Wednesday, 6th May, 2026 Morning Sitting

Clerk, do we have quorum?

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

Serjeant-At-Arms, please ring the Quorum Bell for a further 10 minutes.

Order, Honourable Senators, let us take our seats. We have quorum now. Clerk, you may proceed to call out the first Order.

Order, Sen. Mandago.

Honourable Senators, before we start the business of the day--- Sen. Beth Syengo--- Just to remind you of the Kamukunji today at 1.00 p.m. So, purpose to be present so that we are taken through the details of the system we are using because as you may recall, last week, so many concerns were raised touching on the system. Therefore, kindly avail yourself so that you raise all those concerns with the technicians who will be present to take us through.

Honourable Senators, we expected three Cabinet Secretaries this morning. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum is already in the House. Therefore, we will start with the questions that are directed to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. They are four questions. We will start with Question No.041, then we go to 042 and then 043. Those are the questions directed to the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.

Clerk, kindly usher in the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.

was ushered into the Chamber) Cabinet Secretary, once again, welcome to the Senate before plenary, for purposes of responding to Question No.041 by the Senator for Kajiado County, Question No.042 by Sen. Hamida Kibwana and Question No.043 by the Senator for West Pokot, Sen. (Rev.) Julius Murgor.

Senator for Kajiado County, Senator Seki, you may proceed to ask your question.

Thank you, Honourable Speaker. I think we also have Question No.040. I will start with No.041, and then I go to 040 later, as you have guided.

Yes, honourable Senator, you may start with Question No.040.

Question No.040

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Cabinet for Energy and Petroleum the following Question-

Honourable Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed to respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Thank you very much, honourable Speaker. I beg to reply.

Sen. Seki, do you have any supplementary questions?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to give this chance to my colleagues if they have any. If they do not, I am done with it, since I will go through the documentation.

Sen. Maanzo.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like the Cabinet Secretary to confirm something now that he is talking about budgetary constraints delaying the compensation. Since the power sector is interconnected and the Kenya Power and Lightning Company (KPLC) is generating significant revenue, is there a way to redirect those funds to ensure that everyone is sufficiently compensated and that lack of budget is not used as an excuse?

Sen. Mandago.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I have heard the Cabinet Secretary say there are absentee landlords. I do not know whether in Maasai land there are absentee landlords, unless the Cabinet Secretary intends to take away private land under the guise of absentee landlords.

Finally, there is Government land for public utilities that has been designated for specific state departments and functions. These should be compensated equally, just as private facilities are, because they have been set aside for public use by the community. For example, if it is dispensary land, even though it is Government land, the community will still need a dispensary.

Therefore, I hope the Ministry is not trying to use this as an excuse by claiming there is free Government land that can be used as a way leave. Could the Cabinet Secretary clarify what is meant by “absentee landlord”? I have checked the document and have not seen anywhere that indicates an absentee landlord.

Sen. Essy Okenyuri.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would also wish to know, from the Cabinet Secretary, the total amount pending compensation in the key project areas. What is the exact figure that has been remitted to the National Land Commission (NLC) for the compensation of the PAPs? Is it merely a commitment? Could the Cabinet Secretary come out clearly and specify?

Sen. Cherarkey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. To follow up on the issue of compensation to land owners for the power transmission lines way leave corridor, the Cabinet Secretary should tell the country why there are so many delays in payments by KETRACO. For example, in Lessos- Tororo Transmission lines, there have been delays.

Apart from the Kajiado issue, how many compensation cases are still pending across the country where wayleave has been sought by Kenyans? We need to know the total number nationwide and how many PAPs have not yet been compensated.

Additionally, in relation to budgetary constraints, the Cabinet Secretary has not given us a clear commitment on whether they are now preparing the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) , which will be presented before the Committee on Finance and National Planning of the National Assembly through the Committee on Energy in the National Assembly. People waiting for compensation under transmission wayleave should be assured they will be compensated.

I yield back.

Sen. Faki.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would like to inquire about the Government’s decision regarding oil refineries. I understand the Government is building

an oil refinery in Tanga in the Republic of Tanzania yet in Mombasa, we are leasing our refinery, which has been in existence since Independence, to a Nigerian company. This is done without public participation from the people of Mombasa.

Could the Cabinet Secretary explain, under what circumstances, the Government is investing in another country rather than investing in Mombasa? It would be cheaper to upgrade the existing refinery than to build a new one all together in another country?

Hon. Faki, that is not a supplementary question because it is not related to the primary question. However, Cabinet Secretary, if you are in a position to respond to it, you may. If you are not, you may undertake to provide the answer at a later date.

Sen. Mundigi, you have the Floor.

Asante, Bwana Spika. Swali langu kwa Waziri wa Kawi na Petroli linahusu Kaunti ya Embu, Mbeere South. Kampuni ya KenGen inajenga Kathenge Dam mahali ambapo kuna shule. Je, umepanga kuondoa shule ile lini na watu waliopo shuleni watalipwa vipi ili waondoke na KenGen iweze kujenga bwawa hilo?

Sen. Mutinda.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Bwana Waziri, you have provided in your response giving the total amount of pending bills. The issue of compensation for the people at Konza City has been ongoing for over ten years. I would like to understand the schedule that is in place from the National Treasury. Are there agreements on how these payments will be made and the timelines for disbursement? Was there any effort during the supplementary budget to present this case as far as the pending bill is concerned?

I raise this because the matter has been pending for long. Is this simply a document presented before this House for the sake of presentation or is there a factual commitment by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning to ensure that these payments will, indeed, be adhered to?

Sen. Mungatana.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just briefly. When the Government was undertaking the connectivity project, they must have set aside some money for compensation of the people in Kajiado.

The question I want the Ministry to clarify to us is this. How much was the money and what is the problem? If the money had been set aside, there should be no problem in giving it to the people of Kajiado. You should not take their land and fail to compensate them only for stories to begin. What is the project budget that was put aside for compensation of the people of Kajiado?

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond to those questions.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Thank you once again, Honourable Speaker. To start with the question by Sen. Maanzo, of course, our agencies and entities work closely together. However, these entities or agencies have got clear mandates in the sector. The mandate of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company

(KPLC)

is different from the mandate of the Kenya Electricity

Generating Company PLC (KenGen) and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and so on and so forth.

The particular transmission lines we are talking about are under the purview of KETRACO which is the implementing agency. Therefore, the compensation we are talking about is being undertaken by KETRACO through the National Land Commission (NLC) as required by law.

The matter of absentee landlords may sound remote but the fact is that this is a reality. There are land buyers, not just in Kajiado County alone, but all over the country who once they have bought land parcels do not live there. In this particular case, absentee land owners are persons who have ownership of land parcels but since they are not present, they have not made any effort to contact KETRACO for purposes of effecting compensations.

The figures I have mentioned, in respect to various lines, are the actual ones. All compensations are undertaken by the implementing agency, which is KETRACO in this particular case, through the NLC. It is the implementing agency that acquires land, goes ahead and provides the budget for land compensation then avails the money to the NLC for purposes of effecting compensation. The acquiring entity is the procuring entity under the law.

Let me also say this. It is, indeed, true that it is not just these four or so lines that have some challenges to do with land compensation. There are also a number of transmission line projects, including the one that was mentioned by Sen. Cherarkey, where land owners have not been fully compensated but we are in the process of effecting compensation.

It is good to combine that question with the question by Hon. Mungatana. It is logical that we have budgetary provisions for compensations at commencement of projects. However, the reality is that many a time, if not all the times, we depend on exchequer releases from the National Treasury. After providing for the budget as is customary, what follows is the exchequer release. Until that happens, you cannot say for sure that you will do full compensation. We do that knowing fully well that we have a duty, as a country and as a Ministry, to continually upgrade or improve our infrastructure, not only for transmission but also distribution. Therefore, it is a delicate balancing act.

There was also a question regarding Konza City. It is the same situation. We are working tirelessly, as a Ministry, to ensure that in the fullness of time all these cases of compensation are completed.

There was also a question concerning Katheke Dam Project in Embu County. That project is at a preliminary stage and engagement by KenGen with affected communities will take place in due course. Proper and complete feasibility study is going to be undertaken to determine the extent to which communities will be affected, including the school, and how they can be addressed.

Finally, even though it is not related to Sen. Mohamed Faki’s question about refinery, I will confine myself to the refinery in Changamwe. A refinery business is a matter of commercial logic. Therefore, it must make commercial sense for one to undertake it. Due to the economics, the refinery in Changamwe was found not to make

business sense. That is why as a matter of fact, operations at the facility were discontinued. However, even with the impeding drilling in South Lokichar---

Honourable Speaker, let me say this from this podium. For the first time, Kenya is going to commercially produce oil before the end of this year. We have gone through all the necessary processes. In the past two weeks or so, I was in Lokichar to undertake ground-breaking for operations in that region. We are sure that by the end of this year, we shall be producing crude oil from South Lokichar.

That notwithstanding, the quantities envisaged from South Lokichar basin are not adequate to run a commercial refinery. At the beginning, we shall be producing about 20,000 barrels per day, which will progress to 50,000 barrels per day.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, petroleum economists tell us that you need 300,000 to 500,000 barrels per day to viably run a refinery. Therefore, that informs the reason, justification and the basis for the plan to establish a refinery in Tanga that will serve not only Kenya, but also serve the other neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. It is basically business logic.

Thank you.

We will now move to Question No.041. You may proceed, Hon. Senator. Question No.041

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum the following Question-

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to thank the Cabinet Secretary for the response. However, more importantly, I want to inform him that on question (a) , I wanted him to clarify, in comparison to national average. This is because he has just indicated in Kajiado---

We wanted to know where we are as a county. In the entire county in the three mentioned financial years, we have just connected 1,750 customers. That is why we wanted to know where we are as a county. This is because we have 21,000 square kilometers as a county, with a population of two million Kenyans, and only 1,700 customers are connected to electricity in the three years of this Government. That is what we wanted to know in comparison to the national grid, national average.

Hon. Senator, you just want to know for the past three years or for the time this programme started running? This is because the Cabinet Secretary has given you the answer in paragraph (i) of his response that the total number of households connected in the country stands at 10,346,947. Out of those, 365,277 are in Kajiado. So, he has given the total number for the entire country and the total number of households in Kajiado. You can draw the comparison from there.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, note that you will explain it further.

The last question is that, the Cabinet Secretary indicated that there was an engagement of the MPs with REREC. Where is the engagement of this honorouble Member, Senator for Kajiado? Why are they not engaging the Senator of this county in issues of connectivity? Is it because I am a one-term Senator?

You are not seeking re-election, hon. Senator?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I seek your indulgence. My question was actually in the previous question and I tried to seek your attention.

Unfortunately, we have already passed that bridge.

It is a very important question, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

I know but time is of essence. We are dedicating these minutes for purposes of this question.

May be then, you could allow me the next question because--

I will do that, hon. Senator.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the visionary President Mwai Kibaki had a vision that by the year 2030, connectivity in the country, would be at 100 per cent. Could the Cabinet Secretary inform us where we are as a country and whether we are on track to achieving 100 per cent connectivity by 2030 as envisioned by the late President Mwai Kibaki?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I would like to request the Cabinet Secretary to clarify. He prides himself in the increase of connectivity to 15 per cent by the current administration. How much increase of numbers of connectivity are in Kitui County and specifically Mwingi North? Or is it perceived that Kitui County and Mwingi North, in particular, is an opposition zone and that is why the connectivity is not happening?

Let the Cabinet Secretary clarify.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Cabinet Secretary, could you tell this House how the power sector is going to benefit from the infrastructure fund in terms of connectivity?

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, welcome back to the Senate. Could you confirm to the nation how many homes across the whole country you have connected so far through this programme?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you have touched on solar energy. We know that great powers like China are shifting strongly towards solar energy. What policy efforts is the Ministry making to make sure that Kenya makes use of the solar energy that we have in this country, instead of waiting for the sun to convert things into bio carbons that we can tap or into waterfalls?

How is the Ministry ensuring that this abundant sunshine that we enjoy in this country is convertible into electrical power? I am talking about the tax regimes that we have on solar energy and what efforts the Ministry is making to ensure that Kenya becomes a major manufacturer of solar panels and solar technologies.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Mine is on Isiolo County, a place called Oldonyiro where there are donors from Middle East who sponsored that particular project. I hope the Permanent Secretary (PS) is here. This is because we have had several

discussions where part of the town has been electrified. However, the other town which is a sub-county, does not have electricity and this is an area prone to insecurity. More specifically, part of the Isiolo County has insecurity issues. I know the Last Mile Connectivity is going on but I would appreciate if the Cabinet Secretary can tell us what he is doing to make sure that the projects that have been started are completed because the estimate for Oldonyiro has been done. What is lacking is budget. Could he kindly fast track that process and make sure that the project is completed? This is because some of the Government institutions like schools in Oldonyiro have while others do not have electricity.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Mine is to request our good Cabinet Secretary to avail to each one of us, Senators of the Republic of Kenya, the statistics of the increment of households in our counties vis-a-vis what we found under the regime of the former President so that the doubting Thomases can equally see that figures do not lie.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Thank you, hon. Speaker. Let me proceed to respond as follows in no particular order. We are on course not just to meet the target set out under Vision 2030, but also our obligation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No.7 on access to energy.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government of the Republic of Kenya and especially this administration, is not just committed to ensuring universal access to electricity by 2030, but is actively working towards that, day-in, day-out. As we speak, we have an average of 75 per cent access rate. However, that natural average could mislead in the sense that some parts of the country have far much higher levels, while some parts of the country are still very low.

That is the kind of historical disparity and imbalance that this administration is correcting. That electricity, under this administration, is no longer a luxury; it is a basic human right. His Excellency the President has directed us to ensure that we extend electricity to every corner of this country, without any form of discrimination, so that as the national average increases, it also increases across the country.

Coming back to Sen. Wakoli's question, I agree with him that we shall endeavour to provide a detailed response in terms of the increase in number of households connected to electricity from the time this administration took over, up to now, county by county, and if possible, constituency by constituency. I am delighted that Bungoma County, where Sen. Wakoli comes from, has made big progress. I have had the occasion to visit a number of constituencies in Bungoma County a number of times and had a number of meetings with the Members of Parliament (MPs) from Bungoma County.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the question by Sen. Seki on engagement of Senators, we endeavour to engage all leaders, especially, elected leaders. A number of times, I call for these meetings county by county. My appeal is that when such meetings are called, kindly assist us by having the Senators also attend, alongside the Members of the National Assembly. This is so that we collectively address these issues and plan together.

Sen. Seki has had the occasion to visit me in my office to address some of these issues. I am sure one of the projects in Kajiado County, especially the project under the name of Olepolos that is costing some Kshs17.5 million, is covering areas of concern to the Senator.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, let me go back and say that once I provide the statistics about the connectivity rates and the increment in number of connections per county, it will then help us determine, collectively, which areas to address on a priority basis. I will also do this to cover the issue that has been raised by Sen. Beth Syengo in respect of Kitui County. I have also had occasion to visit Kitui County a number of times. I have been to Kitui East, Kitui South, Kitui West and Kitui Central in the last two years, pushing this electrification programme and working closely with all the MPs.

As we do so, we do not do it on the basis of who is supporting who or who belongs to which faction or which political formation. No, that is not part of our consideration. We deal with all leaders at all levels, regardless of their political persuasion.

Sen. Mbugua has asked about the role that the National Infrastructure Fund will play in helping us push forward the agenda of electrification, if I got him right. It is indeed true that this National Infrastructure Fund is Godsend in the sense that for the first time, we are going to be able to free the national budget as conceived and approved by the Parliament of Kenya, from undertaking major infrastructure projects. It will then allow this National Infrastructure Fund to deal with such projects, especially those projects that are viable, which are many in the energy sector, starting with generation, transmission and distribution. So, the answer is, yes. This historic fund is going to be very useful going forward, and I am sure it will make a very big difference.

I will also address the issue of Sen. Maina when we bring the statistics about connectivity by county. Again, allow me to provide specific answers to Sen. Dullo in respect to that particular project in Isiolo later.

On the question by Sen. Omtatah, as a country, we are alive to the fact that the world is transitioning, energy speaking. Kenya as a country, is in the lead in terms of energy transition in this region. Our national grid is supported by about 93 per green energy, with solar playing a key role in this. As we speak, our installed capacity of generation is about 3,300 megawatts, with solar contributing some 210 megawatts, wind 435 megawatts, and so on and so forth.

Whereas it is our intention to continue to implement solarisation of our grid, we take cognisance of the fact that solar, just like wind, is an intermittent source of energy. Therefore, we must strike a delicate balance between base load and these intermittent sources. So, the answer is, yes, we shall continue to adopt solar technology as we move along.

Beside the 210 megawatts that is installed, there are a number of households and private entities that have installed their own solar panels, which in our estimation accounts for about some 600 megawatts. Solar is here to stay and we have to harness this technology to continue to light up our country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

We now move to Question No.042 by Sen. Hamida Kibwana.

Question No.042

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Kibwana, I beg to ask the CS for Energy and Petroleum the following Question-

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Cabinet Secretary’s first response was to talk of floods in Nairobi. The other causes of floods are buildings erected along the riparian land. Water will always look for its way and that is why we end up with flooding. How will the Ministry ensure that waterways are open? Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir. My question is part of the previous question. Hon. Waziri, thank you for your passion and commitment in connecting power to all Kenyans. The last time you were in Wajir with His Excellency the President, we were promised that Wajir will be connected to the national grid. So, what is the plan of connecting Wajir to the national grid and how soon or how fast will that be done?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am not sure whether the Cabinet Secretary is aware that Samburu County, particularly Maralal, is experiencing the worst power outage in the country. Could the Cabinet Secretary explain why Maralal Town and several parts of Samburu County continue to experience persistent power outages despite hosting critical national infrastructure? What long-term measures will be put in place to ensure reliable and stable electricity supply in the county?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the indulgence. My question is on the faulty transformers. The Cabinet Secretary has alluded to faulty transformers that at times cause power outages or blackouts. A transformer in Kipsamoite, Mosop Constituency, has been faulty for the last four years. My question is, how long does it take for the Kenya Power and Lighting Company to intervene for us not to keep on having blackouts? On average, we have a power outage two to five times a day in this city.

In Mosoriot, Nandi County, where I come from, we have blackouts that run up to three weeks. It is embarrassing because I live in that area. Can the Cabinet Secretary tell us his concrete plan apart from holding political meetings with Members of Parliament?

I yield back, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, Sir. My question is related to the question asked by Sen. Cherarkey. It is on the maintenance and management of transformers across the country for purposes of controlling power outages. I ask this question because the transmission line in Bomet and Narok, which is currently undergoing an upgrade, has largely been a cause of a power outage across Bomet, Narok and a section of Kisii that the line serves.

An upgrade of that line is ongoing. Can the Cabinet Secretary tell us when that line will become operational to ensure that power outage during high traffic time, which is in the night, is stopped or at least is reduced? Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that the environment, including the land hosting the Bomet-Narok transmission substation, which is going to be the holding station for this line, is forever dark? The surrounding area does not have power.

I have been in that area with the Cabinet Secretary and he knows that. I have sought for an intervention but nothing has happened. The people of Kapkwen, Bomet County, will appreciate an indication of any action taken or to be taken. They are the people hosting the substation yet they have no power.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may now respond to the questions.

Yes, we will take the first set of questions. The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum

: Mr. Speaker, Sir---

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may proceed.

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum

: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to start with the question raised by Sen. Beth Syengo. As I initially indicated in my response, the Ministry together with our agencies can only work with relevant Government bodies and agencies. I mentioned here that we are working with the Nairobi City County, Kenya Urban Roads Authority

(KURA)

and the Kenya National Highways Authority,

(KeNHA)

to ensure that waterways remain open. We cannot do it alone.

The area around Bomet, Kisii and parts of Kisumu County have had challenges of adequate supply of electricity over the years. That challenge will be addressed, to a large extent, by the completion of the Narok-Bomet transmission line. You recall, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, that we did some short stopgap measure through the Kenya Power. The ultimate project, which is underway, is being undertaken by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) . The project will be completed in the next 12 months. That will, to a large extent, help address the issue of power outages in that region.

Above all, it will allow us shut down the Muhoroni gas turbine, once and for all, because as you know, is not true cost effective. The completion of this line will be instrumental in helping us make that decision.

We have had a problem with wanton vandalism of transformers and other critical energy infrastructure in some parts of Nandi County. We are working very closely with security agencies to stem the vice and ensure that we deal with these cases promptly. I request Hon. Sen. Cherarkey to provide my office with more details.

It is not our practice to take long to repair or replace faulty transformers. If there are such cases, they need to be reported promptly for appropriate actions to be taken. Again, I know we have got challenges in Samburu and we are working very closely with our relevant agencies. Samburu is one of the counties that is supposed to benefit from the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP).

I will be seeking to engage directly with Sen. Lelegwe outside here to see what we can do jointly to address the issues affecting Samburu, especially areas around Maralal. Wajir County will be hosting us for Madaraka Day celebrations on 1st June. We are taking some stopgap measures to deal with the matter of Wajir Town and environs. However, in the fullness of time, we want to see Wajir County connected to the national grid.

As we speak, feasibility studies have been completed. We are basically now working on the financing mechanisms to ensure that we extend the grid from Garissa to Wajir. Again, I will be seeking to engage Sen. Abass and leadership of Wajir County, including the Governor and the other Members of the National Assembly, to see how fast we can move with this project collectively. Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. CS, for those responses. I have got a long list of Members, I believe, asking supplementary questions. The time allocated for this question is since past by two minutes. I will add another five minutes for those questions. I have got Sen. Maanzo. Go straight to the question so that we keep time because we need to strictly comply with the next timeline for the next questions.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in Kibwezi West, when a transformer is spoiled and takes a month or two without being fixed, the KPLC officials based in Emali remove a working transformer from an existing line and then take it to another. Is there a way the Cabinet Secretary will make sure that we have reliable, long-lasting transformers that are easy to repair so that we do not have people on power outage for a long time?

Sen. Mandago, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. My question goes to Cabinet Secretary on ensuring that funds that have been set aside for projects in particular regions are utilised for those regions. I ask because the Cabinet Secretary is keen to ensure there is equitable connectivity in the country. What happened with the funds that were set aside for a number of counties in the Rift Valley that was disbursed to Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) , but apparently, the money has been spent in other areas?

Finally, just a small thing. The issue of wayleaves---

Sen. Mandago, you know you are entitled to ask one supplementary question.

Allow me to ask this because it affects the whole country. Just one question. What is the Ministry doing about your agencies in terms of utilising the road wayleaves? We have situations where KPLC erect poles in the middle of the roads, even when the corridor is 90 metres, and when we want to develop the roads, they ask us to pay to relocate those poles, and we have said categorically we are not paying. We want electricity. We have given you a free wayleave on our roads in the counties. You certainly cannot ask us to pay to relocate a pole you deliberately put in the middle of the road.

Sen. Oketch, please, proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I believe the issue of outages in the country, seeing from my colleagues, certainly not only during weather times, because in Migori County, and the CS is very well familiar with Migori County--- We have travelled with them to deal with the issue of electricity. The issue of outages is humongous, and especially it appears like there is an overloading in the grid in Migori.

Despite the fact that there is Masaba substation that was established, there is still a very high demand of electricity because of the ongoing mining activities, both in Kehancha and the larger Nyatike area. Those outages, it seems like the system cannot sustain the capacity, and the issue of transformers in that regard has been a major one. Transformers are blowing time without number, and the outages in Migori are outrageous. What can be done about these transformers and that issue of overloading?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, just directly to you, I had sought the indulgence of the substantive Speaker, because I think the system was not registering me in the first question, but it is of national importance that if the CS might get time just to address the issue of shortages in fuel. Most of our petrol stations, despite the fact that the National Standards Council did allow for the issue of standard quality to be lowered of Sulphur, down from 10 milligrams per kg to 50 milligrams per kg, we still have shortages of fuel in most of our petrol stations. What is going on, and how can that issue of shortage in petrol and diesel be addressed?

I thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I have heard the Cabinet Secretary talking about many other counties like Samburu, Bomet, Kisumu, but not Trans Nzoia, where we do not even talk about the outages, but places where there are no transformers at all. I would like to ask the Cabinet Secretary what plans he has with Trans Nzoia. I want him to consider Trans Nzoia as a matter of urgency in terms of the plans that he has.

Thank you.

I have seen Sen. Wakoli’s hand up. I have not allowed you to speak. I just wanted to take note of the fact that I am aware you have made a request. Similarly, Sen. Mariam, I indicated that I am giving five minutes extra time. If you can ask within 30 seconds, I will allow you. If you go beyond, I will stop you.

So, I will start with Sen. Mariam.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for your generous understanding. My question is about the power outages in Mandera County. When the President---

Well, I was very intentional. That is why I wanted you to ask the question. We do not need stories anymore. Allow her another moment so that she can ask the question.

Proceed, Senator.

When the President came on 18th of last year, there are some generators that came to Mandera and those generators' status is unquestionable. Up to now, Mandera is in blackout. So, CS, what is the way forward so that Mandera County has electricity?

Thank you. You see, you have managed. You still even got seven seconds.

Sen. Wakoli, under 30 seconds.

Thank you. Mine is the bulk power plant at Nabuyole Falls that is in Webuye. What is the current status and when are we launching the project?

Thank you.

Thank you, Sen. Wakoli. Hon. CS, you may respond to those questions. We have got 11 minutes to release you from here, so you may know how to utilise that time.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will address the issue raised by Hon. Oketch. I am not going in any particular order.

On the matter of power outages, it is indeed true that Migori County and its environs' power demand is increasing by the day, especially in view of the expanding mining activities in Nyatike and the environs. We are clear in our minds as a Ministry that working closely with the leadership of Migori County, this can be addressed.

How? Honorable Speaker, we have already energised the Sondu-Homa Bay- Awendo transmission line with a modern substation at Masaba in Kuria West, which has brought tremendous relief. However, this relief will be felt more once the Narok-Bomet line is completed, as I mentioned earlier on.

So, in 12 months' time, we expect to see marked change in terms of power supply in Migori and its environs once the Narok-Bomet line is completed. But above all, Migori County is privileged to host the famous Gogo Hydropower Plant, which the Government under President William Ruto, has now undertaken to upgrade from the former 2 megawatts to some 8.6 megawatts. A project will be financed by the KfW, that is, the German finance, to the tune of more than Kshs5 billion. That project, again, once completed, will help us stabilize the grid in terms of power. Not to forget to mention the completion and energising of the Sondu-Ndhiwa transmission line, which has helped address the issue of power supply in Homa Bay and parts of Migori County. So, the Government is very conscious that Migori and its environs need to be supported, and we are doing exactly that.

Trans Nzoia County is not left out. Very soon, I will be visiting Trans Nzoia County. I will be contacting Sen. Chesang so that we can go together with the other MPs.

The Government has allocated some Kshs1.2 billion for electricity connectivity alone in Trans Nzoia County. This will help us connect some 12,000 households. By the time we get to December this year, you will see the number of households having really gone high on account of this intervention by the Government. We cannot divert funds earmarked for a particular county or region elsewhere.

I undertake after this to take the matter up with honourable Sen. Mandago to clearly understand where this could be coming from, and if there is any such attempt, rest assured that I will not allow it. All funds earmarked for specific regions must be used for projects in those regions.

With regard to Nabuyole Falls in Webuye, Bungoma County, we are currently undertaking a feasibility study, of course, under KenGen. This will be the first hydropower plant in what was then Western Province, if I am not wrong. We are very keen as a government to see to it that this project sees the light of day.

Again, the issue of power in Mandera, I know there are challenges in Mandera, and especially Mandera East Constituency. I am in constant engagement with my friend, the Honourable Hussein Weytan, the MP for Mandera East and the Governor of Mandera. We have taken some measures. I know there was a change in the contractor, the supplier of the generators. There was a change, and because of the change, there have been teething problems, which we are sure we shall be able to surmount in the fullness of time. Otherwise, we continue to engage closely with the leadership of Mandera. I will be inviting Sen. Mariam to also come along as we address these issues.

Let me conclude by dealing with the issue of fuel, as was raised by Honourable Sen. Oketch. From the outset, we have got adequate fuel supplies in the country. We have got adequate fuel supplies in the pipeline system; all the products, petrol, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel. This has been made possible in spite of the challenges that the world is going through, especially following the turmoil in the Middle East. This country has been lucky to survive that turmoil on account of the very robust government-to-government fuel importation system or framework. The government-to-government fuel importation framework is what has enabled this country to be where it is.

Otherwise, we would be talking of something different. Many countries, without mentioning even some neighbouring countries, have had serious challenges that you cannot believe. Having said so, the latest challenge that was experienced yesterday and part of today was occasioned by a technical and administrative hitch, which we have since resolved. That hitch curtailed the normal uptake of fuel by some of our oil marketing companies. It has since been resolved and normal supply is resuming today. I am sure by the end of today, when you go to the filling stations, you will be able to get a supply of all the products of petroleum.

We continue to monitor the happenings in the Middle East very, very closely. We continue to engage very closely with our international oil company suppliers, the IOCs, together with their local agents, that is, the oil marketing companies that work with them closely. We have no doubt, as a government, that even in the worst case scenario, this country will not suffer any fuel shortage. I just want to appeal to Kenyans to be patient and bear with us as we address some of these small hitches. I must thank all the

stakeholders, especially the oil marketing companies, for remaining cooperative and working very closely with us, to be able to navigate these very challenging times.

Thank you.

Honourable Cabinet Secretary, there is a question by Sen. Maanzo. He is already raising concerns that you have not been able to respond to it. Also, the last one by Sen. Mandago, as regards the poles which are normally erected along or in the middle of the roads when they are required to be paid for, for relocation. You have not answered those two.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Yes, it is about the one Sen. Maanzo talked about ---

His question was about repairs of transformers and the efficiency or the effort that the Kenya Power and Lighting ---

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Correct, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. As I have said earlier on, we endeavor as a Ministry, and of course, working closely with our relevant agencies, especially the Kenya Power, first and foremost to ensure that the quality of transformers which are procured are up to date and reliable.

Secondly, whenever there are cases of breakdown or malfunction of transformers, our appeal is that such cases be reported promptly. We are deploying specialised officers to respond in good time whenever such incidents are reported.

There was also the question of KPLC poles required to be relocated during road construction. These are issues that can be addressed on a case-by-case basis. As we continue to modernise and improve our infrastructure, working closely with relevant agencies, including road agencies such as KeNHA, KURA and the respective county governments, we can minimise future relocations. This will be achieved if, from the outset, poles are placed in the right locations.

Thank you.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, before I let you go, there are certain commitments you made before this House that I would like to remind you of. First, on 19th November, 2025, you made a commitment in response to a question by Sen. Mwenda Gataya, CBS, MP, regarding data on the level of electricity connectivity in each constituency in Tharaka Nithi County. That information is yet to be availed despite the commitment made when you appeared before the Chamber.

Secondly, on the same date, you equally committed to provide information to Sen. Boni Khalwale, CBS, MP, on the projects being implemented to enhance power reliability in the western region of Kenya. That commitment also remains outstanding.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, these two undertakings are yet to be honoured. As a House, we must enforce the commitments made whenever you appear before us. I kindly urge you to undertake, within the timelines set, to avail these two pending commitments.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Hon. Temporary Speaker, first, let me apologise, if there was some sort of inaction on my part. I have had extensive engagement with Sen. Khalwale since then in other fora, but let me undertake to provide those responses and statistics in the next two weeks.

Cabinet Secretary, I will not allow you two weeks. This was 19th November, 2025. We are in May, 2026. I do not want you to be interpreted as inefficient. I will give you one week.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: I am well guided, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Members, your officers know the channel this communication will be facilitated through. Sen. Boni, I will not allow you to intervene at this point. I expect that within the next one week, your responses and information will be made available. If they are not, then you know what steps to take. Equally, I know what steps to take.

Similarly, with respect to the matter raised by Hon. Mwenda Gataya, I will not allow you to intervene further. I have granted the Cabinet Secretary one week to respond.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I would like to appreciate your appearance before this House and your responses to the questions raised.

The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

: Hon. Temporary Speaker, what about the last question?

Sorry, I did not indicate that the last question was not taken because Sen. (Dr.) Murgor is not in the Chamber and did not nominate anyone to ask on his behalf. In light of the Cabinet Secretary’s responses already provided, the procedure is that we will transmit the response directly to the Hon. Member. Therefore, there is no need for the Cabinet Secretary to respond in the Chamber, since the information is already with us.

Other than that, there are no further questions to the Hon. Cabinet Secretary. You are now free to leave the Chamber.

Give the microphone to Sen. Eddy.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to express my concern. This is a very delicate matter, since I would never wish to be in the bad books of the Speaker by appearing to vary your decision in this House. However, in the interest of the House, once a Member has asked a question, it ought to become the property of the House. Some of these questions affect many of us variably. Indeed, you have seen that the questions asked affect you as well. There were queries touching on Bomet as well.

For that reason, I would have preferred that even if the Member is not present and the transmission has already been done, for the interest of the public, in the future, you could perhaps invoke Standing Order No.1 to allow the Cabinet Secretary to give an adequate response to the entire House and to the country. These questions are not just for the benefit of the individual Member, but for the best interest of the House and the nation. That is my humble plea to you.

I appreciate the concerns raised by Sen. Eddy. Unfortunately, the application of Standing Order No.1 is limited to circumstances where there is no express provision in the Standing Orders as to what action can be taken by the Chair.

In this case, the Standing Orders are clear; a Member must nominate someone to act on their behalf in their absence. The same principle applies to statements and even motions. Therefore, we must adhere strictly to the Standing Orders as they are.

Hon. Members, this is a House of records. If we fail to apply the Standing Orders as they stand today, it will set a precedent that undermines the integrity of our procedures. This is indeed a concern that we should consider how best to deal with. For purposes of additional inquiry, Members may look at the response provided by the Hon. Cabinet Secretary so that supplementary inquiries can be made.

Hon. Members, with that, I believe we can now move to the next question. The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry is here. We can usher him into the Chamber.

Hon. Senators, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry is here.

Bw. Waziri, karibu to the Senate. We will go straight to the Question by Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda.

Question No.024

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will proceed to ask the Question as follows-

Cabinet Secretary, you are welcome.

The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry

: Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let me begin by expressing my gratitude to you and hon. Senators for the opportunity extended to the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry concerning the national Government support towards sustainable markets management in the counties.

In line with the letter dated 24th March, 2026, Reference No. SEN/4A/COR/17, allow me to proceed and make submissions in respect to the above issues raised by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

To begin with part (a) , the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry provides technical and institutional support to county governments to strengthen sustainable markets management and ensure uninterrupted operations in key market. Our key forms of support include-

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Prof. Tom Ojienda, do you have a supplementary question?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have one supplementary question that arises from part (a) of the question that I asked this year. CS, at response No.4, you state that the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) so far, five out of 17 have been completed. That rounds off to 29 per cent completion rate. Waziri, please, explain to us the current status of the other 12 CAIPs that the national Government partnered with the county governments to fund.

You have also stated that CAIPs are meant to provide facilities for aggregation of processing and marketing agricultural produce. Then, you referred to your county, Nakuru, as manufacturers of carrots. Waziri, I think carrots are grown.

Thank you.

Cabinet Secretary, you can respond to Sen. Ojienda’s supplementary question.

The Cabinet Secretary for Trade Investments, Trade and Industry

: Thank you, Professor.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think the point is that five of the 17 are ready for commissioning; we will share the dates. Some of them include Meru and Kirinyaga. I think they are a good case study of how the Government can align with the market and provide a solution. It does not mean the others are not complete, they are at various stages of completion.

Just for information, the CAIPs were a joint effort between the national Government and the county governments. The Government has provided 100 per cent of all the funds for the 17; the counties are to provide the balance. A similar question has been asked before the Senate. We will be able to provide a detailed answer on this issue regarding where each particular CAIP is, what the Government has disbursed and maybe the way forward. The lessons that we have learned over time will also be very important moving forward.

With respect to the carrots; I did mention that the CAIPs stands for County Aggregation and Industrial Parks. Aggregation simply means bringing the different farmers and produce together and for packaging. I think we need to review our understanding of manufacturing. Really, at the CAIPs level, what you are looking at is value addition such as packaging, sorting and all that. As we said, in a county that produces say, avocado or macadamia; one farmer will produce half a tonne, while another produces a quarter a tonne. We need a centre where they can all bring their produce for grading and packaging. This now makes it easy even for buyers to know where they can go to get for example 20 tonnes, whether it is Kirinyaga or Embu counties. The idea is to create mini or cottage industries.

Just for your information, we are also introducing cold rooms. For example, in a county such as Migori and many others that are in the fish space, that is perishable, we know that whenever fishermen catch their fish, they are desperate because there is nowhere to store their fish. Through these CAIPs, we will be able to manage the markets because you can have your produce for a week before the market regulates itself.

In areas such as Meru where we do other commodities such as vegetables, we have a fully functional cold room which can be run by a cooperative. Instead of you throwing your produce to the market when the prices are not favorable, you can go store it for a week or a month and then bring it later. Indeed, it may not be the hardcore manufacturing that we have, but in a way, it is part of the agro-processing that is necessary to help our farmers add value.

We have found that with very minimal processing, you are able to double or even sometimes triple the value. I think this is really where we are going. Also to encourage, instead of selling the potato, maybe you can do crisps; instead of selling just carrots, you can package them in long life form where they can stay for a month and so on. This is a conversation we want to have with our cooperatives, our farmers and our business people because the opportunity is with us here.

Thank you.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I take this opportunity to thank you for schooling Professor Senior Counsel Ojienda on the meaning of aggregation.

Sen. Boni Khalwale, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to congratulate the Cabinet Secretary. Not many members in this House know that he was my colleague in Parliament from 2002 to 2013. Yes, now they know, especially junior people such as Sen. Kinyua.

Before I raise my question, I draw the attention of the Cabinet Secretary to the provision of the Constitution of Kenya, the Fourth Schedule, that divides functions between the national and the county governments. In the Fourth Schedule, the function of markets falls squarely with county governments. In Article 187 (2) , the Constitution goes further and tells you that-

“ (2) If a function or power is transferred from a government at one level to a government at the other level—

Sen. Khalwale, you are only allowed one supplementary question.

Yes, it is the same question---

But in a different format?

It is the same question---

That question has been well understood.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale: That was (a) of that question, now I am going to (b) .

Most obliged, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

That was (a) of that question, now I am going to (b) .

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will straight away go to the Cabinet Secretary. He has mentioned a number of areas that concern me in Migori County, which I will condense into the issue of market access, particularly on two commodities that you have mentioned maybe by passing, not specifically going to how they are currently manifesting in Migori County.

Bwana Waziri, the first commodity that I would like clarity on is how your Government is supporting market access on the issue of cottage industries on potatoes

Thank you, Senator. Sen. Eddy Oketch, proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I will straight away go to the Cabinet Secretary. He has mentioned a number of areas that concern me in Migori County, which I will condense into the issue of market access, particularly on two commodities that you have mentioned maybe by passing, not specifically going to how they are currently manifesting in Migori County.

Bwana Waziri, the first commodity that I would like clarity on is how your Government is supporting market access on the issue of cottage industries on potatoes

Thank you, Mr. Temporary, Speaker, Sir. First, I thank the Cabinet Secretary. There are 13 county projects that have been flagged out under the CAIPs and Mandera County is among them. As the Cabinet Secretary alluded, the status of most of these projects is not known. As a House, we ask that he report the status of all the listed projects.

My question is this: Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that most of the completed CAIPs projects are not in use? This is due to lack of essential services such water and electricity and poor accessibility to markets. So, what is the way forward and measures to ensure these completed markets are put to use?

The Temporary Speaker

: Thank you, Sen. Mariam. You realise that the county governments also have a role to play, but we will allow the Cabinet Secretary to reply.

Proceed, Sen. Syengo.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. In the response to the primary question, the Cabinet Secretary mentioned that the Ministry helps county SMEs by linking to domestic and international markets. Can the Cabinet Secretary give examples of counties and SMEs that they have linked to international markets and the success rate of this initiative?

As he responds to that, in Kitui County, we produce a lot of ndengu. I would like to know the strategy the Ministry is using for value addition and marketing of ndengu from Kitui and other ndengu growing counties.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary, Speaker, Sir. First, I thank the Cabinet Secretary. There are 13 county projects that have been flagged out under the CAIPs and Mandera County is among them. As the Cabinet Secretary alluded, the status of most of these projects is not known. As a House, we ask that he report the status of all the listed projects. My question is this: Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that most of the completed CAIPs projects are not in use? This is due to lack of essential services such water and electricity and poor accessibility to markets. So, what is the way forward and measures to ensure these completed markets are put to use? The Temporary Speaker (

Thank you, Sen. Mariam. You realise that the county governments also have a role to play, but we will allow the Cabinet Secretary to reply. Proceed, Sen. Syengo.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. In the response to the primary question, the Cabinet Secretary mentioned that the Ministry helps county SMEs by linking to domestic and international markets. Can the Cabinet Secretary give examples of counties and SMEs that they have linked to international markets and the success rate of this initiative?

As he responds to that, in Kitui County, we produce a lot of ndengu. I would like to know the strategy the Ministry is using for value addition and marketing of ndengu from Kitui and other ndengu growing counties.

My point of intervention is on a statement by the Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Cabinet Secretary, please clarify how potatoes can be used to make tomato paste.

specialised markets, including big international franchises such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

What we need, first, is to help our farmers grow the right varieties. Secondly, connect them through contract farming to these big international companies. In the past, potatoes and oranges were imported. We are now working to identify which varieties need to be grown and how to connect farmers to markets.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in my conversations with manufacturers in the potato sector, we are still importing potato paste from Egypt. It is required as a critical ingredient in making tomato paste. So, we are now working to identify the particular tomato that can be grown in some of our regions, link it to the farmers; to manufacturers and work together.

In the case of Migori, we are also encouraging business people to recognise the potential in our counties. Migori is an extremely rich county with gold, food and access to neighbouring countries. The main drive is to ensure that capital found in big cities is also channelled there. Through that, we have organised several business forums. These include one we held in Nyanza in 2023 that brought together five counties. We would be glad to hold one specific for Migori.

On artisanal miners, Mr. Temporary Speaker---

Just a moment, Cabinet Secretary. What is your point of intervention?

My point of intervention is on a statement by the Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Cabinet Secretary, please clarify how potatoes can be used to make tomato paste.

Sen. Ojienda, I can reply to that. You were not paying attention.

We are dealing with counterfeits. Is the Cabinet Secretary saying that Kenyans are using potatoes as tomatoes?

No, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are following what the Cabinet Secretary is saying, but as we do so, I am sure the good professor is busy on his phone getting instructions you know from who. So, please allow us to listen to the Cabinet Secretary.

Thank you. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, I agree with Sen. Kinyua. You did not listen to what the Cabinet Secretary was saying. Can I answer for the Cabinet Secretary? What he said was very clear. He said that potato paste is a requirement in making tomato paste. So, we are importing tomato paste from Egypt.

So, are we selling tomato paste?

It is a base ingredient. Thank you, Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, we will school you after the Senate session.

Cabinet Secretary, please proceed. The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (Hon. Lee Kinyanjui): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to say this for the benefit of my good professor. We were trying to say that there are gaps in the market and our role is to connect those market gaps and tell our farmers. If it is potatoes, we get the right potatoes that the industry is asking for and we do the same for tomatoes.

Some countries such as Thailand and others do not eat cassava. They use those products as a base in pharmaceuticals. That is where we want to take our potatoes and all the other products. In short, we want to bring value addition, so that we can move forward.

Lastly, allow me to respond to the question by the Hon. Member on Migori West. He asked a specific question on refinery for our miners. One of the biggest challenge we continue to face in Africa and Kenya in particular is that we have not developed the necessary infrastructure to do the testing and refining. We, therefore, end up selling our minerals to the big markets and fetch 30 or 40 per cent of their true value.

Kenya is trying to position itself as the refining hub for the region; the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and all the others. If you listened to the speech by our President in Tanzania, you will realise that these are some of the conversations that we want to entrench. There will be huge opportunity given the gold reserves that we have found and the rare minerals that have been identified in Kenya. Towards this front, we are working together with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. We intend to use our technology, people and necessary finance.

Kenya recently joined the prestigious group of countries that are recognised in mining. We now need to move from the artisanal mining category to professional and large-scale mining. This is going to be a game-changer.

Lastly, there was a question on the status of markets as being unknown. Our markets are not unknown. I only said that a specific question on the status of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) has already been presented to us from the Senate. We are waiting for the right date to present it together with all the evidence required. Together, we will fill the gaps.

More importantly, we are learning a lot from these CAIPs. We have learnt that we need to align our CAIPs to reflect livestock as a key value chain in pastoralist counties. We also have to do the same for areas that are largely agricultural. We, therefore, cannot have one design for all of them. These are lessons and we cannot claim to be perfect in all these.

That we have certain markets and other government projects that have been built, but are not yet complete, therefore the Hon. Member was asking what we can do. I think this is where we were talking about working together with the counties because more often than not when we decide to build a market, we just look at the structure. We do not look at the sanitation. We do not look at the roads accessing there. We do not look at how far it is from the main road because markets are also about convenience. It is for that reason sometimes when you geographically misplace a market, people will leave that

Potatoes for tomatoes?

No, potato paste.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. My observation is this, I think from where you sit, you have an aerial view of what is happening in the whole country, but then you can map out. This is because in many of our counties, we have become a jack- of-all-trades, but master of none. Would you, from where you sit, because you can quickly see, you have data plus monitoring, you say which county is best for what.

Like, for example, Laikipia, we are best in beef production. Would we then have a situation like that where you classify these counties? Like, for example, you go to Cuba. Cuba is known, and they know they are not producing anything, but they know their cash crop is exporting doctors. As in our country, you as a Cabinet Secretary, because you have an aerial view, what would you recommend?

In your answering part (c) , you have indicated you are collaborating with the Department of Housing. Can you confirm that our housing levy fund is the money that is used to construct the markets? Thank you.

grand market and go to trade outside because the geography is not aligned. Those are the issues or lessons that we have learnt. What we have encouraged our county governments and the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development is that we do a feasibility study before any market is placed to reduce chances of misalignment.

Also, there was a question from Hon. Syengo on specific examples of cooperatives or saccos that you have been able to connect across. We have Gatanga Tea Factory which has been visited by major tea buyers, Grammy Tea and Herbal Association from France and they are producers of the orthodox tea.

One of the things I would want to mention specifically about this orthodox tea is that Kenya is also positioning itself not just to do the traditional teas, but the high value teas and also to change the use of tea from merely being a beverage to also being a fine dining item. To this effect, we will be launching some of these products during the French Africa Summit that will be held in Kenya from next week. I believe some of these issues will be also be put across.

We also have Vivo Activewear, which is now expanding apparel to the USA and this has been facilitated through Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA). I was specifically answering the question of providing examples. Allow me to inform the Hon. Member that in the general area of Machakos, Makueni and those regions, the mango pulp that comes from that region has been found to be very good. In fact, it has no comparison within the larger East and Central Africa.

Talking with the major manufacturers and processors, we would want to have this region producing the mango pulp for Coca-Cola and others. Therefore, our work is to try and see how we can work with the counties, increase production, have the right varieties and build linkages that can provide support to our farmers. I submit.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We will take the second set of questions. Sen. Kinyua, please proceed.

single feasibility study. I have tried to get one from the CAIPs in Busia, in Nasewa. I have not seen a single feasibility study. I have tried to get one for Busia, the CAIPs in Busia, in Nasewa. There is no feasibility study. There is an industrial park there, I have tried to get a feasibility study for the industrial park, there is none. I have tried to get a spatial plan, there is none. I would have wanted to see a feasibility study whereby I am able to gauge the viability of the project before public money is invested in.

It is very good to talk about aggregation parks and talk about this, to talk about all those things I have spoken about, but where there is no scientific study showing me that one plus one equals to three, as Professor says. One plus one equals to two. I find it difficult to follow your presentation because you have reduced this thing to a very academic exercise. When I go to Busia CAIPs, I have been there, what hits me is that what is this thing going to do? How is it, where is the ecosystem within which this CAIPs is going to work? I visited the CAIPs in Ethiopia and they had very clear thematic areas, they were not one-size-fits-all, they were integrating regions in a very clear thematically organised park. When you looked at it, you would see that driving industrialisation, they have got incentives, such as in taxation. They also have incentives even in power provision to these positions.

So, I do not know---

Sen. Omtatah, please, put your question forward.

Yes, I am coming there.

single feasibility study. I have tried to get one from the CAIPs in Busia, in Nasewa. I have not seen a single feasibility study. I have tried to get one for Busia, the CAIPs in Busia, in Nasewa. There is no feasibility study. There is an industrial park there, I have tried to get a feasibility study for the industrial park, there is none. I have tried to get a spatial plan, there is none. I would have wanted to see a feasibility study whereby I am able to gauge the viability of the project before public money is invested in.

It is very good to talk about aggregation parks and talk about this, to talk about all those things I have spoken about, but where there is no scientific study showing me that one plus one equals to three, as Professor says. One plus one equals to two. I find it difficult to follow your presentation because you have reduced this thing to a very academic exercise. When I go to Busia CAIPs, I have been there, what hits me is that what is this thing going to do? How is it, where is the ecosystem within which this CAIPs is going to work? I visited the CAIPs in Ethiopia and they had very clear thematic areas, they were not one-size-fits-all, they were integrating regions in a very clear thematically organised park. When you looked at it, you would see that driving industrialisation, they have got incentives, such as in taxation. They also have incentives even in power provision to these positions.

So, I do not know---

Sen. Omtatah, please, put your question forward.

Yes, I am coming there.

advisory services, where they train on standards to, especially the common mwananchi. Do we have a structure? This is because I have not seen anybody in Murang’a being trained on this.

Mr. CS, what are you doing to see to it that avocado farmers are assisted? They have a region of Murang’a, Kandara, Gatanga, Maragua and parts of Kiharu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is my question.

Thank you. Sen. Mandago.

Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. My supplementary question to the CS is on the issue of CAIPs. Allow me, Honourable Speaker, to just say this question would have been comprehensively answered if the CS had honoured the invitations and the summons of the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation. I also wish to inform him that we are fining him Kshs500,000, which he should pay.

Consequently, we are summoning him to appear in the next session. This is because there are statements that have been pending since 2023, 2024 and 2025, to which the Ministry has not responded. These statements touch on the issue of County Aggregated Industrial Parks (CAIPs) . Generally, the rate of completion of these projects is worrying. For example, when my committee visited Kilifi County, they found contractors merely slashing forests. In my own county, the project was procured above the recommended amount of Kshs500 million, at Kshs535 million. In Wajir County, it was procured at Kshs601 million, which is Kshs101 million above the recommended amount. There are therefore many issues my committee, on behalf of the House, would want to process, so that we can submit a comprehensive report.

My question to the Cabinet Secretary is this: while he may not be able to comprehensively respond today, could he at least tell us the status of the stalled project in Uasin Gishu? The national Government had already released all the funds, the contractor was paid, yet he has not been on site for a very long time. What is the Ministry doing about this?

advisory services, where they train on standards to, especially the common mwananchi. Do we have a structure? This is because I have not seen anybody in Murang’a being trained on this.

Mr. CS, what are you doing to see to it that avocado farmers are assisted? They have a region of Murang’a, Kandara, Gatanga, Maragua and parts of Kiharu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is my question.

Thank you. Sen. Mandago.

Thank you very much, Honourable Speaker. My supplementary question to the CS is on the issue of CAIPs. Allow me, Honourable Speaker, to just say this question would have been comprehensively answered if the CS had honoured the invitations and the summons of the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation. I also wish to inform him that we are fining him Kshs500,000, which he should pay.

Consequently, we are summoning him to appear in the next session. This is because there are statements that have been pending since 2023, 2024 and 2025, to which the Ministry has not responded. These statements touch on the issue of County Aggregated Industrial Parks (CAIPs) . Generally, the rate of completion of these projects is worrying. For example, when my committee visited Kilifi County, they found contractors merely slashing forests. In my own county, the project was procured above the recommended amount of Kshs500 million, at Kshs535 million. In Wajir County, it was procured at Kshs601 million, which is Kshs101 million above the recommended amount. There are therefore many issues my committee, on behalf of the House, would want to process, so that we can submit a comprehensive report.

My question to the Cabinet Secretary is this: while he may not be able to comprehensively respond today, could he at least tell us the status of the stalled project in Uasin Gishu? The national Government had already released all the funds, the contractor was paid, yet he has not been on site for a very long time. What is the Ministry doing about this?

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

Thank you, Senator. Whom are you informing, Sen. Kinyua?

Sen. Mandago, would you wish to be informed?

Yes, he is a good neighbour.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet Secretary has been informed that he has not been attending committee sessions despite being summoned. As we speak, he has already been fined. I seek your guidance to the House on whether we can require that before the Cabinet Secretary leaves, he pays his fine. Otherwise, we can look for Sen. Sifuna, Sen. Karungo Thang’wa and Sen. Eddy, who are very good in dealing with those matters.

Sen. Kinyua, that matter will be handled by the substantive Speaker when he comes to the House.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, please, proceed to respond. The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry

: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to respond to the further questions that have been raised, beginning with Hon. Omtatah. He asked whether feasibility studies were conducted, and if so, to present one for Busia and others.

I wish to confirm that there may not have been elaborate feasibility studies undertaken. However, what is important is this; during campaigns, we traverse the entire country and engage with communities. They tell us what they need. In this particular case, the President, during the run-up to the election, met hundreds of people, including mama mboga and other citizens. One of the constant requests was to be given dignity in their work, particularly in markets and through the CAIPs programme. That is itself a form of public participation and feasibility assessment, determining whether the community wants the project and whether it is needed. Therefore, when the President assumed office, we could not afford to spend another three years conducting feasibility studies.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry (Hon. Lee Kinyanju) : Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to inform

Sen. Boni Khalwale, ordinarily, points of order are not supposed to be raised when the Cabinet Secretary is responding. (Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale spoke off record) Go ahead, Sen. Boni.

There is no need of informing him.

What you said is not what the Cabinet Secretary said. You are out of order for raising a frivolous point of order.

Let me to stop you---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet Secretary did not campaign with President William Ruto. How was he there, yet at that time, he was campaigning with Raila Odinga? He is misleading the country.

Sen. Boni Khalwale, maybe we heard differently. The Cabinet Secretary did not in any way mention that he accompanied the President during those visits. He said that the President did.

Let me stop you there because you have no point of order.

agriculture, but just one particular variety because it takes a bit of infrastructure, planning, aggregation and extension officers to make sure that a particular commodity succeeds. Therefore, this is well in order.

Since driving of the economic agenda of a county is the responsibility of a governor, that is why we need to co-operate, so that when we say we want to have like five counties as key industrial centres, it does not mean that others are not important. They can do something else, including tourism and other issues. It is good to pick perhaps two or three that are more useful and run away with them. Some counties have done very well in logistics. We can support them to become the logistical hub for the entire East and Central Africa.

With respect to collaborating with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, yes, we are working with them, and although we are not the implementing Ministry in terms of markets for housing, we work together for information and citation of where the market will be built. We continue to deal with emerging issues as and when they come. We consider markets to be an extension of the housing agenda, because when you build a house, those people will require a place to go and buy their vegetables and a place to go and work. If you just put people in houses without providing the necessary social infrastructure, you are actually creating ghettos, which will be centres of crime.

So, it is necessary to provide associated services such as markets, social centres, nursery schools for the children, including a basketball or place where they can play some sports and a bit of a dispensary. That is what we call unintegrated living. Otherwise, we will have high crime that we cannot be able to control, and this is part of that program.

Hon. Nyutu mentioned about the markets in Murang’a, and some of them that may be empty. I would like to really encourage all of us that when you are making economic decisions, it may be necessary to remove a bit of politics. This is what I have in mind. So, you find that a market is to be built in a particular place, but the citation of that market sometimes ends up not necessarily being an economic decision. Leaders want it in this location, or where they come from. The point is, a market is defined as where the buyers, sellers and the commodities are. So, if you take the physical building outside those three parameters, then that would be a white elephant.

So, we need to work with what is already in existence. That is why you find like on your way to Nakuru, there is a place called Soko Mjinga. There was no physical market, but there are buyers, sellers and commodities. So, the Government is now just placing the infrastructure, so that they can get inside. So, we need to align to what the public wants in citation of that.

In regards to mangoes from the lower parts of Murang’a County, I would like to confirm that, indeed, that is true. As I said with respect to Ukambani, we would want to make Kenya a major producer of mango pulp. This is really where the governors can also help us, so that we create enough mango plantations. We have the right climatic weathers there. More significantly is the fact that we already have markets for mango pulp. I do not think Kenya can satisfy the global demand for mango pulp for the next even 20 years.

So, it is time for leaders to come together, get the right varieties and infrastructure. We also have a company that is coming to set up here in Kenya that will be buying most of the fruits for sale into the European market. It is one of the biggest market connections to some of our retail outlets there.

Lastly, from Sen. Nyutu, is on training of farmers. We do it, sometimes on requests specifically by a cooperative, the governor or Savings and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs), because each region has its own needs. So, we cannot say that we want to go and teach honey processing to a community that does not do that. It has to be tailor-made to meet the needs of the members.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the last one is from Sen. Mandago. I hear that I have been fined Kshs500,000. I will be launching a fundraising for this money, because I do not have it. However, the important part is that we were in Dar es Salaam, with the President, to open markets, including for the pulp and avocado. As you know, our traders---

Sen. Eddy, there are no interventions. What clarification are you seeking?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet Secretary will be leaving and I know the House might be rising soon. However, he has talked about a scientific issue that he tried to navigate very skillfully from Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Does that same navigation apply to the decision that the Ministry made recently on fuel? The Ministry made a decision to actually increase sulphur levels in our fuel from 10 milligrams per---

agriculture, but just one particular variety because it takes a bit of infrastructure, planning, aggregation and extension officers to make sure that a particular commodity succeeds. Therefore, this is well in order.

Since driving of the economic agenda of a county is the responsibility of a governor, that is why we need to co-operate, so that when we say we want to have like five counties as key industrial centres, it does not mean that others are not important. They can do something else, including tourism and other issues. It is good to pick perhaps two or three that are more useful and run away with them. Some counties have done very well in logistics. We can support them to become the logistical hub for the entire East and Central Africa.

With respect to collaborating with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, yes, we are working with them, and although we are not the implementing Ministry in terms of markets for housing, we work together for information and citation of where the market will be built. We continue to deal with emerging issues as and when they come. We consider markets to be an extension of the housing agenda, because when you build a house, those people will require a place to go and buy their vegetables and a place to go and work. If you just put people in houses without providing the necessary social infrastructure, you are actually creating ghettos, which will be centres of crime.

So, it is necessary to provide associated services such as markets, social centres, nursery schools for the children, including a basketball or place where they can play some sports and a bit of a dispensary. That is what we call unintegrated living. Otherwise, we will have high crime that we cannot be able to control, and this is part of that program.

Hon. Nyutu mentioned about the markets in Murang’a, and some of them that may be empty. I would like to really encourage all of us that when you are making economic decisions, it may be necessary to remove a bit of politics. This is what I have in mind. So, you find that a market is to be built in a particular place, but the citation of that market sometimes ends up not necessarily being an economic decision. Leaders want it in this location, or where they come from. The point is, a market is defined as where the buyers, sellers and the commodities are. So, if you take the physical building outside those three parameters, then that would be a white elephant.

So, we need to work with what is already in existence. That is why you find like on your way to Nakuru, there is a place called Soko Mjinga. There was no physical market, but there are buyers, sellers and commodities. So, the Government is now just placing the infrastructure, so that they can get inside. So, we need to align to what the public wants in citation of that.

In regards to mangoes from the lower parts of Murang’a County, I would like to confirm that, indeed, that is true. As I said with respect to Ukambani, we would want to make Kenya a major producer of mango pulp. This is really where the governors can also help us, so that we create enough mango plantations. We have the right climatic weathers there. More significantly is the fact that we already have markets for mango pulp. I do not think Kenya can satisfy the global demand for mango pulp for the next even 20 years.

It is, but you have raised it a bit late. We are already out of time, Eddy.

If you do not mind, could he just give us---

He does not have time even to respond.

Could he give us the impact assessment, perhaps not now, he can commit to you whether he had done an impact assessment on the damages this might have in the economy in terms of pollution and damages on our vehicles, so that we just know that these standards will not have impact in the country.

Very well, Senator. We have understood you.

Cabinet Secretary, maybe you can just make a commitment that you will respond in writing.

The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry

: Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was just responding to Hon. Mandago that our inability to attend yesterday's session is because we were part of the Presidential delegation. We had already written a letter to that effect.

It is, but you have raised it a bit late. We are already out of time, Eddy.

If you do not mind, could he just give us---

He does not have time even to respond.

Could he give us the impact assessment, perhaps not now, he can commit to you whether he had done an impact assessment on the damages this might have in the economy in terms of pollution and damages on our vehicles, so that we just know that these standards will not have impact in the country.

Hon. Senators, it is now 1.03 p.m. Having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No.34 (2) (a) , the Senate stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 6th May, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 1.03 p.m.

Tanzania is a key trading partner with Kenya. As you know, we have had many trading issues with Kenyans having challenges there. So, it was not possible for us not to attend and a letter to that effect had already been sent.

Lastly, on the Uasin Gishu stalled CAIP, I want to assure the hon. Member that a substantive question has already been asked. I will be able to present it as early as next week, as soon as you give me the right timing.

Cabinet Secretary, I will give you one minute to conclude because we have to rise.

The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry

: Thank you. We will be able to provide both the evidence, pictorial and otherwise. Also, to confirm that working with the EACC, we will also be doing an audit for all the CAIPs to ensure that there is good use of public resources.

With respect to the last question asked by the hon. Member, I wish to say that the standard fuel that you are talking of was the fuel you were consuming for the last 10 years until August last year. I do not know how many vehicles went bad. So, we had just raised the standards for our Sulphur from 50. We lowered to 10, in August last year. So, we have been consuming the level we have now reverted to ever since, until August last year. So, there is nothing new we have brought. It is just that the sourcing of petroleum products across the world is a major challenge.

Also worth noting, is that refineries across the Middle East have been thoroughly damaged. So, this is not a problem that is going to be there just now, but in the foreseeable maybe one or two years, where our sourcing options have been thoroughly compromised. Between having perfect quality and availability, we chose to have availability.

I want to assure you that most of the countries within the sub-Saharan Africa are using the level we are talking about and we have not had any reported challenges. We just wanted to be a frontrunner in the area of environmental protection.

I submit.

Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary.

Hon. Senators, it is now 1.03 p.m. Having concluded the business for which I extended the hours of sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No.34 (2) (a) , the Senate stands adjourned until later today, Wednesday, 6th May, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 1.03 p.m.