Senate Hansard: Wednesday, 7th October, 2026 - Morning Sitting

Clerk, kindly confirm whether we have a quorum. (The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Deputy Speaker) Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. (The Quorum Bell was rung)

Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for a further 10 minutes. (Quorum Bell was rung) We have quorum now. You can read out the orders.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Question is addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho.

Hon. Senators, we have so many questions this morning, especially to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. Therefore, I guide that we will be spending not more than 20 minutes per Question. Be guided appropriately.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, can you respond now to Question No.010?

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to thank this House for the opportunity to report on the blue economy and fisheries programmes the National Government has undertaken in Kisumu County since 2022 and to respond to Question No.010 by the distinguished Senator for Kisumu County, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

In line with our mission, the Ministry, through the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, has formulated and implemented several programmes and projects that have been rolled out nationally, with the objective of ensuring food and nutrition security, income and wealth generation for socio-economic development of the country.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the status of the blue economy programmes undertaken by the National Government in Kisumu County since 2022, I wish to report on four key projects that the Ministry is implementing in the county.

Very well. Sen.(Prof.) Ojienda, now is the opportunity to ask your two supplementary questions, if you have them.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have a supplementary question. The Cabinet Secretary has addressed the question of timelines and budgetary allocations. I want him, if he could, to confirm, one, when Asat and Ogal Fishing Landing Sites will be completed.

Two, I would also want him to confirm when the Kabonyo Kanyagwal Fisheries Project will be complete, given that he has pointed to ongoing works at that fishery site.

The Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries visited Kabonyo Kanyagwal projects. At that time, it was about 20 per cent complete. I want to know the progress and when this project will be completed because it is important to the people of Kisumu County.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, answer those two then I will pick a few others for your attention.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards to Asat and Ogal, currently, they are standing at 45 per cent. Expected time of completion should be March, 2027. For Kabonyo, we are currently at 47 per cent and the expected date of completion is April,

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, that is okay. Let us get a few others and your team can record them. I will pick five, you answer them, then we can take another round if time allows.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, by way of background, Article 96 of the Constitution gives the mandate to this Senate to represent counties and serve to protect their interests and their governments. If you go to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, fisheries is a devolved function.

We were with you in Kilifi and we had the opportunity to visit the Kilifi Central fish landing facility there. We were hoping that the Cabinet Secretary would be present in the Senate the week following our return. However, we saw that he was in the United States of America (USA). So, I had a lot of questions for him. I pose these questions

Asante sana, Bw. Naibu Spika. Waziri, kwanza, ninataka kukushukuru kwa kazi ambayo unafanya katika Wizara ya Uchumi Samawati. Swali langu ni kuhusu beach landing sites. Alivyosema Mheshimiwa mwenzangu, tulitembelea Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site. Swali niliuliza pale sawasawa na ile fish landing site ya Kipini Tana River, ni kwamba usimamizi wa fish landing sites kwenda mbele utakuwa namna gani?

Hii ni kwa sababu kuna changamoto ya ulipaji wa pesa za stima. Beach managments units wakipewa usimamizi, hizi pesa za kulipia barafu zinatosha? Na kama hazitoshi, ni mpango gani ambao Wizara inayo ili hizi projects zisianguke? Ilikuwa zisaidie wavuvi lakini inaonekana ikiwa hakutakuwa na mpango kabambe wa kulipa stima, hizi projects zitaanguka.

Je, mpango ni upi?

Senators, nimeona mnazunguka mbali kuuliza swali. Maswali yaje moja kwa moja ili tuokoe muda.

Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii. Waziri, Senate Mashinani ilikuwa Kilifi. Serikali imeinvest pesa nyingi kwa uvuvi Kilifi. Lakini, wakati hizi projects zinaendelea, kumekuwa na vita ya barabara. Kuna watu watatu wanasema kwamba pahali kuna barabara ni eneo lao. Utafanya nini ili mradi ukiisha, hao watu wasifunge hiyo barabara?

Pia, tulikuwa Rusinga Island na kuna vita kati ya investors and county governments kuhusu uvuvi wa samaki. Hizi vita ni nyingi na hatujui utazimaliza namna gani.

Mwisho, tulienda pahali pengine ambapo kuna shida ya mambo ya uvuvi wa samaki kwa sababu ya deni ya stima. Utafanya nini ili pesa za Serikali zisifanye kazi kwa njia isiyofaa?

Maswali ya leo kwa Waziri yalikuwa ya Kisumu. Lakini ninaruhusu tutembee Kilifi kwa sababu tulikungoja sana kule. Ulikuwa na maswali ya kujibu kuhusu mambo ya Kilifi tukiwa Seneti Mashinani. Kamati ya Kilimo, Ufugaji na Uvuvi ilitembea sana pale Kilifi. Hii ndio sababu leo, ninaruhusu waulize maswali kuhusu Kilifi.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Cabinet Secretary, congratulations on becoming a Cabinet Secretary. We have not met from the time you were appointed and you are my good friend.

As you know, fishpond farming is a fast-growing agribusiness in Kenya. In fact, the entire western depends on this farming to have access to Nile tilapia and the African catfish. I know you know that Kakamega, my county, is the highest producer of fishpond farming in Kenya.

I would like you to confirm how you intend to help farmers in Kakamega County and western region in general, involved in fishpond farming to access cooling facilities.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Yes, Hon. Cabinet Secretary, answer those as we prepare for another set.

Members, remember we only had 20 minutes, which we have already surpassed. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

First of all, I do not know whether I should start with Sen. Khalwale’s question going upwards, but let me confirm---

Use any format. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): First of all, let me confirm what Sen. Khalwale said. It is indeed true that Kakamega County is almost the leading county in supplying fish, particularly, in the Nairobi market. This is as a result of the interventions we have put in place. As a Government, first of all, we have provided grants under Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) to the fish farmers in Kakamega County and also gone ahead to partner with the county to provide cooling systems and freezer facilities to the smaller fisherfolk.

The point to note is that Kakamega County is one of the leading processing centres of tilapia that gets into the national market. Therefore, our interventions will continue to grow. We are now in discussions for Phase Two of Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED), where we will produce more resources to the grassroots, so that we enhance and create more opportunities for the communities around Kakamega and beyond. Sen. Khalwale, Kakamega County is doing a good job.

For Sen. Mbugua, for the entire ecosystem, we have diversified means, equipped and empowered fisherfolk because of the dwindling numbers of catches witnessed around the Lake Victoria. Hence, the introduction of the caged farming, where the national Government has not only produced and supported the fisherfolk, the communities or the Beach Management Unit (BMU), but also provided cages, fingerlings and enough feeds for the fast harvest. That means the Government has provided 33,000 fingerlings per cage, feeds to feed the 33,000 fingerlings for a period of about seven months and processing support. There is always constant review on what needs to be done to support the ecosystem and safeguard the interest of the fisherfolk.

Very well. I want us to go to the next Question because it is also related to marine and fisheries. On this particular one, the questions are not really related to the landing sites in Kisumu. So, let us ask the second question together with the supplementary questions.

Sen. Mohamed Faki, you have express authority to represent the Minority Leader, go ahead and ask his Question 007.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First of all, I take this opportunity to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to the Senate. On behalf of Sen. Madzayo, the Senate Minority Leader, I wish to ask Question No. 077.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, proceed. I can see the response is a bit lengthy, so, if possible, please summarise it to save time. We have the response already, so Members will follow your explanation.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank this House for the opportunity to report on the Blue Economy and Fisheries Programme since 2022, with a specific focus on Kilifi County. The Ministry has rolled out national programmes that advance food and nutrition security, income generation and wealth creation, while ensuring equity and inclusion under Article 10(2)(b) of the Constitution.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to give a summary of the responses to the four items that constituted Question No.077 by the Senator representing the good people of Kilifi County, Sen. Stewart Madzayo.

On equitable distribution of blue economy investments in Kilifi and other lake and coastal counties, the Ministry is implementing four strategic interventions.

I think you are the first Cabinet Secretary to include “Sir.” I also appreciate your response.

Senator, were you sent with some supplementary questions?

I have supplementary questions and my own questions.

Okay.

No, I am just an agent.

You will first ask the two supplementary questions, then we will come to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Kwanza, ningependa kumpongeza Waziri kwa ufasaha wa majibu kwa maswala ambayo tulikuwa tumeuliza. Ni ukweli Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site iko karibu kukamilika. Tulipoizuru wiki iliyopita, tuliona ya kwamba kuna changamoto ya barabara ambayo Seneta wa Embu ameizungumzia. Ninasikia kwamba barabara ambayo ilikuwa inatumika zamani na feri ilichukuliwa na bwenyenye au mwekezaji wa kibinafsi. Wavuvi walilalamika ya kwamba huenda hiyo barabara ikafungwa siku za usoni kwa sababu huyo mwekezaji ame-grab hilo eneo.

Nimezuru pia Fish Landing Site ya Kidongo katika Kaunti ya Mombasa. Hiyo landing site imejengwa kwa ufadhili ya Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-economic Development Project (KEMFSED) na serikali ya jumuishi, Broad-Based Government. Changamoto ya wale wavuvi ni kwamba uvuvi wao ni wa msimu, kwa mfano kusi na kaskazi. Sasa hivi, tumeingia msimu wa kaskazi ambapo watavua mpaka majira ya mwezi wa nne ama wa tano. Baada ya hapo, hao wavuvi hupata shida ya kupata mapato-- -

Sen. Faki, hebu fafanua kile ambacho umesema. Ninaona Sen. Cherarkey amepotea. Umesema kusi na kaskazi. Sen. Cherarkey haelewi kile ambacho unamaanisha.

Kusi na kaskazi ni msimu wa baharini. Wakati wa kusi, kuna upepo mkali baharini na wavuvi hawawezi kwenda kuvua samaki na kupata mapato. Kwa hivyo, ningependa kujua mikakati ambayo Waziri anafanya kuhakikisha ya kwamba

Sawa, tuendelee Waziri. The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Hassan Ali Joho): Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika. Swali la Sen. Faki ni nzuri sana. Ningependa kusema tathmini ya hali halisi ilivyo saa hii. Serikali jumuishi iko na mpango kabambe kuboresha hali ya uvuvi katika maeneo ambayo yako na nafasi ya uvuvi.

Kwa mara ya kwanza katika taifa hili, tumeona bandari ya kisasa Shimoni na Liwatoni. Bandari hizo zitapeana uwezo mkubwa wa kuzuia na kutengeneza samaki hususan post-harvest losses ambayo imekuwa janga kubwa kwa watu wa jimbo la Pwani na maeneo ya uvuvi kwa ujumla.

Government imediversify namna ya ushikaji wa samaki. Hii ndio maana tumewekeza Shilingi bilioni 1.4 katika taasisi ya utafiti na utengenezaji wa fingerlings katika maeneo ya Kwale. Kwa mara ya kwanza, hii taasisi imetengeneza fingerlings ya tilapia ya bahari, marine tilapia, ambayo tumeanza kupea wafuga samaki katika maeneo ya Pwani. Vile vile, tuko pia na fingerlings za shrimps ama Kamba. Hayo yamefanywa kujibu swali ambalo Sen. Faki ameuliza kuhusu mambo ya msimu ya kusi na kaskazi. Msimu imetubidi tuwekeze ili tu-diversify means ya kukuza na ku-sustain namna ya kupata samaki na bidhaa za bahari katika hayo maeneo.

Hakuna mradi ambao tumefanya kama Serikali ya kitaifa bila kuhusisha serikali za kaunti. Yale yote tunafanya ni kwa mashauriano na serikali za kaunti, taasisi husika na Beach Management Units (BMUs) husika katika mashinani. Landing sites are designed on the basis of the requirement of the BMU yenye inaitaka na support ya county government.

Nimefurahi ya kwamba mlienda Kilifi kwa sababu nitaomba mnisaidie kupata ufadhili zaidi, haswa katika mambo ya bajeti kwa sababu hii inabadilisha maisha ya watu wa Kenya katika kiasi kikubwa. Utakuta mtu mwenye msemo mkubwa pale ni mwenyekiti wa BMU ambaye anaitwa Captain Chalo. Yeye huzungumza na kuweka mpango. Sisi humshauri kila siku ili tuwezeshe madhumuni ya mirado hayo. Mimi nimefurahi kwa sababu watu wa maeneo ya ziwa na pwani wamekuwa wakibaki nyuma kwa miaka nyingi. Hawajakuwa wakipata miradi lakini sahizi kwa mara ya kwanza, tumeona specific focus ya kubadilisha maisha ya watu wetu ili kuboresha maisha yao.

Tumeendelea kupea wavuvi vifaa under KEMFSED, but in the second phase, tutapeana vifaa vikubwa zaidi ili wavuvi waweze kwenda bahari kuu kwa muda mrefu

Sen. Faki, you had a supplementary question.

Mheshimiwa Naibu Spika, kule Pwani kuna mradi wa bwawa la Mwache. Huo Mto Mwache unaingia Bahari ya Hindi kupitia maeneo ya Port Reitz. Samaki mara nyingi huwa wanakwenda kuzaa katika mkondo wa bahari. Kwa hivyo, mkondo wa Bahari ya Mwache, iwapo bwawa litakamilika na lianze kukusanya maji, litaathiri pakubwa uzalishaji wa samaki unaofanyika katika mkondo huo wa Port Reitz mpaka kule ndani Mwache.

Je, Wizara imefanya mikakati gani kuhakikisha kwamba wavuvi ambao wataathirika na mradi huu watalipwa ridhaa kwa kukosa samaki wa kuvua katika maeneo yale?

Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I thank the CS and the Broad- based Government for doing great in the blue economy sector. My question is on mining.

Sen. Kisang, can we conclude on the blue economy and fisheries questions and then we can come back to that, if time will allow?

Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am about to step out.

I do not want to open up mining while we are on blue economy and fisheries. If you do not have such a question, maybe on even why there is no fish farming in Elgeyo Marakwet, as what is happening in Kakamega---

We have a lot of fish farming. Maybe I can ask him privately or visit his office on Flourspar, which is a burning issue in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

As he is doing a great job around the lake and the fish ponds, I hope he also has a glance on Elgeyo Marakwet. This is because we have two rivers, Aror and River Kerio, where we do small scale fishing. As you also take care of the big boys, it is also good to take care of the small ones in terms of support.

That is also where I lie in these small boys, because in the Mountain, we have very good rivers which can be fed with nice fingerlings to come up with the best fish, which need cold water.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir for giving me this opportunity. First of all, I thank the CS for coming. Many are the times many are called and do not appear in this House. Congratulations for coming.

Mine is to ask what your Ministry is doing to support and intervene for small fishers in Machakos County, especially those in Masinga Dam and Kamburu Dam, a place called Kisumu Ndogo, Ekalakala and Athi River. We have so many of them and they really struggle.

I do not know what plans you have or have already done for these people, so that they can fish in a comfortable way and have a cooliing system for storing their fish. This is especially for women and youth who are also selling these fish for their upkeep.

Ninashukuru Waziri. Ninafikiri ni baadhi ya wale wanaofanya kazi kwa ufasaha na weledi mkubwa katika Serikali Jumuishi.

Swali langu ni kuhusiana na fish farming katika Kaunti ya Nandi ingawa sisi ni wakulima wa majani chai, maziwa na kahawa. Nimeona kabisa ameangalia sehemu za kule Pwani na Nyanza kuhakikisha wamepata fish landing sites na support ya kuhakikisha wanafanya biashara ya uvuvi.

Je, kwa vile amesema ame-distribute investments kule Kilifi, hizi kaunti kama Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Meru na zile kaunti zingine amewekeza pesa ngapi kuhakikisha fish farming inaweza kufanyika kule Nandi? Sasa sisi ni watu wa Serikali Jumuishi na tumeanza kubadilisha maankuli na kula samaki kwa wingi.

Swali langu lilihusu Coltan lakini ninasikia unasema tutamuuliza baadaye. Sijui kama nitapata time nyingine.

Mimi ni Naibu Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. Tunajua unafanya kazi nzuri. Kuna wakati nilienda huko Budalangi, Busia, lakini kulikuwa na malalamishi ya wavuvi. Wale wavuvi wakikaribia mpaka wa Kenya na Uganda huwa wanashikwa.

Ni njia gani unaweza kuwasaidia wavuvi ndipo wakienda pale wasipate shida ama mvuvi akifungiwa Uganda atolewe haraka iwezekanavyo kwa sababu kuna mpaka na mtu anaweza kukosea kidogo?

Swali lingine ni kuwa huko Budalangi mambo ya uvuvi yanafifia kwa sababu kuna samaki wanatoka China na wameleta shida mpaka hiyo biashara ya wale wakulima wa pale ikawa na shida nyingi sana.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you know, I have to be straight with my friend, the CS. I was deeply disappointed by his assertion that county governments do not have capacity to design and build a fish landing site and yet, when he was Governor of Mombsa for 10 years, he knows that he did work that is far greater than designing and building a fish landing site.

The concern from our side is that all of these projects, we believe, must be undertaken in accordance with the law. The problem is that for all these fish landing sites that the national Government is building and then you claim you are handing to the counties, it is control of procurement and we can accept.

In accordance with Article 187 (2a), are there agreements between these county Governments and the national Government, in which these projects are being constructed, to undertake those projects on behalf of county governments?

Proceed, hon. CS. The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Ali Hassan Joho): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the conversation on developing fish landing sites is larger than just construction and procurement. I will give an example such as the second phase programme we are developing today after the end of KEMFSED. Indeed, there are capacity and obligation issues. We are negotiating for some funding currently with the World Bank on phase two of the project.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is obvious that the counties cannot do that on their own, without the support and involvement of the national Government. I would like to put it clear to the House that, yes, there are agreements between the counties and the

Hon. Senators, I feel that we should stop at that point. It is now 11.00 a.m, and the other two Cabinet Secretaries are already here, in Parliament. That way, we will be able to go to the other two Cabinet Secretaries.

Hon. Senators, I have noted that most of the questions are coming from the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. Therefore, I would like to ask the Committees Chairperson, to make a date with the Cabinet Secretary and engage him properly on all issues. Hon. Senator, make a date with the Cabinet Secretary as a Committee and engage on all these issues on Kilifi and Kisumu counties.

I am asking you to do a committee meeting with him, or even a retreat, so that you can discuss. The Senate Liaison Committee has a lot of money for local travel, so you can organise any time. We will facilitate your Committee, so that we can make progress. (Sen. Ogola spoke off record) Are you seated or standing?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for that respect. I have a burning question from Homa Bay County, being a lake region county. There have been several reports on the death of fish in the lake, which we have seen even reported on newspapers. I would like to ask the Hon. Cabinet Secretary, what could be the cause of these reported deaths, and what measures are being put in by the Ministry, taking into consideration that it is both a health hazard and an environmental issue, and could be a danger to everybody, since this fish is not only consumed in Homa Bay, but it also goes across the region?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Miraj, please proceed. Please use just 30 seconds.

Asante, Mhe. Naibu Spika.

Hayo mambo yote ndio Waziri amezungumzia tangu afike hapa. Nimekuwa hapa na ameongea hayo yote.

Ni vizuri umeuliza swali hilo. Hata hivyo, Waziri ameeleza hayo yote. Nataka sasa tufunge. Sen. Mandago, you have one minute.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Cabinet Secretary to respond to this. Blue economy also spreads to our lakes. Lake Nakuru is one of our precious lakes and it has fish. However, there have been challenges in terms of harvesting fish on account that there are chemicals in the lake. Could the Cabinet Secretary confirm to Kenyans exactly whether the fish in Lake Nakuru is safe for human consumption?

Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Cabinet Secretary since he has educated a number of Senators here on Kiswahili because I heard Sen. Cherarkey saying serikali jumuishi.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, ningependa ufunge tu kwa dakika moja kwa sababu umeshasema mengi.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs (Hon. Hassan Joho): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, to address the issue raised by my friend, Sen. Mandago, regarding fish in Lake Nakuru, where we are as a country today, I think we have a positive story to talk about on matters Blue Economy. We are at a point where we are now looking at scaling what has already been achieved and realised.

This is what I would like to say. Lake Nakuru is not identified as a fishing ground because it is more of a national park, which involves a lot more conversations around other critical players in the country that we have picked and we are in consultation with relevant institutions to see how we can tap into that opportunity.

Regarding the question on fish dying in Homa Bay, the last story about Homa Bay that I heard was about a good harvest of caged fish that the Government supported. The last incident of fish dying was reported in Busia. That was as a result of upwelling where oxygen reduces. Mostly, it happens due to wrong placement of cages.

I do not want some of my friends to pick it as a point of debate. However, it is a capacity issue in some counties where they authorise and license placement of cages without proper research. Due to upwelling, we end up having cases of fish dying. It is something that the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), an institution that is under me, has picked up and is working in partnership with counties so that we guide counties on how to place cages in order to ensure that standards are adhered to and positive results are seen instead of fish dying.

Asante sana Waziri. Sen. Faki, I have realised that there are several questions on mining which we cannot execute today. Those questions can be brought anytime through your committee so that Members get answers.

Thank you so much, hon. Cabinet Secretary, for your time and for executing your responses. You are well-informed of the sector. Thank you also for making the Blue Economy vibrant and visible. Hii ni sekta ambayo ilikuwa imezama. Nashukuru kwa kuangazia biashara ya samaki katika uchumi wetu.

Asanteni sana.

I request that the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy be ushered in.

Sen. Abdul Haji, kindly approach the Chair.

(Sen. Abdul Haji consulted with the Deputy Speaker)

(Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale spoke off record)

What is it, Sen. Boni?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before the next Cabinet Secretary takes the Floor, I was embarrassed by the conduct of two Senators who, despite the presence of this Bar and while the session was going on, they sneaked and started greeting the Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary was confused whether to listen to us or receive their greetings.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that is a serious matter of etiquette and decorum in the House. Could you make a pronouncement? I do not want to be embarrassed more by naming those Senators because some of them are in the House.

Yes, Sen. Joyce Korir.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree with Sen. Khalwale. We should put our House in order perhaps later after the session.

Hon. Senators, the issue raised by Sen. Boni Khalwale is a serious one. When we engage here, let Cabinet Secretaries respond to questions. If you want to engage a Cabinet Secretary privately or in whichever way you want, you can go to the office and engage them there or wait for them in the corridors of power after they are through with the session. Serjeant-at-Arms, that is your work.

Thank you so much, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy for appearing before this Senate. We will go straight to Question No.065 by the Senator for Kisumu.

There is another question by the Senator for Kilifi County, Sen. Madzayo. (The Deputy Speaker consulted with Sen. Miraj and the Clerks-at-the-Table) (Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojenda walked to the box) Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, you assumed the office of the Chairperson, Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries yesterday. You seem upbeat about this position. You do know that you are supposed to ask a question. Also, Sen. Faki, you were given responsibility by the Senate Minority Leader. (Sen. Faki spoke off record) Prof. Tom Ojienda, proceed to ask your question without further ado. Sen. Sifuna, what is it? Just a minute, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a former leader in this House and luckily, Sen. Khalwale is also a former leader of this House, sometimes the Chairperson should listen to us we guide in order for us to protect the dignity of this House. In fact, I had requested that we start with the Cabinet Secretary for Education because of the sheer number of questions that he has to answer. This is so that we take up the bulk of the time with education issues and then the two questions directed to the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. You can see even the Senators who brought that business are not taking the business seriously themselves. Why should

Sen. Sifuna, I guide that you ask the two questions simultaneously and then the Cabinet Secretary will answer them within 15 minutes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, he owes us an apology as leaders in this House.

Let the Senator give the apology.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Senator for Nairobi knows that I am now the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and I am senior to him.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Chair must protect our dignity as Members in this House. The Senator for Kisumu should be using this opportunity to apologize because the House has been waiting for him to come and ask a question. When he says he is a senior Member, are you suggesting that you are senior than me? You have been in Parliament for four years. We have been in this public space for over 20 years and we have never seen a situation where the business of the House is delayed because a chairman of a committee has followed a minister. What business are you doing with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs after he has discharged his role here? You must apologise to us.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you directed that the Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries agree with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs on the mode of settling some of the questions asked before this House. However, for the comfort of Senior, I apologize for the delay so that we move on.

That is good enough. Proceed and ask your question.

Question No.065

Question No.065 addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Digital Economy, is in four parts.

Ask the other questions, Sen. Mohamed Faki, on behalf of Sen. Madzayo.

Question No.081

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. On behalf of Sen. Madzayo, I will ask question No.081. The question is in four parts.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, proceed and give your response.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Digital Economy (Hon. William Kabogo): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I will start with a question from the Senator for Kisumu, Prof. Ojienda. As he has said, I have given an elaborate, voluminous answer to this question. I will just read a brief summary of my response to his four questions.

I thank the House for the opportunity to respond to Question No.065 on false emergency information, digital manipulation content and online impersonation of public institutions and officials. I have tabled a full written response and will address each of the four issues briefly.

On part (a), the Government has put in place legal, institutional and technical measures. The Communications Authority of Kenya through the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team (KE-CIRT) monitors Kenya’s cyberspace and coordinates responses to impersonation of government entities and officials, phishing and fraudulent communications.

The National Computer and Cyber Coordination Committee (NC4) brings together government institutions, law enforcement agencies, regulators and critical infrastructure sectors for information sharing, escalation and joint response also. The Authority also works with platforms, domain hosts and network operators to take down harmful content and impersonating accounts.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Ministry works with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on cybercrime. Cybercrime cases reported rose from 730 in 2024 to 830 in 2025 and include impersonation, fraud, incitement and fake news. The proposed Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will strengthen the framework for digital platforms and national cyber readiness.

On part (b), the Senator asked whether an official rapid public communication and verification mechanism exists. The answer is yes. During emergencies, the Government communicates through official websites, verified accounts and media briefings. The Office of the Government Spokesperson provides official government positions, coordinates the National Disaster Operations Centre and coordinates public advisory during disaster and emergencies. The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and the Kenya News Agency (KNA) carry urgent public announcements. The National KE-CIRT verifies official government accounts and identifies fraudulent accounts, websites and domains to take down.

The Ministry applied these mechanisms during the public engagement on the Finance Bill 2026/2027, coordinating real-time public communication so that citizens received factual, consistent and timely information.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Cabinet has approved the National Communication Policy under the principles of the “One Government, One Voice”. It establishes the National Communication Centre (NCC) as a central coordinating body for government information and a Government Crisis Communication Standing Committee for emergencies. I must be candid with the House. Cooperation with the digital platforms is

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, thank you for your responses. I now invite hon. Members who have supplementary questions. I will, since the directive was given cumulatively, start with Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda who already indicated that the response to his Question was satisfactory.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the response of the Cabinet Secretary. I have no supplementary question.

Thank you very much. Sen. Faki, proceed on behalf of Sen. Madzayo, if you have different supplementary questions on the two questions, run all of them for the hon. Cabinet Secretary to also answer.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am not really satisfied with the responses from the Cabinet Secretary. More so, the fact that he wants to blame the DCI and the ODPP for the failure to prosecute yet, the initial task is supposed to be done by the Ministry. So, I will leave it at that for the time being. Those are my views.

Thank you, Sen. Faki. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, take note of that concern if you have something to say as you respond to the rest of the supplementary questions from Members. If not, you will have to respond that at a time, that you will have information to that particular question.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to interrogate the Cabinet Secretary. I want the Cabinet Secretary to tell the country what his policy is as concerns the coverage of network, especially in vast counties such as Tana River.

I just want to give three particular wards in three constituencies. Kinyadu in Garsen North Ward, which is in Garsen Constituency, Chifiri in Kinakomba Ward, which is in Galole Constituency, Mbalambala in Madogo Ward, which is in Bura Constituency. What will the Ministry do about these areas? This is because it is affecting commerce, communication, security and health. When our mothers, sisters and wives have emergencies, communications become a problem. What is the plan of the Cabinet Secretary? If he does not have one, could he tell us when he will come up with a plan to assist these affected areas in terms of network coverage.

Thank you, Hon. (Dr.) Mungatana.

Proceed, Sen. Sifuna.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy. I was trying to find out if it has a X handle. I do not think I have ever seen it. We only see the one for Interior KE. Maybe the Cabinet Secretary can confirm. Waziri, it is difficult for some of us to believe the things that you are saying when this Government actively hires people on social media to spread misinformation and attack other political opponents. So, is it really true what you are telling us here?

Yesterday, there was a very alarming information about one of our colleagues, the hon. Senator for Siaya. We continue to pray that he is okay, gets well soon and resumes his duties. I have never seen any action being taken to stop the spread of misinformation. Increasingly, the reaction of Government is just usually to criminalise conduct. There is no other way or plan, we can see from them yet, I suspect it is because they are the ones who hire these bloggers on social media to insult other people and spread misinformation. So, I would like him to comment on those concerns.

Thank you. Lastly, Sen. Cherarkey, proceed.

Thank you, Waziri, Governor. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Waziri, you are doing a good job as a Ministry; you just need to ignore kelele za chura ambazo hazizuii ng’ombe kunywa maji.

Mine is just a follow-up concern on a supplementary matter. There is the issue of the recent case of Ebola in Kenya and the predicted El Nino rains. In the USA, cities and states are coming up with a digital way of handling such cases. You have been travelling to Dubai and whenever there are attacks, you receive an alert in your phone asking you to go to a shelter. What mechanisms has the Ministry put in place for communication especially on issues of emergencies such as Ebola and El Nino?

Sen. Cherarkey, you know you are entitled to one question.

They are co-joined like Siamese twins. Add me just 30 seconds more.

What is the Ministry doing to flag out cyberbullying? Yesterday, we saw all those allegations against the Senator for Siaya County all over social media. You are the Ministry that should have assisted agencies to discount such misinformation because it is causing untold suffering to the family and supporters. It is in the interest of the public that the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy is critical in dissemination of information across the country.

I yield back.

Thank you. Lastly, Sen. Mbugua, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Cabinet Secretary, on this issue of digital engagement and public awareness, I want you to tell this House what steps your Ministry has taken to ensure that it is inclusive and accessible to all Kenyans.

Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you may respond to those questions in a very summarised manner because your colleague has been waiting for the last couple of hours.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy (Hon. William Kabogo): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I will try to be as quick as possible. As is tradition with our Ministry, we undertake also to bring in comprehensive answers for all supplementary questions that we get here. However, I will try and answer them as quickly and as briefly as possible. I appreciate the fact that Prof. Ojienda is satisfied with the answers that we gave.

On the issues raised by the Hon. Mungatana, the first question that was asked is on how we do coverage and what we undertake to ensure that those places that he mentioned such as Kinyagu, Chivelu and Mbalambala in Mbura. We are using the Universal Service Fund (USF) to improve the network in the country. So far, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has done three phases to improve network communications.

The Authority is now working on Phase Four to deploy a national network to 320 sublocations in the country. We are also running fibre for 100,000 kilometres and we have already done 37,000 to ensure that these places are connected. In areas we do not have fibre, we have an engagement with people like Starlink to make sure that we are able to get Kenya connected even in those places that are not very connected.

We have a shortfall of funding and we shall be coming to the House to request additional funding for areas that are not well covered. We should be able to get the whole country covered by the year 2030. However, in those places that were mentioned by the Hon. Mungatana, we undertake to ensure that those places are connected.

What are the certain things that you are referring to?

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy (Hon. William Kabogo): Say again?

You are saying that the Ministry has to do certain things. I did not hear Sifuna saying certain things, he must have said something specific. I want you to make specific reference as you respond to that.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy (Hon. William Kabogo): I have made the reference that I am not aware that Government hires people to do those things. If indeed it does happen and the Hon. Member has information, I would gladly be willing to be informed.

Finally, on misinformation and disinformation; the Ministry, through the CAK and Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has continued to conduct trainings and sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, fact-checking and media literacy of the public and journalists. The Ministry in conjunction with the Ministry for Interior and National Administration have implemented the Cybersecurity Policy/Strategy and Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, where false information and misinformation on digital platforms is criminalised.

There was another question by Sen. Cherarkey. The Ministry is working with mobile companies to relay messages to Kenyans on emergencies. We have already written to the mobile companies to relay such messages in emergencies. We are working with the National Disaster Response Team to deploy modern ways to communicate our cell broadcast system.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Cabinet Secretary. (Sen. Mariam spoke off record) I am assuming that, that is not an extension of your supplementary question. Well, Sen. Mariam, we are closed on that one.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, no! Part of the discussion this morning is about making sure that the information that we consume comes from credible places and sources. The Cabinet Secretary has given this House a reference to an X page. One of the tools that X has put in place for you to be able to know that this is actually a Government agency communicating is a verification badge. That account that he has given is not even verified. They must pull up their socks because the last post on that page is two days ago. Is he really telling this House that there has been nothing important to communicate to the people from the Ministry since the last two days?

Sen. Sifuna, that is a similar concern Sen. Cherarkey had approached the Chair on.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, your X page is not verified. What do you have to say about that? Is that indeed the position? What do you plan to do about it?

Secondly, as a way of advice from the House, the comment by Sen. Faki on behalf of Sen. Madzayo, as to the fact that, as a Ministry, you are passing responsibility to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) or the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), would expect a substantive response from your end. I am aware you have made comments that you have done your part.

It is upon you to follow through. If a complaint has been raised by your Ministry and there is inaction on the part of another government agency, I believe part of the whole-of-government approach is to make sure that your concerns are actioned by the relevant agencies within Government. Therefore, it should not be that you have done your part, you sit back and say, "I blame the DCI." Kindly confirm whether indeed your X page is not verified and, if not, what action you intend to take.

The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (Hon. William Kabogo): Indeed, I confirm that the X handle is not verified, but the Ministry is working on it. The technical team is working to get it verified. We shall pull up our socks to make sure that we do what is expected of us as a Ministry.

On the issue of follow-through, we are not passing blame. We want to confirm to the House that we are working properly with those agencies. Of course, there is red tape here and there, but these are things that, as is usual in Government, take a little while. We will follow up with those agencies to make sure that we get on top of everything and do what is expected of us.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on the issue of misinformation, a lot is happening and changing with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Before, you would say that Hon. Kabogo has said this and that and they would ask for a video clip or a recorded tape. Now it is possible with AI.

So, this is a field that we want to discuss with Members of Parliament (MPs) as people's representatives, so that we can start discussing how we engage and how we generally behave on these platforms and take this discussion to the family level, because charity begins at home. However, we will endeavour to do what we have to do to make sure that information is relayed to Kenyans and that the information is factual, true and reliable. I submit. Thank you.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, thank you for your responses. We appreciate, as a House, you honouring our summons to appear to respond to those questions. This is the only way we can also have direct engagement as representatives of the people to get direct responses from your desk. We definitely look forward to engaging on additional inquiries that come from the public through the House. Otherwise, with that, Hon. Cabinet Secretary and your team, we appreciate you turning up and you are released.

Hon. Members, that is it for the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Digital Economy. The next set of questions is to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and I call upon the Clerk to usher in the Hon. Cabinet Secretary.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, welcome to the Senate. Once you are comfortable, we are ready to run through the questions. I know you have been here for quite some time, but we have had your colleagues, the Cabinet Secretaries, present earlier in the morning. We had the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs and we have just heard from the Hon. Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy. So, it is your turn.

Maybe for purposes of housekeeping, Hon. Members, we have eight questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. I am aware that we have since received responses. So, Cabinet Secretary, out of the eight questions, we intend to make use of one hour because we are supposed to conclude by 1.00 p.m.

I will direct that to your responses because you have already submitted written responses to the Members. You will give us a summarised version of each response, possibly in under five minutes, so that we reserve another five minutes per supplementary question from Hon. Members.

So, as we start, we will work with ten minutes per question, five minutes allocated to your response and five minutes for purposes of supplementary questions, if any. We will go straight to Question No.33 by Sen. Catherine Mumma. Sen. Sifuna, you are asking the question on behalf of Sen. Mumma.

Question No.033

Indeed, I am, on behalf of Sen. Catherine Mumma. She wanted to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education the following Questions-

Very well, Sen. Sifuna. That is noted.

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, Sen. Sifuna is requesting to leave, so you will respond to that question, then we progress to the next set of questions.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, and Hon. Members, for giving us the opportunity to respond to these questions that are concerns of Kenyans.

On the first part of the question, I want to state that the Ministry of Education monitors cases of teenage pregnancies among learners through a multi-sectoral, multi- agency approach in line with the National Guidelines for School Re-entry in Early Learning and Basic Education Regulations (2020). The monitoring system includes school heads and teacher reporting, National Social Re-entry Guidelines (2020), and health and demographic surveys. Those are the three main areas or regulations that we use.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let me deal with item No.3, which deals with the issue of data. The Ministry heavily relies on the data from other relevant agencies, notably the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey and the Kenya Health Information Systems. In the first five months of 2023, the survey reported 110,821 recorded cases among adolescents aged 10 to 19. These are general population health statistics, not specifically for the Ministry of Education.

Thank you, Hon. Cabinet Secretary. You took note of the comment by Sen. Sifuna that he did not have a supplementary question. Therefore, we will progress to the next question which is Question No.67 by Sen. Veronica Maina who is also away but has delegated this to Sen. Cherarkey.

Proceed to ask that question, Sen. Cherarkey. Question No.067

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I ask this Question on behalf of Sen. Veronica Maina, your colleague in the presidium.

Honorable CS, as you respond, take note of the comments in terms of the areas of extreme interest, the response on arson, as well as on segregation by Sen. Cherarkey, in the interest of time, because you are aware you still have got six questions to go.

The Cabinet Secretary of Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was proposing to respond to these questions together.

Just as background, the Education Standards and Quality Assurance Council, established under Section 64(1) of the Act, Section 64(2), specifies the functions of the Council and I have stipulated there. The Act, however, does not stipulate the membership and appointment process of the Council.

What is your point of procedure, Sen. Cherarkey?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thought you had guided. I told the CS I was satisfied. There are only two issues, so that we save on time - the Quality Assurance and Standards officers that the Ministry has hired and the issue of arson in schools.

Honorable CS, that was also the guidance I gave, and I thought you were setting up the basis for your response to those two areas.

Thank you, Honourable CS. I wish you had said something about the deficit of the numbers of quality assurance officers beyond the budget, but I think that is the response you have.

You have not responded to the question of arson. That was part of the question by Sen. Cherarkey, that he needed your comment and clarification, if any. If you do not have CS, you know how we have been responding. You can commit to get us a comprehensive report, but that must come as a commitment from you.

The Cabinet Secretary of Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): On issues of arson, it is not because the Council is not in place that we have had these challenges. As I have indicated, we have a quality assurance team that is operational and we are engaging with the schools, parents and all the students in order to reduce the cases of arson in schools. In fact, as we speak, we are establishing a task force that is going to go throughout the country to find out the issues that lead to arson in schools. After they make their recommendations, we will be proceeding to activate them.

I will proceed to the next Question, No. 34 by Senator Shakila Abdalla.

Then, Honorable CS, as you prepare to run that question, I would propose that we deal with also with Question No. 55 by Sen. Joyce Korir, so that you answer the two questions together.

Senator Shakila, proceed. Question No.034

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to ask Question No. 34 to the Cabinet Secretary for Education.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Before I raise my question, I felt the question that was raised by Hon. Sifuna, drafted by Hon. Mumma, had a lot of weight that we should not just brush it off.

Order, Senator Joyce Korir. Your task is to ask Question No.055. You had the opportunity to intervene at that moment, to ask a supplementary question. I asked Members if they had any, none including you raised that concern.

Proceed to ask Question No. 055.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I---

Proceed to ask Question No. 055. Question No.055

Mr. Tempoary Speaker, Sir I beg to ask the following Question to the CS, Education:-

Should you feel as if you want to ask a question as regards that question by Sen. Mumma, find a way of bringing it in your supplementary question with the CS because they are all falling within the Ministry that the Honorable CS runs.

Hon. CS I now give you the opportunity to answer the two questions by the two Senators.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker and Members. I request to respond to Question No.34 together as follows-

The position of the Ministry on the matter of religious inclusivity is very clear, that no learner shall be discriminated against because of their religious belief or practice. Indeed, on 4th March, 2022, the Ministry issued a directive to all county directors of education to ensure that the religious rights of learners are not violated in any basic institution of learning within their jurisdiction. This directive covered the following forms-

Thank you Hon. Cabinet Secretary (CS).

Sen. Shakila, do you have any supplementary question to your Question No.034?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I would like to first thank, the Cabinet Secretary for his very comprehensive answer. I am very much satisfied. However, my supplement question is, as a country we respect all the religions and the freedom of worship. The school placements are being done and managed by the Government and the Ministry. It is not the student or the parent who decides which school the student should go to. I believe when they mix Christians and Muslim students, it is a way of bonding them and trying to avoid isolation and discrimination. However, I do not understand why the schools would receive funds from the exchequer for the students to learn in those schools and then decide that this is a Christian school with rules which should be followed strictly by any student. In my opinion, that is one thing which

Thank you. Hon. CS, please comment on that. It is not entirely a question, but I hope you have a comment.

Sen. Joyce Korir, do you a supplementary question to Question No.055?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Allow me to thank the Hon. CS, who doubles up as my neighbour back at home, for the response that he has given. This is a House of records. I believe that the Hon. CS is picking the information right from the county, because the Question was in relation to the 47 counties.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to speak specifically on Bomet County. The statistics that I have been given by the Ministry of Education, led by the hon. Cabinet Secretary, show that in Bomet, the oldest batch to be recruited are P1 teachers who graduated in 2018. I am here with a document from the County Government of Bomet. It shows that there are 301 unemployed teachers going as far back as 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 all the way to 2025. This is a House of records. May I know which of the two documents between the one that I have and the other one that was produced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education will tell Kenyans the right position?

There is also the issue of early pregnancies. There is a Statement that was requested by Sen. Sifuna. As per the statistics that we have seen, we have a huge number of early pregnancies which are over 100,000. What lessons can Kenya learn from countries such as Netherlands, Sweden, Rwanda and Finland in addressing causes of teenage pregnancies in this country?

Finally, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what role should parents, schools, communities, healthcare providers and the Government play in reducing teenage pregnancies in Kenya?

I thank you.

Thank you, Sen. Joyce. Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I will allow Members who have made requests here to ask you supplementary questions, so that you respond to all of them. I will start with Sen. Mariam Sheikh.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have two questions of different---

Sen. Mariam, you are only entitled to one supplementary question. Therefore, you should have one supplementary question to Question No.034 and another one to Question No.055.

Alright. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my first question is on teenage pregnancies. When we raise questions in the House and invite the Cabinet Secretary, at least we need answers. When the Cabinet Secretary was reading his responses, the question was not answered. He said there is a gap in monitoring. That is why the question has been raised. Let the Cabinet Secretary---

Sen. Mariam, I had directed that each Question should be dealt with within 10 minutes. The direction you are taking the House to will take longer than that. Ask your question.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let the Cabinet Secretary explain about how to deal with the gap of teenage pregnancies by providing comprehensive data.

Secondly is the issue of hijab. In 2023, I raised the same issue. There seems to be a disconnect between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry. I saw the directive from the Ministry and realised that heads of schools are not implementing it because they are paid by the TSC which has not issued any directive. How is the issue of hijab going to be addressed, so that a person from a certain religion can attend any school of their choice?

Thank you. Sen. Beatrice.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. My questions are not in any order but I picked them from the presentation of the CS.

You are only entitled to two questions.

Before I ask my question, I congratulate His Excellency, the President for the speech he made while addressing teachers at Kasarani, especially on the promotion of teachers. That is a significant number from 34,000 to 50,000. There are teachers who have not got their promotions for the last 15 years. It is unfortunate that some people do not appreciate that gesture. As a teacher, I know the pain teachers have and I congratulate the President and encourage him to go from 50,000 to even 100,000.

Now, I will ask my question on quality assurance and the shortage of textbooks, especially for Grades 1 to 6. Textbooks are consumables and they should be provided frequently due to increased enrolment because they wear out. There are schools that got textbooks for the last four years.

Sen. Beatrice, ask your question.

My question is, what measures is the Ministry is putting in place to address the challenges of textbooks in schools? In one school in my constituency, a class of 115 has only one English textbook shared by all the students.

The last question is on the serious issue of onboarding learners who do not have birth certificates. This still reflects on the presentation. Can the Ministry find an alternative which can be used? For example, a register of admission numbers for learners in Grade 1 and 2 who still do not have assessment numbers generated in Grade 3. Can the Ministry find an alternative to the birth certificates or must these learners continue to experience these challenges?

Hon. Members, I will still guide further. We still have four questions and we expect the hon. Cabinet Secretary to respond to them in the next 23 minutes. I have three requests here. If you are given an opportunity to ask a supplementary question, do not debate, just ask your question. Otherwise, I will not entertain any more delay because the rest of the questions have to be responded to because of time.

Hon. Tabitha Mutinda, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. In that spirit, I will go directly to the question. I just wanted to remark that the Cabinet Secretary for Education is here and we have good students here, if he can spare a minute after the session and say hi to them.

I will narrow my question to the data that the Ministry has countrywide but I will be specific to Nairobi City County on the number of students who had to drop out of school because of early pregnancies and the ones that the Ministry through their programme has ensured have been reinstated back to different learning institutions.

There was a school, Bakisa Girls. Last month, it was reported that 36 girls from the same school were impregnated. I ask myself as a woman, was it one man? Was it one teacher? How does it happen that we have 36 students from the same school?

Sen. Tabitha?

Let me finish. That is a matter that you could shed some light on because it is extremely sad. We have teachers and the administration in that school. We also have the county education.

You only had one question to ask.

If Waziri could provide data for the unemployed teachers---

Order, Sen. Tabitha, take your seat.

Sen. Wakwabubi, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to contribute to the same. I have a number of questions, but I will wrap them into one. I also had a point of order for Sen. Mutinda. I do not know if you will allow me to correct it.

No. There is no one on the floor other than you, so ask your question.

I am guided. (Sen. Ogola spoke off record)

Order, Sen. Beatrice.

Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, for that guidance. I have a question to the Cabinet Secretary and his team. We have a myriad of legal frameworks that safeguard the child in school. I am aware that you all know them; the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, the Children’s Act, 2022, and the Basic Education Act, 2013. I am not going to open up on those safeguards.

Despite all these frameworks that are laid bare for guidance to stakeholders in the teaching fraternity, why do we have lapses in compliance with education and learner protection obligations? We need to ensure that education continuity is embraced by applying some of these safeguards. Why is there lackadaisical approach or lack of interest in handling suspected criminals and even identifying the perpetrators by showing evidence and taking appropriate action?

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, I will allow you to respond to those supplementary questions and thereafter, we will deal with the subsequent questions.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. As I indicated in my response, it is Government policy that all students, notwithstanding their religious beliefs, are to be treated equally in schools without discrimination. However, as I indicated, where we find that heads of institutions have violated that right, disciplinary action is taken against them.

Indeed, on the issue connected to it is that the hon. Senator asked what the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are doing in situations where the directives of the Ministry of Education are not being complied with or implemented by the heads of institutions. We have already done a proposal in the Basic Education Bill that, if passed into law, all heads of institutions will become agents of the Ministry of Education. Therefore, it will be possible for us to take action directly. Even as we speak, we engage with the TSC and work together to ensure that perpetrators are dealt with.

On the question by Sen. Beatrice regarding the quality of textbooks from Grade 1 to Grade 6, the Government policy is that each learner in our basic education institutions is entitled to one textbook in each core subject. The ratio is one to one. Where, for example, we find that this has not been achieved, we have instructed heads of institutions to get in touch with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and indicate the shortages they have.

It is using that data that we are able to submit and supplement those books, especially where students have come from other schools or where there are changes. We do harmonisation and ensure that those textbooks are distributed to the respective schools. However, let me also confirm that it is Government policy that all textbooks are replenished on a four-year cycle. Once four years lapse, because textbooks become old, worn out or get lost, we replace them after every four years.

As we speak, we have now started the process. We finished yesterday with the publication and distribution of Grade 11 books. We will do the Grade 12 books in May, 2027 to ensure that when Grade 12 learners come in 2028, the textbooks are in place. We will start replacements based on the four-year cycle that I have indicated. Therefore, that process is already underway.

On the question of onboarding students based on birth certificates, we are introducing the new Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) where not just the birth certificate is going to be used to onboard the students. We are using the unique numbers, including admission numbers so that we onboard all our students into KEMIS. In fact, as we speak, the onboarding is ongoing. We started about two months ago and we are continuing to onboard all our students into that particular programme.

On the question of teenage pregnancy, the data relating to Nairobi and other counties, as I have indicated, there is a data gap. We do not have a system where we collect the data of how many students are pregnant or how many are admitted back.

Thank you, hon. Cabinet Secretary.

Thank you. Why are you retracting? I am senior.

No, actually I had said senior professor. I was retracting the term title professor. Otherwise, doctor is your title and senior is equally your title.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I encourage the Senate Business Committee (SBC) to manage the Order Paper. There is no question that is smaller than the other. When you ask the Cabinet Secretary to respond to four questions in five minutes, then---

Order, Sen. Boni, it is not in five minutes. We still have 10 minutes and I will exercise the provisions of the Standing Orders to extend time to facilitate the responses.

Question No.058

Thank you. I rise to ask Question No.058 on the Order Paper-

Thank you, Sen. Bonny Khalwale. Sen. (Prof) Tom Ojienda, ask your Question No.060. Question No.060

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to ask Question No.060 to the Cabinet Secretary for Education-

Thank you, Sen. (Prof) Tom Ojienda. If you listened to Dr. Boni Khalwale, he spoke exactly to the statement you have said. That no question is more serious than the other; all questions are serious.

Sen. Faki, ask your Questions No.79 and 80.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. On behalf of our Senator for Kilifi County, Sen. Madzayo, the Minority Leader, I wish to ask Questions No. 079 and

Hon. Cabinet Secretary, those are the four Questions that have been put to you.

We have five minutes to 1.00 p.m. I will exercise Standing Order No.34(2)(a) to extend the sitting for an additional 15 minutes. So, you have 20 minutes to respond to the four Questions, but at the same time I direct that you accommodate supplementary questions from Members. I want your response to take under 10 minutes, where possible, so that Members can ask supplementary questions to the four Questions.

Proceed, Hon. Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): I will not take time, thank you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on the question of principals, Question No.58, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) maintains the record of all chief principals, senior principals and principals serving in secondary schools in Kenya. Based on the Commission's payroll data as of May, 2026, the number of serving principals is as stipulated in the table that I have provided, indicating chief principals per county, senior principals per county and principals under Job Group D3 per county, coming to a total of 506 chief principals, 1,224 senior principals and 7,017 principals under Job Group D3. The number is stipulated there.

On the question of distribution, we have provided an annexure as Appendix No.1, where the Commission has compiled the requested information containing the names, the TSC numbers, the current stations and the counties of all chief principals, senior principals and principals under D3 serving in public secondary schools as of May, 2026. Further, the Commission continues to promote teachers to administrative grades based on approved establishments, availability of vacancies, eligibility requirements and budgetary provisions. As we speak, as indicated by Hon. Beatrice, we have done 34,000 promotions and we will be advancing that number to 50,000 under the directive of the President. So, we have done very well in that space.

On the question of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) by Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, I wish to state that matters relating to the revocation and the closure of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes offered by KIM are presently the subject of active judicial proceedings before the High Court in Judicial Review No.E110 of 2026. As such, I will be limited in the extent to which I may discuss aspects of the merits of the matter. However, I will respond to the Question as follows.

Hon. CS, I hope you are winding up on that question.

The Cabinet Secretary of Education (Hon. (Dr.) Julius Migos Ogamba): Yes, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker.

During phase one a total of Kshs20,519,000 was disbursed to various schools in Kilifi County and during phase two, Kshs161--- In addition to the foregoing, the construction of new classrooms, water harvesting infrastructure et cetera of about Kshs20 million.

Under KPEELP, learning resource centres will also be constructed at the cost of Kshs1.7million per centre. The two programmes I have mentioned focus on enhancing equity and the quality of education in Kilifi County. The programmes also assist in access and retention through the construction of laboratories, integrated learning resource centres and provisoin of science kits.

The Ministry is implementing a range of interventions to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and improve learner outcomes. These include - teacher retooling through their school-based teacher support system to strengthen teachers pedagogical skills and classroom practices, provision of textbooks and other learning material to improve access and other instructional resources, to strengthen the curriculum-based assessment.

We have implemented a range of interventions aimed at promoting equitable access to quality education particularly for vulnerable and marginalised learners. These include the provision of scholarships to learners in senior school to reduce financial barriers and support retention and transition, advocacy and community mobilisation to improve re-enrollment of out-of school children, and provision of school grants and assistive devices for learners with special disabilities. This enhances participation and access to education not only in Kilifi County but across the country.

I submit.

Thank you, Hon. CS.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to apologise to the teachers who are currently following these proceedings. The intention of this question, amongst other things, was to demonstrate the discrimination based on non- meritocracy, where professionals from different ethnic communities in Kenya do not get the recognition they deserve.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for giving me the appendix showing who is the chief principal, senior principal, and so on. This shame must end in this country.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my first supplementary question---

Actually, the first and the last.

Come again?

Proceed to ask your supplementary question.

This was just a comment to show that this is tribalism.

Proceed to ask your supplementary question, Sen. Boni.

The first one is - Cabinet Secretary, we have approximately just over 200 national schools in Kenya, and approximately 700 extra county schools, and you have only 500 chief principals. Why do you find it difficult to promote these principals who are there all over the country, so that the senior schools can be managed by those people with those credentials?

The last question is on the issue of capitation. Cabinet Secretary, can you tell the country, since the policy of capitation has failed, the Government of President Uhuru was giving each child Kshs22,000. Today, you have reduced it to Kshs15,000, obviously because of financial challenges. Why do you not make it as a policy that you remove the presidential, National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the governors bursary schemes, and all the bursary schemes, amalgamate them, give it to the Ministry, so that education is free?

Thank you, Sen. Boni. Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda, do you have any supplementary wuestions?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

I am happy with the response by the CS, on the issues between the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and the Kenyan Institute of Management (KIM), and I hope that the court will resolve the matter soon, so that all those issues are addressed.

Thank you.

Sen. Faki, please proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have one supplementary question. Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that some of the schools in Kilifi County do not even have desks for the learners? For instance, Sabaki Mgurureni Primary School in Magarini Constituency does not even have a single desk for the learners in that school.

Thank you.

Sen. Betty Montet, please proceed. (Sen. Montet Betty spoke off record) Very well. Let us rise, Hon. Members.

Hon. CS, we expect you to send us your responses to those supplementary questions, so that the Hon. Members will be able to get the responses to those questions in the next Question Time.

I appreciate your coming to respond to the Questions in the Senate.