National Assembly Hansard: Wednesday, 14th October, 2026 - Morning Sitting

Hon. Members, I have confirmed that there is no quorum in the House. Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung) We now have quorum to start business.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

Hon. Feisal Bader.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to request for a Statement.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the payment rates for supervision and invigilation of the 2025 national examinations and assessments.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, teachers and other professionals, including security officers, play a crucial role in the administration of national examinations and assessments across the country. They serve as centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and security personnel, ensuring the integrity and smooth conduct of examinations. However, the payment rates for these activities remained stagnant despite the rising cost of living. Notably, the payment rates provided for supervision and invigilation of the 2025 national examinations and assessments replicate those applied during the 2023 examinations, despite the fact that the rates utilised in 2024 were slightly higher than those of 2023. Centre managers are often compelled to seek temporary accommodation near examination collection points to ensure timely collection of exam materials, while supervisors have to make financial sacrifices to oversee multiple sets of examinations at designated centres.

Despite such dedication, the current remuneration remains grossly inadequate and no longer commensurate with the magnitude of their responsibilities. Although the slight upward adjustment in payment rates over the years is commendable, the rates still fall far short of providing fair compensation for the duties performed.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following:

Chairperson of the Departmental

Yes.

Is that Hon. Tonkei? Do you serve in that Committee? When are we getting the response to this request?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we will bring the response in two weeks. Thank you.

Hon. Feisal, you will get a response to your Request for a Statement in two weeks. Is that satisfactory? (Hon. Feisal Bader nodded in agreement) Hon. Dorothy Ikiara, what is the matter?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I just want to add my voice to that important Request for Statement.

Unfortunately, we have passed it. The Temporary Speaker is now functus officio in law. We cannot go back to it. I regret that. I ought to have noticed you in good time. I thought you were standing as a Member of the Departmental Committee on Education, not to piggyback on the Statement. The rules of the House are such that when a matter is done with, the House cannot go back to it.

Let us now have the second Request for a Statement by Hon. Mohammed Adow.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)C, I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy regarding the prolonged power blackout in Habaswein Town and surrounding areas served by the Habaswein hybrid power plant in Wajir South Constituency.

The plant, constructed by Hypertech Electricals at a cost of approximately Ksh639 million and Kenya Power Company, was commissioned on 1st June 2026. However, barely four months later, three of its four engines developed mechanical faults and were taken to Nairobi for repairs where they remain to date. The situation worsened following an explosion and fire at the plant's solar farm on 28th of September 2026, which reportedly destroyed several solar panels and DC converters.

The blackout affected Habaswein Town and surrounding communities served by the plant across Wajir South and Wajir West constituencies in Wajir County; Lagdera Constituency in Garissa County and Isiolo South Constituency in Isiolo County. The outage also disrupted water supplies because many boreholes depend on electricity for pumping, leaving households, hospitals, schools and other essential institutions facing acute water shortages.

Concerns have also arisen over equipment quality, contractor accountability, and the reliability of similar projects undertaken by Hyperteck Electricals in Eldas in Wajir County, Elwak in Mandera County, and Merti in Isiolo County.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy on the following:

Hon. Adow, what is the source of power in Habaswein, Wajir? The last time I was in Wajir, I was told the national power grid terminates somewhere in Garissa.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the national grid, at the moment is at Dadaab. Anywhere beyond there relies solely on diesel generated power and a bit of solar. So, hybrid stations are now becoming common, but they are few and far in-between. We are seeing a situation where contractors may have brought us not new engines, but refurbished ones. According to reports from workers on the ground, the engines make very strange noises and use a lot of oil. They have to replenish oil in between scheduled services, something that has created concern that they might have not brought new engines to the hybrid station.

Thank you for the information. The Chairperson, Departmental Committee in charge of energy.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Because of the sensitivity of the matter, particularly if it is affecting some very important public institution and more so when he talks about the quality of the generators, it is important for the Ministry to give a response within a week so that we can address some of the very pertinent issues that he has brought up.

Hon. Adow, are you satisfied with the timing?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The response to the Request for a Statement, Chairperson, shall be in the House within a week from today. Within means, even in the afternoon today, if it is ready.

Hon. Makali Mulu, you did not request to say something before we dispensed with the matter. Because of rank, I will indulge you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I just want to remind you that before we went on recess, the Speaker directed that we have a session with the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, CEO of Kenya Power Company (KPC) and the

The matter is on the desk of the Speaker. When necessary directions are made, the Cabinet Secretary, under the Standing Orders, will be here for additional information and questions from the Members. The matter of energy is very personal across the country, Chairman.

Again, because of rank, I want to indulge Hon. Robert Mbui, the Deputy Leader of the Minority side to ask his Question.

Question 026/2026

Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42G, I rise to ask Question 026/2026 to the Teachers Service Commission. Could the Commission:

Hon. Charles Nguna.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to ride on the Question by Hon. Robert Mbui.

Most counties, especially around Nairobi, are overstaffed, but in the eastern region, Kakamega or upcountry, you find that most schools have, say, three teachers against nine classrooms. This disparity should be addressed appropriately to ensure that every child has access to education, as enshrined in our Constitution. We need this Question to be answered. I am sure most Members of Parliament are interested in ensuring that schools are adequately staffed so that every student, or rather pupil, has access to proper education.

Member for Nandi County will be followed by ranking Member for Naivasha, Hon. Jayne Kihara.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to add my voice to this very important Question sought by Hon. Mbui. The disparity and inequality are deeper than what is being painted right now. The Question should explore the nitty-gritty of this matter. There are other constituencies, especially where I come from, where every director, even non-classroom teachers, come from a specific constituency. Every promotion has to go to a specific constituency!

I support this Question so that we can achieve greater equality and uniformity in the distribution of teachers. You can hardly explain how a school with 78 students has 24 teachers, while a school with 1,400 students has only 14 teachers. It does not make any sense, and this matter has to be looked into. We will provide the exact and detailed information regarding the

This is a grave issue. Let us now grant audience to Hon. Jayne Kihara to contribute.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I congratulate Hon. Mbui because this is a very pressing issue in our schools. We also need to find out whether there is a policy governing the posting of teachers. Teachers are sometimes posted to schools, and when they assume that the place is remote, they refuse to go, thereby leaving the schools understaffed because of its location. Even as I support, I wonder why he did not ask whether it is the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or State House that recruits teachers. We heard from our own Hon. Speaker that he takes Members to State House to be given appointment letters, which they eventually sell. That question should also have been raised so that we can get to know exactly what happens.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Charles Ngusya, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the issues of recruitment and appointment of teachers lie strictly on TSC. I have never heard of any teacher receiving an appointment letter from State House. I, therefore, request Hon. Jayne Kihara to withdraw that statement because State House is a State organ and a public office that is not mandated to recruit teachers.

Hon. Members, as I have said, this is a grave matter. Let us avoid introducing extraneous issues. I currently have four secondary schools that are sitting examinations without principals. Several of them have only one TSC teacher, yet they are sitting the same examinations as other schools with about 30 teachers, most of whom do not have work to do. The media recently reported on a school where 14 teachers were teaching a single student. What we are discussing here is equity and fairness for all the children of Kenya. I request that we stick to the Question at hand. (Hon. Dorothy Muthoni spoke off the record) Hon. Dorothy Ikiara, this is not a debate.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I agree with your sentiments. Let us not politicise matters education. The issues raised are very pertinent. We need equity and fair distribution of teachers across the country, so that every child in every school is given equal opportunities. I support this sentiment. The State pays teachers, but it is TSC that employs, distributes, and disciplines teachers. That is their mandate under Article 237 of the Constitution of Kenya.

Why is there so much interest in this matter of education? (Hon. Hilary Kosgei spoke off the record)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, what you are saying happens across all constituencies. The TSC is not making matters any better because we have regional and county directors. Most of the time, when you ask them to post principals to these schools, they say they have to prepare a matrix and send it to the headquarters. This then has to wait for the TSC Board to sit and approve those changes, yet time is passing, students are suffering, and help is not reaching our schools. When devolution was introduced, it was supposed to be a mirror for every other function to be devolved and action being acted upon on the ground. This would make it easier for these institutions to get principals, deputy principals, and an equitable share of teachers.

I support.

There is the Member there whom I cannot see clearly. Member for Ganze.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Nampongeza Mhe. Mbui kwa kuleta hili swali hapa Bunge. Kusema kweli, hili ni jambo ambalo limetatiza sana sehemu nyingi.

Nikiongea kuhusu Ganze, kuna shule nyingi kule ambazo hazina walimu wa kutosha. Ukitembea katika maeneo mengine, utapata shule zina walimu wengi kushinda wanafunzi. Wakati mwingi, tumejaribu kutafuta suluhisho kwa kujaribu kuuliza ni kwa nini mambo kama haya yanafanyika, lakini TSC haijakuwa ya msaada kwetu. Naunga mkono vile Mheshimiwa amesema. Kwanza, tupate zile staffing gaps katika kila shule na zaidi ya yote, pia tupate mwelekeo ni njia gani ambazo TSC itatumia kuhakikisha kwamba shule zote katika maeneo Bunge 290 zinapata walimu inavyostahili. Ahsante.

Is that Hon. Edith Nyenze? You are recognised to make your contribution.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. The TSC should ensure that systems are in place and that teachers are distributed equitably throughout Kenya. There is a lot of discrimination, especially in some areas even when it comes to the employment of teachers. You find that someone who left college in 2009 or 2010 is not yet employed, while someone who graduated a few years ago is already employed. The TSC has a lot of work to do to ensure there is equity in recruitment because some of these teachers may reach the age of 45 before they are employed. There is no equality. The TSC should do its best to ensure there is equity in schools.

I cannot see that Member. Is that the Member for Kigumo?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. That Question by Hon. Mbui has come at an opportune time.

Another issue I would like us to address is who should be held responsible for determining the number of students in a class and how many students should a teacher teach in each class. The reason is that this kind of distribution where some schools have few students and many teachers while big schools have few teachers is very prevalent. I have a school where I am trying to get teachers because they have all disappeared because of the location. This is very unfair to those students. That Question must address responsibility. If there is unfair distribution of teachers, who is responsible? Is it the Regional Director of Education or the TSC? Who is answerable?

Hon. Sabina Chege.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I would like to support what my colleagues have raised. The big question we need to look at is the work of the TSC. I am not sure whether they sorted out the issue of leadership, particularly the position of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

I will give the opportunity to Hon. Julius Sunkuli because of rank.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to emphasise the matter raised by the Member for Kigumo because it affects staffing. Can the Ministry tell us the policy on the number of students per class? As the Member for Nandi said, some schools have 1,400 students while others have 100.

This creates chaos because some schools over-enrol students. This denies other schools the students they need. This disparity, where one school has 1,400 students while another one has only 20 or 100, should be addressed through the Ministry’s policy. We should also not allow overstaffing in some schools which kills other schools. It is good to balance the number of students enrolled in particular schools.

Hon. Members, we all agree that this is a very serious matter. Where is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education? Hon. Kiplagat, do you want to say something?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Please do. There is a problem with the technology. Try to locate a functional microphone.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Although this microphone seems to be a bit short, I will use it.

It is very important for the TSC to employ teachers equitably. You will realise that in some counties, the recruitment of P1 teachers has only been done to those who graduated in 2013 or 2014. However, in some counties, recruitment is being done to those who graduated in 2025. Some teachers are ageing. Some of them are 45 years old and above, yet they are still waiting to be employed and get a payslip. It is high time the TSC recognises that teachers have a retirement age and develop a policy to ensure that old teachers are absorbed so that they can enjoy their profession before retiring.

Secondly, TSC needs to ensure that recruitment across the country is equitable. If teachers who graduated in 2025 have been employed, this should be the case across the board. There is no way that Uasin Gishu County is employing teachers who graduated in 2016 and 2017 and some other counties are employing teachers who graduated in 2025. It is very unfair. We call upon the TSC to style up and ensure equity in the recruitment of teachers, taking into account their age and distribution, so that all counties are at par.

Do we have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education? Because of the seriousness of this matter, including the additional issues raised by Hon. Kiplagat, I would like to emphasise some things.

Hon. Kiplagat has talked about teachers who have not been employed from 2014. In Homa Bay Town Constituency, I know some teachers who graduated in 2008 and 2009, but have never been employed. We have teachers who graduated last year and are already serving under the TSC. This is a very grave matter. It is not only about recruitment, but also promotions. Some teachers retire at the entry level, while others are promoted to the next grade, although we allocate money for promotions each year. Because of the seriousness of this matter, I direct that the Question be handled by the Departmental Committee on Education. We need a response on the Floor of the House within two weeks.

I urge all the Members of the House to attend the Committee sittings to deal with this matter. Ideally, if our Standing Orders allowed it, I would have directed the TSC to appear directly before us. However, Hon. Members, you are aware of our limitations. The TSC is an independent commission. If we were to call the Cabinet Secretary here instead, he might not answer many of the questions regarding the TSC. Therefore, this committee arrangement provides us with the best opportunity to represent our people and effectively address this issue.

On the day you designate to handle this matter, please, notify all the Members who are interested in attending. If you require additional seating space or facilities, the House will make the necessary arrangements so that we can sit in these chambers and address this matter conclusively. I hope I am making myself clear to Hon. Tonkei, who is standing in on behalf of the Committee Chairperson.

Sure, Hon. Temporary Speaker. We will take up the matter.

Within two weeks, we require a joint sitting with the Teachers Service Commission and the Cabinet Secretary, to which all the Members must be permitted not only to attend, but also to participate actively. This will ensure that pressing issues such as why teachers are not employed on a first to graduate, first to be- recruited basis can be addressed conclusively. Deputy Leader of the Minority Party.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In view of your Communication, it implies that we would need to extract the relevant Hansard records so that the comments of all the Members are taken into consideration. The matter has been extensively expanded. Members have truly done justice to it. Therefore, by the time we meet with the Committee to hear from them, they will be prepared with a broader response that incorporates all the issues raised by all of you.

It is so ordered. This is a matter affecting the entire country. Hon. Tonkei, I have given my directions. What do you still want to comment on?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I wish to comment on the issue concerning the Teachers Service Commission. It is, indeed, true that the mandate to recruit, discipline, and promote teachers rests with the TSC as provided under Article 237 of the Constitution. Furthermore, we should acknowledge that there is currently no leadership vacuum at the Commission, as an acting Chief Executive Officer is in place. The TSC has also officially advertised the position of a substantive Chief Executive Officer.

However, you will be surprised to learn that some of us speaking here represent constituencies or counties that are drastically overstaffed, while other regions face severe teacher shortages, a reality many people remain unaware of.

Did you say you sit in the Departmental Committee on Education or the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education?

I sit on both.

Oh, you sit on both?

Yes.

So, the undertaking you make is on behalf of the Chairperson?

Yes.

Hon. Members, we will leave it at that. We intend to attend the Committee sitting to address this issue, which affects the entire country and the proper education of all our children, wherever they are. We will go back to requests for statements. Hon. Fatuma Masito will now put forth her request.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity to raise a Statement regarding the arbitrary disconnection of electricity in Kwale County.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy regarding the arbitrary disconnection of electricity in Kwale County.

Access to electricity is a critical enabler of socio-economic development, particularly in rural areas, where it supports small businesses, enhances security and facilitates essential services.

In recent weeks, several villages across Kinango, Lunga Lunga and Matuga sub- counties in Kwale County have reported abrupt disconnection of electricity without prior notice, as required under the law. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company has indicated that the disconnections have been occasioned by intensive inspection exercises aimed at curbing illegal connections.

While this mandate is important for safeguarding the integrity of the national grid, concerns have arisen regarding the arbitrary manner in which the disconnection exercise is being implemented. The KPLC is reportedly penalising entire communities at the expense of isolated rogue customers with suspected meter irregularities.

In addition, residents have reported widespread exploitation, where unscrupulous staff and rogue contractors allegedly demand unofficial payments to restore power or regularise legitimate rural electrification connections installed under Government schemes.

It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy on the following:

Yes, nobody wants to ride on this one. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. True to the fact, I want to commit that we will provide that response in a week's time. I also want to mention that illegal connections are one of the problems affecting electricity supply. However, the response will be provided here.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Hon. Rachael Nyamai?

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker for your indulgence. I would like to ride on this matter raised by Hon. Masito.

I have a very serious matter in my constituency. Mutomo and Ikutha are the biggest towns in Kitui South Constituency and we have been without electricity for two consecutive days. We do not know what has happened. I have tried to speak to the regional director. I have also spoken to the director in Kitui, and they have said that they are trying to change their systems. Wananchi cannot understand why they do not have electricity in Mutomo, Ikutha, Ikanga, Kamutei, Kanziko and Mutha. It is total darkness. It is not sustainable. The KPLC must act as soon as possible because members of the public have started engaging in activities that require power, and we cannot do without it.

Woman Representative for Taita Taveta County, Hon. Haika.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also want to joyride on the same because I have a big problem with frequent power blackouts in Taveta. Business people are really suffering. I think Kenya Power should up their game. In most cases, I think the substations are overwhelmed. We need new substations. I thank Hon. Fatuma Masito for raising that issue which we are also experiencing in Taita Taveta. As the Committee considers the issue of Kwale, I also beg them to look into the same in Taita Taveta, especially in Taveta.

Member for Turkana East.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also want to ride on this because of the seriousness of this matter of electricity in this country. My constituency, Turkana East, which borders Turkana South, has the issue of electricity affecting three sub-counties, that is Aroo Sub-County, Turkana South Sub-County and Turkana East Sub-County. This electricity issue has affected the morgue at the Turkana South Sub- Count hospital and people are no longer taking bodies there because of electricity blackouts. They are confused about where to take bodies because the Lodwar County Referral Hospital is about 300 kilometres away from my constituency.

Chairperson, Departmental

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker. As you directed, the Cabinet Secretary should come here and address some of these very pertinent issues that Members are asking.

Yes. That will be reviewed and it will be good for all of us. I can tell you that there are schools in my constituency that are older than me, which do not have electricity to date. They were established before I was born. I have mentioned a number of them to you. The response will come to the House within the time prescribed as the possibility of the Cabinet Secretary coming before the House to address as many of these issues as possible awaits direction from the Speaker.

Next is the Member for Kigumo, Hon. Joseph Munyoro, but Hon. Members, allow me to first welcome Emerald School from Dagoretti South Constituency. That is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, Hon. John Kiarie’s, constituency, Nairobi City County. They are in the Public Gallery. They are welcome to the House to observe the proceedings of the National Assembly.

The Member for Kigumo will now speak.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning regarding the magnitude of revenue leakages in Kenya and the effectiveness of measures undertaken by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to expand the tax base, enhance compliance and combat tax evasion, fraudulent Value Added Tax (VAT) claims, Excise-Duty fraud and illicit trade.

The Government’s capacity to finance public services, infrastructure and national development programmes depends on effective domestic revenue mobilisation. It is, therefore, crucial that legally due taxes are collected efficiently and that existing revenue leakages are sealed, without imposing an undue burden on compliant taxpayers. Despite measures such as the Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS), digital tax administration, data analytics, taxpayer mapping and enhanced enforcement, revenue leakages remain a concern reported that its Tax Base Expansion programme generated Ksh24.9 billion in the 2024/2025 Financial Year, while its iWhistle Programme facilitated the collection of Ksh6.8 billion from 821 cases during the same period. Nevertheless, national revenue collections for the 2025/2026 Financial Year amounted to Ksh3,198.8 billion against a target of Ksh3,259.0 billion, largely due to shortfalls in ordinary revenue.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, of particular concern are alleged fraudulent VAT claims arising from the use of fictitious invoices and irregular input-tax credits, alongside Excise-Duty fraud characterised by counterfeit stamps, unlicensed production, under-declaration and smuggling. In 2021, KRA estimated that Ksh70.3 billion had been lost to excise-sector tax evasion over the preceding five years. These challenges underscore the need for Parliament to establish the current magnitude of revenue losses and evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions in delivering measurable and sustainable results.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning? He seems not to be in. Is there any ranking Member of the Committee? Can the leadership commit? Hon. (Dr) Canon Naomi Waqo, can you commit to a date when the response will be issued on their behalf?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I commit and I am sure that the Chairman will give a response in two weeks' time.

Thank you. Hon. Munyoro, your response will be before the House in two weeks. Hon. Joyce Kamene, seek your Statement.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning regarding delayed settlement of defined benefit pension scheme dues for Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) retirees.

The KEMRI Staff pension scheme was established on 1st July 1983 as a contributory defined benefits scheme, meaning members contributed five per cent of their basic salary while their employer contributed equal to the cost securing the balance of pension ultimately payable to the members. In 2008, the Government directed that both employees and the employer make joint contributions towards pension schemes in all State corporations. As a result, KEMRI closed the contributory defined benefits and members of the pension scheme at the time were transitioned to the new defined contribution scheme.

Unfortunately, the transition to the new defined contribution scheme was beset by challenges, particularly the failure to transfer assets of the former defined benefit scheme.

Hon. Jayne Kihara can go first because of rank.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. My concern regarding these promises to respond within two weeks is whether it is merely standard phrasing or if it translates into actual results. Hon. Waqo has stated that the response will be tabled in two weeks. However, is this realistic given that the House is heading for recess? Just yesterday, while Hon. Ochieng’ was in the Chair, I raised a query regarding a road before our recess. I was assured a response within two weeks, but to date, I have received nothing. Therefore, are these two weeks’ timelines a mere formality, or do they actually yield results?

Hon. Naomi Waqo.

Hon. Speaker, it is true that we are going on recess, but we are resuming on 2nd. I believe we will give the response in time. The two- week period is meant to ensure that chairpersons take this seriously and give the response within two weeks as promised.

A two weeks’ deadline implies a response within that timeframe. That is why I previously noted that this period could even include this afternoon, provided the response is ready. And for whatever reason a committee cannot deliver within two weeks, there is a mechanism under our respective Standing Orders for them to approach the House and seek an extension. However, committee chairpersons and members are strongly urged to ensure that responses are brought to the Floor exactly when they have undertaken to deliver them to the House. Hon. Suzanne Kiamba.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the same issue. I previously requested for two Statements, but several sessions have now passed without a response. In fact, I was even forced to request for an additional Statement. One of the Statements concerned affordable housing, while the other addressed the 18 girls who were unfairly dismissed from Kiganjo Police Training College. I have pursued these matters relentlessly, rising five times on points of orders and repeatedly approaching the clerks- at-the-Table in search of answers. I have exhausted every possible avenue available to a Member of Parliament, all in vain. It is clear that this two-week timeframe has become a serious joke. I call upon you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, to rule that if committee chairpersons refuse

Hon. Suzanne Kiamba, to which committee was your request for Statement directed?

One was directed to the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, but it has taken more than two weeks to bring a response. I was requested to rewrite the Statement and submit it at the close of the last Session.

Order! Where is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works? Is there any Member of that Committee present in the House? Hon. Member, when was the response to your Statement due?

It has now been over six to seven months. Regarding the issue of the 18 female recruits who were discontinued from the Kiganjo Police Training College due to pregnancy, I have risen three times on a point of order...

Order! Was the latter one also addressed to the committee in charge of housing?

No. It was addressed to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. However, I have just been ignored. I feel so bad about it.

Give me a minute as I seek a solution to the concern that you have just raised.

Hon. Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, there is a request for Statement from Hon. Suzanne Kiamba. Are you aware of it?

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Where is the response?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is important to acknowledge that there are a few Statement responses that we have not yet received from the Ministry. However, I undertake that we will deliver them next week. Nevertheless, we have already covered significant ground on these matters.

It is being indicated that the House may be on recess next week. However, until it does, it has not. Remember, we can even extend the Session. So, there is no problem.

Hon. Suzzane Kiamba, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security is well known to me. Hon. Chairman, please, commit. Issues that Hon. Members raise on the Floor are matters affecting Kenyans. Within a week, you will get your response. (Hon. Suzanne Kiamba spoke off the record) Order! Hon. Suzanne Kiamba. I am giving you a solution under my authority as the Speaker, but you appear to be countermanding it. Did you still want the response or are you withdrawing it?

Do you want me to speak? Hon. Temporary Speaker, with all due respect, I am telling you that this Statement crossed over recess last time, and I had asked about it for a whole Session. I raised three points of order in this House after the two-week lapse. Now, I can see that I am still being taken back to after recess. Now, when the concerned...

Hon. Suzanne Kiamba, when is the recess?

Anytime. Thank you.

Yes, so we are not going on recess this week. The response to your request for a Statement will be made within one week. I never give directions in vain. The House knows that. Hon. Suzanne, if the week lapses and the response to the Statement is not before the House, please, wherever you are seated, stand and raise the matter with the Speaker. It will be so made. I know the Chairperson of the Committee we are talking about. In the afternoon, Hon. Kiamba, if you will notice, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, please, raise your earlier request for commitment.

Hon. Jayne Kihara, which Committee was yours directed to?

It was directed to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure concerning the road from Maraigushu-Kinungi, that is, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). The Chairperson was here himself, and he said he would respond in two weeks. That was way long before recess. We then proceeded to recess and came back, but I still have not got a response.

Yes, unfortunately, this is a concern. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. George Kariuki, appears not to be in the House. Hon. Jayne Kihara, raise the matter in the afternoon when you see the Chairperson in the House so that appropriate directions can be given. I want this to come from the Chairperson, not any other Member of the Committee.

Hon. Members, I have not given directions on the request for a Statement No.5 by Hon. Joyce Kamene. Do we have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning? Hon. Naomi Waqo?

I will come back to that. Let me dispense with this one for the sake of neatness. Are you on this one going to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning? Then the Member of Parliament for Nandi will have a say.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Of course, listening to the frustrations Members have about responses to Statements, I sometimes feel some Statements are directed, perhaps, to the wrong committees. For instance, the matter Hon. Kamene is raising regarding KEMRI members who have not received their pension has been before my Committee, the Departmental Committee on Health. We have actually held discussions with KEMRI.

I am a little confused about who should handle it. Budgeting and everything else that happens fall under the Departmental Committee on Health, as it is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) under the Committee. We probably need to clearly define this so that Hon. Members can get responses from the right quotas at the right time.

Pension matters are addressed through the National Treasury and Economic Planning.

Sure.

Since the Committee could address this for effective resolution, Hon. Kamene, I think this should go to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. So that, if there is a firm resolution, there can also be positive action to direct the release of these delayed pensions. So, this one in particular will go to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I will give the undertaking. However, we must also push the chairpersons to take this matter seriously. Members seem frustrated, and we need to address the questions.

I will not say more. Hon. Joyce Kamene, you will receive your response within two weeks. Luckily for you, I also sit in that Committee, so the response will come. The Committee is headed by a very competent and hardworking Chairman, Hon. Kuria Kimani.

Hon. Tim Wanyonyi.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, about two months ago, I sought a Statement from the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture regarding the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Secretariat. The Chairperson committed to including them and even asked us to propose a name, which we did. However, up to now, nothing has happened. I wanted to seek clarification on whether the Chairperson is aware that no action has been taken and why there is still such a delay.

Is Hon. Wanyama, the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, in the House? The leadership of the House, what is happening? Have chairpersons travelled to Bondo, or have they started campaigning for re-election? What is happening? I mean, the House cannot proceed this way. Are they in Bondo? Bondo is more understandable. I do not think we should stop committee business for the House.

We are aware that many Members are away. Some are in the Rift Valley and others in Bondo attending to some issues. However, that does not mean that the House cannot continue. Therefore, I urge all chairpersons who may be in Nairobi to, please, attend and respond to all the questions as required.

Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, be in the House in the afternoon, and if you see Hon. Dan Wanyama, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture, anywhere within the plenary, please, draw it to the attention of the Speaker, so that the commitments and undertakings he made can be addressed in respect of the request for a Statement you mentioned.

I will. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Some requests for Statements were approved on the Floor. Hon. Mwalyo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to request for a Statement regarding waste dumping and the pollution of River Tana. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining regarding the dumping of avocado waste and the resultant pollution of River Tana.

Concerns have been raised about the pollution of water resources from the disposal of avocado waste along River Tana, particularly in the adjoining areas of Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, and Machakos counties, since March 2026. This prompted the National Environment

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Vincent Musyoka.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. If you allow us, we can provide a preliminary response in a week. However, considering the serious nature of the issue of irresponsible waste disposal into water bodies, after the preliminary response, the Committee may need to undertake further inquiry into the matter. This issue also affects other communities and rivers, such as River Athi, and we could then offer a more comprehensive response within three weeks.

Hon. Tom. Odege.

Thank you. When we talk about pollution in our rivers and its relation to mining in our country, I urge the Chairperson to investigate the new, highly toxic technology being used in mining. It appears that no one is monitoring it. The NEMA seems not to have the capacity to check this. In my constituency, all rivers can no longer serve my people because they are contaminated with very dangerous chemicals. As you look into this matter, please, expand your investigation so that we can receive a report covering the entire country.

Hon. Mwalyo.

I believe the tentative answer is acceptable in one week, as the people are currently unable to drink the water they depend on. At present, the water cannot be relied upon for drinking. Even the animals cannot drink it because they are dying.

Chairperson, on this specific question, please, provide a preliminary response within one week. I understand you are familiar with the area. Beyond the preliminary response, please, investigate what is happening across the country. As Hon. Odege rightly pointed out, expand your inquiry to include other regions.

I have noticed some very dangerous happenings on River Yala, Wath Ong'er, and the rivers across Nyatike. Even the rivers flowing into Lake Victoria, such as River Kuja and River Rangwena, are very polluted and contain hazardous chemicals. Please, address this matter

Given the expanded scope of the investigation, under your direction, this can, indeed, be conducted as an inquiry. It appears to be affecting many people. I, too, am affected by irresponsible waste management and the emptying of effluents into rivers in my region. I am certain other areas face this problem. For the Committee to do thorough work and present a comprehensive report to this House, it may need to visit some of these areas. Therefore, for a serious inquiry, we may need three months to complete such an investigation.

Hon. Mwalyo, your preliminary response will come within one week, and it will substantially address the issues raised. The Committee will then conduct a comprehensive inquiry and report to the House within three months for consideration.

Most obliged.

We will now deal with a few responses to Statements. Is Hon. Joseph Lekuton in the House? Hon. Lekuton is away on other engagements. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo, will table the response concerning the armed banditry attack in Laisamis Constituency for access by him and other interested Members. Is the response ready?

Yes.

Table it.

For the record, Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you have guided, I beg to lay the Statement on the Table of the House. (Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo laid the Document on the Table)

Hon. Members, this is the procedure. When you raise an issue of concern for the people of Kenya, which is one of our core mandates, ensure you are present in the House. No business is conducted here that is not on the Order Paper. Ensure you are here. Otherwise, you deny the people you represent the necessary representation needed to interrogate the response further.

Now we move to the response to the Statement request by Hon. John Kaguchia. Is Hon. John Kaguchia in the House?

Yes.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, do you have this response? If so, proceed and deliver it.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is a response to the Statement regarding the production, distribution, and regulation of third-generation alcoholic beverages, sought by the Member for Mukurweini. In particular, the

Hon. Kaguchia.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I thank the Chairman, Hon. Tongoyo, for presenting this Report. I would also like to ask him to table the annexes he mentioned in the Report, namely Annexes 1 to 5. I request that these annexed documents be presented.

When I look at this Report, I am asking myself whether the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) read through it before it was submitted. I am also asking myself if the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has set his eyes on it. It is evident that this is a damning Report. It is confirming what we have been thinking all along. It is confirming what Kenyans have been suspecting. What is more worrying is that we have the Government Chemist analysis reports showing that these third-generation alcoholic drinks, as they have been enumerated in this Report, do not in any way meet the standards required. It is indicated on the label that we have 15 per cent per volume of ethyl alcohol content, but when the Government Chemist does the analysis, they find 25 per cent. We have methanol, which is very poisonous, and you have also seen that they have also found suspended foreign matters in these alcoholic drinks. Taking this into consideration, do we have authorities that have been charged with protecting Kenyans' health in this country? It is very worrying.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I look at the kind of information that is coming from the laboratory, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the recommendations and actions that have purportedly been taken. While a manufacturer is producing substandard alcohol, authorities in Nyeri only managed to arrest a vehicle which was carrying bottles of that illicit brew — third-generation brew. There is totally a disconnect between the problem and the kind of solution that is being offered.

I listened to the Deputy President yesterday speaking from Mukurweini Constituency where he told the people of Mukurwieni and Kenyans at large to give him six months for them to see action being taken. How many people must die for us to take action? This action cannot wait for six months. It cannot wait for tomorrow. We must take action today. Therefore, I am requesting my friend and the very honourable Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Tongoyo, to take…

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Order, Hon. Kaguchia. Hon. Maina Mathenge, what is out of order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, if Hon. Kaguchia wants to discuss the Deputy President, then it is appropriate that he tables a substantive Motion. The position by the Deputy President and the fight against illicit alcohol should not be personalised. There are legal gaps that require even this House to make and amend the laws, and that takes time. I am interested in this matter. In fact, all the leads mentioned are in Nyeri Town Constituency. Therefore, if Hon. Kaguchia wants to drag the position and the name of the Deputy President, he should, in accordance with the Standing Orders, bring a substantive Motion.

Hon. Kaguchia, would you keep to the Report, so that we do not take away focus from this important issue?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, what I have highlighted are the utterances on the action being taken from the Executive.

No. Those utterances were made outside of the House. We cannot verify them. If you were to go that direction, then somebody may also ask you why it took you this long.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am very well guided. I will stick to the issues because this is a very important Report. I agree with you. We must ensure that we get to the bottom of this Report.

The Chairman has clearly indicated that under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010, the mandate to issue licences to the manufacturers, distributors and sale of alcoholic drinks lies with the National Alcoholic Control Committee. Does this committee interrogate these reports? That is why I recommend that we have this committee disbanded and each person in that committee must take personal responsibility for the deaths that are occasioned to Kenyans across the country for their omission and errors of commission.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am also proposing that the same be done to NACADA, because its national mandate is to license all importers, exporters of alcoholic drinks and clearing manufacturers ahead of county-level licencing. We must also take very serious action against NACADA. I am saying this because my friend, Hon. Mathenge, seems to suggest that there could be legal gaps, but we are not talking about legal gaps. We are talking about a report that is published and clearly shows what Kenyans are consuming is poison. We cannot still be debating about legal and enforcement issues. We just have to deal with this issue from the source. I am proposing, and I hope the Committee can adopt this, that the proliferation, consumption, distribution and manufacturing of third-generation alcoholic drinks in Kenya be declared a national disaster and that all the Government agencies and efforts be directed towards curbing this, so that we can stop this menace that is sweeping across the country.

Currently, I am burying two people in my constituency who have died directly from consumption of illicit brew. I am sure most Members present have experienced the same. Therefore, I would propose that this be declared a national disaster. This Report should not end here. I propose you direct that a further actionable committee be put in place so that this House can act as a protector of Kenyan people's health, particularly the young people.

Lastly, NACADA seems to be beating around the bush and having a wild goose chase. They are proposing that they want to raise the alcoholic consumption age from 18 to 21. Even if you raise the age of consumption from 18 to 60 and still sell poison, those people will still die. This will not help at all. The NACADA must get right with their action. Let us not discuss issues that are not important in this fight against alcohol consumption in the country. We cannot sit here as a Parliament when Kenyans are dying of poison as we watch. We now have a damning Report and in the name of God, let us do something. Otherwise, this House will be judged very harshly.

Hon. Kaguchia, I hear you to confirm the Report has all the information you needed. We wanted to go to other business. Hon. Sabina Chege.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I will be very brief because the other business also concerns me. We are speaking about this nation where we have allowed businessmen to sell poison to our people. I was asking myself: What business does NACADA have to either increase the age or even license? I have seen there is an issue regarding licensing alcoholic manufacturers in Kenya. If I am right, Hon. Temporary Speaker, NACADA stands for National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse. So, if they are supposed to do the campaign, what business do they have in either increasing the age of drinking or even dealing with issues of licensing? We have several agencies. Most of the people who manufacture these drinks...

Have you asked yourself why this is a big menace in some regions and not others?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, that is where I am driving at.

Could it be because licensing is left to individual counties? Should we, therefore, have an overall body to deal with this matter as a standard? When you go to Homa Bay, alcoholism is a problem, but not at the level I am hearing.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, what we have done is to authorise unscrupulous businesspeople to kill our people and make money, and in return they are killing our generation. Even when you talk about the issue of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), I need not name these drinks that have already been highlighted here where somebody takes a clean sample, but when they go to manufacture, they produce the wrong product under the same or similar name. What we need to do with these agencies is that, if anyone is authorised to manufacture alcoholic drinks and then manufactures the wrong ones after being given a KEBS certificate, they should be banned from selling alcoholic drinks.

Secondly, NACADA should be helping young people, because the issue of drug abuse, apart from alcohol, is a menace. Almost every family in Kenya is affected by drug abuse. Our young people are becoming junkies. I feel NACADA should actually be under the Ministry of Health, because drug abuse is a health matter and not a criminal matter. It should not be under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. As a House, we need to relook and review the mandate of NACADA if we want to help.

Finally, county governments are the ones who licence the outlets where these alcoholic drinks are being sold. In my own village, we have more bars than churches and schools. Some of these bars are open at 6.00 a.m. We almost have strip clubs and nightclubs in the villages. Where are we heading this country to? Why can we not cry out and save our young generation? Through the Senators, instead of what I see them doing during campaigns, they should go back to their counties and talk to their members of county assemblies (MCA)s and their governors. When I was growing up, we used to say baada ya kazi especially from the alcoholic drinks’ advertisements. Now, it has become, badala ya kazi where people are drinking instead of working. We have to call out the county governments. We have to call on Senators to go to their counties and ensure their MCAs also pass laws that no bars should be open before 5.00

You see, the concern of the counties is to licence more outlets so that they get more revenue; NACADA looks at control.

They are licensing for more money and people are dying.

That is why I am saying that perhaps there may be a need to take the licensing authority from the counties to NACADA, because it is dealing with control. Maybe, I am just thinking out loud.

I want to give directions on this matter. Hon. Jayne Kihara, will you forgive me? What say do you have on the matter? (A Member spoke off the record)

Who do you want to inform? Hon. Jayne Kihara has not even spoken. Wait for her to speak first.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is an issue of grave concern, and I wish to thank the Chairperson for revealing that they have always known that Kenyans are taking poison. The Report is here. What are they doing about it? What do they want to do about it? There is a National Alcohol Control Committee, but I do not know if it is it a county or national body. I need to know what it is and what it does.

The Hon. Hilary.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, you asked a pertinent question as to why this problem is rampant from Nairobi going into the Mount Kenya region. When second and third generation alcohols were killing Kenyans in 2015, I was serving on the Board of KEBS. We discovered that the problem was the methanol imported for industrial use falling into the wrong hands. Unscrupulous businesses took it and tried to separate the poison by adding some syrup and making brandies out of a product they had not fully separated. In that year, we introduced a new standard of adding denatonium benzoate to the methanol imported for industrial use, so that it becomes very difficult and very costly to separate it and produce cheap alcoholic drinks. This is not an international standard; it is only a Kenyan standard. We still have methanol finding its way from countries like Zambia and Uganda, where this standard does not apply, and it is still causing harm along this corridor, which is a major industrial corridor. Part of the solution is to stick to the standards as prescribed by KEBS and enhance others. Hon. Kaguchia blaming Prof. Kindiki that he needs a solution in one day, is just playing to the gallery. Hon. Rigathi Gachagua when he was the Deputy President did this thing for two years and he achieved nothing. He went home while people were still dying of alcohol. We should take this thing seriously, consult experts, seal all the loopholes through which methanol imported for industrial use reaches the public, and ensure that Kenya licences only drinks that are brewed and not drinks derived from chemicals.

I support.

I want to give directions on the matter. Hon. Mathenge, do not worry about the mention of the Deputy President. You know I have served on the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security for three terms now. For questions like the one that have been raised by Hon. Hilary, I can tell you how much money was budgeted for the former Deputy President to fight alcohol from the desk here and the results were zero. When I served in this Committee with the late Hon. Koinange as Chairperson, we travelled throughout the Mt. Kenya region. The issue of alcoholism was a worry to him, even as he was dying, not just in Mt. Kenya, but across all the regions.

Hon. Members, allow me to end any further debate on this matter because we are going into the Committee of the whole House to consider two substantive Bills.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Mathenge, what is out of order? I want to give a very good direction.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg you to indulge me for only two minutes. This is a national crisis. It has nothing to do with who occupied, occupies or will occupy the position of Deputy President. It is about the lives of Kenyans, who are being made to consume poison. When we have a Report before us that names two licensed breweries and their products, why should we continue allowing them to operate?

Your point is made. Take your seat. (Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri raised his hand) Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, you are not yet recognised. Hon. Kaguchia, this is a grave matter of national importance. The approach for requesting a Statement is limiting for good reasons. Although you are satisfied with the response, I have consulted and listened very keenly to the Members. I am remitting this matter back to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security for deeper investigations and the preparation of a more substantive report to be brought to the House. Although the matter would have been concluded under the Standing Orders, it is being remitted to the relevant Committee for further investigations. I direct the Committee to go out of its way, including visiting the affected region. If the Committee does so, all interested Members can be notified to attend. Hon. Chairperson, that is my direction. Within what period can you address the issue and report back to the House?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Before I comment on your directive, I am personally perturbed and worried by the findings and the tests carried out on these illicit brews. Nevertheless, as you have said, you sit in that Committee and are aware of the efforts we have made to enhance the capacity and capability of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, particularly following the President’s directive. I confirm that the directive has been effected, with approximately 200 additional personnel deployed. We have also considered the budget required to enable the Unit to address this matter and help NACADA achieve its mandate.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I will proceed as directed. The Committee will invite the Cabinet Secretary and all the relevant players, including NACADA and the Anti-Narcotics Unit, to consider this matter and determine the way forward. This will not be limited to the possibility of conducting further inquiries based on the Report tabled in the House. I will make available the annexures referred to in the Report. They are very voluminous, but I will table them on the Floor of the House to ensure that Members have a complete report. Once we resume from recess, I suggest that we invite the Cabinet Secretary and all the stakeholders to Parliament to consider this matter.

All interested Members, including Members of the Departmental Committee on Health, can join us so that we can find a lasting solution to this matter, which affects the nation in terms of policy, law and the administrative systems required to stop it from escalating. It is so directed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I welcome them so that they can witness the procedures of the House and our deliberations during the Committee of the whole House.

Thank you very much. As I have said, they are welcome. This is how we want Kenyans to participate in their governance.

Next Order.

Hon. Members, this Bill was debated conclusively. (Question put and agreed to) (The Bill was read a Second Time and

Committed to the Committee of the whole House) Next Order.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 4 of the Bill be amended in subclause (3) by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (b)— “(ba) provide for a care giver to take care of a baby while at the lactation place;” This provision is meant to ensure that a breast-feeding mother, who is an employee, is able to actively participate in her regular work as her baby is in the hands of a care giver. (Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that words to be inserted

be inserted, put and agreed to) (Clause 4 as amended agreed to) (Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 agreed to) Clause 11

Hon. Chairman.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 11 of the Bill be amended in subclause (2) by deleting the words “and certification” appearing in paragraph (g) and substituting therefore the words “certification and monitoring.” By introducing the word ‘monitoring’, the justification is that the regulations by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for labour ought to include monitoring of lactation rules, in addition to inspection and certification. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. Rachael Nyamai): I do not see any Member who is interested to contribute to this proposed amendment. Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu, Hon. Japheth Nyakundi and Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, are you interested in this amendment? If you are not interested, I will put the Question.

(Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move:

THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended in the definition of the term “baby” by deleting the words “within zero to twenty-four months” and substituting therefor the words “within zero to thirty-six months”. Article 43(1)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to be free from hunger and to have adequate food of acceptable quality. Because of the strength of this provision of the Constitution, the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Health have developed a policy on early childhood development which has taken an evidence-based approach demonstrating that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are the most critical in their development. It entails exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and proper nutrition for the breastfeeding mother. Hence, the need to extend the baby’s age definition to three years, that is 36 months. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, Member for Buuri.

Thank you, Hon Temporary Chairlady. This is a very important amendment. We all know that the life of a baby is more delicate between zero and approximately 12 years. This is an affirmative Bill. If we limit the definition of a baby to 24 months, we will not give the baby adequate time to form.

I am saying this because we have carried out a study on cerebral palsy in my constituency under pro bono benefit from IPSOS, which is a research company. When many mothers were questioned as to why their babies developed cerebral palsy, they said their babies were okay when they were born, but within two to three years, they started noticing some things. This is the stage where many mothers are not keen. I agree that we need to extend the period from 24 to 36 months. We are not only extending the period, but also monitoring is key.

I support this amendment. If I was given an option, I would have said 48 or 60 months because this is a very important period for the baby. I am saying this because I have statistics on cerebral palsy cases.

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. Rachael Nyamai): Thank you. Hon. Members, I have a lot of respect for the Member for Buuri. That is why I gave him a lot of time to speak and also the fact that he was talking about breastfeeding. However, Hon. Members, you were given enough time to debate the Bill during the Second Reading. This is the Committee of the whole House. Now that we are at the Committee of the whole House, I request that we make brief comments.

(Question, that the words to be left out be left out, put and agreed to) (Question, that the words to be inserted in place thereof be inserted, put and agreed to)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I wish to welcome the students from Dagoretti South Constituency and tell them that this is where we normally make laws. We look forward for them to join us for those who will make it. When they go back, they should put effort in their education. On behalf of their Member of Parliament from that area, I welcome them to this House.

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Thank you very much, Hon. Gachagua. (Title agreed to) (Clause 1 agreed to) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Chairperson. I would like now the Mover, Hon. Sabina Chege, to move Reporting.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill (National Assembly Bill No.8 of 2024) and its approval thereof with amendments. (Question proposed) (Question put and agreed to)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 4 of the Bill be amended in sub-clause (2) by—

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 11 of the Bill be amended by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (c)— (ca) has at least five years' experience in a position of senior management The amendment seeks to ensure that the qualifications of the Registrar are in line with the Mwongozo Code of Governance for Government Owned Entities which recommends that the Chief Executive Officer should have a relevant bachelor’s, and master’s degree and membership in a professional body and 10 years’ experience in the relevant field, and a minimum of five years in senior management. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): I do not see any interest in this. So, I will go ahead and put the Question.

Commissioner, Hon. Faith you have something? Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. Environmental professionals play a critical role in environmental impact assessment, development projects and the sustainable management of natural resources. Establishing clear professional standards will promote responsible environmental practises and strengthen public confidence in the profession. I support.

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Thank you very much, Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, Member for Buuri.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I stand to support this amendment. I grew up in an environmental conservation family. One of my daughters achieved a Masters in Environment Studies. When I say there is recognition of this profession, I know it because I have one in my family. However, let us not forget that His Excellency the President is the champion of climate change. When we talk about climate change, we should also talk about the environment. These professionals are very important people in our approach to environmental conservation and in enhancing the climate change agenda. So, this amendment needs to be passed. The professionals need to collaborate with others as the Chairperson said, so that we can start focusing on how to save the future generation of this country.

I support. The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Thank you very much. (Question, that the words to be inserted be inserted, put and agreed to) (Clause 11 as amended agreed to) (Clauses 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 agreed to) Clause 19 The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Chairman.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 19 of the Bill be amended—

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 21 of the Bill is amended in paragraph (c) by deleting the words “or research” appearing immediately after the word “sciences”. The word ‘research’ has been repeated in this clause so this amendment is to specifically delete and align it to the previous definition. (Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out

be left out, put and agreed to) (Clause 21 as amended agreed to) (Clauses 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 agreed to)

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 51 of the Bill is amended in sub-clause (2) by inserting the following new paragraphs immediately after paragraph (h)— (ha) prescribe the grounds for, and procedure relating to suspension or expulsion of members of the Institute; (hb) provide for the resignation of members from the Institute; (hc) provide for the recognition and competencies of chapters of the Institute or other local formations within the chapters; (hd) prescribe the functions and powers of the chapters of the Institute and sources of funding of the activities of the chapters; (he) provide for the membership, governance of the chapters of the Institute and the regulation of the conduct of business by the chapters; This clause provides a set of regulations that this Institute can make and this particular amendment is to expand the scope because a number of regulations have been left out. (Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be inserted

be inserted, put and agreed to) (Clause 51 as amended agreed to) (Clause 52 agreed to) First Schedule The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): There is an amendment. Mover, please, proceed.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, the Bill be amended in the First Schedule by inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph 2—

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended in the definition of “environmental professional” by deleting the words “or research” appearing immediately after the word “sciences”. This particular clause provides for the definition of an environmental professional and lists the disciplines that qualify for one to be an environmental professional. It lists research as one of the disciplines whereas research is not a discipline. Therefore, the effect of this clause is to delete the words ‘or research’. (Question of the amendment proposed) (Question, that the words to be left out

be left out, put and agreed to) (Clause 2 as amended agreed to) (Title agreed to) (Clause 1 agreed to) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Members, we are done with the Committee of the whole House on the two Bills. I now call upon the Mover, Hon. George Gachagua, to move reporting.

Thank you, Hon. Chairperson. I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No.36 of 2024), and its approval thereof with amendments.

The Temporary Chairlady

(Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai):

Thank you very much.

(Question proposed)

(Question put and agreed to)

The Chairperson to report to the House on the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill (National Assembly Bill No.8 of 2024).

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill (National Assembly Bill No.8 of 2024), and approved the same with amendments.

Mover

Thank you. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said Report. I also request Hon. Rindikiri to second.

Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi.

I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I second. (Question proposed)

Is the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Yes. (Question put and agreed to)

Mover.

Thank you. Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the Breastfeeding Mothers Bill (National Assembly Bill No.8 of 2024) be now read a Third Time. I also request Hon. Faith Gitau to second.

Hon. Commissioner Faith Gitau to second.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second. (Question proposed)

Is the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Yes.

Hon. Members, I confirm that the House is properly constituted to make decisions. (Question put and agreed to) (The Bill was accordingly read

a Third Time and passed)

The Chairperson to report to the House on the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No.36 of 2024).

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No.36 of 2024) and approved the same with amendments.

Mover of the Bill to move agreement with the report.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that this House do agree with the Report of the Committee of the whole House on its consideration of the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No.36 of 2024). I also request the Member for Ganze to second the Motion.

The Member of Parliament for Ganze is recognised to second.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to second. (Question proposed)

Is there any interest, or is the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Put the Question. (Question put and agreed to)

Mover.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No.36 of 2024) be now read a Third Time. I also request Hon. Muchira to second.

Hon. Muchira.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to second. (Question proposed)

Is it the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Yes.

Hon. Members, I confirm that we have a quorum in the House to make a decision. (Question put and agreed to) (The Bill was accordingly read

a Third Time and passed)

Next Order.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion:

THAT, aware that approximately 18,000 youth graduate from the National Youth Service (NYS) annually; further aware that Article 55 of the Constitution requires the State to take measures, including affirmative action programmes to ensure that the youth access training, employment and opportunities to participate fully in the social, economic and political life of the nation; appreciating that the Government has in the recent years rolled out deliberate programmes aimed at equipping NYS graduates with skills for employment into the disciplined services and key sectors which include agriculture, construction and security; noting that Government institutions continue to engage private security firms to supplement uniformed officers in providing security services, thereby incurring significant recurrent expenditure; further noting that the NYS graduates possess foundational training in discipline, security awareness, public service ethics and emergency response, making them suitable for deployment within Government institutions; recognising that there is need to have a balanced approach that promotes youth employment through structured engagement of the NYS graduates while preserving opportunities for private security firms to continue to operate and partner with Government institutions; this House, therefore, resolves that the national Government develops and implements a policy framework and guidelines to steer Government ministries, departments, agencies, on:

Proceed, Hon. Fatuma Masito.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipatia fursa hii ili niunge mkono Hoja iliyoletwa na Mhe. Gertrude Mbeyu, mama Kaunti wa Kilifi. Inahuzunisha tunapozingatia jinsi vijana wengi wanavyopata mafunzo katika vyuo vya NYS na kusahaulika baada ya kufuzu katika vyuo hivyo. Ujuzi wao unapotea. Wakenya tunasisitiza ajira, ajira, ajira. Mhe. Rais William Samoei Ruto anaunga mkono pakubwa mipango ya vijana kupata ajira katika taifa letu. Inavunja moyo kuona jinsi vijana wanavyopata ujuzi wa maana na baadaye kupotelea nyanjani. Kwa sababu hiyo, vijana wengine ambao wangependa kwenda kusoma wanavunjika moyo. Wanapokaa maskani, wanasema kuwa fulani alikwenda kusoma lakini bado yuko nyumbani. Itakuwa vizuri tukizingatia jinsi tunavyoweza kuwatumia vijana waliohitimu katika vyuo vya NYS katika nyanja ya security ya kibinafsi. Sijui ni kwa nini wahusika wakuu serikalini hawajalifikiria suala hili. Ukimuajiri kijana aliyehitimu katika chuo cha NYS atafanya kazi nzuri kwa sababu anaelewa masuala ya usalama. Kwa hivyo, Serikali ije na miundombinu mizuri ya kuhakikisha kwamba vijana wanapomaliza mafunzo chuoni, wanaweza kupata ajira na hivyo kupunguza janga la ukosefu wa ajira katika taifa letu. Vijana wengi wanaangukia kwenye mikono mibaya na kufanya mambo ya uhuni, wakilalamika kwamba hakuna kazi.

Kwa hayo machache, ninaunga mkono Hoja hii.

Asante sana, Mheshimiwa. (Question proposed) Hon. Members, this is perhaps one of the most serious Motions we have to deal with today. We have many NYS graduates who, after they are done with their training, just loiter in the villages yet they could help a lot in building the nation. I want to thank the Mover for thinking about this area.

The first one to speak on this Motion is Hon. Japheth Nyakundi, who is also the Treasurer of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I take this opportunity to thank Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu for bringing this Motion. As you have stated, Hon. Temporary Speaker, this is one of the most important Motions that have been lined up for debate in this House today.

As we all know, the Government invests a lot of money in training the youth who join the NYS, where they undergo paramilitary training and other forms of training. This Motion is very important because we have invested a lot of money as a country, but when these youths graduate, they loiter out here. It is very important for us to think about how these youths can be employed in various security sectors in the country, and not just in the national disciplined services like NPS and KDF. The Government prioritises the absorption of NYS graduates into the national disciplined services during recruitment. Private security companies should also give NYS graduates priority when they recruit security personnel.

Another thing that the Government should consider is that, as the service personnel leave NYS, they should be issued with appropriate equipment. Those who have trained in carpentry and other skills should be equipped so that as they go out, they have tools that can assist them. That will enable us to complete the value chain that we have undertaken for them throughout the period they have been in school.

This is a very important Motion, and I support it 100 per cent.

Next is the Member for the great people of Ol Kalou.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the Motion that has been moved by Hon. Gertrude. It is a very timely Motion.

The unemployment rate in Kenya stands at 5.5 per cent of the labour force. It is increasing by the day. I do not think we need to reinvent the wheel. Previously, we have seen these graduates being absorbed, as Hon. Nyakundi has said, into the military and the police force. However, these institutions do not absorb all the graduates. We need to understand that, besides gaining basic fundamental training in discipline, they also undergo various forms of training to enable them to acquire skills.

In the private sector, if we have to push for the policy that the Member is proposing, we must ensure that private security companies engage young men and women who have undergone training for a minimum period. In that way, we will ensure that all these private security firms engage people who have undergone security training instead of just picking up some people, telling them to stand at attention and at ease, showing them how to hold a fimbo, and then sending them to guard a stadium the following day.

There are also programmes being undertaken by the Government. There are stadia such as the one in Ol Kalou, in my area, which is being built by the Kenya Air Force (KAF). Some of the young men coming out of NYS have undergone training in building and construction. Those are the young men who should be engaged in that construction.

With regard to national housing, although the matter is a bit controversial, knowing who the suppliers of the materials are, engaging these young men would make it work. (A Member spoke off the record) Hon. Temporary Speaker, hair is not an indication of wisdom, and the guilty are always afraid. I have not named anyone here. I have just said that we need to engage the youth in these projects, especially the youths coming from the NYS. I do not know why the Member is so afraid.

What did you say about supplies?

We do not know who the suppliers are. They know themselves. The youth can also be let to be suppliers. Maybe he knows better…

You are safe because you did not mention anybody. You can continue.

Yes, I did not mention anyone, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

The Honourable Member for Ol Kalou will be heard in silence.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. It is true. I am here working for the great people of Ol Kalou, who sent me to this House. I am not working for anyone else.

As I support the Motion… (Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri spoke off the record)

Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, order. You cannot say that the Hon. Member for Ol Kalou can only speak if he shaves his beard. There is nothing wrong with his beard. You have to withdraw that statement.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, he is not well kempt.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Standing Orders are very clear. These people have been in this House for many years. We are just required to have a jacket and a tie.

Go to the substance of your contribution. You are protected.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. As I finalise my support for the Motion, I believe that we must have elaborate policies on how to absorb the youth. There is the regulatory body that deals with private security firms. I believe the CEO should be called to this House and asked to explain how they can absorb these diligent young men and women from the NYS into the private firms.

Next is Hon. Leo Wa Muthende, the only biochemist in the House.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me an opportunity to support this very important Motion. I congratulate my colleague in the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, Hon. Mbeyu for coming up with this Motion. This is a very good Motion. I am sure you have sometimes seen a group of men and women running in the mornings. These are the people who are hired by private security firms. You can imagine someone who is guarding our property, and their way of recruitment is based on who becomes number one or last in some exercises they are made to do. I do not think this is the kind of threshold we need for our security people. On the contrary, the NYS is a paramilitary skills training entity. They also offer craftsmanship training. That means that even if they are recruited in a security firm and you have such a firm at your premise, even if there is a case that requires emergency care, you have a security guard who has undergone training on emergency.

I, therefore, support this Motion. It is not proper that you have security people trained for a week or less when we have young men from NYS who have undergone a very rigorous course and are ready to become security men. I congratulate my colleague. This Motion is long overdue. Let security firms hire from NYS.

Of course, you know that now there is a law establishing the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), which is under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.

Hon. Rashid Bedzimba.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa nichangie Hoja hii nzuri sana, ambayo ina mwelekeo. Kwanza, ninampongeza Mwenyekiti wa Wajumbe wa Pwani, Mhe. Gertrude Mbeyu kwa kuja na Hoja hii nzuri. Pia ninampongeza Mhe. Rais William Samoei Ruto kwa kuonyesha upendo kwa vijana. Hii ni kwa sababu vijana wanapokamilisha mafunzo yao, yeye mwenyewe huwa anaenda kuhakikisha kwamba anawatoa hiyo shule. Hatumi mtu amuwakilishe. Hiyo inaonyesha kwamba yeye ana upenda kwa vijana.

Serikali inawekeza fedha nyingi kwa vijana wanaopitia NYS. Huwa wanafundishwa kila ambacho askari wa ulinzi wa taifa la Kenya wanafundishwa. Kitu kimoja tu ambacho hawafundishwi ni matumizi ya silaha. Wanafundishwa mambo ya gwaredi na nidhamu, kama askari wanaohudumu katika vitengo vya usalama. Jambo linalosikitisha ni kwamba wanapotoka NYS wanaachiliwa, na gharama yote ya Serikali inapotea. Serikali ya nchi jirani ya Tanzania iko na askari wa mgambo, ambao wanafanana na vijana wetu wa NYS. Askari hao utawapata wakihudumu hata kwenye road blocks kule Tanzania wakiwasimamisha watu na kuwaomba waonyeshe vitambulisho na passport zao. Huku kwetu tunawaachilia kabisa bila kuwapatia kazi. Hapo ndio kuna uzito kidogo.

Next is the Member for Embu County, Hon. Double N.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I support the Motion by my friend, Hon. Mbeyu, regarding the issue of our boys and girls in NYS.

The Government spends a lot of money during recruitment exercises and training for the NYS youths. This becomes a waste if after the vigorous training that they go through, they just exit the institution and stay at home doing nothing. Through the paramilitary training, they gain a lot of skills. I wish to request the Government that after the NYS training has been done, it should have a legal framework and policy that can give a report on the exit plan for the youth.

I suggest that it is not just the NYS youth who should be absorbed. We also have the youth in the Kazi Mtaani Initiative. They have been doing a lot of work in our counties. As much as we scout for the NYS personnel after they have been trained, we also need to look at the vijana mitaani, who have been doing a lot of work in different areas in our counties. More importantly, the NYS personnel acquire many skills during training. As much as we wish to request the Government establish a framework for absorbing the youth from the NYS, either through military recruitment or recruitment into the NPS, there are also different Government departments in which they can be absorbed because some of them have skills. Other than working as security guards, they can also apply the skills they have learned in different areas of our institutions.

I wish to support this Motion and request the Government to ensure that NYS personnel are not left idle at home after training.

Next is Hon. Paul Katana.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa nafasi hii ya kuchangia mdahalo huu.

Kwanza, ninaunga mkono Hoja hii na kumshukuru dada yangu, Mhe. Mbeyu, kwa kuileta. Serikali huwekeza fedha nyingi kila mwaka katika mpango wa kuwapa mafunzo vijana wa huduma ya taifa, NYS. Hata hivyo, baada ya vijana hao kufuzu, hakuna ufuatiliaji wa kujua wameenda wapi. Ninataka kusema kwamba vijana wanaotoka NYS waajiriwe katika taasisi za Serikali na za kibinafsi kwa sababu wamepata ujuzi na tajriba ya kufanya kazi mahali popote. Hawawezi wote kuchukuliwa…

Order, Hon. Paul Katana. Hon. Members, you may be upstanding. Hon. Paul Katana, you will have eight more minutes to conclude your contribution to the Motion when this debate resumes.

Hon. Members, the time being 1300 Hours, the House stands adjourned until later this afternoon, at 1430 Hours. (The House rose at 1.00 p.m.)