May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 1

Wednesday, 13th May, 2026

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

Clerk, we do have quorum. Proceed to call the first Order.

We will have a Statement pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (1) by the Senator for Narok County, the Hon. Sen. Ledama Olekina.

That Statement is dropped.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 2 SHORTAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVES IN THE COUNTRY

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern, namely the critical shortage of family planning commodities across the country and the urgent need to ring-fence family planning funds.

Family planning is a critical component of reproductive health sector and is directly linked to the right to the highest attainable health standard as provided under Article 43 (1) of the Constitution. It also affects maternal health, the welfare of our young people, household planning, access to information and the broader realization of universal health coverage.

This Statement is informed by a stakeholder consultative meeting held on the 26th March, 2026, attended by members of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, the National Council for Population and Development, the Ministry of Health, United Nations platforms, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Kenya, Population Services Kenya, Kenya Plan International, Jhpiego, Health NGOs’ Network (HENNET) and civil society organisations.

Kenya is currently experiencing a severe shortage of family planning commodities. The Ministry of Health has reported that several commodities are at zero stock nationally, including combined oral contraceptives, three-month injectables, progesterone-only pills, emergency contraceptive pills and cycle beads. Other commodities

include implants, male condoms, Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA-SC) injections, Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device (LNG-IUD) remain at critically lower levels or below the optimal supply pipeline.

The total estimated funding requirement for family planning commodity standards stands at approximately USD22.9 million. However, in the current Financial Year 2025/2026 only Kshs500 million was allocated. Out of this amount, only Kshs250 million has been disbursed to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) , leaving an outstanding balance of Kshs50 million, despite valid authorities to incur expenditure having been incurred.

This delay is particularly concerning because of the current procurement lead time for family planning commodities. It is approximately 13 months from the date of receipt of funds. Therefore, every delay in disbursements directly translates into prolonged stock outs at health facilities and limited access to essential reproductive health services.

The consequences of inactions are grave. The Ministry of Health has projected that the current stock outs could result in increased unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal deaths and additional health care costs attributed to unmet family planning needs. This would reverse the gains Kenya has made in reproductive health and undermine the country's universal health coverage objectives.

Kenya also risks failing to meet its commitments under the impact with UNFPA, under which the Government is required to procure family planning commodities using domestic funds as a condition for receiving matching contributions. Continued non-

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 3

Sen. Ledama Olekina, your Statement has been reinstated, so you may proceed to read it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national concern, the current fiscal approach adopted by the National Treasury, particularly in relation to the funding of Parliament and its critical functions.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is deeply troubling that while the national Government continues to incur significant expenditures under Article 223 of the Constitution of Kenya, Parliament is simultaneously being subjected to severe financial constraints. These imbalances not only raise questions of fiscal prioritization, but also risk undermining the constitutional role of Parliament as an independent arm of Government.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 4

Statement pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) , proceed, the Senator for Nairobi City County, the hon. Sen. Edwin Sifuna.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The subject of this Statement is a visit we had in Kisumu a few days ago.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 5

Senator for Kakamega County, proceed, the hon. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of countywide concern regarding the status of construction of Bukhungu Stadium and Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The two projects were initiated by the County Government of Kakamega during the administration of former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as flagship development initiatives aimed at enhancing sports infrastructure and strengthening healthcare services in Kakamega County and the wider western region.

Contractors were engaged, and significant public funds, running into hundreds of millions, were disbursed towards implementation. However, progress remained slow, prompting the national Government to assume responsibility for completion.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 6

Could we hear from Sen. Kibwana?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My Statement concerns unresolved cases and the welfare of returning personnel from the Haiti Mission.

I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights on unresolved matters from the Haiti Mission.

While Benedict Kabiru Kuria has been recognised as a fallen hero abroad, his family is without his remains or verified information on his fate. This lack of closure is deeply distressing and demands urgent accountability. Even as the mission is declared concluded, the family continues to endure pain, uncertainty and unanswered questions. Recognition without clarity only compounds their grief. Further, beyond this case, concerns persist about other personnel whose situations remain unresolved, raising the need for a comprehensive account of all individuals deployed and their current status.

As the mission concludes, this House must ensure transparency, truth and support for both the affected families and officers who have returned from a high-risk deployment.

In the statement, the committee should address the following-

Senator for Embu County, the honourable Alexander Mundigi.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 7 CHALLENGES FACING BEE FARMERS IN EMBU COUNTY

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the challenges facing bee farmers in Embu County.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, a significant number of farmers in Embu County are engaged in agriculture and produce substantial quantities of honey. However, the sector continues to face critical challenges, notably inadequate industrial processing capacity which limits value addition and restricted access to both the local and international markets.

In the Statement, the committee should address the following-

Senator for Elgeyo Marakwet County, Sen. Kisang.

Thank you, honourable Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology on the escalating cases of digital fraud facilitated through telecommunications infrastructure and the erosion of public trust arising from data privacy breaches by state agencies and telecommunication operators.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kenya continues to face increased incidences of cybercrime and digital fraud including SIM swap fraud, phishing and spoofing. Reports indicate that cyber threats and related financial losses have increased significantly with many Kenyans being targeted through fraudulent calls and other forms of technology-enabled deception.

Further, concerns have been raised regarding the alleged unlawful access to and sharing of subscriber data by telecommunications operators and state agencies.

In the Statement, the committee should address the following-

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 8

Is the Senator for Taita Taveta County not here? That statement is dropped.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to comment on the statement request by Sen. Hamida and Sen. Kisang. The mission to Haiti has a lot of unanswered questions and we have had statements to the effect that the Government of Kenya were not given full disclosure as to exactly what the officers were going to go through. It is not just the officer who has been mentioned in the statement who died. There was an officer in the border of Makueni and Machakos, a place called Katua, who

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 9

Sen. Nyutu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to comment on the statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana on Officer Benedict Kabiru, whose death is reported to have occurred in the infamous Haiti Mission. Even to this date, the body of this officer has never been delivered to his family and the whereabouts of the body have not been made clear. This situation is very stressful and harrowing to the family.

It should also be remembered that the announcement of the death of this officer was made by the Head of State, even before the family had been informed. I hear that it is a practice that before one has been able to set eyes on a body, you cannot declare that somebody has died.

Therefore, the committee dealing with this matter should call the relevant authorities to establish why officer Kabiru has been declared a fallen hero, meaning that he is dead, even before his body has been seen. If the body has been seen, why has it not been delivered to the family for final rites?

It will be remembered that we have also had reports of many Kenyans who have lost their lives in Russia. It is important that the committee establishes whether those reported to be unaccounted for in Russia---

Sen. Olekina.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to comment on the statement brought by Sen. Hamida. The first question is: How did we get there? We got there because we were magnanimous. We were willing to go and help the people of Haiti when other African countries were reluctant. This was done out of our generosity. When are we ever going to stop being generous towards other people and first look at ourselves?

As we pursue this issue, we need to remember what you are told when you enter an aircraft: protect yourself, put on your safety belt first before you even take care of your child. It is very sad. I empathise with the family of this fallen hero. We were willing to go there when other African countries were reluctant. We knew very well that the gangs we were going to face, the Americans and other developed nations were not able to deal with. That should encourage other countries, particularly the United Nations, to put more emphasis on reimbursement, compensation and tracking this body.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 10

How did we get there? We got there because we were magnanimous. We were willing to go and help the people of Haiti when other African countries were reluctant. This was done out of our generosity. When are we ever going to stop being generous towards other people and first look at ourselves? As we pursue this issue, we need to remember what you are told when you enter an aircraft: protect yourself, put on your safety belt first before you even take care of your child. It is very sad. I empathise with the family of this fallen hero. We were willing to go there when other African countries were reluctant. We knew very well that the gangs we were going to face, the Americans and other developed nations were not able to deal with. That should encourage other countries, particularly the United Nations, to put more emphasis on reimbursement, compensation and tracking this body.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 10

Hon. Senators, with that, allow me to rearrange today’s Order Paper pursuant to Standing Order No. 45 (2) . We will move to Order No.9 and, thereafter, resume the normal flow as contained in today’s Order Paper.

Clerk, please, call that Order.

Asante Mheshimiwa Spika. Nasimama kuunga mkono Mswada wa marekebisho ya sheria ya misitu katika nchi yetu. Jana, nilieleza kwamba sheria hii ina umuhimu kwani imeweka taasisi ambayo itasimamia misitu kikamilifu. Vilevile, kuna nafasi ya kuhakikisha mkurugenzi mkuu wa Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) atakuwa ni mtu mwenye tajriba ya kusimamia taasisi hiyo.

Sheria hii pia itahakikisha carbon credit itadhibitiwa kisawasawa ili nchi yetu iweze kupata mapato ya kisawasawa kwa mfumo huu mpya. Kwa sasa nchi yetu haina uwezo wa kudhibiti masuala ya carbon credit. Sheria hii itatupa nafasi kufanya hivyo. Vilevile, tutakuwa na nafasi nzuri ya kuhakikisha miche ya misitu tunayopanga imethibitishwa na shirika la KEPHIS. Sheria hii pia italinda biodiversity. Sen. Murango, sijui biodiversity ni nini kwa lugha ya Kiswahili, lakini jambo hili litadhibitiwa na sheria hii.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 11

Sen. Faki, carbon credit kwa Kiswahili ni hewa kaa. Sen. Murango, I am informed that the Hon. Senator was seconding this Bill. I will now proceed to propose the question before I open the floor.

Sen. (Dr.) Murango, you may take the Floor.

Mstahiki Spika, ningependa kuunga mkono Mswada wa marekebisho ya sheria ambao umeletwa katika Seneti. Kabla sijaendelea, Sen. Faki aliniuliza biodiversity ni nini katika Kiswahili. Inaitwa bioanuwai.

Kwanza, Mstahiki Spika, misitu yetu ni muhimu sana kwetu. Kwa hivyo, si vizuri kuachia taasisi moja kuidhibiti. Ni vyema pia kuwe na wataalamu ambao wanaweza kuangazia mambo tofauti kuhusu misitu.

Wakati Mwenyekiti wa Kamati yangu, ambaye ni Sen. Faki alileta Mswada wa marekebisho ya sheria katika kamati, kuna mambo mengi ambayo tuliangalia na kurekebisha. Tulisema kuwa nguvu ambazo zilipewa National Land Commission (NLC) zibaki jinsi zilivyo ili kuhakikisha kwamba kuna usalama wa misitu yetu.

Jambo la pili ambalo ni muhimu sana katika Mswada huu wa marekebisho ya sheria ni kuhakikisha kwamba wanaopanda miti pia wanapata malipo ya hewa ukaa kama ilivyotajwa na Mstahiki Spika kwa sababu ni kwa muda sasa na hatujui kinachoendelea. Nasikia kuna walowezi ambao hufurahia matunda ya misitu iliyoko nchini Kenya. Kwa hivyo, Wakenya na wanaolinda misitu hawafaidiki.

Wakati taasisi hiyo itaundwa, itaangazia mambo mengi tofauti ili kuhakikisha kwamba hata kama tunamuua mgala, haki yake tunampa. Hii ni kwa sababu kazi ya watu wengi wanaokaa karibu na misitu ni kuichunga na kupokea kichapo wakati wanyama wanatoka na kuharibu mimea yao. Kwa mfano, wengi wanaokaa upande wa Meru katika maeneo ya Mlima Kenya wanahangaishwa na ndovu. Vile vile ukienda kule Taita Taveta na Lamu, utakuta watu wanahangaishwa na ndovu. Hata hivyo, faida ya misitu haifikii wale wanaolinda misitu. Watu hao wanahisi kuwa wameachwa nje wakati kuna faida kutoka kwa misitu.

Juzi katika eneo la Kirinyaga, kuna kijana aliyeuawa kwa sababu alipatikana na maafisa wa kulinda misitu akiokota kuni katika Msitu wa Mlima Kenya. Mambo kama hayo yanafaa kuangaziwa na taasisi husika ili tujue wale wanaoishi karibu na misitu na kuhangaishwa na wanyama wanafaidika kivipi. Iwapo mtu anaweza kuuawa kwa sababu ya kuokota kuni kwenye msitu, hilo si jambo nzuri. Isitoshe, aliuawa na maafisa wa

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 12

Proceed, Sen. Maanzo.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is an amendment originating from the National Assembly. It seeks to enhance forest conservation in Kenya, which is now a practice in the world. There are many projects being done by the Government. I am sure we are aware of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, which has an inclination towards making sure that we reduce effects on the ozone layer. Such efforts include preservation of forests in the country. Unfortunately, this is not distributed equally in the country. We can start afforestation in our country because there are indigenous trees that can grow anywhere without much water. Unfortunately, that does not seem to come out clearly.

The whole idea of carbon credits is the one featuring in this amended version. There is an improvement which does not come out clearly because there are other laws associated with this. This law seems to amalgamate all the laws on environmental concerns whereby the main idea is to plant more trees in the country.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 13

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 14

Sen. Cherarkey, please, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Sir, for this opportunity. From the outset, I would like to support this Bill, but of course, with a few reservations here and there. However, I know we shall be able to amend at the Committee of the Whole. I know this is a National Assembly Bill. Out of curiosity, we tend to process as fast as we can under 159 principle, the Bills that come from the National Assembly. However, most of our Bills have become part of the cemetery and graveyard in the National Assembly. In your wisdom and that of the Senate Business Committee

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 15

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

What is your point of order, Senator for Meru County?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have really thought about this after two or three seconds. Sen. Cherarkey should not run away from this mistake. The SBC, which you chair, has worked for us for the last four years, and there is never a time that the Committee has been blamed for anything. However, listening to Sen. Cherarkey, under Standing Order No.105, he is casting aspersions to that Committee that next time when he or some of them get a chance to sit there, the Committee will be run better. That means it will be prioritising Bills from the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Sen. Cherarkey must withdraw and apologise to the Members of the SBC. We are here courtesy of the business they passed on Tuesday at noon. When Sen. Cherarkey was busy running up and down this town; that committee was sitting. They did not even take lunch. I know they sit up to 2.00 p.m.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, you are the Chairperson. The Senate Minority Whip is also a Member, and many other members, who are not present this afternoon. When you are not in, I also chair that committee and we do marvelous work. So, Sen. Cherarkey cannot cast aspersions to the Cabinet of the Senate. That is the Cabinet of the Senate. Kindly withdraw and apologise profusely even to the chair, who is the honorable Speaker?

Senator for Nandi, you can raise your concerns without necessarily imputing improper motives on a committee of the Senate. Kindly proceed to withdraw and raise your concern without having to impute improper motives.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for guidance. However, I thought it was a fair comment.

No, it was not. That is the way I have ruled.

Okay. I withdraw and apologise, but my point has been made. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for representing the Parliament of Kenya yesterday in congratulating His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is now going for the seventh term; 40 years in power. We congratulate you for attending on behalf of all of us, and on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kenya.

Looking at Article 60 on the principle on the environment and ensuring forests resources are conserved--- When we had the Africa Climate Summit, I saw Sen. M. Kajwang’, who is the Chairperson of the Climate Caucus. I know from 18th to 21st, they have a meeting. After we passed the Bill during that Africa Climate Summit, the President has led the country in planting 15 billion trees. This international conference is a conversation that we must take to those with a village mentality. I saw a former impeached Deputy President trying to cast aspersions on the African Forward Summit (AFS) , which was co-chaired by President William Ruto and President Macron.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 16

Senator for Nandi, please observe the rule on relevance.

Okay, Mr. Speaker. I was tying up with the summits that we have had. If you remember, during the last session, we had the African Climate Summit. I am underscoring the importance of international summits and engagements because the issue of forestry and conservation management is an international matter. It is not a village matter; the way some people want to localise through what we call “village-itis attention syndrome” by some of our opposition figures. That is why some of us miss Hon. Raila Odinga.

Mr. Speaker, that is what I wanted to say on this Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No.38 of 2025) . I wish that had been addressed. I am happy Sen. Ledama is here.

We have another problem of forest evictees which we must confront. We have what we call infrastructural evictees. However, we also have forest evictees. If you remember, we had run-ins especially on the issue of Mau Forest. We have many Kenyans, even with what we call absentee landlords. We have people who have been displaced in my county and other areas such as Meru. There are many Kenyans who out of this issue of forests, have been evicted. For example, at a place called Ng’atikong. I was somewhere at a place called Taptengelai, Kwa Kinyanjui and Kakoros. We have three forests in Nandi all the way to Kapchorua. The people have been evicted. When you go to Emgwen Sub-county, Tinderet Constituency, Chesumei, Emgwen and most of the--- because of the forest. In Nandi, we have three forests; Nandi North, Tinderet and Kimondi forests. Kenyans must see---

I have seen the role of the proposed registrar of forests in Clause 6. I agree with Sen. Maanzo. There is no need to have a Director General, then duplicate those functions with the Secretary of Forest Regulations. It does not make sense because they do similar work.

Looking at the role that they have developed, the only solution for these forests to thrive in Narok, where Mau is, Nandi, Meru, Kilifi and the coastal region with the mangrove forests, Chemasusu in Baringo that is sharing Baringo and Nakuru counties, is for the communities to own these forests; to adopt a tree. I have seen the functions of the Secretary of Forest Regulations. Some of them have tried to include the Kenya Forest Institute (KFI) on their role of seed production and issuing regulatory guidelines.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are lucky, as a country, to have had people such as Prof. Wangari Mathai, the former Member of Parliament for Tetu Constituency, who went to become Nobel laureate in terms of environment conservation of our forests. We remember people who stood and fought against destruction of forests. That is why I want

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 17

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 18

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

Conclude your remarks.

Conclude your remarks.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I still have time. I will conclude.

What is your point of order, Sen. Omogeni?

Freeze my time.

Actually, I wanted to assist my friend, Senator for Nandi, and just have it on record. This is a House of record. He has made a statement to the effect that the headquarters of this institute should have been devolved to one of the counties. He says that this draft Bill says that the headquarters will be Nairobi. I had gone through this Bill and Clause 29 (h) actually says that the headquarters of the institute shall be in Kiambu County.

As the defenders of devolution, we know that Kiambu is a county. Kiambu cannot be said to be Nairobi. He has made a statement that we should be thinking about devolution. In fact, this Bill has gone ahead and said the headquarters will be devolved to one of the counties. So, that should be on record. If that statement he has made remains, it is actually misleading.

Senator for Nandi, your earlier statement was not factual if you read through the Bill. You may proceed to conclude your thoughts.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the senior counsel is economical with the truth. This is because Kiambu is part of Nairobi Metropolitan. So, if we create Nairobi Metropolis, it will capture part of Kajiado and Kiambu. So, it is still part of Nairobi. I appreciate---

Senator for Nandi, why should you argue on anything that is put before you? Just accept. As per the Act, your statement is not factual.

Proceed to conclude your thoughts.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is good that it will be in Kiambu, but it is still part of Nairobi Metropolis. Kiambu does not have forests. How many forests does it have? We should go to Mau. Karura Forest is being dismembered.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 19

Yes, Sen. Omogeni, what is your point of order?

I do not know what the Senator for Nandi has taken this afternoon because he is again making a very misleading statement. You know that one of the qualifications for you to be elected as a Member of Parliament is that you must be proficient in the English or Kiswahili language. However, he is making a statement on the Floor that there are people who have been elected to this House who can neither read, speak or sign. That statement that he has made before this hon. House should not be on record. I challenge him to name those three Members for the public to know.

Senator for Nandi, you may proceed to substantiate, failure to which you just withdraw and conclude your thoughts.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, how can I substantiate the obvious? They are known. They cannot express themselves. I can bring you a number of clips when you were doing swearing-in.

Could you substantiate?

Yes, I will bring the HANSARD next week.

Proceed to substantiate.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, could I get time to substantiate in the next sitting?

By tomorrow.

Proceed, Sen. Olekina.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 20

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to make some brief comments on this very important Bill. I really hope that all of us can take some time, read through and understand the intended and unintended consequences of the Bill.

From the outset, when I look at the Bill, I struggle with two competing interests. One interest is a commercial interest versus genuine conservation of our forests. The good Senator from Nandi alluded to the fact that the good President of this country has attempted to ensure that we have at least 10 per cent forest cover in this country. This Bill suggests the following. That an easement is allowed to be able to create roads in forests for easy access. To me, that creates an avenue where, we, politicians, can grab the land, to put a road in the middle of a forest, in the guise that we are actually doing it for the public good.

I would like to make my comments based strictly on the pros and cons of this Bill, so that we can attempt, as the upper House, to balance the interests of genuine conservation versus conservation. I have refused to accept the debate on carbon credit in this country. This is because of the available literature, which is there for people in my community, to be able to understand the benefits of carbon credit. I have looked at the pros of this Bill. I appreciate them because they are meant to ensure that they align with the Constitution of Kenya and other global standards, when it comes to issues of conservation. The Bill has also set up a legal framework to be pursued, including one which I think is actually very unique, to ensure an oath of office, for accountability. This is the first Bill that clearly indicated that when you are removing the director, you must subject him to fair labour practices.

Proceed, Sen. Olekina.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 20

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to make some brief comments on this very important Bill. I really hope that all of us can take some time, read through and understand the intended and unintended consequences of the Bill.

From the outset, when I look at the Bill, I struggle with two competing interests. One interest is a commercial interest versus genuine conservation of our forests. The good Senator from Nandi alluded to the fact that the good President of this country has attempted to ensure that we have at least 10 per cent forest cover in this country. This Bill suggests the following. That an easement is allowed to be able to create roads in forests for easy access. To me, that creates an avenue where, we, politicians, can grab the land, to put a road in the middle of a forest, in the guise that we are actually doing it for the public good.

I would like to make my comments based strictly on the pros and cons of this Bill, so that we can attempt, as the upper House, to balance the interests of genuine conservation versus conservation. I have refused to accept the debate on carbon credit in this country. This is because of the available literature, which is there for people in my community, to be able to understand the benefits of carbon credit. I have looked at the pros of this Bill. I appreciate them because they are meant to ensure that they align with the Constitution of Kenya and other global standards, when it comes to issues of conservation. The Bill has also set up a legal framework to be pursued, including one which I think is actually very unique, to ensure an oath of office, for accountability. This is the first Bill that clearly indicated that when you are removing the director, you must subject him to fair labour practices.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 21

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 22

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 25

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 23

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 24

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 25

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 27

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 28

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 26

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 27

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 28

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 29

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, some Members of this House have spoken on this very important subject. This Bill speaks to our future. Any country that does not take care of its national environment and its forests, will one day pay a very heavy price. I am particularly happy with the kind of interest that I am hearing from Members that this is a matter which quite a number of them will actually be seeking to amend one or two things.

I appreciate and I concede, that, rarely, do you get the kind of interest on a topic that is fairly complex such as this from the number of Members that we have got this afternoon. Each one of them has picked a particular area of interest to them, things that they feel strongly about. It is my sincere hope that, tomorrow, when we progress this Bill, Members will be available in the House to do the subsequent amendments alongside those of the Committee.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you. With those very many remarks, I beg to reply. In accordance with Standing Order No 66 (3) , I request that the putting of the question be deferred until a later date, preferably tomorrow afternoon.

I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Senators, I requested the Clerk to call out Order No.11 but due to other technicalities, we are not able to handle that now. Therefore, I defer business appearing as Order No.11 all the way to 28 because we have no Movers for these Bills. Yours truly has Order No.23, but I cannot do that now.

Sen. Karen Nyamu is here, but seems not to be ready. So, I again defer Order Nos.29 to 34.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 29

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 30 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THE NUTS AND OIL CROPS DEVELOPMENT BILL (SENATE BILLS NO. 47 OF 2023)

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 30 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THE NUTS AND OIL CROPS DEVELOPMENT BILL (SENATE BILLS NO. 47 OF 2023)

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 31 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THE SPORTS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.45 OF 2024)

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 32

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 33

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 34

Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday 14th May, 2026, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 4.54 p.m.