May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 1

Wednesday, 13th May, 2026 Morning Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

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

We are yet to have quorum. Serjeant-at- Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for another 10 minutes.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Welcome, Waziri. I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy the following Question.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and good morning. I rise to respond on behalf of the Ministry of ICT and The Digital Economy to the questions raised by Sen. Hamida Ali Kibwana, Member of Parliament.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I note that your response is fairly long. Now that you have already circulated the written response to the House, I urge you to paraphrase, so that we save on time.

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Proceed, Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: I wish, at the onset, to thank the hon. Senator for bringing this matter before this House. The questions she has raised go to the heart of the constitutional obligation owed by the State and by all of us to safeguard the dignity, privacy and welfare of our children, indulging and especially, in the digital spaces in which they now live, learn and play.

The Senator has asked four substantive questions. She has asked, first, what legal, regulatory and administrative safeguards are presently in place. Secondly, she has asked what operational progress has been made on age-appropriate design, parental controls, platforms accountability, reporting mechanisms and enforcement.

Thirdly, she has asked whether the Ministry has, in the last five years, assessed the exposure of our children to these harms. Fourthly, she has asked what plans we have to strengthen the framework drawing from the experience of the UK, Australia and the EU.

“Mr. Speaker, Sir”, the position of the Ministry is twofold.

It is Madam Speaker, Cabinet Secretary.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: I noticed the change of Chair. I beg your pardon, Madam Speaker.

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Sen. Khalwale, what is your point of intervention?

Madam Temporary Speaker, almost 10 minutes into the Cabinet Secretary’s response and he is merely citing the relevant articles of the Constitution and Acts. The purpose of the question is for him to tell us what he is doing with persons and organisations who are providers of Information Communications Technology (ICT) so as to protect our children. The laws he is reading were enacted in this Parliament by him and myself.

Sen. Khalwale, your intervention is noted.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, kindly get to the gist of it. I think the response is very extensive in terms of citing the statutory provisions. The Mover of the question wants to know why we continue having issues regardless of what you are citing in terms of the regulations and the law. Move quickly to explaining what is being done, so that Members can also ask their supplementary questions.

Thank you. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Madam Temporary Speaker, indeed, I am trying very much to answer the questions as asked. I was not only citing the law itself, which I am aware of; I was struggling with the first question which was asking about what laws. I explained the laws themselves, the regulations and the amendments that we have done. I may avoid that part; allow me to proceed.

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Hon. Cabinet Secretary, allow me to guide you. Let the Members note the detail of your report. I realise the timing for the question is coming to an end, you might want to summarise a bit more and just refer the Members to the relevant paragraphs.

Thank you. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you for the guidance. I have offered both in print and soft copy my Executive Summary of what I have been trying to capture; I was on page 8 of 15. Hon. Senators, you may note that---

Probably you may want to say something on the third and the fourth questions. I think the response to the second question is quite comprehensive and Members can read the detail for themselves. You probably want to say something about the third and the fourth question.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: I am guided, Madam Temporary Speaker.

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Thank you, honourable Cabinet Secretary. You may sit as you wait for subsidiary questions from Sen. Hamida. Hon. Senators, I will allow two more questions after Sen. Hamida. One from the Majority Side and another from the Minority Side, so that the Cabinet Secretary can answer all of them together.

Sen. Hamida, you have the opportunity to ask two supplementary questions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Cabinet Secretary, I appreciate, at least, the efforts that have been made in response to my question. I was wondering whether there are investigations that have been undertaken, whether prosecutions have been initiated and whether convictions have been secured on this issue.

Does the Ministry have any county-by-county data on awareness of this programme undertaken on child online safety? Have public funds been allocated to this matter? If funds are allocated annually towards these child online protection initiatives, do you have any county-by-county data?

Thank you.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me to ask this question. Waziri, welcome. We are always happy to see one of us come here because you know how it has been before.

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Sen. (Dr.) Mungatana, I am tempted to guide you. Please, ask the question.

I am getting there, Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you.

There is lack of decorum from participants in the internet space. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is preparing for the General Election and we hope they will deliver a good election. Waziri, what proactive preparations are you making, as the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy, to go into this internet space, so that good political discussions are done and not this dirt?

Madam Temporary Speaker, I saw one of our colleagues being exposed here fighting another colleague.

Senator, your question is clear. I will allow you to see it. You are taking opportunity to actually make a contribution.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I am asking if he has seen one of our colleagues being beaten to the ground, just for someone to generate another AI-generated video showing him beating his opponent. It is becoming nasty. What is the Ministry doing?

Senator, your question is very clear. Can we hear from the Senate Minority Leader?

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Asante sana, Bi. Spika wa Muda. Nataka kuuliza Waziri swali. Waziri, Wizara yako imetengeneza sheria gani ili iweze kuhakikisha ya kwamba watoto wetu ambao wanaingia mitandaoni hawaingi katika ukorofi? Kuna wakati hao huweza kuangalia watu wazima wakifanya mapenzi ilhali hao ni watoto wadogo.

Wizara yako imechukua hatua gani kuona ya kwamba watoto wetu hawaoni mambo kama hayo?

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I will add two more questions.

Asante sana, Bi. Spika wa Muda. Nataka kuuliza Waziri swali. Waziri, Wizara yako imetengeneza sheria gani ili iweze kuhakikisha ya kwamba watoto wetu ambao wanaingia mitandaoni hawaingi katika ukorofi? Kuna wakati hao huweza kuangalia watu wazima wakifanya mapenzi ilhali hao ni watoto wadogo. Wizara yako imechukua hatua gani kuona ya kwamba watoto wetu hawaoni mambo kama hayo?

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I will add two more questions.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Thank you, Bwana Waziri, Hon. William Kabogo, for the great response, but we do have a few concerns.

There is a draft cyber security strategy that has been mentioned before. How many security professionals does Kenya need in terms of the opportunities that exist for our young people in the space of cyber security? What is your take as the Cabinet Secretary with the discussion that is in place?

Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, the rule is one question and you have done that.

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Madam Temporary Speaker, I just wanted to hear from the Ministry on what they have done with the curriculum factor. Have they thought of something in terms of curriculum? This is about our young people.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity. I have listened to the Cabinet Secretary very keenly. He has looked at the legislations, legal actions and framework that exist in terms of this response. On this question, could the Cabinet Secretary be clear on what the Ministry is doing to hold the platforms accountable? The European Union has the Digital Services Act. That Act is given life by the relevant ministries holding platforms accountable.

Is there a framework that the Ministry has put in place, in this digital citizen world, that ensures that Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, has an accountability framework to the country? This is the fundamental question I need to ask the Cabinet Secretary.

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Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think that either the Cabinet Secretary got my question wrong or did not just answer it at all. I did not ask about legal frameworks. I indicated that the Cabinet Secretary has centred on legal frameworks that exist.

What I asked the Cabinet Secretary is, how is the Ministry holding platforms accountable? This is because the legal frameworks are there to ensure that there are robust standards, to ensure that the safety standards are implemented according to our Constitution within those legal frameworks, to ensure that there is fast reporting mechanisms and protection of minors. All these things exist.

What is lacking is, how do you hold those stakeholders who are owning these platforms accountable? For instance, Meta, that owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are registered in Ireland. They are not registered in Kenya, yet their platforms are distributing content that do have impact on our children.

What is the Ministry doing to hold Meta, TikTok and all these social media platforms accountable to the frameworks and standards that have been established by the country? That is my question.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, please, proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I quite agree with Sen. Eddy that the issue of framework has been exhaustively explained. On what we are doing with players like TikTok and Meta, one action is the takedown action.

The other action is that Communications Authority of Kenya, through regulations, has been mandated now to stop operations of those platforms in the event of breach. However, we have issues that make people run to court to stop us from doing certain things. We have undertaken to deal with these broadcasters, be it TikTok or Facebook, and some of them, we have also given conditions in their licensing that they must have

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Sen. Khalwale, please, proceed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, two weeks ago, Safaricom announced profits of Kshs100 billion. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to ensure that this open theft by a company, which is not in business but is doing profiteering, young people are protected by having access to cheaper rates of using ICT, especially, in view of the fact that your Government promised Kenyans, especially the youth, free Wi-Fi for them to be elected?

Sen. Mwinyihaji, please proceed.

Langu ni swala kuhusiana na matangazo ya rejareja kuhusiana na mambo ya betting. Ukifungua radio, kila baada ya dakika kumi, kuna tangazo la betting. Je, Wizara yako inafanya nini kupunguza ama kuondoa kabisa haya matangazo ya kamari ambayo yamekithiri katika vyombo vya habari katika nchi yetu?

Sen. Kathuri, please proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this opportunity also to ask my supplementary question. The question asked by Sen. Kibwana falls under the law that we passed in this House last year, which is the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.

That is where you will find we amended the principal Act by inserting in Section 6 (j) (a) , which now refers to where it is proved that a website or application promotes an unlawful activity, inappropriate sexual content of a minor, terrorism or religious extremism and cultism. So, my question is; what is the Ministry doing to operationalise this law? This is because there is a lot of cyberbullying.

I am a culprit this week, where something is circulating on social media that I was in a place. I do not know where it was. Somebody pretending to have a voice like Kathuri Murungi, which is not myself. So, my question is, because there are so many such issues- -- I even saw at one time, the President of the Republic of Kenya was actually in these cybercrimes. He was put in a coffin somewhere like he is dead. So many cases are being reported.

Order, Senator for Nandi County.

My question is, because there are so many cases which are being reported out there, but the police, even once you go report to the CID, they have nothing to do. They cannot protect you because I am asking this question painfully. I passed this law in this House, I voted for it, and I am now a culprit. This law is not even helping me.

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Thank you, Sen. Kathuri. You have asked your question.

My question is on the operationalisation of this law.

Thank you. Sen. Mumma, please proceed.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, thank you so much for a comprehensive report. However, Kenya is becoming well known for good laws, good Constitution, but no implementation. You admit to the fact that the gambling companies that are operating in Kenya, and misleading our young people, are way more than the ones that are legal. I would want to know exactly who is supposed to deregister these companies, because you cannot come here and say there are so many that are not working. It is the Executive that should actually be implementing the law that should not facilitate such companies to operate, because we know what they are doing to our young people.

Sen. Karungo, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and good morning Cabinet Secretary. I am always happy when I see a citizen of Kiambu serving the nation.

My question, having scanned through the response, which I can say is unusually honest, because it reveals weak enforcement, weak data and weak accountability, is, from the reports, only 15 out of 224 gambling and betting firms are fully registered. Therefore, 93 per cent of them are not registered. Can the Cabinet Secretary explain why? This is because they are out there collecting data from Kenyan citizens and mostly Kenyan minors. That is in Table 1 of your report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I have one concern. I would also like to know what the Ministry's plan is in terms of solving this issue. The Government has spent so much money to put infrastructure and open so many ICT hubs in the country, including in our polytechnics, the ones that are being built now, the centres of excellence, and the ones that are deployed through our Members of Parliament, the 1,450 hubs in the country.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Chairperson of the Committee on Information Communication and Technology, I have so far accompanied the Ministry in opening so many of those ICT hubs. My worry is that the ones that we have gone back to are not working in the way that they are intended to work in terms of assisting many of our youths, creating employment and---

Sen. Allan, what is your question? Avoid making a speech, please.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, many of our youths are not monetizing in those ICT hubs. Now that the 1,450 hubs that are being built across the country in each and every ward, what is the Ministry's plan to make sure that when these hubs are completed

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Sen. Madzayo, I am told you had already asked a supplementary question. Under our Standing Orders, you are only allowed to ask one supplementary question.

So, Cabinet Secretary Kabogo, you had noted the question by Senator Madzayo. You need to clarify further, because the honourable Senator is saying that it was inadequately responded to.

You may proceed, Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Mheshimiwa Spika, swali la Mheshimiwa Madzayo, nilijaribu sana kulijibu kwa lugha yetu ya Kiswahili. I did it to the best of my ability as I sit here. However, as I started answering supplementary questions, I gave an undertaking that after we get proper questions on the HANSARD, the Ministry will undertake to bring a supplementary paper on all questions that are asked on the Floor of the House.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the question asked by the honourable Boni, on the issue of Safaricom, I am afraid, I am not aware of Safaricom making dubious profits. I probably would want to seek further guidance on that statement the honourable Boni asked. However, on the issue of Wi-Fi, we did promise Kenyans that we shall put public hotspots. Initially, only about 3,500 public Wi-Fi hotspots were working when I joined the Ministry. The problem that we have on the many that are not working is that sustainability issues were not considered during inception. A team has been put together to make sure that we get a sustainable way of maintaining them, because some of them is not even bills. It is just an issue of maintenance.

What we have proposed and are doing now in the Ministry on the issue of public Wi-Fi, is to give this Wi-Fi business to the young boys and girls where they are; for them to maintain at a small fee of about Kshs5 for anyone who wants to use this Wi-Fi. It is now undergoing public participation between the Ministry and other involved parties, so that we may actualize the issue of making sure that public Wi-Fi hotspots are maintained by young Kenyan boys and girls where they are. So, I envisage that by the end of the year, we should have about 10,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots working and running in those public areas.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the issue of betting, kutoka kwa Mheshimiwa Haji, nilisema katika taarifa niliyopeana hapa kuwa shida kubwa sana imesababishwa na mambo ya betting. Asilimia 70 ya shida nyingi ambazo zinapatikana mitandaoni haswa zinasababishwa na mambo hayo ya betting. Tuna habari kwamba hata vijana wengine huwatishia akina mama nyumbani kwa kisu ili ampe shilingi 100, ili aweze kuenda kufanya betting. Kwa hivyo, kipaombele katika wizara yetu ya mawasiliano ni kufuata sheria, ijapokuwa changamoto ni kuwa kila sheria ikitungwa na ni nzuri, Wakenya hukimbia kortini na kusimamisha utekelezaji wake.

Mheshimiwa Spika, ninatoa ahadi hapa katika Seneti kuwa wizara itakabiliana na shida hizi zinazoambatana na betting vilivyo ili tuweze kusaidia nchi yetu isonge mbele bila shida hizi za betting controls.

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Yes, Sen. Kathuri. What is your intervention?

Hon. Speaker, I am not sure whether he attempted to answer my question. Perhaps he can do that before he leaves.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and The Digital Economy

: Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the matter I mentioned that we are having issues in taking down the things he referred to because of the current court case. We are trying to lift that ban in court, so that we can start doing it, but our hands are tied at the moment. Between us, the regulators and those involved, the Ministry is working to ensure that such content can be stopped before being aired. That is happening, while not trying to circumvent the matter before the court.

Again, I said we shall make sure that comprehensive answers are provided to each question. We also requested that supplementary questions, which were not asked, be forwarded to the Ministry, and we shall be more than willing to respond.

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Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am standing in for Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC.

I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development the following Question-

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am standing in for Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC.

I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development the following Question-

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to respond to Question No.027 by the Senator for Kisumu County.

In response to part (a) of the question, the Ministry, through the state agencies, has implemented multiple initiatives to support and cushion small-scale traders against eroded profit margins caused by the rising cost of essential commodities.

The Ministry, through the Micro Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) , has rolled out quite a number of targeted strategies and flagship projects aimed at enhancing MSME

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Sen. Beth Syengo, do you have any supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is my supplementary question to the Cabinet Secretary. Women and youth traders in Kitui County face exploitation by middlemen and brokers and their MSMEs are not supported. What interventions has the Ministry put in place to protect them and take them through training for capacity building to enable them access markets directly and affordable credit support programmes as well?

Proceed, Sen. Mungatana.

Asante, Bw. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi kuuliza swali.

Waziri, swali langu ni kuhusu pesa ambazo zinatumika kwa women empowerment na kusaidia wale wanaoishi na ulemavu. Umesema kuwa pesa zilizotumwa kule Kisumu ni shilingi 197,984,000. Ningependa kujua ni pesa ngapi zimetumwa kwa Kaunti yetu ya Tana River kwa sababu kina mama wengi wanaofanya biashara katika masoko makubwa kama vile Garsen, Hola na Madogo wanalalamika kwamba hawanufaiki na mipango hiyo. Wanasikiliza ikitangazwa na Serikali lakini hawaioni. Sisi tukienda kuiongelea, tunaulizwa ziko wapi. Kwa hivyo, ningependa kujua ni pesa ngapi zimeenda kwa Kaunti yetu ya Tana River.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, you have the Floor.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is good to see the Cabinet Secretary here again today.

Bw. Cabinet Secretary, there has been a lot of challenges facing MSMEs in the recent past in the wake of flooding disasters. You find a place like Migori County, and to some extent places like Budalangi, floods wiping out simple assets that MSMEs depend on to do their businesses. It takes years for these small and medium enterprises to build these small assets to make sure that they can progress with their businesses.

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Sen. Cherarkey, please, proceed

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. It is good to see my neighbour, Cabinet Secretary (CS) Oparanya. Mine is on the issue of the Hustler Fund, Nyota Fund and Youth Fund.

He has indicated in response to the issue of access and the high interest rates on the commercial bank loans. My issue is, Waziri, as a ministry, do you have intention either to waive these interests, to give them a holiday in terms of payment, or even cancel or absorb some of the loans, not only in Kisumu County, but across the country?

I yield back.

Sen. Wakwabubi, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. CS Oparanya, thank you for the presentation. I would like to begin by appreciating you for empowering vulnerable groups in Bumula Sub-County, Bungoma County, last week. We have eight more sub-counties to go, and the entire Kenya because I stand for all parties in the country.

My question is, what interventions is the Ministry putting in place to stabilise prices of key commodities like fuel, electricity, transport, basic goods, and the issue of collateral security, when these vulnerable groups come to seek for loans and all those affecting small-scale traders country-wide?

Thank you, I yield.

Sen. Mumma, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I welcome CS Oparanya to the Senate.

My question is about the Hustler Fund. Hon. CS, among the first days you came here, you indicated that the default rate on the Hustler Fund was quite high. Would you kindly share with this House how much, in terms of percentage, we lost as a country in terms of bad debt relating to the Hustler Fund and what lessons have been learned and can be shared country-wide openly, in order such funds to perform better in future?

Sen. Mwenda Gataya, please proceed.

Waziri, ningependa kuuliza swali kuhusu huduma ya Fuliza muliyoanza kwa msisimko mkubwa sana. Walakini, nimepata taarifa kutoka kwa wafanyibiashara wengi wadogo ambao wanasema kuwa hiyo huduma imefifia. Je, Wizara yako ina mpango gani wa kufufua huduma hiyo?

Hon. CS, you may now respond.

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We now move to Question No. 35 by the Nominated Senator Beth Syengo. Before that, allow me to make this communication.

Honourable Beth Syengo, as you rise to ask the question, you can extend a warm welcome to the delegation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir for giving me this opportunity. I welcome the guests who are seated to follow the proceedings and the answer to the Questions that I have raised because they are directly affected by this.

I come from Eastern Kitui County and these great citizens of Kenya, the majority of them come from Central Kenya. This is a message to say that Kenya is one and we need a united country.

Feel welcome, follow the proceedings. I am happy that you got time to be here. Question No.35

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Are they related so that honourable CS can take them at once?

Very well, hon. CS. Sen. Beth Syengo, do you have any supplementary question?

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Bwana CS? No. That is my formula. Hon. CS, respond to the prime supplementary question. The Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to promise here that already this payment has been approved by the Cabinet and it is going to be allocated in the coming financial year.

The debt waiver was audited and established at Kshs6.8 billion. Out of that, already the Ministry has been given Kshs2 billion. We are expecting Kshs4.8 billion, of which we have prioritized payment of these staff dues. These matters arose because there was a receivership. When there is a receivership, sometimes our hands are tied. We have to operate within the receivership regulations and laws. That is why it has taken quite a bit to pay these particular staff. Let me guarantee you, Sen. Syengo, that this amount will be paid as stated. This was a commitment by His Excellency the President when he promised to waive coffee debts.

These staff were lucky that part of the receivership amounts that were outstanding from the old KPCU, amounting to Kshs1.4 billion, was included in that particular amount.

Let us get other supplementary questions.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I extend a warm welcome to the suffering KPCU members. I hope this matter can be---

I thank CS Oparanya because he is very brief and to the point. I hope other CSs will learn from him. So, my only concern is that he has said that there is an outstanding Kshs528,691,304, but at the end of the response, he indicates that it has coffee debt waiver programme in the second quarter of Financial Year 2026/2027. My concern is the CS has not gone on record to indicate whether it was there during the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) .

If the budgetary allocation is not there, then this is just a statement. So, how much was allocated to clear this Kshs500 million plus? Some of them have died, some of them are sickly and some of them are depressed. We do not want to subject Kenyans. They say if you want to know the strength of a nation, you know how they treat their most vulnerable in times of need. So, can the CS go on record and tell us the amount cited here has been allocated by the National Assembly in the Financial Year 2026/2027?

I yield back.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I happen to come from a coffee-growing region and that is why I will keep coming on stage to advocate for anything that relates to coffee.

I have this supplementary question to CS Oparanya. I have been following you in various platforms advocating for people to plant a lot of coffee. Now that the pool is becoming vast, can you tell this House the long-term policy interventions the Government will implement to prevent recurrence of unpaid terminal dues in parastatals and cooperative institutions undergoing restructuring?

Let us get this other one from Sen. Mbugua.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. CS, the question by Sen. Syengo had initially asked for a figure of Kshs400 million. In your response, you are

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Respond to the three supplementary questions, hon. CS.

The Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

On the first question, let me assure this House that, as mentioned earlier, the total figure that His Excellency the President committed himself to pay as coffee debts, of which Kshs1.4 billion is included under the receivership of the old KPCU. An amount of Kshs2 billion was already disbursed to the Ministry by the National Treasury this financial year. However, the Kshs2 billion paid those coffee farmers who had borrowed from commercial banks because they were under stress to be auctioned. That is why we gave those particular debts a priority when we used the Kshs2 billion.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I assure this House that in the coming Financial Year 2026/2027, we have already agreed with the necessary agencies that Kshs2 billion will again be allocated to us. I assure this House that these staffers are going to be given the first priority in being paid part of the Kshs2 billion; they have suffered enough. If they are not paid out of the Kshs2 billion, I am ready to be summoned and grilled here on why I lied to this House.

The other question by my sister, the Senator from Bungoma, is on the issue of long-term interventions and payments. As a Ministry, we found out that there were weaknesses in governance in cooperatives and in Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations SACCOs. That is why, some of these issues have been reoccurring year-in, year-out. As a long-term solution, the Ministry has come up with a revised Cooperative Bill 2025 that has already gone through this House. It has also gone through the National Assembly and now, it is at mediation level.

We are certain that if that particular Bill is enacted, most of the weaknesses that we have been having in cooperatives will be sorted out. Issues of governance, term limit and supervision have all been addressed within that Bill.

Secondly, we also have the SACCO Societies (Amendment) Bill 2025 that is already before the National Assembly; they have gone through it. It is on its way to this House. Please, I plead with you that when it comes before you, look at it objectively, so that we are able to pass it. If the two Bills, that is, the mother Bill and the SACCO Bill pass, they will be able to resolve some of these issues. There will be no non- payment because they medicate against such issues.

I think those were the three questions.

The last one from Sen. Cherarkey. The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: The last one is about the list of beneficiaries. I have the list and it can be availed. I have my colleague here from new KPCU, who is supporting me. I direct him to provide that list of beneficiaries,

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Sen. Cherarkey, what is your point of clarification?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I only want one commitment from the Cabinet Secretary on budgetary allocation. He is saying that there is Kshs2 billion, but he has not committed that out of the Kshs2 billion, the amount of Kshs500 million plus will be allocated to pay these employees of KPCU.

Sen. Cherarkey, he gave his commitment to clear the pending bill of the former employees first. I even saw the former employees nodding because they were happy. I do not know whether we are speaking the same English.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I went to the great school of Kapsabet Boys that has produced two or three presidents of this country, including the current one.

He has said that there is Kshs2 billion that has been allocated to the Ministry for purposes of looking into this issue of coffee debt waiver. My only concern is that; is he willing to pay as per the schedule list of beneficiaries of former employees, including the estates of the deceased, the sickly who cannot access those funds and the administrators so that the administrators or beneficiaries of any person who has passed on can benefit from the payout; Sen. Syengo has put it correctly?

I appreciate the way he is committed to resolve this matter once and for all in this financial year. I yield back.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask Question No.036 to the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development:

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask Question No.036 to the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development:

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 27

Bwana Cabinet Secretary, you may respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, from the onset, let me say that such issues of delayed payment will never happen again. Since then, reforms have been undertaken and at the moment, farmers who sell their coffee through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange get their payments within five days after the auction date. So, that is a commitment and those are reforms that have happened in the coffee sector all along.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to respond to Question No.036 by Sen. Beth Syengo as follows-

Sen. Beth Syengo, do you have any supplementary questions?

Thank you. Clarity was on the budgetary allocation because he has mentioned two. Which financial year?

Any other supplementary questions?

A further clarification on this payout under KPCU and proceeds to coffee farmers. Waziri, if it is not too much trouble, there was also a matter that arose

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 28

I am interested in the KPCU issues first.

Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy, Speaker, Sir. I want a confirmation from the Cabinet Secretary, who said there is a proposal in the Budget for Financial Year 2026/2027. Did the proposal originate from the Ministry and does that specific figure have priority for the Ministry? Is there any evidence to show that it is in the proposal?

When you look at this matter, it dates back to 2008. We are now in 2026. Even the very farmers we are trying to pay, for some of them, I do not know how they will receive it. Perhaps when we offer offerings in church, they will celebrate in heaven. So, the few who are still alive should be paid as soon as possible.

So, we want confirmation and evidence that it is actually in the budget. It is upon the Ministry to ensure that the allocation remains in the budget. Is it a priority?

Sen. Mandago, you have just come in and we had already canvassed that matter. In the interest of fairness, since you are one of the key representatives from the Rift, I will give you an opportunity for that assurance. However, he has already committed himself to those figures.

Any other Member? Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may answer those two questions and if you can, also address the KCC and New KCC matter.

The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development (Hon. Oparanya) : Thank you very much. I want to state categorically that the financial year I am referring to is 2026/2027. That is where we have provided for that amount. It is now up to the National Assembly to either reduce or increase. Otherwise, it has gone through the various stages.

We are hopeful that this figure of Kshs2 billion will be in the final Budget approved by the National Assembly. As I have said, I commit myself that this amount is part of the Kshs1.4 billion, which we are giving priority, to have the matter of the debts of the old KPCU rested, so that we can now deal with the issues of the new KPCU.

On the issue of KCC, I am not attempting to answer, but I categorically say I have the capacity because I know what is happening. On New KCC staff, the issue is different from the old KPCU staff issue. The old KPCU issue involves staff dues that are directly there. On the New KCC, it involves even SACCO deductions, staff who used to work there, in addition to staff of the old KCC.

The New Maziwa Sacco is no longer there. We have, pursuant to the directive of this House, formed an inter-ministerial committee comprising the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The three ministries have formed a technical committee, which has already met and produced an interim report that I will present to this House.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 29

We go to the next Question, Question No.039. Senator for Nyandarua County, Sen. Methu. Sen. Mohamed, you may ask on his behalf.

Yes, I have been authorised by Sen. Methu to ask this Question on his behalf.

Question No.039

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Sen. Faki, do you have a supplementary question?

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Sina swali la ziada. Ningependa tu kutoa maoni kwamba kusimamisha kwa usajili wa vikundi vya SACCO kwa sababu ya mikakati ya kurekebisha sheria za usajili ni sawa na kuzuia watu wasiweze kuzaa kwa sababu baadhi ya watoto wanaozaliwa ni wahalifu. Waziri amekubali kwamba wameanza kufungua. Kwa hivyo, tuna matumaini ya kwamba SACCOs zitaandikishwa.

Sen. Mungatana, do you have a supplementary question?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. SACCOs are very famous as instruments of doing business in the matatu industry. Many people are investing in this business every single day because matatus are a necessity for many Kenyans who go to work and back home, including those who go upcountry.

So, it was quite sad to hear that the Cabinet Secretary had suspended the registration of new SACCOs. Although he has explained a good reason for doing so, which we accept, what we need are clear timelines. Kenyans listening to him would want to know when they can now resume registration.

People are buying vehicles every day and they sometimes do not want to go to established SACCOs, especially on certain routes, because those SACCOs, as you well pointed out Waziri, are very badly managed. You have agreements with them, the owners of the vehicles are not paid on time, management is not good, the workers are not disciplined and that investment does not pay. So, what we wanted to know is what the framework is for telling Kenyans that this is the time they can go and register new SACCOs in the different lines for matatus to operate.

I thank you.

Cabinet Secretary, please proceed. The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Lile swali la kwanza, wakati niliingia ofisini, wale ambao wanaendelea kusikiza mambo ya SACCOs katika nchi hii, nakumbuka wakati huo tulikuwa na lile shirika la KUSCO ambapo pesa nyingi za wananchi zilipotea, karibu Shilingi bilioni 13.

Wakati huo huo tulikuwa na shirika la Metropolitan kule Kiambu ambapo Shilingi bilioni 7 za wananchi zilipotea. Kwa hivyo, nikiwa Waziri, singeweza kukaa tu na kuangalia pesa za wananchi zikipotea. Tuliamua kama Wizara tuangalie ni nini suluhisho ambalo linaweza kusaidia pesa za wananchi zikiwa kwa SACCO, ziwe zinaangaliwa vizuri. Ndio nikaunda hiyo kamati ya wataalam ambayo imeleta mapendekezo mazuri.

Pili, tulisema tuko kwa register ya SACCOs katika nchi hii na SACCOs 14,000. Ukiangalia zile ambazo zinaleta returns ni chache sana. Kwa hivyo, niliamuru Kamishna wa Ushirika aandike barua kwa hizi SACCOs zote zilete returns. Kwa hizo 14,000, karibu 2,000 peke yake ndizo zimeleta returns. Ni kuonyesha kwamba zingine ziko tu kwa majina lakini hazifanyi kazi yoyote. Zikiwa hivyo, tuko na wananchi wengine walaghai ambao wanatumia zile inactive SACCOs kuchukua pesa kutoka kwa wananchi. Ule mkondo ambao mimi nimechukua ni kuona kwamba pesa za wananchi ambazo ziko kwa SACCOs zinachungwa vizuri.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 32

Cabinet Secretary, there is an intervention from Sen. Mandago, who wants to seek clarification on the initial answer.

Mheshimiwa Speaker, nasimama kuuliza kulingana na Kanuni za Kudumu za Bunge. Ukianza kujibu swali kwa kutumia lugha moja, unafaa kutumia lugha hiyo mpaka ukamilishe. Waziri ameanza kujibu swali kutumia Kiswahili. Je, ni sawa akifika pale katikati aende kwenye Kiingereza ilhali wananchi wakulima walikuwa wanafuatilia kwa Kiswahili?

Sen. Mandago, nitakujibu hilo swali. Alikuwa anajibu swali la Sen. Faki ambalo aliuliza kwa Kiswahili ndio akaamua kumjibu kwa Kiswahili. Sen. Mungatana aliuliza kwa Kiingereza, ndio anamjibu kwa Kiingereza kwa vile anafuata Kanuni za Kudumu za Bunge. Lazima ukumbuke Waziri alikuwa Mbunge, anajua sheria.

The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you for protecting me. Sen. Mandago is taking me as a layman. He knows my experience in this House. I think he was just pulling my leg. Thank you for protecting me.

I have said, for those who want to register a SACCO, they must have promoters. They must have a bank account. That bank account must at least have Kshs10 million. To show some viability, there must be proper bylaws, and they must complete application forms, take them to the relevant director of cooperatives at the county level, who will countersign before it is forwarded to the Commissioner of Cooperatives for consideration. They must also attach a cash flow for the next three years, to show that this is a viable SACCO. These are some of the conditions that we have put in place to make sure that we have serious institutions that will be taking care of the interests of the members.

Lastly, I want to commit myself to the fact that those SACCOs can now register immediately, having fulfilled the conditions that I have pointed here, so long as they satisfy them.

We will take two supplementary questions from Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, followed by Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. First, I want to thank the Cabinet Secretary for the questions that he answered earlier in the day, and the assurance that he continues to give this House that he is ready to even come back. I want to assure this House that Moi University SACCO has been revived courtesy of the Cabinet Secretary's promise to this House. We want to thank him for that. In fact, the registration certificate is already out.

I just want to ask the Cabinet Secretary two clarifications. One is that cooperative societies are actually, except for policy, devolved. If they are devolved, what role did the county governments play in this? Do they have their own? Public participation really,

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 33

Asante, Mheshimiwa Spika wa Muda. Swali ambalo nataka kumwuliza Waziri, mwanzo ni kwamba, kabla ya kuvunjilia mbali, kuandikisha kwa vyama vya akiba na mikopo, kuna kitu kimoja ambacho naona kinakuwa makosa makubwa.

Kuna wahusika wakubwa. Ninajua wako hata Kirinyaga, ambao bado tunangoja majibu, kama Mweteithia Rural SACCO na Rwama Cooperative, ambao walipotea na pesa za umma. Sababu kubwa ya watu kujiandikisha kwenye vyama vipya vya ushirika na vyama vya akiba na mikopo ni kwa sababu vyama havina uwazi. Kuna wizi katika vile vyama. Pia, kuna utepetevu kwa sababu katika ofisi yako, Waziri, ni kwamba sio lazima mngoje hadi vyama vya ushirika viibe pesa za umma. Tunajua kuna SASRA, mojawapo ya taasisi ambazo zinafaa kuangalia hizi vyama. Halafu wakifanya ubadhirifu wa pesa, mnafunga kuandikisha. Hiyo ni sawa sawa - mtu akiwa na ugonjwa wa kuhara lakini badala ya kutafuta dawa unafikiria kushona mahali shida inatokea.

Kwa hivyo, ninauliza Waziri, ni lini tutawajibika vizuri ili kuhakikisha kwamba wananchi hawapati shida kwa sababu ya vyama vya ushirika na vyama vya akiba na mikopo bila kufunga njia ya haki na ya kisheria ambayo wamepewa kuviandikisha vyama? Hilo ni swali la kwanza.

La Mwisho, nikipitia, haya ni maoni yangu tu kwa sababu Waziri ni rafiki yangu. Alikuwa Kirinyaga juzi juu ya vyama vya ushirika na matatizo tuliyo nayo ni kwa sababu ya deni la kahawa. Waziri, ukienda utukumbuke.

Asante, Mstahiki Spika.

Sen. Murango, ninataka nikupe nafasi ubadilishe lile neno ulisema ili utumie lugha ambayo inafaa Bungeni. Unajua hicho Kiswahili. Kunayo maneno mengi ya hayo maradhi ulisema mtu akiwa nayo.

Mstahiki Spika unajua kwamba kwenye mwili wa binadamu kuna viungo tofauti. Sijui kwa nini tunaona haya, tunataja mdomo na mapua, lakini tukifika sehemu zingine ni aibu. Hata kwa Kamusi hilo neno liko na sikulitaja. Nimepeana---

Sen. Murango, sikusema usimame na ufafanue kile ulichosema. Ninakwambia ubadilishe kwa kutumia lugha ambayo ni ya Bunge.

Mstahiki Spika, ni neno gani hilo kwa sababu sikulitaja?

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 34

Sen. Murango, usifanye nirudie. Unalijua vizuri sana lile neno ninalokuambia ubadilishe.

Mstahiki Spika wa Muda, ninaomba nikumbushwe kwa sababu sikumbuki nikisema neno lolote ambalo sifai kulitumia.

Mstahiki Spika wa Muda, Seneta wa Kirinyaga anajaribu kucheza mchezo wa paka na panya. Ulitoa mfano wa ugonjwa wa kuendesha lakini neno ambalo ulilitumia sio kuendesha.

Hilo neno ndilo unafaa urekebishe.

Mstahiki Spika wa Muda, nitabadilisha neno ‘kuhara’ niseme ‘kuendesha,’ lakini kuhara na kuendesha, maana ni sawa.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 35

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Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We will take the last batch of questions, starting with Sen. Kinyua.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Cabinet Secretary has indicated that over 10,000 SACCOs risk being deregistered. That will lead to less competition, resulting to a higher interest rates on the loans, but a low interest rate on the savings of members. What is the Cabinet Secretary going to do to caution Kenyans?

Thank you. The next question is by Sen. Joe Nyutu.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I refer to the response by the Cabinet Secretary for part (a) of the question. He mentioned that the justification for suspension of SACCO registration was prevention of broad dilution and market saturation. He continued to state that there was a proliferation of under-resourced and poorly managed entities.

We know SACCOs that started very humbly, like Equity Bank, that started as a very small SACCO. My concern is, if we make it a condition that SACCOs should be over-resourced, then we will risk having investors with humble beginnings from being deregistered, therefore, killing their dreams.

Finally, any SACCOs that have been closed and have sunk members' savings, such as two of them in Kirinyaga; Mwietheri and Rwama Famers Cooperative SACCO, what is the guarantee that the Cabinet Secretary is giving that members who had saved in these SACCOs will receive their savings? Are you taking legal action against such offenders? Sinking people’s money is an offence.

Thank you.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 36

Sen. Mandago.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I would like to ask the Cabinet Secretary, now that there is a report of the task force that was looking at the legal framework and the reforms in the SACCO sector, have they sensitised the cooperatives on the new legal framework as the stakeholders in that sector? The Temporary Speaker (

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Section 93 of the Cooperative Societies Act Cap 490 states that the Cabinet Secretary may at any time on any matter direct the Commissioner as to the exercise of his powers and duties under this Act.

“93. The Cabinet Secretary may at any time and on any matter direct the Commissioner as to the exercise of his powers and duties under this Act.

93A. Other powers of the Commissioner Without prejudice to any other powers under this Act, the Commissioner may-

Sen. Cherarkey, can you refer to Cap 490, as described by the Cabinet Secretary?

Yes, it talks about the power of the Cabinet Secretary. He keeps referring to the new cooperatives law. Unless and until the new Cooperatives Bill is signed into law, we can refer to it. I needed clarity because the Bill is yet to be assented to by the President. It is in mediation.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary, who is a seasoned politician, a former Member of Parliament (MP) and a political party luminary. I wanted to find out, is it hard for him to

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 37

Thank you, Senator. Cabinet Secretary, you may respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On the question raised by Sen. Kinyua, I have clearly stated that the Cooperative Societies Act Cap.90, which was established in the 1970s, provides that 10 people can come together and form a SACCO. Things have since changed.

Looking at what has been happening over the last 40 years, most cooperatives formed by such a small number have collapsed. That is the experience. So, we are speaking from evidence. Even if the law currently provides for 10, things have changed. That number is not viable. That is why out of 14, only two are active.

We have also noted that when elections are around the corner, registration of SACCOs goes up. During that time, there are also harambees being conducted for SACCOs. A SACCO should be a self-sustaining institution. Whenever you hear of a harambee, know that such a SACCO will never survive after the election.

As responsible citizens of this country, we must guard the resources of innocent members who come together to form a SACCO. This is the essence of what we are saying. SACCOs are all over; they have opened boundaries and are not tribalistic. You can join a SACCO in any corner of this country. Nowadays they are digital, so you can join any SACCO. We are telling people to come together for economies of scale.

As a Ministry, we have provided guidelines if you decide to come together. We are saying that all SACCOs must be digitised. How do you digitise when you have no capacity because you have Kshs500 only in your bank account and you are waiting for a harambee to be conducted? We must be serious. People are saying that we are now empowering SACCOs. After elections, that will be nothing. If we want to, let us empower women groups. Call them groups and not SACCOs.

Hon. Members, I have looked at these issues critically. That also answers the next question, where the Member wanted to know about the guarantee. These people have lost money. These are part of the reforms we are bringing. We will create a Deposit Guarantee Fund.

For SACCOs that will be under genuinely, like what happens to banks, there will be a Deposit Guarantee Fund that will be managed independently. That money will be there to make sure that your deposits are refunded to you when a SACCOs is under receivership. That is part of the guarantee that we have. Therefore, support that Bill when it comes here.

Concerning the reforms, the committee of experts went to all the 47 counties and listened to co-operative members and officials. What they have recommended to the Ministry was actually from the people at the grassroots. At the same time, the National Assembly and the Senate have a chance to also go for public participation on issues that have been raised. If it is done by the committee of experts, the National Assembly and possibly by this House, that will be enough sensitisation on reforms that we are bringing.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 38

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Thank you, Senator. Cabinet Secretary, you may respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs)

Development

: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On the question raised by Sen. Kinyua, I have clearly stated that the Cooperative Societies Act Cap.90, which was established in the 1970s, provides that 10 people can come together and form a SACCO. Things have since changed.

Looking at what has been happening over the last 40 years, most cooperatives formed by such a small number have collapsed. That is the experience. So, we are speaking from evidence. Even if the law currently provides for 10, things have changed. That number is not viable. That is why out of 14, only two are active.

We have also noted that when elections are around the corner, registration of SACCOs goes up. During that time, there are also harambees being conducted for SACCOs. A SACCO should be a self-sustaining institution. Whenever you hear of a harambee, know that such a SACCO will never survive after the election.

As responsible citizens of this country, we must guard the resources of innocent members who come together to form a SACCO. This is the essence of what we are saying. SACCOs are all over; they have opened boundaries and are not tribalistic. You can join a SACCO in any corner of this country. Nowadays they are digital, so you can join any SACCO. We are telling people to come together for economies of scale.

As a Ministry, we have provided guidelines if you decide to come together. We are saying that all SACCOs must be digitised. How do you digitise when you have no capacity because you have Kshs500 only in your bank account and you are waiting for a harambee to be conducted? We must be serious. People are saying that we are now empowering SACCOs. After elections, that will be nothing. If we want to, let us empower women groups. Call them groups and not SACCOs.

Hon. Members, I have looked at these issues critically. That also answers the next question, where the Member wanted to know about the guarantee. These people have lost money. These are part of the reforms we are bringing. We will create a Deposit Guarantee Fund.

For SACCOs that will be under genuinely, like what happens to banks, there will be a Deposit Guarantee Fund that will be managed independently. That money will be there to make sure that your deposits are refunded to you when a SACCOs is under receivership. That is part of the guarantee that we have. Therefore, support that Bill when it comes here.

Concerning the reforms, the committee of experts went to all the 47 counties and listened to co-operative members and officials. What they have recommended to the Ministry was actually from the people at the grassroots. At the same time, the National Assembly and the Senate have a chance to also go for public participation on issues that have been raised. If it is done by the committee of experts, the National Assembly and possibly by this House, that will be enough sensitisation on reforms that we are bringing.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 38

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Sen. Cherarkey, please proceed.

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May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 40

Sen. Cherarkey, I just want to inform you that we have extended the sitting, so that we can conclude this Motion.

I was just bringing the point home by saying even as the opposition leader, he has not even met even one embassy staff, let alone a diplomat. How would you want to be leader of a country if you do not know how international relations operate?

I hope Sen. Mungatana will find time and engage some of these opposition leaders who do not know their role, so as to respect the President. If we have differences at the local level that can be handled, but when it comes to international issues, we must sit as a country.

We thank the President because for the last 63 years, no President such as H.E William Ruto has held international summits such as the Change Summit. He has now co-hosted the African Forward Summit (AFS) with France. President Ruto will be attending the G7 towards the end of this year, to represent the position of Africa in trade, economic situation, stability and food security. No President has even done that. This is a God-sent President.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know from where you sit, you are old enough to know when the country is working. We celebrate the President for putting his best foot forward. State House nowadays is looking better for international engagements.

So, in this Report, I want to appeal that as Parliament, let us take the lead. As Sen. Mungatana has said, let us take the lead on issues of food security, trade, good governance, transparency, accountability and human rights.

In the interest of time and to allow my colleagues also to comment, I beg to second this Report. I request the House to note the contents of these two reports.

I yield the microphone.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 41

Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity. I start by thanking our leader of delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) , Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Mungatana.

I thank him for the very detailed report that he has presented. I want to add one thing in two minutes, if you allow, on the energy insecurity in Africa. That was one of the major topics when we had committee sessions in September, 2024 as reported. Energy insecurity in Africa has caused a lot of problems because industrialisation cannot proceed.

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Mover, you can reply.

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Putting of the Question has been deferred.

May, 13, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 44

Hon. Senators, it is now 1.11 p.m. and having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No.34 (2) (a) , the Senate stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 1.11 p.m.