National Assembly Hansard: Wednesday, 4th November, 2026 - Morning Sitting

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung) Serjeant-at-Arms, you may ring the Quorum Bell for an additional five minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung)

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Quorum Bell. Proceed with the first Order.

Hon. Naomi Waqo, on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party, you may proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to lay the following papers on the Table:

Next Order.

We have Statements from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education and Hon. Waqo. We can start with you, Hon. Waqo.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to seek for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the security situation in Moyale, Marsabit County.

Article 238(i) of the Constitution guarantees protection against internal and external threats to Kenya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The security situation in Moyale at the Kenya-Ethiopia border is currently tense due to clashes between armed forces linked to Ethiopia’s Oromo and Somali regional states, which began on 21st October 2026.

Consequently, hundreds of Ethiopian nationals, mainly women, lactating mothers, children, and young people, have crossed into Kenya through several entry points around Moyale, including Sessi, Kore, Biashara, Foundation, and Miti areas, to seek refuge. This high influx of Ethiopians seeking refuge in Kenya is straining resources and facilities on the Kenyan side of the border. It has heightened security surveillance, which is disrupting normal cross- border trade and movement.

The escalating insecurity along the Kenya–Ethiopia border has also resulted in stray bullets fired from the Ethiopian side of the border striking Sessi Mixed Secondary School. This grave incident has necessitated the urgent relocation of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates from two schools situated near the border to safer locations to safeguard their lives and guarantee the uninterrupted administration of national examinations. As a result of this, two Kenyans have already died.

Whereas Kenya continues to offer refuge to persons fleeing violence in the region, there is an urgent need to safeguard national security, preserve the integrity of Kenya’s borders, and

Back to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. Is it Security or Defence? What do you think, Hon. Raso?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. It is not about defence. It is about internal security.

Okay.

What Hon. Naomi Waqo is emphasising is a matter of great concern to those of us from the area. Already, the national Government is taking some action. The County Security Intelligence Committee of Marsabit is on the ground holding meetings as we speak.

But which Committee should we refer the matter to? I just need to know so that we can assign it to the appropriate Committee, which can also summon the relevant Members to report on the matter?

It is the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Okay. The Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. Is any Member from the Committee going to undertake this? In a week because the matter is quite urgent.

As soon as possible, but give us a week. We can still provide the House with an interim report once we receive it.

Thank you. Hon. Farah, would you like to say something?

Yes. I appreciate the efforts by Hon. Naomi Wako to flag the serious situation developing along our border. This is increasingly becoming an ethnic problem between two brotherly communities, which are both part of the mainstream Cushitic community. They have large populations on both sides of the border. We have the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which ideally should be dealing with such matters because this conflict could have dangerous consequences or ramifications if it is not controlled and managed as soon as possible.

I, therefore, agree with both my sister and brother that there is need for intervention. However, I would rather have the matter escalated so that the Ministry and the Committee can engage the wider regional body, IGAD, in this case, to see how this conflict can be prevented from escalating further. Although this is an internal Ethiopian problem, it has ramifications for

Thank you. So, the Committee has a week to respond. Next, we have a Statement by Hon. Yakub Kuno, Member for Bura. Is he here? You may proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation regarding the construction of communication masts in various underserved areas within Bura Constituency

The residents of Bilbil, Roka, Eltutu, Diid, Abakik, Labille, Bultobanta, Sabukia and Ziwani areas in Bura Constituency continue to experience inadequate and unreliable mobile and banking network coverage. The lack of reliable communication infrastructure has greatly affected residents' access to essential communication and digital services, such as Government e-services, mobile and banking services.

Notably, it has also compromised residents’ ability to contact emergency, security and medical services, particularly in areas with heightened security concerns.

Further, students face challenges accessing online learning resources and examination- related services, while businesses and households are constrained in accessing market information, employment opportunities and other digital services. Consequently, the unreliable connectivity continues to exacerbate the socio-economic marginalisation of the affected communities.

It is against this backdrop that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation on the following:

This goes to the Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation. Is there any Member of the Committee who can give an undertaking on their behalf? In their absence, Hon. Waqo, can you give an undertaking on behalf of the Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation?

Yes, I can.

That is a simple matter and therefore, it should be within a week.

Yes, the response will be given within a week.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It is now your turn, Member for Tinderet and the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education. I think there was a public petition you were supposed to respond to, in regards to the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the situation in our public universities. You may proceed, Hon. Melly.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Before we went for recess, a matter of national concern was raised in the House. The Speaker directed that this particular Public Petition No. 29 of 2026 concerning the implementation of the 2025/2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) for employees of public universities be brought before the Departmental Committee on Education.

Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(b), I wish to make the following statement on Public Petition No. 29 of 2026 concerning the implementation of 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) for employees of public universities, the industrial action that arose from the disputes and the circumstances in which the action ended. Hon. Members, we are all aware that in the past 30 to 40 days, we have had an industrial action by employees of public universities emanating from the CBA. However, as I read this, the industrial action has actually come to an end after a discussion through an agreement between the employer and the employees.

The Petition, dated 15th October 2026, was filed by the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), who state that they represent close to 30,000 employees of public universities and constituent colleges.

On 26th October 2026, it was referred to the Departmental Committees on Education and Labor for joint consideration. We had the last part of this meeting this morning but I am reading this statement from the Principal Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary who finally agreed to end the industrial action with the lecturers and the union officials.

The Petitioners state that Return to Work Formulas signed with the Inter Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) on 23rd November 2024 and on 5th November 2025 committed the parties to conclude the CBAs, and that the commitment was not honoured. They further state that on 21st September 2026 the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) informed the unions that neither the Ministry of Education nor the National Treasury had given a written commitment. Those are some of the issues that they raised but I want to provide understanding of the issues they agreed on. This is a very long statement. I just want to go through the areas that the Government and the unions agreed on.

The State Department of Higher Education reports that negotiations began on 25th September 2025 and that IPUCCF negotiates on behalf of university councils within the remuneration parameters advised by the SRC. The State Department costs the unions’ demands at Ksh98,686,193,422 over the four-year CBA cycle, including a five per cent increase in basic salary, a seven per cent automatic annual increment and a 10 per cent increase in house allowance, while the unions put the cost of all their financial proposals across 42 public universities and constituent colleges at Ksh98.8 billion. The unions add that, unlike earlier CBAs, which covered only basic salary and house allowance at the national level, the 2025 to 2029 proposals also cover medical cover, a research fund and access to the Government Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme. This is a CBA that involves so many variables.

Thank you. Hon. Raso, proceed. Members, please press the Intervention Button. I will give a chance to two Members to contribute on this.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I thank the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education for this response. Education is very important. It is the reason we are here and the reason this nation has made tremendous progress since Independence. Anything that undermines education undermines everything under the sun. Therefore, once the Government has signed the CBA with the unions, we expect the Ministry to establish a standing committee that will continuously engage with the unions so that unnecessary strikes, which hamper, hinder and cause disruptions in education, can be eliminated.

We must also thank His Excellency, the President. His intervention resolved the impasse that had arisen, as both parties had been unable to reach an agreement.

Finally, is there a timeline within which all outstanding arrears should be paid to lecturers in tertiary education? This must be done without delay.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Melly, I think the part that you did not explain to the public is the issue that, although an agreement was reached, the negotiations were not completed, particularly with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Therefore, the matter did not come before Parliament for consideration and inclusion in the Budget during the budget appropriation period. That is why everyone is wondering what the gap was. I think it is important that this is brought out clearly.

Hon. Nyamai, let me allow him to clarify that; then I will come to you.

The issue of contention that caused the delays was that what the unions were demanding, while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) was supposed to provide the beacons to guide the Government in negotiating that particular CBA. The delay in arriving at the beacons also delayed the State Department from negotiating because it did not have very clear parameters of how to do it. However, when the SRC finally gave its output, and the Government, through the State Department, was able to sit down and negotiate through the Inter-Ministerial Committee formed by the Cabinet Secretary, the negotiations commenced not only on the salaries but also on medical benefits, car allowances and other benefits provided for under the 2025/2029 CBA.

In fact, I had clearly stipulated in the agreement that this particular CBA would be effective from the Financial Year 2026/2027. The Government, through the National Treasury, committed that Ksh6.7 billion be provided for in the Supplementary Estimates. The implementation should commence in this Financial Year. In the next Financial Year, 2027/2028, we shall also have Ksh6.7 billion, while in 2028/2029 it will be Ksh6.6 billion. Therefore, in effect, that will have covered the Ksh20 billion to cover all the issues raised under the CBA— these included the salary increase, the increase in salary notches across the various cadres, commuter allowances and other benefits.

Thank you. Hon. Nyamai.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to congratulate the Chairman, Hon. Melly, for the competence and ability he has demonstrated, particularly in advising the Executive.

I would also like to congratulate the President of the Republic of Kenya for showing that he is not only interested in building roads and houses; he has also shown an interest in public service, particularly regarding the lecturers in our country. His commitment of Ksh20 billion, along with a clear plan for how the payments will be made, is a serious commitment. I also wish to thank the lecturers and their leadership for being sensitive to the country's situation and for accepting a staggered payment plan over three years.

This institution will give us the disciplined generation we seek to build this country: a generation with a sense of morality. Therefore, I congratulate the Government and thank the lecturers, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education, and the Committee for the roles they have played. As you have guided, we look forward to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) concluding this matter properly.

Thank you.

Hon. Justice Kemei, do you want to say something? Then we will have the Member for Nyatike.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity you have given me. I thank the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education for his intervention, which has ended the disruptions caused by the strike in our learning institutions. We wasted so much time, and students found themselves in a very desperate situation.

The lecturers, who do a good job, also wasted time and resources fighting for their rights. Therefore, I thank him, the union, and the Minister of Education for staggering the payments over three years. However, if there are any collective bargaining agreements between unions and the Government or various ministries, those agreements should be presented to this Parliament. At the end of the day, when we prepare the budgets, we need to factor them in so we can end the disruptions we are witnessing in the labour movement.

Thank you, and I appreciate what the Chairman has done.

Member for Nyatike.

Thank you. I have listened to the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education respond to this issue of the strike in universities, and I believe he has done very well.

However, as Parliament, we need to examine several issues closely to prevent such strikes from recurring. When you look at how the SRC is involved in negotiations, there is a major loophole we must address. In many instances, the SRC's advice to the negotiating teams comes across as a final decision. This dynamic makes both the ministries and unions seem like stooges. Reaching an agreement that deviates from the SRC's proposal becomes very difficult.

Therefore, I urge the Departmental Committee on Education to evaluate how the SRC participates in negotiations. Many strikes occur because of the kind of advice the SRC provides. In several cases, they do not permit discussions with the unions; rather, they impose their decisions as final. If they intend to present an advisory as final, they should allow unions to

Yes, Mwalimu Omboko, followed by the Hon. Chairman.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I commend the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education for having intervened. However, Hon. Chairman and all other sectoral players, including the Departmental Committee on Labour and the Departmental Committee on Social Welfare, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, and many others, this strike could have been avoided.

We saw it coming, as it was a historical issue, and we needed a prompt intervention. Now, we have spent several months during which students, especially those in their first year, have missed out. I thank the President for allowing these students to be at the university, but they have now truly suffered because they had not acclimatised to the university environment. In the future, we should intervene swiftly, as this strike could have been truly avoided.

The SRC advisory, now mandatory under the Court of Appeal ruling, has created a real problem. Even when unions and the employer agree on a benefit and the employer agrees to pay a certain amount, the SRC intervenes and reduces it. One cannot help but wonder: if the employer is willing to pay this, why should another body come in to lower those amounts? It creates a difficult situation for the unions.

We have managed to control this area somewhat, thanks to Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). Only a CBA can effectively stop strikes. We do not see many strikes in the education sector, despite teachers' discomfort, because the CBA plays a critical role. Whenever a CBA is agreed upon, such as the one between lecturers and the Government, we must respect it. Furthermore, I suggest we reduce the CBA period to three years, as recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), because otherwise we are stretching them too thin.

You may have noticed that when we make CBA-related payments to teachers, the recent split of Ksh6.7 billion into three payments hurts. The Chairman of the Departmental

Member for Tigania West, Hon. (Dr) Mutunga.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to this debate on the report presented by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education.

CBAs are the best approach for addressing the concerns of different groups involved. We have witnessed strikes in this country lasting for extended periods, to the point that they disrupt students' learning at the university.

I recall a strike that took close to a year. However, I want to thank the Committee for being proactive, thorough, and timely in their work. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Head of State for being a responsive President. At times, the responsiveness of decisions relies

I hope the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education has noted all those issues. I allowed Members to talk about them because when the crisis happened, we were on recess. Members of the public almost felt that we were not paying attention. It is good that we have now made our position clear. You can finalise the matter, and then we close the debate.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Members because they helped ensure that what ails the country is brought to their attention and addressed quickly. The Member for Nyatike has made it clear that whenever an industrial action arises in this country, SRC is in the middle of it.

In fact, even the university strike went full throttle because they did not nip it in the bud. SRC failed to be a beacon of negotiation. When we have industrial matters, SRC needs to move quickly, engage the State Department, which is the employer, give an advisory as early as possible, and then negotiate with it. I remember that in 2021–2025, teachers had a CBA without a salary increment. It does not mean that all CBAs must have a salary component. Some issues can be solved within a particular sector.

I call upon SRC, the parent ministries, and unions to bring the issues at play to the fore early so they can be resolved on time. However, as Hon. Omboko, a union leader, put it, even when employees are comfortable, once you have signed a CBA and you honour it, you cannot renege on it. You must honour it until it is time to negotiate it, in accordance with the terms of the contract. This is a lesson which the State Department needs to learn.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Members. Before we go to the next Order, allow me to recognise the presence of Light International School from Langata Constituency, Nairobi City County, who are seated in the Public Gallery. On behalf of the substantive Speaker, all Members of the National Assembly and I welcome you to the National Assembly and wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you. Next Order.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move: THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended in the proposed New Section 40A by inserting the following new subsection immediately after subsection (2)— “(3) Pursuant to Article 157(8) of the Constitution, a court shall not permit the discontinuance of a prosecution under this Act on the sole basis of a private agreement or settlement between the parties.” The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): You have moved the wrong Clause. Move the Second Reading of New Clause 3. New Clause 3 THAT, the Bill be amended by inserting the following new Clause immediately after Clause 2— Insertion of a new sections 41A and 41B in Cap. 63A.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move that New Clause 3 be now read a Second Time.

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Udgoon, would you like to explain to the House what this amendment is about, for the benefit of Members? Where

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. This proposed amendment seeks to insert a new Section 41A in the Act. This makes it an offence for any person to threaten, intimidate, coerce or offer any benefit to a complainant for the purpose of withdrawing, compromising, settling or otherwise interfering with a complaint relating to sexual offences. The offender will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine of not less than Ksh500,000, or both.

(Question, that the new clause be read a Second Time, proposed) (Question, that the new clause be read a Second Time, put and agreed to) (Question, that the new clause be added to the Bill, put and agreed to) Clause 2

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Udgoon, again, you have an amendment.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady: THAT, Clause 2 of the Bill be amended in the proposed new section 40A by inserting the following new subsection immediately after subsection (2)— “(3) Pursuant to Article 157(8) of the Constitution, a court shall not permit the discontinuance of a prosecution under this Act on the sole basis of a private agreement or settlement between the parties.” The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Any justification?

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, pursuant to Article 157(8) of the Constitution, a court shall not permit the discontinuance of a prosecution under this Act on the sole basis of a private agreement or settlement between the parties. Thank you. (Question of the amendment proposed) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Member for Seme and Chair for the Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. (Dr) Nyikal.

I rise to support this important amendment; however, there are basic issues I would want to hear comments about. When we amend it, this means that the whole principle of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) dies. So, does this mean that, in relation to the Sexual Offences Act, we can never apply the principle of ADR because it is a major principle in law? Can we hear about this explanation? It is good that once the process has started, people should not come in, but that goes against a major principle: no ADR mechanism can be applied to that. Therefore, Hon. Temporary Chairlady, can we get more explanation on that?

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

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. The reason why this Bill is in the House is that the ADR mechanism in this specific matter of sexual abuse has been misused to the point that the victim is not even given a chance. This is a situation where elders in certain communities sit down and decide to resolve the matter without due regard for the victim, who is a minor or a lady and has no option but to oblige the elders’

Mhe. Mwenyekiti wa Muda, nataka kuunga mkono Mhe. Udgoon kwa kuleta mabadiliko kama haya. Watoto wetu wameweza kudhulumiwa kwa kunajisiwa na kulawitiwa na mara nyingi kesi huanza kisha familia wanaitana kisirisiri na kuzungumza kinyumbani. Ilhali, watoto ni wa umri mdogo kama miaka minne au sita ambao hawaelewi chochote kuhusu hudhulumiwa. Kwa hivyo, tunaunga mkono na sioni kama kuna njia nyingine tunaweza kuruhusu kesi kama hii ya dhuluma, mtoto kunajisiwa, kuharibiwa hadhi yake na kisha kuharibiwa maisha kuzungumziwa njia mbadala. Tumeona watoto wengi sana wamenajisiwa na kuambukizwa ukimwi ambao ni ugonjwa hatari sana, alafu kisha wasuluhishe kwa njia mbadala? Naunga mkono na vile Mhe. Udgoon amezungumzia mabadiliko haya.

The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. Dr Rachael Nyamai): Thank you. (Question, that the words to be inserted be inserted, put and agreed to) (Clause 2 as amended agreed to) (Title agreed to) (Clause 1 agreed to) The Temporary Chairlady (Hon. Dr Rachael Nyamai): Hon. Members, we have come to the end of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 50 of 2025). Mover to move reporting. Please proceed. You are the mover, Hon. Udgoon. If you need any help, please approach the Table.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairlady. I beg to move that the House reports its consideration of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.50 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.

The Temporary Chairlady

(Hon. Dr Rachael Nyamai):

Thank you, Hon. Udgoon.

(Question proposed)

(Question put and agreed to)

Hon. Chairperson, Hon. Omboko, please proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 50 of 2025) and approved the same with amendments.

I now call upon the Mover, Hon. Udgoon.

Hon. Temporary Chairlady, I beg to move that the House do agree with the report of the Committee of the whole House on the consideration of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.50 of 2025). I also request Hon. Donya to second the Motion. Thank you.

Hon. Donya.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I second this Motion. The Motion is against coercion, which should not be the case. There should not be any arbitration on matters like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), but only good initiatives like educating the girl child or fighting against teenage pregnancy, but not doing arbitration on child defilement and FGM. When FGM is mentioned, my nerves move because of the partial removal of the clitoris or infibulation. Do not laugh. There is total removal of the clitoris, and one remains flat. There is nothing there. Therefore, I support with my whole body, nerves and brain and I second.

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

Mover.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the Sexual Offences Amendment Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 50 of 2025) be now read a Third Time.

Before I request Hon. Donya to second, I want to appreciate the House and the Speakers of the House for supporting this Bill. I do not know about the Bible but in a Hadith in the Koran, the Prophet said that if you do not appreciate human beings, you will not appreciate God. Allow me to quote the phrase as it is in the Koran, ‘La’in shakartum la’azidannakum.’ If you are grateful for whatever you receive, God will give you more.

I thank Members of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, especially Hon. Dawood, Hon. Suleka and the Chairman, Hon. Murugara, for helping me

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

Should I go ahead and put the Question? Would you like to comment on the Bill? I will allow the Hon (Dr) Nyikal to comment.

Hon (Dr) James Nyikal (Seme, ODM): Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support the Third Reading of the Bill. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill is extremely important. It is addressing problems such as defilement and female genital mutilation (FGM), but one area we always forget to address is the issue of teenage boys. The Romeo and Juliet law addresses cases where say a 19-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl believe that they are in love. In certain cases, parents arrange marriage between the two. That is an offence under the current law and many young boys have gone to prison as a result. We relooked into that issue because many girls have been affected. I support the issue of alternative dispute resolution, but we should relook at the Romeo and Juliet law where young people who are below 18 years of age believe they are in love. Many young boys end up languishing in prison as a result.

I support the Bill.

Member for Kisii, do you have a problem with the Romeo and Juliet analogy that has been described by Hon (Dr) Nyikal?

The Romeo and Juliet law is not in contention. The contentious area is the use of force where young girls are lured into engaging in sexual activities against their will. That is what we are discussing. The Romeo and Juliet cases should not affect the Bill that is before us. The Member should generate his own Motion to discuss that issue. He did not get it right

You may conclude. Hon (Dr) James Nyikal (Seme, ODM): Hon. Temporary Speaker, I fully support the Bill. We may have addressed one gap in the law but there are other gaps. I am just drawing the attention of the House to that matter. The youth include both boys and girls. We must support girls but boys have been neglected. That must be addressed. Maybe I should bring a Bill to amend the Sexual Offences Act in relation to that particular issue. I fully support the Bill.

Hon. Wamuchomba.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I take this opportunity as a woman leader in the House to congratulate Hon. Amina Siyad, the County Member of Parliament for Garissa for making the women of Kenya, particularly those who have endured these discriminatory activities around their livelihoods, proud. Hon. Amina, you have made us proud. Congratulations for bringing this amendment Bill to the House. We have struggled with the issue of FGM, coerced justice, assault and sexual molestations of minors without any voice. This amendment Bill should be supported by fathers, mothers, uncles and grandfathers. Everybody should support this amendment Bill because it is giving dignity to our own blessings from God.

In the previous Parliament, I attempted to bring an amendment Bill to ensure that we blacklist sexual offenders and I got a lot of pushbacks from certain sections of the society. I

We already concluded the Second Reading of the Bill, so just comment in one minute and conclude.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. We have had cases of faith leaders taking advantage of our children, or caregivers in homes of the elderly taking advantage of them. Therefore, I support this amendment Bill 101 per cent. I support it as a woman and community leader. I look forward to the day we shall also come up with an amendment Bill to establish a system of tracking repeat offenders and blacklisting them.

Hon. Aden Daudi Mohammed, I noted, non-verbally, that when Hon. Nyikal was giving that analogy of Romeo and Juliet, you looked like you wanted to make a comment. I can give you a chance after Hon. (Dr) Mutunga to make a comment. I looked at you and I could tell that you wanted to do something. After Dr Mutunga.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. It is not just the girlchild who is affected. It is all the children. Today, the boychild is a lot more vulnerable and the level of vulnerability is increasing. I believe this speaks to the two. Anyone who is in a position to offend should be contained by law, not just for the girlchild, but even the boychild. We have neglected the boychild in this country to the extent that the girlchild has somehow bypassed the boychild, and that is in a patrilineal society and balancing the equation.

Hon. Daudi, Member for Wajir East.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I was nodding because the analogy of Romeo and Juliet is very apt. Nowadays, our kids grow up so fast that a 12-year-old girl looks like a 20-year-old woman. So, sometimes the boychild is trapped in a love triangle, thinking that the person that he is dating is an adult. As we applaud what Hon. Amina Siyad from Garissa County has done, we must look out for some of these emerging trends, but that is for another day. Today, we support the Bill that was brought by Hon. Amina and congratulate her for bringing a very good law to the books.

Thank you. Question put and agreed to) (The Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed)

Hon. Wamuchomba, proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I stand to move a Motion No. 003/2026 on the urgent formulation of a national policy on power subsidies for export-oriented agricultural production. Agriculture remains the undisputable bedrock of Kenya's economy, contributing over 22.5 per cent directly to our gross domestic product, employing more than 70 per cent of the rural workforce and generating over 65 per cent of our country's total foreign exchange earnings.

Crops such as tea, coffee, cut flowers, avocados, macadamia, cashew nuts and fresh horticultural produce are not merely commodities; they represent the livelihoods of millions of stakeholders, especially small-scale farmers, across the constituency boundaries — from my Constituency of Githunguri, to the Rift Valley and across the counties of Mount Kenya and Western regions, including the Coastal region. We are standing at a historic economic junction. Effective 1st May 2026, Kenya secured duty-free access to the vast Chinese market of our primary agricultural produce.

This trade opening presents an unprecedented opportunity to expand our export revenues, create thousands of processing jobs for our youths and narrow our national trade deficit with countries like China. However, despite the outstanding achievement, we cannot capture a competitive 21st-century global market while we are still shackling our producers with 20th-century energy costs. The primary bottleneck constraining our export sector from achieving its full potential is the exorbitant cost of electricity in Kenya. Commercial and industrial consumers pay an effective tariff ranging from Ksh22 to Ksh28 per kilowatt hour once fuel energy cost charges, foreign exchange fluctuations, adjustment, inflation levies and 16 per cent value added tax are factored into the same base rate. When we look across our borders, our primary regional competitors operate at a fraction of these overheads. We cannot compete with them.

Industrial power in Ethiopia, for example, averages approximately 0.05 of a dollar per kilowatt, while Tanzania, our neighbour, averages around 0.08 of a dollar per kilowatt. We are effectively asking Kenyan farmers, cooperative society and agro-producers to compete in a global auction room while paying energy tariffs that are nearly three or four times higher than those borne by our neighbours. This energy burden does not reside in the farmgate of farmers alone. It permeates the entire agricultural value chain. For example, the cold chain storage and logistics, fresh-cut flowers, avocados and vegetables require uninterrupted refrigeration from the point of harvest to shipping in order to satisfy the rigorous European Union and Asian phytosanitary and food safety standards required.

Wet processing in coffee factories, tea drying, grading, macadamia cracking, oil extraction, milk pasteurization are all energy intensive operations. Pressurized irrigation schemes, pumping water to commercial horticultural farms, and smallholder irrigation schemes require continuous electrical power, making small scale irrigation economically unsustainable under the current tariffs of Kenya Power.

The consequences of this price disparity are severe and immediate. High electricity bills continue to erode the profit margins of our small-scale cooperatives and rural aggregators, directly depressing payouts to the individual farmer like bonuses in tea and payouts in coffee. Furthermore, prohibitive tariffs deter private investment in modern green technology such as automated grading plans, energy efficient cold-storage while exposing local processors to the threat of shutdown or relocation to low-cost regional areas. While we acknowledge that the

Hon. Wamuchomba, do you have a seconder for your Motion?

I request Hon. (Dr) Mutunga, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Development, to second the Motion.

Hon. (Dr) John Mutunga.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I was actually asking Madam Wamuchomba who will second her Motion.

I stand to second that agricultural production for export should be given…

You have just said that you were asking her who is going to second the Motion? You know, Hon. Gathoni has been in this House long enough to know that if she moves a Motion, it needs a seconder.

I have been informed she has just requested me to do that.

You have come in to rescue the situation, please go ahead and second.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I stand to second Motion No. 003/2026 - Formulation of a Policy on Power Subsidies for Export-Oriented Agricultural Production. In terms of foreign exchange earnings, Kenya

Hon. Gideon Ochanda, you may start.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to say a few words on this Motion. I agree to a great extent that when we look at the issues of export, we need to see exactly what costs us more in the process of production. In that entire chain, what costs us more? What is it that needs to be done to lower the cost of production? While that is so, there is also the linkage between export and domestic consumption of products. When we subsidise power for export-related products but do not do so with the domestic products, export in the end may become expensive. So, there is a linkage that in as much as we are looking at all these issues, what we export hardly run on for a long period of time. I remember the decades between 1990 and 2010, the main products that we were exporting were horticulture and fish. Those were top ranked export during that time. After those decades, there has been a change in terms of the products that we export. That means that if you focus on certain products, subsidise and change them then after a short period of time that kind of export arrangement changes, then we have to relook at the law again. What I am trying to say is that if we must reduce the cost of production, then we have to do it both in export and domestic.

We must also take cognisance of the fact that on the issue of power, the main power that we are dependent on, that is, electric, is not sustainable at the moment. First of all, power production is low. The total production at 3500 megawatts is not enough for this country. So, when we talk about issues of subsidising power for purposes of our export, where do you we take the products and where not? That is one big question. But what I like in the Motion is the idea of solar. There is a recognition that we do not have steady and enough supply of electric power. Can we creatively look at solar properly? This is where the focus needs to be.

Subsidising solar power is cheaper than subsidising electric power because it is a matter of reducing the import arrangements for purposes of solar production costs. If we reduce that, the cost of production may not be in terms of export alone but even for domestic purposes because solar is universal. Anybody who goes for solar products gets cheaper options. That is the bit that I like in the Motion—that we focus on solar as a clear source of alternative power rather than relying on the electric power. As we look at that, this government must look into proper alternative investments in terms of power production.

We are unable to compete in the region even in food production. Food products from Tanzania and Uganda are cheaper than ours because our cost of production is higher. Eggs from Uganda are cheaper; rice from Tanzania is cheaper; and maize from Zambia is cheaper yet these are things that we can easily produce. Therefore, as the Motion tends to focus on export, I believe that there is a way in which we can focus on both domestic and export. This is because many times, export is transit. For example, we are now talking about macadamia and avocado which have picked up in this decade. We are not too sure about what will happen to avocado and macadamia in the next decade. So it is important that we spread out so that we reduce costs of production across the country whether for domestic or export purposes.

The other thing is that at the moment, when we talk about subsidising power, there are many parts of this country where their power penetration is at its lowest. When we talk about subsidising power on one hand and the nonexistence of the same power that we want to

Hon. Members, I will now go ahead and put the Question. (Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal raised his hand) I have not seen any indication on my screen. Hon. (Dr) Nyikal, your card is nowhere on the screen. Maybe the technical team needs to check. Well, the screen is completely clear. I will give Hon. (Dr) Nyikal a chance. Any other person interested in this may please hit the intervention button. Yes, Hon. CNN, hit the intervention button. Proceed, Hon. (Dr) Nyikal.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I rise to support this Motion.

In a more general principle, it is touching on an extremely important area: the role of power in the economy at large. Power is key in economic production and businesses as a whole. In fact, leave alone those who are in the export sector, the biggest cry of most businesspeople is that the availability of power interferes with production and pricing. The Motion draws us to that issue but in a more specific way. It also brings up the concept of a subsidy policy and a tiered tariff system. Those are extremely important. I support them.

Subsidising power lowers the cost of living for most people, not just exporters. We should look at that. If we introduce tiered tariffs, we can align energy costs with specific production goals and target markets. Furthermore, we can be specific about what needs to be done and it will have a marked effect.

Therefore, I support reviewing this tiered tariff system but it should be broader. Agricultural production is one area. We must also look at all other areas of export. A tariff system is something you can review from time to time. Hon. Ochanda was saying that things change. A dynamic tariff system can adjust tariffs as issues evolve. If a product is not a major part of our export system, you can look at it at that time.

I support that we look at it to broaden it and look at the whole area of export to support it in whatever area. In agriculture and all other production sectors. But we are bigger in agriculture. We can look at it at that.

The other issue that comes up in this country is that we do not have enough power. How does it reflect? It reflects in the lack of stability due to frequent power outages. Business people lose a lot when there is power outage even for days. They have to generate their power and still pay people while nothing is produced just because there is no power.

Availability and grid penetration is the other issue as Hon. Ochanda was saying. You must look at all areas if you want to look at productivity. There is no production in many rural areas because there is no power. That is something we should look at.

Finally, we really should look at diversifying power sources. I think power production in this country still has an element of monopoly. Entities that produce power make it look like asking to be helped when you need power. They do not realise that you generate income for the entities when you are on power. Look at the old Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation. You had to plead with it when you wanted a telephone yet using the telephone is what generated money for them. Similarly, with power, we need to first liberalise production in a way that other people can come in and make it more competitive.

Hon. Charles Ngusya Nguna, CNN.

Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to this Motion by Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba—my sister, colleague and good friend of many years—who also served as my Chairperson. I urge the people of her constituency to re-elect her because of her legislative expertise.

I will begin by saying that the Motion is critical. If actualised into a Bill, it will significantly help our exporters. Kenya consistently runs a trade deficit. That means import expenditure significantly outstrips export earnings. That is why we need this kind of legislation to help our exporters become competitive in the global market.

Looking at the suggestions in the Motion, you will realise that Kenya used to rank the best when it came to tea and coffee production but it is going down now. Right now, China, Brazil and several other countries have overtaken us. We are losing the number one spot when we used to be the leading exporter of coffee and tea. That has been driven largely by high production costs that of course stem from high energy costs. Increasing energy costs has a multiplier effect on the entire economy. We need power costs to go down so that we encourage our exporters and make them competitive in the international market.

We will accrue many benefits if our energy costs go down by subsidising energy costs in manufacturing and agriculture. First, we will encourage farmers to do what we call rural employment. Most agricultural activities happen in rural areas. We will see significant rural employment. By increasing our exports, the other benefit of course is that we will reduce the trade deficit we have consistently experienced in this country. We will also witness an increase in foreign exchange reserves. Let me encourage my sister to go beyond agriculture because we need other industries also to benefit from the Motion then we will have the Kenyan economy grow significantly.

With those few remarks and without taking much time, this is a very important Motion. How I wish it could become a Bill. My sister, I encourage you to work with the relevant ministry to ensure we do not legislate in vain. Let us put it into practice and many exporters in this country will remember you. With those few remarks, I fully support.

Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, Member for Navakholo.

Thank you. Allow me to applaud my colleague the great lady and honourable Member of Githunguri, Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, for thinking big about what is bedevilling Kenyan entrepreneurs.

We used to have three factors of production in the early stages of our studies: land, labour, and capital. That is no longer the case. You cannot think of land, labour or capital without thinking about power. Power is a key factor of production. Together with entrepreneurship, it has become one of the key issues we consider when discussing production. Thinking of power as a main factor of production, particularly in agriculture, we are simply spurring our people in the villages, whose potential has not been fully tapped, to make use of their labour to ensure that we produce enough for export and local consumption.

In terms of subsidies, I wish we would look at the issues affecting the production of power itself so that we subsidise at source. Our policy should focus on how to make power cheaper, not just how to sell it cheaply. We should look at how to produce power at a lower cost. Therefore, I urge my colleague to move a step further and introduce a Bill so that we can

Hon. Members, there being no other interest in this, I call upon the Mover to reply.

(Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba consulted with several Members) You are so many men, Hon. Gentlemen, around Hon. Wamuchomba. You are even making her forget that she is supposed to reply. Please give her some space.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I concur. The Members of the other gender are here lobbying for many things. Hon. (Dr) Nyikal is very passionate about the boy child, and based on the previous Motion on the Floor, he needed to lobby. That is what membership in this House entails. I appreciate the input I have received from my colleagues concerning the Motion on subsidisation of power for export-oriented producers and products. I appreciate the contributions I have heard from the House, especially from the sugarcane farmers.

I appreciate the challenge I have received to include not only export-oriented products, but also other local innovations. As one of the Members from Meru County has pointed out, we need to consider the issue of aflatoxins. Regarding people consuming animal feeds and such like consumables in our households, we need to see how we can promote those that are producing aflatoxin-binding components so that we can safeguard our farmers and ourselves. I appreciate the contributions and I will take time to incorporate all the suggestions and recommendations that I have received so that this Motion can come to fruition as a law that can effectively guard and guide this country.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

Thank you very much. Hon. Members, I will now proceed to put the Question. (Question put and agreed to) Next Order.

This Motion is by Hon. Peter Nabulindo. I am informed that he is not within the building, as he is in a different parliamentary engagement. That Order is hereby deferred.

Next Order. Proceed, Hon. (Dr) John Mutunga.

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

THAT, aware that, Article 43(1)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to be free from hunger and to have adequate food of acceptable quality; cognisant of the fact that, aflatoxin contamination, caused by toxic substances produced by certain fungi, remains a significant public health, food safety and economic threat in Kenya, with exposure associated with acute poisoning, chronic liver damage, cellular DNA damage and an increased risk of

Chairman, since you have already moved the Motion as it appears on the Order Paper, we would appreciate it if you addressed us instead of reading. Observe Standing Order 80. I am sure you can engage us in a better way because you understand this subject very well.

Yes, I can do so. The product that we are seeking to have adopted today is a Kenyan product. Our scientists

Proceed, Hon. Justice.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to second the Motion. The Chairman has explained the product that we intend to include in the subsidy programme, the benefits that we stand to gain as a nation and the preventive measures it offers in relation to health. I will leave the health aspect to professionals like Hon. Dr Nyikal to speak to it. However, this country loses about 30 per cent of its produce through post-harvest losses. Aflatoxin is one of the major contributors to these losses. If we do not control aflatoxin, our farmers will continue losing access to markets. Our farmers may not be able to detect this substance because they lack the necessary means. The people most affected are ordinary Kenyan farmers who produce both for their own consumption and for sale. We want to ensure that these farmers are protected. The other people affected are consumers who face health risks arising from the consumption of products contaminated with aflatoxin.

In simple terms, as we subsidize agriculture in this country, which is an appropriate economic approach, we should also subsidize the safety of the produce we grow. Our staple food, maize, is particularly affected by aflatoxin. The Chairman has spoken about the cost of approximately Ksh1,000 per acre. If we can subsidize that amount, we will save the country considerable expenditure that would otherwise be incurred in treating people affected by aflatoxin.

The Chairman has also explained that this is an innovation developed through research in this country by a public institution, KALRO. If a public institution has conducted sufficient research and developed a product that can help the country protect its agricultural produce, then we have an obligation as a nation to support that institution.

I do not wish to prolong the debate because I am sure my colleagues understand the dangers of aflatoxin. It affects consumers of the produce and livestock, and ultimately, we lose a lot. The Chairman has also stated that Uganda, our brotherly nation in East Africa, has adopted the use of Aflasafe, while Kenya has not done so. We are therefore saying that, if we can subsidise fertiliser in this country to the tune of about Ksh5,000 per bag, we can add another

Hon. Members, as I propose this Motion, I do so with a very heavy heart. We lost three children from the same family in Voo/Kyamatu Ward, Kitui County, after they consumed maize that was confirmed to be contaminated with aflatoxin. That happened about two months ago. (Question proposed)

Hon. Members, you may now go on to debate.

I give the first opportunity to Hon. CNN.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the Motion on inclusion of Aflasafe KE01 in the National Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme proposed by Hon. (Dr) John Mutunga, my good friend. I know he has passion when it comes to issues of agriculture, being the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock in the National Assembly. He also comes from the Eastern Region, which is well known for maize production, especially in the areas of Meru and Ukambani.

Aflatoxin is mainly caused by climatic stress, which is usually caused by high temperatures, especially in Ukambani. It might rain today but the following day, it could be very hot. Heat waves also cause aflatoxin. We need to cushion farmers from issues of aflatoxin.

The other issue is that most of our farmers do not have maize harvesting technology. Poor post-harvesting practices of handling maize can also cause aflatoxin, especially when it is harvested with moisture content that is above 13 per cent. That is why we have full confidence in the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) who I laud for developing Katumani maize seed that is commonly planted in Ukambani.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this Motion on incorporation of Aflasafe KEO1 as a subsidized biological agricultural input under the National Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme is very important because it will cure the perennial issues we face in maize production and storage. It is very important that we subsidise Aflasafe KEO1. If you look at the current cost right now, most of the farmers cannot afford it because maize retails at a very low price. When farmers apply Aflasafe KEO1in their shamba, it will be very expensive.

We have subsidised fertiliser. We can use the same common method used in fertiliser subsidy to make sure that Aflasafe KE01 is accessed by our farmers to eliminate aflatoxin which is known to cause cancer and many other health issues. Without belabouring too much on this Motion, I fully support it. I ask my colleagues to support it. I also ask Hon. (Dr) Mutunga to go beyond this Motion and make sure that we actualise it and put it in the Budget to help our farmers have Aflasafe KE01 in the National Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme.

With those few remarks, I support the Motion.

Thank you. I will purposively go to Hon. Jackson Kosgei, Nominated Member.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I support this Motion on an important aspect in our food chain in our country. I wish to congratulate the Chairman of the Committee for bringing it to the House, and to the

Thank you very much. Next is Hon. Ibrahim Saney, Member for Wajir North.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Aflatoxin has an immense impact on food security and public health. Two or three years ago, when Kenya was preparing for a bumper maize harvest, there was a perception that aflatoxin could be controlled through countrywide distribution of dryers. They forgot that aflatoxin comes with the plant right from the soil, once the soil is contaminated. Dryers do not prevent aflatoxin. If they do, they only regulate the moisture content in grains to ensure that the requisite moisture for the growth of the aflatoxin-producing fungus is not attained and, therefore, it cannot thrive in the grain. However, where grains have already been infected right from the planting through soil contamination, dryers are of no use.

Another concern is that aflatoxin is prevalent among peasant farmers who cannot access most of these preventive mechanisms and technologies. Imagine aflatoxin in our food chain right from the grains, which are then used as animal feed. Our cows eat it, the aflatoxin is then transferred to milk in the dairies. Man, being a primary and tertiary consumer of the grain, there is the composite effect of accumulating aflatoxin through the direct consumption of the grains and consumption of animal products, including milk and meat. This poses great danger on the level of accumulation of aflatoxin. I imagine of bioaccumulation of aflatoxin in human beings through the different levels of the food chain.

It is therefore important in the long term, to ensure that public health is cost-effective and that the country has sufficient food security with healthy food uptake. I support the Motion on Aflasafe KE01. Ordinarily, I do not support subsidies because I believe in allowing market forces to operate freely. However, on this matter of Aflatoxin, I am seriously persuaded that for the safety of our people and to ensure that this country is food secure, a subsidy is necessary. I therefore support and believe that this Motion is of great importance to Kenyans across the various food chains. We must ensure that this carcinogenic substance, aflatoxin, is prevented once and for all.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next is Hon. (Dr) Nyikal, Member for Seme and Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to support this Motion because aflatoxin poisoning is a serious issue in this country. In 2004, there was a major outbreak in your constituency, in which we lost 125 people. It is therefore a major problem, particularly in the Eastern parts of the country where maize is grown.

Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by a fungus known as Aspergillus flavus, which grows in maize. Maize, groundnuts, sorghum and most grains can be contaminated with aflatoxin. The conditions that promote its growth include early harvesting, particularly before proper drying. Humid conditions also promote the growth of the fungus and the production of aflatoxin in grains. It is very toxic. You can have it in an acute form. In acute cases, people can actually die from liver damage. People become very sick. They develop yellowing of the eyes and can die.

Interestingly, dogs can die earlier than human beings. Therefore, when there is an outbreak, one of the first things you may notice is that dogs fed on the contaminated food die much earlier, even at lower levels of exposure. It is a major problem, and we have had to deal with it. What are the measures for preventing it? As I said, it is important to dry the maize early and keep it dry. Sometimes you even have to avoid drying it directly on the ground. You have to use a suitable material, perhaps plastic sheeting, to dry the maize. It is therefore not an easy thing to do. Storage is also important. Even after you have dried and stored the maize, if there is humidity in the store, you are still at risk of contamination. It is something that is expensive to manage.

Consequently, most farmers may not keep their maize safe. The problem is particularly serious when you have a bumper harvest because that means you have had good rains. Again, if you do not properly time the harvesting and drying of the maize in relation to the rains, the moisture will destroy the maize through the growth of this fungus, Aspergillus flavus. Therefore, if we have a product that can actually help us with this problem, then that is something we should welcome.

What is Aflasafe? Basically, what happens is that we use another fungus. It is actually the same species of fungus, but a strain that does not produce the toxin. What we are doing is replacing the strain that produces the toxin with another strain that does not produce it. So, you are using a fungus to fight a fungus. Experiments conducted by KALRO have shown that if this fungus is spread in the field, in the same way that you would apply fertiliser, it can achieve up to 90 per cent reduction in the levels of toxins found in maize. It is therefore an important method that we can use, and I support it.

However, I would sound a word of caution. Biological controls have their own effects, and I would advise that as we use this product on a large scale, KALRO must continue with its research because we do not know what effects this fungus itself might have many years into the future. If we use it on a large scale, that will also provide an opportunity for more extensive research to ensure that the fungus we are introducing to replace the toxin-producing fungus does not cause problems in the future or mutate in such a way that it begins to produce the toxin itself. That can happen.

Where biological controls have been used, for instance, in Australia, rabbits were introduced for hunting purposes. They multiplied and became a major problem. Scientists subsequently introduced a biological control agent, the myxoma virus, to control the rabbits. However, over time, the rabbits developed resistance to the virus, and its effectiveness declined. Therefore, whenever biological control is used, it is important that continuous and large-scale research is undertaken to ensure that it remains safe and does not develop into a dangerous problem of its own.

With those remarks, I support the Motion.

Next is Hon. Emathe Namuar.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I thank the mover, Hon. Mutunga, for coming up with this Motion. At the outset, I support. Talking about cancer, according to the Global Cancer Observatory, the disease ranks as the third leading cause of death in Kenya. When we talk about Aflasafe, it is safer for us to say that cancer can be controlled or eliminated when its source of infection is Aflatoxin. It is good to greatly congratulate those who discovered Aflasafe KE01 in Kenya.

Allow me to mention two key issues. One, we are already subsidizing production through fertilizer. It will be even cheaper for us to include Aflasafe as one of the subsidies, which we can co-join with this fertilizer subsidy programme. Two, we are trying to reverse losses incurred when a producer travels a long distance to deliver produce like maize to millers and it gets rejected, or when our export is rejected at the border. Prevention is better than cure. What we are trying to address is our production and the demand in Kenya. When we talk about reducing aflatoxins in our food chain, the effects are also in our feeds. That means you can drink milk or eat meat and get cancer just because we did not address it during planting or production. The weight will be on the Committee or KALRO to tell us how much it will supply and the quantities of Aflasafe KE01 we will apply to our plants when we are growing them.

With those remarks, I support.

Thank you. Hon. Members, I would like to recognize guests seated in the Public Gallery this afternoon. We have students of St. Paul's University from Limuru Constituency, Kiambu County. On behalf of the substantive Speaker, myself and Members of this House, I welcome you to the National Assembly to continue observing our proceedings. I was trying to see the students.

Hon. Dan Mwashako, welcome our university students and proceed to contribute to the debate.

Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda, kwa nafasi uliyonipa. Kwanza nianze kuwakaribisha wanafunzi waliotutembelea bungeni. Wajiskie kwamba wako katika Bunge la Taifa, ambalo ni lao. Wamekaa pale juu na sisi tumekaa hapa chini kwa sababu Wakenya wametutwika jukumu hili la kuwawakilishi hapa bungeni. Wakati ambapo mtahitimisha masomo yenu, nyinyi pia mko na nanfasi nzuri ya kurudi kwa wananchi kuwaomba nafasi ya kuwatumikia.

Kwa hivyo, mjiskie kuwa mko mahali ambapo kesho mnaweza kuwa hapa tulipo kuchangia kwenye miswada ambayo itabadilisha Kenya yetu. Lakini pia niwaombe, kwamba mnaposoma msiweke mawazo yenu yote katika kuajiriwa kazi. Tuombe sana tuweze kupata graduates ambao wanaweza kutengeneza kampuni na mbinu tofauti tofauti za kusaidia nchi ili kuajiri watu wengine.

Changamoto ya ukosefu wa ajira imekithiri sana katika nchi yetu ya Kenya. Kwa hivyo, wanafunzi hawa, ninaamini wanayo nafasi nzuri ya kubadilisha mwenendo wa nchi yetu. Lengo lisiwe tu kumaliza shule kisha kuleta karatasi za kutafuta kazi, bali pia wawe miongoni mwa watu watakaotengeneza ajira na kuwaajiri wengine.

Mkipata nafasi nyingine ya kurejea hapa, mrudi. Pia mkipatana nasi huko nje, mna sababu nzuri ya kutusimamisha na kutuuliza maswali ambayo huenda hamtapata nafasi ya kuyauliza leo.

Kando na hilo, naomba nichangie Hoja iliyo mbele yetu. Dkt. Mutunga ni Mwenyeketi wa Kamati ya Kilimo. Kwa takribani miaka minane amekuwa akisimamia kamati hiyo. Katika Bunge lililopita, nilipata nafasi ya kusafiri naye nchini Ujerumani. Tulitembelea miji mikubwa ya Ujerumani tukiangazia zile research institutions. Leo hii, nina furaha kwa kuwa Hoja hii imefika hapa kwani research institution ya Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) imeweza kubuni…

Order, Hon. Mwashako. I have just established that our students from St. Paul's University, Limuru, Kiambu County are properly dressed. I order that they move to the Speaker’s Gallery.

Proceed, Hon. Mwashako.

Asante. Naomba uniongeze dakika yangu moja ama mbili ili nimalizie. Nataka kulipongeza shirika la KALRO kwa sababu Hoja hii haingefika hapa kama watafiti wetu nchini hawangebuni au kugundua kuwa kuna uwezekano wa kutengeneza kemikali inayoweza kumaliza changamoto ya sumu ya aflatoxin. Nawapongeza sana. Mhe. Mutunga, ukileta Mswada wa kuwaongezea pesa ya kufanya utafiti zaidi, Bunge hili litakuwa la kwanza kuweka msukumo huo.

Pili, Kenya tunatumia mahindi sana. Sumu hii ya aflatoxin hupatikana zaidi katika mahindi ambayo hayajakauka vizuri au yale ambayo yamehifadhiwa kwa zaidi ya miezi mitatu. Wakenya katika maeneo mbalimbali ya nchi hawana ujuzi wa kutofautisha mahindi yaliyo sawa ama yale ambayo si sawa kwa matumizi.

Naunga Hoja hii mkono. Kama kweli dawa hii inayoitwa Aflasafe itamaliza changamoto ya sumu ya aflatoxin, basi hii ni Hoja ambayo tunapaswa kuuharakisha ili Kenya yetu iwe salama. Hata hivyo, Wakenya wengi huenda wasiweze kuinunua kwa sababu gharama ya pakiti moja ya dawa hiyo ya Aflasafe ni zaidi ya Ksh1,000. Kwa hivyo, tunapofanya subsidy katika fertilizer ni vyema dawa hii pia iingizwe katika subsidy hiyo ili wananchi waweze kuipata bure. Hatua hiyo itasaidia kudhibiti sumu hii wakati mahindi yangali machanga na bado yako shambani. Kwa njia hiyo, tutaweza kumaliza sumu hiyo katika ukuzaji wa mahindi.

Tumeambiwa kuwa sumu ya aflatoxin husababisha madhara mengi katika mwili wa binadamu. Kwanza, tumeambiwa kuwa ni mojawapo ya visababishi vikuu vya cancer ya ini. Dawa hii tunayoizungumzia ikitolewa kwa wakulima bila malipo, huenda ikawa ndiyo suluhisho katika kumaliza saratani ya ini.

Lazima tuunge mkono Hoja hii ili wakulima nchini waweze kufikiwa na dawa hii ya Alfasafe ili tumalize sumu hii ya aflatoxin. Mara nyingi, aflatoxin huwa haina harufu. Wakati mwingine mahindi humea na unyevunyevu kisha yanabadilika rangi na kuwa meusi. Kwa sababu ya umasikini na watu kutaka kuuziwa kwa bei nafuu, mara nyingi mahindi wanayouziwa yana viwango vya juu sana vya sumu hii. Lakini kwa sababu wananchi hawana njia ya kugundua, wanazidi kutumia sumu hii na inaleta madhara kwa mwili. Ikiwezekana, tuzuie watoto wetu wasifikiwe nayo. Wakiitumia sumu hiyo, hawataweza kukua na miili yao haitaweza kumeza nutrients zinazohitajika kwa mwili.

Ni kweli kuwa kuna vipindi tunaweza kutumia dawa hii katika mashamba yetu. Ila, sisi tunaopakana na nchi jirani, saa nyingine mahindi yanatoka nchi jirani. Wakati mwingine, kando na Tanzania na Uganda, tunapata mahindi kutoka Malawi na Zambia. Kwa hivyo, tunapoeneza dawa hii ya kuzuia sumu ya aflatoxin, tuangazie sana mipaka yetu isije ikatuingizia mahindi mabovu yaliyo na sumu hiyo.

Nikimalizia, ni vyema niseme kuwa tunapozungumzia mambo ya ukulima, ni vizuri pia tuhimize kaunti zetu kwa sababu kilimo ni mojawapo ya shughuli zilizogatuliwa. Waweze pia kuwa na wafanyakazi wa kutosha, yaani extension officers, watakaowafikia wakulima na kuwafundisha jinsi ya kutumia dawa hii. Dawa hii ya Aflasafe lazima itumike kwa viwango vilivyoruhusiwa. Wakulima wengi huenda wakakosa kuelewa wataitumia kwa kiasi kipi. Kaunti zetu ziwe na wafanyakazi wa kutosha ili wafundishe wakulima jinsi ya kutumia dawa hii.

Juzi, jana na wiki mbili zilizopita nimetembelea sehemu nyingi zinazopanda mahindi kwa wingi. Nimekuwa Sagala, Bamako, Talio Nyika, Kajire na Voi. Wakulima wanalalamika sana kuwa kando na changamoto hizi tunazozungumzia, wanapanda mahindi lakini mimea yao inavunwa na ndovu. Huenda tukawapatia dawa ya kuzuia sumu ya aflatoxin lakini hawatapata mavuno kwa sababu ya ndovu. Suala hili la human-wildlife conflict pia ni suala ambalo Kamati

Umenena vizuri sana, Mheshimiwa, na muda wako umeisha. Lakini kwa sababu unazungumzia ndovu ambao wanavuna mahindi huko Taveta; wakimaliza Taita Taveta, huwa wanavuka kwangu, nitakupatia dakika moja.

Asante, Mheshimiwa Spika wa Muda. Nafurahia kwa kuwa unaelewa jinsi wanyama pori wanavyotuhangaisha.

Mhe. Spika, kando na hizi dawa tunataka wakulima wazitumie kupunguza sumu ya Aflatoxin, ni lazima tutafute mbinu ya kuweka ndovu hawa ndani ya mbuga ya wanyama. Wakiendelea kuja kwetu, huenda tukakosa sababu ya kuwaangalia tu. Tutafanya vile tutakavyoweza ili kupunguza usumbufu huo. Nimesema hapa kwamba wanyama wetu wanaliwa na fisi. Nyani pia wanatusumbua sana, pamoja na tumbili. Ninakuomba sana Mhe. Dkt. Mutunga, katika Kamati yako, uvalie njuga suala hili ili tuone ni vipi tunaweza kukomesha usumbufu unaosababishwa na wanyama wa porini. Wengine wetu, tutakapochukua uongozi na kuwa magavana, tutatafuta mbinu mbadala ya kukabiliana na hawa wanyama wa pori. Mnaweza kutuweka ndani na kusema tumefanya makosa, lakini hatutakufa njaa kwa sababu ya wanyama wa porini.

Asante sana, Mhe. Mwashako. Aflatoxin naona haijapatiwa jina zuri la Kiswahili. Wanasema inaitwa aflatoxini, ama sumu ya fangasi, ama sumu ya kuvu. Na nimeona kwamba umeshindwa kabisa kuzungumzia nutrients, ambazo huitwa virutubisho. Kiswahili chako, ingawa ni kizuri sana, enda ukafanye utafiti zaidi.

Hon. Dr Ochanda, usiende upande wa Kiswahili kwa sababu utaumia sana.

Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker. There are things that I do not attempt on earth.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, earlier on, I indicated the connection between the two matters. I did not know that Hon. Mutunga’s Motion was coming up, but there is quite a bit of a connection between the Motions brought by Hon. Wamuchomba and Hon. Mutunga. I think I mentioned that connection. You can now see that we are struggling with domestic issues. How do we subsidise domestic production, even as we talk about exports on the other hand? It is ridiculous that we struggle to produce food, yet we are unable to keep it. It is really ridiculous. We cannot store the food that we have produced ourselves. You have been on your farms and done all that is required. There may be a subsidy on fertiliser or on something else but, in the end, you are unable to preserve the same food because of inadequate storage. The issue of post- harvest losses is a very big problem. If you look at the entire chain, in terms of how production is organised, you put in all the resources and everything else, only for you to lose your produce during storage. It is really ridiculous.

What I wanted to mention, which may not be mentioned later by any of the Members, is the connection between the seed we use and the product we eventually get, including how that product is stored. If you look at the kind of seeds we used in the past, you will realise that they had a good level of resistance to damage during storage. At the moment, with the seeds we use, immediately after harvesting, you only have a window of about one week or so,

Thank you, Dr Ochanda. Hon. Elizabeth Kailemia, Member for Meru County.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important Motion. From the onset, I support the Motion. We are often told that people perish for lack of knowledge. I did not know that aflatoxins come from plants. I thought that drying cereals is what produces aflatoxins, as the Member mentioned. That is why the burden is mostly on small- scale farmers or vulnerable people in our villages who do not even know that aflatoxins exist. We have been told that they do not smell or taste different. They have been consuming this poison all their lives, particularly vulnerable children.

Vulnerable or small-scale peasant farmers cannot afford the Aflasafe KE01. That is why we are coming up with this subsidy. More importantly, I want to emphasise on sensitisation. They may be told that they will pay less for the product, but they may not know the effects of aflatoxins. I am surprised to learn that aflatoxins can have such permanent effects on the liver and other parts of our bodies. Aflatoxins are not a food poison whose effects last for one day and then one recovers the next day. It is important that we subsidise the Aflasafe KE01 to save our people.

Agriculture is the backbone of our country. We engage in agriculture across the country, from village-level farming to large-scale agricultural production. Large-scale farmers may know what to do to combat aflatoxins. I am very concerned about the vulnerable peasant farmers. I thank Daktari Mutunga for bringing this Motion. I know he is very passionate about agricultural research on improving our food production. As we were taught in school, prevention is better than cure. If we can manage to prevent this poison from the onset, we will save money that can then be channelled towards other subsidies because fewer people will be

Hon. Zamzam Chimba, Member for Mombasa County.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Naunga mkono mjadala huu wa leo, ambao tumeelewa mengi kuhusu sumu zilizo kwenye mimea yetu, almaarufu aflatoksini, ulivyosema, ama aflatoxin kama Waingereza wanavyosema. Ni dhahiri kwamba hii ni sumu ambayo hata ichemshwe au kukaangwa, haiwezi kufa. Watu wengi, ikiwemo watoto, wamepoteza maisha yao kutokana na cancer. Utafiti unasema kuwa pia inapoteza uhalisia wa DNA. Kwa hivyo ni sumu ambayo imeleta madhara makubwa.

Nampongeza Mhe. Mutunga kwa kutuletea Hoja hii bungeni. Nakumbuka tukiwa wachanga na bado wajinga, nasema Mwenyezi Mungu tu alituokoa, ilikuwa ukipata yale mahindi na kwa sababu ya njaa, unasafisha, unachoma, kisha unaenda kula. Ndiyo naelewa leo lilikuwa jambo baya sana na wengi sana ambao hawaelewi kule mashinani wanakula. Kwa hivyo, tupitishe mswada huu leo na kuleta hii kemikali ambayo inaitwa Aflasafe ya kuzuia na kusaidia wakulima wetu wapate mazao thabiti. Ifahamike pia wanyama wakila mimea iliyo na aflatoxin, hata kama ni kuku au ng’ombe, basi pia tunapata kupitia mayai au nyama. Kwa hivyo, inabainika wazi kwa nini siku hizi maradhi ya saratani yamebobea kila mahali. Tunaweza kuwa tunapuuzilia mambo madogo madogo na kumbe ndiyo sababu kubwa ya watu kuugua maradhi haya.

Mhe. Spika wa Muda, Wakenya wanastahili kuwa huru kutokana na maradhi. Kukiwa na sababisho lolote la maradhi, basi Bunge hili liwe mstari wa mbele kulizuia. Hima kwa upande huu na ule, lakini jambo linalohusu mwananchi wa kawaida, afya, mazingira, na jambo lolote lingine, basi tuzuie.

Namshukuru ndugu yangu Mhe. Mutunga. Umefikiria jambo kubwa sana na Mwenyezi Mungu akubariki kwa niaba ya Wakenya. Nawaambia watu ambao walikupigia kura wasikuache, maanake umetumia jambo la msingi katika jamii na limedhuru watu wengi bila kujua. Nafikiri Mhe. Spika wa Muda, pia wewe umetoka kule mashambani. Ukipata mahindi yakiwa meusi, unasafisha na kuchoma. Kama ni mboga tunasafisha tu, kumbe ndiyo madhara makubwa. Kama Mama Mombasa na anayejua kuna wakulima wa mimea tofauti, naunga mswada huu wa leo.

Asante sana, Mhe.Spika wa Muda.

Asante. DNA pia unaweza kuziita chembe chembe za urithi. Hon. Wamuchomba.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I stand to support this wonderful Motion and commend the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. (Dr) Mutunga, for presenting this Motion.

Indeed, aflatoxin is not just a public health issue; it is also a food safety issue. I carefully listened to Dr. Mutunga as he moved this Motion, and he rightly pointed out that over 90 per cent of our consumables in our backyards—that is, in our kitchens and livestock yards— contain very high levels of aflatoxin.

I am wondering, now that we are providing intervention to farmers through Aflasafe, what are we going to do with the products that are already on shelves? What am I going to do with that gunia or sack of maize in my store?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I sympathise with you because you have rightly put it that you are a victim in your constituency. You lost a family due to aflatoxin consumption. How many of such cases do we have? I have listened to (Dr) Nyikal execute cases of people suffering out of the impact of aflatoxin exposure. They are going to lose lives and be slaves of medication

Order, Hon. Wamuchomba. You will have a balance of eight minutes and you will be at liberty to continue with this debate when the House Business Committee next schedules it.

Hon. Members, the time being