THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT

Fifth Session

Wednesday, 16th September, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.

PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

The House met at the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, at 2.30 p.m.

PRAYER

DETERMINATION OF QUORUM AT COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING

PAPERS LAID

REPORT ON PETITION: EVICTION OF KOROGOCHO COMMUNITY LIVING ALONG NAIROBI RIVER CORRIDOR

Report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by Mr. Hezekiah Kuria Karanja and others concerning the eviction of the Korogocho community living along the Nairobi River corridor after its declaration as a special planning area.

REPORT ON PETITION: ALLEGED GRABBING OF PUBLIC LAND IN KITHIMA LOCATION, BUURI EAST SUB-COUNTY, MERU COUNTY

Report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by residents of Kithima Location concerning the alleged grabbing of public land in Meru County.

REPORT ON PETITION: CONVERSION OF PUBLIC TO PRIVATE LAND IN PUMWANI, MAJENGO

Report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by the Cultural Environmental Care Society concerning the conversion of LR No.209/2378/1 Pumwani/Majengo from public to private land.

REPORT ON PETITION: EVICTION OF SINGLE MOTHERS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA FROM PROPERTY NO.LR2096738

Report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by the Single Mothers Association of Kenya concerning their eviction from property, Ref. No. CP & ARCH/00219, Excision of LR. No.209/6738 in Ziwani Ward in Nairobi County.

REPORT ON PETITION: PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN LAKE VICTORIA

NOTICES OF MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON EVICTION OF KOROGOCHO COMMUNITY LIVING ALONG NAIROBI RIVER CORRIDOR

Sen. Faki: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give the notice of the following Motion-

THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by Mr. Hezekiah Kuria Karanja and others concerning the eviction of the Korogocho community living along the Nairobi River Corridor after its declaration as a special planning area, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON ALLEGED GRABBING OF PUBLIC LAND IN KITHIMA LOCATION, BUURI EAST SUB-COUNTY, MERU COUNTY

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by residents of Kithima location concerning the alleged grabbing of public land in Meru County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON CONVERSION OF PUBLIC TO PRIVATE LAND IN PUMWANI, MAJENGO

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by the Cultural Environmental Care Society concerning conversion of LR No.209/2378/1 Pumwani, Majengo from public to private land, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON EVICTION OF SINGLE MOTHERS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA FROM PROPERTY NO.LR2096738

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on a Petition by the Single Mothers Association of Kenya concerning their eviction from property Ref No. CP & ARCH/00219, Excision of LR No. 209/6738 in Ziwani Ward in Nairobi County, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026.

I thank you.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN LAKE VICTORIA

QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS

Statement pursuant to Standing Orders No.53(1), the Senator for Nandi, Sen. Samson Cherarkey.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, SUSTAINABILITY AND GOVERNMENTS FINANCIAL EXPOSURE OF KENYA AIRWAYS LIMITED

1. (1) Kenya Airways' financial position as of 30th June, 2026, including its assets, liabilities, accumulated losses and debts and the key drivers of Kshs16.1 billion loss.
2. (2) Measures to address aircraft and engine shortages, grounded aircraft, spare parts constraints, reduced capacity and high operating costs, including timelines for restoring affected aircraft and improving efficiency.

1. (3) The Government's total financial exposure to Kenya Airways, including loans, guarantees and capital support, the status and terms of Kshs152 billion debt portfolio and the proposed debt-to-equity conversion and additional capital raising.
2. (4) The outcome and effectiveness of previous restructuring and cost containment measures and whether audits or independent assessments identified inefficiencies, financial mismanagement or other causes of continued losses.
3. (5) Strategies, measurable targets and timelines the Government has adopted to restore profitability, reduce debt and dependence on public finance, improve fleet availability and operational efficiency, strengthen governance and safeguard public resources if the recovery strategy fails.

I thank you.

PROTECTION OF MEMBERS SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS DURING LIQUIDATION OF M/S SAVINGS AND CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

(Statement dropped) The Senator for Kisumu County, the Hon. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda is not here. Those two statements by Hon. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda are hereby dropped.

RECOVERY AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LAND IN KISUMU COUNTY

(Statement dropped)

COMPLETION AND OPERATIONALISATION OF THE NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT KISUMU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

(Statement dropped) Senator for Murang’a County, the Hon. Joe Nyutu.

OPERATIONAL STATUS OF LAND REGISTRIES IN MURANG’A COUNTY

registries. This situation has occasioned unnecessary delays in the registration of land and related services. In the statement, the committee should address the following-

1. (1) The operational status of the land registries in Murang’a County, including the-
2. (i) number of land transactions processed in each registry since 2022; (ii) number of pending applications in each registry; and (iii) number of land registrars and other technical and administrative officers currently deployed to each registry vis-à-vis the approved staff establishment.
3. (2) The reasons for the persistent unavailability of land registrars in the registries and the actions being taken to ensure prompt and continuous service delivery.

I thank you.

PERSISTENT INSECURITY ALONG THE TURKANA-WEST POKOT BORDER

1. (1) The scope, objectives and outcomes of the peace initiatives and security operations undertaken in the conflict-ridden areas along the Turkana-West Pokot County boundary from 2022 to date;
2. (2) The underlying causes of recurring conflict and the reasons for the failure for past interventions to deliver lasting peace;
3. (3) The Government's strategies to secure grazing areas, water points and the traditional livestock migration routes that cross the county's boundaries;
4. (4) The measures being implemented to establish a sustainable and long-term solution to insecurity in this region, including community engagement, inter-county coordination and accountability mechanisms.

I will read the second statement, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

COMPENSATION AND RESTORATION OF LIVELIHOOD FOR VICTIMS OF INSECURITY IN PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a

matter of national concern regarding compensation and restoration of livelihood for victims of insecurity in Turkana County, West Pokot County and other affected pastoralist areas.

Persistent banditry, livestock theft and violent attacks have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of families and collapse of livelihood, specifically in Nakuse/Lokwar in Kaptir Ward, Turkana County. Over 1,800 goats were stolen while homes and property were destroyed in Kalomue.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for accountability, compensation and sustainable restoration measures for affected communities. In the statement, the committee should address the following-

1. (1) The extent of loss of lives, livestock, property and livelihood arising from insecurity in Turkana, West Pokot and other affected pastoralist areas.
2. (2) The existing framework for compensating families that have lost loved ones, livestock and property as a result of attacks and the adequacy of current mechanisms.
3. (3) The measures being undertaken to resettle displaced families, reconstruct destroyed homes and restore livelihood in affected communities.
4. (4) The status of efforts to trace, recover and return stolen livestock to their rightful owners alongside strategies to prevent further attacks, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators and secure lasting peace.

I thank you.

SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF TATA CHEMICAL MAGADI LIMITED

1. (1) Provide details of the historical and current legal framework governing Tata Chemical Magadi Limited operations, including the original lease agreement, their durations, acreage, renewal and extension arrangements, royalty’s rate, taxes and other obligations and clarify which they may be terminated or renewed.
2. (2) The circumstances surrounding the suspension of operations of Tata Chemical Magadi Limited, including specific details of the alleged illegal or compliance breaches and whether the company was accorded an opportunity to remedy the breach prior to the suspension.
3. (3) The status of mineral loyalty payments to Tata Chemical Magadi Limited including an annual schedule of the loyalties owned by the company since the

commencement of the application loyalty regime, the payment remitted and the respective dates of such remittances, as well as any outstanding balances.

1. (4) Whether all loyalty payments remitted by the company each year were distributed in accordance with Section 183 of the Mining Act and if not, obtain information on the amounts that have been distributed to date, the outstanding balances and the reasons for non-compliance.
2. (5) Whether the company has paid all employees' wages and benefits, remitted pension contributions and honoured other contractual obligations with current and former employees at the time of suspension and obtained details on any pending labour disputes on the company.
3. (6) The measure to ensure continuity of health, education, water services and other essential services previously supported by the company.
4. (7) The condition under which the suspension may be lifted and immediate measures to safeguard the livelihood of residents of Magadi, particularly those who were employed by the company. (Interruption of Statements)

MOTION

REPORT ON ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN THE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS SUPPLY CHAIN

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Energy regarding alleged irregularities in the petroleum products supply chain, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026.

(Sen. Mungatana on 5.8.2026) (Resumption of debate interrupted on 5.8 2026- Morning sitting) Clerk, do we have the requisite quorum? (The Clerk-at the-Table consulted the Speaker)

Next order.

MOTION

REPORT ON HANDING OF A COOKING GAS HANDLING FACILITY TO A PRIVATE FIRM IN MOMBASA COUNTY

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Energy on its inquiry regarding the handing over of a cooking gas handling facility, in Mombasa County, to a private firm, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026.

(Sen. Mungatana on 5.8.2026 - Morning Sitting) (Resumption of debate interrupted on 5.8 2026 - Morning sitting)

(Resumption of Statements) Hon. Senators, we will go back to comments on the statements that have been sought. I will allow comments for not more than 15 minutes. Therefore, if you have an opportunity to speak, kindly do so for not more than three minutes.

Instruments Act came into being in 2013. It is a laxity on part of management and Government. Something serious must be done to save Kenya Airways, which, as Sen. Cherarkey has said, carries our name and brings our tourists here.

In fact, one of the best flights is the one to New York. There is teamwork among the employees of Kenya Airways and they have done a good job. However, the management, is letting Kenyans down.

I support and submit.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

VISITING DELEGATION FROM THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF KAKAMEGA

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation from the County Assembly of Kakamega. The delegation comprises 13 members and 19 officers of the Procedure and Rules Committee, who are in the Senate for a benchmarking visit with the Task Force on Review of the Senate Standing Orders.

I request members of the delegation to stand when called out so that they may be acknowledged as per the Senate tradition.

1. 1. Hon. James Namatsi - Speaker
2. 2. Hon. Bernard Shitiabayi - Deputy Speaker
3. 3. Dr. Keya Donald - Clerk
4. 4. CPA, Nelphat Mbati - Deputy Clerk

While we confirm the presence of that delegation, we may proceed with the comments. We will come back to that later.

Sen. Boni, you may proceed. (Resumption of Statements)

produced locally in Kenya. It makes no sense why you should take ingredients to India to produce glass before bringing it back to Africa. We need to renegotiate this.

Having agreed to that, I want to urge the Cabinet through its leadership. These populist statements emanating from the Cabinet are what brought down the economy of Uganda when dictator Idi Amin unilaterally ordered Asian business people to close down. President William Ruto, if you are asking companies to close down, you want to tamper with the economy of the Republic of Kenya. We will not support but instead oppose you. We hope that soon, a President will be elected, to pursue an economic agenda in accordance with the rule of law and the Constitution of Kenya.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is imperative that we tell the world and Kenyans where the problem is. It is not mismanagement. I completely disagree. Today, the National Treasury has got more control---

(Sen. Olekina’s microphone was switched off)

Let us not even lie to ourselves. This problem of KQ started way back in 2016 when the management made the worst decision ever to sell their landing slot at Heathrow Airport to Oman Airlines. That is where the rain started beating KQ. They then followed that with another deal where KLM- which was supposed to be a competitor and took over the management of almost the entire KQ. There is a serious management problem at KQ and it needs to be fixed.

Thirdly, I also agree with Sen. Ledama Olekina that because the biggest debt then is Government debt, we should convert either all of it or part of it to equity so that our airline can begin to post some profits. We always read that KQ is the pride of Africa and as Sen. Ledama Olekina said, many of us here are frequent flyers. Whenever we are in those capitals in Europe and we see a KQ aircraft, we feel proud as a Kenyan. We want that pride to be multiplied by having a situation where there is proper efficiency in the management of the affairs of KQ.

Lastly on the new airport, just to correct my friend and brother, Sen. Olekina; nobody on our side in the united alternative government ever said that there was never a need for a new airport. We said, the process of acquiring one must be transparent. We are not opposed to it; we just want a competitive approach in building a new airport.

Finally, is on the issue of Tata Chemicals; I am embarrassed that somebody can defend them. It is unfortunate that the Senator for Kajiado County wants us to believe--- I saw the Governor of Kajiado County on Citizen TV saying that Kshs13 billion is owed to the people of Kajiado and Kshs1 billion has not been paid to the families that live within Tata Chemicals land and yet you want us to side with the neo-colonialists, the people pushing the agenda of killing our people economically.

This is the modern-day colonialism that the President says must stop. I agree with the President that mambo ni matatu; if this Tata does not give Kshs13 billion to the people of Kajiado and Kshs1 billion to the local community in Kajiado, they must be dealt with.

They have a hospital that operates like a public toilet. People go there and find no medicine or linens. Everything is out in the open, yet they want to intimidate us. Any investor who wishes to invest in Kenya must operate within the confines of the law. We will not allow them. They must---

(Sen. Cherarkey’s microphone was switched off)

Jambojet ambayo ilitokana na Kenya Airways hutoza nauli ya juu zaidi kuliko Kenya Airways.

Nadhani madeni ya Kenya Airways ni makubwa sana kiasi kwamba hata tukitenga bajeti nzima ya Serikali ya Kenya, haitaweza kufufuka. Juzi walileta msimamizi mpya lakini aliondoka. Mwaka jana, Bw. Kilavuka ambaye alikuwa hapo kwa muda mrefu pia alitimuka.

Umefika wakati wa kuamua kama Wakenya iwapo bado tunalihitaji shirika la kitaifa la ndege au la. Ikiwa tunahitaji, basi hili si shirika la kuendelea kutumia kufuja pesa kila mwaka. Wengine wamesema kwamba haliambatanishwi na Kenya Airports Authority (KAA). Hatuwezi kuunganisha shirika linaloleta hasara na shirika linalopata faida. Kwanza, Kenya Airways wakubali wawekezaji. Mara nyingi hasara ya Kenya Airways inafidiwa na Serikali ya Kenya. Sijasikia wawekezaji wengine wakiambiwa kwamba shirika limepata hasara hivyo basi waongeze pesa fulani.

Kwa hivyo, afadhali shirika hilo lifungwe kabisa kwa sababu hatuoni faida yake. Ikiwa unasafiri---

(Sen. Faki’s microphone was switched off)

Remember we also have a problem with declarations. The other day he made a declaration on Burundians. The declaration was made by a President, whom most of his citizens work in countries in the region---

Mr. Speaker, Sir, protect me from my colleagues who are just mouthing themselves. You all need to be serious. Why are you not asking for the contracts which Kenya Airways has signed to be brought here? Why are you talking like we are talking to people in the markets? Kenya Airways is a carrier that has deliberately been bankrupted and it signed unfair agreements with other flyers. It sold its rights to Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM) and that was done by Kenyans. That company has opportunities. Instead of buying their fuel internationally from the international global markets, brokers bring in the fuel that Kenya Airways consumes. The juice that people drink and even the toilet tissue that are used in the airplanes are not less than 30 or 40 per cent the market price.

My colleagues, if you want to know the problem with Kenya Airways, we should ask for the agreements that it signed. Let those agreements be brought here for us to interrogate. After which, we can answer questions about Kenya Airways when we know what we are talking about. We have to know who owns Jambo Jet. Kenya Airways does not own Jambo Jet. Jambo Jet is owned by a parent company that is registered in the Cayman Islands and it collects money from our country. That is why they cannot make any profit. Let us stop pretending. We should bring the agreements.

Secondly, we should also bring the Tata Group agreements. What is in Magadi? We have uranium and rare minerals on that land. That is the issue. It has nothing to do with Magadi Soda. We are pretending to be talking about Magadi. They should bring the agreements which were signed a 100 years ago. Let us look at what the Government is supposed to get and what the people of Kajiado are getting. The President should stop making declarations on things. He should allow Sen. Cherarkey to talk.

Yeye na rais wanajua ya kwamba kuna uhuru wa mahakama. Rais hangetangaza kile alichotangaza barabarani. Hangeambia Tata Chemicals wafunge virago na kuondoka. Hii ni kwa sababu kuna kesi mahakamani. Katika jamhuri ya Kenya, kuna sheria ambazo zinapaswa kufuatwa.

Rais alituambia ya kwamba kuna waegezaji tayari wanangoja na baada ya siasa kuchacha moto alisema ya kwamba lazima waegezaji wakuje na kuwe na zabuni za ushindani. Hayo ni mambo ambayo tunaya angalia. Haya mambo yanafanya waegezaji wa kigeni kukosa imani na nchi yetu ya Kenya. Rais anawezaje kwenda kwenye mkutano na kusema ya kwamba kampuni ambazo zimekuwa katika jamhuri ya Kenya kwa miaka na mikaka zifunge virango na waondoke? Kwani wale marais wengine waliokuweko hawakuangalia hayo?

Bw. Spika, vile vile, kuna wale ambao wanaishi pale. Tangu ile kampuni iambiwe ifunge virago, huduma za kijamii zimezorota. Zaidi ya familia 30,000 wanasononeka kwa ukosefu wa maji. Nimemsikia Sen. Cherarkey akisema ya kwamba hakuna dawa kwenye zahanati zilizojengwa na hiyo kampuni. Yeye mwenyewe amekuwa akituambia ya kwamba hakuna dawa katika hospitali ambazo ziko Kaunti ya Nandi. Alituambia ya kwamba gavana amekunywa dawa ya watoto za joto ndiposa yeye hapati joto. Kwa hivyo, ni vizuri tusikize Seneta wa Kaunti ya Kajiado kwa sababu yeye ndiye ametoka pale na anatetea watu wa pale.

Jambo ambalo---

recommendations. One of the recommendations was that the cost of running our airports is very high globally. The Ethiopian Airlines is doing very well because the cost of operation in Ethiopia airport is very low. So, Kenya Airways cannot compete favorably with other airlines because of cost of operation. So, why can we not just go to the archives, get the documents and implement them the way it was recommended by the two Houses instead of talking about the same thing again?

These things are happening because Kenya Airways is a cash cow for corrupt people. Leasing of aircraft is happening at Kenya Airways and many other malpractices are happening. They have allowed it to go like that. Otherwise, this matter would have been sorted out long ago had they implemented the reports that these two Houses gave.

A piece of legislation was even done and it was at Second Reading. They did public participation. There was a Bill on air travel management. Where did that Bill disappear to? The idea was that we need to have a holding company that would manage all airport functions. The functions of civil aviation, Kenya Airport Authority and the airline, so as to reduce the cost of running air services and make Kenya Airways competitive. That was again discarded. So, I think as representatives of the people, we are letting our people down, if we are not following up---

(Sen. Osotsi’s microphone was switched off)

(Interruption of Statements)

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR

VISITING DELEGATION FROM THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY OF KAKAMEGA

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's Gallery this afternoon, of a visiting delegation from the County Assembly of Kakamega. The delegation comprises eight members and 21 officers of the Procedure and Rules Committee, who are in the Senate for a benchmarking visit with the Task force on Review of the Senate Standing Orders.

I request the members of the delegation to stand when called out, so that they may be acknowledged as per the Senate tradition.

1. 1. Hon. Peter Walunya
2. 2. Hon. Mercy Luseno
3. 3. Hon. Timothy Aseka
4. 4. Hon. Timothy Wanzetse
5. 5. Hon. Scholastic Ngina
6. 6. Hon. Brian Mafunga
7. 7. Hon. Lynette Wanga
8. 8. Hon. Bernard Mulama On behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful visit in the Senate.

VISITING DELEGATIONS OF STAFF FROM BARINGO, ELGEYO MARAKWET, NYERI, KWALE AND NYANDARUA COUNTY ASSEMBLIES

I would wish to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker's gallery this afternoon of staff from the following county assemblies: Baringo County Assembly, Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly, Nyeri County Assembly, Kwale County Assembly and Nyandarua County Assembly.

The officers are in the Senate to undertake training with the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) on the management of Committees of the Whole.

Hon. Senators, on behalf of the Senate and my own behalf, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and wish them a fruitful and enriching visit. I will call upon the Senator for Kakamega County to extend a warm welcome to the two delegations.

You may proceed, Hon. Senator.

and again. We have been doing so, colleagues from Kakamega, mainly on issues of your allowances, payment of salaries on time and the quantum of being paid. However, a new animal has come in and I want to really regret, on behalf of the people of Kakamega County, that MCAs are now being attacked in public functions. MCA Bernard Mulama of Lumakanda, was attacked the other day, together with Moi. Tell the Governor, he can beat some of you MCAs---

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Parliament must stop entertaining mediocrity in the management of serious institutions. As a nation, we only have one national carrier, which is Kenya Airways. So, some of the points we are giving here are not based on us being pessimistic towards Kenya Airways, but are more borne by the concern we have for our only national carrier, going down because of very poor management.

Unfortunately, when the issue comes to Parliament, we have legislators who will even stand to defend and cover up for two minutes of TikTok circulations, instead of coming or facing the issues head-on and telling Kenya Airways, you have done very poorly in management of that national carrier. We are expecting better than what we have seen. I would not even want to put it on microphone, some of the experiences we have received as customers when we are using our national carrier. Kenya Airways, you already know those complaints because many Kenyans have written to you. To use the excuse of lack of spare parts for the grounded Dreamliners is the most lame duck excuse I have ever had to explain the operations of a national carrier. It is like telling somebody I could not get a spare part for my Toyota Corolla. What is that? I do not think there is any room for that mediocrity because those Dreamliners are manufactured by specific companies which have all the spare parts that would be needed.

Let us not play with the intelligence of Kenyans. Kenya Airways is poorly managed. There is too much corruption. How many times do they want to be rescued using public coffers in the payment of a debt portfolio which is never ending? Right now, standing at Kshs152 billion, an airline that came into operation in 1977 after the collapse of the East African Airways.

For the longest, Kenya Airways was the pride of Africa. This is the airline that has been servicing the African continent. Right now, as we speak, Kenya Airways is being overtaken by RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines. Even Uganda now has an airline. Nigeria was serviced by Kenya Airways single-handedly. Every person who was travelling out of Africa had to dock here in Nairobi.

It is high time for Kenya Airways to manage its affairs and if they cannot manage their affairs, we definitely would not approve that they take over the functions of KAA. If your house is not in order, what do you want to do with another function when you could not manage to service the little that you were given or the much that you were given?

I urge this committee not to allow politics into a serious commercial business transaction that should be discussed on how competitive Kenya Airways should become.

the closure of the factory is not necessarily supposed to attract the extent of the condemnation that we are seeing from the members, because it is something that had been done in compliance with the law for their non-compliance and inability to pay the taxes.

It is high time that we also deal with these issues in the context of where such declarations were being made, because these were done in order to make sure that the people whom Sen. Seki represents in the County Government of Kajiado benefit from that company.

Secondly, we have previously talked about Kenya Airways. This House has a report that had been done. I want to agree with Sen. Osotsi that instead of having these Statements coming up every morning, every evening, having a discussion for purposes of engaging in order to get a long-lasting solution, we need to do beyond discussing and implement the decisions that several committees of this House and other Houses before have done, so that we support our airline. We should support the investments by members and Kenyans at large.

I therefore support the Statement that instead of having an engagement on it, let us dig up the library, get the reports and implement the recommendations to support the airline.

concerted efforts to support Kenya Airways. When I used to be Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Kenya Airways was being run by a very good Maasai. He was the Managing Director, if you remember. We all used to enjoy the services we were getting from Kenya Airways.

I heard Sen. Veronica Maina saying that there is customer dissatisfaction. I am challenging the management of Kenya Airways to also bring in a chief executive, who has passion on running that company, the way Mr. Titus Naikuni was. If you remember, when the LSK was having a conference in Mombasa in 2008, and Kenya Airways was the airline of choice for lawyers, we were received by Mr. Naikuni at the airport as special guests. He was saying it was a pride for Kenya Airways to be the airline of choice for lawyers from Nairobi to Mombasa.

The following year, everyone was saying the only airline we should use to Mombasa is Kenya Airways. We need a chief executive who has that passion, because we want Kenya Airways to continue being the pride of Africa. We are all proud to see that we have an airline that identifies with our own country, Kenya Airways.

I am challenging the new management of Kenya Airways to also look at the competence of the chief executive, so that we persuade the Government to put us at the same level like Ethiopian Airlines. Let us commit money, increase our fleet to even 50 aircrafts. That way, we can be competitive.

On Kenya Airways, it is evident and it is known to everybody in this House that the previous regimes exploited and made contracts that were skewed to favour them. The

same way independent power producers did to the country is the same way the manufacturers did to this country. That is why Kenya Airways will always make losses because there are people who benefit when they make the losses.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I agree with my fellow Commissioner. It is indeed the pride of Africa and we must do everything. However, we must start by calling it the way it is. There are people who have skewed contracts to supply spare parts, offer services and do passenger transfers. These are done in a way that is not commercially viable. It was done by somebody who was in the highest office in this country. He made contracts that will favour him and his family for the next couple of generations while ordinary Kenyans continue to pay taxes to bail out Kenya Airways.

We have those reports in this House and, therefore, it is important that we table them again, call things out as they are, and address this matter once and for all. The way to go is to create equity out of the debts that are owed by the Government, so that we can make Kenya Airways a bit affordable and commercially viable. However, as we do that, we must also call out those people for the malpractices they did.

the people in Turkana. We must protect our resources, the large masses of oil and the gold in those areas.

that the low-cost subsidiary understands the African sky better than the national carrier that birthed it?

Kenya Airways continues to operate under a very aggressive, expensive 1990s long-haul model, trying to fight global giants across Europe and Asia while neglecting regional demand. That is the problem. Jambojet has proved that East Africans want simple, reliable and on-time affordable routes. Kenya Airways is spending billions trying to be Emirates when Kenya just needs it to be nimble, efficient and regionally dominant. Let Kenya Airways be Kenya Airways.

Taxpayers are also tired of funding the Pride of Africa without the performance that Africans need. We cannot keep treating it like this while Jambojet operates like a commercial business, which it should. If the subsidiary can turn a profit by understanding lean economics, then why are the lessons of Jambojet completely ignored at the Kenya Airways board level? They should learn a lesson from Jambojet.

When Kenya Airways fails locally, cancelling flights, delaying routes or pricing out traders, then it is not a financial loss; it is an accessibility crisis as well. A modern national carrier must serve all Kenyans, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) that I have spoken to them about, small-scale exporters and regional entrepreneurs. When Jambojet steps up to the plate and fills the void, it proves that local accessibility and profitability can coexist. Kenya Airways needs to learn this lesson.

To the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, I would ask: is Kenya Airways actively cannibalising its own yield by outsourcing its most lucrative local routes to Jambojet or is Jambojet simply out-managing Kenya Airway’s executive team on home soil? I would wish that they would just put themselves into order as Kenya Airways management and figure out how to turn this airline around because you cannot complain that you are not as competitive as other airlines across the world, when---

follow the agreed framework, despite that some agreements were made long ago. Laws and policies have changed. Investors must adhere to current statutory requirements. I support the Statement.

Thank you.

people of Magadi have no other land apart from that very land that Tata Company is claiming to sit on and doing nothing with it. We are happy with what the President did about Magadi---

(Sen. Tobiko’s microphone was switched off)

MOTION

CONSIDERATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AMENDMENTS TO THE KENYA SIGN LANGUAGE BILL, (SENATE BILLS NO. 9 OF 2023)

1. 2024. Pursuant to Article 110(4) of the Constitution, the Bill was thereafter forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. The National Assembly considered the Bill and passed it with further amendments on Wednesday 24th June 2026. Pursuant to Article 112(1) (b) of the Constitution, the Bill was returned to the Senate through a Message dated 2nd July, 2026.

On 14th July 2026, you conveyed the Message on the National Assembly's passage of the Bill with amendments and referred the same to the Standing Committee on Education for consideration.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Committee has undertaken a clause-by-clause consideration of the National Assembly amendments.

The amendments taken together sought principally to establish a new body corporate to be known as the Kenya Sign Language Council, together with a registrar, the staff establishment, financial provisions and disciplinary machinery for registration and regulation of sign language interpreters.

The amendments further sought to impose new obligations on television stations and telecommunication service providers in respect of closed captioning, sign language insets and relay services.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the committee wishes to place on record reasons for its position. First, the functions proposed for the Kenyan Sign Language Council are functions that may be---

Sorry, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I wanted to say that our committee considered and has rejected most of the amendments. The committee wishes to place on record the reasons for rejection. Firstly, the functions proposed for the Kenyan Sign Language Council are functions that may be discharged through the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

Secondly, in the composition of the said council, county governments have not been mentioned nor even represented, whereas they are a critical actor in the promotion of the Kenyan Sign Language (KSL).

Thirdly, the establishment of a new freestanding regulatory body will introduce additional administrative and financial obligations, fragment governance of disability matters and set an unwarranted precedent for similar bodies to be sought by other disability groups; none of which is necessary to achieve the Bill’s objective of inclusion of sign language in the education curriculum to provide for use of sign language in legal proceedings and for connected purposes.

Lastly, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the National Assembly did not furnish any rationale for the amendments touching on obligations for the media and telecommunication sectors, which have significant regulatory and cost implications for which the affected industry stakeholders were not accorded an opportunity to submit their views.

Having examined each of the National Assembly amendments on this basis, the committee therefore resolved to reject the proposed amendment and recommends that the Bill stands as passed by the Senate on 21st February, 2024.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the committee is satisfied that the Bill, as passed by this House, adequately provides for recognition and use of KSL for registration of sign language interpreters through the existing framework of the registrar and for the protection of the rights of the deaf and the hard-to-hear access to education, justice and public services without recourse to a new corporate body.

I take this opportunity to thank Members of the Standing Committee on Education and Sponsors of the Bill, that is Sen. Crystal Asige and I, for their diligence in the

consideration of the National Assembly amendments and preparation of the report. I also thank the office of the Speaker and the office Clerk of the Senate for the facilitation extended to the committee during its work.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, arising from the foregoing, I beg to move the following Motion–

THAT pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.165(4) of the Senate Standing Orders, this House adopts the report of the Standing Committee on Education on its consideration of the National Assembly amendments to the Kenya Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2023) laid on the Table of the House on 16th September, 2026, and pursuant to Standing Order No.165(4)(b) of the Senate Standing Orders resolves to reject the National Assembly amendments to the Kenya Sign Language Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2023) in its entirety and to insist on the Bill as passed by the Senate on 21st February, 2024.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move and request Sen. Crystal Asige to second.

I thank you.

deliberations and considered that we proceed in this manner, absolutely be assured that the deaf will be heard in this country.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this does not mean that it is the end. I hope you will guide the House on the next steps. It does sound to me that we may need to go into a mediation of some sort with our sister House, so that we iron out issues that have been raised by the Committee on Education which are valid. I do accept them because they have been diligently considered by the committee. At the end of the day, we all want not just to pass laws, but to pass good laws that will help our constituents, not just now or in the next couple of years, but in perpetuity if possible.

I do hope that the deaf community and the support system around the deaf community will also appreciate the hard work that has been put into this and the time spent in deliberating issues raised by our Standing Committee on Education as well as that of the National Assembly. Hopefully, we will conclude very soon.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my appeal to you and your able office is that, where possible - and I know it is possible because you are the apex of this House - kindly convene this mediation committee as soon as possible so that we can sit down and thrash out the different issues in the shortest time possible.

Like I said, if we get to our December recess next year, every Member of Parliament or Senator will be very busy on the ground trying to look for votes so that they can come back into Parliament or whichever public offices that they wish to assume. This Bill, which we have been working on since the beginning of this term, will have gone at a loss. It will not just be a loss for people in this House as Senators, but a greater loss for the deaf community in Kenya.

My sincere appeal to you is that you put together this mediation committee as soon as possible. I plead as well that the co-sponsors in this House be a part of that mediation committee so that we can sit and defend it together with our colleagues in the National Assembly. At the end of the day, we will pass a Bill that will be effective, impactful and will support the development of Kenyan Sign Language in this country.

Through this Bill, we are only saying that Kenyan Sign Language be put in not only the judiciary, but also be learned in schools. Can you imagine what it will be like if children from Grade one in primary school learned basic sign language all the way through to secondary school? How much more included would the deaf community feel in this country?

Imagine your children having the opportunity of learning basic sign language and then growing up with the ability to speak to any deaf person across the country that they may encounter, whether in social circles, professional circles or wherever it is that they will end up going in the future. That is what we are foreseeing. That is a vision held in the spirit of this Bill. This will not only happen in school, but in every single public institution.

Imagine one day, we have a President who is deaf? They will at least be coming into an office and assuming a position where society has at least been given foundational education on Kenyan Sign Language. This means that we are catering for the most vulnerable of this entire country; people with disabilities in their diversity.

It is a vision that we both have and all of the Senators in this House also have. That is why they have been supporting the passage of this Bill up to this stage that we are in today. I do pray and beseech that the mediation committee will be set up very soon. I am aware that the National Assembly is coming back from their recess on the 28th of this month, while we will be going on our own recess on 9th October.

We only have about a 10-day window or so to try and put it together, meet, agree and adopt the resolutions of that mediation committee before we get into the close of this year. As I second, that is my appeal. I hope that other Members of this House will also support the same.

I thank you and I second. (Question, that the National Assembly amendments to the Kenya Sign Language Bill, (Senate Bills No. 9 of 2023), be now considered proposed)

that when we are proposing a law, we are proposing it for posterity. We should pass our laws considering fairness to all Kenyans, including those living with disabilities.

I am appealing to the leadership of both the National Assembly and the Senate to fast-track this Bill through the mediation process as soon as possible so that it can be enacted. We should be seen to be a House that cares for PWDs. Let us not appear insensitive. We should avoid creating unnecessary wars on a Bill as progressive as this one.

I want to assure Sen. Asige that I share her concerns and understand her frustrations. If there is anything we can do as a House to alleviate those frustrations, we should do it.

With those remarks, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I support. Thank you.

starting from Grade One because it is our third national language. We do not need languages like Mandarin or French. Let all our children learn KSL. If all of them learn KSL, it will be fun for deaf children to play with others. Children will be excited to promote the language. That is what Sen. Asige and I are aiming at.

I am deeply grateful to Sen. Asige. Her extraordinary energy kept this initiative moving forward when mine was waning. I thank her for the role she has played in pushing for this Bill even to get to the National Assembly. Without her persistent advocacy, the National Assembly would not have prioritised it. It is our prayer that this legislation passes. It will form part of her legacy during her first term in this Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those remarks, I request that putting of the question be deferred to a later date.

I thank you.

MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NAIROBI CITY GOVERNMENT

THAT the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 15th July, 2026.

MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONFERMENT OF CITY STATUS TO THIKA MUNICIPALITY

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on the conferment of City status to Thika Municipality, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 15th July, 2026 and, that pursuant to section 8 (6) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, approves the conferment of City status to Thika Municipality.

MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON DELEGATED LEGISLATION ON TRAFFIC RULES AND NTSA REGULATIONS

THAT, the Senate adopts the Reports of the Select Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the- i) The Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 11 of 2026; ii) The Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 13 of 2026); and iii) The National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 14 of 2026); laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 10

th June, 2026; and that pursuant to Section 18 of the Statutory Instruments Act, the Senate resolves to annul the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 11 of 2026; the Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules, 2026 (Legal Notice No.13 of 2026); and the National Transport and Safety Authority (Operation of Commercial Vehicles) Regulations, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 14 of 2026).

BILL

Second Reading

THE STREET NAMING AND PROPERTY ADDRESSING SYSTEM BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.43 OF 2024)

(Bill deferred)

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.8 OF 2026)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE PUBLIC FUNDRAISING APPEALS BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.36 OF 2024)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILLS NO.3 OF 2024)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE SEEDS AND PLANT VARIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.4 OF 2025)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL RECYCLING AND REUSE BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.5 OF 2025)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE CULTURE BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILLS NO.12 OF 2024)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTERS BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILL NO.53 OF 2022)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION (AMENDMENT) BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILLS NO.66 OF 2023)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

THE HEALTH (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.12 OF 2025)

(Committee of the Whole deferred)

BILL

Second Reading

THE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.32 OF 2024)

(Bill deferred)

MOTION

NOTING OF COUNTY FISCAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT INDEX REPORT 2026

THAT, the Senate notes the County Fiscal Performance Measurement Index (CFPMI) Report 2026, laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 6th August,

1. 2026.

MOTION

MAINSTREAMING A FRAMEWORK FOR CLEAN COOKING

THAT AWARE THAT, Article 42 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes access to safe energy options;

FURTHER AWARE THAT, over 900 million Africans, including more than 90 per cent of households in Kenya’s rural areas, still rely on traditional biomass (firewood, charcoal, animal waste) for cooking, resulting in high levels of indoor air pollution that cause premature deaths, particularly among women and children;

CONCERNED THAT, in Kenya, indoor air pollution has been linked to over 23,000 annual deaths, with women and girls bearing the disproportionate burden of time spent collecting firewood and cooking, limiting their education and economic opportunities;

NOTING THAT, traditional cooking methods contribute significantly to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate vulnerability at the county level, undermining national commitments under the Energy Act, 2019, the Climate Change Act, 2016, and Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);

RECALLING THAT, the Africa Clean Cooking Summit (Paris, 2023) mobilized USD 2.2 billion in commitments for clean cooking, and the International Energy Agency has recommended urgent financing and policy action to achieve universal access by 2040;

ACKNOWLEDGING, the efforts of some counties, development partners, and private sector actors in piloting clean cooking projects, but recognizing that these remain small-scale and fragmented;

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that the-

i) Council of Governors develops county-level policies, frameworks, and budgets that mainstream clean cooking into devolved energy and health functions; ii) National Treasury and Ministry of Energy prioritize clean cooking in financing frameworks, including results-based financing and blended finance models to de-risk private investment; iii) County Governments incorporate clean cooking targets in their County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and ensure public institutions such as schools, health facilities, and prisons adopt clean cooking solutions; iv) National Treasury and County Governments to fast-track letters of authorization to unlock carbon finance markets (Article 6.2 and CORSIA) for clean cooking projects; and v) County Governments engage the private sector actors, and community organizations to expand clean cooking access, create local jobs, and reduce pressure on forest resources. (Sen. Kibwana on 9.9.2026 - Morning Sitting) (Resumption of debate interrupted on 9.9.2026 - Morning Sitting)

should be supported by the Government if we are to attain the dream of having clean energy for our households.

While on it, I also want to appeal to the Government of the day to listen to some of the concerns that we raise on the Floor of this House, because we are the people's representatives. We speak on behalf of the people. I have said many times that if the housing project was to be impactful and to make sense to the many poor Kenyans, then we should do what other countries have done. This is because President Ruto rode to office on the promise that he will take care of hustlers and hustlers are the poor.

In India, the government builds homes for poor people and nobody here can tell us that there are counties where there are no poor households. If you go to Bomet or Nyamira, you will get poor households. Building of houses for poor households has been done in many countries, including Indonesia and Brazil. What are you going to do with the many poor households in Keroka, Tinga in West Mugirango and Girigiri in Kitutu- Masaba if you build the housing units in our urban centers? Those people will continue using firewood.

If the Government comes with a project of connecting piped gas to those homes, then we can say that in the next 20 or 30 years, we will do away with the use of unclean cooking systems, like charcoal and firewood. However, as long as we build the housing units in the cities such as Nairobi, Kisumu and towns like Kisii and Migori, the rural poor, who are the majority, will continue using those other means for cooking.

I want to appeal to the Government to be fair. We should have a program that says the distribution of gases to households will be done in all the 47 counties. After which, we should get names of the households that have benefited in those counties. I would like to know the household in Nyamira, particularly, that has benefited from that “gas yetu” project. We should not politicize everything because elections come and go. If you are a senator, governor or president you will either win or you lose when you face an election. Currently, in Africa, we have over five presidents who have served one term.

the villages, local settlements, basic settlements and basic homes. By doing so, we will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and gases that cause fatalities. In fact, if the data is correct, every year we have close to over 20,000 fatalities out of emissions of gases emanated from unclean cooking.

I stand to support this Motion. There are many benefits of clean cooking. There are benefits in terms of the hours that will be saved because the girls will not have to collect firewood. Ol Kalou seems to have incited every Kenyan to demand for gas or use better means to cook. I call that a flip side because all Kenyans know that the residents of Ol Kalou were given gas by the Government of President William Ruto.

I hope when the conversations and the dust have settled, the residents of Ol Kalou people will take an opportunity to thank the Government for the gas cylinder or gas cooker as other Kenyans from Nyamira, Murang’a and Nyeri also demand that the Government remembers that they also need clean cooking.

We finally have a government that can actually converse on ordinary issues that affect wananchi. That is the other very good side about this conversation. It is good that the Government has come to the point where it is looking at how livelihoods are being lived in the villages and it is also looking at how it can improve the situation there. We are now looking at the cost of fuel and the means that have been used in cutting down trees and how that affects the environment. This is a very good conversation and it can fundamentally shift the manner in which cooking is done in Kenya.

I encourage the Committee as they consider this Motion to come out with a strategy that impacts everybody. It should be a strategy that impacts the people who are able to afford and those who are not able to afford. We should then see how the Government can step in a budget that supports and brings down the cost of cooking gas.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I believe that when this is done, we will have people---

(Sen. Veronica Maina’s microphone was switched off)

here by being given roles that they have not considered as traditional for certain genders, life becomes very...

(Sen. Veronica Maina spoke off record)

BILL

Second Reading

THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BILL (SENATE BILLS NO. 4 OF 2026)

(Bill deferred)

BILL

Second Reading

THE CROPS (AMENDMENT) BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILLS NO. 8 OF 2023)

(Bill deferred)

BILL

Second Reading

THE KENYA NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE BILL (NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILLS NO. 20 OF 2023)

(Bill deferred)

MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON PETITION ON LIMITATION OF TENURE FOR NOMINATED MEMBERS OF COUNTY ASSEMBLIES

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHR) on a Petition by Mr. Laban Omusundi and others concerning limitation of the tenure of nominated Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to a single term of five years, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026.

MOTION

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON RE-INTRODUCTION OF ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL SENATE BILLS NO.48 OF 2021

THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHR) on a Petition by Mr. Mohamed U. Alasow concerning the re-introduction of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill (Senate Bills No. 48 of 2021), laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026.

MOTION

DECLARATION OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AS A NATIONAL DISASTER

AWARE THAT, Article 43 guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including emergency medical treatment and Article 21(1) of the Constitution obligates the State and all State organs to observe, respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights and fundamental freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights;

NOTING THAT, Article 238 of the Constitution provides that national security includes the protection of the people of Kenya and their property against internal and external threats, which encompasses safety on national transport networks;

COGNIZANT THAT, road traffic injuries are among the leading causes of death in Kenya and constitute the leading cause of mortality among adolescents and adults in their most economically productive years, surpassing many communicable and non-communicable diseases resulting in significant loss of human capital and productivity;

NOTING THAT, in 2025 more than 4,400 Kenyans lost their lives with over 17,000 injuries from road crashes, a three per cent increase over the previous year, while nearly 400 people were killed in road traffic accidents in January 2026 alone, representing an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, illustrating a continuing trend of preventable loss of life;

CONCERNED THAT, beyond loss of life, road traffic accidents result in long-term disability, psychological trauma, family disruption and significant economic loss, with estimates suggesting losses amounting to billions shillings annually to the national economy, while placing severe strain on health facilities and emergency services;

FURTHER CONCERNED THAT, despite the existence of the National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028) and other statutory measures, road carnage persists due to preliminary causes including over-speeding, impaired and distracted driving, non-compliance with traffic laws, inadequate driver training, unsafe road infrastructure, unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles, as well as systemic challenges arising from inadequate investment in road safety infrastructure, weak coordination among transport, enforcement, health and county authorities, and limited emergency medical response capacity;

NOW THEREFORE, THE SENATE resolves that: i) Road traffic accidents in Kenya be declared a National Disaster, requiring urgent, coordinated and sustained multi-sectoral intervention across prevention, emergency response, rehabilitation and long-term systemic reform;

ii) The Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the National Transport and Safety Authority, the National Police Service and the Council of Governors, urgently strengthen the implementation of the National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028), including enhanced enforcement of traffic laws, safer road design, public education, data-driven interventions and improved emergency response capacity;

iii) The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the County Governments to set aside adequate resources to support road safety interventions, emergency medical services, trauma care systems and post-crash rehabilitation services; and

iv) The National Treasury in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Transport establishes a Road Safety Disaster Response Fund to support road safety interventions, victims and families affected by the road accidents.

MOTION

RISING STUDENT UNREST ACROSS THE COUNTRY

THAT, AWARE THAT Articles 43(1)(f) and 53 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantee every child the right to education, protection, safety and welfare;

COGNIZANT THAT the Basic Education Act, 2013, the Children Act, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya require learning institutions to provide safe and secure environments for learners;

CONCERNED THAT Kenya continues to witness recurrent cases of student unrest, school strikes and arson attacks in schools, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, disruption of learning and psychological trauma among learners and their families;

ACKNOWLEDGING the findings of the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC), the Auditor General’s performance audit report on Fire Safety

Preparedness in Secondary Schools (2020), and the Claire Omolo Task Force Report (2016);

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate resolves that:-

1. 1. The Ministry of Education —
2. (i) tables in the Senate a status report on the implementation of the various inquiries on school fires including; the Auditor General’s performance audit report on Fire Safety Preparedness in Secondary Schools (2020), the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) (2016), the Claire Omolo Task Force Report (2016), and the Bombolulu Commission of Inquiry Report (1998); (ii) Strengthens school infrastructure safety and emergency preparedness by conducting mandatory annual fire safety audits in all boarding schools, allocating resources for improvement of dormitories including installation of emergency exits, firefighting equipment and fire detection systems, and developing clear national evacuation and disaster response protocols; (iii) develops with modalities of phasing out boarding schools and introducing a hybrid set-up where all schools have both day and boarding arrangements; (iv) in collaboration with the County governments, maintain sustained intergovernmental investment in modern fire-fighting infrastructure, emergency response equipment, evacuation systems, communication systems, and capacity building for qualified fire safety, disaster management, and emergency to ensure timely and effective response to fire accidents and emergencies within learning institutions and surrounding communities; and
3. 2. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) enhances student discipline, wellbeing and stakeholder engagement; and that
4. 3. Pursuant to Standing Order 228 (4) (a), the Senate Standing Committee on Education to inquire into the issue of school unrest and arson in schools in the country and table a Report within 90 days from the date of adoption of this Motion.

ADJOURNMENT

Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 17th September, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 5.25 p.m.