March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 1

Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

The Speaker Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly stop the Bell. We now have quorum. Clerk, proceed to call the first Order.

Hon. Senators, take your seats.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 2

Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make on the passing on of the late Hon. Johana Kipyegon Ng’eno, CBS, MP, Member of the National Assembly for Emurua Dikirr Constituency.

The late Hon. Ng’eno lost his life on the evening of Saturday, 28th February, 2026, in a helicopter crash in the Chepkiep area of Mosop Constituency in Nandi County. The accident claimed his life and that of five other persons who also tragically perished.

Hon. Senators, the late Hon. Johana Ng’eno was born on 12th December, 1972, in Narok County. He began his early education at Mogondo Primary School before proceeding to Maseno National School for his secondary education. He later pursued higher education at Kyiv TSN University in Ukraine, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Law.

Upon his return to Kenya, the late Hon. Ng’eno advanced his academic and professional credentials by obtaining a Master of Arts degree in International Studies and a Bachelor of Laws degree, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. His distinguished academic journey culminated in his admission to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 2025.

Before joining elective politics, the late Hon. Ng’eno served as a Director at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) from 2008 to 2012, where he gained valuable experience in public sector management and administration. In 2013, he joined elective politics and was elected as the Member of the National Assembly for Emurua Dikirr Constituency. He was subsequently re-elected in successive general elections, thus serving his third consecutive term in Parliament at the time of his demise.

Hon. Senators, during his first tenure in Parliament, the late Hon. Ng’eno served in various committees in the National Assembly, including, the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and the Public Investments Committee. In the 12th Parliament, he further served in the Committee of Powers and Privileges, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee and again in the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

At the time of his passing, the late Hon. Ng’eno was serving as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works and as a Member of the Liaison Committee. He discharged responsibilities with diligence, distinction and unwavering commitment. One of his major hallmarks in the 13th Parliament was the publication of the Quantity Surveyors Bill, 2026, which seeks to provide a legal framework for the training and registration of quantity surveyors and other specified professionals, and to regulate the practice of quantity surveying in Kenya.

Hon. Senators, beyond his work within Parliament, the late Hon. Ng’eno was committed to improving the lives of the people of Emurua Dikirr, particularly in the areas of education, community welfare and peaceful coexistence. He championed access to education by facilitating the provision of school buses to several institutions and ensuring the timely disbursement of NG-CDF bursaries to needy students.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 3

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I served at the National Assembly with our late brother from 2013. In the 2017 election campaign, I was part of the team

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 4

Sen. Cherarkey, Senator for Nandi County.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. From the onset, I pass my deepest condolences to the family of Hon. Johana Ngeno and his compatriots, who passed on in a tragic air crash at Chepkiep, Sang’alo-Kebulonik Ward, Mosop Constituency, Nandi County.

I arrived at the scene at 6.45 p.m., about an hour after the crash. The scene was horrendous. Parts of the helicopter were scattered, the engine was burnt and the six bodies were badly injured. We waited until 10.00 p.m. when the bodies were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

I have not slept for two days, recalling the sight at Chepkiep in Nandi North Forest. Our colleagues suffered. After making an emergency landing, the helicopter lifted and within a minute crashed. It uprooted two large indigenous trees. The pain they went through is unimaginable.

Secondly, I apologise to colleagues, including your office, who called me at that time. I could not pick calls because the families had not been notified and the police had not yet arrived. Many feared I was in the helicopter. I was in the Mosop region where the accident happened. The mist was heavy and there was a lot of rain. Mheshimiwa Ng’eno and his five compatriots suffered. We pray God grants them grace.

I thank a young lady, Jacobeth Jeptoo, a trainee nurse from Kendu Bay Adventist Hospital and her mother. They tried to assist one victim who survived for 30 minutes. However, due to the poor emergency response, two young men who were alive at the time of the crash could not be saved.

I also thank the people of Chepkiep who came in numbers. They did not fear the fire. They used soil and twigs to put it out. Without their intervention, the bodies would have been burnt beyond recognition. The only honour we can give Jacobeth Jeptoo and her mother is state recognition. I have committed to support her and pay for her nursing qualifying examination in May, 2026. I hope with the indulgence of the House, we will be able to give her a placement and---

You have one more minute to wind up.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. We must recognise those two unsung heroes.

Finally, I appeal to our people in the aviation sector, especially pilots to be more carefully because the rains are heavy and the mist is widespread. In future, whenever colleagues board a helicopter and the weather is not good, do not insist on flying.

I express my deepest condolences to all of us. The late Hon. Ng’eno was more than a friend. He was a colleague and a leader in the Kalenjin nation. We worked together. We hope the people of Emurua Dikirr, his spouse and his family will find solace in God Almighty.

I yield back.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 5

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

Asante Mstahiki Spika. Kwanza,

The Senate Majority Leader. The Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Cheruiyot) . Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I join you, on behalf of my colleagues, to pass sincere condolences to the people of Emurua Dikirr for losing their leader, and a few gallant sons who were with him on the fateful day, as well as the other Kenyans who perished on this unfortunate incident.

The people of Mheshimiwa Ng’eno, specifically the people of Emurua Dikirr, have lost their Nelson Mandela. This is a man who toiled and fought long and hard until this constituency was eventually carved out of the greater Kilgoris. In fact, those who understand the history of this place fairly well know that Mheshimiwa Ng’eno won the parliamentary seat back in 2007. However, out of his magnanimity and that of those who supported him, and in the interest of cohesion in that particular region, he actually never saw the doors of Parliament until 2013. That is great sacrifice by a man who gave out his best to his constituents. Therefore, it is unfortunate the way he has departed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a man I knew fairly well. We have been together in the political journey. He has campaigned against me and I against him. He has campaigned for me and I for him. We have agreed and disagreed on certain things. However, above it all, you cannot fault him in his desire to pursue that which he believed in, and that which he believed was right for his own people. You can never take that away from Mheshimiwa Ng’eno. It is unfortunate that at the prime of his leadership, just when he was beginning to flex his political muscle to move to greater heights, we have lost him due to this accident.

I would like to urge that, given the frequency with which we have seen air accidents in this country, perhaps it is time that, as a Parliament, we sought to understand the issue from authorities and agencies that check the quality of the aircrafts that people use in this country, and the kind of maintenance regime that is done. In the last few years, there have been such accidents where many Kenyans have lost their lives. Unfortunately, on many occasions, we never get the final report of actually what happened. Is it something that we need to change? It is about time that we took keen interest in that particular space, so that we do not lose any other Kenyan to accidents that would easily have been avoided.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I knew quite a number of the other Kenyans---

The Senate Majority Leader, you have one more minute to wind up your thoughts.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 6

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to pass my condolences to the families of the six other Kenyans that I knew personally who were in that chopper. I knew Nick, the photographer. I used to meet him here on the corridors of Parliament. There is a young man called Carlos who, for many years, never agreed with Mheshimiwa Ng’eno. They had a ‘handshake’, for lack of a better word, barely a month or two ago. Unfortunately, they have perished together. Similarly, Captain Were is a person I know so well. I have flown with him before, including just the other Sunday. It is sad that all these people have perished in this manner.

Condolences to their families, beloved ones, and to the people who worked with them. May God rest their souls in eternal peace.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Wambua, please proceed.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for also granting me this opportunity to join you and my colleagues in sending a message of condolence to the family and friends of our departed colleague, Hon. Johanna Ng’eno Kipyegon.

A lot of things have been said about our former colleague. From where I sit, Johanna Kipyegon is the true embodiment and personification of representation. He is a man who represented his people without fear. Even if we cannot remember a lot of things, we remember the incident last year, when the late Johanna confronted police officers in active engagement. The officers were firing at residents. He confronted them and demanded that they stop killing his people. That is a true personification of representation.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to say two things. One, these air accidents, especially involving helicopters are becoming far too common. We have lost quite a number of senior leaders in this country through helicopter crashes. We lost the former Vice- President, George Saitoti. Not very long ago, we also lost the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) boss through another helicopter crash. As the Senator for Kericho County has put it, we never get to find out exactly what happened, and do not see the final report as to exactly what caused these accidents.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, could we just insist, as a House, that we get to know what the problem is? Is this something to do with the maintenance of the aircrafts? Is it something to do with the training and refresher courses for the pilots, or is it just leaders insisting on things to be done their way? This way, we will not lose people and leaders through helicopter crashes, every now and then.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on my behalf, my family, and the people of Kitui County, we condole with the family of Mheshimiwa Johanna.

I thank you.

Sen. Kathuri Murungi, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also take this opportunity to pass my condolence message to the family of the late Hon. Johanna Ng’eno and the five other friends who were in the ill-fated aircraft.

I served with Hon. Johanna for 10 years in the National Assembly, from 2013 to

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 7

Sen. Ledama, please, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I stand here to mourn a colleague and leader whom I believe that some of us were cut from the same cloth. This is a man whose courage, agility and dedication to the service of the people of Narok County, not only the Emurua Dikirr, is highly commendable.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I remember seeing Hon. Ng’eno, just about two weeks ago when I went to help bury the mother of one of our colleagues, Sen. Mandago. On that particular day, I flew there. I am sure the Speaker was in that burial as well. I asked Hon. Johanna Ng’eno to travel with me. We traveled back together in a helicopter and spoke about Narok County. If you listened to him then, all he was talking about was how to unite the Kipsigis and the Maasai people of Narok County to speak as one and fight for development.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am sad because we had many plans on how we can bring this community together. In fact, on that same day, we were talking about his latest passion with Kenyan artists. He was telling me that it is about time we also elevate the Maasai artists. So, we discussed one young girl whom he was promoting to give her publicity to make a living out of what she was doing. I am saddened.

I know there is one quote that is very common with Hon. Ng’eno. He always said if it does not happen the way you want it, it will happen in a better way than you imagined. That is the beauty of God’s plan. This is all God’s plan. We are here today, tomorrow we are gone. We will miss him. However, I want to assure the people of Dikirr that you are not orphans; we will stand and go through this hard time together.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 8

One minute to wind your condolence.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. This is a very young girl with two beautiful children. In fact, when we were there yesterday with the President, the children were just happy. They did not really understand what was going on. Everyone was there, you know.

Life is so fickle; today you are here, tomorrow you are gone. I hope that we, as leaders, can remember that. Sometimes we chestthumb, line our pockets, collect billions and billions of shillings, and forget the people who have put us here, where they are. Hon. Ng’eno fought for the people of Emurua Dikirr.

I was just watching YouTube episodes and there was one he was saying, “shika Ledama, shika Ledama,” and yet, what both us of were doing is fighting for the rights of our people. We were fighting to save the Mau Forest, but ultimately, we came together and fought, we united. A lot of development is going to Narok County because of understanding that these tribes do not mean a thing; they just unite us.

Senator, please wind up.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I mourn the late Hon. Ng’eno. I want to welcome all of you to Narok County this Friday, so that we can give him a befitting send-off.

May God rest his soul in eternity.

Sen. Veronica Maina, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. On my own behalf and that of my family and the people of the great Murang’a County, I want to offer my deepest condolences to the widow of Hon. Johanna Ng’eno, together with her children, their family, the Ng’eno family, the Ntutu family, and the great people of Emurua Dikirr and those of Narok County.

It is difficult to talk about Hon. Johanna Ng’eno because he is one leader who embodied boldness, courage and fearless leadership. He made his opinions and views known, but in a respectable way, though he may have appeared confused or as over- defending or over-fighting.

I remember, as a Member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) , when we had the nominations for Narok County. There were lots of conflicts within the county, but he emerged as a leader and anyone who rallied behind him won their seats. I would describe him as an indefatigable defender of the vulnerable people. I remember how he fought for the members of his community and members of public who were evicted from Mau Forest. He definitely carried the hope, aspiration and the pride of a people of Emurua Dikirr and Narok at large. We could say he shaped the current leadership of the Narok County in a big way.

We are deeply saddened by the loss, and it is sad to see the kind of accidents we are having on air. As it has been said and analyzed, there have been one too many. I hope, as we discuss the Motion I brought to the House on road accidents, we will consider also taking this air accident as a subject of heavy discussion so that interventions are made.

We are praying for Mrs. Nayianoi Ntutu together with her children and the entire family. Rest in peace, our dear colleague, our brother. You had a warm, loving heart and I pray that the legacy you left will be emulated by other leaders, his family and the people of Kenya.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 9

Sen. Osotsi, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Let me also join my colleagues to pass a message of condolences to the family, friends and relatives of my good friend Johanna Ng’eno. I served in the National Assembly with Hon. Johanna Ng’eno and he was a very lovely person. We used to tease him, being one of the senior bachelors in the House, but later on, he married in a very colorful wedding, which most of us attended. Since then, he has been my friend, and there is one important thing I learned from him.

Hon. Ng’eno spoke his mind, regardless of which political divide he was in. Whether he was in Government side or opposition, he was fearless. He could speak his mind and he could protect his people on any issue, even if his bosses had an alternative idea.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have lost a great leader from the Rift Valley and I hope God rest his soul in eternal peace.

Sen. Seki, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also take this opportunity to condole with the people of Narok, Emurua-Dikirr Sub-County, for the demise of brother Hon. Johanna Ng’eno, a person whom I found to be a friend.

He has been a friend since 2013 when he became an MP for Emurua-Dikirr Constituency. He was a courageous person; a person who spoke his mind, a person who fought for his people, a person was very fearless and a person who could speak his mind regardless of the situation.

The death that has just occurred in this country is something we are all praying that should have happened out of natural calamity. Hon. Ng’eno was a very courageous person, a person who talked to almost everybody, a person who empowered his people and spoke his mind in every situation that he was in because of his people.

Death has been a big issue in this country. As leaders, we need to see how we can prevent some deaths because today we are talking about a legislator. Most of our citizens in this Republic have been killed in many occasions. Therefore, we need to sit down as a House and discuss how most of the problems can be prevented, particularly regarding the police killing members of the public.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, mine is to say pole to the entire family and the county at large.

Proceed, Sen. Eddy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity as well.

I join my colleagues to mourn our former colleague, Mheshimiwa Ng’eno. When a great leader falls, sometimes we reflect on the accomplishments. To me, the aspirations or hopes that the leader had and the legacy he leaves behind are more powerful than anything else.

If there is anything that the late Hon. Johana Ng’eno has reminded us today, it is that sometimes we can be obsessed by the idea of power and positions and personal merit, but it is also important to leave a mark in other people’s hearts from our services. May his towering spirit live an eternal life in us since he was a man who, as my colleagues have said, fought and died in the course of duty and service to his people.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 10

Sen. Eddy, you have one minute to wind up your comments.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just to summarise, as a Senate, we take the loss of the lives of the young people and the loss of their parents, just as serious as the loss of Mheshimiwa Ng’eno and the captain. We would like to say sorry to their families.

As a House, I hope we will find ways of offering our support, both morally and materially, to the families of the young lives that were lost in the tragedy since they also matter because they are the unsung heroes that sometimes are not seen behind leaders who exemplify excellence in our communities. They are the people who make these leaders work and feature. Therefore, I pray and hope that the nation will stand with their families just as much.

Poleni sana, and may God bless them all.

Hon. Senators, I will interrupt that Order, but we will come back to it. For those who are still willing to pass their condolences, you will have a moment to do so.

Allow me to rearrange today’s Order Paper, pursuant to Standing Order No.45 (2) , and proceed to Order No.8 all the way to 14. Once we are done with those Orders, we will resume the Order that is before us now, where hon. Senators will have an opportunity to pass their condolences.

Clerk, kindly proceed to call those Orders.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 11 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 12

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 13

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 14 AYES: 0 NOES: 26 ABSTENTIONS: 0

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 15

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 16

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 17 THE LABOUR MIGRATION AND MANAGEMENT (NO. 2) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO. 42 OF 2024)

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 18

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 19

Yes. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Mumma) : Professor, have you voted?

Yes. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Mumma) : We now move to Clauses with amendments.

I put the question; that Clauses 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 and Clause 2 be amended as proposed.

You may now vote.

Hon. Senators, we now move to all Clauses. I put the question; that Clause 3 (as amended) , Clause 4 (as amended) , Clause 5, Clause 6 (as amended) , Clause 7 ( as amended) , Clause 8 (as amended) , Clause 9, Clause 10 (as amended) , Clause 11 (as amended) , Clause 12 (as amended) , Clause 13, Clause 14 (as amended) , Clause 15 (as amended) , Clause 16, Clause 17 (as amended) , New Clause 2A, New Clause 3A, New Clause 5A, New Clause 6A, New Clause 8A, New Clause 12A, New Clause 16A, New Clause 18, Clause 2 (as amended) , New Clause 1A, The Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill.

You may now vote.

Hon. Senators, these are the results for those Divisions-

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 20

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 21 ABSTENTIONS: Nil

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 22

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 23 ABSTENTIONS: Nil

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 24

Hon. Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the President's Memorandum on the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2022) and its approval of the recommendations on Clauses 2, 3 and 4 thereof.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration on the National Assembly Amendment to the Meteorology Bill (Senate Bills No.45 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration on the National Assembly Amendment to The Election Offences (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bills No. 28 of 2024) and its rejection thereof.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 25

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration on the National Assembly Amendment to The Public Finance Management (Amendment) (No.4) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 Of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of The Labour Migration and Management (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.42 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.35 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 26 THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ELECTION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.2 OF 2024)

Thank you very much, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the County Governments Election Laws (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.2 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2022) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the President’s Memorandum on The Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2022) and approved the recommendations on Clauses 2, 3 and 4.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Hon. Senators, we have concluded consideration of the President’s Memorandum on The Cancer Prevention and Control

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 27

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the National Assembly amendments to The Meteorology Bill (Senate Bills No.45 of 2023) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report.

I request Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Hon. Senators, we have concluded consideration of the National Assembly amendments to The Meteorology Bill (Senate Bills No.45 of 2023) and approved the amendments to Clauses 1, 7, 12, 19, 38, 53, and the introduction of New Clause 43A.

There will be no Third Reading. Consequently, the Bill will be referred to His Excellency the President for assent.

Let us go to the next one.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered and rejected the National Assembly amendments to The Election Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.28 of 2024) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Hon. Senators, we have concluded consideration of the National Assembly Amendments to The Election Offences

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 28

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The Public Finance Management (Amendment) (No.4) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report. I request the Senator for Kisumu, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Public Finance Management (Amendment) (No.4) Bill (National Assembly Bills No.45 of 2024) be now read a Third Time. I request Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Let us finish with the reporting then we will vote on all of them thereafter. Since we are still reporting, we do not need to have the quorum at this moment.

I now order that the doors be opened and the Bars drawn.

Please, do not move out because there is a reason I have done so. I wanted to accommodate hon. Senators who are out there to come in; these are the Senators at the door?

Sen. Abdul and Sen. Dullo, kindly just give us five minutes.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 29 THE LABOUR MIGRATION AND MANAGEMENT (NO. 2) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO. 42 OF 2024)

Let us report on The Labour Migration and Management (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bills No. 42 of 2024)

Chairperson, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The Labour Migration and Management (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No. 42 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mover, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said Report. I request Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Mover, proceed.

I beg to move that The Labour Migration and Management (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bills No. 42 of 2024) be now read a Third Time.

Sen. Eddy Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Division will be at the end.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 35 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mover, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to move that the Senate do agree with the Committee in the said Report. I request Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda to second.

Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, proceed.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 30

I second.

Mover, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 35 of 2024) be now read a Third Time.

I request Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Senator (Prof.), you wait to be given the microphone by the Speaker.

Sen. (Prof) Tom Ojienda, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I second.

Division at the end.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The County Governments Election Laws (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.2 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mover, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the Senate do agree with the Committee on the said report.

Can you propose a seconder?

I request Sen. Beatrice Ogola to second.

Sen. Beatrice Ogola, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Mover, proceed.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 31

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The County Governments Election Laws (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No. 2 of 2024) be now read a third time.

Is Sen. Beatrice Ogola still seconding or you have changed your mind to Sen. Kajwang’?

No, I would like the honour to go to my colleague, Beatrice Ogola.

Thank you.

Sen. Beatrice, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Hon. Senators, we will do the four Divisions. You can ring the Quorum Bell for one minute.

Now, one minute is over. Close the doors and draw the bars. No Senator should leave the Chamber.

Clerk, confirm whether we have numbers for the Division?

Let us try to get the quorum; open the doors, draw the bars and ring Quorum Bell for three minutes.

Ring the Quorum Bell for three minutes.

Hon. Senators, let us just finish up this small business before us. Serjeant-at- Arms, now close the doors and draw the bars.

Hon. Senators, you know I can see the mood of the House is that the Senators want to go for prayers and others to do other important businesses. Therefore, I request

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March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 33

These are the results of the Division-

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 34 THE TOBACCO CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.35 OF 2024) DIVISION ELECTRONIC VOTING

These are the results of the Division-

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 35

These are the results of the Division-

Hon. Senators, I order that the doors be opened and bars drawn)

Thank you, Senators, for your patience this afternoon. We have done quite a commendable job.

Hon. Senators, we had some minutes to eulogise our departed brother. Therefore, if you can refresh your request, then I can know who is interested to pass their condolences.

Proceed, Sen. Kinyua.

Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii kutoa risala za rambirambi kwa niaba yangu na watu wa Laikipia. Tunasema pole sana kwa kumpoteza kiongozi shujaa, Mbunge wa Emurua Dikirr, Mheshimiwa Johana Ng’eno.

Ikumbukwe kwamba Mheshimiwa Johana Ng’eno ni kiongozi ambaye aliongea fikra zake bila kuogopa. Kile ambacho aliamini, alikisema.

Vile vile, aliamini utamaduni na kuwainua wanyonge. Ndiposa, kila wakati, nilimwona akihudhuria hafla za waimbaji na kuwachangia. Kwa hivyo, tunamwomboleza kiongozi ambaye alikuwa na msimamo thabiti na aliyejitolea kuwainua waliochini.

Mimi namkumbuka kama mtu mcheshi. Kwa niaba ya watu wa Laikipia, tunampa familia na mjane wake na familia za wale aliokuwa nao pole sana. Tuna matumaini kwa sababu alituwacha akiwa katika hali ya kutumikia wananchi.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 36

Next is Sen. M. Kajwang’.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise with immense grief and sorrow to eulogise and convey my condolences to the family of our departed colleague, Hon. Johana Ng’eno, and five others who perished with him in that drastic helicopter crash.

It is easy to talk about Hon. Johana Ng’eno and forget about the five others. I would like to convey my condolences to their families and loved ones. I pray that God will comfort them during this moment.

What happened to Hon. Ng’eno and his entourage could happen to any of us. The pilot of that helicopter, Captain George Were, is a man that was known to many of us. He has flown some of us with the vessel that went down because in this country, we do not have many helicopters.

In fact, in that space, the helicopters are almost like matatus. This is because if you are not endowed to own one, then you have to rent one. So, the helicopters are just like Ubers, and you do not choose who will drive you. Pilot George Were has piloted some of us. We have previously used that particular vessel and it could have happened to anybody.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Hon. Johana Ng’eno was my personal friend. I came to the Senate in 2015 in the 11th Parliament. I believe you were sitting in the other House. Hon. Johana Ng’eno, at that time, was still a bachelor. When I came, he offered to show me around Parliament. He went beyond showing me the corridors of Parliament. He took me to Kilimani and several other places and tried to give me an orientation of the city. I was very happy when he got married in 2018, because it slowed him down. He went under the radar a little bit and went back to school.

I want to pray that God will hold the hands of the young family left behind. At the end of the day, all that we do is vanity. We must ask ourselves: What will our children say on that fateful day if we were to expire suddenly like Hon. Johana Ng’eno? He definitely did his stuff in the right manner, because the whole nation is in consensus that he was a good leader, a good man, a good husband and a good father.

May the Lord comfort the family and the rest of the victims of that crash. May we reflect on that so that when we pass laws, let it not be for a personal good, but for the good of our children and the children of our children. Let it be a fit inheritance for the next generation.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Very well. Next is Sen. Essy Okenyuri.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I also wish to convey my condolences to the people of Narok County, Emurua Dikirr, and the family of the late Hon. Johana Ng’eno. In Hon. Johana Ng’eno, they have lost a compassionate and straightforward leader.

We had a short interaction for the time I have been in Parliament. He was a legislator that you would really want to emulate. He would defend the interests of his people without looking at the side of the political divide he stood.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 37

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I also join you and my colleagues in eulogising our colleague, the late Hon. Ngong who was a great man. He has died a warrior who always fought for his people. For sure, Kenyans who came to know about him did so because of the way he fought for his people. So, we have lost a warrior and a great leader. I send my sincere condolences to his young family.

Death is very painful. Having lost my husband one year ago tomorrow, I can only imagine what that family is going through. What we can do for now is to pray for them to be comforted. We also pray for the other souls which perished in that crash.

Allow me to also send my condolences to the family of the pilot of that flight, the late Col.

Captain Were, who was well known to me. I have flown with him on the same chopper that crashed many times and he was a very experienced pilot. Really, when death comes calling, no one and nothing can stop it.

May God comfort the family of Captain Were during these hard times. We will pray for them and we will be with them during this difficult time.

Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi ili nichangie mjadala kuhusu watu ambao waliaga dunia kutokana na ajali ya ndege. Mmoja wa wale walioaga dunia ni Mheshimiwa Ng’eno ambaye tulikuwa tukifanya naye kazi. Pia kuna wale wengine watano waliopoteza maisha yao.

Mimi kama Seneta wa Kaunti ya Embu, familia yangu na watu wa Embu Kaunti, tunatoa pole zetu kwa familia ya Mheshimiwa na familia ya wale wengine watano. Hakuna mtu ambaye anaweza kusimamisha kifo. Mungu ndiye alituumba. Kwa hivyo, tuombe ya kwamba wale ambao wametuacha waende salama. Hii ni kwa sababu Bibilia inasema ya kwamba tutawafuata.

Wakati mwingine, hatuwezi kuuliza maswali ajali ikitendeka lakini ninaomba waendeshaji pikipiki, madereva na marubani wazingatie hali ya anga ndiposa tusiwe na ajali kama hii. Wahandisi wa ndege pia lazima wahakikishe kwamba ndege hazina hitilafu yoyote.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 38

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to pass my condolences to the family of Hon. Johana Ng’eno and the families of the other five passengers who perished in that plane crash.

It is always said, you only live once, but if you do it right, that is enough. I think Hon. Ng’eno fits that particular bill. He lived once and lived it right. I have heard the tributes from his constituents, his community, family, the people around him and us, his colleagues, and those tributes tell us that he was a great man.

I do not want to belabour what has been said by most of our colleagues about Hon. Ng’eno. However, I want to point out one thing about him. He wore the crown of where he comes from with a lot of pride. We have always been made to believe and think that embracing our culture and our traditions makes us tribal and a people who fan ethnicity.

Hon. Ng’eno was a leader who was very proud to be associated with the Kipsigis culture and people. He used to sponsor a cultural event, annually, using his own money. His objective was to keep growing his culture and the things that they believe in, as a community.

I also send my condolences to the families of the other five people who perished in that particular plane crash. I commit the young family of Hon. Ng’eno to God. This is such a difficult time. The constituents have lost their leader, but we also have two young people who have lost their father and a young lady who has lost her husband. The only person who can comfort them enough is God. We offer our prayers and condolences. We pray that the soul of our colleague rests in eternal peace.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to join my colleagues in eulogising a very brave leader, Hon. Ng’eno. I pass my deepest condolences to the family of Hon. Ng’eno and the families of all those who perished with him, including the family of the pilot.

It is a sad time for us, as Parliament, because we have lost a very dynamic young man at a time when he was growing politically. As a country, we have lost but we know the family feels more pain. I pray that God comforts all of them.

I got to know Hon. Ng’eno on the day when he surprised me. He called and told me that, “I am at the gate of your farm.” I told him, “I am not at the farm. What are you up to? Why are you coming to visit without telling me?” He said, “I am not visiting you, I have come to see the cows.” I asked him if he was actually there to see my cows and he said ‘yes.’ He requested that I ask somebody to open for him the gate. I called my people and asked them to allow him to see the cows.

He went to my dairy farm and half-an-hour later, he called me and told me that there is a cow in my farm that he is not leaving behind. I asked him which cow it was and he said that he has found a cow that he really likes. He asked me to tell him the price. That is the story between me and Hon. Ng’eno. He got the cow. He told me that he was starting his family and wanted a cow that can give him milk. He said that he has a large herd, but they do not produce enough milk.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 39

Thank you very much, Madam Temporary Speaker. I want to add my voice to those of my colleagues. Hon. Ng’eno touched many lives, especially the young ones. His influence went across regions, cultures, ages and set groups. He interacted very well with the young people. He had gone cross-cultural and interacted with many cultures.

He came to Pokot many times and danced to our music. He even brought young people from his constituency to dance with our young people. They interacted very well. He was such a charm to all of them. He has uplifted artists and cultural practitioners. Some of them have been economically empowered by Hon. Ng’eno and his friends. He also helped people who were in need of school fees and with that, they were able to continue with their studies in schools and colleges.

I send my condolences, those of my family and those of the people of West Pokot County to the family of Hon. Ng’eno and the families of the five people who perished with him. May the good Lord rest their souls in eternal peace. Thank you.

Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you for giving me this chance to add my voice to the cries of all the Kenyans and the cries of the constituents of our brother, our fallen colleague, Hon. Ng’eno. I also mourn the five people who lost their lives in the tragic accident that happened a few days ago.

Madam Temporary Speaker, Mheshimiwa Johana Ng’eno fought for social justice. He stood with his constituents in all their challenges. That is what Kenyans expect from their representatives. He had no boundaries in the service he gave. He flew to support artists and while returning, he was enthusiastic and looking forward to serving other Kenyans in another event. As we condole with his young family, we saw a young lady with children, we know the Lord gives and takes away and He will protect them.

We also condole with the families of all who lost their loved ones. The life of the young teacher, Mr. Carlos Keter, touched my heart. His mother was interviewed and we saw a mother who looked forward to security from her son. He had recently gained employment and was looking to improve his life and that of his family. We also condole with the families of the cameraman and the pilot.

I am reminded of what befell Ndhiwa Constituency in 2012 when we lost the late Hon. Orwa Ojode and Hon. (Prof.) George Saitoti. It---

Add her one minute to conclude. Please, wind in one minute.

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. As we condole with this family, we encourage all Kenyans to unite, especially at this time as we bid farewell to the fallen heroes.

Sen. Wakwabubi.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity. I join the rest of the Senators in mourning the fallen heroes: Hon. Johana Ng’eno and the five staff members who were on board with him in the plane crash. I used

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 40

Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg for your protection from Sen. Mo Fire.

Sen. Mo Fire, please, do not interfere with the Senator’s contribution.

Thank you for that protection. I would like us to embrace his support, as well as emulate the idea of embracing the young generation. Let us learn to support their innovations and industry, following what has been talked about Mheshimiwa Ng’eno.

To the young widow, I would like to urge her to lift her eyes upon the Lord. May I request for one more minute, so that I can finish?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Let her lift her eyes upon the Lord, for He cares. Our Lord is omnipresent to the widows and orphans. Widowhood is not a bed of roses, but she will manage. So, I join the rest, and pray that may perpetual light shine upon Hon. Ng’eno’s soul, and the rest of the five Kenyans who perished in the crash. May God grant us solace and fortitude.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity.

Sen. Wakoli, please proceed.

Asante sana, Bi. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa nafasi hii nitoe pole na rambirambi kwa familia ya Mbunge Yohanna, rubani wa ndege hiyo na wenzio waliokuwa ndani ya ndege hiyo.

Ni jambo la kusikitisha kupoteza Mbunge ambaye alikuwa amejitolea mhanga kutetea jamii yake, wapiga kura wa Eneo Bunge lake, na kutetea hadhi ya binadamu katika nchi ya Kenya. Vile vile, ametupa moyo na ari ya kutetea haki zetu kama Wakenya. Ndivyo basi, kama Seneti, lazima vile vile tujiunge na mbinu, tabia na hulka za Mheshimiwa marehemu kutetea hadhi ya Wakenya katika gatuzi zetu.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, namhurumia mkewe, watoto, na vile jamii hiyo kwa sababu tuliona jinsi alivyokuwa anakabiliana na nyenzo za kiusalama za nchi hii, kutetea wasiokuwa na silaha. Naomba Mungu awape nguvu na uwezo wapiga kura wa eneo hilo; kwamba, watapata kiongozi ambaye ataweza kuvaa hivyo viatu na kuendelea kupigania mashamba, misitu, heshima yao na kazi zao katika taifa la Kenya, kwa sababu pasipo

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 41

Sen. Thang’wa, please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity, so that I can also send my condolences to the family of the late Johanna Ng’eno.

Madam Temporary Speaker, the death of Johanna Ng’eno is a tragic loss to the nation, and especially to the people of the Emurua Dikirr Constituency, as well as the Kipsigis community.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I interacted closely with Mheshimiwa Ng’eno, because he was my counterpart at the National Assembly on matters committees, because he was the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works, and at one time I was also a Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing. We could interact, especially when the budget-making process was being done. He supported the ideas of the Senate when it comes to fighting for the counties. We could agree on most cases on anything that affected counties.

It is a sad moment for all of us. I can relate to one occasion when I went to a funeral in Western Kenya some years back and I was seated next to somebody who was mourning and crying. He cried and said, “why did you take Wanyonyi? Why did you take Wanyonyi? Why did you take Wanyonyi? Why did you not take this one?” and he pointed at my friend.

I think at this particular time, I can actually say, why did you take Hon. Ng’eno? Why did you take Hon. Ng’eno? Why did you take Hon. Ng’eno? Why did you not take this one? I do not know which one, but why, Hon. Ng’eno? He is one of the people that we emulated when we were running for this public office. The way he fought for his people when land grabbers would come and try to take their land, he would stand by his people and that is what we learnt, and that is what we do.

Even today in our counties, whenever somebody tried to touch land that belongs to the community, we stand because we could see someone who fought for his people.

Hon. Ng’eno will be remembered. There was a clip of him saying that if he died, he would be remembered for the next 200 years. For an MP who was there for three consecutive terms, it tells you that his people loved him, his people loved his leadership and they wanted him to be there because they knew they had a fighter who will never allow anybody to take a piece of their land, a piece of their community or a piece of their share of whatever their people were fighting for---

Sen. Mungatana, you may proceed.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 42

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Hon. Johanna Ng’eno was a friend, and we would meet around the precincts of Parliament severally for different reasons. However, the most memorable occasion was when the late Hon. Ng’eno came to Tana River County as the Chairperson for the Committee on Land and Housing when we were doing public participation on the Affordable Housing laws that we were passing.

When we finished the processes, I invited him to come and see the crocodiles at the Great River Tana. I saw the funny bit of the Hon. Nge’no. As brave as he was, as strong a man as he was, when we went near the river, we told him to get into the canoes, and he said he would never enter the river. We told him it was safe, but he completely refused. At the end, we had a great time. He did not participate in crocodile eating, but I can tell you, we had a great time and his visit was memorable to the people of Tana River.

We thank him because we were able to identify the sites for the construction of the affordable housing. He was able to take our views and we supported the affordable housing processes until the laws became a reality.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to say this to the people of Emurua Dikirr: May God comfort you during this difficult time. To his family, I pray for the young children that he has left behind, the wife who has not stayed with him for long because, you know, less than 10 years is not really an old marriage.

We want to ask God to comfort them and the rest of Kenyans. May God rest his soul in eternal peace.

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Let me join my colleagues in mourning our departed brother, Hon. Ng’eno. I have had very minimal interaction with Hon. Ng’eno, but I admire his spirit.

Hon. Ng’eno served with passion and dedication. He actually beheld his constituency. He had a big name for himself for the past three terms that he was in Parliament. The gentleman was known across Rift Valley and Kenya at large.

I picked his passion for representation, especially when he was fighting for the rights of his people in Narok. I captured some positive attributes based on his lifestyle. I think the spirit that was in Ng’eno can easily be found in me. That is why he was a friend from diaspora through my own way of thinking.

It is sad that we have lost such a studious young person who had just put his house in place. I am actually reflecting on his sentiments that perhaps Kenyans will remember him for 200 years. I think it will be more than 200 years because what he has built for close to 15 years that he has served in Parliament is not something that one can dismiss.

Madam Temporary Speaker, as a Member from Tharaka Nithi County, I would like to pass my deep condolences to his young family, the people of his constituency and the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace until we meet again, but not very soon.

Next is Sen. Tobiko.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 43

Madam Temporary Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to register my sincere condolences to the family of our fallen colleague, Hon. Ng’eno. It is a sad moment for the entire country.

We joined Parliament together in 2013 and we have been here and this is the third term. He used to call me Paker. I do not know what that means in the Kalenjin language.

What I know is that he was a good man. He defended his people and his position with passion and stood for what was right. I really admired that about him. The fact that it did not matter who was at the helm of the nation, Hon. Ng’eno would fight for what was just and what he believed was a right for his people.

I also sincerely register my condolences to the other families of the young people who were with Hon. Ng’eno. That is the ultimate sacrifice of friendship and companionship that people do give to leaders. That makes me to appreciate those who walk everyday with me and other leaders in our pursuit of serving the public. There are those who are always with us. They include our drivers, bodyguards and friends who are always there with us and in such a tragedy, they pay the ultimate price.

Madam Temporary Speaker, my sincere condolences to the young wife and their children.

I thank you. The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Mumma) : Let us go to the next Order.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a matter of country- wide concern regarding the status of drought response and climate resilience in Kenya Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties affected by drought.

In the statement, the committee should-

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 44

Senator for Bungoma County, Sen. David Wakoli, proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of countywide concern regarding the status of public Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Bungoma County.

In the statement, the committee should-

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 45

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to seek a statement pursuant to Standing Order No.53 from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on a matter of national importance regarding the mass layoff of employees at Moroni Sugar Company. These layoffs have adversely affected hundreds of employees and their dependents and have had a significant impact on the economy of Kisumu County and the wider sugar belt region. In light of the company's previous state ownership and strategic role in the local economy, concerns have arisen regarding compliance with labour laws, protection of workers' rights and mitigation of socioeconomic consequences.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Hon. Senators, I will allow some comments, a few comments on the statements that have been made. I can see Sen. Mungatana.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I thank you for giving me the chance to comment on the statement on the drought situation in the country.

Tana River County is one of the most affected counties this year because we have got very little rain in the course of this year. First of all, the Government has done a bit of good work. I particularly commend the national Government through the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Public Service, the Hon. Ruku, who has come to Tana River County three times to make donations and supervise food distribution to vulnerable members of the community.

The question is; how does the national Government, which is headquartered in Nairobi, do much more than the local government, which is headquartered in Hola, that

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 46

Sen. Cherarkey and Sen. Wakoli, you have three minutes each and then we finish. So, mind each other.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I commend the statement by the Law Professor and neighbour, Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda, regarding lay-offs at Muhoroni Sugar Company. We must be told what happened.

The only problem I have with the statement is that he has it localized to Kisumu County. I confirm that Nandi is part of Muhoroni.

Madam Temporary Speaker, you and I come from the sugar belt. We have suffered so much. If it is not the factory going under, it is workers being frustrated.

I call upon the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, which the Chief Whip chairs, to come up with pragmatic solutions.

Labour rights of the affected as provided under Article 41 must be respected. Let their severance and pension deductions be remitted.

March, 3, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 47

Sen. Wakoli, be quick because I can see Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda wants to say something.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I want to weigh in on the matter of cane farmers and factories in the Republic of Kenya. It is very unfortunate that these people have been laid off and many of them do not understand the criteria that was used for them to go home.

In fact, what is being done is that the recruitment agency is not the company management. So, when they ask, they are told to go and check the company that is in charge of the process. Therefore, they are avoiding responsibility.

This is a matter that we cannot accept and that we should be able to deal with. We are also calling on the Government to do its part of the bargain; pay the arrears of farmers, statutory deductions and retirement benefits for those who are in the public sector. Therefore, as a Committee, I register my acknowledgement and we shall push this matter to its conclusion.

Finally, on the matter of drought, it is prudent that county governments are held responsible. They are giving out incentives today. However, when you look at the agenda, it is political; to look nice and benevolent, but not to address food shortage and insecurity in this country. So, we need to rein in these governors. They have billions of shillings. They can mobilise communities to plant and have reservoirs for the future. However, they do not look at that. They are looking at how much they can cash in when people are yawning and gnashing their teeth.

I want to encourage the national Government to do what it can. As a Senate, we must remind governors they must be accountable, they must appear before the County Public Accounts Committee, and they must also provide leadership for our people in the Republic.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I want to comment on the establishment and equipping of vocational training centres in the country.

The issues raised by Sen. Wakoli's Statement on the vocational training centres in Bungoma County is on point. This is because the regulations, structuring and ensuring that these centres are available to learners that leave school at Form 4 level is important. It is out of these vocational centres that we get artisans who undertake the real work that

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Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, 4th March, 2026, at 9.30 a.m.

The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m.