THE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not know if Ms. Murimi knows that this is the first time that only one person from one specific school is sitting in the Speaker's Gallery. We usually have hundreds of students. So, we are honored. I guess you are the guest of honor this afternoon.

(Laughter)

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Proceed, Sen. Karen.

Sen. Nyamu

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and my head of delegation, Sen. Sifuna. Perhaps I should take this opportunity for everyone to know today that mimi si Sifuna.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 8

(Laughter)

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Now let us go back to the debate on Order No.22. Proceed, Sen. Richard Onyonka.

Sen. Onyonka

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the truth is that--- Could I pass this because I am---

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

I saw you struggle. I understand.

Sen. Onyonka

My apologies.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Proceed, Sen. Wamatinga.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this important debate. The formulation of the new education model is supposed to address issues that we have been facing since Independence.

We have witnessed a situation whereby the system has not been alive to the fact that there are students who come from different backgrounds. We have had a system where even children from rich families have enjoyed what has been raised through taxes to fund higher education. Across the world, we know that systems are created and structures are made to address prevailing circumstances under which people find themselves. They address dynamic issues as they are.

It came with a bit of a surprise to many of us that we talk about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) , university funding and the Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) , but we left out a very significant part of financing teachers in the teacher training colleges (TTCs) .

We know that the new Competency Based Education (CBE) calls for rethinking, remodeling and retooling the way we have approached our education system since Independence. We have a model that seeks to identify, promote and give children who

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 9

are gifted in different ways other than academics, an opportunity to make sure that they use their talents or skills to earn their livelihoods. Therefore, by not financing students of TTCs, we disadvantage the very model that is supposed to address some of the issues that have been a major challenge in this country.

It may not surprise many of us today trying to get someone to work as an artisan, plumber or welder. Due to our emphasis on academic excellence, which is mostly based on theoretical framework, that has been given priority at the expense of the broad and most importantly, technical bases that we need to build our country.

There is no single economy in this world that can grow without skilled technicians. Therefore, it is important that as we plan to move this country to Canaan, on the way to Singapore, we should make sure that we have the right technical skills. We should embed technical skills by ensuring that we retool our teachers to cope with that situation. How can that be done? It can only be done by ensuring that we give the same opportunities to people who join TTCs as people who do degrees and those at the KMTCs. That will ensure that the students in our schools - that is primary, junior and senior schools - are up to the task.

It is important that as we mainstream other education sectors, we ensure that the most important sector; that is teachers, are also taken care of. It is constitutionally and morally right and we must do it today if we want to have a country that is self-sustaining.

We know that some years back, people used to be assisted when called to big schools. Those of us who went to “polling station” schools had to struggle to prove their worth. I am happy that many of us sitting in this House who went to “polling stations” are now here proving that we are equal. That is why it is imperative that as we craft around the education model, we mainstream TTCs to ensure that we get the right teachers.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I wind up---

Sen. Kinyua

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

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

What is your point of order, Sen. Kinyua? What is so disorderly about Sen. Wamatinga?

Sen. Kinyua

Bw. Spika, ni kuhusu alivyosema kuwa wale walioenda katika shule ambazo ni “polling stations.” Hiyo ni kejeli. Kuna wanafunzi wengi ambao wako katika shule hizo. Tunapaswa kuwapa motisha badala ya kuja hapa na kukejeli watu.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Sen. Wamatinga, you may proceed because you are not in any way out of order. You should be proud that your school is also doubling as a polling station.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. That was meant to be a compliment because not many of us made it to those super high schools. I intended to say that the opportunity to any Kenyan, regardless of which school they attended, must be equalled by the fact that we train the teachers uniformly, so that they deliver on the quality of the students they produce.

I am sure that my colleague from Laikipia understands that it is important to ensure the quality of the education given in our schools is right. It is hurting to see that a teacher will do everything possible to get him or herself trained and still struggle to even get that job. Once they get that placement, they do not get the right facilities.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 10

As a country, it is high time we delink education from one’s background. We should give every child born in this country an opportunity to become somebody, not because they went to a particular school, but because their trainers were trained in a standard, uniform way. The end product should have uniformity.

As I wind up, that is a step we missed many decades ago. This is the right time to make it good. As we are doing that, it is also imperative that we ensure that the quality of the teacher training colleges that we have some general infrastructure that will allow them---- In the CBE, there is one requirement that children must learn computer programming, but the infrastructure and teachers are not there. People do not have that training.

During the Christmas holidays, I was the only Senator who took it upon myself to train teachers in primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) in scratch coding and Python programming, after I realised that the world was moving digital. This is an area that we must keep up with.

I support.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I was signaling the Serjeant-at-Arms to ensure that Ms. Murimi is here to hear her Senator contribute to the debate this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, Sir kindly allow me to address her.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

You may.

Sen. Sifuna: Do not be jealous. Ms. Murimi, the Motion before us this afternoon seeks to have a resolution of this House to include teachers or people who go for training as teachers in the higher education funding. So, as it is right now, there are very few at the tertiary level of education who actually get access to funding. So, this is what this House is trying to achieve through this Motion.

I want to confirm to you, Mr. Speaker, Sir and you already know this, that I am a child of a teacher. My mother went to a teacher training college called Asumbi somewhere in Nyanza. I also want to confirm that I am a product of public education unlike Ms. Murimi, who has found herself at Braeburn School. I went to a primary school called Kakamega Township Primary School in Amalemba., which Sen. Khalwale knows very well.

After I finished that, I went to Musingu High School, which Sen. Khalwale is very familiar with. When I qualified to do law at the University of Nairobi, I want to confirm here, that I was educated under the support and funding of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) .

I also want to confirm that immediately I finished in 2006/2007, because the environment was such that if you finished university education, you would get something to do, I was able to clear my loan before I ever became a candidate for election in 2017. I have a certificate from the HELB saying that I cleared all my dues from the University of Nairobi.

Sen. Sifuna:

Mr. Speaker, Sir, unfortunately, for many Kenyans and young students that is no longer the case. We saw a report last week in the media, that over 500,000 people who have graduated from the universities are unable to service their loans. I remember the very first time I got a job, I did not have to inform HELB because they had my details. They immediately began deducting. If we have 500,000 graduates who are unable to start paying back their loans that tells you that there is a problem. We are graduating people, but there are no opportunities for them to get jobs in accordance with what they studied at the universities.

We have had debates here from both political sides. You know we do not belong to the same political camps. There are those of us who believe that kazi ni kazi. There are those of us who believe that a job cannot just be called a job. We need a job that is commensurate with your training, which can actually uplift you and your family from poverty.

That same report talks about Kshs90 billion owed to the HELB by people who are unable to pay. Therefore, my concern is that we are adding another group of higher education students to the HELB education funding model which has a lot of challenges. I wonder whether, indeed, we are ready and prepared as a country to absorb the new numbers of teachers who will also come under this programme.

If HELB was properly financed, including from receipts of the people who were beneficiaries and are paying back, it would be possible for us to add more people. You cannot look at anyone in the eye, who is looking for higher education at any level; whether it is a teacher or whether they are in KMTC or in these other institutions, and tell them that somehow because they went to the University of Nairobi to study law, they deserved the loan more than others. We all come from diverse backgrounds irrespective of what we decided to pursue at higher level.

If you look at the numbers, you will see that in the Financial Year 2025/2026, almost 1.1 million students needed financing. This is according to statistics from the HELB and the university's placement system. We were only able to finance about 650,000 of those people, meaning that for every three applicants, two of them got and one missed out. The data shows that these numbers have been rising.

In the previous financial years, we only had maybe 170,000 missing out, then it went to 270,000, and then to 380,000. Who are these people who are missing out, because of the new system that was introduced? If you are not poor enough to fit into that thing called “means testing”, you miss out. If you lie between not poor enough and not rich enough to pay your own university fees, you are likely to miss out on these applications. You may remember that those of us who are beneficiaries of HELB, there was a way to ascertain that you were a person of low means. Even our chiefs were involved.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I told you that I am a beneficiary of HELB. Owing to my name, some people think that I am from a dynasty. However, that is not the truth. While growing up, we were very poor.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 11

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

I am telling you, if I showed you my mother's face, you would weep. If I checked your M-Pesa balances right now, I know that as Senators, you have more money than the money teachers earn in a month.

(Loud consultations)

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Order, honourable Senators. Order, Senator for Nandi.

Sen. Joyce Korir, you do not have to give the story of your husband, please.

(Loud consultations)

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Order, honourable Senators. Order, Senator for Nandi.

Sen. Joyce Korir, you do not have to give the story of your husband, please.

You have your own parents. You can tell the story of your circumstances while growing up. Allow me to tell mine.

At that particular moment in time, they used to involve even the chiefs and there were forms to be filled to ascertain that you were eligible for these loans.

We have a situation where testing has become a bit problematic. There have been many complaints and all of us have heard that the system is not working the way it is supposed to work. They have raised questions about the transparency of the system with regard to means testing. It is shrouded in a lot of mystery. People do not know whether it is accurate or whether after that “means testing” is applied, the result is accurate to portray your status in life and whether you deserve financing.

The idea is this: As a House, we should support this Motion. You cannot argue that those going to universities are more deserving than those going to the KMTCs or the TTCs. We should agree that all Kenyans deserve support from the HELB if they wish to pursue higher or tertiary education.

Is there enough funding towards education in the country? No. We have demonstrated to this House that there are serious financing gaps. One out of three applicants is unable to access the loan. If you listen to young people, they will tell you that just like we have problems in terms of frequency of disbursement of money to counties, those who qualify face delays in receiving loans too. Therefore, we need to relook at the entire sector. Let us agree that we must prioritise good education at the tertiary level. We must resource it properly so that no category is left out.

With those remarks, I support.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Sen. Mungatana.

Sen. Mungatana, MGH

This Motion raises the question of how we should fund our education and whether TTCs should be included in the existing model of funding. The second part of the Motion is consequential. It says we need to create the necessary guidelines.

Facts are facts. Kenya, compared to its neighbours, funds education at a very high percentage of the budget. That is why this country boasts of and takes pride in being a nation of well-educated people. We have a reputation abroad for being hardworking and well educated. This is because of our investment in education funding.

Looking at the Financial Year 2025/2026, the allocation for education was Kshs702.7 billion. This was part of the total budget of Kshs4.24 trillion. The amount of money spent on education is quite substantial. Education in Kenya takes about 28 per cent of the total budget in terms of sector funding. Most of this money goes to salaries of teachers, funding primary and secondary education and supporting universities.

This Motion seeks to ensure that aside from university students, teacher training college students also benefit. The intention is good. However, we need to think carefully and be creative. Should the Cabinet Secretary for Education go back to the National Treasury and ask for more money knowing that education already takes 28 per cent of the budget? We need to reflect more on this question. This is where I invite deeper thinking from those in academia, particularly those in education funding. How can we ensure that TTC students are included in this sector?

We need to make a case for these students. It is obvious that they also require support. There is no doubt about that. Two or three days ago, students from Tana River County were sent out of examination rooms at Shanzu Teachers College. We had to intervene. This shows the personal sacrifice required to keep those students in college during the examination period. The case is clear. Many students attending teacher training colleges are unable to meet the costs.

I thank the TTCs and I want to single out Shanzu Teachers College because of my recent experience there. They do everything possible to keep students enrolled yet when exams come, students are told to pay their fees balance before sitting their papers; whether it is Kshs45,000, Kshs 20,000 or even Kshs60,000. The pressure is real. Many students cannot raise the required amounts.

On average, they pay about Kshs70,000 a year for education, excluding living expenses and other requirements. The case is there. However, is it enough for this Senate to simply say; “let us include them,” and leave it at that?

We need to think about the models to use. We are not inventing the wheel. Other countries have done it. They have been able to fund teacher training colleges. We need to support the students in teacher training colleges. How are we going to do it? This is the elephant in the room.

During our time, we had uniform funding called “boom.” Everybody received the same amount. It did not matter your social standing or circumstances. We all got the same amount and were expected to live on it.

The current President has made a good attempt. He has engaged professors to ask why a person whose parents are in business, earning so much, going to private schools and receiving quality education, should be paid the same as a person who has gone to public schools all their life and have not even cleared secondary school fees. Through the

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 13

Sen. Mungatana, MGH

universities, professors and the team that the President constituted, we started to look at a model.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, although there have been difficulties in the implementation of this model because of the bands and means testing, I think we have started the actual conversation on it. It is unfortunate that the TTCs were not included. I think this Motion is trying to urge that they be included but there is a reason. This is because it would mean billions more on the budget. I have already said 28 per cent of the sector allocations go to education in Kenya.

What is the way forward? I think one of the things that we could do is to create yet another model that will involve, possibly, funds that are allocated to other colleges, universities and so on. They can be hived off, so that some of it can go to the deserving students in the TTCs. This is what we need to ask our academia to think about. We have some of the best brains around Africa. I know, in the finance departments of various universities here in Kenya, we could find a solution. This is because the solution cannot be for us to take mass action, because that would collapse the system of funding. We are in between taking as many students as possible and cutting some of the funding that is already allocated to other models of funding. This is a tough decision to make and a tough conversation we must have. However, if the only amount that is available for the week is a quarter kilogramme, there must be a way that we can spread it from Monday to Friday.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion cautiously by saying that we need to think outside the box. The resources are not enough, but there is need for us to include TTCs going-students, so that they are not left out completely. We must find a way to think around these issues, so that we have a credible scientific model that can apply across the entire country, particularly to counties such as mine, where many of the students who go to these TTCs suffer due to lack of means to sustain themselves in those colleges.

With those many remarks, I beg to support.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 14

Sen. Mungatana, MGH

universities, professors and the team that the President constituted, we started to look at a model.

With those many remarks, I beg to support.

Sen. Mwaruma

kukuza watu wa kufanya kazi. Katika huu mjadala tunatakiwa tuwe na azimio la kusema ya kwamba vyuo vyote vya elimu vipewe mikopo na ufadhili kupitia ile bodi ya kupeana mikopo.

Kabla tufike hapo, lazima tuelewe kuna changamoto la mapato ya Kenya katika Hazina ya Kitaifa. Kwa nini tubague taaluma ya walimu pekee? Kwa nini tusiwe na njia ya kupeana kidogo katika vyuo vya walimu, vya matibabu, vyuo vya kitaifa vya anuai na wale ambao hawajiwezi ili kuwe na kigezo cha kuwa wale ambao wanajiweza, wapewe fursa ya kujisaidia wenyewe.

Kumekuwa na changamoto nyingi sana kwa bodi ya kupeana mikopo. Hii ni kwa sababu wale ambao tayari wanapewa mikopo hii ikiwemo vyuo vya mafunzo ya matibabu, vyuo vikuu na TVET hadi sasa wengi hawajapewa mikopo ambayo ni changizo za Serikali. Katika mfumo mpya wa kufadhili elimu Kenya, kunakufadhili mara tatu. Mara ya kwanza ni mkopo unaotoka kwa Serikali. Pili, ni mikopo na ya tatu ni mzazi analipia.

Tumekuwa na Permanent Secretaries (PSs) katika Kamati ya Elimu. Tumegundua ya kwamba pesa ambazo zinatakikana kutolewa na Serikali ya scholarship, vyuo vingi havijapata pesa hizo na wako na malimbikizi ya pesa ambazo hawajalipa wakandarasi wao.

Vijana wengi wanaoomba mikopo wanawachwa nje. Wengi wanaacha shuleni kwa kukosa masomo. Mimi mwenyewe ni mwalimu wa miaka mingi. Nimefundisha Hisabati na Fiskia. Ninajua kazi ambayo walimu wanafanya ili kupeana masomo na maadili mema ili kuwaandaa wananchi ambao wanatakikana kutoa huduma kwa jamii.

Taaluma hii ni muhimu sana na haitakikani ibaguliwe wakati taaluma zingine zinapewa kipaumbele katika kufadhiliwa. Kuna maswali mengi Maseneta wameuliza kuhusu ufadhili wa elimu na moja ni swali lililoulizwa na Seneta wa Nairobi, Sen. Edwin Sifuna, ya kupanda kwa gharama ya elimu yetu ya Kenya, hasa, vyuo vya kitaifa ama Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs). Tumeweza kuliingilia kati hilo swala, na nafikiri tuliita Katibu mkuu ambaye anahusika. Nashukuru kwa sababu Rais Mkuu juzi akiwa anaongea, alisema ya kwamba ile ada inayotakikana kulipwa na wale wanafunzi imeshuka mpaka Shilingi 67,000 ingawaje sasa bado hatujaita Katibu Mkuu ili kutuelezea hiyo Shilingi 67,000 inafaa kulipwa namna gani.

Pia, nikiangalia zile pesa ambazo zinalipwa katika vyuo vya walimu, ni kama Shilingi 85,000 kwa mwaka. Ningependa kusema kwamba nikiwa mwalimu, sielewi ni kwa nini hivi vyuo vitoze ada ya Shilingi 85,000. Kwangu kibinafsi, naona kama hizo pesa zitakuwa ni nyingi sana. Hii ni kwa sababu shule nyingi za sekondari ambazo ni za kitaifa, ile ada wanaotoza wanafunzi ni kama Shilingi 50,000 ama Shilingi 45,000 kwa mwaka ikiwemo chakula na nyingine ya kununua vifaa vya maabara na kadhalika.

Sielewi ni vipi vyuo vya walimu ambavyo vinapata ufadhili wa walimu kutoka kwa tume ya kuajiri walimu ama Teachers Service Commission, zile pesa zote ambazo wanatoza vyuo vyetu, Shilingi 85,000 wanazipata namna gani. Nafikiri baada ya kupitisha hii Hoja, ni vyema pia hii kamati yetu ya elimu, inayoongozwa na Sen. Montet ambayo mimi pia ni mwanakamati, tuite hivi vyuo ama viongozo wa hivi vyuo na Katibu Mkuu pia, labda watuelezee hizi pesa wanazitumia namna gani. Hii ni kwa sababu katika fikira yangu, naona kwamba tunaweza kushukisha bei ama ada inayotozwa kwa hivi

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 15

Sen. Mwaruma

vyuo ili wanafunzi wengi zaidi wapate masomo yao ya elimu. Naunga mkono moja kwa moja ya kwamba tuweze kutenga pesa katika bajeti ya kuhakikisha ya kwamba wale wanafunzi wanaoenda katika vyuo vya walimu wapate ule mkopo unaopeanwa na Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) kwa sababu taaluma ya walimu ina umuhimu kama zile taaluma zingine.

Kwa hayo machache, naunga mkono huu mjadala.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 16

Sen. Mwaruma

Kwa hayo machache, naunga mkono huu mjadala.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Sen. Nyamu, please proceed.

Sen. Nyamu

I rise to support this Motion by Sen. Joe Nyutu, the Senator for Murang’a County, on the exclusion of funding from the higher education funding model because it speaks to fairness and the reality in our teaching colleges and institutions. Our Constitution guarantees the right to education in Article 43. In the same Constitution, under Article 53, it makes basic education compulsory and free. Let us be honest with ourselves, education is only as strong as the teacher who is delivering it. We are disadvantaging our teachers right at the training stage.

In 2003, the government rolled out the new model of funding for higher education. Interestingly, it left out the teachers training colleges. That gives us a very interesting situation where the university students can access HELB loans. A TVET student is supported, but the student-teacher in colleges is left to figure it out. Then what happens? They start to hustle, doing side jobs, miss classes and we start having trainees who are on survival mode. We cannot have a quality teacher under such circumstances.

Let me bring it closer to home. A student from Mathare gets admitted to a teacher's training college. Their parents are already struggling. There is no provision for HELB, there is no structure for upkeep provision or even guaranteed accommodation in those institutions for them. So, they end up in this situation where they are doing side hustles instead of attending classes. That is not the kind of situation that we want to have our teachers in.

Let us talk about our daughters. A lot of these students in these teacher's training colleges are young females. When they do not have any means of survival, we are exposing them to unsafe methods of survival where they could end up being taken advantage of. That policy gap ends up having our daughters exposed and that is a gap we need to seal.

At the same time, the CBC system requires us to have well-trained, motivated teachers who are on top of things. However, we get demoralised trainees who translate to demoralised teachers. If we do not fix this, we will end up having less trained teachers, a lot of dropouts and future shortages in our classrooms.

Another set of students that need to be supported are students at the Kenya School of Law (KSL) . That is also a tertiary institution. Why are they not included under the new funding model? We would like to see our young lawyers supported, so that we can have all students under this funding model.

I support this Motion, and congratulate Sen. Joe Nyutu for such a progressive Motion.

With those few words, I support.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Motion. I am a member of the Committee on Education and would like to thank Sen. Joe Nyutu for this very important Motion, something that I think has been overlooked over the years.

Beginning with the constitutional requirement, the failure or the lack of support for teacher training for the teachers in TTCs is actually a violation of Article 43. Access to education is facilitated, first, from the primary level. I think we are wearing the dress inside out when we assess the need for support to learning institutions from the universities and fail to actually support the first level of instruction to our learners. It is something that we need to think about as a country. It is also something that the national Government executive needs to look at. The ministry needs to actually revisit and ensure that we correct this anomaly.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, before 1995, education in the universities was for free. That is when we had boom. Sen. Mungatana, boom was actually money for leisure. University was paid for. We had the halls and food paid for. We could have dialogue in the dining. The men used their boom for boomboxes which were music systems, while the girls bought skirt suits and dresses.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 17

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

What is your point of order, Senator for Nairobi City County?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is only fair when - I do not want to say older Members, but - when people who were there, when these things were happening---

Thank you, I stand corrected. When the senior Members use some of these terms that we do not understand, they should dumb it down for us, so that we are able to understand, the way we have dumbed it down for them, phrases like niko kadi, so that they understand what we are saying. So, I am lost. I need to follow the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Sen. Catherine Mumma, would you simplify, so that your colleagues, especially the young ones can follow?

Incrementally and progressively, this has been good. However, the Motion brought by Sen. Joe Nyutu is important in the sense that we have usually charged learners in teacher training colleges, yet that is the lot that actually focuses on the primary education. In my opinion, in this era and age, particularly when we have 75 per cent of all our population being under 35, and therefore many people who need these services, we need to rethink this model and see how we can support this team.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a paradox that we are willing to support a diploma in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), but not in the TTC. In my opinion, this is a mistake that we need to re-look at. I know the bill is big, but education is the number one equity tool that we have. That is the first opportunity the poorest family has. If their child goes to school, then there is hope that they can move through the motions and be able to move from poverty. So, it is our first equalisation tool, and we need to spend as much as we are able to in order to ensure that this happens.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, last session, we also discussed the wastage of funds within the education sector. We discussed the multiple bursary and scholarship schemes that are happening, and felt that these need to be consolidated. As the Senate Committee on Education, we have over 30 statements that the Cabinet Secretary (CS) and the Ministry have not responded to. Among these issues, one of them that we think that the Parliament of Kenya must help to do is to consolidate and ensure that the pilferage of public funds through parallel and overlapping bursary schemes stops. We actually need to relook at this, aggregate and see how much in terms of funds do we have from the exchequer, loans taken with the World Bank, philanthropists, Mastercard and the banks that we have, and how this can be reorganised in order for us to account for every cent.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, if we do this, we probably will be able to reorganise the education system in order for that education system to be more valuable to as many learners as possible. We will be able to train as many in the tertiary institutions, including the TTCs, to ensure that our learners have the best skilling tools in terms of the personal resource.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, if you follow up with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the other funds that are going to the education sector, everybody is fixated with bursaries. I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Education whether he knew what development had been delivered by NG-CDF. He said he does not know and yet he is the Cabinet Secretary for Education. He said he does not follow up on NG- CDF, so he cannot tell you this is the extent of the development in the education sector by the NG-CDF. That is a big problem.

We need to have software in terms of the instruction being given to our learners more than classrooms. Classrooms are important, but if every year you have classrooms, books and same list of those who have received bursaries from the governors, MasterCard and other agencies, there is a problem. We need, as a matter of urgency, bearing in mind as I have said that education is the first equalising tool, to go back and do our accounts. We need to balance and find out. I believe we may have enough funds, and need to reorganise and see how we move on.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, even as we are speaking for teacher training colleges, I would want us to tell the House that as a committee, we have found that 60 per cent of those

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 18

who finish O-Level are hardly getting any skilling. The larger burden of training those who finish Form 4 to have some sort of skill is actually on counties because the universities and tertiary institutions are only taking about 30 per cent or 35 per cent. If you add on the teacher training colleges, you might move that to about 50 per cent. However, the teacher training colleges are only those who are able to afford to pay. On the other hand, you have this entire lot of young people who are not getting any skill, who are supposed to go to Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) that are under governors. We have found out that over the past 13 years, governors have not been spending any monies on VTCs. They have not been spending good money on the---

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 19

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Is that a point of information or a point of order?

Sen. Catherine Mumma, would you wish to be informed? You may go ahead, Sen. Mandago.

Sen. Mandago

Sen. Abbas, proceed. Sen. Fatuma Dullo, what is your issue?

Sen. Betty Montet can bear me witness. Thank you. Sen. Mumma:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I take the point made by Sen. Mandago and actually rephrase what I said to say that majority of governors have not been investing in VTCs and Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) . In fact, very few have invested in childcare which is within their function. In Uasin Gishu, we would like to confirm that not one more VTC has been built since you left. We have been checking and since we started monitoring on this particular function, some governors are now busy trying to build ECDEs. We visited Busia County and you remember what we saw. Some of them have all of a sudden realised that they are supposed to be doing something and yet, this is important. Education is important and both levels of government; the national and county, need to imagine the way in which we can functionalise our VTCs. VTCs are stigmatised. They are called village polytechnics and because of that, a number of governors have not seen the need to put in funds. Sen. Joe Nyutu, I thank you. What you have brought up is absolutely important. Of all the things that I have raised, as a House and possibly together with the National Assembly, we need to seriously do the young people of Kenya a favour. We need to relook at the education system and ensure that we are not dumping our youth after they finish form four. That is a time bomb that is awaiting this nation. We congratulate the county governments where they have done something, but what needs to be done is a lot more. I whole heartedly support the need for teacher training colleges to actually be included in receiving the public funds to support them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 20

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Clerk, ensure the Inspector General of Police appears before the Senate on Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. next week.

You may proceed, Sen. Abass.

POINT OF ORDER

SAFETY CONCERNS OF SEN. FATUMA DULLO

Sen. Dullo

Mr. Speaker, Sir, sorry. It is not that I want to contribute to this Motion, but about three weeks ago, you made a ruling on the Floor of this House. The ruling said that the Inspector General of Police should submit the report on my shooting that happened in Isiolo County by 20th. It is 25th today and there is no response from the IG. I request you to intervene.

The Speaker (Hon. Kingi)

Clerk, ensure the Inspector General of Police appears before the Senate on Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. next week.

You may proceed, Sen. Abass.

Sen. Abass

Members of Parliament. I have been an MP in the National Assembly and I know what is going on there. It is so biased and skewed politically. This is because they only look for those who supported you. Therefore, it is high time that all this money should be brought to one basket, so that there will be a fair distribution of resources for health and education.

Honourable Speaker, the students in the colleges actually are really having problems. Even the TVETs and the teachers' colleges - they are boarding yet they are not being paid well. They do not have sponsorships and the students there are almost starved.

For the Kshs700 billion available to the Ministry of Education, it is high time that this country must come back to the drawing board. If you look at the CBE system - we do not want to play politics in our education system. Most of us who are here today, I am sure none of our children are going to public schools. Let us be honest. People are taking their children to international schools. So, you are leaving the poor people.

So, there is a class system simply because you are teaching them how to cook and bake breads. There will be more domestic workers than professionals such as doctors. You are breeding here and educating more domestic workers. So that is why I am saying there is a class system in our education system.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to support.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 21

Sen. Abass

[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair]
[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina) in the Chair]

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 22

Sen. Abass

As much as we focus too much on brick and mortar, wanting to make roads and build the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), as a country, the most important thing we need to do is to invest in our people, so that we have cheap labour that we can use in this country and also export it.

If you look at our budget, you realise maybe last financial year is when we hit 28 percent of our budget on education. However, in the other years, between 16 to 20 per cent of our budget was in education. That means we need to spend more on education, so that we turn out many Kenyans who are skilled and can do some of the things that we import. Right now, we are importing even roads from China. We are importing basically everything. Things that can be done in this country if we had the right skills, qualified people, they will find no reason why we need to invite Chinese to build bridges when we can do it ourselves.

Therefore, it is a priority if, indeed, we are serious about going to Singapore, which I hear every day. We are not going to Singapore by building roads, many of which are driven by the corruption interest. We are going to Singapore by investing in our people. Why am I saying that? If, for example, we increased our budgetary allocation in education and we made education free in this country, we will produce enough graduates who are skilled in all manner of fields and we will not need to import people to come and do some of the jobs that we do in this country, “ Mr. Speaker”.

We have many young people in this country, if well trained---

There is no, Mr. Speaker. That is the last warning to Senators---

[The Speaker (Hon. Kingi) left the Chair]
[The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina) in the Chair]

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 23

Referring to Madam as Mr. Speaker?

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Speaker, I am sorry, but this disease started in the morning from my senior brother, Khalwale. So, you can know where it is coming from.

What is your point of order, Sen. Hezena?

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, is it in order for the Senator for Vihiga County to mislead the House that, indeed, investing in roads is not investing in the people? For some of us who come from very marginalised parts of this country without roads, we know the detrimental effect of not having proper infrastructure to connect citizens to basic needs across the country. So, on a statement of fact, he is misleading the House.

Thank you.

Hon. Senator Osotsi, for purposes of clarity and good communication, can you rephrase your argument to ensure it captures the feelings and the understanding of the need for a structure as an investment into people, as proposed by Senator Hezena?

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Speaker, if you understand English, then you will understand the meaning of the word “priority”.

Thank you.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Speaker, if you understand English, then you will understand the meaning of the word “priority”.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 24

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, so that I do not waste my time, I want to say that priority is---

On a point of information, Madam Temporary Speaker.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Osotsi hold on. Would you like to be informed by Sen. Mandago?

Sen. Mandago is a former governor who was involved in education issues. Therefore, he can inform me.

Sen. Mandago

Sen. Mandago, please, inform him adequately.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, I just wanted to inform Sen. Osotsi that the current administration has doubled funding for education from Kshs350 billion to a tune of Kshs700 billion. For the first time since independence, this Government has employed 100,000 teachers. That is a clear indication that the Government is investing in its people, not just for now, but also in the future. That is why we even have the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) .

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise under Article 7 of the Constitution. Sen. Osotsi asked whether Sen. Lemaletian understands English, but that is unconstitutional since it is made in bad faith.

Under Article 7 of the Constitution, the national language of the Republic is Kiswahili. The official languages that should be used on the Floor of the House are either Kiswahili, English or Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) . We can also use braille or any other communication appropriate for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) .

The only languages allowed to be used officially under Article 7 of the Constitution are English, Kiswahili or KSL. Therefore, he is totally out of order and he must apologise. He can say those statements in Linda Mwananchi or Linda Tumbo rally somewhere in Narok.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

On a point of information.

Sen. Mandago

Sen. Osotsi, would you like to be informed by Sen. Hezena?

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know that these points of orders are meant to waste my time.

Your time is paused.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Osotsi, would you like to be informed by Sen. Hezena?

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know that these points of orders are meant to waste my time.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Your time is paused.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 25

You asked me to clarify and I have clarified by saying that priority should be on educating Kenyans. That is my clarification. Therefore, allow me to proceed with my contribution.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Joyce, please hold on. Clerk, please, pause his time, so that they do not use his minutes.

Sen. Osotsi, would you like to be informed by Sen. Hezena based on her wealth of experience?

Madam Temporary Speaker, I have had so many points of information from Members. Let me proceed.

What I was trying to say before I was interrupted is that education is so important to the country that it should be given priority in budget-making. I appreciate that the budget has increased to 28 per cent, but we can put more money in education, so that we make education basically free. That is the most important gift we can give to Kenyans because with education, as Sen. Mumma said, it becomes an equaliser. That way, many other things that indirectly rely on education will have a multiplier effect.

I was giving an example and asked why we should import skills, for example, in road construction when we can train our people to be world-class engineers, so that we spend less money. The same should apply to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) where I belong. We have big ICT institutions like Safaricom. Why would they, for example, import experts from China to do things that if we improved the capacity of our own local ICT engineers, we would reduce the cost and that would have a multiplier effect on our education?

My view is that education is such a critical aspect of our lives that the Government needs to consider making it free by increasing budgetary allocation to that sector then other things will flow, including things that Sen. Cherarkey is always protective about such as going to Singapore. We can go to Singapore through software and not necessarily hardware.

We have to look at the software and hardware and ask ourselves what we need to invest in. It is not necessarily brick and mortar. We can invest more in health, so that we have a healthy society or in education, so that we have an educated society and therefore everything else will flow.

Talking about investment in education, we have a lot of money in this country. What we lack is appropriate allocation. We also have an issue of wastage in the government. It does not make sense that one institution or a small government office can be given Kshs17 billion. What do they need that money for when we are talking about underfunding of education or collapse of our universities in this country?

Our universities are collapsing because of funding yet we put money in places where ordinarily we should be saving. That is why some of us question this myth of going to some other small country in Asia yet we cannot make quick fixes to our software that includes education and health because we are lying to ourselves and basically not moving in the right direction.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 26

Madam Temporary Speaker, it was based on a statement of facts by referring to Singapore, where we aspire to go as Kenya, as a small country.

Sen. Hezena, when you rise on a point of order, you should always state what standing order you are rising on. We know that is Standing Order No.10. Sen. Osotsi, you can proceed and respond to that as you continue winding up your submissions.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know it is important that some of these Members learn from us, but that was not a point of order. Let me proceed.

It is important that we relook at our budgetary processes, so that areas of wastage and unnecessary budget allocation should be re-examined, so that more funds are put in critical sectors such as education and health. That way, this country will make progress.

Madam Temporary Speaker, it was based on a statement of facts by referring to Singapore, where we aspire to go as Kenya, as a small country.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know it is important that some of these Members learn from us, but that was not a point of order. Let me proceed.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 27

Fixation on issues of brick and mortar should not be the approach. The approach should also look at the software aspects of our lives, and that includes education and health.

As I earlier said, how I wish this Motion was making a resolution that the House resolves and not the House urges, because we do not want to waste our time here discussing very good things which no one implements.

I support.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Osotsi, once again, I am not Mr. Speaker. Please remind yourself again and again. I might not excuse it again.

Sen. Kisang

worth Kshs150,000, another only Kshs15,000. If you sell that cow, what happens? These parameters must be re-examined to achieve fair means testing for students.

Madam Temporary Speaker, some of us went to university when it was still free. However, it was not truly free. The loans were minimal. Those of us who graduated in 1991 still paid. I recall that in 1990, the system changed. We went to the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and other banks to collect our “boom.”

Before then, cash was brought to the universities. You would go to the nearest bank, perhaps Postbank, and be given a passbook. Each withdrawal was recorded and deducted. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is looking at me because he also went through the same process. It was not free. We eventually paid. I want to report to this House that I am among those who cleared my debt. I paid about Kshs56,000 for the three years I was in university.

It is important to remind Kenyans who benefited from HELB support to start paying if they have not. This will allow children from poor backgrounds to benefit. The government helped you; please, pay your debt, so that others in need may also benefit. I remember before joining university, we had to go through the National Youth Service (NYS). It instilled discipline, ensuring that by the time you finished, you were an all- rounded Kenyan.

The budget for the Ministry of Education currently stands at 28 per cent. Out of the Kshs4.7 trillion budget, half is debt. What remains is about Kshs2.7 trillion. The Kshs2.7 trillion divided by Kshs700 billion is close to 30 per cent.

We need to devise ways of raising funds for our education system, so that it becomes an equaliser. Some of us had parents who never went to school. We did not have resources to go to school. It was courtesy of HELB support and the government assistance that we were able to attend university, get employed and return to society to assist. In fact, some of us used the so-called “boom” to pay school fees for our siblings.

Today, poor students in universities are being chased away from class. They cannot afford a simple meal of ugali and mboga. We must look at this issue seriously. Let us support this Motion, so that it becomes implementable.

Thank you. I support the Motion.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 28

Sen. Kisang

Madam Temporary Speaker, universities and HELB need to sit down, devise ways of ensuring those who have benefited from loans repay them. They should pay off maybe when we are seeking for political positions or when they apply for positions that require clearance from HELB. They need to devise and find ways of ensuring that those who benefited from the loan, both who are within the country doing business, employed or even out of the country continue repaying the loans. This loan was supposed to be a revolving fund. After a while, the National Treasury was not supposed to fund them anymore. It was supposed to be funded by past beneficiaries yet, they have not achieved that.

It means there are some systemic issues within HELB that they need to relook and get a good system to follow up those who benefited from the loans, so that they do not have to go to the National Treasury for additional resources. They should be having enough.

They also need to partner with the counties because in our committees, both the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPISFC) and County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), most of the counties are giving out loans to universities and college students and they are unable to make recoveries because they do not know what to do. They can partner with HELB, which then gets a percentage for agency which will boost the income that they can give to the students.

Madam Temporary Speaker, sometimes, I do not know why we left the teacher training colleges from this funding model because most of them are from very poor backgrounds. This is especially because in the recent past, most of our National Assembly Members have opened up teacher training colleges across the constituencies. It means the reach to go to the colleges is within the areas.

In most of these rural constituencies, most of the children are from poor backgrounds and cannot afford to pay college fees. That is why we are saying it is important that they are included in the university funding model, which we are proposing to change to higher education funding model to benefit them. This is so that our teachers training students do not get turned away from colleges when exams are nearing and told to go back and look for school fees, which they do not have. The bursaries, both from the county and the constituencies, might not be enough. In fact, there was a Motion here that we should have pursued it and even converted it into a Bill where all the bursaries, including the presidential, National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), county bursary and the resources of HELB be put together in one place. This would make education free in Kenya, from primary to college. That way, classifications would not be necessary.

People have complained about means testing. It is important that we ask the Ministry of Education takes a look at this system. What does means testing really mean? What are they looking for? It is very easy to follow up. If a child has been in public primary and secondary schools and supported by well-wishers and bursaries, those are the parameters to consider.

Sometimes the system asks about assets such as cows, yet one cow may give not more than two litres of milk, while another gives 20, 40 or 50 litres. One cow may be

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 29

Sen. Kisang

worth Kshs150,000, another only Kshs15,000. If you sell that cow, what happens? These parameters must be re-examined to achieve fair means testing for students.

Thank you. I support the Motion.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Thank you, Sen. Kisang. The time intended for debate on this Motion is almost expiring. It was allocated three hours. We now have very little time before we close. I have three requests and we also need time for the Mover to reply.

I, therefore, ask Senators to exercise restraint. My option will be to cut back when time expires for the debate. So, the Senator who takes up the Floor should consider the remaining requests and share time with colleagues. Otherwise, from my seat, I will cut back when time is up.

Sen. Agnes Muthama.

Sen. Kavindu Muthama

Bi. Spika wa Muda, nashukuru kwa kunipa nafasi nichangie Hoja iliyoletwa na Sen. Joe Nyutu. Kwanza, nampongeza kwa kuleta Hoja hii kwani ni muhimu sana. Walimu ni watu muhimu katika taifa letu la Kenya. Bila walimu, hatuwezi kuwa na viongozi kama wewe unayeketi hapo kuongoza Seneti, rais ama

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 30

Sen. Kavindu Muthama

Thank you, Sen. Nyutu, for that consideration.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, stick to your minutes.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. In a condensed fashion, the country remembers that in 2003, the biggest change that took place after election was the announcement by President Mwai Kibaki that there shall be free primary education. One million Kenyan children came from nowhere and joined school. That was leadership.

Fast forward to 2022, the biggest announcement that came was that we will have the new funding model and solidify the competency-based system of education. Unfortunately, the new funding model and the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) have both failed completely. It is a shame that the failure of CBC has resulted in the loss of free education that we have in this country. We have to be the adults in the room and accept that our oversight role demands of us to call out when things are not being done right.

The top eight African economies are South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco in position five, Kenya in position six, Angola and Ghana in seven and eight. In

Sen. Joe Nyutu

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Just like you have indicated, we have two Senators on the line; that is Sen. Consolata and Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. I do not have a lot to say as I reply. Therefore, allow me to donate five minutes to Sen. Consolata and five minutes to Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, respectively. Then, I will take another five minutes.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Thank you, Sen. Nyutu, for that consideration.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, stick to your minutes.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale

The top eight African economies are South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco in position five, Kenya in position six, Angola and Ghana in seven and eight. In

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 31

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale

all these top African economies, education is free. It is only in Kenya, which is one of those countries that we do not have free education. What are we planning for our youth?

I know that the biggest argument has been the growing population of children. Please, those people who are propagating that misinformation must stop. This is because South Africa has free education and they have a bigger population than us. Egypt has free education and their population is in hundreds of millions. Nigeria has free education and their population is over 200 million.

We are visiting a crime against a generation. The long and short of this challenge is that we have enough money. Even the 28 per cent that is allocated for education is enough, but it is subjected to financial mismanagement and corruption.

Colleagues have spoken to financial mismanagement. This nonsense of presidential, governors' and National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries are just avenues for corruption. The country remembers that only last month, the Auditor-General released a report which said Kshs2.1 billion has been corruptly handled by Members of the National Assembly of Kenya and nothing is moving. No action can be taken because the poor guys there cannot oversight themselves.

Out of that, the Auditor-General was able to single out actual NG-CDF committees and the heads of those committees are known. I have read in that report that the MP of Embakasi West or Central spent Kshs62 million training salonists because they are voters.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Thank you, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale.

Proceed, Sen. Wakwabubi Consolata.

Sen. Wakwabubi Consolata

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for according me this opportunity to contribute to this substantive Motion by Sen. Nyutu. I am a product of teaching. I want to reiterate that teachers need a dignified lifestyle. Looking at this Motion, it is one of the avenues that will improve their welfare, even as they join the teachers’ training colleges. While I was growing up, I used to be told ‘teaching is a noble profession’. Indeed, it is a sacred profession. It is a career of altruism because it is selfless.

I concur with what the rest of the hon. Senators have presented on the Floor of the House today. This is because we are looking at an avenue to churn out a nation's human capital that is highly trained, with a lot of quality presentations because at times, we compromise quality for quantity.

So, as a product of the same profession, I echo the fact that this inclusion aligns with the student-centred funding model, which is the goal that was intended for to provide financial aid to the teacher trainees. This is because most of them come from marginalised and minority areas. Some of them come from impoverished family backgrounds that are less privileged.

As a House of legislation, although I stand to be guided and corrected, at this juncture, we can maybe craft a subsidiary legislation to buttress this substantive Motion. Otherwise, I support the Motion by Sen. Nyutu and also call upon the House and maybe the Standing Committee on Education and other related agencies, to look at the role of

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 32

Sen. Wakwabubi Consolata

Article 43(1) (f), Article 53 (1) (b), Article 55(a), 56 (b), and 54 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I support the Motion.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

(Loud consultations)

Sen. Joe Nyutu

Sen. Nyutu, I think you have done justice to your Motion. You have already replied to it, and that marks the end. You remember we did not have sufficient time, and we were winding up on the time available for that Motion. Also to bring it to your attention that yours truly, the Temporary Speaker, contributed to that Motion in your absence, and a few more Senators. So, that marks the end. The putting of the question is deferred.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 33

Sen. Joe Nyutu

With those few remarks, I beg to reply, but ask and request you that because we may not have enough numbers, if you could deem it fit, pursuant to Standing Order No.63(3), to defer the putting of the question to a later date to allow a situation where we will have an adequate number of Members to be able to answer.

(Loud consultations)

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT STATE OFFICERS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE PROCEDURE BILL (SENATE BILL NO.34 OF 2024)

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILL NO.39 OF 2024)

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 34

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

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILL NO.52 OF 2024)

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILL NO.14 OF 2025)

THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILLS NO.15 OF 2025)

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 35

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Eddy Okech is not in the House, so that order is deferred. (Bill deferred) Next Order.

ADOPTION OF REPORT ON OVERSIGHT NETWORKING ENGAGEMENTS IN KITUI, MAKUENI, MACHAKOS, AND KIAMBU COUNTIES

DELINKING JSS FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 36

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

(Loud consultations)

POINTS OF ORDER NOTIFICATION TO MEMBERS ON BUSINESS LISTED ON THE ORDER PAPER

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 37

PUBLIC ACCESS TO LIVE STREAMING OF SENATE PROCEEDINGS ON YOUTUBE AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

(Loud consultations)

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 38

Madam Temporary Speaker, before you allow a matter to be conversed the way it is being conversed by my good neighbour, Senator for Nandi County, the facts should be undisputed. I do not know how Sen. Cherarkey has ascertained that our transmission this morning was not on YouTube, and our gadgets were malfunctioning. Indeed, I was somewhere and was watching the proceedings of Parliament live this morning.

So, before he is allowed to proceed the way he is proceeding, can he table evidence before the House to indicate that the gadgets malfunctioned this morning, and Kenyans were not receiving live transmission of the proceedings of today morning? Otherwise, you will be dealing with rumours. Anybody can rise here and address Parliament and say we are not live on YouTube.

Let us know from Sen. Cherarkey on what authority he is telling you that we were not live on YouTube. What evidence does he have that he can table before the House this afternoon that can convince you beyond reasonable doubt before you address that issue, that we were not live on YouTube today? This is not a House of rumours. When you raise serious issues like this, especially when I am not in the right mood because the railway line that was meant to pass through Nyamira County has been diverted to Sotik and then from Sotik we are being told we should just watch as it passes through Kericho to Sondu, then to Kisumu. Those are the issues we should be deliberating on, as a House, not telling us issues of us not being on YouTube. Those are the things I want to hear as a representative of the people of Nyamira County.

The people of Nyamira pay taxes like everybody else. If you want to develop a country, you connect counties. This railway should be called inter-county railway line, all the way to Malaba. There is no way you are going to develop the economy of this country if the railway passes through Narok County, Bomet County, Kericho County, then you skip Kisii and Nyamira counties, yet we are serious economic movers in this country. You know the tea that comes from Nyamira and Kisii counties. We also supply bananas to Nairobi, the traditional vegetables called chinsaga, as well as avocados. It is unthinkable that a railway line can leave Nairobi, pass through Narok, Bomet, Kericho and then you skip Nyamira and Kisii. We are being told that we should watch it pass to our neighbouring counties; that I cannot board it and alight in Nyamira.

Sotik is not Nyamira, neither is it Kisii. If you want me to alight, if you want me to alight---

Sen. Omogeni, I would like to guide you on the question that you rose to respond to. It was on live streaming. However, on this, bring a substantive question or substantive Motion. That is a serious issue.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

This matter is emotive.

Sotik is not Nyamira, neither is it Kisii. If you want me to alight, if you want me to alight---

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

This matter is emotive.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 39

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

So, to go back to the point I was making, before you allow the Senator for Nandi County to prosecute the issue that he has raised, you need evidence that the assertions he is making are indeed factual, that we were not live on YouTube. If not, ask him to first tender the evidence before he misleads the House that we were not on YouTube.

Before I respond to what you have submitted on, I will give Sen. Enoch a chance, then I will respond.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, today I had the opportunity to move a Motion on the report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and was very sure that the whole world was following what we were doing, because we were doing a good job. There were disruptions, on the screens inside the Chamber and Members raised issues. Since I was moving to the Floor for the next Order, I approached the Clerks-at-the-Table, and asked whether---

Madam Temporary Speaker, Sen. Tabitha is disturbing the flow of my thoughts by engaging in a way that is unbecoming.

Sen. Enoch Wambua, I recommend that you focus on your submissions and ignore Sen. Tabitha.

Sen. Tabitha, avoid distracting the Senator. Proceed, Sen. Enoch.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

You saw what she did. You have just seen the gestures that she has made. That makes it even worse. However, if you insist that I persevere, I will.

I bring to the attention of Sen. Cherarkey that when I personally approached the Clerks-at-the-Table on the matter of the live streaming, they confirmed to me that the interruptions were just internal, and that the live streaming was taking place, unless then Sen. Cherarkey has additional evidence or maybe he was not in the Chamber. I do not know.

The people of Nandi elected Sen. Cherarkey to follow proceedings from the Floor, not on YouTube. So, the people of Nandi have a right to their Senator following proceedings and participating on the Floor of the House, not to follow proceedings online on YouTube. If that was what he was doing, then he can confirm to us that he was not in the Chamber.

Sen. Wambua

Madam Temporary Speaker, Sen. Tabitha is disturbing the flow of my thoughts by engaging in a way that is unbecoming.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Enoch Wambua, I recommend that you focus on your submissions and ignore Sen. Tabitha.

Sen. Tabitha, avoid distracting the Senator. Proceed, Sen. Enoch.

Sen. Wambua

You saw what she did. You have just seen the gestures that she has made. That makes it even worse. However, if you insist that I persevere, I will.

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 40

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know very well that one of the most active and industrious Senators of this session is yours truly. He even asked about Wote while I asked about Kapsabet Stadium when the Cabinet Secretary was here.

Before you rule, I demand the following; one, an Information Technology (IT) audit be done because when there is a disruption of live streaming in this House, they upload it later. Number two; I have heard my senior saying that this is a non-issue and yet, it is a constitutional matter under Article 118. When he speaks about the railway going to Kisii and Nyamira, those people in Nyamira cannot all come to the Senate, they must follow online somehow. By the way, for his information, Kenya has the highest access to internet in Africa followed by Nigeria and then South Africa.

While I agree on the issue of the railway, which I saw Dr. Matiang’i discussing, I ask Sen. Okong’o Omogeni to go with me to State House, if he is gracious enough. We will sit with the President and ensure that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passes through Nyamira and Kisii counties---

Madam Temporary Speaker, can you protect me from the Senior Counsel?

Sen. Cherarkey, can you finish your submissions on the earlier points?

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

That is why I am saying, if Sen. Okongo Omogeni, SC, is saying that Article 118 should not be a priority, I want the people of Nyamira and Kisii counties to see where Sen. Okongo Omogeni is saying the railway should pass.

Finally, I will be demanding that an IT audit of the system be done. Even the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) can do it because if there is an internal disruption of live proceedings, it will affect--- I know that the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit (PBU) will upload the HANSARD later.

My argument is that, under Article 229, the Office of the Auditor General should do the IT audit of the Senate HANSARD, so that my assertion is very correct. At least, Sen. Wambua said that there was internal disruption of the proceedings, which is a serious matter contravening Article 118. However, I appeal to Sen. Okongo Omogeni, a Member of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and broad-based Government to go with me to State House, where we will solve a small matter of ensuring that the SGR passes Kisii and Kisumu.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I rest my case and request for favourable ruling on this matter. I know it is an administrative issue, but it is very critical for the country because these proceedings should be open and accessible to the public through

Madam Temporary Speaker, can you protect me from the Senior Counsel?

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sen. Cherarkey, can you finish your submissions on the earlier points?

March 25, 2026 SENATE DEBATES 41

I apologise for that.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, we were at university with you and Sen. Onyonka has never been to that School of Law where we were with you.

I apologise for that, it is Sen. Omogeni.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Madam Temporary Speaker, I am sure the people of Nyamira and Kisii region are watching these proceedings or they will access them on YouTube. It is not proper for Sen. Cherarkey to mislead the people of Nyamira and Kisii that the only way the railway line will traverse through Nyamira or Kisii is if I go to the State House and kneel before the President. That is not right. We deserve access to the usage of the railway line, the way my brothers in Bomet, Kericho and Narok deserve it.

Mr. Speaker, when the President raised the Bible when he was being sworn in---

There is no ‘Mr. Speaker’ here.

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

Sorry, Madam Temporary Speaker. The President raised the Bible with his right hand and said that he will serve all Kenyans. When the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) levies taxes, it does not exclude people of Nyamira or Kisii, we all pay taxes equally. So, on the issue of the railway, we just want fairness. We want that development to extend to all counties. All the 47 counties deserve equal access to the railway line as long as it is traversing in that region. That should be very clear. Sen. Cherarkey, we do not need to go to State House---

Sen. Cherarkey, I do not need to go to State House and I will not go to State House to beg on behalf of my people what they rightly deserve.

Thank you, Sen. Omogeni, the point is made.

Yes, access is free to everyone without having to go to State House, but, obviously, State House also houses the President of the Republic of Kenya and it is accessible to every Kenyan, including Sen. Omogeni.

Coming to the points that are raised---

The Temporary Speaker (Sen. Veronica Maina)

There is no ‘Mr. Speaker’ here.