Tuesday, 24th March, 2026

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

We now have quorum; therefore, we will go straight to the business of the afternoon.

Clerk, call the first Order.

Order, hon. Senators. Kindly take your seats, Sen. Osotsi and the Senator for Nandi.

Hon. Senators, I have a communication to make relating to a Point of Order, pursuant to Standing Order No.105, made by Sen. Jackson Mandago, EGH, MP, Senator for Uasin Gishu County, for Sen. Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, MP, Senator for Kajiado County, to substantiate a statement he made during a debate.

As you may recall, at the morning Plenary sitting of Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, Sen. Mandago, MP, rose on a Point of Order pursuant to Standing Order No.105, bringing to the attention of the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Catherine Mumma, MP, utterances made by Sen. Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, MP, while Sen. Seki was seeking clarification on a Question by Sen. Joyce Korir, CBS, MP, to the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. The original Question to the Cabinet Secretary related to the status of investigations into the fatal shooting of Mr. Victor Kipng’eno Mutai.

In the Point of Order, Sen. Mandago, MP, sought the intervention of the Chair, to require Sen. Seki, MP, to substantiate the statement that –

“---is it just because, probably, you had given some instructions some time back that people should be killed? That is what I wanted to know.”

Pursuant to Standing Order No.105 (1), the Chair invited Sen. Seki, MP, to substantiate the claim, whereupon Sen. Seki requested more time in accordance with Standing Order No.105(2), to submit evidence for substantiation of his statement at the next sitting day. Having acceded to the request, the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Catherine Mumma, MP, directed Sen. Seki to substantiate the statement at the next sitting day.

Hon. Senators, as you are aware, Standing Order 105 (1) states that – “A Senator shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts that the Senator alleges to be true and may be required to substantiate any such facts instantly.” Further, Standing Order 105 (2) states that – “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 a Senator substantiates the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order No.121 (Disorderly conduct) unless the Senator withdraws the allegations and gives a suitable apology---” Sen. Montet, you seem to be fighting with the gadgets.

Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, rather than framed as a statement of fact.

Further reading of the HANSARD indicated that the Point of Order by Sen. Mandago, MP, notwithstanding, the Cabinet Secretary responded to the question posed to him by the Senator for Kajiado County. There is no indication from the HANSARD that Sen. Seki or, indeed, any other Senator was dissatisfied with the answer given by the Cabinet Secretary.

Hon. Senators, the framing of Standing Order No.105 places the burden of proof on a matter that a Senator alleges to be true on the Senator making the statement. Throughout the proceedings, there is no indication that Sen. Seki, MP asserted, as a matter of fact, that the Cabinet Secretary had given instructions that people should be killed. My understanding of the HANSARD is that Sen. Seki, MP framed the statement in the context of a question to the Cabinet Secretary by seeking clarification from the Cabinet Secretary on whether he had given instructions that people should be killed.

Arising from the totality of the proceedings and in the context in which the statement was made, I hereby determine that the Point of Order requiring Sen. Seki to substantiate the same pursuant to Standing Order No.105 becomes redundant. Accordingly, the matter is concluded and no further action will be required from Sen. Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, MP, in respect of the direction issued earlier.

Thank you.

Secondary School, Kianyaga High School, Kirimara High School and Njegas Secondary School. He also served as the Chairperson of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association between 1984 and 1998.

Hon. Senators, the late Hon. Dickson Daniel Karaba served as Senator for Kirinyaga County from 2013 to 2017, having previously represented Kirinyaga Central Constituency as a Member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2007.

In the National Assembly, he served as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education in the Ninth and Eleventh parliaments. He was again entrusted with the same role as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Education. The late Hon. Karaba also served as a Member of the Committee on Delegated Legislation and the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library in the Eleventh Parliament.

On behalf of Senators, the entire staff of the Senate, and my own behalf, I take this opportunity to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Hon. Dickson Daniel Karaba, the people of Kirinyaga County and all his friends during this very difficult moment. The Parliament of Kenya and the nation at large has, indeed, lost a diligent and selfless leader who consistently championed the interests of the people of Kirinyaga County and the welfare of teachers in Kenya.

Hon. Senators, in honour of a departed colleague, I now request that in the usual tradition, we all stand and observe a minute of silence.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to pass my message of condolences to the family and the people of Kirinyaga at large for losing the gallant soul of Hon. Karaba.

I had an opportunity to interact with the late during the time of the late Governor Nderitu Gachagua. He made an impression of somebody who had a deep understanding of devolution and deep commitment of where devolution needed to take us. He was one of those who advocated for formation of regional economic blocs, so that it makes economic sense for the counties around Mt. Kenya.

It is during such sad moments that we are forced to ask ourselves what will be said about us when our times comes because it will reach for every one of us. It gives me a lot of inspiration to know that there are leaders who come to this House fully committed to serve and leave a huge footprint of what devolution should do to us as a country, counties and most importantly, communities.

It is in the same spirit that I stand up to pass my message of condolences to the family. May God grant them peace of mind and solitude to overcome this difficult moment. To the people of Kirinyaga, it is, indeed, a sad moment because we have lost

one of our great sons. To us who have the responsibility of leadership, it is time we did a deeper soul-searching on the impact that we want to leave when our days come.

I, therefore, pass my message of condolences on my behalf and on behalf of residents of Nyeri County, and the whole “murima” region.

Next is Sen. Kinyua.

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kuanzia mwanzo, ningependa kusema kwamba kwa niaba ya watu wa Laikipia na kwa niaba yangu, natoa risala za rambirambi kwa familia ya mwendazake, Mheshimiwa Karaba, na vilevile watu wa Kirinyaga kwa kumpoteza kiongozi ambaye nilimfahamu kama kiongozi wa walimu. Mwendazake ni kiongozi aliyejulikana. Kwanza, alikuwa mnyenyekevu. Ni mtu aliyetilia maanani mambo ya elimu na vile vile, alijitolea mhanga kufanya elimu kuendelea vizuri katika Kaunti ya Kirinyaga. Si huko tu pekee bali sehemu zote alizotembelea.

Tumempoteza kiongozi ambaye alikuwa mnyenyekevu. Kwa maisha yake yote, Mheshimiwa Karaba alikuwa mtumishi wa wananchi wa Kirinyaga na Kenya kwa jumla. Ikumbukwe kwamba alikuwa mstari wa mbele si tu kwa mambo ya elimu, bali pia kufanya Kaunti ya Kirinyaga kujulikana kila mahali.

Nakumbuka akiwa katika Seneti hii, alikuwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Elimu kwa sababu alijitolea kwa mambo ya elimu. Sisi watu wa Laikipia tutamkumbuka kwa sababu akitutembelea katika Kaunti yetu kuangalia mambo ya masomo mara si moja.

Mungu ailaze roho yake anakolaza wema.

Proceed, Sen. Joe Nyutu.

Bw. Spika, leo nikubalie nitumie Kiswahili. Natuma risala ya rambirambi kwa familia ya mwendazake---

Risala za.

Naam. Asante Bw. Spika. Nilikuwa mwalimu wa Kiswahili lakini nimekaa miaka kadhaa kabla ya kukizungumza.

Ningependa kusema kuwa tumempoteza kiongozi wa maana sana. Kaunti ya Kirinyaga ni jirani ya Kaunti ya Murang’a na kwa hivyo tumepoteza jirani.

Mheshimiwa Karaba alikuwa mwalimu kama mimi. Kwa hivyo, kuna jinsi tunavyoshabihiana. Vile vile alikuwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Elimu katika Seneti, jukumu nililokuwa nimechukua kabla ya kutimuliwa bila sababu. Hata hivyo, nashukuru kwamba niliweza kuhudumu katika Kamati hiyo kwa miaka miwili.

Tumempoteza kiongozi wa maana. Hata hivyo, lazima tumshukuru kwa miaka 78 ambayo Mwenyezi Mungu alimpatia Mheshimiwa Karaba. Nimeshangaa kusikia kwamba alikuwa amefikisha umri huo. Hata jamii yake inapoomboleza, wana sababu ya kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa miaka hiyo 78 aliyoishi katika ulimwengu huu.

Mwisho, ningependa kusema kuwa Mheshimiwa Karaba alifanya mambo ambayo si walimu wengi wanaweza kufanya. Alianza kama mwalimu kabla ya kuwa mwalimu mkuu. Baadaye alikuwa mbunge katika Bunge la Taifa na hatimaye akawa Seneta.

Kama wengine walivyosema, Mwenyezi Mungu ailaze roho yake mahali pema peponi.

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii.

Sen. Kisang, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the great people of Elgeyo-Marakwet County, I take this opportunity to convey condolences regarding the passing on of the former Senator for Kirinyaga, Hon. Karaba. He was elected in 2002 as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the National Assembly, then in 2013, he came to this House and served for five years. I knew him because I was in the National Assembly, at the same time with him, between 2013 and 2017.

We knew him as a diligent and hard-working person, who rose from a classroom teacher to deputy principal, then principal of Kakuma Secondary School, which we all knew in those olden days as a serious school that ensured several students went to the university to do professional courses.

Hon. Speaker, this is a man who rose from very low, until what we can call self- actualization. This is a great achievement; for one to rise from a classroom teacher, deputy principal, senior principal and eventually a Member of Parliament for 10 years.

We condole with the family and pray for them that the Almighty God gives them peace, strength during this difficult time, and eventually also accept that it is God's will that he has lived up to 78 years. The Bible says that the years granted to a person are 70. If you are strong, God may add you another 10 or 20. He was lucky to get an additional eight years.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Asante Bwana Spika kwa kunipa nafasi kuleta pole zangu na za watu wa Kaunti ya Embu kwa Seneta wa zamani wa Kaunti ya Kirinyaga.

Mheshimiwa Karaba alifahamika na watu wengi alipokuwa mwalimu na pia mwalimu mkuu na kazi aliyofanya katika Kaunti ya Kirinyaga iliyomwezesha kuwa mbunge na pia Seneta wa Kirinyaga.

Ni vizuri kila mara unapochaguliwa uwe ukifanya kazi kulingana kwa njia inayofaa. Kazi ya Mheshimiwa Karaba ilifanya ajulikane katika maeneo ya Mlima Kenya. Sisi katika Kaunti ya Embu tulijuwa aliyokuwa anatenda akiwa Seneta.

Maseneta wengine hawakuwa wakiongea lakini yeye alikuwa akifanya kazi iliyofaa. Ni pole kwa watu wa Kirinyaga. Wacha aende salama. Sisi ndiyo tutamfuata, si yeye atarudi.

Ningetaka kuongea kidogo tu kuhusu Seneta wa Murang’a ambaye amesema hajui kwani nini alitimuliwa kama Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Elimu. Naomba nimkumbushe kuwa aliletwa hapa na chama cha Kenya Kwanza ama United Democratic Alliance (UDA) . Baadaye alikataa mambo ya UDA akaenda kuungana na chama kingine cha DCP, na hiyo ndiyo ilifanya aweze kutimuliwa.

Sen. Mundigi, withdraw your last statements. Seneta Mundigi ama unataka nizungumze Kiswahili?

Zungumza Kiswahili, Bwana Spika ili nielewe.

Senata Mundigi umekosa nidhamu katika matamshi yako ya mwisho. Kwa hivyo, nakushurutisha uondoe matamshi yale na umwombe msamaha Seneta Nyutu.

Asante Bwana Spika. Nimesema pole kwa Seneta wa Murang’a, lakini amesikia.

Asante Bwana Spika naomba msamaha kwa Seneta wa Murang’a, lakini ajue alitolewa.

Sen. Mundigi, I will refer you to Standing Order No.122 and read it to you. Should the consequences follow you, you should not blame the Chair.

Standing Order 122 on Gross Disorderly Conduct, reads as follows- “A Senator commits an act of gross disorderly conduct if the Senator defies a ruling or direction of the Speaker or Chairperson of the committee.” Seneta wa Embu, nikitafsiri Kanuni hiyo ya Kudumu kwa Kiswahili ni kwamba- Seneta akipatiwa agizo na Spika na asipotilia maanani lile agizo, basi atakuwa na ukiuka---

Senator of Nandi, the Chair is speaking. Be attentive. Seneta wa Embu, nitakupa muda mwingine wa kuomba msamaha bila kuendeleza mambo yasiyoingiana na msamaha. Bila hivyo, itabidi nikuamuru utoke nje ya Bunge. Endelea.

Nimeomba msamaha kwa Seneta wa Murang’a.

Asante.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I stand to mourn the former Senator of Kirinyaga, my brother, friend and colleague in the National Assembly and this Senate for many years.

Sen. Karaba joined Parliament in the year of change, 2002, with me on the same day, and we served diligently. He was a great Member of Parliament, but unfortunately after five years, he lost his seat. He went on and petitioned against hon. John Ngata and won the petition.

When he went back to Kirinyaga Central Constituency to seek a re-election, I had the honour---

Sen. Nyutu, you are out of order. I caution you.

Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of joining him in his by- election campaign.

Sen. Boni, just take your seat. Sen. Nyutu, I will refer you to Standing Order No.117 which reads as follows –

“No Senator shall pass between the Chair and any Senator who is speaking or between the Chair and the Table except in so far as it is necessary for the purpose of the administration of Oath or Affirmation of Office.” That is exactly what you have done today. You are out of order and I give you your first caution for the day.

Conclude, Sen. Boni.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I had the honour, in 2011, to join him when he was seeking his re-election in the by-election together with the Hon. Martha Karua. I discovered that Kirinyaga Central is very beautiful.

I found that the late Senator, indeed, had his feet on the ground. He was seriously respected. He had made his contribution and even when he came on later to the Senate, after losing that by-election, he also discharged very well.

I assure the family that they are in my mind and in our prayers. We wish the departed Senator a peaceful rest for eternity.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) : Sen. Consolata Wakwabubi, Sen. Joyce Korir, Senator Hillary Sigei.

Hon. Speaker, are all of us speaking?

You are not speaking. Your time is long gone. Proceed, Sen. Sigei.

How?

Sen. Korir, do not push it. I ought to be asking you to leave the Chamber. You were on the phone when I was calling your name.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, could you please protect me, so that I can speak without interruption by Sen. Joyce Korir?

Proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to also pass my message of condolence to the family and the people of Kirinyaga County following the loss of their former Senator, on my own behalf and the people of Bomet County.

I never had an opportunity to work with Sen. Karaba. I, however, had a moment to interact with him in an informal session and he was such a great leader. It was at a moment when I was representing clans in a legal matter, where I happened to interact with the late Senator. We have, indeed, lost a great man and a great leader.

From the people he represented for many years, both in this House and in the National Assembly, and from the testimonies of colleagues with whom he worked in both Houses, it is clear that the late Senator was a leader we would all like to emulate.

We thank him for the time he had in his life to represent the people and serve this nation. We ask that his soul rests in eternal peace. May his family and the people of Kirinyaga County have sufficient grace to mourn their departed leader.

I thank you.

Sen. Wambua.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also want to join my colleagues in passing my condolences to the family of the late Sen. Daniel Karaba Mwalimu and to the people of Kirinyaga for losing a leader.

I may not have had an opportunity to personally interact with Sen. Daniel Karaba. However, going by history and the literature I had the opportunity to read about him. The fact that he was elected by the people of Kirinyaga Central for two terms as a Member of the National Assembly and then later as a Member of the Senate for one term speaks volumes.

I am not sure why Sen. Cherarkey is so excited about the terms ‘one term’ and ‘two terms.’ I have no idea.

We condole with the family and the people of Kirinyaga County. For us, in Mt. Kenya South, we have lost a cousin and we shall stand with the people of Kirinyaga in mourning our cousin. We will lead the people of Kitui in supporting that family and community to lay the remains of the late Karaba to rest.

May his soul rest in eternal peace. I thank you.

Sen. Veronica Maina.

Hon. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to join my colleagues in sending my deepest condolences to the family of the former Senator, Hon. Daniel Karaba, from Kirinyaga County. I had the great opportunity of interacting with him, though mainly on social matters. One of his relatives is married in the same home I am married. I, therefore, met him on different occasions. His smile and spirit brightened up a whole room when he walked in.

Even after he had completed his leadership journey in Parliament, he never failed to give serious views on issues of leadership in the country. I remember that any time we met, he would be quick to point out issues that I needed to pay keen attention to, often beginning his sentence with, “Seneta, hayo mambo, tafadhali angalia sana. Yanaumiza hapa na pale.”

He was a respected leader; a leader of note and a dedicated teacher. A teacher so distinctive that he rose to become a principal in one of the good schools in Kenya. He served with humility and touched many lives.

Even after retiring from Parliament, he continued to serve the people of Kirinyaga. On many occasions in Murang’a and Kirinyaga County, I had the opportunity to meet the former Senator, Hon. Daniel Karaba, supporting people holding functions.

To his family and friends, I offer my deepest condolences, both from my family and I. I pray that the God of comfort will grant them peace and fortitude during this difficult time. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I wish the people of Kirinyaga strength as they mourn the great son of Kirinyaga County. I pray that his soul will rest in eternal peace and may his legacy live on.

Sen. Mandago.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I join my colleagues in sending my deepest condolences to the family of the late Senator, Hon. Karaba, the former Senator for Kirinyaga County.

Sen. Karaba was a very diligent leader. I met him when he was still a teacher. He served with us in the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and later as the Senator for Kirinyaga County during the first term of devolution.

What I remember most about Sen. Karaba is his distinguished knowledge of cooperative management. We all recall that the Moi University Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (MUSCO) was facing challenges for many years. Sen. Karaba was among the very first Senators to understand the problems that MUSCO was facing. He

invited us to a meeting and even visited us in the county to try and address and resolve the matters that were bedevilling MUSCO.

I, therefore, on behalf of the people of Uasin Gishu County, wish to send our deepest condolences to the family and the people of Kirinyaga for the loss of such a great leader.

Thank you.

Thank you. Before I ask the Clerk to call the next Order, allow me to pass this Communication.

Senator for Kilifi County, kindly be settled.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for the opportunity. According to Standing Order No.105 (2) , I was supposed to substantiate in the next sitting, which was on Wednesday afternoon. Today is Tuesday afternoon. So, the issue has been overtaken by events.

So, I do not think---

Sen. Chute, I will take it that you are not in a position to substantiate. I will give you the option to withdraw and apologise. If you are unable to do that, then you may sit and leave the Chair to make a further direction.

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

Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, I will come to you once I am done with Sen. Chute.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to table these documents. As you are aware, during Wednesday’s Question time, I posed a Question based on the information that I have. The Cabinet Secretary answered my question that day. So, let me table these documents.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want you to look at the documents.

Very well. I will review the documents tabled and make a ruling on the same.

Let us proceed. Next Order.

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

Yes, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the matter, currently before the House, is unprecedented in two aspects. I would require that with your indulgence, you guide the House.

One, the matter on which the Member has been challenged arose after he raised a valid question to the Cabinet Secretary. Before the Cabinet Secretary could be given a chance to respond, the Senator for Uasin Gishu shot up with this point of order. The Cabinet Secretary had not been given an opportunity to demonstrate whether he had an answer or whether he needed more time to get the answer.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, guide the House because it is marks of an attempt by a Member of the Senate to shield a Cabinet Secretary from responding to a valid question in the House.

What is more is whether, under the rules of procedure, a Member can attempt to answer a question on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary. What he said, the Cabinet Secretary could have said in his answer that, “I do not have those details and I need time for the Government of Kenya to consult with the Government of Burkina Faso to bring a copy of the budget.” That is the first aspect.

The second and last aspect is on our Standing Orders. You need to guide the House on how to read Standing Order No.105, which if read as it is written, demands that the Senator for Marsabit should have substantiated on the first sitting day, which was on Wednesday, not Thursday or today. So, unless we have changed the Standing Orders, then you should guide the House on how to proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you.

On the first limp of your intervention, if you remember when this matter was live on the Floor of the House, I gave you an opportunity and you said exactly what you have said now. I directed on how to handle that matter. So, the matter was rested on that particular day.

On the second limp, as to whether you were to substantiate, that must have been on the next sitting day. Indeed, you are supposed to substantiate the next sitting day. However, if the Chair does not require you to do it then, you can be called upon to substantiate thereafter. In which case, the Senator for Marsabit was supposed to substantiate the next sitting day, but he was not given the opportunity. It does not mean that, that particular burden to substantiate was waived on his part. That is why he was called upon today to substantiate.

Indeed, he has tabled some documents in an attempt to substantiate. I am going to review those documents and make a ruling as to whether I am satisfied that they respond to the point of order that was raised by the Senator for Uasin Gishu.

Next Order.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, looking at Standing Order No.105 (2) , it states that- “If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such a Senator substantiate the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order 121 (Disorderly conduct) unless the Senator withdraws the allegations and gives a suitable apology, if the Speaker requires”.

This Standing Order is quite clear. With profound respect, we think the next sitting day was Thursday, 19th March, 2026, upon which Sen. Chute should have substantiated.

The Chair has pronounced himself on that matter. We move to the next Order.

The Chairperson, Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare or any Member of that Committee. Yes, Sen. Madzayo, you may proceed.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sen. Wafula.

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

Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on its consideration of the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 4 of 2025) .

Next Order, Clerk.

Sen. Veronica Maina, you may proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion –

THAT AWARE THAT, Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, with Article 27 (3) providing that women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres; FURTHER AWARE that Article 27 (8) obligates the State to take legislative and other measures to redress any disadvantage suffered by individuals or groups as a result of past discrimination, and to ensure that not more than two-thirds of members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender; COGNIZANT THAT mainstreaming gender perspectives in all aspects of governance is essential to achieving inclusive development and safeguarding the rights and welfare of all citizens, particularly women, girls and other marginalised groups; CONCERNED THAT the integration of gender considerations remains inconsistent across the two levels of government and that legislative processes have often resulted in policies that do not adequately address gender-specific needs and realities; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate – i) Urges Parliament, County Assemblies and their respective legislative committees to incorporate a gender analysis in the scrutiny of legislation, policies, programmes and budgets before them, including through the use of gender impact assessments and consultation with gender-focused stakeholders to ensure gender-responsive governance; ii) Recommends that the National Gender and Equality Commission and the State Department for Gender develop clear guidelines and tools to support the integration of gender perspectives in legislative, policy and budgetary analysis, and ensure these are disseminated and adopted by relevant government and legislative bodies; iii) Further urges the National Gender and Equality Commission and State Department for Gender to collaborate with the Kenya Law Reform Commission and County Assembly Service Boards to build capacity for gender analysis among technical and legislative staff;

iv) Urges the State Department for Gender to submit to Parliament a comprehensive biannual report detailing actions taken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies to promote gender mainstreaming, key achievements, emerging challenges and proposed interventions; and v) Resolves that the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare continuously monitor the implementation of these resolutions and tables biannual reports on the status of implementation. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Mr. Speaker, Sir, while I was giving this Notice of Motion, the House was very noisy and this is a very important Notice on gender matters. I hope the noise was not because of the gender---

We have heard you, Sen. Veronica Maina. Your colleagues have heard you, I saw them nodding.

Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, you may proceed. Sen. Thang’wa is not in the House; therefore, the Notice of Motion is deferred.

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy develops a Policy to promote Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies with particular emphasis on: i) promoting research and development of locally relevant AI solutions; ii) facilitating ethical guidelines to ensure responsible and beneficial application of AI; iii) creating innovation-friendly ‘Sandboxes’ for supervised testing of AI and emerging technologies; iv) strengthening public-private partnerships to build digital skills and innovation ecosystems; and v) integrating AI and coding into the education curriculum to prepare the next generation for the digital economy.

Sen. Miraj Abdullahi, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion – IKIBAINISHA KWAMBA, mnamo tarehe 29 Aprili 1994, janga la ajali ya feri ya Likoni lilisababisha vifo na majeraha kwa wananchi wasio na hatia, wengi wao wakiwa wakaazi wa Likoni na Kaunti ya Mombasa, na hivyo kuleta majonzi makubwa kitaifa pamoja na madhara ya muda mrefu ya kimwili, kisaikolojia, kijamii na kiuchumi kwa familia zilizopoteza wapendwa wao na manusura; IKIWA NA WASIWASI KWAMBA, licha ya hakikisho na ahadi zilizotolewa na mamlaka mbalimbali kufuatia janga hilo, bado kuna mashaka na maswali kuhusu iwapo fidia ilitolewa kikamilifu na kwa haki kwa familia zote zilizoathirika; IKIKIRI KWAMBA, kuanzishwa kwa kumbukumbu ya kitaifa ni hatua muhimu ya kuheshimu na kuenzi waliyopoteza maisha, na pia ni chombo cha kuendeleza uponyaji wa pamoja wa kijamii na kuimarisha uwajibikaji wa Taifa kwa raia wake; SASA BASI, Seneti inaamua kwamba –

Statement Pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) , Senator for Baringo County, the hon. Sen. Kiprono Chemitei, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity that you have given me to make a statement.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1) to make a statement on a matter of countywide concern, regarding the recurring drought – flood cycle in Baringo County and the entire country.

Over the past few months, Baringo County has experienced a moderate drought, particularly in the pastoral livelihood zones that make up the greater part of the county. Main water sources have dried up, forcing communities to travel long distance, in search of water, agriculture yields have declined significantly, with many residents reporting poor milk production and overall deterioration of livestock body health owing diminished pasture.

Consequently, food commodity prices have risen, which has placed an even greater strain on commodities already struggling with economic hardship. The loss of livelihood, coupled with the rise of food prices, has plunked up many households in the county into acute food insecurity, with pregnant women, lactating mothers, children and elderly facing a latent risk of malnutrition.

The drought has also had profound impact on school-going children. Many schools have reportedly increased absenteeism, which has been attributed to migration of families in search of water and pasture. Growing demand for children to help their families and herding livestock and fetching water from distant source and extend hunger and illness linked to malnutrition.

While return of rain has provided a much-needed relief and marked an end of the drought, residents of Baringo County have another looming crisis. The rains, which are supposed to usher in a season of recovery, are likely to trigger flooding linked to rising water levels in Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria. The water levels in both lakes have been rising steadily in recent years, displacing thousands of residents and damaging critical infrastructure.

I call upon the Ministries of East Africa Community Affairs and Arid and Semi- Arid (ASAL) Regional Development, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Interior and National Administration, to develop and implement coordinated strategies for a lasting solution to this humanitarian crisis.

I thank you.

Sen. Hamida Kibwana, please proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of international concern, namely the 13th Global Baku Forum, held from 11th to 14th March, 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, an event in which I was honoured to participate.

The forum brought together former and current Heads of State and government, senior United Nations officials, diplomats, ministers, legislators, scholars and global policy actors to deliberate on pressing international issues, including global security, multilateralism, climate action, digital governance, sustainable connectivity, Africa's future, housing, health, preparedness and youth inclusion.

The forum provided a high-level platform for engagement on a wide range of strategic themes relevant to Kenya's national interests and foreign policy priorities. This included discussions of the changing balance of power and the international system, the crisis of multilateralism and the future of global cooperation, the reform and the relevance of the United Nations at 80 years, the need to sustain momentum in global climate negotiations beyond formal COP processes, Africa's current development trajectory, and future prospects, among other critical discussions.

From these engagements, Kenya stands to leverage important comparative examples and strategize lessons in the following areas---

Senator for Kitui County, kindly allow your colleague to make a Statement in silence, please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From this engagement, Kenya stands to leverage important comparative examples and strategic lessons in the following areas-

Order, Sen. Chute and your colleagues.

Kenya can draw comparative examples on the governance of artificial intelligence, regulation of emerging technologies, digital inclusion, protection of rights in digital spaces and the building of ethical frameworks that support innovation without compromising public accountability.

Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) . Sen. Hamida Kibwana, you have a statement. You may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Before I call Sen. Osotsi, allow me to address the matter by Sen. Chute.

Senator for Nandi County, take your seat.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am not going to withdraw because these are facts which are out there. I am not going to withdraw.

I will now ask you to leave the Chamber for the remainder of the day.

Sen. Osotsi, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to make two Statements.

deteriorate. The gruesome murders of Mr. Zablon Ambuka, Ms. Charity Beva and Mr. Henry Tiira, among others, underscore the urgent need for decisive and coordinated action to restore peace and security in the county.

In this regard, I request the Committee to address the following-

Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , I seek a statement from the Standing Committee of Finance and Budget on a matter of national concern regarding the recent placement of Trident Insurance Company, Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO) , Mutual Assurance Limited and Corporate Insurance Company under statutory management by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) .

This regulatory action taken without prior notice has left thousands of innocent policyholders stranded. Their paid-up policies abruptly cancelled, with many compelled to purchase alternative covers at short notice, amounting to an urgent unjust double financial burden. Equally disturbing are reports of harassment and extortion by traffic police officers targeting motorists insured by their affected companies. This situation has exposed policyholders to unfair treatment, financial loss and insecurity, raising serious questions about transparency, accountability and consumer protection.

In the statement, the Committee should address the following-

Sen. Seki of Kajiado County, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee of Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national concern regarding the working conditions of labourers at the ongoing construction site of the Bomas of Kenya. Concerns have been raised by workers and members of the public regarding safety standards, welfare of worker and possible non-compliance with Occupation, Safety and Health Act (OSHA) regulations at the site.

In the statement, the Committee should address the following-

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. This is a request for a statement on human-wildlife conflict and failed interventions at Lariak Forest in Laikipia County. I rise to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a matter of countywide concern regarding the escalating human wildlife conflict in Lariak Forest in Laikipia County.

Lariak Forest, which covers approximately 7,500 hectares, serves as a breeding ground and habitat for about 57 elephants. However, the limited water supply within the forest especially during dry seasons has forced these animals to invade surrounding villages in search of water and food, resulting in devastating losses to farmers and posing risks to human life. The affected areas include Gatitu, Manjani, Karabaa, Kenyungo, Kabage, Mwireri, Leleshwa, Naibrom, Njorwa, Kapsigirio, Kinamba and Karandi villages with over 30,000 homesteads.

Horticulture farmers in particular have suffered repeated destruction of crops despite government intervention in 2022, including the proposal to fence the forest at a cost Kshs155,760,740. The measures undertaken have proven ineffective due to substandard fencing and failure to install water sources within the forest.

In the statement, the Committee should address the following-

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Joyce Korir, proceed.

Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. I rise to seek a statement on the discovery of 14 bodies buried without authorisation at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho County.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.52 (1) , I rise to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the deeply disturbing discovery of 14 bodies buried without requisite permits at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho County.

This matter raises grave concerns touching on public health, adherence to the rule of law and the dignity of human life as enshrined under Article 28 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Reports indicate that the said bodies were interred under unclear and unlawful circumstances without proper documentation, burial permits or adherence to the procedures stipulated under the Public Health Act, Cap.242 and the other relevant statutes governing the handling and disposal of human remains.

The incident further points to the possible systemic failures and lapse in oversight among the relevant national and county government agencies, including law enforcement, health institutions and county authorities charged with management of public cemeteries. Of particular concern are allegations that some of the bodies may have been transported from undisclosed locations and appear signs of suggesting possible criminal activity, thereby necessitating thorough forensic investigation.

In light of the foresaid, I request the Chairperson to apprise this House on the following-

Hon. Senators, I have---

Sen. Hamida and Sen. Joyce Korir, take your seats.

Hon. Senators, I have Communication from the Chair on visiting delegations. I would like to acknowledge the presence in the public gallery this afternoon, of visiting students and teachers from Sinendet Secondary School in Baringo County and Murray Girls Secondary School in Taita-Taveta County. The delegation comprises 133 students and 11 teachers from the two schools, who are undertaking an academic exposition.

On behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful and enriching visit.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker for the opportunity you have given me to join you in welcoming the new learners and their teachers in the House, and also to welcome the delegation from Kwale. You are most highly welcome in this House. I wish you all the best.

The students from Sinendet are my neighbouring school. I know them very well. They have travelled from far. They are the neighbouring school of Kisanana Boys High School, where I went for my secondary school education. Therefore, I know where they come from.

I take this opportunity to welcome them in the House and encourage them to work hard in their studies. In the near future, they might be hon. Members just like us here.

I wish them safe travels when they go back home. Say hello to your parents and fellow students.

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Maanzo, you can welcome the students from Taita-Taveta because they are your neighbours.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Senator for Taita- Taveta, Sen. Mwaruma, I welcome students from Taita-Taveta. I hope you are going to learn from the Senate. Definitely, in your examinations, there could be a question to do with Parliament. It is good that you do your level best to learn something in Nairobi. I wish you safe travels back home.

I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Senator for Mombasa, I want to give you the opportunity to welcome the delegation from Kwale.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa hii kukaribisha delegation kutoka Kwale katika Seneti.

Kwale, ambayo ni Kaunti 002, ni kaunti muhimu sana katika nchi yetu. Hivi karibuni kumekuwa na mjadala mkubwa kuhusiana na mambo ya madini katika eneo la Kwale. Ni katika Seneti hii ambapo tutahakikisha kwamba rasilmali za Kwale zinatumika kikamilifu.

Vile vile, watu wa Kwale wana madai mengi kwa Wizara ya Madini, Uchumi wa Bahari na Maswala ya Maji kuhusiana na ruzuku ambazo zilifaa kutoka wakati Tiomin Kenya Limited ilikuwa inachimba madini ya titanium katika kaunti hiyo.

Karibuni watu wa Kwale na mujihisi nyumbani. Ni masikitiko kwamba Seneta wenu ameondoka kwa sababu hahisi vizuri kwa kuwa ametoka safarini.

Hon. Senators, considering that we have a lot of statements that have been read and I am sure Senators want to make comments on them, I would like to rearrange the Order Paper just for one Order, so that we move to Order No.8, conclude with it, then go back to comments on Statements.

Clerk, please call the Order.

Hon. Senators, I will now put the question.

Hon. Senators, we shall now resume making comments on the statements. Let us start with Sen. Sifuna.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the statements that have been requested by Sen. Korir, Sen. Osotsi and Sen. Hamida are the clearest indication of how lost we are as a country. There is a big problem in this country and we need to address it.

Yesterday, there was a report that four people at a place called Manyatta Ginda in Saku Constituency in Marsabit were killed by bandits. Sen. Osotsi has told us that there are marauding gangs running around Vihiga and killing people.

We have had incidents of bodies being dumped in a mass grave in Kericho, but nobody can tell us what is going on in that particular area. At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration is telling us that he knows where everyone of us sleeps and who we sleep with. He said that he has focused his surveillance on us in the political class and that he can tell where Sifuna has slept and who he has slept with, but he cannot tell you, as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, how somebody can sneak into a ward at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and stab and murder a patient in bed. At the same time, I am asking myself; how can somebody who is supposed to be the patron of our public health facilities with all the attendant problems---

For instance, KNH, a national referral facility, has had cases of shortage of blood test reagents, medicines and patients’ food at times. There are also recurrent problems of

failures of critical equipment, including Computed Tomography (CT) scan and dialysis machines. As I speak, the radiotherapy machine has been out of service for three months.

The person who is supposed to be the patron of KNH has run away and is now using the police to take over the Nairobi Hospital. He is telling us that he is the patron of a private hospital, and that leaves me asking myself many questions. How is it possible for a head of state or national Government to take over a private facility? The questions that have been raised by Sen. Hamida require serious answers. If you are telling us that you are the patron of all these important private businesses--- There were businesses like Nakumatt supermarkets that collapsed, but we never saw the police being sent to take over the affairs of Nakumatt.

In fact, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with all these problems that we have listed, when is the last time you heard about the board of KNH being arrested and taken to court? The most annoying thing is that if you look at the membership of that board, those are old men, people with proper professional records and senior doctors in this country, who are arrested over the weekend. The President himself confirmed that he is the one who sent the police.

When President Ruto was campaigning, he told us that the era of use of state security agencies to intimidate and harass people would be a thing of the past. When he stands up and confirms that the mambo ni matatu philosophy in handling private disputes, we have a reason to worry, which is why we continue to urge that this country can never be about shiny things.

You are building us a railway line, which is ours any way, because it is our money; but you are arresting 80-year old doctors to take over a private facility na yako imekushinda. National referral hospitals such KNH and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret are in dire condition. When will the board of KNH ever be arrested for critical failures?

We have queues at KNH and people are sleeping on the floors because there are no wards, then you go and tell us that you are the patron of a private facility and, therefore, you are going to take over it. These are issues that point us to misplaced priorities and the fact that this Government has totally lost its way as bandits run around Marsabit and other counties.

Do you know that there are two police Land Cruisers that were sent to Narok Town to disrupt a political rally by elected Members of this House, including myself and Sen. Osotsi? As bandits run around the areas that I have mentioned, would you believe that if you pass outside Dari, which is Hon. Tuju’s restaurant along Ngong Road, there are four police Land Cruisers permanently stationed there for the past one week? Hon. Murkomen, as a former Member of this House, we expect especially from the younger leadership, that we will demonstrate that we can run a country.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what is happening in this country is unacceptable. We want all Kenyans to know that they should not be deceived by shiny things like railways and stadiums. We need to put in place a government that will put the safety and wellbeing of all individual Kenyans ahead of everything else.

I thank you.

Hon. Senators, we are going to spend 20 minutes only on comments on the statements. I can see many names on the dashboard. I request Senators who will get a chance to speak to do so for not more than three minutes.

Proceed, Sen. Boni Khalwale.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The matter has been raised by Sen. Hamida, that Dr. Obwaka was arrested because of the good work that he is doing at Nairobi Hospital. We are very unhappy. He is our senior colleague. He was our consultant when we were interns and our lecturer.

Dr. Obwaka at 80 years plus has absolutely no reason to want to wish the collapse of Nairobi Hospital. When I heard about it, I went to Muliro Gardens in Kakamega, at 7.00 p.m. that evening. The place was deserted. I looked in the sky, looked at the sun and asked myself: “Is this the same garden where I stood and asked the people that we want to vote change?” It cannot be right that we arrest professionals. In fact, Dr. Obwaka, for your information, has no interest in the small money you see around. The guy succeeded financially a long time ago.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I would like to comment on Sen. Osotsi’s Statement on the security situation in the country. At the top of that, where Meru borders with other counties, there has been cattle rustling and quite a number of people from that region have been attacked, killed and their animals driven away.

We know that cattle rustling is being prevented in some parts of this country and should be a thing of the past now. Some people do it as a matter of culture, but in the real sense, it is robbery with violence. We should see police action in those areas and make sure in the Senate, through this statement, that people in Kenya live safely. The most

important thing for the Government is to prevent and make sure that people’s lives are not lost carelessly and that people are not injured by the system.

It is very annoying to see that happen while we purport to build roads. If quite a number of young people are kidnapped and killed, who are you building the railway for? If you are doing the housing project and people are dying very carelessly across the country, massively who are you doing those things for?

We expected floods, the weather forecast was there, and we know the drainage system is bad. As you drive innocently in Nairobi streets, you find yourself in a river, alone in a small car, and you end up being swept away. What are you building the houses for?

I think the sanctity of life must be given priority. Police should be retrained and called to order. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Security should get serious now. From Sen. Osotsi’s County, Meru County, Makueni and many other places, people are being killed by gangs, who closely work with the police.

The most unfortunate thing is that any murder case you are investigating in the country, and I have two three cases in Makueni, sometimes the police work with the criminals. They arrest the wrong person and keep the murderer safe. Even when you give information where he is hiding, police go there and they report that he has escaped or they did not see anybody. So, then who will you prosecute?

The moment you leave a murderer loose, he is going to kill more and more people while the police collude and work with the criminals.

I support.

Thank you, hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to contribute on the Statement by the Senator of Baringo, on the flood situation of Lake Baringo and the neighbouring lakes.

What is happening in Baringo of late is that lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Turkana are now rising. Most of the land that was grazing land for the communities has now been replaced by water. If this water is not attended to, it may move towards Nakuru and all these places. There is a major concern that the water levels in the lakes are rising. I think we need to divert this kind of water for irrigation and fodder production, so that the communities living in these places are able to use it.

Equally, I want to contribute to issues raised by Sen. Osotsi to do with security. The country of late is getting out of hand, and I think insecurity is increasing by the day. You hardly pass a day without somebody killed or people dying. Of course, death is normal, but the insecurity issue is now rising. It is high time that this country made its security issues of concern.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to comment on the statement that was raised by Sen. Tabitha Mutinda on the placement of three insurance companies on statutory management. These are corporate insurance, Trident, and Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO) .

The way we know it, it is the Government that licenses insurance companies to do business in this country. The same Government is supposed to monitor and ensure that insurance companies are solvent. It is the same Government that is supposed to ensure that the financial status of those companies is healthy, so that when Kenyans pay money

to get insurance covers, they should not lose their money. Who is going to refund money to all the Kenyans who paid money to those companies to get their covers? We are told that a statutory manager has been appointed to take over the running of those companies.

I did Insurance Law at university when I was a student, and the first obligation of a statutory manager is to protect policyholders. What I have heard from Sen. Tabitha Mutinda this afternoon is that the harassment of Kenyans has extended to innocent Kenyans who have purchased insurance policies from insurance companies that have been placed under statutory management by the Government.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if you have suspended the board and management of an insurance company and have taken over the financial operations of that company, why should a policy cover issued by that company be declared invalid? Why then are police officers harassing innocent Kenyans who already have those policy documents on their vehicles? I wonder if the Government cannot protect innocent citizens, then who will?

I hope that the head of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) will appear before this House and tell Kenyans, when we buy insurance policies, what guarantee do we have that tomorrow they will not place other insurance companies under statutory management? Should we not be told which companies should not be allowed to run insurance business in this country?

I support this Statement. I hope that the Government will, in the interim, protect Kenyans who are taking out policies from these three insurance companies.

Sen. Cherarkey.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I will comment on a number of issues that colleagues have raised. One is the issue of bodies that have been buried. We do not know the number; it is either 13 or 14. We must be told.

I have seen documentation that disposal of unclaimed bodies is based on a legal procedure. We want to know what happened in Kericho. There are cemeteries in Nyamira. Why would they transport--- I hope, as Dr. Johansen Oduor does the post- mortem, we will be told what killed those Kenyans.

The Kenyatta National Hospital (KHN) has put a notice that there are 480 unclaimed bodies. Half of them are children. I believe Kenyans who die should be given dignity. I hope these unclaimed bodies will be accounted for and filed with the relevant court of law.

I have heard my colleague insinuate that the President appointed himself patron of Nairobi Hospital. This era of convenient lies before the House is unfortunate. What Sen. Sifuna is not telling the country is that past patrons of Nairobi Hospital were President Jomo Kenyatta, President Moi, President Uhuru Kenyatta, President Mwai Kibaki and now His Excellency William Ruto.

Those are statements you make in Linda Tumbo or Linda Mwananchi somewhere in the village. We should raise the debate. We cannot allow Sen. Sifuna to attack the President for convenience since he is not here. I saw Sen. Orengo has left - Governor Orengo is now following the President. We are aware that members of Linda Mwananchi have been calling us day and night, wanting to move to the Government.

Finally, on the issue of security, I want to assist Sen. Osotsi on the matter of security.

Sen. Cherarkey, we have a point of order. What is your point of order, Sen. Osotsi?

Reserve my time.

Yes, stop his time. Yes, Sen. Osotsi. Give him the microphone.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise on Standing Order No.105 on statement of fact. Sen. Cherarkey happens to be my friend and neighbour. I know he is going to support my statement on insecurity in Vihiga County. Is he in order to imply that Linda Mwananchi are talking to them, when he knows very well that people like Sen. Edwin Sifuna, Hon. James Orengo and I, have no time for this Government because it has failed Kenyans?

Sen. Osotsi, I did not quite understand your Standing Order.

Can you allow me---

Were you asking---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, that is a political statement. You can make it in Mbale or Luanda in a market. It does not meet the threshold of this House.

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, finally, on the issue of security--- I am disappointed that these matters will be sorted out on Friday at the National Delegates Conference (NDC) of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. I can see the party leader is here.

On the issue of security, I agree with Sen. Osotsi that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has become toothless. You remember my boys were beaten up in Nandi Hills Town. No one has been arrested to date. No investigations have been done. In Kimwani, my people were killed and no one has been arrested. The police have been the perpetrators.

Jukwaa la Usalama turned into jukwaa la siasa. We must audit Jukwaa la Usalama. They spent over Kshs600 million. We must be told the purpose of Jukwaa la Usalama, if we cannot address such issues as boda boda attacks.

Insecurity issues in Vihiga transcend many other counties, including Garissa County. I saw a video where a woman was attacked in Garissa Town because of lawlessness. Even here in Nairobi and in the coastal region, where Sen. Faki comes from, there was a big problem. In Meru County, the issue of banditry must be addressed once and for all. The Cabinet Secretary in charge must be taken to task, to tell the country what he is doing to improve security.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, with those many comments, I beg to support all the statements by my colleagues.

Hon. Senators, I am giving an opportunity to Sen. Agnes Kavindu. She has requested the Chair since she is not feeling too well and wanted to comment.

Proceed, Sen. Agnes.

Asante Bwana Spika wa Muda. Kwanza kabla sijatoa maoni yangu kuhusu taarifa zote zilizoletwa, nashukuru Seneti, kuanzia Spika na Maseneta wote. Wakati nilipoteza mtoto wangu, mlikuja kwa wingi kunifariji na hadi leo mnaendelea kunifariji na kunishikilia. Asanteni sana. Mungu wa uzima awabariki nyote.

Kuhusu taarifa zilizoletwa hapa, napenda kujadili taarifa ya Sen. Joyce Korir. Watu waliozikwa Baringo, hatujui walitoka wapi na walipelekwa na nani. Pengine ni ule mchezo ulikuwa unachezwa na Mackenzie ambapo watu walikuwa wanazikwa kwa mass graves.

Ni lazima jambo hili lichunguzwe kwa undani. Isiwe watu wanauliwa na kupelekwa mahali watazikwa kwa urahisi. Ni lazima Wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani na Utawala wa Kitaifa ichunguze ni kina nani wanauwa watu na kuwazika kwa mass graves. Watu wetu lazima watunzwe na kulindwa,

Pili, suala la ukosefu wa usalama liko kila mahali Kenya. Ukienda Machakos, utapata kuna ukosefu wa usalama. Kaunti zote 47 zina ukosefu wa usalama. Ni lazima Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani na Utawala wa Kitaifa afanye kazi inavyostahili kulinda wananchi wa Kenya. Serikali ya Kenya lazima ilinde mwananchi wa Kenya.

Kwa suala la insurance, wale watu walipochukua insurance hiyo, hawakujua kama watapata matatizo na kufunga biashara. Wao walichukua insurance. Kwa hivyo, ilimradi walichukua insurance, hawastahili kuulizwa na polisi. Wanafaa kungoja mpaka malipo waliyolipia insurance yaishe ili waulizwe.

Asante sana Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa nafasi hii.

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa hii. Nataka kuchangia kauli iliyoletwa na Sen. Tabitha Mutinda kuhusu kampuni za bima. Inawezekana kuwekwa katika usimamizi kisheria. Lakini, kinachovunja moyo ni mtu ambaye tayari alikuwa amelipa bima yake na hakuwa na uhusiano wowote kwa sababu Serikali ilipaswa kulinda mwananchi.

Sasa imekuwa ni njia ya polisi kupata hongo. Wanasimamisha watu wakiwa kwa barabara na kuwaambia hawana bima ilhali walikuwa wamekata na kulipa bima. Kazi ya Serikali ni kulinda wananchi. Kwa hivyo, wale wanaohusika wanapaswa kualikwa na Kamati husika waweze kujibu maswali kwa niaba ya Wakenya.

Nimepigiwa na wananchi wengi wakiwa wamesimamishwa barabarani wakiambiwa hawana bima ilhali wako nayo, haswa watu waliokuwa wamelipa bima kwa Kampuni ya Trident kwa bei nafuu. Mimi ninakisia pengine kuna hali ya kutaka kuwadhulumu wafanyibiashara.

Vile vile, tumekuwa tukiambiwa mambo ya Jukwaa la Usalama. Lakini, katika hilo jukwaa, mambo yanaongewa na inakuwa ni jukwaa tu. Hakuna mambo yanatendeka pale, kama vile Sen. Osotsi alisema. Ukitembea Laikipia, watu wanaishi katika hali ya sintofahamu. Wanashambuliwa, wanyama wao kuibiwa na vile vile watu kuuawa.

Kila wakati, unaskia Waziri wa Usalama ako katika gatuzi hili au lile kwa Jukwaa la Usalama, ilhali Wakenya wanaendelea kupoteza maisha yao. Ukienda Meru, wanauawa kama kuku na tuko na Serikali ambayo kazi kubwa ni kulinda mali na maisha ya mwananchi.

Juzi, nilitembea mahali panaitwa Mutanga. Wakati kunanyesha, unapata wezi wameingia katika boma la mtu na kuchukua mifugo wake na kuwachinja kando ya nyumba. Ukiuliza Waziri wa Usalama anakuambia anajua unalala wapi, vipi, kitanda kiko namna gani na utaamka saa ngapi. Anajua hata unavyoota.

Kwa hivyo, tunataka Waziri awache mambo ya vile watu wanaota na vile wanalala na ashughulikie mambo ya usalama, kwa sababu hilo ndilo jukumu lake kubwa, sio kuwa kwa jukwaa za usalama na hakuna matokeo yote yote inapatikana. Alivalie njuga swala la usalama.

Vile vile, nimemsikia Sen. Cherarkey akisema kwamba marais wamekuwa walinzi wa Hospitali ya Nairobi. Lakini, hakuna hata mmoja alitaka kuwashika watu wa bodi. Lakini Rais wa Kenya amesema peupe kimasomaso yeye ndiye alitoa amri madaktari washikwe na kutiwa ndani. Baada ya kuskia cheche za moto, amesema ya kwamba hizo kesi zao ziondolewe. Hatutachoka kuweka cheche za moto---

On a point of information.

Go ahead, Sen. Sifuna.

Nilikuwa nataka nimjulishe Seneta wa Laikipia kwamba mbali na kuwa Rais wa kwanza kuingilia utendakazi wa bodi ya Nairobi Hospital na kujaribu kuinyakua, hii ni mara ya kwanza kwamba kesi hizo zilipoondolewa umemskia akisema hivyo. Hiyo pia ni kuhujumu uhuru wa taasisi zingine haswa Mkuregenzi wa Mashtaka. Tulikuwa tumeambiwa wakati wa campaign kwamba hizi ofisi za Mkurugenzi wa Mashtaka na wakuu wa polisi hawatatumiwa kuhujumu watu ambao hawana maono sawa na yule ambaye yuko mamlakani.

Kwa hivyo, mbali na kujaribu kunyakua hospitali hii, kwa mara ya kwanza akiwa kama patron, pia anahujumu uhuru wa asasi ambazo zimewekwa pale, ili kuweza kuendeleza mashtaka. Seneta alikuwa amesahau hiyo.

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda, huyo ni mwanasheria na lazima askizwe kwa sababu ako katika kiwango cha juu cha sheria. Ninakubaliana naye mia kwa mia.

Proceed,

Sen. Osotsi has spoken.

We are supposed to remove him from the dashboard.

Proceed, Sen. Faki.

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa hii niweze kuchangia maombi ya kauli kutoka kwa Sen. Kibwana na Sen. Tabitha Mutinda.

Nikianza na Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, ni masikitiko kwamba kwa sasa, zaidi ya kampuni nane za bima zimeweza kusimamisha kazi, hizi ni, United Insurance, Blueshield, Xplico, Concord, Resolution, Corporate, KUSCCO na Trident.

Tano kati ya hizi zimekufa kabisa. Mpaka sasa baadhi ya watu waliokuwa na bima zao wanaendelea kulipa madeni---

Senators, if you are going to speak, come to the Dispatch.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am rising on a point of order. There is a Senator on the Floor of the House, barefoot, contrary to our Standing Orders. Rules are very clear.

Which Senator?

Sen. Karen Nyamu.

Sen. Karen, if that is the case, you are out of order. I just saw her go back to the chair.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The House looks so disorderly; everyone is speaking, yet there is a Senator on the Floor. Can they stick to the rules of this House and be orderly?

Sen. Joyce Korir, can I remind you that I am the Chair and in charge of keeping this House in order? I do not see that disorder---

Bw. Spika wa Muda, hapo awali nilikuwa nasema kwamba kampuni zote za bima ambazo zinawekwa katika usimamizi wa sheria hakuna hata moja ambayo imeweza kurudi na kuanza biashara ya kawaida.

Kwa hivyo, Kamati inapoangalia swala hili, lazima iulize maswali taasisi ya Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) , ni kwa nini kampuni ambazo zinawekwa katika uangalizi wake zinakufa moja kwa moja?

Mara nyingi, wanaopata shida ni wale ambao walikuwa wamechukuwa bima kampuni hizi. Hii ni kwa sababu tayari mali yao inashikwa na kuuzwa. Pia, mawakili wanapoteza pesa nyingi kutokana na usimamizi huo wa makampuni.

Ripoti ya pili ni ile ya ukosefu wa usalama nchini. Kwa muda sasa wa wiki moja, tumepoteza watu wawili katika Kaunti ya Mombasa. Kuna bibi mmoja aliuwawa juzi katika maeneo ya Likoni na wiki iliyopita, kuna msichana wa Grade 10, wa miaka kumi, ambaye alibakwa na akauwawa katika eneo la Kisauni.

Huu ukosefu wa usalama unaendelea kusambaratisha familia nyingi katika nchi yetu. Kule St. Luke’s, mwanamke mwenye mimba aliuawa baada ya kunajisiwa na genge la majambazi. Huyu msichana wa miaka kumi pia alinajisiwa na akauwawa na genge la majambazi.

Ukosefu wa usalama ni tatizo kubwa katika nchi yetu ya Kenya. Fedha zinazotolewa kwa maswala ya usalama ni karibu asilmia 25 ya bageti ya serikali hii, lakini hatuoni usalama ukiimarika kutokana na serikali hii iliyo mamlakani.

Maswala ya Broad-Based yako katika upande wa Kenya Kwanza peke yake. Wale wataalam ambao waliletwa katika Serikali Jumuishi, wako katika nyancha nyingine kama

vile nyancha ya fedha. Ukiangalia, masoko ya fedha yameimarika hivi sasa; ukiangalia uchumi samawati pia unaendelea kuimarika. Ukiangalia umeme umepelekwa mashinani. Kwa hivyo, tatizo hili la ukosefu wa usalama liko katika upande wa Kenya kwanza.

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

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda.

Sen. Esther Okenyuri, you have the Floor.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa nafasi hii. Ningependa kuunga mkono kauli ya Seneta wa Baringo nikisema kuwa, swala hili--- Hata ningependa kumuomba ya kwamba, pengine lingekuja katika Kanuni za Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) kwa sababu ni swala kubwa mno.

Jambo la mafuriko na watu kufa njaa katika Kaunti ya Baringo sio jambo ambalo limekuja katika jumba hili mara ya kwanza. Kwa kipindi kirefu, mambo haya yamekuwa yakijadiliwa lakini juhudi ambazo zinawekwa pale ni juhudi za muda mfupi.

Ninadhani kuwa kamati ambayo inashughulikia jambo hili ingeiweka kwa mjibu wa Kanuni za Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) . Ingewasaidia wakaazi wa Baringo sana lakini kwa sababu iko kwa mujibu wa Kanuni za Kudumu Nambari 52 (1) , inatuzuia kuzungumza zaidi. Hata hivyo ninamuunga mkono Seneta huyo wa Baringo kama viongozi shupavu, viongozi wachanga ambao wanazidi kuwakilisha wananchi wa sehemu mbalimbali hapa Bungeni.

Nikimalizia, nizungumzie kauli ya Commissioner, Sen. Joyce Korir ambaye anazungumzia miili ambayo imepatikana pale Kericho. Ninaomba kuwa kamati ambayo itaangalia swala hili iweze kuangalia kwa makini, kwa sababu ikumbukukwe kuwa tulikuwa tena na swala hili sehemu za Shakahola. Hadi sasa sijaweza kujua kama tulitambua miili ile ilikuwa na akina nani. Imebaki tu kuwa hadithi.

Ni ombi langu kuwa swala la Kericho lisiwe kama lile la Shakahola lilivyomalizika ili tujue ukweli wa mambo na isiwe kupoteza maisha ni rahisi tu hapa Kenya. Hili ni swala kubwa kabisa na lisizungumziwe tu hapa na iwe eti kamati itaundwa na swala hilo limalizike.

Kwa hayo machache, asante sana, Bw. Spika wa Muda.

Sen. Andrew Okiya Omtatah.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I would like to contribute to the statement by the PSC Commissioner, Sen. Joyce Korir, on the question of these bodies, which were dumped in Kericho.

The other day I visited my hospital next to my home in Busia, called Kocholia Level 4 Hospital. I visited the morgue. I was shocked to find that they have over 20 bodies that are unknown and have been lying there for years; they are not in the fridge. They have been taken out and stuck in a room like dried fish. So, they just keep on pouring on formalin and whatever because the fridges are not working and the morgue works in what they call manual mode. So, the question of undisposed bodies and all disposal of bodies in this country requires serious attention.

As regards the Statement on the Nairobi Hospital, I would like to inform the House that I am the one who stopped the AGM, which had been engineered to stage a coup in the hospital. I went to court and I obtained orders stopping it.

The Nairobi Hospital is not a private hospital per se. Nairobi Hospital, in its Articles and Memorandum of Association has the President as the patron. If you go to Section 5 of its Memorandum of Association, you cannot alter the articles of that hospital without the input of the Attorney-General.

Number three, the Nairobi Hospital is not a private hospital; it is not owned by anybody. It is something almost like a trusteeship through the association. The issues in the Nairobi Hospital need a lot of attention because the public has invested a lot in that hospital.

If you look at the letters of grant that were given in 1952, the Nairobi Hospital sits on trust land. It does not own that land; it only nominally occupies it. If it were to move out and if the Government wanted to take back that land, it would only be compensated for the buildings.

Number two, Nairobi Hospital gets a lot of grants from philanthropic bodies. Even Kenya's United Nations office here in Gigiri is there courtesy of Nairobi Hospital because that is a treatment centre. The VVIP medical facility in this country is at the Nairobi Hospital, where the President is treated, where President Moi died, President Kibaki died and even when Hon. Tundu Lissu was---

On a point of information, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

May I just have a minute, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir?

Senator, I will give you a minute. Do you want to be informed by Sen. Cherarkey? He is making a lot of requests. Would you like to be informed, or should I tell him---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, then stop the clock from running.

Stop the clock.

Sen. Cherarkey can come and take all my time.

Okay, stop the clock, but Senator, you only have one minute remaining.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, just on a point of information. I want to thank Sen. Okiya Omtatah for that honesty and truthfulness. That is the integrity we need from leaders, not conveniently misleading us.

I wanted to inform him that the public has invested so much that even the medical cover under the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) , the Nairobi Hospital, is listed as providing medical cover for these Members of Parliament. Therefore, we have a lot of interest in the Nairobi Hospital not as a country, but even the entire leadership who are served by the Nairobi Hospital and others that have been listed by the PSC. Nairobi Hospital is not only listed as the hospital to serve Members of Parliament, but also the staff of Parliament.

So, thank you, Sen. Okiyah Omtatah. I can see your journey is getting very interesting by the day.

Sen. Okiya Omtatah, you may proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, having underscored the public character of the Nairobi Hospital, it is in the interest of all of us to make sure it is given

the attention it requires, but that is not an excuse for cowboys to begin raiding the hospital under all manner of pretexts.

The reason I went to court and got court orders was that cowboys were hovering. In fact, they were not cowboys; they were vultures hovering to go for the carcass. So, I got those court orders and they are in force and we are fighting the issue out.

I would request that whichever committee is going to consider that matter to consult me. I am an authority when it comes to the Nairobi Hospital, and by the way, I would like to encourage you to become a member; you only pay Kshs15,000; Kshs10,000 for membership, then Kshs5,000 annual fee. Let us put our heads together and make sure we save this hospital, which is a centre of excellence in this country, so that it can continue serving us. Even right now, if you are going to a---

Sen. Veronica Maina, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I rise to join my colleagues to support the Statement brought to the Floor of this House by Sen. Hamida Kibwana on Nairobi Hospital. I want to support what Sen. Okiya Omtatah has just described right now.

First of all, Nairobi Hospital is registered as a non-profit organization. It is owned by Kenya Hospital Association and when he is encouraging colleagues to become members of Kenya Hospital Association, the subscription would be to that organization known as Kenya Hospital Association.

We must guard this House by ensuring that our colleagues do not display any form of ignorance to the public, especially regarding a critical institution like Nairobi Hospital, which treats close to 290,000 patients annually; a center of excellence that supports not only Kenya, but also East and Central Africa. You will find a lot of citizens from within this region are consulting Nairobi Hospital for healthcare and medical services.

It is, therefore, very sad to watch this board having infractions and internal disputes, which have been so protracted that they have even gone to court. Indeed, and to the commendation of doctors - for a very long time doctors who serve as missionaries, because being a doctor is like a calling from above - we have not seen doctors being too politicized. This is the season when we have seen the medical profession changing.

The President is the patron of Nairobi Hospital, and as a patron, he has different responsibilities. First of all, he has the responsibility of a neutral arbiter. He can intervene when there are wrangles and cause the people who are not listening to one another to sit down and agree. It is a big shame and I want to call the boards that have been serving at Nairobi Hospital to order, because the wrangles we have experienced had reached a point where some patients could not have hot showers or even healthcare in Nairobi Hospital. It is an embarrassment to the whole nation and I would be sad if the patron would watch Nairobi Hospital going down.

The opposite of the President not getting interested in that healthcare would be bad. This is because this is the healthcare taking care of even the Members of this House. I want to remind this House of the Omnicare, this clinic which is body by design, the one

where Lucy Wambui died undertaking a plastic surgery. That clinic was unknown and it was illegal, yet the Government was called to order. The ministry was called to---

(Sen. Veronica Maina’s microphone was switched off and she continued to speak off record)

Senator, we are running out of time. Just conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. It means that in healthcare sector, even an individual who pretends or who assumes the role of a doctor, the ministry and the government is called to order. How much more should we not call the Ministry of Health to order on the question of Nairobi Hospital? We do not expect Aga Khan Hospital or Nairobi Hospital to collapse, and if something is going off in any of the health institutions which is licensed by Ministry of Health, the Cabinet Secretary and ultimately the President will answer, even on illegal clinics.

Thank you. Sen. Madzayo, please proceed.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Bw. Spika wa Muda, kwanza, nampa kongole Seneta chipukizi kutoka eneo la Baringo, ndugu yangu Sen. Kiprono, kwa taarifa ambayo ameleta ndani ya Bunge la Seneti kuhusu vile mvua inafanya madhara ambayo hayafai kuweko ama yanakuja kwa mipangilio hiyo ya mwenyezi Mungu.

Tunaelewa ni siku gani siku za mvua ndani ya hii nchi na siku ambazo sio za mvua. Utaona kwamba ni jambo la aibu ikiwa kila mwaka nenda, mwaka rudi, mvua ikinyesha, ni lazima nambari kubwa ya Wakenya watapotea ama watapoteza mali yao na maisha kwa sababu ya mvua. Hili ni jambo la aibu na la kusikitisha.

Ni lazima Serikali yetu iwe na mipangilio mwafaka kuona kwamba ikiwa mvua itakuja, basi haitaleta madhara ya kuua binadamu ama kuharibu mali ama mifugo yao. Ni kama hatujajitayarisha kwa mambo kama haya na ni mwaka nenda mwaka rudi tokea tupate uhuru mpaka leo. Ikifika wakati wa mvua, tunapoteza. Hili ni jukumu ambalo Serikali ni lazima izingatie kuona kwamba watu hawapotezi maisha yao.

Pili ni upande wa usalama katika ile Statement ya Sen. Osotsi. Ni jambo la kusikitisha kwamba boda boda wanaweza kupoteza maisha yao. Wafanyibiashara wanapoteza maisha yao kwa sababu biashara inaanza kutoka asubuhi hadi jioni ama usiku. Watu wanakufa kwa sababu hakuna usalama. Usalama ni kwamba maisha yako juu ya kila mwananchi. Serikali lazima iangalie maisha ya kila Mkenya. Hilo ni jukumu ambalo Serikali lazima lifuate katika hizi kamati ambazo zitapewa hizi kazi.

Mwisho, vile watu ambao saa ingine wakiwa wamekufa wengi namna hiyo wanazikwa katika mass grave. Sisi kama watu wa Kaunti ya Kilifi---

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Bw. Spika wa Muda, ningeomba muda wa dakika moja.

Seneta, wakati wako umeisha.

Nikiongezea kila mtu muda hatutamaliza hizi Statements. Muongezee dakika moja.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) :

Asante. Kwa kumalizia, nilikuwa

Seneta, wakati wako umeisha.

Nikiongezea kila mtu muda hatutamaliza hizi Statements. Muongezee dakika moja. The Senate Minority Leader (

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, two quick comments. First is on the Statement by Sen. Kibwana on the matter of Nairobi Hospital. I have listened to my colleagues and I must say this and say it as plainly as it can get. It is true that the President of the Republic of Kenya, by virtue of the office that he holds, is a patron of Nairobi Hospital and that has been the tradition since the hospital was established. I have never heard of another President involved in the manner that the current President has gotten involved on the issues of Nairobi Hospital.

I thought the patron for a facility as important as Nairobi Hospital would arbitrate in cases of disputes, such that if there is a problem with the board, the patron is expected, in good order, to call members of the board, arbitrate and find a way out of the crisis, not to take sides and order the arrest of a section of the board members.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when I hear Sen. Cherarkey talk about the interest at Nairobi Hospital and the cover that we have as Members of Parliament at Nairobi

Senator for Baringo County, please proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a comment on the Statement made by the distinguished Senator from Laikipia, who is my immediate neighbour, about human and wildlife conflicts. It is not a matter of Laikipia alone; it should be a matter of concern for the neighboring counties such as Samburu, Baringo, and Nakuru.

Laikipia County is among the counties we depend on as Baringo in production of food security and they have been disturbed by the wild conflicts for a long time. It is high time the departments of Tourism take action. We demand answers from the Tourism Fund and management for their wildlife to stop destructing our farms. We have lost a lot of lives through the destruction by the animals.

Sen. Wambua, please proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, two quick comments. First is on the Statement by Sen. Kibwana on the matter of Nairobi Hospital. I have listened to my colleagues and I must say this and say it as plainly as it can get. It is true that the President of the Republic of Kenya, by virtue of the office that he holds, is a patron of Nairobi Hospital and that has been the tradition since the hospital was established. I have never heard of another President involved in the manner that the current President has gotten involved on the issues of Nairobi Hospital.

I thought the patron for a facility as important as Nairobi Hospital would arbitrate in cases of disputes, such that if there is a problem with the board, the patron is expected, in good order, to call members of the board, arbitrate and find a way out of the crisis, not to take sides and order the arrest of a section of the board members.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when I hear Sen. Cherarkey talk about the interest at Nairobi Hospital and the cover that we have as Members of Parliament at Nairobi

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I thought you would start by protecting me from the serious allegations made against me by Sen. Cherarkey, that I am scoring bonga points. I do not know what that means.

In this House, under Article 117, we are assured of freedom to debate freely and express opinion and ideas. However, I will let that rest. If the decision of the House is that the President can remain blind to what is happening at the Kenyatta National Hospital, that is fine. However, the truth of the matter is there is a serious problem with the biggest referral facility in East and Central Africa called Kenyatta National Hospital-- -

Sen. Wambua, we will stop your time. Allow for a point of order to be raised.

What is your point of order, Sen. Cherarkey?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order 105 and Articles 94 and 96 of the Constitution to inquire whether it is in order for the distinguished Senator of Kitui County to want the President to do oversight of Kenyatta National Hospital, yet it is this Parliament which appropriates budget? So, if there are problems in Kenyatta National Hospital, it is Parliament which appropriates, not the President. Similarly, if there are problems of oversight and running of governance of Kenyatta National Hospital and other public institutions, it is this House which does, not the President.

Finally, if Sen. Wambua wants to discuss the President, he should bring a substantive Motion. We will deal with him. He should stop throwing snippets at the President. We will not allow him to create such a picture. I know he wants to score political bonga points in Kitui County for the gubernatorial position, but this is not the forum.

Sen. Wambua, and please conclude.

the conflict in Nairobi Hospital. Is it in order for him to politicize and bring other aspects, just to shield away and shadow out Nairobi Hospital?

Sen. Veronica, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, is it in order for Sen. Wambua to introduce the issue of Kenyatta Hospital while in actual fact the Statement is on Nairobi Hospital? Kenyatta National Hospital is as equally important as Nairobi Hospital, but the Statement on the Floor of this House is in regard to the management and

Sen. Olekina, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to make some brief comment on the Statement raised by Sen. John Kinyua in regards to the issue of Lariak Forest, which is approximately 7,500 hectares and a breeding ground for elephants.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a very important Statement and all of us must pay attention to it. I am quite familiar with Lariak Forest, which is an indigenous forest that spans all the way from east of Maili Saba to Tandere.

The issues that the Senator is raising have to do with these elephants not being able to get water. So, they are encroaching into farmlands. This is a simple issue. There has been a lot of increase in terms of elephant populations. However, there is a lot of increase in human population. There is a big problem where we do not have a migration

Sen. Mo Fire, please proceed.

Asante Mstahiki Spika wa Muda. Ningependa kuchangia Taarifa ya mwenzangu ambaye amedhihirisha kwamba ako na mtirirko na ufasaha wa mawazo kuhusu janga ambalo linakumba Gatuzi la Baringo, na kusababisha vifo na upotevu wa mifugo.

Haya ni mambo yanayoshuhudiwa katika nchi yetu. Hivi juzi, tumepoteza watu wengi sana hapa Mjini Nairobi kutokana na mafuriko. Serikali ina wataalamu ambao wananweza kuangalia hali ya anga ilhali, mambo kama haya yamekuwa na sisi kwa muda mrefu sana.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, mafuriko au ukame hapa nchini si mambo mageni. Kwa hivyo, ni vizuri ikiwa sisi viongozi au serikali tutaweka mikakati ya kutosha ili kuzuia majanga kama haya.

Vile vile, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kuna pesa nyingi sana zinazotolewa kukabiliana na majanga kama haya, ila zinaishia kwa mifuko ya watu. Kwa hivyo, ni lazima tuwe waangalifu tuone kana kwamba hizo pesa zinazotolewa na Serikali na wengine kupambana na haya majanga zimetumika zinavyohitajika.

Kwa hivyo, hii Taarifa si tu ya Kaunti ya Baringo, ila ni ya Kitaifa kwa sababu kila mwaka tumekuwa na mashambulizi ya kila aina wakati wa mvua na wakati wa kiangazi. Itakuwa ni vizuri kama Serikali tuhakikishe kuwa tumekumbana na haya majanga ili tumalize maswala ya matatizo tunapopata janga la mvua na kiangazi.

Nachangia na kuunga mkono Taarifa hii.

Sen. Olekina, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to make some brief comment on the Statement raised by Sen. John Kinyua in regards to the issue of Lariak Forest, which is approximately 7,500 hectares and a breeding ground for elephants.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a very important Statement and all of us must pay attention to it. I am quite familiar with Lariak Forest, which is an indigenous forest that spans all the way from east of Maili Saba to Tandere.

The issues that the Senator is raising have to do with these elephants not being able to get water. So, they are encroaching into farmlands. This is a simple issue. There has been a lot of increase in terms of elephant populations. However, there is a lot of increase in human population. There is a big problem where we do not have a migration

I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity.

I seek your attention to the Statement on the rising cases of insecurity in Vihiga County that is not dissimilar to many counties now. As you know, security is not devolved under the Fourth Schedule, and since security is not devolved, our counties are struggling with figuring out the security architecture. This is a serious crisis to the extent that I hope, the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations will actually look at this Statement in a larger perspective.

Today, I was with the Principal Secretary (PS) , Raymond Omolo. He was visiting me in Migori County together with the President and I thought that this is not an issue that you raise in political forums, Sen. Cherarkey. This is an issue that I think, we can

Sen. Olekina, would you like one more minute to conclude on your statement?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Thank you for being very generous.

In conclusion, that forest has shrunk tremendously because of human encroachment; there are a lot of human beings moving into the wildlife area. The Committee must see whether there is a possibility of creating a wildlife corridor. In this Nairobi Forest for example, the late John Keen surrendered almost 700 acres of his land to create a wildlife corridor for wildlife that migrates from part of Kitengela into this Nairobi forest. So, it is important that we balance that issue.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, those are the big issues and I think I have made my point clear: That, one, the issue is not lack of water for the elephants; it is lack of a migratory corridor and two, the forest has shrunk.

Sen. Joyce Korir---very well. Sen. Eddie Gicheru, proceed.

I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity.

I seek your attention to the Statement on the rising cases of insecurity in Vihiga County that is not dissimilar to many counties now. As you know, security is not devolved under the Fourth Schedule, and since security is not devolved, our counties are struggling with figuring out the security architecture. This is a serious crisis to the extent that I hope, the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations will actually look at this Statement in a larger perspective.

Today, I was with the Principal Secretary (PS) , Raymond Omolo. He was visiting me in Migori County together with the President and I thought that this is not an issue that you raise in political forums, Sen. Cherarkey. This is an issue that I think, we can

handle as a Parliament because what is happening in Migori County is exactly what is happening in Vihiga County.

People have illegal crude weapons and illegal guns to the extent that they threaten mama mbogas, local traders and steal boda bodas. We have also had incidences where M-Pesa agents have been shot dead, such as the case that we saw in a place called Macalder and Osiri Matanda.

When the money was gone, the people in Macalder went to the police to demonstrate and ask whether the police can help trace these people. If the police were so used to these thugs around Migori County, then they wanted them all transferred. Unfortunately, we had a very bad exchange between the police and the population to the extent that the police station was burned.

I know my people in Macalder, Kanyarwanda and Osiri Matanda are not bad people and they want the police institution there. However, when the police cannot respond to their plight of people being killed by these illegal gun owners, it brings bad confrontation.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is even worse now because, after this confrontation where the police station was burnt, some more police officers were sent there. The police are now harassing the entire community, even those who were not involved in this---

Add him one more minute.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, they are harassing everybody in Mikei and down in Nyakweri, even those who had nothing to do with the problem that was in Nyatike. Therefore, I request the Committee to also look into the problem of insecurity in Migori.

Most importantly, harmonise the problem in Migori between the people and the police right now, so that the policemen can tone down on harassing innocent people. They should instead deal with the crooked people who might have illegal guns or crude weapons and are doing bad things. The burning of the police station was not in bad faith; it was a confrontation that happened because of lack of insecurity in that area. It is important that the General Service Unit (GSU) in Macalder tones down.

I hope that the Committee will critically look into the issue of Vihiga County as well as the issue of Migori County.

I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Hon. Senators. We have come to the conclusion of making comments on the Statements.

Hon. Senators, I am going to take this opportunity to slightly arrange the Order Paper. We are going to defer Order Nos.9 all the way to Order No.21, and then we move to Order No. 22.

marginalized backgrounds, threatens the sustainability of the teacher supply chain; NOW THEREFORE, the Senate urges the Ministry of Education, in conjunction with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund (UF) to:- i) Formally integrate Teacher Training College students into the New Funding Model to ensure equity, quality and inclusivity in the education sector; and ii) Develops regulations and guidelines to define the eligibility criteria for Teacher Training College students covering tuition and reasonable accommodation and upkeep costs.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, sir, as I rise to support this Motion, these gadgets are yet to be functional. It is almost two months and they are not interfaced.

Yes, that is why I am saying this. In fact, there was an issue of interface.

Thank you, Sen. Eddy. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, is there a problem?

teachers who are undertaking diploma courses in science and primary and secondary education.

We are aware that of the 27,000 students under diploma, both in teacher training and other aspects, some do not access loans and grants. I hope we will amend the law, and I believe that it is unfair and unconstitutional as I have read in Article 27, on discrimination on the basis of lack of full access to benefits of teachers training in diplomas. I know that we have Bondo TTC in the neighbourhood of Sen. Eddy who understands the pain and knows that our teachers who are training to be teachers, to teach our children, will be very taken care of.

An

in its functionality. It is hard to access some of the documentation. In fact, the initial iPads should be brought back.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, can I have your attention? Our iPads should be brought back; they were better than this. I hope the Commission and the Secretariat are noting the inconvenience that is placed before the House. I do not know what Sen. Eddy is telling you that he did not say in Migori a few hours ago.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Motion of inclusion of teacher- training college students in the HEFM. This was an outright discrimination because under Higher Education Loan Act, CAP 213 and the Technical Vocational and Training Act, CAP 220; Laws of Kenya 220A, it is provided for funding of students in universities and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) colleges.

Even if the model of funding has shifted, now we use what we call Means-Testing Instrument (MTI) or MITI, it is MTI - This continues to discriminate our students who are in teacher training, especially diploma in primary teacher education and diploma in secondary teacher education. They cannot have access to government loans and grants as provided by because they were excluded.

I agree with the mover of this Motion, that under Article 27(1), on equality and freedom from discrimination every person is equal before the law and has a right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law.

Article 27(2) states that equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the fact that the Higher Education Loan Board Act was passed to only finance students in universities, was okay. That is CAP 213, Laws of Kenya. The TIVET Act, CAP 210A of the Laws of Kenya, funded technical students in our TIVETS excluding our teachers who are undertaking diploma courses in our teacher colleges. I have received a lot of complaints. It means we are violating Article 27 because it provides benefits that any Kenyan should not be discriminated against.

I hope, when we will resolve as a House to pass this Motion, we will ensure we put in place the necessary measures so that our teachers in diploma in primary teacher education and diploma in secondary teacher education training are protected. This is very important. I appeal to colleagues I cannot see a number of colleagues who have been teachers but I know they are following this discussion online.

As you are aware we, we have over 32 public teacher training centres. Apart from Mosoriot Teachers Training College, Asumbi, Bondo, Murang’a and others. They are 32 in total. We used to have one in Garissa. I do not know whether we still have Garissa Teachers Training College. I was happy when we visited Mandera, there is already an established Mandera Teachers Training School.

In 2025, we have 27,000 students in teacher training centres. These are teachers that will teach our children in primary school and they are very critical because they form the formative basis. The drafters of the law lack the wisdom to ensure all students access government loans and grants, not only university students, but also technical students and

teachers who are undertaking diploma courses in science and primary and secondary education.

We are aware that of the 27,000 students under diploma, both in teacher training and other aspects, some do not access loans and grants. I hope we will amend the law, and I believe that it is unfair and unconstitutional as I have read in Article 27, on discrimination on the basis of lack of full access to benefits of teachers training in diplomas. I know that we have Bondo TTC in the neighbourhood of Sen. Eddy who understands the pain and knows that our teachers who are training to be teachers, to teach our children, will be very taken care of.

An

Kijana barubaru.

He is known by the ladies in this House as kijana barubaru - to be the Deputy of Sen. Ledama Olekina. That will be a very lethal powerful force that will sell the broad-based agenda across this country, including matters education.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 43 talks about basic rights. I am happy that you are one of the senior lawyers in this country. You competed against one of the former senior officials of KNUT, your brother, comrade, Hon. Wilson Sossion in the last general election.

Article 43 (1) (f) says that every person has a right to education. So, we must ensure that Article 43, which is economic and social rights, are entrenched in the Constitution. The only way is not to discriminate against teachers who are training to be teachers in our colleges. We must rectify the law. We must regularise the law.

I wish Wilson Sossion all the best. I have been told he wants to make a comeback as the Secretary General of Kenya National Union of Teachers. I was looking at the social media and people were saying that it is only Sossion who used to give us long

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I just wanted to inform Sen. Cherarkey that Sossion is no longer interested with the teachers’ politics, but he is interested in working in the Government, and he knows why he is interested. I do not want to say more about this.

Thank you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you are aware of a matter where hon. Sossion was cleared by the court. He received his status as a teacher, but since Sen. Joyce comes from Bomet and maybe they are compatriots with the hon. Wilson Sossion, she has better information than me. Looking at the way she is smiling shyly, she knows more than I do, but I wish him all the best. I am aware that he wants to work with the Government and I know, of course, where he will work from, but on teachers, if he wants to go back to KNUT politics, we wish him well in that aspect.

On a lighter note, when there was social media buzz that Sossion will go back to KNUT politics, people were very excited that he used to give us long holidays, especially he used to declare a strike and we knew that for one or two weeks we would be off the school, and it was very enjoyable at that moment. I appeal to Commissioner Joyce to lobby hard for hon. Sossion to get an opportunity to serve in this Government. When we give him an opportunity, he should not come back and disturb you. He should go and serve government and allow you to serve the people of Bomet.

In 2021, there were 10,000 students that were training in diploma teachers training. This rose to 27,000. So, there was a growth of 17,000 students undertaking diploma courses. That is why we need to finance this. Most of them come from poor backgrounds. I know you have funded a harambee for a number of them in many occasions.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have seen the Clerk is trying to show you the Standing Order, but that is well noted.

I have seen teacher training college students being formally integrated into new funding model that is called Means Testing Instrument (MTI) , which is very important.

The second prayer is to develop regulations and guidelines of teachers. Even as we train, and we thank the President for employing 100,000 teachers who have trained in these teacher training colleges, we must be aware that we need also TSC to come up with regulations. How do we absorb teachers? I was shocked to find teachers who are approaching retirement age and they are yet to be employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) , yet they graduated in 2013 or 2014. You will find somebody who

Yes, please, of course, the Commissioner can always do that.

Commissioner, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I just wanted to inform Sen. Cherarkey that Sossion is no longer interested with the teachers’ politics, but he is interested in working in the Government, and he knows why he is interested. I do not want to say more about this.

Thank you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you are aware of a matter where hon. Sossion was cleared by the court. He received his status as a teacher, but since Sen. Joyce comes from Bomet and maybe they are compatriots with the hon. Wilson Sossion, she has better information than me. Looking at the way she is smiling shyly, she knows more than I do, but I wish him all the best. I am aware that he wants to work with the Government and I know, of course, where he will work from, but on teachers, if he wants to go back to KNUT politics, we wish him well in that aspect.

On a lighter note, when there was social media buzz that Sossion will go back to KNUT politics, people were very excited that he used to give us long holidays, especially he used to declare a strike and we knew that for one or two weeks we would be off the school, and it was very enjoyable at that moment. I appeal to Commissioner Joyce to lobby hard for hon. Sossion to get an opportunity to serve in this Government. When we give him an opportunity, he should not come back and disturb you. He should go and serve government and allow you to serve the people of Bomet.

In 2021, there were 10,000 students that were training in diploma teachers training. This rose to 27,000. So, there was a growth of 17,000 students undertaking diploma courses. That is why we need to finance this. Most of them come from poor backgrounds. I know you have funded a harambee for a number of them in many occasions.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have seen the Clerk is trying to show you the Standing Order, but that is well noted.

I have seen teacher training college students being formally integrated into new funding model that is called Means Testing Instrument (MTI) , which is very important.

The second prayer is to develop regulations and guidelines of teachers. Even as we train, and we thank the President for employing 100,000 teachers who have trained in these teacher training colleges, we must be aware that we need also TSC to come up with regulations. How do we absorb teachers? I was shocked to find teachers who are approaching retirement age and they are yet to be employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) , yet they graduated in 2013 or 2014. You will find somebody who

graduated in 2018, 2022 or 2023 having been employed, but teachers who graduated 10 years ago are yet to be employed. We need a policy by the TSC.

Something should also be done by our county governments regarding our Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres. That includes Bomet, Narok and Migori. I am told there is a ‘chiwawa’ in Migori. We also have Murang’a and Nairobi, but Nairobi is no longer a concern. We must have a scheme of service. That is why when we invite governors to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), they must appear.

Today, when the Governor of Kakamega was at Radio Jambo on Giddy na Ghost Asubuhi, he was asked about ECDE teachers and scheme of service, but he was not able to answer. He accused the Senate for doing average through the CPAC and the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPISFC).

They say he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. How can a governor with a Kshs19 billion Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) Limited scandal lecture the Senate? He should not. He went ahead to say that Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Oparanya, never appeared before the CPAC. I would like to inform him that Hon. Oparanya appeared religiously before the CPAC. That is the question we will ask regarding ECDE centres. There must be a scheme of service. Our teachers are suffering even in my county because they are paid Kshs10,000, yet they pay a lot of money for training.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the interest of time and since my colleagues also want to contribute, I would like to listen to comments by Sen. Eddy Gicheru. I know he was with the President in the Nyanza tour. He could be having brilliant ideas on how we can fund our students in teacher training colleges. I want to thank the people of Siaya for ensuring that Governor Orengo did not speak because he has not been supporting the broad-based Government.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, allow me to support this Motion. I hope I will listen to Sen. Eddy.

with a dedicated funding way to ensure we do not strain the system. This will boost TVET education because those students who could not afford to go to TVET can be given that opportunity.

This Motion makes sense but will only be practical if we have a dedicated fund. You can divide it among the 47 counties, so that there is equality, equity and fairness in the distribution of money. Otherwise, I support.

Sen. Eddy Oketch.

There are quite a lot of pros and cons on this matter. I will focus a little bit on some advantages. Firstly, when you include diploma students in higher education funding model, despite causing a policy confusion, you are allowing those who cannot afford to go to university to also participate in nation building. There is an indirect nation building because they will achieve their goals and contribute particularly to the Competency Based Education (CBE). The question is not whether to include teacher training students into the higher education funding model but how we ensure that we do not strain the system. You will need money.

We will have to think critically on how to come up with funding; either we reduce the cost and the government supplement TVET training, reduce the cost of these colleges so that these needy students can get access to this university funding or come up with another fund.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have seen the President being very creative. He came up the Infrastructure Development Fund, which is funded by the public by privatizing government entities. Is it not time for us to think critically on how not to confuse the policy, but to come up with a dedicated funding model to fund these TVETs?

If you go my village, a walking distance from my house, there is a TVET. I would be very happy to see many of our local needy students getting their college education fully funded.

We must ask ourselves how we ensure that when we agree to this Motion of inclusion of teacher training students into the higher education funding model, we prioritize the needy ones. We have to be clear. First the Ministry of Education and even the sponsor of this Bill Sen. Nyutu, has to be cognizant of the fact that there will be need for us to develop a policy specifically to differentiate between a degree funding and diploma funding.

We have had this debate on bursaries for second day school students and scholarships that are being offered by country government versus those offered by the Ministry of Education and also bursaries being offered by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). We have to be clear so that we do not confuse the entire system because I see that coming in.

One of the things that I like in terms of introducing this new funding model is that the students who end up getting a diploma will be aligned with their peers who are in the universities who are also getting their degree. It is a welcome proposal but what is the reality of it?

Are we going to strain the system thoroughly or could we find a gap so that at least when a student is enrolled in these TVETs they have to meet certain requirements before they can be funded? We have to ensure that we fund them based on merit but not just having a blanket fund. Otherwise, it is going to be very confusing.

I do not want to waste so much time because I see you still have four of my colleagues who wish to contribute. I wish to summarise with the following-

If the House agrees to promote this Motion, let it not be one of those which we pass in this House, but it becomes impossible to implement. We have passed so many Motions in this House and I know the Senate pronounces itself through Motions and Bills, but some Motions can become very difficult to implement if we do not come up

with a dedicated funding way to ensure we do not strain the system. This will boost TVET education because those students who could not afford to go to TVET can be given that opportunity.

This Motion makes sense but will only be practical if we have a dedicated fund. You can divide it among the 47 counties, so that there is equality, equity and fairness in the distribution of money. Otherwise, I support.

The calibre of teachers that you produce is more important than thinking about just the universities, because there will be no engineers in the universities if they do not start from the local level. There will be no lawyers like you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, who is a very shrewd lawyer, practices well and is one of the best legislators that we have in this Assembly. None of you would be critical lawyers the way I am seeing if we did not have a proper foundation at the primary school level and a proper foundation at the secondary school level.

Lastly, we know that the current funding model, is a funding model that has also brought about this university fund. The University Fund and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), which some of us must have benefited from is that the University Fund and is a pure scholarship model on this funding model, unlike the HELB, which is a pure loaning system.

Why can we then not rethink the entire higher education model, so that we also have the TCC fund, and allow it to inject a scholarship model for the most deserving teachers who can join the right diploma certificate that they need to go through?

The only eligibility for this fund, is that students are placed by Kenyan Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), which is, if you think about it, discriminatory. It should be opened up to meet the tenets of Article 43 and Article 53 of the Constitution. When you only admit students based on what KUCCPS has prescribed, that only the students who are eligible to public universities can access the new Higher Education Funding Model, what you lose is a swath of those who are many.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if you think about it, the transition of about 900,000 students in the country who go to universities is only a third. So, a swath of them remain to only go to this TCC, diplomas, certificate education and TVETs. It means that the critical mass of support, actually, that we should focus on, should be on this base because there is already a University Fund in this Higher Education Loaning Fund, so it will be very important that we are able to incorporate the diploma levels to take the swath of several teachers---

Sen. Eddy, did I hear Sen. Olekina?

Sen. Olekina, do you want to inform or to clarify?

I say so because if you look at the funding model, it has seriously targeted support which looks at students' needs in the areas of tuition and accommodation.

If you look at the 33 colleges that we have today; if you go to Chuka, Kaimosi TTC or Migori TTC, one of the biggest challenges for those who go to these institutions is accommodation and tuition. That challenge is not only outstanding to people in the universities; it is to everybody else who goes to these tertiary institutions of diploma and certificate level. They need that facility. That is why one of the things I really appreciate about the broad-based Government, is the support of President Ruto's vision around using the housing levy to build institutional funding for students who are going to these kind of institutions.

If you figure out proper institutional funding that guarantees students’ accommodation then, you do not only help them access proper education like teachers would, but you also bring dignity in study

Can you imagine that there are TTCs in this country where a trainee goes for training, and in the evening, they live in an iron sheet housing somewhere because they cannot afford accommodation? They live in some shanty kind of facility that they can only pay Kshs2,000 or Kshs1,000. Apart from just killing their morale and exposing them to diseases and other things, you also expose them to other problems, including risks such as crime and sometimes sexual harassment for female students. So, there is opportunity for this new funding model to be able to bring about dignity to teachers.

I had an opportunity sometimes last year to visit my brother, Sen. Ali Roba in Mandera. Since time immemorial, before 2013, when devolution came, a county like Mandera had never had a semblance of national Government whatsoever. If you look at the feature of local administration, none was existing. If you look at features like simple colleges built to the standard that is needed by the national Government, none was existing. It was when the governor of Mandera, our own Captain Ali Roba, took the bold decision to build a college right from scratch. Then for the first time Mandera had a teacher's college that now has about 1,000 students. You can imagine what that looks like in the budget for counties. He just built the college and the county is still struggling to build hostels for those students.

Worst of all is that the county is even struggling to guarantee a full package of tuition to these students in Mandera. You can imagine the weight on an institution like a county. That is why with this Higher Education Funding Model and the framework that has been put around, that is, the student-centered and equity-based and with the idea that the government has provided; the idea of funding splits, where you can guarantee scholarships on one side and structure loans on the other and we allow for parents to contribute according to their weight and their capabilities, this is the biggest opportunity we have to open this funding to serious institutions of learning that are a basic learning institution in our country.

We cannot have a country where we are not figuring out how best our teachers can be trained. The overemphasis on higher education as university only misses the point because the foundation, the substratum of our society, must be schooling at the local level when you start with ECD, must be schooling at the primary school level and must be schooling at the secondary school level.

Anytime. He is my senior and we are having a very good debate here.

So, take note of the remainder of the time available to Sen. Eddy Oketch.

Sen. Olekina, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to seek this clarification. I am just a bit confused in the sense that the good Senator has alluded to the fact that there are so many students who qualify to go to the university.

Sen. Eddy, would you allow Sen. Olekina to make a clarification from your comments?

Anytime. He is my senior and we are having a very good debate here.

So, take note of the remainder of the time available to Sen. Eddy Oketch.

Sen. Olekina, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to seek this clarification. I am just a bit confused in the sense that the good Senator has alluded to the fact that there are so many students who qualify to go to the university.

I was just saying that the more who are remaining at the lower part of the pyramid need to be considered, just as much as those who have gone to the university and there is opportunity for this fund to be able to engage them. Those who are going to universities are guaranteed support with the fund already, because that is the purpose of the fund. However, it can be expanded to take in a swath of the many of them who are remaining into these diploma courses. With that, I support and I thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Sen. Veronica Maina, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I support the Motion that is on the Floor of the House, seeking to have inclusion of the teachers training colleges as part of the higher education funding model. We cannot overstate the importance of teachers training. Teachers training is central to learning. Teachers must be prepared for and be ready to handle the hard task of taking care of learners.

Indeed, education is one of the most effective tools of changing societies. Without proper education, we cannot speak of a society that is steady, strong or ready to take off for development. It is in the education sector where the word mediocrity should not be entertained, or uncertainties, or ambiguities. That should not be entertained, because, the quality of our students is as good as the quality of the teacher.

Give him 30 seconds, considering the other Members definitely would want to contribute.

I was just saying that the more who are remaining at the lower part of the pyramid need to be considered, just as much as those who have gone to the university and there is opportunity for this fund to be able to engage them. Those who are going to universities are guaranteed support with the fund already, because that is the purpose of the fund. However, it can be expanded to take in a swath of the many of them who are remaining into these diploma courses. With that, I support and I thank you for giving me the opportunity.

compulsory. We must ensure that every aspect of that education is not challenged in any way.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, most of the students who normally apply to go to the teachers’ training colleges come from very poor families. They come from the same homes that are not doing very well economically. So, to leave that burden to the student or parents who are sending their young or mature student for training as teachers to train as teachers, would actually be to leave education sector in a moment of chance or in a moment of ambiguity or to cost them not to be able to access or afford that training.

So, my plea is that the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), works out a model that includes the public teachers training colleges into the funding model.

I also commend the Government for the number of classes that have been built in the last three years. I know there are some people who do not like to hear this, but in the last short while, 23,000 classrooms have been added into the education infrastructure. That speaks into a better future for our country.

I hope that someday, in our culture of acknowledging what is done, what is not done and what needs to be improved, we will reach a point where, even if you do not agree with the Government politically and the ideologies do not agree with the Government, we can commend the good that is being done and say what needs to be improved in an objective manner so that we can help our sectors to grow.

Imagine, because of all the noise that is happening right now, people do not even know that this Government has cut away the history of having increased funding in education sector from Kshs540 billion to Kshs702 billion. This is the largest increase in our history. If we can work out the rough edges of the issues that are still not streamlined enough to benefit from this budgetary allocation, I believe we will be moving to the right positioning.

As we speak about how we take care of our teachers, they are the highest contributors of the housing levy. Even as the houses are being built by Government, we want to see teachers also benefit from the houses that are being built in different counties. Instead of somebody shouting from counties saying “hizi manyumba zinaenda wapi,” I advise them that as a teacher, they should go to Boma Yangu website and apply for their own house.

Stop complaining and move with the times because as you are complaining, houses are being built and when houses are allocated, the next complaint will be “nyumba zilijengwa na sikupata”. I did not get a house and the houses were built. As a teacher, you come from the sector that is contributing heavily to the affordable housing scheme. I urge you to go to Boma Yangu and apply for your houses. The same amount of budget that you are allocating to your rent or your home, will be enough for you to pay for your unit every month. We want to see our teachers dignified and doing the right thing. We want to see a situation where teachers can feel, know they belong and can actually live dignified lives.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, sir, I know there must be a day where you have been invited to celebrate one of the teachers who made you be a Speaker of this House today. For people like you and me; you come from Bomet, how do you think you would

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I support the Motion that is on the Floor of the House, seeking to have inclusion of the teachers training colleges as part of the higher education funding model. We cannot overstate the importance of teachers training. Teachers training is central to learning. Teachers must be prepared for and be ready to handle the hard task of taking care of learners.

Indeed, education is one of the most effective tools of changing societies. Without proper education, we cannot speak of a society that is steady, strong or ready to take off for development. It is in the education sector where the word mediocrity should not be entertained, or uncertainties, or ambiguities. That should not be entertained, because, the quality of our students is as good as the quality of the teacher.

Hon. Members, we may rise now. Senator Veronica, you actually still had three minutes to go, but you have concluded your contribution.

That is taken note of by the Chair, Sen. Olekina. Sen. Veronica, you forgot to mention that Sen. Eddy was also in the streets of Yale doing his studies as you tried your best. We are all here today celebrating the stories of what we are, as we talk about the Motion today.

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30

have accessed that seat without having to go to school and passing through the hands of many teachers? How would I, from Kangema, a small village in Kanyanyaine, have come to the City of Nairobi?

It was a dream that was too far for me to reach, but the teachers made it possible for us to come and argue with Ledama Olekina today, who lived in the high streets of New York and another state in the United States. For us, who did not even have a ticket to come to Nairobi, the teachers made it possible. So, I celebrate the teachers from Kangema and from Kanyanyaine.

Mrs. Kamau, who taught me English and made sure that I could understand the grammar. Never mind that, that English was, you know, taught to me in Kikuyu. They had to describe what a cat is in Kikuyu first before I could understand it in English. Mrs. Kamau, Mr. Kanyi, Mr. Mwishige, Mrs. Njeri Tidiemba or Kahuhia, the principal from Kahuhia Girls, my university lecturers; Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, Prof. Githu Mwigai and all those constitutional law teachers. So many of those teachers combined are the ones who have set me up for what I am today.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, they have also set you up for who you are today. Every morning, we are entrusting them with our greatest and best resource; our children. That is why, we can talk about teachers today in this Senate and say that your teachers' training colleges must be funded for this programme. The financing model that is available in the education sector must be inclusive enough to take care of your training.

With those many remarks, I wish our teachers all the best. We are not on the Teachers' Day; I know there is a day when teachers are celebrated, but I know most of us have, in one way or the other, celebrated our teachers, helped them pay their medical bills or helped them handle their issues.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I support.

Hon. Members, we may rise now. Senator Veronica, you actually still had three minutes to go, but you have concluded your contribution.

That is taken note of by the Chair, Sen. Olekina. Sen. Veronica, you forgot to mention that Sen. Eddy was also in the streets of Yale doing his studies as you tried your best. We are all here today celebrating the stories of what we are, as we talk about the Motion today.

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30