Order, Members! I have one Communication to make this afternoon. This is with respect to Presidential assent to Bills passed by the House. Standing Order No.125 requires the Attorney-General to present to the President within 14 days of receipt from the Clerk every Bill passed by this House. Thereafter, at the expiry of 14 days, the Attorney-General is required to file a return to the Speaker indicating the time and the date when the Bill was presented to His Excellency the President. The returns now received indicate that the following five Bills were presented by the Attorney-General to His Excellency the President for assent and were duly assented to on 24th July, 2012 at 10.30 a.m. The Bills are:- (1) The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Bill, 2012, which was passed by the National Assembly on 16th May, 2012. (2) The Cancer Prevention and Control Bill, 2012, which was passed by the National Assembly on 13th June, 2012. (3) The County Governments Bill, 2012, which was passed by the National Assembly on 19th June, 2012. (4) The Public Finance Management Bill, 2012, which was passed by the National Assembly on 27th June, 2012. (5) The Public Service Commission Bill, 2012, which was passed by the National Assembly on 28th June, 2012.

Member for Eldama Ravine? Perhaps, at this point, we will be a little lenient and give the Member for Eldama Ravine the benefit of the doubt just

I will let the same apply to the Member for Migori.

asked the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Development:- (a) whether she could provide a per division list of beneficiaries of the Cash Transfer Programme to Older Persons in Nakuru County since the inception of the programme; (b) what the criteria are used to determine the beneficiaries and their respective allowances; and, (c) what immediate measures the Government will take to streamline and rationalize the programme and ensure that the elderly persons in all parts of the country benefit from the programme equitably. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have just received the answer, which is long, and I am studying it.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) The list of beneficiaries of the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme in Nakuru County per constituency, division and location is hereby tabled before the House.

(b) The criteria used to determine the beneficiaries is as as follows:-

(i) they must be aged 65 years and above;

(ii) they must not be receiving any pension;

(iii) they must be from extremely poor households.

Each beneficiary gets Kshs2,000 per month, which is disbursed monthly. The total received by each beneficiary per year is Kshs24,000.

(c) The Older Persons Programme in Kenya is not a universal programme for all the older persons in the country, but a targeted programme intended for the very poor and vulnerable older persons who have to meet the criteria indicated at (b) above. This is majorly due to the limited resources. With increased allocation to the programme, more deserving older persons will be recruited into the programme.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, much as the Assistant Minister has attempted to provide an answer, my concern on the issue of criteria is who identifies the so-called deserving persons, so that we do not end up putting our grandparents into this programme?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the persons who do the identification are our field officers. We have the District Gender Officer and the Provincial Gender Officer together with the Provincial Administration.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Because of the huge number of very poor and needy population in this country, what has the Ministry done to enhance this allocation per person so that we can have some of these economic hardships addressed properly?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as you may recall, this started as a pilot programme which we up scaled and as of now, we are almost reaching the 210 constituencies. I would very much like to increase that, as a Ministry, but we are limited by resources. We are trying all our best and last year, we passed a Motion which increased the figure from Kshs1,500 to Kshs2,000. If, as a House, we request the Treasury to increase our budgetary allocation, we can do it as a Ministry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister is saying that this programme is for the entire country or the 210 constituencies. However, I have been following this in my constituency and this only happened once in 2010 in Thika West District. What criteria has the Ministry used to spread this programme in the entire constituency because Juja is a very large constituency? This allocation is not being received. What is the criterion? This is discrimination. Could the Assistant Minister confirm that they are giving some people money and leaving others out?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, from my answer, I said that this programme is not universal and we are in the process of reaching everybody. As a House, when we bring our Motion, we should now have it as a universal programme and it will be able to reach everybody. However, we are trying all we can to reach as many people as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The programme is very discriminative because there are many people who deserve this allocation and are suffering but are not benefiting. Could the Assistant Minister consider getting data from all the constituencies in the country of people who qualify so that he eliminates them based on the poverty index? Maybe this Parliament can consider getting enough money to help the Kenyans who are suffering at the moment.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, yes, the Ministry will consider that please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister concedes that this is not a universally applicable payment scheme. Could he consider, and this is a matter that I have raised previously, one very obvious category of older Kenyans that constitute the Mau Mau War veterans who fought for this country’s Independence and are spread all over this country who are all over 70 years old, are very poor and have been abandoned completely by this Government to an extent that they are filing cases outside Kenya to seek some form of livelihood? Could the Assistant Minister consider giving the Mau Mau War veterans money under this scheme?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I have just answered the Member for Kilgoris, it is possible to do that and we will consider it.

Ask the last question, the Member for Kuresoi!

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Assistant Minister for providing a good answer. However, I would like to urge him to also consider using some of the skills these people have. Some of these people are repositories of traditional knowledge. Could he consider employing them and paying them more?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we will consider that one.

asked the Minister for Water and Irrigation:

Where is the Minister for Water and Irrigation?

Hon. Waititu, we are waiting for you. Go to the right place from where you can answer the Question. Go to the Dispatch Box if you are not ready.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just give me a minute.

Order, Mr. Assistant Minister! Under these circumstances, we will not have much time. We wanted technology to expedite business.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I seek your indulgence that you give me two minutes to organize myself.

Okay. We will give you time to catch up. Yes, the Member for Kieni!

asked the Minister of State for Special Programmes:- (a) whether she is aware that most farmers in Kieni experienced a huge crop loss due to frost; and, (b) what measures the Ministry has undertaken to cushion the farmers from famine.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) The Minister is aware that farmers in Keini experienced crop failure due to unexpected freeze and frost in January this year. The crops affected were mainly maize, beans, Irish potatoes and some horticultural crops. (b) My Ministry cushions farmers by providing relief food to vulnerable populations in areas affected by severe drought or an unexpected crop failure. Kieni District has pockets of arid and semi-arid areas and the Ministry has been proving relief food to the affected populations in these areas. In the event that the number of vulnerable population increases due to crop failure occasioned by the frost, the Ministry will respond appropriately.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. When I filed this Question, the crops in Kieni had been destroyed by frost and we thought that the answer would have come a little bit faster. However, I want the Assistant Minister to tell me, if it happens again whether he will give us more than he has been giving us in Kieni because quite a number of farmers are or were affected.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir. We will increase the ration in Kieni District as from this month.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Question by the Member of Keini is addressing the situation in the whole country. The UN has estimated that almost 10 million Kenyans are affected by famine. I expected the Assistant Minister to give a more elaborate answer than say that the Ministry will take appropriate measures. What will the Assistant Minister do not only for Kieni but for other districts in the Republic which have been affected by famine as we speak today? What is “appropriate”?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my Ministry officials will be going round the country, especially the arid areas to ascertain the level of hunger in those areas. A report will be tabled here and appropriate action will be taken to increase the food rations. That is if the results show that the drought is biting.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, when you listen to the Assistant Minister answering the Question, it is very unfortunate that a whole Ministry waits until disaster strikes so that they can move around the country to get the statistics and by the time he gets the statistics, people are already dying. Could the Assistant Minister tell us whether they have an early warning mechanism which can enable them to determine where the problem is in good time so that he can respond?

Yes, the Ministry has an early warning system and that is what we are doing now. We just know that the budget has been approved to make us move on. So, we will move with speed and I promise in the next three weeks, we will be able to give that report.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister says that they are preparing for the relief food, but now the rains are just around the corner and some parts of this country have been drought-stricken such that there has been crop failure. What is the Assistant Minister doing to ensure that as we approach the planting season, they are also ready to give farmers some relief seeds?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to apologize. I did not hear the question very well. Could he repeat it?

Mr. M’Mithiaru, would you like to repeat your question?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just like the Assistant Minister has said that they are preparing relief food for areas where there has been frost and drought-striken areas, now that the planting season is around the corner, what plans has the Ministry put in place to ensure that the farmers who have not been able to have any harvest can get relief seed?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think that question should be directed to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the spirit of preparedness, is the Assistant Minister aware that in the whole South Rift region, we have complete maize crop failure? As you travel around the country, I would like you to assure us that the farmers of the South Rift and their families are going to be taken care of. It is not just for this year because we are told the disease is a viral disease which will mean that they will not plant maize for the next three years or thereabouts. So, in your preparedness, could you assure us that we will have food for all the people from the South Rift region during this time that they will not be able to harvest anything?

Assistant Minister, answer the part that is the question.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Ministry operates on a tight budget. If you see what we have been given this year on relief allocations, it may not be enough---

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister has persistently told the House that the Ministry will go around the country. I want to put it to the Assistant Minister that he is misleading the House because he has officers on the ground who do early warning systems. The biggest problem in managing disasters especially famine has been the failure by the Ministry at the national level to respond to the issues coming from the districts. Does he need to go around the country? By the time he finishes the entire country, people will have suffered more.

Order, Member for Turkana Central! If it is a point of order, you have already prosecuted it fairly effectively. Where you are now finishing off is a different area all together.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will respond to the first question from Madam that---

Order, Assistant Minister! If you look at your Standing Orders, when a point of order is raised and allowed, you must address it immediately before you go back to the question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for your direction. Yes, we have early warning systems around the country but we need also to ascertain at what level it is. As we get the data on the ground, as a Ministry, we will be able to evaluate. So, I have no problem. This will only take a few days. Kindly wait for our report and we will act efficiently.

Now go back to the hon. Member’s question.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, if the budget allows, we will make sure that we give you food.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister is saying “if the budget allows” and yet it is a message from this House that there is a likelihood of shortage of food. Is that about the budget or it is about prepardness and asking for supplementary money to be able to make sure that the country is able to be fed?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on drought preparedness, there are several Ministries which are involved. I am very sure once we find out there is need for us to give more food, more money will be solicited. I can assure the House that we will be able to feed hungry Kenyans.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my constituency consists of 17 colonial villages. Although we are constructing some irrigation reservoirs we still need food from the Ministry. The Ministry normally gives us about 500 bags. I am asking him whether he can increase that to 3,000 or 4,000 bags of maize.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it will not be possible to give Kieni District 4,000 bags of maize. However, I promise to increase the ration in Kieni District.

Member for Kirinyaga Central!

asked the Minister for Energy:- (a) whether he is aware that Kamiti Corner Estate residents are living in fear due to damaged power lines which killed two dogs and damaged electrical goods worth thousands of shillings in April, 2012; and, (b) what steps the Ministry is taking to ensure that a permanent solution is provided for the fault.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am not aware that Kamiti Corner Estate residents are living in fear due to damaged power lines which supposedly killed two dogs and damaged electrical goods worth thousands of shillings in April, 2012. However, the only complaint from the estate was an incident reported on 15th April, 2012, and that was on low voltage network which was falling below the recommended voltage of 240 to 415 voltages. (b) The above fault was traced to a broken neutral conductor occassioned by third party short circuit by a concrete steel reinforcment of an encroaching building under construction. To avoid any future occurrence, the conductors were re-tensioned and the owner advised to apply for re-routing, failure to which, it will lead to power supply disconnection.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, while I thank the Assistant Minister for the precise answer, I want to say that this incident happened a while back when I filed this Question. I think my Question was very clear. I was not talking about high voltage or low voltage. My Question was: “Is the Minister aware of an electric fault which killed two dogs in Kamiti Corner?” It was not about high or low voltage.

While answering part of the Question, he said that the only fault, which was reported on 15th, was about low voltage. He says they allowed people to continue encroaching onto their property as he has indicated in his answer to part (b) of the Question. Why did they allow this to happen?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not want my friend to get disappointed. I was answering the question about the fault that was reported in the said area. The part where the dogs were killed is what I was not aware of. As I said, I am aware of a low voltage problem, which was in the network. I said clearly that if the said contractor, who caused this kind of fault, does not apply for re-routing of the power line, we will disconnect the power line. For the information of hon. Members, we, at the Ministry of Energy, do not allow people to encroach onto land, where the power lines are supposed to pass over.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, what measures has the Ministry taken to compensate all those people whose properties were destroyed as a result of power failure?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have comprehensive rules that we follow in the event that there is a problem occasioned by low voltage or excess voltage within the network. We are very clear that unless the fault is on the side of the supply of electricity, we do not take responsibility. Where accidents or incidents are occasioned by malfunctioning of power supply, the Kenya Power Company (KPC) has guidelines on how to compensate the affected parties.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have seen some electricity posts erected in the middle of roads. Such posts are dangerous to motorists. What is the Ministry doing to make sure that power lines standing in the middle of roads are removed to avoid unnecessary loss of lives of Kenyans?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the issue that the hon. Member has highlighted is very critical. All the parastatals within the Ministry of Energy are only allowed to lay electric power lines within the way-leave areas. I am not aware of any construction that has been done in the middle of a road. However, I will countercheck this with my officers and ensure that they only construct power lines on the correct way-leaves that have been provided, so that we do not have such incidents or accidents occurring.

Member for Uriri, I have already given you the Floor. What did you do?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have already pressed the “MIC” button once.

If you have pressed once, then wait.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. You heard the Assistant Minister talk of low voltage. We know very well that the KPLC is supposed to protect consumers by installing under-voltage and over-voltage relays on their power lines, so that the power reaching consumers can be safe. Is he aware of that fact? What is the Ministry doing in terms of asking the KPLC to make sure that they revert to the old system of protecting electricity lines? We are tired of losing our good men and women.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, definitely, I am a very responsible Assistant Minister. What the hon. Member has raised is exactly what we are doing. However, these are appliances which sometimes become faulty. In areas where we have had faults, we have been very quick to respond to ensure that we arrest the situation. So, I want to assure this House and Kenyans that the Ministry of Energy, together with its parastatals

Yes, Joseph. Hon. Gitari, where are you? I thought your first name is Joseph.

Sorry, Bw. Speaker. There are many Josephs here. For example, we have Mr. Joseph Kiuna.

The Joseph that is relevant now is the owner of the Question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. In his answer to part (b) of the Question, the Assistant Minister says that they advised the person who had caused the fault to do a re-routing of the works he was undertaking. Have they re-visited that issue to make sure that he followed their advice?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is exactly what we have done. As I said, ours was to advise him to apply, so that we could re-route the power line. However, that does not mean that he could ignore the safety measures. So, I want to assure this House that that was done. The re-routing of the power line has already been completed.

asked the Minister for Education:- (a) whether he is aware that a GK vehicle attached to the Njoro District Education Officer (DEO) was involved in an accident in 2010 and was damaged beyond repair; and, (b) when the Ministry will replace the vehicle.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am aware that motor vehicle registration No.GKA 410V, Suzuki Jimmy, which was attached to the Njoro DEO, was involved in a road accident on 28th November, 2010, near Kimende Shopping and was extensively damaged beyond repair. (b) The Ministry is liaising with the Treasury with a view to getting more funds to procure additional vehicles for County Education Directors and DEOs who have no vehicles. The DEO, Njoro, will be considered alongside others when funds become available and more vehicles are procured.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the answer that the Assistant Minister has given. This vehicle had an accident in 2010. Last year, I raised the same Question and I was promised that we would be provided with another vehicle in the last financial year, but to date, we have not received any vehicle. Could he tell this House when the Ministry will provide us with a vehicle? Njoro District is very big. The DEO is having a lot of problems traversing the whole district to supervise the many learning institutions.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I commit and promise here that if I get the money, I will buy a vehicle for the Njoro District Education Officer (DEO). My problem is lack of money from the Treasury. At the moment, several DEOs and county directors have no vehicles to use. So, when money is availed do me, the DEO for Njoro will be given the first priority.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister has rightly said that he is aware that many DEOs - even before the appointment of county directors – have no vehicles. Could he inform the House if the procurement of vehicles has been factored in this year’s budget or he is just giving us empty promises that you have been giving us for the last four years?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I did not check how much money for vehicles was factored in this financial. So, I do not have an immediate answer for that particular question.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, arising from the answer given by the Assistant Minister, he has not committed the Government or his Ministry because by saying “when the funds are available” and they have not factored them in the Budget, it means there is no commitment. We are getting to the examination season next term and most of the DEOs and county directors have no vehicles. Could he give an assurance that he will provide enough vehicles for our DEOs and county directors to manage the examinations appropriately?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the issue of adequate funding to my Ministry is a perennial problem and it means Parliament knows. We always request for money but we do not get enough from the Treasury. The budget that we make and everything else passes through this Parliament. So, what I can tell the Parliament is that if I get the money, I will do the needful. That is all I can say.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, just this afternoon, you communicated to the House that one of the Bills that was assented to by His Excellency the President was the County Governments Bill. It is a practice in this House that any Bill that come to this House with financial implications must have consent from the President. Is he suggesting that His Excellency signed this Bill into law without the Executive making provisions for county directors?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as far as I know, our county directors have their salaries. That is taken care of and I hope all of us know that the budget passed through this House denoted many things that relate to the devolved system. I hope you all know that. Some of those probably may come in the budget of the next Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, my DEO in Njoro District is a very hardworking woman and it saddens when I see such a hardworking woman criss-crossing the whole district hiking on motorbikes to inspect the various learning institutions. If the Assistant Minister cannot afford to get a new vehicle for the DEO in Njoro District, then let him provide her with a boda boda .

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I sympathize with the situation. I am happy to note from hon. Kiuna that my officer is a hardworking officer but the only unfortunate thing is that she is not facilitated with transport. But I will do my best. Immediately I get the first set of vehicles, the DEO Njoro will get the first vehicle.

Next Question by hon. Ochieng!

asked the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security:- (a) when security road (D219) was last repaired; and, (b) when the Government will provide funds for the maintenance of the road, which is currently in a bad condition.

Is the Minister of State for Defence and Acting Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security not here? Minister for Higher Education, can you hold brief for your colleague? What is happening or not happening to him? He is on his way belatedly. So, give him time to settle. In the meantime, we will go back to hon. Lessonet’s Question.

Is hon. Lessonnet not here? His Question is dropped.

Next Question by hon. Pesa!

Is Mr. Pesa not here? His Question is dropped.

Next Question by hon. Kiilu!

asked the Minister for Water and Irrigation:- (a) why the Ilengeni dam in Mutyambua Location, Nzaui District, has not been reconstructed despite an assurance given in the House by the Minister when answering a Question by Private Notice on Wednesday 1st December, 2010; and, (b) when the Ministry is going to start the works and if she could indicate how much money has been allocated for the works.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, you have heard the Assistant Minister say that it has taken almost two years to reconstruct the dam. The Ministry had agreed to construct the dam two years ago. Now that the Assitant Minister has indicated that reconstruction of the dam will start this month, and part of the month is gone, could he confirm whether the services for the reconstruction have been procured and if so, indicate the name of the contractor who has been given the job?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is true that the works have been procured. There is one contractor who is doing reconstruction. The name is Kip Kenya Construction and the contractor is supposed to be on site now. Actually, before I came to this Chamber, I confirmed that he is carrying out the works.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to believe that the Assistant Minister is saying the truth and that we are not going to come back again here to confirm whether the works have been done. Could he confirm the date when the site is going to be handed over to the contractor?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Member has all the reason to believe me because in the past I have given the correct information to him. I promise the Member that I will give him the contractual documents when we leave this Chamber which specify all the details of the contract and I am sure he will be pleased.

Last Question, Member for Nyakach!

asked the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security:- (a) when the security road (D219) was last repaired; and, (b) when the Government will provide funds for the maintenance of the road, which is currently in a bad condition.

Minister, go ahead, I have allowed you. You can do it from the Dispatch Box, if you cannot get through.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I apologize. I was just on the way when you first called out this Question. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) In Nyakach Constituency, we do not have a security road with such a classification (D219). The only roads whose clarifications are closer to that are:- (i) Sondu–Kolweny–Kusa Road, which is D218. (ii) Kapserok–Store Pamba–Pap Onditi–Bodi Road, which is E219.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Minister is not very audible. Also, I notice that your intervention button takes a little long.

Member for Nyakach, please, proceed.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have an answer from the Minister here. I want to make a correction as requested. The actual road that I have been talking about is E219 which is Kapserok–Store Pamba–Pap Onditi–Bodi Road. This is the road that is so important to my people. This is the road that links Upper Nyakach Division where the Minister was a former District Officer (DO) when he was still a youngster before he even became married. He was a DO there and he knows the road very well. I am happy that he has confirmed that if I classify the road properly, he will be able to finance it. I am, therefore, very glad.

just tell me how much you are going to give me in order to repair this road to a motorable standard.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think I was cut short before I even finished my response. However, a section of the Road E219 was cut off by a huge galleys over ten years ago and is not passable. All the traffic was, therefore, diverted to Cherwa–Kanyambori Road, which is RAR45, from where they connect to Kapserok. The Sondu–Kolweny– Kusa Road (D218), the Onyuongo–Pap Onditi–Bodi section of E219 and Kanyamlori– Cherwa Road (RAR35) are maintained every year through the routine maintenance levy funds and are in a motorable condition. (b) Allocation of funds from our Ministry can only be considered if the road is classified as a security road. The same can be done if we receive the proper classification of the road the hon. Member referred to. Therefore, I suggest that he asks his District Development Committee (DDC) to make the necessary recommendation through the Provincial Commissioner (PC), so that it can be taken on as security road.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, could the Minister tell the House whether the Government has a policy of classifying some of these roads as security roads and what criteria the Government uses to designate security roads in the country?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, security roads are classified, so when there is a problem which needs security attention of the nation. Therefore, classification depends on the need to take care of the security of the community which lives in particular areas.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Igembe North Constituency is called a security district; but even a month ago when eight people were

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, first and foremost, the road must be impassable. Secondly, it must be of a security nature. Therefore, classification, as I said earlier, it depends on the request that we receive from the Provincial Security Committee (PSC). Therefore, I advise the Member for Igembe North to follow the procedure and the matter will be looked into.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, while thanking the Minister for doing security roads in many parts of this country, could he assure this House that quality work is done on these roads?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as in any other project by the Government, we always insist on quality. Quality will also depend on the resources available. We do not intend to do a shoddy job. We always try to do things that will please everybody.

Last question, Member for Nyakach.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not have any last question. I think I am satisfied. Thank you very much.

That brings us to the end of that order. Next order!

First, are there any Statements that are being issued this afternoon from the Government?

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

What is your point of order, Dr. Nuh?

He is not compliant!

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, my card has been dysfunctional; so I think I can go ahead from this Dispatch Box.

Go ahead.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise on a point of order to bring to your attention and the attention of the Minister that last week a Question on the issue of electricity to Bura was deferred. The Minister’s response was that he would restore power to Bura before the beginning of the week. I just want to bring to your attention that the Kenya Power Company (KPC) is saying that there could be a bigger problem that

Mr. Y.M. Haji, would you be able to stand in for your colleague?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Assistant Minister is in the House.

Where is the Minister for Energy? Were you listening to the Member? Dr. Nuh, will you repeat your point for the Minister to follow?

Much obliged, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I was bringing to your attention and that of the Minister the fact that although he promised that they would restore power to Bura by this week, the KPLC has intimated to me that there could be a bigger problem than expected. I want to ask the Minister why he has reneged on his commitment to the House that power would be restored to Bura come this week.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when I make a promise I mean it and if the hon. Member is aware of another problem that I may not be aware of, probably my technical officers are going to be handy.

Were you in the House when that issue came up last week?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, I am the one who made the commitment and there were lights as far as I am concerned since that time but if there is another problem that might be big in terms of technicalities, then I want to assure the House that my technical officers are going to react to it.

Are there any other Statements that are due from other Ministers?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 10th August, 2011, Mr. Yakub requested for a Statement regarding the ongoings in a company referred to as African Safari Club (ASC). He also requested to find out the fate of the staff that had been given a notice to quit and how they will be paid their outstanding dues. The Ministry is aware of the ongoings at the ASC. First I want to give a small history of the ASC Limited which was established in 1967. Over the years, the company emerged as dominant player in the tourism industry in the North Coast area of Mombasa and beyond. Throughout this period, the company operated a chain of beach hotels at the Coast and safari lodges in the national parks. At the height of their operations, they also owned a cruise ship and an airline known as the Sky Trail with three aircraft. The hotel chain owned by the company between 1967 and 2011 include; Coral Beach, Palm Beach, Malaika Beach also called Vasco da Gama, Kasr al Bahar also called Shimo la Tewa, Flamingo Beach, Silver Beach, Bahari Beach, Laguna also called Sea Horse and Watamu Beach. In the game parks, the company operated Crocodile Camp also referred to as

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the House heard the unnecessary history which was given by the Assistant Minister for Labour. The directors of ASC are all foreigners. The Assistant Minister said that he personally went to see the 400 workers. The same 400 workers are the ones who have been camping at the site of one of the directors for the last 14 months. I am very much disappointed by this Ministry including its county office in Mombasa. They have been talking about Kenyans suffering in foreign countries but here Kenyans are suffering in their own country and one of the causes of their sufferings is this Ministry.

Is there anyone else seeking clarification on this issue?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister has given a long history. However, I would like to remind him that there is something called statutory debts. Those members of staff who were allegedly thrown out have the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions that should have been paid by the employer. I would like him to confirm whether those statutory debts in respect of those employees were paid by African Safari Club before they went into liquidation.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other thing I would like to bring to the attention of the Assistant Minister---

Order! Order, hon. Shakeel!

It is related, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir.

One at a time!

It is related, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I was just trying to make it easier. I could have put them both together, but it is the same related issue. I seek your indulgence.

All right! Continue, Mr. Shakeel.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, African Safari Club owned a hotel at the Coast Province. The Assistant Minister is aware that any property that has a beach front cannot be sold to anybody without the approval of the State. Could he find out whether the Government did approve the sale? Were these statutory debts paid?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Assistant Minister has informed the House that the African Safari Club has been selling certain properties to meet those very urgent needs of the club. Could he institute a caveat on the remaining properties so that the unpaid workers will get their dues from funds realized from the sale of these properties?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. You have heard that four employees have already passed on and the harrowing experience that these workers have gone through is very serious. I remember even last time when we were having a meeting at Pangoni, many workers came to petition hon. Members of Parliament so that they could actually force the Minister for Labour to make sure that they are paid their dues.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it has also been mentioned here by the Assistant Minister that the company disposed of some assets. If they did, where did these proceeds go to? Why did they not dispose of the properties, take the money and pay workers before they could settle any other debt they had?

Assistant Minister, you may now respond.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Sheikh Yakub has indicated that the history was not useful. Indeed, it was useful because we wanted to show how the company started making losses. He wanted to know whether workers will be paid the total amount they have demanded. My Ministry officials have taken time to compute a figure of Kshs45 million and Kshs250 million, respectively. So, I think I concur with him that is the amount that will be paid to them.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as far as the statutory deductions are concerned, indeed, the company was very poor on the payment of the mandatory deductions. In fact, it owes several companies, the NSSF, NHIF, Kenya Power Company and other companies a lot of money. So, this is the money that keeps on paying these bills whenever they sell their properties. So, I just want to inform hon. Shakeel that the company was not good at paying statutory deductions.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the hon. Member for Lari, indeed, the Chairman, Mr. Ruedin, had admitted that he had a very prime property along the beach; the house, where the employees are currently camping. He wanted to dispose it of so that he pays the workers. So, we are following this issue and we are waiting for the advice from the Attorney-General on how best we can secure this property in order to sell it off and then pay the workers who are still camping there.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is not four employees who have died while camping there as alleged by Mr. Ochieng. In fact, seven of them have died while camping there. So, the situation is not pleasing at all. With the advice of the Attorney-General, My Ministry will move very fast to secure this property, sell it and pay the workers.

Mr. Assistant Minister, these are people who have been camping there for the last 14 months. Hon. Sheikh Dor, I am reminded of referring this matter to the Committee which has powers to call witnesses and summon these people.

So, I do direct that this issue be referred to the relevant Committee dealing with labour matters for them to investigate, make recommendations and table their report to the House within four weeks from today. These are serious issues with Kenyans dying while camping at a site. So, those are the directions. The request is that they return to the House after four weeks, Sheikh Dor, and you will pursue it now before the relevant Committee.

Dr. Khalwale, I can see you have a request?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was pressing the button earlier to contribute on this particular issue, but it is concluded. I will revisit it after four weeks. But can I go ahead and raise my issue?

Yes, you may.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have requests for two Ministerial Statements.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the first one is from the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs in respect of the decision by the Government to take over the procurement of---

Hon. Wetangula, since your colleagues are not in the House, hold brief for them. Please, take note of the requests that are being made.

Yes, continue, Dr. Khalwale.

Yes, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is in respect of the decision by the Government to take over the procurement of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to clarify the following:-

Did the Government satisfy itself that procurement by IEBC could not be concluded by looking at the recommendations of the technical tender committee which evaluated the various companies? Could he confirm that in the intended Government to Government procurement, the Government has settled on procuring the BVR kits from Canada? What informed the Government to settle on Canada and not any other Government?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we would like him to clarify whether the settling on Canada was not as a result of pressure exerted on the two Principals by Her Excellency, Hillary Clinton, when she visited Kenya.

(off record)

Well, it is a question of language. On the same point, we would like him to clarify whether the decision that informed the Government was a clever attempt to award a Canadian Company by the name “Code Incorporate” which, in the first place, had lost out in the procurement. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to also clarify if the Government is aware of the managerial problems at the IEBC, facing both the Commission and the secretariat. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, could the Minister also clarify how he intends to overcome the legal bottlenecks which have set strict timelines for voter registration, so as to actualize BVR before the 4th March, 2013 general election. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, could the Minister clarify what role the procuring department or Ministry will play in the said Government to Government arrangement?

Hon. Wetangula, will you convey that to the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs and indicate when he can respond? It is an urgent matter and you can only do so from either the Dispatch Box or Front Row.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will communicate and propose that, perhaps, Wednesday afternoon will be sufficient time.

Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Khalwale! That is reasonable. It is only a week.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I request that you decline that request and direct that he gives the answer tomorrow afternoon. That is because all that I have sought for are on issues that have already been decided on.

Order! Given that the Minister is not in the House and he is actually conveying on his behalf, tomorrow may not be reasonable period. Let us settle for either Tuesday or Wednesday. Minister!

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Wednesday is more reasonable for the reason that, if you heard His Excellency’s Address yesterday, on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th, there will be countrywide county peace conferences. They are coordinated by his Ministry. So, I do believe that he may even not be here on Tuesday. Wednesday is not too far; it is just a day after.

Okay. Dr. Khalwale, that is not unreasonable, Wednesday in the afternoon. You may go on with your second request.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, my second Ministerial Statement is to the Minister for Agriculture. This is in respect of pension---

Is the Minister for Agriculture in the House?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. This is in respect of pensioners of the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya who include normal retirees and former employees who were retrenched in 2009. For your interest and clarity, those old people are currently at the gate of Parliament Buildings. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to clarify the following:-

(i) Why pensioners who earn a monthly salary have not been paid for the last nine months.

(ii) Why retrenchees who won a court award for wrongful calculation of their benefits have not been given the award that they were given by the court. It has not been honoured.

(iii) Could the Minister clarify the solvency of the pension scheme which, according to the latest actuarial evaluation, is bankrupt and in a deficit of more than Kshs777 million. I thank you.

Mr. Assistant Minister, indeed, those pensioners have been camping outside the precincts of Parliament for the last two days and it is an urgent matter. Would you be able to issue a Statement on this on Tuesday afternoon?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, we can do that on Tuesday afternoon.

Dr. Khalwale, Tuesday afternoon.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am glad that the Assistant Minister has accepted to take that particular responsibility. But in view of that, now that you have conceded, could you arrange for humanitarian intervention for the pensioners who are currently camping out here? Besides giving them food, could you organize for transport to take them back to their homes?

Better still, you can actually go and see them after this. They are camping outside Parliament. Mr. Assistant Minister, you can meet them outside there as you come in. They will be given a better reassurance if they meet you. You can go to the Dispatch Box because I am allowing your request and you appear not to be able to control the facility.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am going to liaise with my Permanent Secretary right away, to see if we can do something. But, meanwhile, immediately I am done with the business of the House, I will go and meet those pensioners and give them some assurance.

Very good! What is your point of order, hon. Shakeel?

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The people who are outside the gate are the Syokimau Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and not the pensioners. So, when the Assistant Minister is going outside, could he also address the Syokimau IDPs, because they also have a claim against the Government and they have no money to go back home.

Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, are you on a point of order? You are an Assistant Minister and can only do so from the Dispatch Box or Front Row. I also remind you that you are an Assistant Minister of Government, as you make the Statement.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would really want to know if they are from Syokimau,

Very well. Order, Assistant Minister! Actually, I can confirm to you that they are there because I met them on the way here. So, you may accompany the Assistant Minister as he goes to address the pensioners. Hon. Duale, what is your point of order?

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. What hon. Shakeel said is that there are two different groups. So, the Assistant Minister can assure the two groups.

Order! Order! Indeed, there are two groups. The second group consists of constituents of the hon. Assistant Minister, hon. Wavinya Ndeti and she has graciously agreed to accompany her colleague, the Assistant Minister, so that they can meet the two groups. The next request I see here is from hon. John Olago Aluoch!

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources. I want to declare that as I make this request, I have consulted with hon. Shakeel, who is also concerned about the same. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to request for a Statement from the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources on the extent of funding of Lake Victoria Environment Programme (LVEP) for the removal of water hyacinth from---

Order! Order! Is the Minister in charge here? I just want to know which Minister is taking notes. May I request the Assistant Minister for Education to handle this on behalf of his colleague. Prof. Olweny, can you, please, take note of that?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is very appropriate because this also concerns his people. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I seek the Statement from the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources on the extent of funding of LVEP for the removal of water hyacinth from Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria and the methodology for the same. In the Statement, I would wish the Minister to address the following pertinent issues:- (i) The total amount of money allocated and the procurement procedure adopted in identifying the firms or the groups that were to be engaged in this removal. (ii) The agency fees charged by the firm or groups that were identified from persons who used to be engaged as manual removers of water hyacinth. (iii) How the Lake Victoria Environment Programme is engaging with the local fishermen and the members of the Beach Management Units in harnessing synergy for the removal of the water hyacinth. (iv) The circumstances surrounding the demonstrations in Kisumu on 29th July, 2012, over the manner of the implementation of that project.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would want to add onto the same statement. While the Minister is addressing the issue, he should also indicate what he is going to do to the fishermen whose boats have been sandwiched and stranded. They are not able to get their boats out and they have no other means of survival. I was in Lambwe and Homa Bay last week and fishermen asked me to ask the Government what it is doing, especially to those who are by the shores, to help them remove their boats and fishing gadgets. What is the Government doing in the short-term, to help them survive when the hyacinth is in place?

Assistant Minister, when can this Statement be given?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I undertake that I will pass the message to the Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources. I will ask him to deliver the Statement on Wednesday next week in the afternoon.

Next Wednesday in the afternoon. The next request is from hon. Chanzu. To whom is it directed? I would like to find out.

It is directed to the Minister for Transport.

Is the Ministry of Transport represented? Mr. Githae, please, take note for your colleague’s attention.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Transport on the status of airports and airstrips in the country. In this Statement, he should tell us the following:-

(i) He should first of all give the full list and the locality of the airports and airstrips in the country.

(ii) He should give the state of repair and maintenance of all the airports and airstrips in the country.

(iii) He should clarify the adequacy of security measures at these airports and airstrips.

(iv) He should clarify whether there are adequate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of these facilities.

Mr. Githae, when can your colleague do that?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think Thursday will be in order. Wednesday seems to be very congested.

There is a collective responsibility. He is already on his feet; if Thursday will do, that will be fine. Is Thursday okay with you, hon. Chanzu?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Thursday next week.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for this opportunity. I rise to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs.

The Deputy Leader of Government Business is here now. Mr. Kimunya is here now.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs with regard to the proposed registration of Kenyans in the diaspora to participate in the forthcoming general election in 2013 by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. In the Statement, the Minister should:- (i) provide a list of the polling stations that the Commission intends to establish in the diaspora, indicating their respective countries or States within the country, counties or specific towns in those countries; (ii) indicate when the Commission will gazette these polling stations and the registration of voters in these stations and when that exercise will commence and end; (iii) explain the role the Kenya Diplomatic Missions abroad will play in the registration of voters and the conduct of the elections, if any;

(iv) clarify whether voters in the diaspora will be allowed to vote anywhere at their convenience if the Commission adopts the electronic voting in the forthcoming general election. There is concern with all the Kenyans living outside the country and clarification is in order. That way, they will know how they will be able to participate in the forthcoming general election.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. In relation to that Ministerial Statement, the Minister should also come prepared with a clear position from the IEBC to confirm that when the voters in the diaspora will be voting, they will vote for the President, the Governor, the Senator, the Women Representative, the Member of Parliament and the County Representative. He should also tell us what instrument they have to make sure that votes of one ward do not end up in another far removed ward.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. This matter, indeed, as Prof. Kaloki rightly puts it, is critical for the integrity and the credibility of the whole electoral process. I would want to add that when the Minister responds to this, he should provide to the House various possible scenarios, including the possibility that it may not be possible or practical to have the diaspora voting in the first election under the new Constitution. I say this because there are certain matters addressed by the Constitution in a progressive version. So, we should also not be anticipating instantaneous realization of some of the innovations in the Constitution that anticipated progressive actualization. Therefore, the Minister should tell the House not only the level of preparedness, but also the possibility that, in fact, this may not be possible at the first election.

Mr. Kimunya, now you may indicate when your colleague, the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, will give this Statement.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. On the same, I want to ask the Minister to tell the country what mechanism he will use to regulate and facilitate the campaigns that will take place in the diaspora. What will IEBC use in regulating and facilitating the campaigns that will go on in the diaspora?

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to add that the Minister should indicate clearly the methodologies of determining in the diaspora which counties these voters purport to belong to including the wards. I want the methodology of determining whether they would ordinarily reside in Kenya and whether it would not lead to a situation where all of them may agree to register in only one ward and, therefore, decide the representative of that ward should come from the diaspora. They may also choose a Member of Parliament to come from the diaspora.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. The matters canvassed are very genuine and very current. While communicating the response to the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, I also want to remind the House that we are expecting the electoral rules and regulations which are supposed to be submitted within six months before the elections. Those rules and regulations are being worked on. They will contain all the matters that have been requested for discussion and approval by the House. While we are waiting for that, I will communicate this to the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs and we can have a holding response by Thursday, next week while we get the comprehensive issues covered within the electoral rules and regulations which are being worked on. I can confirm that those rules and regulations are already being worked on for tabling in this House before the end of this month.

Thursday, next week! There being no request, Mr. Kimunya, may I also remind you that there is a statement expected from the Leader of Government Business with regard to the 79 or so pending Ministerial requests and I think you had indicated that there would be some kind of response. I cannot quite remember whether it was today, but I do not believe that the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs is here. Could you give some indication when he will do this as the Leader of Government Business?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, indeed, I promised that we were going to discuss that. My undertaking was that I was going to raise the matter before the Cabinet. I want to confirm to this House that, indeed, the matter was discussed within the Cabinet and it was emphasized on the need to dispose of all pending Ministerial Statements. Action has started. Yesterday, we heard from the Office of the President a couple of them being disposed of. A circular has been circulated and every Ministry is looking at how we will dispose them. We will be working together to allocate time because 79 Statements will require a lot of time. We will work together with the Speaker’s Office in terms of when we will allocate time for their disposal. However, I can confirm that action has been taken. Perhaps, we do not need to make any other Statement except to work together to allocate the manner in which they will be disposed of within the next couple of days beginning this Thursday.

Very well. I have just seen a request by Mr. Githae. Mr. Githae, what is your request before I go to the next Order? I can also see two interventions by Millie and Mr. Mungatana. So, I will take Mr. Githae’s and then those two before I call the next Order.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I just wanted to support what the Deputy Leader of Government Business has said. In fact, a circular has gone out and each Ministry has been asked to say when they will issue the Statement. Tomorrow, Thursday happens to be the Ministry of Finance’s turn. Therefore, I want to appeal to whoever had sought a statement from the Minister for Finance to be here tomorrow.

Mr. Githae, the Chair can assist you by availing you a copy of the requests and if there are any from your Ministry, you will see from the schedule that the Clerk will provide you.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wanted to tell all hon. Members to be available tomorrow because I intend to read all the statements from the Ministry of Finance tomorrow.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. This is in relation to what the Minister has just intimated. It will be very useful if the Ministers can indicate to Members of Parliament specifically because sometimes we have had situations where Ministers come late. Ministers have been late many times when hon. Members are here but on the days they are ready, they do not alert them. They should use their Ministries to get to the hon. Members so that they can be present so that we dispose of these matters in an efficient manner.

I think the Leader of Government Business has heard you. At least, some steps are being taken. Mrs. Millie, what was your point or order? If you are not able to use the facility, you may use the Dispatch Box because I have accepted your request. This is the second time I am accepting it.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would also like to inform the Minister that I had actually looked at the list and I noted that some of those statements have been overtaken by events. Indeed, I noticed that one of them, I am the one who requested for it last year when there were rogue wild animals in Lambwe Valley and we wanted the Minister to capture them, unless they have been rogue for the last one year. All the Minister needs to do now is to consult with the respective Members. If some of them are irrelevant, that might reduce the statements to about 20.

I think the Ministers are listening and they will consult the hon. Members who requested for the Statements. We can now move on to the next Order!

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Public Private Partnership Bill, Bill No.12 of 2011 be now read a Second Time. This is one of the most important Bills to come to this House in view of our Vision 2030. The overall objective of the Bill is to create an enabling framework for attracting private-sector investments into key public infrastructure and social services. This is intended to facilitate and attract private-sector investments while maintaining the principle of good governance as the driving force. The Government intends to use the Public Private Partnerships Law to increase the capacity for funding for key infrastructure development projects which is in line with Vision 2030. This will also improve efficiency and the cost effectiveness of public-sector services and increase and expand business opportunities for the private sector. In other words, what we are saying is that it is not possible for the Government to undertake all the development projects in this country. We now want the private sector also to play its part. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, under Vision 2030 the private sector will be the main driver of that vision. For example, if you take the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development, for them to make Nairobi metropolis as a first class African city they required Kshs1.3 trillion. Obviously, that cannot come from the Government because then it will mean taking the entire budget of the whole Government. So, this is where we are now saying, now is the time for the private sector to be the main driver of the economy. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in an attempt to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the public private partnerships, the Government issued the public private regulations in March, 2009. Unfortunately, it has been found out that these regulations are not adequate as there are a lot of gaps and missing areas. Therefore, the Government then thought that the best way would be to address the whole regulations and put them into law so that they are now anchored in law and not just in mere regulations. That is why this Bill has come before this august House. This Bill borrows from the best practice in countries which have been at the forefront of public private partnerships. These countries include Malaysia, India, South Africa, Egypt, British Columbia, Ghana, Australia, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Philippines, Brazil, Mauritius, among others. In these countries you will find that the toll roads in particular have actually been done through public private partnership. This is what we intend to do so that as the Government finances some of the projects through the budgets, then we can do the others through the public private partnerships. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the new Constitution requires that every Bill before it is brought to this House, that first of all it be discussed with the stakeholders. I am glad to inform this House that this Bill has been developed through a consultative process and several stakeholders’ workshops were held to seek views and consensus. The

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the Bill. This is a Bill we have waited for a long time. The Bill is a tool for development that has been used by other nations to leapfrog their development and take it out of the strict confines of Government. This policy is basically based on the principle that there are certain assets that can be developed or

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Bill which has come at a time when this country is on a development kick-off path. Obviously, we require resources and money from all potential investors, both from within the public and the private sectors, to help in terms of realising our Vision 2030 goals.

If you look at this Bill, you will realise that it answers part of our historical problems. We are coming from a history where corruption was the order of the day. As a result, it has almost become a situation where Kenyans believe that everyone is corrupt, unless proved otherwise. So, every time there is a procurement of a certain magnitude, be it within the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) or Parliament; or be it a Government procurement or even a corporate body’s procurement; once the tender is declared as having been won by bidder “a” or bidder “b”, the first thing you hear is that there was corruption. It then goes down to people going to court to prove that they won it without corruption. Now, it gets worse when you start looking at any other model apart from what is known. When somebody comes and says: “Yes, we can partner with the Government, Nairobi City Council (NCC) and Nyandarua County to put up a district headquarters, district hospital or some train service”, the first thing that comes to the mind of the Kenyan people, and especially our media, is that there must be corruption. How much is involved? Who is taking what? People never seem to look at the bigger picture. That is the difference between us and what is happening within our neighbourhood in Uganda, Rwanda and in all the other countries, where things are taken in good faith. That is because there is a law and process that people can go and check.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, well, it may be that this law will cure that. The approval of pudding is in the eating thereof. But, at least, it needs a major step in trying to remove some of those suspicions and mindsets that have now almost become inbuilt within the Kenyan psyche, that nothing happens unless there must be corruption. We have seen all that and the fight within the Biometric Voter Registration System and the media analysis of it.

So, it is a big step and I am very happy that, at last, this law has come into being and I am hoping that this House will give it its maximum support – amend as necessary if need be. I cannot quite figure out what needs to be amended. I think it is very good as it is and let us start the practice. That is because when you look at what we have ahead of us - and I was very encouraged to hear hon. Shakeel. I am very impressed with his mastery of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). I followed every word. When he talks about the frustrations you get--- If you travel from Kisumu or Mombasa, it takes 30 minutes by air. You come to the airport and between the airport and the city, you spend another two hours. It has now reduced because of the opening up of the Museum Hill Roundabout and traffic can flow on Thika Road. However, we have created gainfully, because of the finances, a rail station at Syokimau. I am hoping that at some point, when it is officially opened, we should have as many Members of Parliament using that route or appreciating it. We will then see what else we can do. We would have done it faster if we had identified partners from other countries to do it. But every time you try to do that, everyone says corruption.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to also make my contribution on this Bill. On the onset I want to say that I support this Bill and I strongly do so. I think this is one of the pieces of legislation that the Government has brought that is really forward looking. I could not agree more with Mr. Kimunya’s submission. Recently, we had some consultations as political parties and we were told about the cost of trust in this country. We were told how expensive it is to conduct elections in Kenya because of the cost of trust. In a country like Sweden, we were informed that the person who presides over the elections is the person who takes leave as a doctor; he volunteers his services and, therefore, there is no salary attached to it. That is the private sector coming in. The person who prepares the ballots is the political party participating in the election. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, they prepare this and there is no rigging. Therefore, there is no police. You can see that because of institutionalization of the fact that private people can actually add value to public service, they have reduced their cost of conducting elections, public service and, therefore, make longer steps at a lower cost in terms of development. I think this piece of legislation that institutionalizes this kind of arrangement must be supported by all well meaning Members of Parliament. I know that all of us here are well meaning.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. Perhaps, my brother Mr. Mungatana has not referred to Clause 62. There are two elements; as I said earlier there is that which is a publicly solicited proposal for which the criteria is quoted---

Order, Mr. Shakeel! Please, do not anticipate what the Member is saying. Mr. Mungatana, please, proceed.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think he has just not got what I am saying. What I am trying to say is that this whole Bill seems to be too centrally locked. It has not opened up the freedom for county governments to move as fast as the national Government is able to move, and as we would want the county governments to do. The prominence of the 46 other governments has not been secured properly within this proposed Bill. I would want the Minister to look at this again. I am sure his officers are listening. What is it that we can add to this Bill; we will think around it together. We will make it easy for county governments, particularly the examples Mr. Kimunya mentioned--- There are counties where we will need universities to be set up very quickly and this will need private/public partnership. There are counties where we will need county hospitals to be set up very quickly and this again will require public/private partnership to come in at a very fast rate. There are counties where the trunk roads are in such a bad condition, and we would want Public/private partnership to come in as a quick first aid to resolve some of the problems that exist. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, what is it that we can in-built within this Bill, as Parliament, to make it better, so that counties that are way behind can move at the same rate as other counties? I will be proposing some amendments and I hope the Minister will adopt those amendments to make this Bill better. There is no time as we

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand to support this Bill. This is a very important Bill that will spur economic growth and investment in this country. Why PPP? Some reasoning is that the masses, the citizens expect governments to provide all services and this puts governments under pressure in terms of performance, coupled with very limited resource. This Bill and policy framework will open up provision of public services from private capital and expertise. This Bill is giving an opportunity to the Government and to the public sector; that now you have opened the gates to more capital investment and more expertise and more technology. That is why we say that this is a very important Bill in terms of improving our investments and social infrastructure.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill that has come to this House this time through the Minister for Finance will create a very conducive environment for the private sector. The private sector in this country has been doing very well but the engine of growth, the 10 per cent or 15 per cent that we anticipate in economic growth and our GDP is a result of the role the private sector plays. This has opened the private sector to a bigger opportunity by partnering with the public sector. The participation of the private sector in this engagement gives the public sector, the Government, three key fundamentals that were lacking in the public sector. One is the investment of capital.

Thank you, hon. Duale.

Now, hon. Njuguna, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the chance to make my contribution to this very important law. As stated by the Minister, this will be the stimulus for economic growth for Vision 2030. It will facilitate creation of jobs for our youth in this country. It will also enable industrialization of our country, particularly in the 47 County Governments that will be created by the new Constitution by 2030. It, therefore, calls for the impediments and bottlenecks that have continued to frustrate investments in this country to be addressed through this law.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the cost of electricity in this country to private investors has been the cause of a major cry. The cost of water has also been a problem. Land acquisition for the investors has also been a problem. Security challenges have also been a problem. Infrastructure in this country has been a problem to investors. We know acquisition of business licenses in this country has been a nightmare. In Rwanda, for example, private investors acquire licenses within the shortest time possible. With this law, that impediment will be addressed.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. Is it in order for the Member for Lari to mislead this House that this Bill does not provide for county governments and yet – and I think this is important so that everybody is aware – if you look at the definitions, “contracting authority” means a State department, agency, state corporation or county government, which tends to have a function undertaken by it and performed by a private party? So, this Act applies equally to county governments and---

Order! Order, hon. Githae! Actually, I think you are contributing. There is an issue that came up from other speakers, especially hon. Mungatana, that there are some areas in this Bill that we need to strengthen a little bit, to give some teeth to the county governments and I think he was convincing. Hon. Njuguna is just on that line. You should be taking some notes and later, be able to respond on this.

Hon. Njuguna, are you done?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have already concluded by fully supporting the Bill.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Bill. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, first, I want to congratulate the Minister for Finance. For the short time that this Minister has been in office, we have seen tremendous improvement in that Ministry. For the first time, he is demystifying the Ministry of Finance. We are seeing the Ministry of Finance operating like any other Ministry. So, I want to laud the Minister. He is very simple, accommodative and doing a good job. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, secondly, this is a very important Bill. This is a Bill that we have been asking for, for a long time. I am very happy that this Minister has finally brought it. This Bill will open up this country for investment. It will also create employment for our youth in this country. So, it is important that we, Members of Parliament, support this Bill and fast-track it, so that it can be assented to by the President as soon as possible, and make it operational. Why am I saying that this Bill is extremely important for this country? This country is endowed with a lot of resources that remain unexploited. Allow me just to refer to a few.

The first one is the fishing industry in this country. Did you know that Kenya has 200 nautical miles of the Indian Ocean, where we have so much fishery resources yet we are not exploiting them at all? If you take a small country like Namibia, fish is her first export, yet her range of ocean is smaller than that of Kenya. If we exploit this industry, Kenya will become a major fishing country in the world. We could create thousands of jobs, but this industry lies fallow. Nobody is exploiting it. A few of the Japanese and Korean trawlers are exploiting our resources; they even trawl all the way to the coast and

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I stand to fully support this Bill on the Public Private Partnerships.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, mine is just a humble request. Looking at the time and the number of hon. Members who wish to contribute to this Bill, I would like to ask kindly if it is possible to request each hon. Member to take not more than five minutes so that we may be able to complete debate on this Bill.

I can see now we have about five requests from you. Assuming there are no more speakers, those five hon. Members should be able to take about 25 minutes. Hon. Members, can we agree on three minutes so that we can be able to complete debate on this particular Motion today. Let us now move to Mr. Ogindo.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Bill. In supporting I want to first of all congratulate the Minister for this Bill that is almost late in this country. It is never late for a good initiative. I want to start by saying that at the Committee level, and I want to concur with my predecessors, we will want to see a situation whereby the county governments are mainstreamed in the committee. It is because the entire nation today is divided into counties and most of these partnerships will take place in certain counties. It is the counties that are least developed today that would want to engage in this partnership as fast as possible. As such, we would want to see a situation whereby they have a mechanism or channel of mainstreaming their proposals. Having said that, I want to say that this Bill is really a fantastic Bill because in the Second Schedule, you see it outlines all possibilities of engagement that you want to think about under the sun. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is with regret that Kenya after Independence, 50 years down the line we are still where we are, simply because we have always left development to be in the hands of the Government. The world over, all these countries that are developed, the work of the Government is always to create the infrastructure and the condusive environment for the private sector to thrive. It is on this account that we are going to unlock the potential of these countries and also the potential of the various countries. I have had an opportunity to travel outside this country like many other hon. Members. What strikes you is the level of development in those countries. When you make enquiries you are told that this is the work of the private sector that has engaged themselves in the provision of public services. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I once engaged in a conversation with somebody in Turkey and he asked: what is stopping Kenya from outsourcing dialysis services? This is because dialysis is killing a lot of Kenyans. What you understand is that this proposal has been made to several high-flying Government officials but no one takes it up and yet it has the effect of saving lives and reducing the costs. This is simply because there is a bad culture in this country where everybody wants to ask what is in it for them before they ask what is in it for the country. That is why we got stuck with our geothermal potential. We have a huge geothermal potential in this country. The energy cost would be very much affordable in this country if only we opened up our geothermal sector to public private

Order, hon. Ogindo! We agreed that you have three minutes. So, could you make your concluding remarks, please?

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to understand that to mean we need to revise our Standing Orders. Some of these things are very fundamental and we need to bring out our thoughts on them.

I am allowing you one more minute because we had agreed. We voted for it. Is that still holding? Should we do three minutes or five minutes, hon. Members?

Hon. Ogindo, just make your concluding remarks, please.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, that engagement has distorted my thought lines.

I beg to support.

Very well, hon. Ogindo. We go to hon. Obure.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, I want to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by those who spoke earlier, who have engaged themselves in very high quality debate on this important subject.

I also want to congratulate the Minister and say that he has done a tremendous job in a very short time. He will be remembered for being simple and very accessible as well as for being willing to learn. That is the right way to go.

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, once enacted into law, this Bill will bring us much closer to achieving our Vision 2030. It is a very fundamental Bill. We all acknowledge the fact that we have many requirements in this country. We all look forward to raising finances locally, and particularly through taxation. Finances raised through taxes and so on are hardly enough to meet our requirements. Therefore, this is the way forward which we have desired for a long time. Trying to attract private investors to assist us to engage in investment in physical infrastructure such as roads, airports, railways, ports as well as investment in energy, health, education, industry, and so on, is the way other countries have gone. A notable example in this respect is India, which has been able to make tremendous development strides using public private partnerships. The most important thing that we need to put in place is a simple, clear and well understood legal framework to be able to attract the capital that we need so badly in this country. What I see here today meets that criterion in my opinion. It is a very modern and comprehensive piece of legislation once adopted, and I think it will help us to achieve our objectives in terms of economic development. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, illustrations have been given about Kenya Railways, which have instilled a lot of fear in us. But I would like to say that if we had this law in place, we would not have made the kind of mistakes we made in the case of Kenya Railways. So, this law will protect both the investors and the taxpayers overall and, therefore, I am very happy today because I think we are moving in the right direction. If you look at the various sections of the law, even the fears hon. Mungatana

Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to support and since three minutes is very short, I will go straight to the point. If you look at Part IV of the Bill - the Public Private Partnership Committee, you will see that it is all Government. So, I would really urge that those appointed under Part 4(g) are appointed by a consortium of all professional bodies who will appoint the four people, so that we do not have all this process domineered by the Government. I wish the Ministers could listen because this is very critical. Under the degree, these Ministers still think that the most important degrees are everything else except agriculture. So, if you could look at all the degrees from the universities that are recognized in Kenya, they should be from any of the following fields: Finance, economics, engineering or law. That cuts off the other professional bodies. I want to tell you that in Singapore now, their income is derived from the two casinos and none of them is in these two fields. So, if there are private partnerships affecting casinos, then they do not come under this particular area. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I celebrate the inclusion of the Second Schedule where we are talking about (ii). That is very suitable for what we are thinking. The National Irrigation Board (NIB) should own the infrastructure in irrigation so that all the other bodies can now produce and that is really good. Three, the lease of equipment now is possible and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the police and everybody else does not have to buy a new car, thus easing the burden of purchasing. That is because they can lease/hire that kind of equipment. This is one Bill that could have been done the first time when this Government took over but, nevertheless, it has come in not too late, but in time to spearhead the development in terms of total infrastructure in this country, involving the public at all levels. With my three minutes, I support.

Mr. Bett, please, proceed.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I stand to support this Bill.

My requirement in the Ministry of Roads to rehabilitate our roads is in excess of Kshs500 billion. That is a staggering amount. If this Bill is passed today it will go a long way in alleviating that burden. It will go a long way in assisting in the required rehabilitation on our roads. I even wish that this Bill was in place when we were struggling with the problem of the Nairobi Urban Toll Road, which stalled because we did not have this law in place. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, this will enable us---

Are you on a point of order, Mr. Kamama?

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think I was here earlier than Mr. Bett and---

Mr. Kamama, you must have removed yourself from the system. It is Mr. Bett’s which was on. Please, switch on the button for intervention.

I did the correct thing.

Mr. Bett, please, continue.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I think that problem of technology has eaten into my time and I hope I will be compensated. I was saying that if this law was in place I would have been able to get the work started on the Nairobi Urban Toll Road; it would have also contributed immensely to decongesting our roads in Nairobi. Apart from that, it would also generate employment. We have a huge number of youths who are unemployed. If we are able to partner with countries outside our county or companies outside our country in development projects, we will be able to reduce the level of unemployment, in addition to creating wealth. The moment we create wealth in our country, this will have multiplier effects; this will in turn have positive effects on our economic development. Therefore, this is crucial, and, indeed, in terms of flagship projects, notably in railways and roads---

Minister, your time is up. Mr. Kamama, please, proceed.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, first of all I want to totally support this Bill. I want to congratulate the Minister for fast tracking the bringing of this Bill to the Floor of this House. We have a lot of challenges as a country. You know by the year 2030 we will be 60 million people in this country, and 20 million people will be residing in Nairobi. So we have monumental challenges, as a country, to feed and provide services to the millions of Kenyans. Therefore, this Bill will actualize all our priorities and the services required for the many people we are going to have in future. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we have a lot of potential in many areas. That is why the Public/Private Partnership (PPP) will come in. In mining and wind power, we have tremendous potential, especially in Marsabit and Turkana. In geothermal energy, my constituency alone can actually serve this country. We have a potential of more than 1,500 megawatts. There is coal. We can also have partnership in roads, railway transport; because the Government is always poor at business, we need to invest so as to create wealth. LAPSSET is a project that will transform the entire North Eastern Province or the entire northern Kenya. Therefore, we need to move in. I want to ask the Minister for Finance to actually pay extra attention to that project; Kshs2 billion for it is insufficient. We want so many investors to come in. So we want so many investors. We want like five investors to start all those projects all the way from Lamu to Nadapal.

Hon. Member, your time is up and, please, note that as soon three minutes are over, your microphone will go off.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also stand to support this Bill. I was getting a little bit worried because I was wondering how the execution of the contracts will be implemented until I saw Clause 57 where I realized that Parliament and Cabinet Secretaries will be involved in giving authority and screening the partnerships. With three minutes, nobody can say a lot but I want to inform the Minister here that Kenya is an economic power house and more so in Africa. Kenya is on the world map. It has all the resources that are required and the only problem - I want to speak as a businessman - or the challenges that we are facing in this country are utterances from politicians. If that can be contained and politicians are made not to send such messages where they scare investors, Kenya does not even need to go out and source for investors to come and form partnerships in this country. In every country that has developed, development comes through the private sector because even the taxes that are collected to service the functions of the Government are paid by the private sector. Civil servants who pay taxes pay them after being paid and the results are so meager. The Minister has been involved in the private sector. I know one of the institutions that he used to head at the Runda Estate and the developments he left behind such as water is still there. We are still enjoying water in Runda and there is no problem at all. So, the Minister is quite conversant with what is needed and what it takes for the country to have an environment that allows investors to come. The other issue is that we should be careful and look at all the policies so that we do not end up with briefcase operators taking advantage of well behaved Kenyans and taking them for a ride. With those few remarks, I beg to support.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also want to support this Bill and I want to congratulate the Minister for being very fast enough. I saw in the Order Paper yesterday the Finance Bill which in the last financial year we did in the last three months to the end of the financial year. I think through the Private Public Partnership Bill, the achievement of Vision 2030 will almost be actualized in the next ten years because as we speak right now, many developments have started taking place because of the financial requirements. I heard hon. Members mentioning LAPSSET being allocated Kshs2 billion and I think at that rate, that project will take almost 30 or 50 years to complete. But with what has been put forward here, we will be able to see these projects moving forward because Kenyans are willing to invest in their country.

Kenyans in the Diaspora are willing to invest in this country, but the main problem has been lack of a clear policy on these investments. Therefore, this Bill is very useful and it will help us develop this country.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, this Bill is very good in totality. However, I also want the Minister tell us how a dispute between two parties that have entered into an

Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this particular Bill which is a key to the development of this country towards the realization of Vision 2030---

What is it, hon. Wetangula? Are you on a point of order?

Yes, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. It is not practically possible that Prof. Kaloki is ahead of me because he was on the Chair when I logged in. He cannot come from the Chair and be ahead of me unless the electronic system is not working.

Minister, the Chair determines who will speak. So, just hold your horses; you will get your time.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, for that protection. The turn for the Minister to contribute will come.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, this particular Bill will assess the development of counties, especially on the issue of food security. People in Makueni County have been struggling to get food for many years. The Government has not been able to come up with programmes that could address food security there. I believe with the enactment of this Bill into law, investors will invest in food production in Makueni County and other semi-arid areas of this country. There will be a structured way of investing in this country. The private sector will invest in dams which will be useful in irrigation of these areas. We will be able to produce enough food for domestic consumption and for export.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, education is key to development. There are some counties in this country which do not have colleges or universities. With the enactment of this Bill, funds will now flow in from developed countries to those counties, so that structures for higher learning can be developed. We need to establish colleges and universities in all the counties so that we achieve Vision 2030 in this country.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Minister must make sure that we do not have bottlenecks and barriers when we implement this law. He should make sure that there is a smooth implementation of these particular programmes, so that the private sector will not have---

Now, hon. Wetangula, you can have your time.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. I would have wanted to speak on this Bill for a minimum of 30 minutes, but you have given me three minutes.

Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, let me just say that I support the Bill because many countries and economies have gone this direction. There is a lot of money in the private sector that can help develop the country. The railway systems, concessioning of roads, industrial establishments like the fertilizer plant that hon. Kamama talked about; all these can come through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Build, Operate and Trasnfers (BOTs) and so on. So, this is a good idea. I hope that the Minister will make sure that this comes to fruition quickly. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, there should be dispute resolution mechanisms, like hon. Benjamin said. More importantly, the committee being set up to run the establishment should not be a hindrance, but a support mechanism for PPPs to grow. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I support.

Hon. Minister now! Hon. C. Onyancha, I am sorry you will not be able to speak today. You will speak next time, unless the Minister wants to give you a minute. The Minister has only three minutes. Please, allow him to reply. Hon. Wetangula, what is your point of order?

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. Is it in order for my good friend here to stand up and raise his hand as if he is in a classroom, when we have hi-tech facilities with us to attract the attention of the Chair?

I think we are all trying to get used to the technology. So, we will forgive our friend for that type of behaviour. Make use of the buttons, hon. Shakeel! Hon. Minister, continue.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I just want to thank hon. Members for those very wonderful contributions. We have heard from hon. Benjamin Langat on dispute resolution. Yes, it is true. I have just looked at the Bill and found that there is no provision for dispute resolution mechanism. We are assuming that everything will flow smoothly. During the Committee Stage, I will come up with amendments on dispute resolution. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I would just like to emphasize that this Bill applies to county governments. The only provision given to the company secretary is to

Hon. Members, since there is only about a minute left, I think we cannot start another Order. I, therefore, want to bring this Sitting to a close. The House stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday 9th August, 2012, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 6.29 p.m.