utakuta licha ya kuwa Katiba inazungumzia usawa, mashirika mengi na vitengo vingi vya Serikali bado vinaendelea kuwa vimehegemea makabila mawili ama matatu, haswa yale ambayo yameweza kuwa katika uongozi nchini. Ilikuwa matumaini yetu kwamba baada ya hii Katiba na kuwa na hizi tume mbalimbali, hali ingeweza kurekebishwa. Lakini kila ripoti inapoletwa, hali huwa bado ni hiyo. Tofauti ni kwamba inaangaziwa na wananchi kujua kuwa kuna wengine wanaendelea kunufaika na wengine wanaendelea kugandamizwa. Kwa hivyo, Hoja hii ambayo iko mbele yetu ni ya muhimu.

Pia naona ugumu wa kusawazisha. Je, wale walioko wafutwe ama waambiwe waende retire, ama tutatumia mbinu gani? Lakini suluhisho ni kwamba tukiendelea mbele, ni rahisi kutambua kwamba wale ambao hawana nafasi za kutosha waweze kupatiwa nafasi. Kwa mfano, wakati nafasi zimetoka, utaambiwa kila sehemu inapewa labda nafasi sawasawa, ilhali wengine tayari wako wengi katika hayo mashirika au hivyo vitengo. Jawabu lingekuwa kwamba sasa wale wa makabila madogo madogo ambao hawapo, wapewe nafasi nyingi zaidi kwa sababu wale wengine tayari wako. Lakini hilo mpaka sasa halitendeki wakati tunateua nyadhifa mbalimbali.

La kuhuzunisha ni kwamba hivi majuzi tulikuwa na Tume ya Bodi ya Kitaifa ya Maeneo Bunge ya Kitaifa, na tukawa tumeteua kwa mara ya kwanza mkurugenzi kutoka maeneo ya Pwani. Kwa walio wengi, kwa sababu kulikuwa na Mpwani, wakaweza kuangusha. Nina imani kwamba wale ambao wataweza kupitishwa, hakutakuwa na Mpwani tena. Ni wale wale ambao tayari wako.

Kwa hivyo, Hoja hii ni muhimu na ningeomba izingatiwe na watu wote na iweze kufanyiwa kazi.

Ahsante sana.

Hon. Kuria Kimani.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I would like to thank the Committee for coming up with quite a detailed report on these matters of inclusivity. This Report sought to find out whether our employment in Kenya aligns with Article 232 of our Constitution and also Section 7 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which states that no institution should have more than two-thirds of its members of the same gender, and

Hon. Wa Muthende.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support the adoption of this Report.

I come from Mbeere, which is one of the disadvantaged communities. I have looked at this Report. If my kinsmen see it, they will go to the streets to demonstrate because we have no single person from Mbeere in some corporations. In some corporations, some communities have employment of up to 30 per cent.

I commend the Chair and the Members of the Committee for coming up with this Report which looks very objective. As we go forward, I hope we will see advertisements that will respond to this Report. Let us not see open advertisements. We would like to see an advertisement that will specify which communities will fill those positions. We should also tell Kenyans that they have been left out since Independence.

Today, the President started a new slogan for UDA which is Usawa ni sawa. In light of this, this Report needs to be adopted. Going forward, we would like every community to be represented in every state corporation and private corporations and in development. Many areas that get development projects these days have not benefitted from them since Independence.

I request Members to support this Report and adopt it. As we move forward, we need a country that is inclusive not only in terms of youth and women, but also the specific communities that have been marginalised since Independence.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Wa Muthende, you are a very good and sober addition to the parliamentary leadership of the nation.

Hon. (Dr) Lilian Gogo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me time to speak to this matter. At times, you come to Parliament and you replay the clip of Baba getting to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), RAO 001 being on air and everything in a frenzy. It is an amazing thing to live to this time without Baba.

Having said that so that I do not deviate from the Motion, I rise to speak to it and support it. Those Members who have spoken ahead of me have articulated many matters concerning the skewness of employment, in terms of tribes. If we do not look at it in terms of tribe…

There are people who have stayed unemployed longer after training in different disciplines. The people who train after them get employed and this makes those people frustrated. Other than one or two communities that are dominating various Government institutions, there are so many ills that go on during employment. I do not want to implicate this particular House because this is where I work and this is leadership. Allow me to examine the leadership in the Judiciary, the Executive and also in Parliament, which are the three arms of the Government of Kenya.

We see Members of this House distributing employment letters in public. Afterwards, the people do not realise what they were employed to do. They are supposed to oversee, legislate and represent the people. Members of the Executive, Judiciary and Parliament give out employment letters in funeral and this is what brings problems. When jobs are advertised, I look at them in terms of the people I represent. We do not give them the better picture of Kenya. It is the leadership of this country that brings problems with employment of Kenyans in Government institutions.

I am afraid to mention this, but you recently saw a nominated member in one of our county assemblies in this country, who is unable to articulate anything in English. I do not know if you saw it. I believe where that nominated Member of the County Assembly comes from, there is a qualified person who is also good at the grassroots, who can do that work in a better way. But if you are known by some people or if you have the advantage of knowing given persons in parties

Thank you, Hon. Lilian Gogo. There is a proposed amendment to the Elections Act which removes all education requirements for all positions, including Member of Parliament, governor and members of the county assemblies. You have talked about a Member of the County Assembly who is unable to articulate anything in English. I do not know why we joke with institutions of governance in the manner we sometimes do. This is being proposed because a judge sat somewhere and thought you do not need any academic qualification for leadership. I wish such judicial officers would have vocation to sit in a House like this and see the value of education.

Let the Mover reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to reply to the Motion on Adoption of the 4th Report on Employment Diversity Audit in Public Institutions by the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity. It was tabled on 4th December 2025.

I sincerely thank Members who have contributed to this very important Report. I will mention a few of them: Hon. Mulyungi, Hon. Harrison Kombe, Hon. Naomi, Hon. Robert Basil, Hon. Tandaza, Hon. Kimani, our famous Member from Mbeere North and Hon. (Dr) Lilian. Thank you so much.

For the last four years I have been the Chair of this Committee, I have seen pathetic situations. We have written reports and proposed recommendations, but the matter lies in their implementation. We have recommended a few things that need to be done, within six months, after the adoption of this Report. Unfortunately, we have problems with implementation of reports and a lot of very important things that we discuss in this Parliament.

Implementation is becoming a major problem for many of the issues we discuss in this Parliament. We should ensure inclusivity. Every Kenyan is equal. Of course, populations differ, and some are larger than others. However, those with smaller populations should also have a commensurate number of representatives or employees within Government institutions. We can introduce affirmative action to address this. We are now repealing the old National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008. We have introduced a repeal, and it is at the Third Reading stage here in the House, so that some of those measures can be implemented more easily.

With this, I beg to reply. Thank you.

The Chairperson, as indicated last time, you have recourse to Standing Order 201, either on its own or read together with Standing Order 209, in relation to the implementation and enforcement of the resolutions of the House, whether those of a committee or of the plenary.

Mover, the leader of the delegation.

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

THAT, this House notes the Report of the Regional Seminar of the African Parliaments for Climate Action - Reducing Methane and Promoting Development, held in Nairobi, Kenya from 14th to 18th May 2026, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 13th August 2026. The Report before the House details the proceedings, deliberations and resolutions of the landmark continental seminar hosted by the Parliament of Kenya and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in collaboration with Climate Parliament, the Climate Vulnerable Forum, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), World Agroforestry (ICRAF), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The seminar brought together legislators, technical experts and policymakers from across Africa to formulate a collective parliamentary agenda addressing methane, a super-pollutant that is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide in the short term, and is responsible for roughly 30 per cent of current global warming.

Africa contributes only about 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet bears a disproportionate burden of severe climate impacts. At the same time, cutting methane delivers rapid near-term climate benefits within a decade, prevents crop losses and avoids hundreds of thousands of premature deaths linked to air pollution. Kenya demonstrated proactive climate leadership by endorsing the Global Methane Pledge at COP26, committing to reduce methane emissions by, at least, 30 per cent by 2030. Deliberations across the five plenary sessions confirmed that methane mitigation in Africa is not a trade-off against economic growth, but an accelerator of sustainable agricultural productivity, circular waste management and decentralised access to clean energy.

As a strategic precursor to the seminar, the Parliament of Kenya convened a high-level Parliament-Media Breakfast Dialogue on 7th May 2026 at Parliament Buildings. This engagement bridged the gap between parliamentary leadership, scientific institutions and the media. It established that effectively reducing emissions requires demystifying climate science, building robust data systems and fostering accountable public engagement.

Having examined the technical presentations, sector-specific case studies and continental perspectives, the Kenyan Parliamentary Delegation made the following observations.

First, methane mitigation directly enhances food security. Agriculture accounts for approximately 50.6 per cent of Africa’s methane emissions. In livestock and rice systems, interventions such as feed improvement, selective breeding, enhanced animal health and alternate

The Hon. (Dr) Lilian Gogo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second this Motion and urge the House to adopt the Report of the regional seminar of the African Parliamentarians of Climate Action, Reducing Methane and Promoting Development held here in Nairobi, Kenya. This was done from 14th to 18th May, and the Report was laid on the Table of the House on 13th August 2026.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Kenya has hosted this regional seminar as the convening Parliament for the African Continent. Legislators, scientists, and development partners drawn from across Africa gathered in Nairobi. Kenya co-chaired the steering committee that planned and delivered this noble event. The value of the seminar reaches beyond these technical findings. It demonstrated the weight of parliamentary diplomacy.

African legislators compared laws, committee practices, and institutional reforms, and they closed with a shared position. Adopting this Report in the formal proceedings of this House signals that Kenya intends to carry the continental agenda forwarded through the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Pan-African Parliament, which is now developing a modern climate law framework specifically for Africa.

The seminar established that methane reduction carries a direct economic and trade logic for Kenya. Roughly 60 per cent of the targeted methane measures are low cost and about half generate net revenue. Major markets are already reshaping trade rules around emissions. The European Union Methane Regulation sets out standards that producers must meet to retain market access. Kenya, therefore, faces a competitiveness question and not only a climate obligation. Early action protects export markets, attracts climate-aligned investment, and opens revenue from measures that pay for themselves.

Djibouti has gone further and operationalised the “polluter pays” principle through a sovereign carbon initiative that levies US$17 per tonne of carbon dioxide and channels the revenue to adaptation. No other African State has adopted a comparable mechanism and the Seminar invited members to study this great work by Djibouti.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, adopting this Report will advance Kenya's interest in ways that draw directly on the recommendations of the Kenyan delegation including, but not restricted to, a sharper parliamentary oversight. The Report asked this House to direct the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, the Departmental Committee on Lands, Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, Departmental Committee on Energy and Departmental Committee on Health to conduct dedicated enquiries on methane, report on the legislative and regulatory gaps and recommend measures for action. Adoption gives those enquiries a clear mandate from the House.

Regarding a working model of green industrialisation, the field visit to the Sleeping Warrior socio-economic zones at Elementaita showed how enabling legislation and green zoning can anchor renewable demand and climate technology in one site. The zone links geothermal and solar generation with carbon capture and storage, agro-processing and local employment and its host direct air capture in carbon mineralisation projects with a capacity of…

Your time is up. How long do you need to conclude? I add you one minute?

A minute will be enough, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Thank you very much.

The case of prompt action rests on timing. Methane remains in the atmosphere for about 12 years and so, cuts made now deliver measurable cooling within a decade. This window is also closing and without acceleration action, methane emissions in Africa are projected to rise by 16 per cent by 2030 and by 53 per cent by 2050.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, having considered the Report, I am satisfied with the communique adopted by consensus and deliberations because it will strengthen Kenya's Parliamentary leadership on methane and translate continental commitment into practical national action. I, therefore, urge this House to note and adopt the Report of the Regional Seminar, African Parliaments for Climate Action.

With this, I second.

I added you time because this Report appears to use very technical language because it concerns a very technical area. (Question proposed) It is clear this Report is very detailed. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, do you want to make contributions to this?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Thank you. This particular Report is a bit complex because the issue of methane reminds me of my chemistry studies in high school and what methane gas is. Just to remind this House that methane is a compound that has one atom of hydrogen and four atoms of carbon. It is CH4. CH4 means that there are four atoms.

There should be O also.

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Is it four? I think Hon. Wa Muthende was in a chemistry class later years than I was. I would like to be informed by him.

Hon. Wa Muthende, the House has never known that part of your professional line. Did you just say you are a biochemist?

Yes. Actually, I had First Class Honours from the University of Nairobi in Biochemistry.

You should have just said from “The University” we know.

The only. The Chairperson is right. It is actually CH4. Carbon dioxide is one of the two main greenhouse gases and it is the largest contributor because it is an industrial by-product.

Methane is not very common, but its potential to trap heat is actually higher than even carbon dioxide. That is why it is good to focus on reducing it because if we continue increasing it, though today we are talking of Africa being a very small contributor but, due to our agriculture, if we do not put in place mitigation factors now, we might end up even overtaking some of the other industrialised countries because of methane. Methane may not be very common, but it has the potential to trap more heat than carbon dioxide. (Hon. Kuria Kimani spoke off the record)

We are duly informed. I did not study biochemistry, but chemistry was my best and favourite subject. So, I am not too lost.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The last time I was in a chemistry class was in 2005, when I sat for my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. It is good to inform this House that I got a clean A in chemistry. However, after that time, I ventured more into economics, finance and accounting. That is the reason why I am very grateful that this honourable House has different professionals. And that is the reason the things that might be on my fingertips on matters of finance are off-the-tip of Hon. Wa Muthende, the great Member from Mbeere North. I am now very well informed that methane is a compound made of two elements, that is, carbon and hydrogen: one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen. So that is what makes it CH4.

We are just confirming to Hon. Wa Muthende that we were learning. We have been duly informed that methane has a higher capacity to hold heat than even carbon dioxide.

This is what brings out the gist of this particular Report and this particular conversation. Therefore, with our increase in livestock production… Our largest source of methane into the environment is mainly through waste from our livestock, whether we are talking about chicken or about the cattle of pastoralist communities or those of us who do zero- grazing. Methane, therefore, as it has been explained, has the ability to retain a lot more heat than even carbon dioxide and poses a risk to the climate crisis.

This brings out the whole issue of emissions and who should pay for them. This is one of the discussions that His Excellency the President challenged global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Conference or at other conferences. The President argued that although Africa contributes to the smallest percentage of emissions, it bears the greatest cost per capita. Although our share of emissions is the smallest, we bear the greatest cost in per capita terms. The bigger economies emit far more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, yet they bear the least cost per capita.

Therefore, the Committee is calling for a more equitable balance. Those who emit or pollute the most should pay the most. When those rules and international laws are formulated, Africa consistently finds itself disadvantaged. We are subjected to the same carbon taxes, fines, restrictions and regulations as the larger economies, despite their significantly higher emissions. When measured against GDP and on a per capita basis, their emissions are far greater than ours.

The risk is that, if we do not address this issue in advance, we may find ourselves in a situation similar to what happened with plastic bags. We introduced a blanket ban on plastic bags, but who ultimately bore the greatest cost? If we compare the current cost of alternative packaging per household with that in other major jurisdictions, we can see the disparities and lack of equity. Therefore, this Report calls for those who pollute the most to take greater responsibility. As we work to reduce environmental pollution, those countries should bear a greater responsibility for financing mitigation measures, particularly in African and other developing countries. I wish to thank the Committee for bringing this Report and commend its work.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Tandaza, do you wish to contribute?

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Ningependa kulifahamisha Bunge kwamba gesi hii tunayozungumzia inaitwa methani kwa Kiswahili. Kitaalam, gesi hii ni mojawapo ya gesi zinazochangia ongezeko la joto duniani na kuharibu mazingira.

Shughuli mbili kuu zinazochangia utoaji wa gesi hii ni ufugaji, hasa kupitia kinyesi cha ng'ombe na wanyama wengine, pamoja na kilimo cha mpunga. Kilimo cha mpunga kinatambulika kitaalam kuwa chanzo kubwa cha utoaji wa gesi ya methane duniani. Kama Wabunge wenzangu walivyosema, Afrika si Bara linaloongoza kwa ufugaji wa mifugo kwa kiwango kikubwa. Vile vile, sisi si wazalishaji wakubwa wa mpunga. Mara nyingi, tunalazimika kuagiza mpunga kutoka nje ya Bara. Hata hivyo, tunaendelea kuathiriwa na madhara ya uchafuzi wa mazingira unaosababishwa na gesi hii. Gesi hizi hazibaki mahali zinapozalishwa bali, husambaa katika angahewa na kuathiri maeneo mbalimbali ya dunia.

Miongoni mwa mimea inayosaidia kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya tabia-nchi ni mikoko inayoota katika maeneo ya Pwani. Hata hivyo, mataifa makubwa yanayochangia kwa kiwango kikubwa uchafuzi wa mazingira hayajawekeza vya kutosha katika uhifadhi, upandaji na ukuzaji wa mikoko. Ulimwenguni kote, mikoko inatambulika kwa mchango wake katika kukabiliana na athari za uchafuzi wa mazingira.

Kwa hivyo, wakati umefika kwa Bara la Afrika kwa ujumla kutambua kwamba wale wanaochafua mazingira zaidi wanapaswa kulipa gharama zinazotokana na madhara wanayoyasababisha kwa wengine. Tunafahamu kwamba upandaji na utunzaji mzuri wa mikoko unaweza kusaidia kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya tabia-nchi.

Kwa hiyo, mataifa hayo yanapaswa pia kuwekeza katika miradi ya mikoko. Uwekezaji huo utatoa ajira kwa kina mama na vijana wetu huku wakichangia katika kulinda mazingira na kuifanya dunia kuwa mahali salama na safi kwa wote. Nashukuru kwa kuwasilisha Ripoti hii.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Kukita guu is to put your foot down?

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to thank all those who have contributed to this Report.

With those few remarks, I beg to reply.

Thank you very much, Mover. (Question put and agreed to) Next Order.

Chairperson of the Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance, or his representative, to move the Motion.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to move this Report on behalf of my Committee.

That is Hon. Boyd Ong’ondo Were. Please second.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to second the adoption of this Report. As a Committee, we examined the financial statements and audit reports of the Auditor-General for 15 State corporations in the Rift Valley region. During our examination, there were several recurring audit queries and one of them concerned unsecured land holdings and the lack of title deeds. The Committee noted that, in several institutions, the land remained unsecured. This exposes those institutions to risks such as encroachment and loss of property.

Why would we, as a nation, invest and pump public resources into those institutions while their land remains unsecured? As a Committee, we observed and realised that this is an ongoing concern. That is why we recommended that the Ministry of Lands and the relevant Government agencies should fast-track the titling and registration of all institutional land holdings to ensure legal ownership and security. There is no point in investing public resources in those institutions if the land itself is not secure. Therefore, if this Report is adopted, it will assist those institutions and safeguard the infrastructure in which we have invested as a nation.

The second recurring matter concerns under-staffing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. We observed, as a Committee, that the majority of those institutions lack adequate essential personnel, particularly in the finance, procurement and audit departments. That is why, as a Committee, we recommended that the Government should allocate adequate resources to enable TVET institutions recruit and retain qualified personnel. This will enhance accountability and service delivery in those institutions. Another recurring matter concerns failure to adhere to gender, ethnic and regional balance.

As a nation, we have always advocated for equality and regional balance. Those institutions are not local institutions; they are national institutions. Therefore, as a Committee, we recommend that all public agencies must comply with the constitutional provisions on equity and inclusiveness, as well as the National Cohesion and Integration Act (Cap. 7N).

We have students from all over the country. Therefore, we should have equality. We cannot be having students from all over the country and yet, when it comes to the personnel, they are majorly from one ethnic community. That is why, as a Committee, we have recommended that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, together with the Inspectorate of State Corporations, should conduct an examination of ethnic compositions in those State-owned enterprises to confirm incremental address of the matter.

Based on those comments, I second the adoption of this Report and urge this House to adopt it so that, at least, we can enhance accountability in those institutions. Thank you.

Hon. Were Ong’ondo Boyd, this is my best day presiding as you speak on the Floor of this House, for the very good reasons you know. I can assure you, listening to you, the people of Kasipul are in very good hands.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to join you in congratulating Hon. Boyd, Member of Parliament for Kasipul Constituency. This is my third time listening to him. When I saw that he had been elected as a Vice-Chair of a committee, being one of the newest Members of this House, I was wondering whether we erred in terms of seniority. But I can tell why the Hon. Member, despite just being elected the other day, was voted for as a Vice-Chair of a very important committee of Public Investments.

Seeing him sit here through those hours, take time to research on the Report he is tabling and make such candid conversation, it is no wonder that sometimes some people from other regions, which I will not name, get laughed at by the nation. This is because there are some regions that seem to take time to elect their leaders based on merit, education and ability to articulate matters well for the sake of their people and to raise issues on the Floor of this House, not by the roadside, at funerals and in other places.

We keep being reminded that we have very well-paying jobs as legislators, and it is only fair that we earn our share of income. That earning is making sure we carry out our three roles of representation, legislation, and oversight. The three responsibilities are very heavy. They mean sitting in this House for long hours, researching on topics like methane that may not be very familiar. It is very good to see those younger people, and especially my honourable colleague, taking very good cue. So, I have no doubt that he will be here in the 14th and 15th Parliaments. When you and I retire, those are the people that will take this country forward and have a very rich experience of this House.

As our Speaker, Hon. Moses Wetang’ula often tells us: “That is what Hon. Shikuku would say”, and I look forward to that. One of the issues…

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Hon. Mwenje?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise under Standing Order No.95 and beg that, after the Chair has responded, since they have covered the issues very well, you allow the Mover to reply so that we go to the next Order, which is significantly similar to this matter.

Thank you.

The Standing Order provisions require me to put the Question for the House’s decision immediately, but for good order, I will put it after the Chair, Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, is done with his contribution.

Thank you. Listening to the Report of the Committee, one of regrettable things is the lack of accountants in those particular educational institutions.

The Public Audit Act and the PFM Act are very clear on the need to have accounting officers with a particular education qualification. That is further enhanced by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) through the Accountants Act, that requires those accounting officers not to be just accountants, but to be certified public accountants with good standing with ICPAK.

The reason why this stringent measure is there is that, in the event there is any omission or

Thank you. Yes, Hon. Kassim Tandaza.

Ahsante Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa dakika moja. Mimi mwenyewe nina chuo cha TVET pale Matuga na ni ukweli kuwa sio tu Bonde la Ufa lililo na tatizo la wakufunzi, bali liko kila mahali. Tusisahau kuwa wakufunzi ambao wanafaa kuchukua jukumu hili ni watu ambao lazima wawe wana shahada ya uzamili na shahada ya uzamivu. Watu hawa kwa upande wa ufundi huwa hawapatikani. Kwa hivyo, ni jukumu la Serikali

There being no more interest, the Mover is now called upon to reply.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to reply. (Question put and agreed to) Next Order.

The Chairperson, Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, to move.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move: THAT, this House adopts the 10th Report of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education on the examination of the Report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of Egerton University for the Financial Years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 26th February 2026. In total, the Committee examined six financial years. The Committee reviewed about 95 audit reports and audit queries. Of those 95, 17 had been fully resolved, 48 were recurring, and 30 remained unresolved. In examining the Report of the Auditor-General on Egerton University, a number of issues came to our attention, and one of them was the going concern of the institution.

The University had so many debts and obligations, to the point that its going concern was difficult to predict. This Committee, therefore, recommends that the management should, within 60 days, prepare and submit a formal going concern recovery plan that includes specific cost- cutting measures, revenue enhancement strategies, debt-recovery actions and clear implementation timelines. In addition, the management must consistently disclose any material going concern uncertainties in the notes to the financial statements.

Another matter that came to our attention was the management of accounts receivable. Egerton University has a huge amount of debt and it became very clear that receivables were becoming a concern because the University had quite a number of outstanding receivables. The Committee recommends that Egerton University should implement stringent credit control policies and leverage technology and automated billing for the collection of fees and its receivables.

The other issue, just as I said in TVET, was the late submission of supporting documents. Just as the Public Audit Act requires, this Committee recommends that the accounting officer, who is the Vice-Chancellor, should ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 68(2)(a) and the Public Finance Management Act, 2022, to ensure that the auditors are sufficiently provided with the required documentation.

However, one key issue that came to light, which I wish to mention, is the encroachment on Egerton University's land. Some years back, Egerton University had a very queer scenario in which a private investor ventured onto the University's land, ploughed it without permission, harvested whatever he had planted and went away with it. We came across that matter and found it quite concerning, as captured on pages 602 and 622 of our Report. Agents of a company known as CropSoko came onto Egerton University's land and actually ploughed close to 2,000 acres.

This Committee recommends that the management should immediately regularise the use of the land by obtaining the requisite approval from the National Land Commission and the National Treasury and ensure that any engagement with private entities is formalised through legally binding agreements. Further, the accounting officer should have proper and full control of the land, as provided for under Regulation 139 of the Public Finance Management Regulations, 2015, by implementing strict access controls and monitoring the land.

Having noted the proceedings of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education regarding the financial statements for the Financial Years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024, I beg to move and urge the House to adopt this Report. I now request Hon. Boyd Were, who is my able Vice-Chairperson, to second the Motion.

The Hon. Boyd Were.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second the adoption of this Report, in which, as a Committee, we examined the financial statements and the Report of the Auditor-General on Egerton University. One of the major issues that we witnessed as a Committee was the stalled projects at Egerton University.

As a nation, we cannot be spending a lot of money on different projects in a single institution and yet, they remain stalled.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, stalled projects have been a recurring concern. It brings the issue of inefficiencies in project planning, execution and monitoring. What is the point of starting different projects in a single institution, pumping billions of monies in those projects, yet they remain stalled? The Committee gave recommendations regarding this matter and we also instructed that at no point should institutions start any project without concluding the projects they have. The Committee also recommended that a special audit be done for the stalled projects taking stock of their values, completion status and their legality within three months upon the adoption of this Report by the House and submit a report to the Committee. When you look at a majority of those universities, there are a lot of issues when it comes to stalled projects. As a nation, we have pumped a lot of money in different universities. The projects remained incomplete and yet, they are starting other projects. That is why the Committee went ahead to advise the management to develop and implement a comprehensive project completion strategy that prioritises stalled projects based on criticality and available resources. Based on those few remarks, I beg to support the adoption of this Report. I also urge this House to adopt the Report.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Go on record that you are seconding.

I beg to second, Hon. Temporary Speaker. (Question proposed)

Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the Report. I think this is one of the serious committees that has examined so many universities and colleges. We have come to find out that a lot of public money is pumped into those institutions. The main objective of those examinations is that we want to get value for money. We have even traversed some of those institutions and done a lot of fact-finding. The Government has pumped a lot of money into those institutions but, as the Vice-Chair has put it, some of the projects are stalled. In some cases, over Khs500 million has been pumped into an institution and yet, the projects are stalled. We have even given those institutions instructions that they should not start any new project until they complete those projects.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, citing Egerton University, the institution has some challenges that the Committee has tried to offer solutions to. You can imagine the institution has over 1,500 acres which they can earn revenue from to boost them, particularly on stalled projects, and even improving the efficiency of the university.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the adoption of this Report.

It appears there is no more interest. (Hon. Kassim Tandaza raised his hand)

Ahsante Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Tatizo hili la vyuo vikuu halikuanza juzi.

Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Kassim Tandaza will have 9 minutes and 30 seconds when the matter will be next listed to be considered by the House in priority. Knowing how the House proceeds, this will most likely be tomorrow and, therefore, the Mover is urged to be in the House.

Hon. Members, the time being 7.05 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, 14th October 2026 at 9.30 a.m. (The House rose at 7.05 p.m.)