February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 1

Tuesday, 24th February, 2026

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

Order, hon. Senators. We have quorum now. So, we will proceed with the business of the day. Clerk, proceed to call the first order.

Senator for Lamu County, take your seat.

Sen. Okenyuri, you may pass your greetings later.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the students and teachers from Kajiado County. I encourage the young lads to observe keenly what we do here. We were once sitted where they are sitted when we came to observe what Parliament is all about and now we have an opportunity to practice what we saw before.

I challenge all of you to commit yourselves to a better future than the one you see. One of the most important things I would like you to take seriously is that, when it comes to politics or Parliament, it is about convincing each other. We have one side of the aisle and the other side of the aisle where Members sit down and debate issues so as to better this country.

So, I welcome you. Enjoy your time while visiting Parliament. I hope that in the future, most of you who are sitted here will be sitted in either side of the aisle.

Next Order. Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, 24th February, 2026-

(Reports of the Auditor-General to be laid pursuant to the Senate Resolution of Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, on the Referral of Statutory Instruments and Papers

submitted during recess for the year ended 30th June, 2025) Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements on Mrima Maternity Level 4 Hospital, Mombasa County Government, for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

Report of the Auditor-General on financial statements on Taita Taveta County Assembly Members Car Loan and Mortgage Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2025.

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Sen. Enock Wambua.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, 24th February, 2026.

Report of the Proceedings of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference on the role of Parliament in shaping the future of responsible AI held from 28th to 30th November, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Thank you.

Next Order.

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Sen. Enock Wambua.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to give notice of the following Motion - THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the pproceedings of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference on the role of parliaments in shaping the future of responsible AI held from 28th to 30th November, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 24th February, 2026.

Hon. Senators, before we consider statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53, allow me to arrange today's Order Paper so that we deal with Order No.8, 9 and 10, then resume the normal flow of today's Order Paper.

Clerk, proceed to call those orders please.

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Sen. Hamida, kindly take your seat. Sen. Omtatah. Hon. Senators, I will now put the question.

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Do we have quorum?

Next Order.

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Hon. Senators, we will now go back to statements, starting with statements pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Senator for Embu County.

That Statement is dropped.

February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 10 UPGRADING TO BITUMEN STANDARD OF NGANDI ROAD IN MWEA AND MAKIMA DIVISIONS

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the status and implementation of the Financing Locally-led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme in Bungoma County.

In particular, the accountability arrangement for funds disbursed and the implementation of ward-level climate action interventions under the programme.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Senator for Kajiado County, Sen. Seki.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee of National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations on a matter of nationwide concern regarding the shooting of two civilians in an incident involving police officers in Kitengela Town, Kajiado County.

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The next one is by the Senator from Busia County, Sen. Andrew Omtatah.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek for a statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on a matter of nationwide concern regarding the failure by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to enforce the road safety management system as provided under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act of 2012 and its subsidiary legislation.

Road traffic fatalities and serious injuries have continued to rise over the past three years, claiming thousands of lives annually, causing life altering disabilities and costing the economy hundreds of billions of shillings. The NTSA has failed to enforce key statutory safety measures, including ISO 39001 of 2021- Road Traffic Safety (RTS) Management Systems, structured accident investigations, journey and fatigue management and real-time monitoring. The authority has not adequately considered professional proposals to strengthen road safety management.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

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Next is the Senator for Bomet County, Sen. Wakili Sigei.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of countywide concern regarding administration of the Facilities Improvement Fund (FIF) in Bomet County.

The Facilities Improvement Financing Act provides that all monies raised or received by or on behalf of all public health facilities shall be retained by the facilities and considered as a supplement to their allocated budgets. This was meant to address long-standing underfunding challenges by enabling public health facilities to obtain supplementary resources to support their routine operations and strengthen the quality and efficiency of service delivery. However, I am aware of concerns that in Bomet County, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) remittances for health facilities in the county are channeled directly to the accounts of Bomet County Government based on a circular that was issued giving a percentage of that amount.

In the statement, the committee address the following-

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Next is Senator for Kirinyaga County, Sen. James Murango. If he is not here, that Statement is dropped.

Next is Sen. Faki, Senator for Mombasa County.

Asante, Mheshimiwa Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni za Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) ya Kanuni za Seneti kuomba taarifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Afya kuhusiana na jambo la umuhimu wa kitaifa kuhusu hali ya huduma na utawala katika hospitali ya Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Hospitali hiyo ni nguzo muhimu kwa wakazi wa Kaunti ya Mombasa na maeneo jirani ya pwani. Changamoto zinazojitokeza zinaweza kuathiri maisha ya wengi.

Mnamo siku ya Jumapili, tarehe 22, mwezi wa Februari mwaka huu, Katibu wa Kaunti ya Mombasa alitoa taarifa kumsimamisha kazi afisa mkuu mtendaji wa hospital hiyo, Dkt. Khandwalla, kufuatia mkutano wa bodi ya wakurugenzi wa hospitali hiyo. Kufuatia uamuzi huo, chama cha madaktari, kupitia kwa ofisi yao ya Mombasa, kimetoa taarifa ya kumuunga mkono Dkt. Khandwalla, wakionya kuwa watachukua hatua zisizojulikana iwapo hatarudishwa kazini kwa muda wa siku saba.

Katika taarifa hiyo, kamati iangazie yafuatayo-

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Senator for Kilifi County, the Hon. Stewart Madzayo, proceed.

Hon. Senators, I will allow comments for not more than 15 minutes. If you have a chance to speak, kindly do so for not more than three minutes.

The Senator for Nairobi City County, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to comment on the statement by the Senator for Kajido County regarding the shooting incident in Kajiado, specifically, Kitengela.

In my view, there is a problem with the police in Kitengela because it cannot be that across the country, we are only hearing a concentration of this incidents in Kitengela.

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Sen. Chute, proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika. Namshukuru Sen. Madzayo kwa kuleta kauli hii ya athari za kiangazi. Kaunti za Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Garissa na zingine nyingi zina shida. Taabu tunayo ni kwamba, hatuna mpangilio mzuri wa ugavi wa chakula cha msaada. Utasikia kwamba chakula kinanunuliwa hapa na kinasafirishwa. Kikifika mahali kama Isiolo, kinapunguzwa, kikifika kwa store ya National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) , kinanyolewa kidogo. Kikitoka hapo kuenda kwa ofisi za Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) na machifu, pia kinapuguzwa. Kitakapofika kwa wananchi wa kawaida, asilimia 60 au 70 ya hicho chakula kimebaki kwa barabara.

Bw. Spika, nataka kamati ambayo itapewa jukumu, ishughulikie vile hiki chakula kitawafikia wananchi. Ukiangalia, wakati mwingine, chakula hiki hakiendi mahali kuna shida. Kinaenda mahali ambapo kundi la watu fulani linataka kiende ilhali mahali ambapo kinatakikana kiende, watu bado wanaumia.

Wakati huu, hamna mvua kwetu. Hivi karibuni, nilienda Marsabit katika vijiji vingi sana. Watu wanalia juu ya ukosefu wa chakula na maji. Serikali hii yetu ya United Democratic Movement (UDA) , inasema, kila siku kwamba tunaenda Singapore, tutaenda Singapore vipi?

Bw. Spika, tulienda mahali panapoitwa Torich. Kuna mama aliyesimama na kusema kwamba anapewa jerrycan mbili za maji ambayo ni lita 40 baada ya siku tatu.

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An hon. Member: Somalia!

Hakuna shida kama Somalia.

Sen. Maanzo, proceed. Sen. Wambua, proceed.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii pia nami nichangie taarifa ambayo imetolewa na Kiongozi wa Walio Wachache, Seneta wa Kaunti ya Kilifi.

Hii taarifa ikifikishwa kwa Kamati ya kuangazia mambo ya ukame na njaa, ambayo yamekita mizizi huko Kilifi, pia wakumbuke eneo la Ukambani ambako limekithiri.

Siku chache zilizopita, nimekuwa nikitazama malori makubwa na matrela yakipita kwenye barabara ya Mwingi kuelekea Garissa hadi Mandera kupeleka chakula; na sio chakula tu cha binadamu, lakini pia lishe kwa wanyama. Wanyama pia wanashughulikiwa. La kustaajabisha ni kwamba hayo malori yanapitia Ukambani, Kitui, ambako pia watu wana shida ya njaa na maji. Mifugo pia wamekosa lishe. Kwa hivyo, ningependa kuuliza hiyo kamati kama basi watakubaliana kutembea kwenda Marsabit, Turkana, Wajir na Garissa, pia wapitie Kitui kwa sababu Kitui pia ni Kenya; kuna njaa, shida ya maji na chakula.

Tuna Serikali iliyo mamlakani. Jukumu la kwanza la Serikali ni kuwalisha watu wake na kuhakikisha wale watu wana amani na utulivu. Hapa tunae Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi; Sen. Cheruiyot. Atusikilize kwa sababu yeye ndiye Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi katika Seneti. Hii taarifa ipelekewe Kiongozi wa Nchi, kwamba kuna maeneo katika nchi yetu ya Kenya ambapo kuna shida na wananchi wanahitaji chakula. Nikiwasikiza mawaziri wakisema kwamba wale watu walio na shida ni 3.3 milioni, nashangaa hii ni Kenya gani.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I serve in this House as the Senator for Kericho. As a legislator, I am equally allowed to ask questions and not to be directed on what to say, like Sen. Wambua is trying to imply. Of course, I sympathise with the drought situation in the country. I will be remiss if I do not say that this is an issue that needs to be treated with the seriousness it deserves. In fact, the responsible committee should get the Cabinet Secretary before us so that we know the distribution of this relief food effort exercise across the country, so that we are clear about it. This is because sitting here, as 47 Senators, we know the hardest hit parts of the country and why they deserve.

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Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support the statement by the Senator for Bungoma County, Sen. Wakoli, who is also the Majority Whip. This is a statement on a climate-led action called Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) funded by the World Bank, to the county governments. A lot of funds have been disbursed to county governments in the past year to address climate-related issues. I support it because of the essence of environmental issues in our country and in the world.

Mankind survives on the environment. From the environment, we get food. From the environment, we are able to get clothing. From the environment, we are able to get shelter. From the environment, we are able to get medicine for our use. So, it is important that we take care of this environment. However, the reason why I also want to support this statement is that the same county governments also have funds in their environment departments. It should be very clear, in how much different sectors in the counties, spend or appropriate in their normal funds, monies that have been disbursed by the World Bank.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, in some of the counties, there is duplication of activities. You find the same activities presented for FLLoCA are the same activities that the county government is presenting to their environmental departments. So, the committee must address the use of these funds. It must be clear and separate on which activities they are using from the funds that have been given by the World Bank. From the counties that we have looked at, at the Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, it is very clear that things are not very clear. There is no clarity in the activities that the counties are taking and so I want to support this based on the importance of the environment in this country.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Proceed, Sen. Abass.

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Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also join the---

Just a minute, Sen. Abass. Sen. Osotsi, you must be wondering why you are on top of the dashboard and why your name is on top in the list and yet I have not called you out. I have a communication that concerns you. So, unless we deal with that, you have to hold your horses.

Hon. Speaker, thank you so much. I also support the statement from the Minority Leader, the Senator for Kilifi. The drought situation in this country is actually worrying. As you are aware, drought in this county has become cyclic. Unfortunately, we do not have any early warnings and early planning for drought interventions.

Hon. Speaker, the situation in Mandera, Wajir and the entire northern Kenya is a very pathetic. Unfortunately, the other thing is that people move in vehicles still. The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Hon. Ruku, flies all over. Choppers are crisscrossing the country. So much money is being used to hire planes. The cost of vehicles being used to transport food from here is just enormous resources.

We need to have a proper planning and interventions for this country. Disaster management and drought interventions should be planned earlier. Many children are dropping out of school due to lack of food. They are unable to go to school because most of their families keep on shifting.

We cannot use drought and famine relief as a political means or a way of campaigning. It has become a campaign tool instead of sympathy for the drought afflicted; people having standing up to talk about politics and giving out food to the poor people. Those people do not need that kind of politics. They do not know about “two term.” They need food and water.

I request those cabinet secretaries and those people who go around giving food to stop going to the press. It is a shame for a government that cannot even feed its own people to keep on campaigning, saying, “we need to do this. We need to have a second term.” No, no. people are hungry.

As my colleague here rightly said, we cannot to go to Singapore when people are hungry. A country that cannot feed itself cannot be talking about going to Singapore.

I request the Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community (EAC) , the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development and those who are going around to stop the public relations issue of food. It is very embarrassing. You are telling the world that this country is going hungry every day.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Senators, we have utilised the 15 minutes allocated to this session.

I have a communication to make regarding the Senator for Vihiga County, Sen. Osotsi.

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Now, hon. Senators, in the point of order,

-

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I think I need your guidance, because I made that statement last Thursday. The event in Kakamega has since taken place and I have received and continue to receive overwhelming evidence about the involvement of this Principal Secretary (PS) in the planning of violence, including the blockage of Kisumu International Airport by thugs and police officers and including---

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Let me help you, because you are making further advances that demand substantiation. You are not helping yourself. There is a statement, and I have even given you the quote. Proceed to give evidence on that particular statement.

Mr. Speaker, Sir. I just want to be useful to this country, and this House. That is why I am requesting for more time but some of the things I said---

Sen. Osotsi, if you are seeking time, say so. Stop making other statements.

I need a week to compile the evidence some of which is classified.

You have to know that you cannot contribute. You cannot take part in any debate in this House, if such a matter is pending. Are you aware of that?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Standing Orders give me a leeway to ask for more time.

Which Standing Order? Order, hon. Senators. This is a matter touching on Sen. Osotsi. He is on the floor.

Sen. Sifuna, I am the Speaker. I am not omwami.

I take this matter to very weighty. If we look at what is happening in Haiti and people---

I asked you to substantiate. Sen. Osotsi: I just want more time for us to get adequate information about what I am talking about. If you give me more time, I am ready to comply and give enough information to this country and this House because someone died in Mbale and another in Kakamega.

I am trying to look for a provision where I can give you that one week that you require. This is how the Standing Order is crafted-

“If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate the allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such Senator substantiate the allegations no later than the next sitting day. Failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly---”

I just want more time for us to get adequate information about what I am talking about. If you give me more time, I am ready to comply and give enough information to this country and this House because someone died in Mbale and another in Kakamega.

I am trying to look for a provision where I can give you that one week that you require. This is how the Standing Order is crafted-

“If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate the allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such Senator substantiate the allegations no later than the next sitting day. Failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly---”

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Standing Order No.1 allows you to give---

Order, Senator for Nandi County. You are disorderly and I am giving you a warning for the day.

Sen. Osotsi, you cannot hide behind Standing Order No.1. That order is for instances not provided for. Your instance is well provided for in our Standing Orders. You are to substantiate. If you are unable to do so, you apologise. If you cannot do that, then I will rule you disorderly and proceed to---

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Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am not going to apologise for the obvious. It is very clear. People from that region saw Governor Orengo and I almost being killed by police at Royal Swiss Hotel.

Order, Senator.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have gangs being trained in Kisumu even---

Sen. Osotsi, I do not see why you are losing your cool. You were doing so well. This is a House of order. We have our Standing Orders. I asked you to point to me a standing order that allows me, as your Speaker, to give you one week.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the point I wanted to make is that this matter is very serious since it borders on national security. An international airport was blocked for five hours by a gang of young men with pangas. From the hotel I was staying in Kisumu, gunshots were heard at the entrance---

Sen. Osotsi, you are a seasoned politician. You have been in this House longer. You understand the Standing Orders. I take it that you are unable to substantiate. I will give you a chance to apologise. If you are unable to do so, say so, so that I proceed to the next limb.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I even have witnesses. I am ready to produce them before this House if you allow me. I wanted more time to bring witnesses to give evidence.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the matter is settled, but as Parliament, we need to reflect on the importance of what is in public domain. A Member of your House was blocked from landing into an international airport in Kenya. You need to reflect that armed goons were waiting for your members. You need to reflect on the fact that the itinerary by credible airports was shared by the security organs. You do not want to wait until a Member of this House is dead to call for a special hour for us to give condolences. It is bigger than just throwing Members out of the House. We come from that part of the world and we saw those things.

Sen. Boni, if you take to the Floor, in this Senate and make a statement, certainly you must have some facts behind it. We needed to hear those facts from Hon. Osotsi. If you are unable to give us those facts, as the Chair, my hands are tied.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have two issues on that matter. While you were away last week, we had a similar situation. The Senator for Nandi County made allegations that he could not substantiate. He decided to withdraw and apologise, but the damage had already been done. I raised a point of order for guidance. Perhaps there is need for the office of the Speaker to reflect and guide the House. I could rise on the Floor and say certain things against Sen. Cheruiyot knowing they are not true. I then wait for you to tell me to substantiate. I may say I will substantiate in the next sitting, then come here, withdraw and apologise. However, the damage is already done.

Secondly, it is easy to invoke the provisions of the Standing Orders and send a Member out. However, there is context. All of us have a role to de-escalate the political temperatures in this country. On Sunday, I almost got injured when some thug threw a stone on the windscreen of my car at a rally in Nairobi.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, let your office reflect on these issues since you are our leader. Give us direction on how to deal with a member concerned about their security beforehand and it actually happens. Perhaps, they have no way of bringing hard evidence, like a photo of the Principal Secretary (PS) in a meeting, but there is context. The people and everyone saw it--- How do we deal with situations like that in a manner that we do not encourage leaders in this House to be careless with speeches, but also protects the dignity of this House and de-escalates the political temperatures in this country?

I submit.

Hon. Senators, in such instances, if you do not have the full information, the only logical way to handle such a matter is to seek a statement from the relevant committee, so that they can dig in and give us the right position. This is because, according to our Standing Orders, once you make a statement, you must be in a position to substantiate. Those are our Standing Orders.

If you feel you do not have enough material, information or facts to back up your statement, then the best thing is to seek a statement from the relevant committee of the House. At least, they have the latitude of calling the responsible officers, investigate the matter and share with us a report that carries some facts that they have gone out there to collect. However, hon. Senators, we cannot shelve our Standing Orders. If you make a statement, be ready to substantiate and if you cannot substantiate, be ready to be deemed disorderly or be ready to withdraw.

I get it from Sen. Wambua and it is something that we grappled with today when we sat as the Speaker's Panel. Where a Member takes to the Floor, they make a bizarre statement and apologise, but you see, the damage has already been done. That is why our Standing Orders do not just talk about apology, they talk about a suitable apology. Once you make a damaging statement, you cannot just say; I withdraw and apologise. The apology must be suitable to the kind of statement that you have made. Hon. Senators, let us leave it there.

Let us move on to the next Order. There are two reports that are supposed to be laid on the Table by the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Budget and the Chairperson of the Committee on Energy. You may proceed, starting with the Finance and Budget report.

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Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Tuesday, 24th February, 2026-

Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement.

Report of the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget on the 2026 Medium Term Debt Management Strategy.

I thank you.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motions-

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motions-

Chairperson, Committee on Energy.

February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 24 PAPER LAID JOINT REPORT ON CONSIDERATION OF FIELD DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACTS IN TURKANA COUNTY

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today, Tuesday, 24th February, 2026-

Report of the Joint Sitting of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy and the Senate Standing Committee on Energy on the consideration of the field development plan and production sharing contracts for block T6 and T7 in Sol Lokichar Basin, Turkana County.

I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Joint Sitting of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy and the Senate Standing Committee on Energy on the consideration of the field development plan and the production sharing contracts for blocks T6 and T7 in Sol Lokichar Basin, Turkana County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 24th February, 2026 and pursuant to Article 71 (1) of the Constitution and Section 31 (1) and (2) of the Petroleum Act, the Senate ratifies the field development plan and the production sharing contracts for blocks T6 and T7 in Sol Lokichar Basin Turkana County.

I thank you.

Next Order.

The Senate Majority Leader, proceed.

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Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. Further in accordance to Standing Order No.66 (3) , I beg to request that the putting of the question be deferred to a later date.

Putting of the question is deferred.

I will now further rearrange today's Order Paper. Where is the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHR) ?

I will handle Orders No.14 and 15 first and then we resume normal flow. The Chairperson, Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHR) Committee, proceed.

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Hon. Members, please, consult in very low tones and let us hear Sen. Cherarkey.

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Sen. Wakoli, what is your point of order?

Standing Order No.105 is on Statement of Facts. Can Sen. Maanzo, as a serious prayer warrior and intercessor who communicates to God every day and even now, confirm to us how you stole elections if you have ever stolen?

What did he say?

That it is a fact that people steal elections in Kenya. Can he justify that using his Holiness title?

Sen. Maanzo, do you want to?

Yes, it is what I usually do in Makueni County because you cannot have a 100 per cent perfect election in this country. I will tell you the malpractices. First, there are people and their agents who on the polling day are giving Kshs100 outside the polling station. In fact, there are people, who only spend millions of shillings on the election day. What I normally do is that, I pray to my God and I mobilise so many voters without pay. My election is usually the cheapest.

Sen. Maanzo, I do not think the Member wants you to explain what you do; he wants you to substantiate the allegations that it is a fact that elections are stolen.

Yes, I will substantiate, but that is what I do. I put together so many votes so that whoever is stealing from me, will steal and still, there will be a balance.

Sen. Maanzo, do you actually understand what substantiation is?

Yes, I do.

So, can you substantiate that people steal elections?

I can substantiate through the election petitions that I have filed. The best example is---

Do you know them? Are you the one who filed the petitions? Can you indicate one?

The presidential election petition of 2017 ruled that Raila Odinga's election was stolen.

Sen. Wakoli, that---

I am not convinced, he should table facts.

Sen. Wakoli, I think the ruling of 2017 is in the public realm. You can verify and then come and confirm whether it is true.

Madam Temporary Speaker, did it say they were stolen?

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It clearly said that the election was stolen. That is why it was nullified and there was another election. That is exactly what happened. Sen. Wakoli, I am sure---

If this is the position of the united opposition, then we leave them to God.

Order, Sen. Wakoli. This was intended to be a substantiation. What you need to do is verify the facts of the case and indicate whether he is right or not.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Let me conclude. This is generating a lot of politics. The position of the alternative government is that just as they are doing now in Kisii County, we will talk and convince as many Kenyans as possible to support us, so that when the election comes, we will be voted for overwhelmingly so that anybody trying to steal, will not manage because a lot more votes will still be left and we will win the election.

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I wish to support.

Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot.

My apologies, Madam Temporary Speaker.

I rise to support this report by our colleagues from the Justice and Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee. For the record, I have to declare interest that I participated in the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process that gave birth to this report. Therefore, as I speak, I am acutely aware that this reflects the House rejecting part of the work that we did and the justification.

I have quickly skimmed through some of the concerns that people could be having with that particular phrase. I think the bigger challenge here comes with the fluency with which this report was drafted particularly on the phrase “undue delay”. If you read paragraph 15 of the overview of the stakeholder's submissions on the particular Bill, which is where this report premises its arguments on, the stakeholder submitted that the proposed wording of “unreasonable delay”, as in Clause 2 of the Bill, waters down the intent of punishing delays in declaring results because it has not been clearly defined, thus rendering it prone to misinterpretation.

The stakeholders further urged the committee to align with the proposed amendment in Section 39 (1) of the Election Act and provides that the process and timelines for tallying announcements and declaration of election results. The NADCO, which was co-chaired by Sen. Maanzo’s party leader and the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly, drafted these Bills. Perhaps it did not capture the spirit of the country fairly well because, that paragraph tells you the fear that many stakeholders had when they appeared before us.

Remember, the NADCO was formed as a follow-up to the 2022 elections and the protests that emanated thereon, which has been a cycle that this country has found itself in from as far back as you can recall. I think there were similar issues in 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022. God knows about 2027 as well.

These are part of what we were aiming to address. However, it is quite clear, if you read through the observations of the various stakeholders that appeared before

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Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights rejection of the amendments by National Assembly. From the report, the committee undertook very extensive public participation on this particular amendment. What they have come up with is to ensure the people of Kenya know really what they want. In fact, I am surprised by what my colleague on the other side has said because I thought he was also a member of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, but I do not know if he is.

If you remember, during the 2007 elections, the then chairman of IEBC at that time, the late Samuel Kivuitu, said that he did not know who won. That is why it took so long for him to announce the results. We almost lost the country because of what the then chair of IEBC said. That is why when I look at this, I do not know if the National Assembly undertook public participation because the one by the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights of this House was very extensive, which is why they came up with this report.

Madam Temporary Speaker, it is very subjective when we talk of results to be announced in “reasonable time” or without “unreasonable delay”. The law already provides that at the close of the polling station, the results for five candidates, Governor, Senator, Member of National Assembly, Women Rep and MCAs are announced after the counting of the votes. The one for the President should be declared not later than seven days.

When we say “unreasonable delay” or “reasonable time”, what is this? This is very subjective. A month can be reasonable time, two months can be unreasonable time. Basically, it means we will be putting the country in a very precarious situation. I agree that we reject this amendment by National Assembly and go by what our committee had proposed.

I am surprised when people say elections are stolen. As the Leader of Majority said, maybe we need to also amend the law to ensure that when we are subscribing to the conduct of elections, we say we will accept the results. Elections is like a game. It is as what happened yesterday where Manchester United played with another team and won. It does not matter by how many goals or by how many votes. For the presidential, it is 50 plus one.

You cannot say an election has been stolen when you, as a candidate, has not campaigned enough and do not even have agents in the polling stations. Who do you

February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 38

There is no other request, so the Mover can reply.

The putting of the question is so deferred.

Next Order. Chairperson, Standing Committee on Health.

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Sen. Cherarkey.

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Sen. Kinyua, what is your point of order?

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Bi Spika wa Muda, ninauliza kwa sababu, Sen. Cherarkey amesema ya kwamba kaunti hizi zinapewa hela nyinyi sana---

What is out of order about that?

Bi Spika wa Muda, inakuwaje tena sehemu hiyo hiyo ipelekewe hela zingine kutumia pesa ambazo zingepelekwa mahali pengine?

Sen. Kinyua, who is that point of order directed to?

Madam Temporary Speaker, I am confirming what Sen. Cherarkey said when he was being accused.

Senator, continue with the language that you first picked.

Bi. Spika wa Muda, ninasumbuka kwa sababu, Sen. Cherarkey amekuwa akishtumiwa ya kwamba anauliza maswali magumu mpaka wanakisia maneno mengine anayoitisha lakini, iwapo pesa ni nyingi tunapaswa kuona---

Sen. Kinyua, I will get you to sit down because yours is not a point of order. When you get the opportunity and you are next, you will actually make your point.

Lakini, Bi. Spika wa Muda, ungenikubalia tu---

No, no, it is not a point of order. I am sorry.

Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Sen. Kinyua has just walked in. He was in Kisii and Nyamira counties. He is still resetting his thinking to what is happening on the Floor of the Senate. You also know he has been walking around with a very dangerous man whom we impeached and who is not doing very well.

Lakini, Bi. Spika wa Muda, ungenikubalia tu---

No, no, it is not a point of order. I am sorry.

Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Sen. Kinyua has just walked in. He was in Kisii and Nyamira counties. He is still resetting his thinking to what is happening on the Floor of the Senate. You also know he has been walking around with a very dangerous man whom we impeached and who is not doing very well.

February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 46

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Madam Temporary Speaker, there is shortage of nursing staff and midwives. Some of us, God has blessed us and we are still procreating. I know you, maybe you are post, or you have postponed, or you are done with procreating.

Sen. Cherarkey, you cannot discuss the Temporary Speaker in that light. Can you concentrate on the issues?

Okay, I just wanted to relate. Let me use the immediate Temporary Speaker who just left the seat, Sen. Mumma. People like Sen. Mumma, they no longer give birth. They have given birth to their lastborns.

Madam Temporary Speaker, there is shortage of nursing staff and midwives. Some of us, God has blessed us and we are still procreating. I know you, maybe you are post, or you have postponed, or you are done with procreating.

Sen. Cherarkey, you cannot discuss the Temporary Speaker in that light. Can you concentrate on the issues?

Okay, I just wanted to relate. Let me use the immediate Temporary Speaker who just left the seat, Sen. Mumma. People like Sen. Mumma, they no longer give birth. They have given birth to their lastborns.

Sen. Cherarkey, I rule you out of order. I urge you to concentrate on your submissions without referencing Sen. Cathy Mumma's ability to produce.

My apologies and I withdraw profusely. I was trying to relate because my pain is that we are still discussing the role of midwives in northern Kenya. That is why there is a high mortality rate, where we are losing young children; the unborn. Those are things that should belong to the past. That is why some of us normally ask hard questions to these Governors. If they cannot take care of the future of this country---

On a point of information, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Do you like to be informed by Sen. Mumma?

Yes, the Speaker can always inform me.

Sen. Mumma, proceed.

Hon. Speaker, I wish to inform Sen. Cherarkey that the role of midwives in Kenya and Africa is so important that it is at the center of stemming maternal mortality. So, it would be wrong for this House to seem as if it does not appreciate the role of midwives.

Proceed. I am sure you are duly informed.

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I agree with Sen. Mumma that it is very critical. I will make two points, then I yield. That is why I am saying the issue of midwives and other issues should be resolved. In northern Kenya, especially Mandera, the average family birth rate is between seven to eight children, which means that if we had the services of midwives, we can get even up to 10. The average of northern Kenya is between six to seven children.

In Mt. Kenya region, which some people say is a stronghold, are getting an average of 1.5 to 2 children, although we can truncate it to two. So, you can imagine where the stronghold is.

On the final point, because I know we are spent for time, is other areas. Just like infrastructure, the issue of laundry. I am happy that one has been noted. The issue of Khadija Dispensary. This incinerator is something very cheap that should not appear in this Report. The issue of Elwak Health Centre and Elwak Sub-County Hospital. There are similar problems that we are facing. The issue of water scarcity, expired drugs, staffing, access and ensuring that people get opportunity.

Madam Temporary Speaker, the second county the committee visited is Wajir County. I am rushing through. The Committee visited Wajir Maternity TB Centre. It is not provided for. People do not have protective gear, which is very unfortunate. The issue of condemned infrastructure in Wajir Manyata TB Centre is very unfortunate. I am happy that the Committee has made a recommendation to the Governor to ensure that these issues are addressed once and for all, especially their role as the Governor of Wajir. Even the issue of data protection; this is because most county hospitals do not keep data records. Your sickness and how you are treated is a private matter.

I wish our county governments could know that the breach of data is a serious legal dispute. That it is not fair to reveal anybody's medical records. I have seen Murang’a trying to digitize. However, Murang’a and many of our counties do not have protection of data.

Number three, on the issue of poor record keeping, I am happy that the pictures have been shared, especially when you go to Wajir TB Centre, it is a foregone discussion.

On the issue of Hodhan Dispensary, it is very unfortunate that they lack a pharmacist. There are people who are willing to work in Wajir. It looks like the county government is not very keen and they are not doing their job.

On the issue of Wajir County dumping site, it is very unfortunate that, you know there is an incinerator to destroy this hazardous substance that comes from the hospital. They are just dumping in Wajir dumpsite, yet it is a danger to the residential areas. You saw a documentary on NTV where there are people called toilet collectors in Wajir. Every evening, they go with their jerry cans to collect toilet waste around Wajir Town. Then they put in the lorry and it is dumped in Wajir dumpsite, which is very unfortunate.

Remember, this is the county where the Chair of the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullah, is the Governor, yet he has the audacity to say they cannot appear before the Parliament of the Republic of Kenya. Wajir County Referral Hospital suffers from the similar issues; poor storage, drugs expired and poor infrastructure. They are allocating more than Kshs2 billion to the health sector in Wajir. I think I will finish at Wajir. We must see the service provision. The Kshs2 billion that goes to health sector in Wajir must be done.

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Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to make comments on the Report on the findings of the Committee on Health, on the visits to Mandera, Marsabit and Wajir counties.

These findings by the Committee on Health are not statistics. This is a reality in many counties in our health system. It begs the question, after we have devolved health, what investments are we doing in our counties? This is because what seems to happen is just recurrent expenditure. That is what we budget for. The infrastructure in county hospitals, including here in Nairobi City County, is really deteriorating.

A visit to one of our busiest hospitals here in Nairobi, for example, Mama Lucy Hospital and Mbagathi Hospital, which take care of the majority of average Nairobians, you will see leaking roofs, broken sanitation, and the most disturbing is patients sharing beds to date. I think it is time that we prioritise, in our county budgets, the expansion of the infrastructure in our hospitals.

In this time and day, we should not be normalising patients sharing beds and making medical situations worse, because you might enter a hospital with a certain condition and have to deal with another condition that you pick in hospital because of this sharing of beds.

We have a shortage of personnel, as indicated in this Report, in Wajir and Mandera counties. The Committee on Health found untrained personnel dispensing medicine, which is very dangerous because we know the repercussions of somebody who is not trained at all in the medical field dispensing medicine. This is not a joking matter. We need to be serious and train and employ only trained personnel in our county hospitals

We also have severe shortages of drugs, which is perennial. These are things we have been talking about since I got into this Senate; shortage of medicine and of specialists in hospital. What is being done towards it? The Senate Committee on Health has given quite practical solutions.

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Thank you, Sen. Karen. We can now have Sen. Nderitu John Kinyua, Senator for Laikipia County.

Asante, Bi Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kuanzia mwanzo, ningependa kuipongeza Kamati ya Afya, inayoongozwa na Sen. Mandago, kwa kazi nzuri waliofanya.

Inapaswa ieleweke kwamba afya ndicho kiungo muhimu ama jambo ambalo tunapaswa kuzingatia zaidi katika kaunti zetu. Ukiwa na barabara ama shule nzuri ilhali wananchi wamedhoofika kiafya, haya mambo mengine yote yatakosa umuhimu.

Ripoti hii inahusu kaunti tatu ambazo ni Mandera, Wajir na Marsabit na ni kama kioo. Inaonyesha jinsi kaunti zetu zinaendeleza mambo ya afya. Ukienda katika vituo vya afya katika kaunti zetu, utapata kuwa hakuna dawa ama baadhi ya dawa walizonazo zimeharibika ama zinakaribia kuharibika. Dawa nyingi ambazo wagonjwa wanahitaji huwa hakuna. Hilo ni jambo la kuvunja moyo sana kwa sababu katika Seneti hii, huwa tunajikakamua kuongeza mgao wa pesa zinazokwenda katika kaunti zetu.

Ukizingatia kaunti tatu ambazo zimetajwa hapa, utapata kwamba pesa ambazo tumezipatia ni nyingi sana. Hata hivyo, wanapoalikwa katika kamati inayoshughulika na mambo haya, utapata kuwa hawawezi kujibu maswali kuhusu jinsi walivyotumia pesa hizo.

Tunajua kuwa Kamati ya Afya ilitembelea sehemu hizo. Nakubaliana na Sen. Cherarkey kwamba ni vizuri kutembelea kaunti zetu ili kuelewa mambo yanayotendeka bali si kungoja ripoti ziandikwe na Mkaguzi wa Hesabu na wengine kisha tunaziangazia. Kazi yetu kama Seneti ni kulinda na kutetea ugazuzi. Unawezaje kuzitetea kama huelewi? Itakuwa vigumu.

Ningependa kupongeza kamati hii kwa sababu walitembea katika kaunti hizo na kuona changamoto walizonazo kama vile ukosefu wa maji. Vilevile wakunga ni wachache. Si tu wakunga bali pia madaktari wa nyanjani ambao wanachangia sana katika mambo ya afya kwa kuwa kabla mgonjwa kupelekwa katika zahanati ama hospitali, huenda wakawa wamemshughulikia kwa dharura kwa sababu jinsi wanavyosema Waswahili; kuzuia ni bora kuliko kutibu.

Mapendekezo haya ni mazuri lakini kwa sababu tumekuwa na ripoti kama hizi mara sio moja, tutafuatiliaje tujue kwamba haya mapendekezo yametekelezwa? Isiwe tu ni mapendekezo.

Nampa changamoto Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi kwa sababu tumekuwa naye hapa kwa mihula miwilli. Tumekuwa tukipendekeza tuwe na kamati ya kufuatilia kuona

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Thank you, Sen. Kinyua. Sen. Wafula David Wakoli, proceed.

Asante, Bi Spika wa Muda, kwa nafasi ambayo umenipa ili kama aliyekuwa mwanachama wa Kamati hii, niweze kuchangia.

Imedhihirika kwamba kaunti za Mandera na Wajir hazina mafundi ambao wanarekebisha mabomba ya maji. Hivi kwamba, hospitali hizi zina hitilafu hiyo. Ardhi, maua na mahali pa kutupa taka katika Hospitali ya Marsabit hayakuwa yameshughulikiwa ipasavyo. Katika Hospitali ya Wajir, vile vyumba ama vitanda vya watoto wadogo almaarufu kwa kimombo baby cots, havikuwepo vya kutosha. Hii inaathiri hali ya watoto wanapozaliwa katika zahanati hizi.

Vile vile, katika Hospitali ya Wajir, baada ya akina mama kujifungua, hakukuwa na mbinu za kupambana na mbu ambao wanawamumunya watoto wachanga na mama zao.

Bi Spika wa Muda, katika maeneo mbali mbali, hakukuwa na miundombinu na vifaa madhubuti vya kupambana ama kuwasaidia matabibu kufanya kazi yao katika hospitali.

Nikitamatisha kwa sababu ya muda, katika hospitali za Mandera na Marsabit, kulikuwa na paa zinazovuja, taa ambazo hazifanyi kazi, nyaya ambazo hazikuwa zimeunganishwa sawa sawa na hivi kwamba, zilikuwa zinahatarisha maisha ya wagonjwa na watoto. Sisi tulivyokuwa tunadai waje katika Kamati zetu, Wakenya sasa wanaweza kwenda kwenye tovuti na mtandao wa Bunge wajionee Ripoti hii jinsi Magavana

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Thank you, Sen. Wakoli. Sen. Mariam, you can now proceed to reply.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I appreciate the contribution made by Members on this Report. Most of the contributions are on the recommendations. We, as a Committee, have visited almost 24 counties and all the counties have these issues, most of them but specifically for these three counties, especially the drugs, there are no drugs at hospitals because of the KEMSA pending Bills.

If I may highlight, the pending bill in Mandera County is Kshs147.7 million. In Marsabit, it is Kshs100 million and Wajir, Kshs134 million. Most of them are over 190 days. So, to get other drugs and for figures to be accurate, it will be difficult to get fresh supplies until they clear their pending bills.

The other one which I wanted to paraphrase properly is motivation of staff; the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) . There is delay in their stipends. There is also the matter of payment of casual workers.

With that, I beg to reply and request that the putting of the question be deferred to a later date, pursuant to Standing Order No.66 (3) .

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Thank you, Sen. Wakoli. Sen. Mariam, you can now proceed to reply.

Thank you, Madam Speaker Temporary, Speaker. I beg to move that The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.48 of 2024) , be now read a Second Time.

The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill was published in the Kenya Gazette Notice on 6th of December, 2024, and referred to the Senate for its consideration. This Bill seeks to amend the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 412C, which provides for the procedures for efficient public procurement and asset disposal by public entities in the areas of public finance. These procedures include the reservation, preparation, treatment on firms and contractors.

The Bill further seeks to amend the principal Act to amend provisions relating to the definition and terms used in law and functions of this procurement. This Bill will strengthen the framework on government and how public resources are spent and

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Thank you, Senate Majority Leader.

Sen. Wafula Wakoli, proceed.

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Sen. Chimera.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I appreciate the fact that we have a new Chamber system and I was not able to work on it. I take this opportunity to

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Thank you, Senator. I will now call upon the Senate Majority Leader to proceed and reply.

Madam Speaker, I thought there were more than two people in the House, but maybe for one reason or the other, they chose not to speak to this particular topic and expected Sen. Chimera, my colleague, who has just walked in to have more to say, but I realized typical of the selfish nature of the profession he comes from.

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Thank you, Majority Leader. The putting of question is deferred to the next session of Senate.

Next Order.

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Thank you, Majority Leader. The putting of question is deferred to the next session of Senate.

Next Order.

Sen. Mwaruma is not in the House, so that will be dropped from the Order Paper. It is now deferred. Next Order.

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I am dark and handsome, and I do not appreciate when there is interference of that complexion.

The implementation of this Bill will guide the principles, including equal recognition. Remember Article 11 is part of the Bill of Rights. That is one of the sections of the Constitution that we are proud of. It sits at the apex of development of that space globally in terms of the freedom that we have given to our citizens. Therefore, any attempt to ensure that those rights are inculcated in our society and are protected by statute and law is welcome. This is one such legislation that will ensure that.

Many people dismiss culture and imagine that it has no space in the 21st Century. They need to read. It is lack of appreciation of culture that has led many societies astray. Any society that is not strong on culture cannot develop, move forward and appreciate the beauty of human nature as expected.

Culture is a cornerstone in defining identity, values and heritage of communities particularly in our country. This Constitution that was promulgated in 2010 places an obligation on the state to promote all forms of national and cultural expressions, including literature, arts, traditions, celebrations, science, communications, information and all that.

The Constitution expects us, as Parliament, to enact legislation to ensure that communities receive compensation or royalties for use of their culture and cultural heritage. There are many communities that people ape and mimic their cultures but they are not paid or do not receive any form of royalties for use of the same. That includes almost all the 47 communities.

There is something unique about every part of Kenya. We must provide the necessary legislation to ensure that all these entities are provided with the necessary support to move that particular space.

At present, we, as a country, do not have a comprehensive legal framework to effectively protect, promote and manage cultural heritage and expression. The existing legal provisions remain fragmented and insufficient to address emerging contemporary challenges relating to cultural preservation, equitable compensation and use of their heritage in coordination of cultural matters between the national and county governments. This is a place that many people forget that there are communities whose cultures we have borrowed and rely on to promote our country and various counties but people do not receive the necessary royalties.

How is this being done? Specifically, under Part I, which is Clauses 1 to 4 of the Bill, it provides for matters including preliminary issues such as the Title, definitions, interpretation and principle objects of the Bill.

Part II, which includes Clauses 5 to 19 of the Bill, provides for management of culture in Kenya and delineates functions for both the national and county governments. It also provides for establishment of cultural database, access to information, regulation of management of culture in Kenya, compensation to individuals, groups or communities for the use of cultural properties, research into culture, cultural heritage and registration.

Under Part III, where we have Clauses 20 to 29, the Bill provides for offences and penalties in relation to culture. That is when you violate and become insensitive to people’s culture. Remember this article is about preservation and defending of culture within the society. Therefore, what happens to those who violate such instances?

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February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 59

I am dark and handsome, and I do not appreciate when there is interference of that complexion.

The implementation of this Bill will guide the principles, including equal recognition. Remember Article 11 is part of the Bill of Rights. That is one of the sections of the Constitution that we are proud of. It sits at the apex of development of that space globally in terms of the freedom that we have given to our citizens. Therefore, any attempt to ensure that those rights are inculcated in our society and are protected by statute and law is welcome. This is one such legislation that will ensure that.

Many people dismiss culture and imagine that it has no space in the 21st Century. They need to read. It is lack of appreciation of culture that has led many societies astray. Any society that is not strong on culture cannot develop, move forward and appreciate the beauty of human nature as expected.

Culture is a cornerstone in defining identity, values and heritage of communities particularly in our country. This Constitution that was promulgated in 2010 places an obligation on the state to promote all forms of national and cultural expressions, including literature, arts, traditions, celebrations, science, communications, information and all that.

The Constitution expects us, as Parliament, to enact legislation to ensure that communities receive compensation or royalties for use of their culture and cultural heritage. There are many communities that people ape and mimic their cultures but they are not paid or do not receive any form of royalties for use of the same. That includes almost all the 47 communities.

There is something unique about every part of Kenya. We must provide the necessary legislation to ensure that all these entities are provided with the necessary support to move that particular space.

At present, we, as a country, do not have a comprehensive legal framework to effectively protect, promote and manage cultural heritage and expression. The existing legal provisions remain fragmented and insufficient to address emerging contemporary challenges relating to cultural preservation, equitable compensation and use of their heritage in coordination of cultural matters between the national and county governments. This is a place that many people forget that there are communities whose cultures we have borrowed and rely on to promote our country and various counties but people do not receive the necessary royalties.

How is this being done? Specifically, under Part I, which is Clauses 1 to 4 of the Bill, it provides for matters including preliminary issues such as the Title, definitions, interpretation and principle objects of the Bill.

Part II, which includes Clauses 5 to 19 of the Bill, provides for management of culture in Kenya and delineates functions for both the national and county governments. It also provides for establishment of cultural database, access to information, regulation of management of culture in Kenya, compensation to individuals, groups or communities for the use of cultural properties, research into culture, cultural heritage and registration.

Under Part III, where we have Clauses 20 to 29, the Bill provides for offences and penalties in relation to culture. That is when you violate and become insensitive to people’s culture. Remember this article is about preservation and defending of culture within the society. Therefore, what happens to those who violate such instances?

February, 24, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 60

Hon. Senator, when we resume, you will have a balance of 52 minutes to speak on that important Bill.

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30