Veronica Waheti Nduati

Order, Sen. Gataya. Please, you are getting out of order. Please do not speak loudly in the House while a Member is contributing. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Nataka kukubaliana ya kwamba katika muhula wetu wa 12, tuliweza kugoma kwa sababu kulikuwa na pesa kidogo sana. Hapa tuliweza...

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this opportunity. I want to comment, first of all, on the statement by Sen. Hamida on the anomalies in voter details displayed on the voter verification portal, and generally about the registration of voters that is ongoing. First of all, I want to note that...

Give him one minute.

Mheshimiwa Osotsi yanasikitisha sana. Jinsi tunavyokemea uvamizi wa wakulima kule Baragoi, magenge ya majambazi kule Mombasa, waporaji wa mali ya umma katika misitu ya Kenya, ni vile vile tunavyoelekeza hasira na nguvu hizo hizo kwa wale waliomshambilia Sen. Osotsi.Mimi ni Seneta wa Kaunti ya Bungoma. Mstakabali na ujirani wetu na...

Sen. Wakoli, you have 30 seconds to conclude.

Thank you, Sen. Wakoli. Sen. Hamida, proceed.

Give him the microphone.

Give him the microphone.

Your time is up, Sen. Onyonka.

change that we desire. I know there is a lot of politics around and that is why you find there are a lot of fights all over.I stand with Hon. Osotsi. Indeed, it was a very disturbing incident. He is a colleague in this House, despite the fact that he...

I support.

Sen. Montet, please proceed.

stakeholders like political parties and all the civil societies involved and even the government can have a forum where they can continuously, at every step of the election process, including voter registration, assess the technology that is being used for all these processes.Madam Temporary Speaker, this provision in law has...

Sen. Osotsi, your time is up.

I will give you half a minute.

In regards to the attack on Sen. Osotsi, I do not have the words with which to condemn it. It epitomises what is happening in this country in regard to the law. There is so much violence that when you move your hand in the air like this, you hit...

Your time is up. Sen. Oburu, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Sen. Wakili Sigei. He has already ceded the microphone.

Thank you, Sen. Wakili Sigei. He has already ceded the microphone. Sen. Osotsi, from the House, we say that was a very sad incident. I believe those who attacked Sen. Osotsi are cowards who are unable to face their opponents and they have ceded to that cowardice.We call upon the...

Are you taking a flight? Why are you overshooting on the runway?

The biggest weakling in the fight against corruption is the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) , Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and DCI. We have made recommendations to the EACC on many issues of financial impropriety in counties. The EACC, the DCI and the DPP must assist us in the...

Okay, 30 more seconds.

Thank you, Sen. Cherarkey. (Interruption of debate on Motion) COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR VISIT TO THE SENATE BY MS. CAROLINE CHEROTICH FROM BOMET COUNTY ASSEMBLY (Applause)

Since this is a debate on the amendment, let me make it brief because I will probably come back to the substantive Motion in the event the amendment is not carried. However, I want to discourage the House from amending the Motion in the manner in which has been specified...

Thank you, Sen. M. Kajwang’. Sen. Wakili Sigei, you may have the Floor.

Hon. Senators, can the distinguished Senator of Bomet County be heard in silence? Sen. M. Kajwang’, can you settle down? Sen. Eddy, do not disrupt the proceedings or the flow of thought of the distinguished Senators. Sen. Sigei, you may proceed.

Sen. Osotsi, you have the Floor.

Thank you, Sen. Osotsi. Let us hear from Sen. Munyi Mundigi.

I do not support the Motion. Do you support the original Motion? Yes, I support the original one. You support?

You support?

Okay. That is the end of the Senators who wish to contribute to the original Motion. I now call upon the Mover of the Motion, Sen. Olekina, to reply.

Thank you, Sen. Ledama. Kindly, Clerk, could you confirm that we have quorum so as to proceed with putting of the question? I confirm that we have quorum, pursuant to Standing Order No.42, it is ascertained. I confirm and make a determination that the matter does not affect counties. The...

Two minutes.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity. I also thank my sister, Sen. Peris Tobiko, for her contribution. I second the Motion she has moved for further debate to be postponed to a future date, possibly tomorrow. In view of the fact that this is a very important...

Sen. Mariam, I did not wish to interject while you are proceeding, but please note that the ‘Sir’ left the seat and now it is ‘Madam Speaker.’

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30

Sen. Cherarkey, you will have a balance of 10 minutes when we next resume and this Motion is called. ADJOURNMENT Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for that accommodation. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of international and national importance, namely the participation of the Senate delegation in the just concluded 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women...

Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, at the very onset, I support this Motion by Sen. Ledama. Indeed, I single out one of the tasks that Senator Ledama has brought forth; that is item No.4; that we must collaborate with the oversight bodies such as the CoB, EACC, and DPP to impose...

No.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, you know I am the Chairperson of KEWOSA and a defender of women. I am a mother and a wife. The context within which I have said this is to mean that because mothers are so loving, in their kitchens, they have a few liberties and they...

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I concede to that information given, especially when it is based on facts and figures. I cannot fight with it. Let every governor, whether man or woman, account for the resources that are sent to their counties. I urge women to behave very well when they are...

Time out. We have many Senators on the line. Sen. Thang’wa, please proceed.

We should be giving governors some rating cards when they come here to take them to their counties. The MCAs can pick up from there and say, “if you did not appear before the Senate, then that means you have violated the Constitution which is impeachable, and so we can...

(Applause)

Thank you, Sen. Kisang. Proceed, Sen. Eddie Oketch.

Thank you, Sen. Kisang. Proceed, Sen. Eddie Oketch.

Sen. Eddy Oketch, when we resume, you will have a balance of three minutes and 20 seconds. Hon. Senators, this Motion will continue to be debated and will be listed, may be, tomorrow on priority basis. ADJOURNMENT It is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore,...

Thank you for the 30 seconds, Madam Temporary Speaker. We want to look at this by looking at what the positives are for implementation or absorption of AI. We should look at the positives as well as the negatives, then look for an equilibrium, a point of common ground, to...

Sen. Wakwabubi, you know that we do not have much time. Finish the sentence in 30 seconds. Clerk, can you give her the mic, please?

we do not misuse it. We also need to nurture proper ethics on how we utilise it to enhance the support that the young ones, who are growing, will utilise and avoid creating a lazy society where every other time they want to do something, they just log on to...

Madam Temporary Speaker, we need to put in place mechanisms that will regulate it. As we speak right now, the Data Protection Act that governs this does not speak to the developing technology, and therefore, the desire to develop the law. I know there is a Bill that is currently...

Please, add him 30 seconds to finish the sentence.

Thank you, Sen. Wakili Sigei. Sen. Cathy Muyeka Mumma, you may proceed.

Can I withdraw and apologise?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. Finally, I can move this Motion. I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity that you have given me. Though I note that this is 6.10 p.m, and I wish this Motion was given prime time in the course of the...

Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, I beg to move the following Motion - AWARE that Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination with Article 27 (3) providing that women and men have the right to equal treatment including the right to equal...

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate, therefore, stands adjourned until Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.31 p.m.

You have one minute.

Sen. Wambua, that is a very interesting proposition and suggestion that you should be sent back to another international conference. I hope the next AI conference will be in Kisumu City or Murang’a, so that you can equally have the same zeal and enthusiasm to attend a conference which is...

Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not mind being informed because this is a very good conversation and the Senator is a young legislator just like myself. I just hope that you hold all my time as well because these are very important contributions that---

Sen. Hezena Lemaletian, you seem to be interjecting. Do you want to inform the Senator?

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker and thank you for that information, Sen. Hezena. As I have said, this was a very important conversation because the part that we must focus on is also being able to balance the idea of innovation and safety, so that we do not over-regulate. We...

Sen. Eddy Oketch, I think you have been informed by many Senators today. Sen. Enock Wambua would like to inform you.

Sen. Wambua, you may proceed. system in use is housed and who is keeping it because it is a new system. So, can you make sure that information is availed and information given to the Senators before the data is dispatched to the wrong quarters if at all the source...

(Technical hitch)Madam Temporary Speaker. I think I have just---

Madam Temporary Speaker, I appreciate that information from Sen. Wambua. I think we are consistent, because I said that it was being given that official state visit since 2008. That was consistent when the President of Ghana was given the same kind of support. I was saying it in the...

I was saying that look at it as Members of Parliament, not just in terms of looking at how data systems and data privacy is becoming a conversation that we all used to, especially because we are looking at training on data privacy matters. However, I want us to also...

I thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support this Motion. First, I appreciate the comments made by the two former speakers who have taken the Floor before me. I really am amazed at what is happening in the world and it is good for this...

Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to also join my colleagues to support the report. Honestly, I think it is time that this House of Parliament must use AI. That is a new development that is today making life easy for human beings. The use of AI in Parliament makes work...

Thank you, Senator. (Question proposed) Hon. Senators, it is now time for you to make contributions to this Motion. Sen. Mungatana, please proceed.

Thank you, Sen. Mungatana. Sen. Abass, please proceed.

Thank you, Sen. Abass. There was a question on whether the data that has been collected for use in Senate, from the Senators, is safe, regarding the new system that has been installed, and is under use right now. I therefore wish to bring to the attention of Senators, a...

I thank you.

Just a minute. (A phone rang) Sen. Karen Nyamu, you know you cannot do your phone calls inside the Chamber. You are risking being declared out of order. Proceed, Sen. Boni.

Thank you, Sen. Boni, for those thoughts and contributions. Your submissions have a good sync with the AI and the capacity of AI to simulate Sen. Onyonka and its ability to become a Sunday school teacher, a nurse or a nursery school teacher. Sen. Lemaletian Hezena can bring the women...

Sen. Boni, you have half a minute to finish that sentence.

Thank you, Sen. Boni, for those thoughts and contributions. Your submissions have a good sync with the AI and the capacity of AI to simulate Sen. Onyonka and its ability to become a Sunday school teacher, a nurse or a nursery school teacher. Sen. Lemaletian Hezena can bring the women...

Sen. Lemaletian, you will have a balance of eight minutes for further submissions when the Motion is listed next on the Order Paper. ADJOURNMENT Hon. Senators, it is now 1.00

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for this opportunity to reply to this Motion before you today. As I had earlier mentioned and as I had earlier debated, the Bill brings reprieve to the small-scale farmers. I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the Senators who have contributed to this...

Madam Temporary Speaker, is it in order for the Senator for Vihiga County to mislead the House that, indeed, investing in roads is not investing in the people? For some of us who come from very marginalised parts of this country without roads, we know the detrimental effect of not...

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

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

Madam Temporary Speaker, I just wanted to inform Sen. Osotsi that the current administration has doubled funding for education from Kshs350 billion to a tune of Kshs700 billion. For the first time since independence, this Government has employed 100,000 teachers. That is a clear indication that the Government is investing...

On a point of information.

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

Your time is paused.

Sen. Joyce, please hold on. Clerk, please, pause his time, so that they do not use his minutes. Sen. Osotsi, would you like to be informed by Sen. Hezena based on her wealth of experience?

Madam Temporary Speaker, you know it is important that some of these Members learn from us, but that was not a point of order. Let me proceed. It is important that we relook at our budgetary processes, so that areas of wastage and unnecessary budget allocation should be re-examined, so...

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

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

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

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

Thank you, Sen. Nyutu, for that consideration. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, stick to your minutes.

Thank you, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. Proceed, Sen. Wakwabubi Consolata.

(Loud consultations)

Sen. Nyutu, I think you have done justice to your Motion. You have already replied to it, and that marks the end. You remember we did not have sufficient time, and we were winding up on the time available for that Motion. Also to bring it to your attention that...

This matter is emotive.

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

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

Madam Temporary Speaker, today I had the opportunity to move a Motion on the report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and was very sure that the whole world was following what we were doing, because we were doing a good job. There were disruptions, on the screens inside the Chamber and...

You saw what she did. You have just seen the gestures that she has made. That makes it even worse. However, if you insist that I persevere, I will. I bring to the attention of Sen. Cherarkey that when I personally approached the Clerks-at-the-Table on the matter of the live...

Sen. Enoch Wambua, I recommend that you focus on your submissions and ignore Sen. Tabitha. Sen. Tabitha, avoid distracting the Senator. Proceed, Sen. Enoch.

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

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

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

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

Madam Temporary Speaker, I am sure the people of Nyamira and Kisii region are watching these proceedings or they will access them on YouTube. It is not proper for Sen. Cherarkey to mislead the people of Nyamira and Kisii that the only way the railway line will traverse through Nyamira...

Sorry, Madam Temporary Speaker. The President raised the Bible with his right hand and said that he will serve all Kenyans. When the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) levies taxes, it does not exclude people of Nyamira or Kisii, we all pay taxes equally. So, on the issue of the railway,...

There is no ‘Mr. Speaker’ here.

Thank you, Sen. Omogeni, the point is made. Yes, access is free to everyone without having to go to State House, but, obviously, State House also houses the President of the Republic of Kenya and it is accessible to every Kenyan, including Sen. Omogeni. Coming to the points that are...

Do not take that issue backwards. You can only move forward. Just because you have given directives that perhaps the Commission and the technical team should be able to look at this issue and look at why this problem persists; if you look at the problem that we are seeing...

Do not take that issue backwards. You can only move forward.

Thank you, Sen. Eddy. We know you are an expert in the subject matter. I hope the technical team can take advantage of that information you have shared. I am sure all these offices are open. So, you can access and assess. Thank you very much. That issue is now...

Thank you, honourable Speaker. This is a special Statement on the International Women's Day, 2026 on rights, justice, action for all women and girls. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) , I rise to make a statement on matter of national importance, namely the commemoration of International...

Asante, Bi. Spika wa Muda, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kwanza kabisa, nataka kuchangia kauli iliyoletwa na Sen. Murango kuwa maji ni uhai. Ada hizi ambazo zinatozwa maji kwa sababu zinaonekana zimeongezwa maradufu, inakuwa ni vigumu sana kwa Wakenya kuweza kulipa hizi ada. Kutoa ada ya maji kutoka sumuni mpaka shilingi...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me a chance to speak to this very interesting Bill, the Culture Bill 2024. I thank the originator of this Bill. Initially it was from the National Assembly then it was moved by our Senate Majority Leader. I think it is a...

Sen. Mumma, are you a certified herbalist to dish out herbals to your colleagues?

Madam Temporary Speaker, Hon. Beatrice’s complaint and your complaint just make my point. That if we set a fund aside and allowed Masinde Muliro, Department of History, to do a book that says these were the vegetables among the Idakho and these were the ones among the Isukha, you will...

Sen. Mumma, you must use understandable and comprehensible parliamentary language for the likes of Sen. Beatrice to understand what shirietso stands for. I equally am suffering the same consequences as Sen. Beatrice. I just had you liberally use the term shirietso. I come from Mount Kenya region; we do not...

Sen. Mumma, can you describe where is Canaan coming in? Where are we going to be heading when we are going to Canaan? From where?

Apologies for that. It is Rutune Senior Secondary School. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR VISITING DELEGATION FROM RUTUNE SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

heritage of the young generation who cannot relate with the history of our forefathers? How do we merge what we used to do then with what they are doing now for posterity?I agree that it is important for us to come up with institutions of basic learning that will teach...

Thank you, Sen. Wamatinga.

Thank you, Sen. Beatrice. What is your point of order, Sen. Cherarkey? NOTICE OF MOTION PROVISION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IFMIS REPORTS TO THE SENATE

Madam Temporary Speaker, Standing Order No.1. I am sorry for taking long on the issue of--- please give me a moment to apprise myself on Standing Order Nos.1 and 62 on the procedure of moving of Motions, and Standing Order No.53 on giving Notice. Can I read?

Proceed to read it. Standing Order No.53?

Yes, I have the correct one. I do not know why that one is missing. Madam Temporary Speaker, Standing Order No.60 on Notices of Motion says- “1) Except as otherwise provided by these Standing Orders, notice shall be given by a Senator of any Motion which the Senator proposes to...

Yes, which I noticed and raised it. It was not in the Motion that I gave to the Speaker. That is not the date of that judgment. (Sen. Cherarkey spoke off record)

I am checking whether Standing Order No.62 could apply moving of Motion in an amended form, where the Speaker may permit a Senator to move in an amended form, a Motion of which notice has been given, if in the opinion of the Speaker, the amendment does not materially alter...

I am checking whether Standing Order No.62 could apply moving of Motion in an amended form, where the Speaker may permit a Senator to move in an amended form, a Motion of which notice has been given, if in the opinion of the Speaker, the amendment does not materially alter...

I suggest that you allow the secretariat to amend it and then you give that Notice on Tuesday next week. The secretariat, please, amend that Notice on Tuesday so that we do not refer to a petition that is non-existent. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. At the onset, I want to congratulate you for ably moving this Bill; the Agriculture Produce (Minimum Guaranteed Returns) Bill (Senate Bills No.17 of 2025) . You continue to distinguish yourself as an astute legislator, following in some of us, who are the greatest debaters...

Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to support this Bill and also congratulate you for your vision since agriculture particularly, is about food security and food, is a basic need. When you go to our Constitution, every Kenyan deserves to have some food. This can only be attained by the enhancement...

Thank you, Sen. Cherarkey for those very heartful remarks. Sen. Ogola, Beatrice Akinyi, proceed.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. The other thing that the Bill will do is, apart from income security and stability, it will encourage

Hon. Senators, I want to use the discretion in Standing Order No.34 (a) to add an additional 10 minutes. You can proceed.

That day I was here early enough, but my colleagues had queued before me. I have just been suddenly informed that one of our colleagues, Senator for Kiambu County, Sen. Karung’o Thang’wa, has just lost his mother, Mama Lucia.

Yes, that is what I have been informed. I rise to support this piece of legislation, which, in my opinion, is a very brilliant thought from yourself. On my way here, I listened to one of the Senators who spoke of

Sorry, our deepest condolences

They are not French beans, they are green peas.

The Mover of this Bill, who is apparently the Chairperson of this session today, will reply when the Bill is next scheduled in the Order Paper because time is up. (Reply to the Bill deferred) ADJOURNMENT Hon. Senators, it is now 6.40