Sergeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell.

Hon. Members, we now have quorum to transact business. We will come to messages later.

Whip of the Majority Party, you have Papers to lay.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: 1. Deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces on 7th April 2025 to assist in emergency response at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate, Mombasa County; 2. Reports of the Auditor-General and Financial Statements for the years ended 30th June 2021, 30th June 2022 and 30th June 2023 and the certificates therein in respect of: (a) Ahero Girls Secondary School (b) Bunyore Girls High School (c) Kabianga High School (d) Kanga High School (e) Kaplelach Secondary School - Bomet (f) Kaplong Girls High School (g) Keekonyokie Mixed Day Secondary School (h) Kenyenya Secondary School (i) Kilgoris Boys High School (j) Kimulot Boys High School (k) Kipsigis Girls High School (l) Kisii High School (m) Kisimu Girls High School (n) Matongo Boys High School (o) Moi Girls Secondary School -Vokoli (p) Moi Nyabohanse Girls High School - Migori; (q) Nguirubi Mixed Secondary School (r) Nyabururu Girls High School (s) Nyambaria High School (t) Ramba Boys High School The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

(u) Rungiri Secondary School (v) Sironga Girls High School (w) St. Georges Girls Secondary School (x) St. Joseph Nyabigena Boys High School - Kisii (y) Tenwek High School (z) Vihiga Friends High School.

Thank you. Next is the Chairperson of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, Hon. Mulyungi.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Reports of Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of Reports of the Auditor-General as follows— 1. Fifth Report on the Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund for Teso South, Matayos, Nambale, Funyula, Teso North and Butula constituencies in Busia County for the Financial Years 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. 2. Sixth Report on the Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund for Webuye East, Dagoretti North and Matuga constituencies for the Financial Years 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.

Thank you, Hon. Mulyungi. Next is the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. Hon. Raso, are you ready?

I am waiting for the Paper.

Next is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection, Hon. Alice.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on the vetting of the following nominees for appointment as Principal Secretaries— 1. CPA Carren Achieng Ageng’o, nominee for appointment as the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Children Welfare Services. 2. Mr Fikirini Jacobs Katoi Kahindi, nominee for appointment as the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Next is the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on the vetting of the following nominees for appointment as Principal Secretaries— 1. Mr Cyrell Wagunda Odede, State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management. 2. Dr Boniface Makokha, State Department for Economic Planning. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Dido Raso, are you ready? We will come back to you. Let us go to the next Order. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Chairperson of Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, Hon. Mulyungi.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT this House adopts the Fifth Report of the Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the Report of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund for six constituencies in Busia County, being Teso South, Matayos, Nambale, Funyula, Teso North and Butula constituencies, for Financial Years 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 10th April 2025.

Thank you, Hon. Mulyungi. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Raso, are you still in the same predicament? Let us proceed to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance, Hon. Umul Kheir. Hold on. Hon. Mulyungi, I am told that you have a third notice of Motion. You are usually very organised. What is happening today? As Hon. Mulyungi finds his bearings, Hon. Umul Kheir, go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning in its Report on the Vetting of Nominees for Appointment as Principal Secretaries, State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management and the State Department for Economic Planning, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 10th April 2025; and pursuant to the provisions of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution and sections 3 The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, CAP 7F, approves the appointment of the following persons as Principal Secretaries – 1. Mr Cyrell Wagunda Odede – State Department for Public Investments and Asset Management. 2. Dr Boniface Makokha – State Department for Economic Planning. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Umul Kheir. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection in its Report on the Vetting of Nominees for Appointment as Principal Secretaries, State Department for Children Welfare Services and State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 10th April 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution and sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, CAP 7F, approves the appointment of the following persons as Principal Secretaries – 1. CPA Carren Achieng Ageng’o – State Department for Children Welfare Services. 2. Mr Fikirini Jacobs Katoi Kahindi –State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Let us go back to Order No.5 to allow Hon. Dido Raso to lay his Paper.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following paper on the Table: Report of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the Vetting of Hon. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim for Appointment as Principal Secretary, State Department for National Government Coordination. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Let us return to Order No.6 to allow Hon. Dido Raso and Hon. Mulyungi to give notices of Motions.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security in its Report on the Vetting of Nominee for Appointment as Principal Secretary, State Department for National Government Coordination, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 10th April 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution and sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, CAP 7F, approves the appointment of Hon. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim as Principal Secretary, State Department for National Government Coordination. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. We are still at Order No.6. Hon. Mulyungi, are you better organised now? Just read the Notice of Motion as drafted.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements for the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Account for the Financial Years 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 21st March 2024.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Mulyungi. Hon. Marianne Kitany, are you better organised now?

If you only shake your head, it will not go on the Hansard .

Not yet, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Before we proceed to the next Order, Hon. Members, allow me to acknowledge, in the Public Gallery, students from the following institutions – 1. Queen of Angels Comprehensive School from Sotik Constituency, Bomet County. 2. Testimony School from Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. 3. Creation Academy from Isiolo North Constituency, Isiolo County. Hon. Members, you should welcome these children to Parliament.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the House, we welcome the students, their teachers and any accompanying persons to the House of Parliament. Let us return to Order No.3.

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 41(4) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, I wish to convey to the House that I have received a Message from the Senate regarding its decision to extend the tenure of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of Nominees for Appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The Message conveys that on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, the Senate considered and resolved to extend the tenure of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of Nominees for Appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by a period of fourteen (14) days from 28th April 2025. You will recall that on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, this House considered and approved the extension by a similar period. The concurrence of the Senate on the request, therefore, concludes the bicameral consideration of the matter. I am informed that the Clerk has since conveyed the decision of the Houses of Parliament to the IEBC Selection Panel. The House is accordingly guided. Thank you. Hon. Marianne, are you now okay? We will go back to Order 6. Hon. Marianne Kitany.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, aware that the world is rapidly embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is the use of a digital computer or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings; acknowledging that the 2022 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index report ranked Kenya fifth in Africa and 90th globally in readiness to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI); further acknowledging that the Oxford Insights Survey 2022 pegged Kenya’s readiness to adopt AI at 40.3 per cent; appreciating that AI has brought forth positive benefits that have increased efficiency in different sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing and robotics; concerned that the exponential rate at which Artificial Intelligence is being embraced in the society without proper regulatory mechanisms has caused various negative consequences such as rising cases of disinformation and fake news; noting that there is need to protect Kenyans from the potential AI-instigated harms such as privacy breaches, AI-powered fake technology algorithms, algorithmic discrimination, autonomous weapons, job displacement and economic inequality, social manipulation and misinformation, financial market manipulation, and privacy invasion; now therefore, this House urges the Government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to: 1. Formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country to control its potential misuse; and, 2. Develop and execute a public awareness programme on Artificial Intelligence to raise understanding of AI, foster transparency and promote responsible use of AI for the benefit of all. Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Marianne. Next Order.

The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disruption of the performance of ‘Echoes of War’ – a play by Butere Girls High School – at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru County by the National Police Service. In February 2025, Butere Girls High School, in participation in the 2025 National Drama Festivals, presented a play titled ‘Echoes of War’ which successfully progressed through the sub-county, county and regional levels and was, thereafter, approved to proceed to the national level. Despite this progress, apparently, the play elicited much unjustifiable concern that led to it being banned. The High Court lifted the ban and the play was reinstated for performance at the National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru. Unfortunately, on 9th April 2025, on the eve of the presentation of the play at the national level, the Director of the “Echoes of War” play, Hon. Cleophas Malala, was allegedly arrested in Nakuru County under unclear circumstances hence disrupting preparations for the performance. Today morning, Butere Girls was prevented from staging the play. Anti-riot police officers were deployed to the venue and they allegedly lobbed teargas at students who were preparing to perform. Members of the public were also denied access to the venue. This situation raises serious concerns regarding the freedom of expression enshrined in Article 33 of the Constitution and the role of security agencies in protecting constitutional rights and freedoms. As the court noted in the case of banning the “Shackles of Doom” play, a ban such as the one imposed by the Kenya National Drama Festival constitutes a limitation of freedom of expression. The producers and students of Butere Girls have invested time, talent and effort in the development and performance of their play. The action of denying the students the opportunity to perform, and barring members of the public from accessing the venue of the festival, not only undermines the right to artistic creativity but also limits constitutional freedoms. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following: 1. A report on the incident at the National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru, including reasons for the deployment of anti-riot police and use of excessive force. 2. Steps that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is taking to ensure that law enforcement agencies protect and do not infringe on the rights of citizens, particularly children, in line with the Constitution. 3. Measures the ministry is taking to prevent future violations of artistic freedoms in educational spaces and to guarantee that students and their creative producers are not intimidated or threatened.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Yes, Omboko Milemba. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Hon. Speaker, thank you very much for this chance. I just want to support the Statement and indicate that drama is just about satire that has been there throughout. I remember ‘Volta’ was one of the most remembered satirical philosophers during the French Revolution but he was allowed to perform before Louis XVI.

He is not called ‘Volta’. He is called Voltaire.

Thank you. You are an authority Speaker. He was called Voltaire. He was allowed to perform before Louis XVI. I think what we should do in that space is to allow such plays to be performed, they get over with, and we move on. I plead with you that we also involve the Departmental Committee on Education and Research because I know they will quickly rush to punish teachers who are not responsible for this. Therefore, I hope our teachers will not be punished.

Yes, mama Zamzam.

Asante sana Mheshimiwa Spika kwa kunipa fursa hii nami nizungumzie tamthilia ya watoto wa Butere. Akili za hawa watoto zinanasa mambo mengi sana. Katika shule nilikuwa nafanya tamthilia. Vitabu vingi vimeandikwa. Mifano ni “Mashetani” na “Kusadikika”. Niliangalia ule mchezo nikaona wanasiasa wameingia ndani ya tamthilia ya hawa watoto. Wanasiasa wameingia wakawa wanatoa uwazi wa maneno. Sisi tunajua Kenya inateketea. Kuna wakati tumetoka hapa mbio kwa sababu ya mambo ambayo hayakuwa sawa. Kwa hivyo hatuwezi kukubali watoto wetu wadhurike akili. Watoto wapewe michezo mingine. Kuna michezo mingi. Maneno ya kutumia pia yako tofautitofauti. Lakini, nikiangalia ule mchezo, ulikuwa umeingia siasa na nia tofauti ilhali wale watoto wako innocent na hawaelewi wanaambiwa wafanye nini. Kwa hivyo, katika shule zetu, tuhakikishe kwamba walimu wanawekea watoto wetu mambo yatakayopatia akili zao kunasa mwongozo mzuri, na si mambo ambayo yataleta utatanishi na mfarakano katika taifa. Hivyo, nasema ile ban iko sawa. Nilicheza tamthilia. Watoto wapewe mchezo ambao unaweza kuwa na mafunzo mazuri. Wasipewe michezo ambayo itakuja kuchoma taifa. Asante sana.

Donya.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I participated in drama while I was in primary school, high school and college before I joined university. In fact, I was the best character. I am still the best character even in Bunge . I have been doing this satire thing. I will just say it because it is the debate we have on the Floor of the House. There was a time when somebody wrote on social media that a Kisii Woman Representative, on her way to Kisii, was captured on camera going for a short call. It was a lie. They then used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to insert a photo. Would you want us to celebrate when they do such a thing to leaders? There are countries which do not even allow WhatsApp. We are misusing our freedom of speech. I have to continue: ‘We are misusing our freedom.’ That quote must be noted. When doing drama in school, you do what helps you to understand osmosis or photosynthesis better because that what is examined. You should not tell learners certain things. I saw the clip. They are saying “Zakayo must go”. Where? It is just like the other day when they were saying the Speaker must go. Which Speaker must go? Where? Who would be seated there if you had gone?

We must think tough. Yes, we say our children must be protected and given capitation fees and books. However, allowing politicians to join the schools is improper. The drama teachers should write the scripts. One goes to a school as a politician, takes the role of a drama The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

teacher and then wants us to clap for him or her. They will write bad things tomorrow. I am sorry I was to say something else. We will then wonder or ask what we did. That was wrong. The writer of that play is not a drama teacher. He is a politician who has vengeance and wants to prove a point. Before he proves his point, he must be told that what he has done is very wrong.

Hon. Keynan.

Hon. Speaker, it is high time we called a spade a spade. The Butere girls or children who were participating in the drama festival are victims of politics. We all understand the structure of our education system. There must be a drama master. There is a drama club, a drama teacher at the school, and the standards officer at the sub-county. There must have been failure by all these persons. The first question that I want to ask is how the school allowed Mr Malala to participate as one of the characters in the promotion of talents of those innocent girls. Our politics have destroyed the socio-political fabrics of this country through petty partisan political shenanigans. Today we will be out and going back to schools. Individuals must take responsibility. I empathise with the innocent girls. How did this happen? How was this allowed? Deal with politicians if you want to fight President Ruto. Do not go to students. Do not use innocent children as characters. Politicians have the political arena. As a father and grandfather who still has school going children, that must not be allowed. I urge the investigative agencies to deal with the teachers who allowed this to happen, and deal with Hon. Cleophas Malala. I appeal to parents not to allow their children to be used by politicians. Hon. Speaker, I know you are a great man in such matters. I am told that the entire political class have gone to Nakuru today to empathise with Hon. Malala. He and his cohorts in the school should be arrested this evening. That is the only way we can say sorry to the parents and students. That is very important. I also appeal to the Departmental Committee on Education to conduct thorough investigation and bring a report on the entire ecosystem on how this was allowed. I support the Statement.

Hon. Osoro.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I associate myself with the sentiments that have been made by my colleagues. I have had an opportunity to discuss with one of the top education stakeholders as far as the drama festival is concerned. He informed me that the theme of this year's drama festival for secondary schools was ‘Leveraging Technology to Nurture Talent while Inculcating National Values for Socio- Economic Development.’ It was about leveraging technology to nurture talent. Looking at the excerpts of what is purported to be the drama play by Butere Girls High School, it has nothing close to technology. At one point you hear the girls saying, “Kasongo must go.” At another point you hear them saying, “We want our rights.” If indeed it is true that the students were chased out of the compound, we condemn such action although that is not confirmed by the authorities. However, we must also speak as parents and say that we are encouraging a rebellious generation, which is not fair. We are raising a generation which believes whatever they say, even if it is wrong, they should not be redirected. That is very wrong. This play does not have any rightful word to praise it. If there was a gap within the education administrative structure that led to the admission of a play that does not align with this year’s theme, even if it is a politician, it should be dealt with. Parents need to ask themselves this question: Why are you clapping that a politician drafted a script for your students in a school? Why should you take pride in a politician who is said to have not gone to any university just because he is creative? His papers are questionable. He is the one who drafts The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

plays for national schools like Butere Girls High School. As a parent who wants your child to go to school and get proper education, and get out to be creative, you clap and say, “The politician created a script.” If you tell me to write a script, I will write one that befits my political line of thought. If you tell Malala or any other person to write a script, they will base the script within their line of thought. Does it align with the education standards of this country? It does not. Hon. Malala should be charged. Even if you write a script and it is admitted in school, the process of directing the script should be left to a teacher with a TSC number, not a person with political intent. On Sunday, Hon. Malala was talking about Kasongo and on Tuesday he was pushing the play, using small children to drive a political agenda. No, that should not be allowed to happen. The County Director of Education, the Sub-County Director of Education, the principal and the teacher who admitted the play should be answerable. It is wrong by all standards. Thank you.

Hon. Dido Raso, the Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs, when can you bring a response to the request?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. We will bring a response in two weeks’ time.

Two weeks is too long. Liaise with the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Education and bring a report on Thursday next week.

I am well guided, Hon. Speaker. I want to say something, following the comments by my colleagues. Hon. Speaker, Kenya is bigger than all of us. When we have a platform, we have to use it responsibly. Many of us in this august House have children in primary and secondary schools, and universities. We want their character to be developed. We want them to learn good manners. I have watched that clip. I asked myself where we want this country to be in one year, 10 years or 20 years. We are not going to be here for eternity, but we must leave a good country for future generations. I do not want to cast aspersions on the question of…

That is enough. Bring a response on Thursday. The next request is by Hon. Mohammed Daudi, the Member for Wajir East.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs regarding discriminatory security clearance protocols imposed on passengers flying to and from the northern region. Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394) and international aviation security standards prescribe uniform security procedures for all travellers. However, passengers from certain regions of this country, particularly Wajir County, are subjected to special clearance at the port of origin and re-screening upon arrival at Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The discriminatory protocols are undertaken pursuant to the Air Navigation Regulations, 1985 (Revised in 2012). The Regulations require airlines to obtain clearance from the Office of the President before flying to the following aerodromes:

1. Buna East 6. Balambala 11. Giriftu 2. Liboi 7. Elwak 12. Takaba 3. Bura 8. Modogashe 13. Gurar 4. Mandera 9. Garissa 14. Habaswein The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

5. Dif 10. Rhamu 15. Ijara.

1. Dukana 5. Isiolo 9. Laisamis 2. Merti 6. North Horr West 10. Sololo 3. Illelet 7. Karga 11. Logologo 4. Moyale

Segel 12. Marsabit

1. Dandori 5. Masalani 8. Mkunubi 2. Korokor 6. Mpeketoni 9. Ngao 3. Kiunga 7. Kipini 10. Siyu 4. Lamu Mwana

Migori

1. Baragoi 3. Ol Donyo Farm 2. Serolevi 4. Wamba

Notably, Regulation 1.1.14 requires flights to an aerodrome in the Northern Region to obtain the clearance not later than 48 hours before the intended departure. This constrains airline operators from offering timely services to passengers and runs counter to the principles of inclusivity. The continued application of these Regulations also seems oblivious of the fact that the security situation that necessitated stringent security protocols then has since improved, calling for a review. It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to apprise the House on the following: 1. The justification for continued requirement for special clearance for flights to and from Wajir and aerodromes in the places listed in Regulation 1.1.14 of the Air Navigation Regulations, 1985 (Revised in 2012) despite the improved security situation in the region. 2. The reasons for re-screening passengers from Wajir upon arrival at Wilson Airport despite being screened at the ports of departure, a practice not uniformly applied to passengers from other places. 3. The measures put in place to ensure uniform security screening procedures for all domestic flights in line with the constitutional provisions on equality and fairness. 4. The steps being taken to revise the Air Navigation Regulations, 1985 to remove the discriminatory provisions in Regulation 1.1.14 requiring special clearance for flights to the listed aerodromes.

I thank you.

Chairman of Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Ali Raso, can you bring a response in two weeks’ time?

Hon. Speaker, listening to that Statement, there is also the element of transport.

Element of what?

Transport.

Yes. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

It is about civil aviation.

Actually, it is not a security matter. Is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure here? Hon. Rahim Dawood.

The Chairman is here, Hon. Speaker.

I can see you. Hon. Rahim Dawood, did you perceive the statement to be a security or an aviation matter? Give him the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, the clearances are obtained from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, not from the Civil Aviation Authority. While it is about aerodromes and air transport, these clearances are imposed and obtained from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. Thank you.

Okay. Hon. Ali Raso, bring us a response in two weeks’ time. Next is Hon. Adan Keynan.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation regarding the status of the Wajir Water and Sewerage system project.

Access to clean and sustainable water is not only a right under Article 43 of the Constitution but is also a key driver and cornerstone for economic growth, public health and environmental sustainability. To this end, the Wajir Water and Sewerage System project was initiated under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation to provide clean water and an elaborate sewerage system in Wajir Town. The project was earmarked to benefit from World Bank funding under the Water and Sanitation Development Project (P156634) of 2017. Regrettably, the project, which has immense transformative potential of the project in alleviating chronic water shortages, fostering economic vitality, and significantly uplifting the quality of life for Wajir Town's residents, has been faced with inexplicable delays. These prolonged delays have hindered the realisation of this critical water and sanitation infrastructure project, necessitating the urgent need to expedite its completion so as to address the pressing challenges facing the community as intended, notably equitable access to water resources and enhancement of the resilience and prosperity of the people of Wajir.

Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation on the following: 1. The current implementation status of the Wajir Water and Sewerage System project, including the milestones achieved so far and the expected completion timelines. 2. The financial status of the project, specifying all the funds allocated, including funding support from the World Bank Water and Sanitation Development Project (P156634) of 2017, if any; the details of amounts disbursed and utilised to date and whether the project has experienced any financial constraints or unfulfilled budgetary commitments leading to delayed completion. 3. Measures in place to ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency in the utilisation of funds, particularly in light of the delays and concerns about cost overruns. 4. The challenges, including technical, financial, or administrative, impeding the progress of the project and the strategic interventions taken by the Ministry to overcome those challenges and ensure timely completion. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

5. Plans by the Ministry to guarantee the long-term sustainability, efficiency and affordability of water supply and sewerage services upon completion and operationalisation of the project. Hon. Speaker, I am aware that the funds meant for Wajir have been diverted to another county in a different region. I request the Chairman to bring out all the facts appertaining to this particular project as every Kenyan and every region is entitled to the same development initiative by the Government.

Chairperson of Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, Hon Bowen, when will you bring the statement?

I will bring the answer in the next two weeks, Hon. Speaker.

Two weeks is okay. Thank you. Let us have Hon. Joseph Gitari, the Member for Kirinyaga Central.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding promotion of Curriculum Support Officers (CSO) to the position of Principal Teacher Management Officers (PTMO).

Curriculum Support Officers play a vital role in implementation of the curriculum in the country. The CSOs were transferred to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in 2012 with a view of guaranteeing quality assurance of education across the country. In 2019, the Commission adopted Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) for Curriculum Support Officers. However, the CPG is yet to be fully implemented and has led to a few CSOs below the age of 55 years being promoted to Principal Teacher Management Officers, leaving out those above 55 years. The failure by the TSC to fully implement the CPG has caused anxiety amongst the CSOs.

It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following: 1. A report on the steps being taken by the government to promote CSO due for promotion to the position of Principal Teacher Management Officers. 2. Report on the status of implementation of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) issued by the TSC. 3. Measures the Government is putting in place to ensure fair career progression in all cadres under the TSC.

I thank you.

Thank you. Is the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education in the House? Leader of the Majority Party, where is your Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education?

The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are not in the House, but I will advise them.

Advise them to bring a response in two weeks’ time.

Yes, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Machua Waithaka, Member for Kiambu.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining regarding flooding and environmental degradation affecting Kasarini Primary School, as a result of wastewater discharge from the Five Star Paradise Housing Development in Runda. In 2014, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) approved the construction of Five Star Paradise Estate in Runda. The developers constructed this housing development between 2014 and 2016. The construction significantly altered the topography of the area, severely affecting Kasarini Primary School which neighbours the estate. It has suffered from severe flooding and environmental degradation as a result of wastewater discharge from the estate, which has turned the school grounds into a wetland. This situation has exposed both students and teachers to severe health risks. The sanitation facilities in the school, including toilets, have become clogged and the playground is flooded, making them unusable. In addition, uncontrolled water flow from the estate has led to emergence of water springs across the school. This situation has raised concern regarding the environmental regulatory considerations applied by NEMA during approvals of development projects and oversight of compliance after completion. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on the following– 1. Report detailing the process followed by the NEMA in granting approvals to the developers of Five Star Paradise Runda Estate, including the Environmental Impact Assessment that the agency conducted. 2. Actions that the Ministry has taken to curb any further pollution and to mitigate the health and environmental risks posed by wastewater discharge into Kasarini Primary School. 3. Steps being taken to restore Kasarini Primary School as a safe and conducive learning environment for students, including any plans for compensation to the school for the damages suffered as a result of the pollution, indicating specific timelines for the said compensation. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Machua. Leader of the Majority Party, communicate to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education to bring a response in two weeks’ time.

Thank you.

Hon. Lillian Siyoi, Woman Representative for Trans Nzoia County.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health regarding the maternal and child mortality rate in the country. The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey published by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that mortality rates for mothers and children hit the lowest level in the last three decades. According to the data, the mortality rate for neonates stood at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births, while for children under five years, it was at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births. On the other hand, the 2024 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Report on Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths ranks Kenya fourth in Africa with 594 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This trend is worrying given that Kenya is a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under SDG 3, member States aim to reduce neonatal mortality rates to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births, children under the age of five years to 21 deaths per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality rates to 70 The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

deaths per 100,000 live births respectively by 2030. Regrettably, Kenya’s mortality rates stand at double of these targets. According to the Ministry of Health, the mortality rate in the country remains a major public health concern, with 15 out of 47 counties accounting for 98.7 per cent of all deaths. These tragic figures underscore the urgent need for quality healthcare, which hinges on the dedication and well-being of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. Unfortunately, Trans Nzoia County is grappling with a shortage of over 900 nurses, adversely affecting service delivery. There is need for deliberate measures to address these issues to improve maternal and neonatal health outcome in the country. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health on the following – 1. Report on the targeted interventions initiated by the Ministry of Health to support high burden counties, including Trans Nzoia County, to combat the high child and maternal mortality rates in the country. 2. Report on measures being taken by the Government to improve the welfare of healthcare professionals at national and county health facilities. I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Lillian. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. (Dr) Nyikal, when can you bring a response?

It is possible in two weeks, Hon. Speaker.

Two weeks?

Yes.

Thank you. Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Machua Waithaka has told me that he had directed his request for Statement to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining. However, the Order Paper indicates it is directed to the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education. Check with the Clerk’s Office and liaise with both Chairpersons and see who will bring the response.

The Clerk-at-the-Table owns up that it is an error in the Order Paper. Hon. Machua, note that. Who is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining?

Is Hon. Kawaya in the House? Leader of the Majority Party, you will communicate accordingly. Next is Hon. Umulkher Harun. Hon. Umulkher, before you request for a Statement, allow me to acknowledge, in the Public Gallery, learners from Tinderet Comprehensive School and Nyairobi Secondary School from Kipkelion West, Kericho County. On my behalf and that of the House, we welcome the learners and their teachers to the House of Parliament. Hon. Umulkher, proceed. Give her the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs regarding the status of prosecution of The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer, Mr Hassan Muse Mire, accused of murdering Mr Abdullahi Kassim Yussuf. On 31st July 2019, Mr Hassan Muse Mire of Identification Card No.32394753, a KDF officer, allegedly shot and killed Mr Abdullahi Kassim Yussuf of Identification Card No.28872525 in Garissa County under unclear circumstances. On 23rd March 2022, the court recommended his prosecution for the murder following conclusion of Milimani Public Inquest No.2 of 2020. Sadly, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is yet to prosecute the said KDF Officer, despite numerous reminders by the legal counsel representing the family of the deceased. The inordinate delay in the prosecution and administration of justice has caused immense anguish to the family. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the following- 1. Status of implementation of the recommendations made by the court vide public inquest No.2 of 2020 in the murder of Mr Abdullahi Kassim Yussuf of Identification Card No.28872525. 2. A comprehensive report on the reason for the inordinate delay in prosecution of Mr Hassan Muse Mire, a KDF Officer of Identification Card No.32394753, accused of the murder of Mr Abdullahi Kassim Yussuf on 31st July 2019. 3. The actions being taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure justice is served to the family of the deceased without any further delay. Hon. Speaker, Abdullahi was my uncle and we miss him as a family. May Allah rest his soul in Jannah. Thank you.

Yes, Adow. No, that is not Adow. That is the Member for West Mugirango. You are raising both your hands that is why I could not see your face.

Yes. Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for permitting me to ride on that. I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and, of course, I will deal with this matter, but I must declare my interest that I was the family lawyer during the inquests when this poor Kenyan was executed allegedly by military officers about four years ago. Indeed, justice delayed is justice denied. On behalf of the family, I think we need to tender an apology as a Republic for the inordinate delay in giving them justice. I hope and believe that my able Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and the Committee as a whole will play its role to ensure that the family gets redress. I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Thank you, very much, Mr Speaker.

How much time do you require?

Two weeks should be sufficient for us to answer this sufficiently and in a manner that is satisfactory to the Hon. Lady Member. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Hon. George. Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, Member for Githunguri.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands regarding status and ownership of a parcel of public land in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Hon. Speaker, the Government has owned a 55-acre parcel of public land registered as L.R No.Githunguri/Township/26 and 27 located in Githunguri Town for decades now. It serves as the administrative hub for Githunguri Constituency. The land hosts various Government agencies including the County Land Registry, the Deputy County Commissioner’s offices, the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) offices, and the Constituency office. In 2011, the then Cabinet Secretary for National Heritage and Culture vide Kenya

No.244 of 14th January 2011, gazetted the land as a national heritage site to be shared as follows: Githunguri Gallows, Maumau Trench, Githunguri Kiriri, and Jomo Kenyatta College. Despite this status, a recent official search conducted revealed that a portion of the land was transferred in 2011 to a Ms Lydia Wanjiku Gatheca of Identification Card No.3368832, who is now claiming ownership and seeks to occupy it. This has raised alarm among residents and public servants as the details regarding the transfer of the public land remain unclear. Article 62 of the Constitution provides that public land includes, among other aspects, land in respect of which no individual or community ownership can be established by any legal processes. This alleged claim of ownership of the said public land by an individual raises serious concerns regarding land administration processes. Hon. Speaker

Thank you, Hon. Gathoni. Where is the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Lands? Who is the Vice-Chair? I am aware Hon. Nyamoko is out of the country. Members, pay attention to the proceedings of the House. Who is the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Lands, or any Member of the Committee?

Myself, Hon. Speaker. In two weeks, we will be able to respond.

Okay. Now, let us have responses to Statements.

A response to Request for Statement by Hon. Doris Donya is deferred to Tuesday next week.

Hon. Speaker, two weeks. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

You are not even listening.

Sorry, Hon. Speaker. I was a bit...

Hon. GK, two weeks of what?

Deferment, Hon. Speaker.

I said I have deferred the response to Question No.4 by Hon. Doris Donya to Tuesday next week.

I got it right, Hon. Speaker.

That is not two weeks. Okay. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Energy, Hon. Gikaria, to respond to a request by Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim.

Do I proceed, Hon. Speaker? I do not know whether the Member is around.

She is around.

Okay. Hon. Speaker, following the letter dated 11th March 2025, the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy requested the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, to make submissions on a request for a Statement by Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim, the Member of Parliament for Mandera County, regarding power outages in that County. The following are the submissions as requested. Question number one is with regard to the steps taken by the Government to address frequent power outages in Mandera County. Mandera is an off-grid county served by diesel generators. The current demand for Mandera is 3.8 megawatts, with the following installed and effective generation capacity as indicated in the table provided.

Hon. Umul Kheir, are you satisfied?

No, I am not satisfied, Hon. Speaker.

Go ahead and express your dissatisfaction.

First, before I go to the issue of the generators, there is a part in the response that mentions the end of March, but we are now in April. Can you clarify that? You also realised it was a mistake and you skipped that part. These responses seem to be very sloppy. I am generally not satisfied with the responses. I am confused. I do not know where to start from in terms of the Statement. Do I start from the head or the tail? The Chairperson said that the substitute generator arrived on site on Sunday, 23rd March 2025 and installation and commissioning was completed by 26th March 2025. The current status is as it was when I first requested for this Statement. The Statement is contradictory. Hon. Speaker, please, give guidance on that.

Hon. Gikaria.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. This response came much earlier. It did not come yesterday. The request for a Statement was made on 11th March 2025. The Committee was directed to give a response in two weeks. The dates that are given here remain as they are. When the Ministry states that the project was completed by 26th March 2025, I want to believe that is the case. If the situation on the ground is different, we can go back to the Ministry because this is their response. As for the part of the Statement that mentions the end of March, the Statement was responding to three different questions. Each question had a different completion date. The second question had the March deadline, while the first question had the April deadline.

Hon. Members, hold your horses. Before we go to the next response, allow me to go to Order No.8, so that we put the Question to the Motion while we still have abundant quorum in the House. Clerk-at-the-Table, call out Order No.8.

Hon. Members on their feet, take your seats.

Hon. Umul Kheir, take your seat.

The Member talking to… I cannot tell from her back. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Let us go back to Order No.7. Hon. Umul Kheir.

Hon. Umul Kheir, it is out of order to be on call in the Chamber when business is going on.

I am sorry, Hon. Speaker. I said there is a contradiction in the Statement because it is dated 9th April. The Chairperson is saying that the Statement came two weeks after I asked for a response.

Are you disputing the dates or the facts of the Statement?

The Statement refers to March as the current month, and yet we are in April. It also states that the installation and commissioning of the substitute generator was completed on Sunday, 23rd March 2025.

Are you saying that is incorrect?

Nothing has happened.

Hon. Gikaria.

Maybe the Statement originated elsewhere other than from the Cabinet Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary's signature is in a letter dated 9th April 2025, yet the Committee Chairperson is saying that the response came two weeks after I made the request for a Statement, which is around 26th March 2025. I am confused. Hon. Speaker, please, give guidance on this one. I would like Hon. Bashir to support me on this because we come from the same county.

Order, Hon. Umul Kheir. You have no right to solicit for support on anything you are doing on the Floor. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Hon. Speaker, for clarity, in response to the first question, there is a table which talks about the repairs and provision of an extra generator, which will be in place by the end of April 2025. With regard to part (ii) of the Question, she had asked about the immediate measures that will be put in place to replace the malfunctioning generators. The Ministry says that by 26th March 2025, installation and commissioning had already been done. Unless she is now saying that it has not been done, I want to believe what the Ministry is saying. Hon. Speaker, when I was told that the response was to be done today, I actually called the Cabinet Secretary to inform him that we needed the response. There could be an issue with the date of 9th April, which I agree with the Chairperson. On facts, apart from the typos, the information we have is that repairs have already been done. Still on (ii), they say that they have done the procurement. Because they have to import parts, repair works might take a little longer. This is because the parts are not found in Kenya. They have to be imported. One generator has already been commissioned. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Major Bashir.

Hon. Speaker, I agree with Hon. Umul Kheir that the answers given are quite unsatisfactory. As we speak, there is no power in Mandera Town, and it started way before the month of Ramadan. Before we went for recess, I mentioned here that people do not have power, therefore, they cannot even charge their phones. As we speak, Kenya Power Company has not responded to the cries and the plight of the people of Mandera East. Even in Ramu, they have started rationing power. So, what is the problem with Kenya Power Company besides giving us these kinds of write-ups? Mandera East requires 3 KVA, not 1.5 KVA. Even if they take another generator of 1.5, it will not be of any help. I mentioned here that next to Mandera Town is Bulahawa where they use generators. They have never had even one single day of power rationing simply because it is run by individuals. It is high time IPPs were localised and taken to the counties. Let every county engage and do it. As a county, we can ask Bulahawa to extend the power to Mandera East and other parts of the county. It is unfortunate that Kenya Power is not ready. Let the people of Mandera East have power. If Kenya Power cannot extend services, we should be allowed to go to Bulahawa in Somalia to bring power to the people of Mandera East. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Speaker, the issue of power in Mandera has been a problem since Independence. The county or the town used to be served by IPPs. They had served them for the last 30 years. Those IPPs were withdrawn without any reason and some Chinese generators were taken there. I am sorry to say that. I am not saying they are substandard, but we know what I mean. Hon. Speaker, it is shameful that more than 60 years since Independence certain parts of the country are not connected to the national grid. What equalises Kenyans today is electricity, roads, healthcare, and education. In that area, education is wanting because teachers have left. Students from that place come to the University of Nairobi by the grace of God. It is now more than 60 years, but as a country, we have not connected the two counties of Wajir and Mandera to the national electricity grid. And you know what? They are neighbouring Ethiopia which sells very cheap power to Kenya. They can be connected from Isiolo County or Meru County but it looks like there is no focus. People may think there is no economic value in connecting them to the national grid. Eighty per cent of the meat we consume in this country comes from that region. Kenya is number three in Africa in the number of livestock that people own. Nigeria and Ethiopia are the only ones ahead of us. We have 30 million herds of animals. It is urgent for this House to The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

come to the rescue of those two counties. The monopoly of Kenya power has destroyed those two counties. Every year, and I have been in this Parliament for the last three terms, people have been complaining about power in those two counties. As a House, we have to do something about it. We need to form an ad hoc Committee to look into that matter. Last month, I saw a Member of Parliament from Mandera on a lorry carrying three big generators only just to be told after one month that they are not working. That is all over TikTok, in social media. I think the Member is in the House. He was looking like the co-driver in the truck because he was seated next to the driver. He was telling people that there are three generators in the truck.

Little did he know that after one month they were not going to work, actually after one week. Those were generators and not transformers. Hon. Speaker, this is a matter that highly concerns our core mandate of representation. The people of that area are suffering. We know lack of power can stagnate economic growth. Without electricity, one cannot build a house and cannot weld a door or a window or do much. In addition, one is in darkness.

You have made your point.

Hon. Speaker, I am doing all this because my ancestors came from that county though I come from Migori. So, I am trying to fight for them.

Member for Mandera East Constituency.

Thank you very much Hon. Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I thank my colleagues and my Leader of the Minority Party for, at least, discussing this matter and making it a very important business of the House. We have had this problem for quite some years. Unfortunately, it became worse when some generators that were in Mandera were picked and taken to other parts of this country. I personally followed up this matter with the current Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi. They have tried their best. This was a problem with Kenya Power, but the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary and the CEO called me to a meeting where we discussed and agreed to take three generators there. In fact, one was taken there two weeks ago. Unfortunately, it is not enough. We agreed in a meeting that they are going to give it to ENCOMM, a private-owned company for seven more megawatts. We already agreed on that in a meeting. I really appreciate the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary, Eng Siror, and CEO Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), Dr Rose Mukalama. We have already agreed that they are going to deliver the generators in the next three weeks. Unfortunately, the problem has been there. People have been going to Bulahawa, the next town in Somalia, for cold water. That is not there right now. We have rationing, but it is not as bad as it was during the month of Ramadan. We expect the Ministry to move very fast to deliver the generators as quickly as possible so that the people of Mandera can no longer have issues of blackouts and rationing. Mandera Town is the Headquarter of Mandera County. That is where businesses of Mandera County happen. Unfortunately, when there is no power, nothing goes on. I appreciate that the Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Secretary are doing something. They called the CEOs and agreed to give us seven more megawatts. I urge them to move with speed. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

The other thing is that the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) announced that it is going to get power from Dollo Town in Ethiopia. When the President visited Mandera, he assured us …

Hon. Speaker, kindly give me your ears and your eyes. When the President visited Mandera, he assured us that the nearest grid is from Dollo Town, Ethiopia.

Hon. Weytan, you have made your point that the contestations from your colleagues are not entirely factual. As the area Member of Parliament, you have different facts. What I will direct is as follows: Hon. Gikaria, get all the facts together and sit with your colleagues from Mandera and explain to them what the Ministry is doing, and where there are gaps how you are narrowing them so that the people of Mandera can also enjoy the facilities other Kenyans enjoy. You can do that in the course of next week. Next is response to Stephen Mogaka’s request for a Statement.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to respond to the Statement requested by Hon. Stephen Mogaka. In the Statement, Hon. Mogaka indicated that the roads in West Mugirango Constituency have been in dire need of upgrading to bitumen standards for over 15 years, but continue to be ignored. He, therefore, requested for the following information: 1. Report detailing all roads that have been approved for upgrading to bitumen standards in Nyamira County, specifically in West Mugirango Constituency and the status of construction. 2. Measures being taken by Government, including affirmative action to address the disparities in road infrastructure development in constituencies. 3. The long-term plans being implemented to rehabilitate and expand critical roads in Nyamira County. The Committee received a written response from the Ministry of Roads and Transport on 26th March 2025, which I now wish to share. Regarding the report detailing all roads that have been approved for upgrading to bitumen standards in Nyamira County, specifically West Mugirango Constituency and the status of construction, the Ministry submitted that there are currently no ongoing projects for upgrading roads to bitumen standards in West Mugirango Constituency under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA). However, the Ministry, through KeRRA, has received stakeholder requests for roads linking the constituency to be upgraded to bitumen standards – it is in the process – after which they shall be prioritised for construction alongside other similarly critical road links countrywide, subject to the provision of the requisite budgets. All roads under the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) within Nyamira County are to be upgraded to bitumen standard. However, currently there are no roads that have been approved for upgrading to bitumen standard in West Mugirango Constituency. The Kenya National Highways Authority is currently maintaining the following roads within Nyamira County: 1. Kisii-Nyaramba (B4) Road. 2. Nyaramba-Chemosit (B4) Road. 3. Kadogo-Nyamira-Siamani (B5) Road. 4. Kebirigo-Keroka (B5) Road. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

5. Keroka-Nyagusu (B5) Road. 6. Kisii-Kapan (B6) Road 7. Chabera-Ikonge (B133) Road. 8. Ikonge-Chepilat (B133) Road. Regarding the measures being taken by the Government, including affirmative action to address the disparities in road infrastructure development in the constituency, the Ministry submitted that planning of construction of roads is informed by several factors, including prevailing Government policies, the road Sector Investment Plan (RSIP) and continuous shareholder engagement. Within these frameworks are inbuilt mechanisms to prioritise areas that lack adequate infrastructure such as roads. In addition, the Government has operationalised affirmative action measures in the road sector, including the Equalisation Fund that is aimed at addressing disparities in road development. Further, the Ministry is committed to the active involvement of all stakeholders towards finding holistic solutions to historical disparities in provision of road infrastructure in different parts of the country. Regarding the long-term plan being implemented to rehabilitate and expand critical roads in Nyamira County, the Ministry submitted that, through KeRRA, it continues to maintain critical link roads in Nyamira County through provision of 10 per cent Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF). To this end, the Ministry has allocated a total of Ksh19 million for maintenance of critical link roads in Nyamira and10 per cent is RMLF. Lastly, under KeNHA, continuous maintenance of roads under performance-based contracting within, will ensure roads remain in good condition for extended periods and collaboration with the county governments with regards to roads that connect with KeNHA roads, for example, development of non-motorised transport within Nyamira town. Thank you, I submit.

Hon. Stephen Mogaka.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker and thank you, Chairman for that Statement. The only true thing about that Statement is that there is no tarmacking of roads ongoing in West Mugirango Constituency. Sadly, West Mugirango Constituency is the Headquarters of Nyamira County and the entire Municipality of Nyamira County sits in West Mugirango Constituency. So, the people of West Mugirango cannot understand how then there can be no tarmac within the constituency that houses the county. More importantly, in answering, the Chairman, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure has misled this House that all roads under KeNHA within Nyamira County are tarmacked. Road(B4) which the Committee Chair has cited runs from Kebirigo Market to Keroka is under KeNHA. However, there is a bridge that crosses River Gucha that has never been tarmacked. Remember, this tarmac was put more than 15 years ago when the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, was the Minister for Roads. That was the last time a tarmac road was seen in West Mugirango. So, through you, I want to request the Chairman to look at what happened with the money for the bridge. That road was constructed more than 15 years ago. The contractor was discharged from site and yet the bridge has not been done to date. What measures is the Chairman going to take to ensure that road is done?

Enough. You are supposed to seek a clarification. You are making a speech.

I am drawing the attention of the Chairman to the fact that the Committee has misled him to make a Statement that a certain road is tarmacked. It has a portion that is not tarmacked. That is what I am asking for. Through you, I beg that affirmative action be done for the very bad roads in my constituency to be upgraded to tarmac.

Thank you. Chairman GK. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I hear Hon. Mogaka is not satisfied with the response. We will seek a supplementary response from the Cabinet Secretary and address his supplementary question.

Can you give him additional information by the end of next week?

Yes, we will give him additional information.

Hon. George Gachagua, Member of Parliament for Ndaragwa. Is he in the House? Go ahead, Chairman. Can you respond?

Installation of Speed Bumps Along Nyahururu-Nyeri Road

I rise to give response to the Statement requested by Hon. George Gachagua. Among other things, he sought to establish the plans for installing properly designed and clearly marked speed bumps at strategic points along the Nyahururu- Nyeri Road particularly in the Equator area, Mununga stretch and other identified high-risk zones. Two, he sought the measures being undertaken to enhance road safety through installation of proper signage, reflective markers, and other visual aids to ensure optimal visibility and adequate warning to road users, especially at night and during adverse weather conditions. Three, he wants to know the timelines for the implementation of these road safety improvements, including completion dates for the installation of speed bumps, warning signs, and associated road safety infrastructure. The Committee received a response from the Ministry of Roads and Transport on 20th March 2025, which I now wish to make.

Regarding the plans for installing properly designed and clearly marked speed bumps at strategic points such as on the Nyahururu-Nyeri Road, particularly in the Equator area, Mununga stretch, and other identified high-risk zones, I wish to respond that the Ministry, through the KeNHA, has engaged contractors for routine maintenance along the Nyahururu- Nyeri Road.

Additionally, KeNHA has assessed the section at Equator and Mununga stretch and noted that these sections require road marking for bumps. Consequently, the contractors have been instructed to re-mark the bumps as specified in the scope of works. There is something on the measures being undertaken to enhance road safety through installation of proper signage, reflective markers, and other visual aids to ensure optimal visibility and adequate warning to road users, especially during night-time and adverse weather conditions. The Ministry submitted that the contractors on site have been instructed to implement additional safety measures including installation of guardrails with Swareflex reflectors, direction traffic signs, and marking centre lines. However, the Ministry added that they continue to face challenges with the vandalism of newly installed traffic signs, Swareflex reflectors on rail guards, and other stands. On the timelines for implementation of these road safety improvements, including completion dates for the installation of speed bumps, warning signs, and associated road safety infrastructure, the Ministry submitted that implementation of these road safety improvements is currently underway as part of the ongoing routine maintenance works. The works were expected to be completed by the end of March 2025. As indicated, this has not been completed and is expected to be completed soon. The Committee will engage the Ministry on this matter to ensure that this road and other roads across the country are safe for all road users.

Hon. Speaker, I submit.

Hon. Gachagua, are you satisfied?

Hon. Speaker, I am not satisfied. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

My Request for Statement mainly concerned bumps at the Equator area near Wakongo Centre. The response addresses more on reflective issues for visibility. If my request for a Statement could be read well, I asked for bumps at that particular place. The response addresses more on visibility. I am wondering about the issue of vandalism. Can bumps be stolen? I wish they were installed because I have had many problems along this stretch. If you even look at the dates, I think the Ministry misled the Committee Chairman by saying that there are some routine maintenance works going on.

Hon. Gachagua, you are right. Hon. GK, as the Chair, the question was very simple. I saw and heard you go on a totally different tangent on matters that have not been canvassed. The question is whether you are going to put bumps on this road. It is as simple as that. The Nyahururu-Nyeri Road needs bumps. He is right that you talked about vandalism. You cannot vandalise a bump. Can you?

I totally agree with you. Bumps cannot be vandalised. We will engage the Ministry to get a better response. However, they have indicated that they are committed to installing bumps. They are not opposed to fixing speed bumps.

Okay. Hon. Gachagua, are you okay with that?

Maybe we should get timelines because it has been long overdue.

Hon. Chair of the Committee, how long will you take to put up or erect those bumps?

Hon. Speaker, We will ask the Ministry and ensure the bumps are fixed within a period of not more than a month.

Therefore, in a month's time. Bring us a progress report.

I will, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. George, is that all right? Yes, you are both George. I am asking Hon. George, the Questioner.

Hon. Speaker, it is okay.

Thank you. Leader of the Majority Party, your Thursdays’ Statement. I can see you are making peace with Hon. Ngogoyo.

Your Thursday Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Ngogoyo is my very good friend. I am not only making peace but also convincing him to see the light.

Thank you, Leader of the Majority Party. Did you notice your mention of Dr Pukose's Question, put a broad smile on the face of the Member for Homa Bay?

Very broad, Hon. Speaker. I know it is the Sure Condoms. At one point, Homa Bay was one of the counties that had very low usage of condoms, but following a lot of civic education, which the Member for Homa Bay was a keen participant, the use of condoms in Homa Bay County has become prevalent. This has reduced the infectious Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), including HIV and AIDS, in Homa Bay County.

Was it education in theory or practice?

At one point, you had nicknamed him “Akuku Danger”.

Next Order.

Yes, Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, I would like to seek your indulgence, but before that, let me react to the issue of Homa Bay. You know it is unreligious to use condoms. I do not know if the Leader of the Majority Party is aware of that. Religion does not allow condoms. The Catholic Church and Islam advocate for abstinence. You are not supposed to use condoms. Anyway, that is on a light note. Condoms should be banned so that you do not do anything. I wanted to seek your indulgence on the issue concerning the bicameral operation of Parliament. As you are aware, on Tuesday this week, we debated on the Motion that contained the Bill that was returned by the Senate to the National Assembly, which contained amendments that had negated the purpose of the whole Bill. As you are aware, the Supreme Court has made a historic Ruling on this matter. This matter has been pending since the inauguration of the new Constitution because nobody knew the demarcations between the two Houses. Every House wanted to do the work of the other House, especially the Senate which wanted to do more work that belonged to the National Assembly. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

For the benefit and posterity of this House going forward, I request you to give a communication to the House which goes on record, outlining the issues that have been decided in the Supreme Court Ruling so that we know where our beacons are. This is going to be one of the most important pronouncements and communications that the Speaker will have made this year. That way, it would be clear that the Speaker has issued a communication that every Member can refer to. It is a very important matter. I am happy that the Supreme Court made its decision. As you are aware, the case was taken to court by the Senate and not the National Assembly. In conclusion, I request that you consider my request of you giving a communication on that matter so that we can use it as a reference. Thank you.

Hon. Otiende.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to support the request by the Leader of the Minority Party. Even as we communicate, I am sure you will indicate that, this House's Caucus on legislation, litigation, and related matters was seized of this matter upon your convention, and that the matter was referred to the Caucus for consideration. That notwithstanding, it is still possible for you to issue a communication on the decision of the Supreme Court. It is quite direct and specific on the legislation that was brought and challenged. It might be indicative and could guide the House moving forward. The initial confusion had been caused somewhere around 2013 when an advisory opinion had been sought from the Supreme Court, and it made a statement that sweepingly, suggested that virtually every legislation must concern a county. That created confusion that has lasted almost ten years. It is very good that the Supreme Court finally clarified that not every piece of legislation must go to the Senate because not every piece of legislation concerns counties. I would support a communication to that effect because it would help. Importantly, and this is for the interest of this House. The Supreme Court addressed itself to the NG-CDF Act, 2015, which was part of the legislations that were challenged on the basis that they were not considered by the Senate. The Supreme Court was very clear that the Act did not have to be passed by the Senate. To that extent, it is not unconstitutional. It has direct relevance to the matters we are litigating. I will not talk about their merits, but it is important to note. Many people had thought that the Supreme Court pronounced itself on the NG-CDF Act as amended in 2022 and declared it unconstitutional, not knowing that the only pronouncement that was made was on the initial CDF Act that existed in 2013. This information is helpful because it is educative to Kenyans. It is also helpful to judicial officers considering the matter. They should know that it is not true that the current NG-CDF Act was ever declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. With that, Hon. Speaker, I support the idea of a communication. Thank you.

Hon. Oundo, do you want to speak to the same issue?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. The Constitution clearly demarcates the roles of the two Chambers of Parliament. It was always hoped and believed that the so-called senior Members who sit in the Senate would be the first people to protect the Constitution. The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution sets out the mandate of each level of government. I support the sentiments by my leader. As you issue the communication, go all the way to clearly demarcate where Government officers can report to. Should they be called to the Senate to answer to matters that are exclusively national Government functions? Can they just be called by anybody to go and do nothing? Quite a number of accounting officers complain bitterly. They are always called upon to the Senate to answer to matters that have nothing to do with county governments or devolution at all. So, in your communication, we request and The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

beseech you to lay the law clearly so that we avoid this confusion, duplication and wanton waste of public time to answer the same question repeatedly from this end to that end. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. George Murugara.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Indeed, that request is timely, the reason being that what the Senate does and continues to do is actually in total breach of the Constitution. Just the other day, they summoned the Judiciary to go and answer questions. I do not know on what. Really? Can the Senate summon the Judiciary to answer questions on matters that do not touch on county governments? How does the Judiciary deal with matters touching on county governments? When you make the elaborate communication, consider also whether that was within their purview or if this is the imaginative power they are giving to themselves. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Gichimu.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The demarcation between the mandate of the National Assembly and the Senate is in Articles 95 and 96 of the Constitution, respectively. As you make the communication, if you are persuaded to, my only worry is whether it would be binding to the other House of Parliament. Be that as it may, the communication would also be good for public consumption so that it can be known which House of Parliament is trespassing into the mandate of the other House. The Constitution has not been changed. Until and unless that is done, we have to maintain our lanes in terms of legislation, oversight and representation. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Junet, I will make the communication within the next two weeks. Next Order.

There was no one on the Floor.

Hon. Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 95 to request that the Mover be now called to reply. This Bill was deliberated on yesterday until late in the evening. We have other pending Business. I request Members to allow the Mover to be called upon to reply, so that we can transact business on approval of nominees for appointment as Principal Secretaries. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Members, is that the mood of the House?

Yes. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Leader of the Majority Party, who moved the Motion? It is under your name?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I take this opportunity to, first, thank all Members who have contributed to this Bill. The Whip of the Majority Party moved it on my behalf. It seeks to create equity and fairness in the banking and insurance sector and all other financial service sectors. The same should apply to Sacco societies and other money-handling agencies in the country. I, keenly, listened to a number of contributions, including the one by the Member for Homa Bay Town, who is a very ardent debater in this House. Many of the concerns raised, including regulations that will come before this House, are issues that can be looked at. We have agreed with the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. In any case, no regulations will ever take effect in law without being approved by this House. I want to convince Members of this House and Kenyans at large, that there is nothing much to worry about. When we first passed the Anti-Money Laundering Act about two or three years ago, the same fears were expressed in this House. In the last Parliament, similar fears were expressed around the legal profession. At that time, lawyers were up in arms against the law. But the law has helped the country in stemming the scourge of money laundering not just locally but within the region. It is sad that our country was grey-listed about two years ago. This Bill is part of the measures and changes that were agreed upon to be effected, to further strengthen the Act to help combat money laundering, financing of terrorism and narcotics business. We must be a nation at the forefront in combating money laundering, especially around terrorism financing, because of our proximity to countries with active terrorism cells. We are a country of interest to many people around the world. Therefore, it is important that we continue to strengthen the laws. Members have expressed fears around the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) that regulates Saccos. I want to give you assurance. Just as it happened with lawyers, there is no time SASRA will come and superintend over your money. SASRA regulates Saccos such as Parliamentary Sacco and Bunge Sacco. SASRA does not regulate my money in either Sacco. Therefore, I emphasise that all regulations will come to this House for approval. These Regulations will serve to regulate the SACCOS and stem money laundering within the sector, which has also been identified as a major conduit for money laundering and terrorism financing. With those remarks, I beg to move and urge all of you to support. I beg to reply.

Thank you.

Members on their feet, take your seats. Hon. Pauline, take the nearest seat.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health, Dr Nyikal.

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

THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Health in its report on the Vetting of Nominee for Appointment as Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution, approves the appointment of Dr Oluga Fredrick Ouma, OGW, as Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health. Hon. Speaker, following your communication on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, and conveyance to the House the Message from His Excellency the President, and subsequently referred the name of the nominee, Curricula Vitae, Public Service Commission report on his recruitment to the respective Committee for approval hearing, you directed that the Committee undertakes the vetting exercise within 28 days under Section 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, CAP. 7F, and reports be ready for tabling on or before 22nd April 2025. You further directed that the Clerk of the National Assembly notifies the nominee and the general public by placing adverts in the two newspapers for nationwide circulation, Parliament website of the time, and the place of holding the approval hearing by Friday, 4th April 2025. In accordance with Section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, CAP. 7F, the Clerk of the National Assembly invited interested members of the public to submit any presentation by written statements on oath or affidavits with supporting evidence on the suitability of the nominee for the appointment to the position. No memorandum was received for, and against the nominee.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Committee conducted the approval hearing on Friday, 4th April 2025. In conducting the approval hearing, the Committee was guided by the provisions of the Constitution, the Public Appointment (Parliamentary Approvals) Act, 2011, Cap. 7F; the Leadership Integrity Act, 2012, Cap. 185C; the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003, CAP. 185B; the Public Service Commission Act, CAP. 185; and the National Assembly Standing Orders. Following the Committee's deliberations and analysis of the submissions and presentation received on the suitability of the nominee for appointment to the position, the Committee observed that Dr Fredrick Ouma Oluga, OGW, demonstrated requisite knowledge and experience to perform the functions of a Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Health. He met all statutory and constitutional requirements to perform the functions of the position. Having considered the suitability, competence, experience, and integrity of Dr Fredrick Ouma Oluga, OGW following the approval process; and taking into consideration its observations and findings; and pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, Sections 3, 5, and 8(2) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary) Approval Act, 2011; the National Assembly The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Standing Orders, Senate Standing Orders, the Committee recommends that Parliament approves the nomination of Dr Oluga Fredrick Ouma, OGW to the position of Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health. Dr Oluga was interviewed by the Committee on the date mentioned and he responded to questions during the Sittings as follows. Dr Oluga Fredrick Ouma is a Kenyan citizen of national ID No.23797977. He was born in Bondo, Siaya County in 1984 and bears no other citizenship. He has the requisite academic qualification. He holds a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine from the University of Nairobi, School of Medicine. He also holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Moi University, School of Medicine. He acquired the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education from Maranda High School, where he scored As. Additionally, he presented several professional certifications gained locally and internationally in the labour movement, health labour union leadership, governance, disease management and dangerous pathogens control management. The nominee is highly qualified for the position we are looking for. His work experience is equally impressive. Currently, he is the Acting Director and Head of the Directorate of Health Sector Coordination and Research Development at the Ministry of Health. He has served in the same Ministry as the Deputy Director of Health. We are all aware that he served as Director of Health Services at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services. He spearheaded strategic thinking that actually resulted in the implementation and construction of several hospitals with the idea of relieving congestion, which is a big problem at the Kenyatta National Hospital. He is also the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Health Workers for All Coalition. This is an international organisation where he has mobilised global workforce advocacy, securing considerable sums of money to fund the Coalition. The nominee is very experienced. He further informed the Committee that he was also the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists Dentists Union, giving him experience in the management of labour issues in the workplace. He knows how we are affected by this issue in the health sector. When we further questioned him on this, he said he had managed it. During his leadership of the union, there was only one strike, and that he believes in dialogue and solving these problems instead of street actions. Dr Oluga Ouma has also served as a Registrar in Internal Medicine at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). His experience is profound. He is also a member of Professional Associations, including the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Union that I have already talked about. He is also a designated health practitioner with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services which is industrial health. He was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW). He met all the clearance requirements for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). He indicated that he does not have conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest, except that he runs a consultancy in occupational health which he indicated he had resigned from.

When we interviewed him on very current issues in the Ministry such as healthcare financing and SHIF, he had a fairly profound knowledge of the structures, health financing mechanisms and systems. He had very good recommendations on how we can move forward and get the Social Health Authority (SHA) working. He understands the need for primary healthcare which saves money for the country. He established 47 Primary Healthcare Networks. A Member requested for a Statement on maternal health in the country. Dr Oluga Ouma proposed a transfer system for mothers who are in labour. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

This is a well-rounded professional. His academic qualifications and experience are up- to-date. When we asked him about his net worth, he…

Hon. (Dr) Nyikal, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health, the Report of the Committee is in the House. The indication that I am getting from the House is that the Members appear to have read everything you are telling them. Kindly, wind up.

The Committee considered the Report that we have all read and are aware of, including the suitability capacity and integrity of the nominee. Pursuant to Section 2 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the Committee recommends that the National Assembly approves the appointment of Dr Fredrick Ouma Oluga, OGW, as Principal Secretary for State Department for Medical Services. I beg to move and ask Hon. Patrick Munene to second.

Hon. Patrick Munene.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I do not want to say so many things after my Chairman has gone through the whole Committee Report. I will say three key things about Dr Oluga. Firstly, he was a student at Maranda High School where he scored an A (Plain). Secondly, he was in charge of health services in Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS). Thirdly, he was a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health and he has been nominated for appointment. Currently, he is a Director in the Ministry of Health. Therefore, I assure Kenyans that we have somebody who has experience and knows the Ministry. He was involved in laying the Primary Healthcare Networks in all the 47 Counties in this country. He was in charge at the Ministry when all of them were created. Finally, Dr Oluga was the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU). Most of the time, the Ministry finds itself in a dark place with the KMPDU. Dr Oluga has worked with the doctors in the Union’s side and the Executive’s side as a Director in the Ministry of Health. This is a qualified candidate whom I am really sure will do well for the health of this country. I second the Special Motion.

Put the Question.

Hon. Otiende Amollo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support this Special Motion. Dr Ouma Oluga is from my Constituency. Surely, you must allow me to speak about my constituent. Not only is he from my Constituency but also from Okela Village. He went to school in an ordinary primary school called Okela which neighbours my school, Chianda. Like me, he excelled and went to Maranda High School where I also schooled. I am the patron of the old boys. Like me, he topped his class and went to study medicine, while I went to study law. Surely, you must allow me to talk about such a man. There are only two things that I need to add. Both the Mover and Seconder have talked about Dr Ouma Oluga’s experience. However, let me add a few things that are not clear. Firstly, he also served as a medical officer of Health in Vihiga County. Therefore, he has the experience of working in rural or semi-rural Kenya. He also served as a lecturer in medicine which is something that did not come out. He was not only the CEO of KMDPU but also, the Secretary General. This is important because you will remember that during his tenure, he led the longest doctors’ strike in the country that lasted for a year the time we had problems with doctors. No The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

one is more suitable than a person like that, to bridge that relationship between the practitioners and Government. Lastly, it is also important to mention that he served as a Registrar at KNH, the biggest hospital. Lately, he has been the Director of the Health Sector Coordination. In that capacity, he interacted not only with the counties, but also with the partners. So, he knows the terrain. At a time when we have all sorts of issues with SHA and SHIF, no one is more suited to help us navigate this conundrum other than Dr Fredrick Ouma Oluga. I support the Special Motion, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Leader of the Minority Party.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, our colleagues on the other side are wondering why we want to contribute. They expect us to just approve the nominee. We want to take pride in the kind of experts we are sending to help the Government, as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Look at Dr Fredrick Ouma Oluga. Where else could they have found him other than in ODM?

That is why I have to speak because they may take it for granted that we are sending people there. We are sending serious people of high calibre and standard. Since the inception of the broad-based Government and we started sending experts there, its face has changed. People now take it more seriously than any other time. I know the Leader of the Majority Party agrees with me because he is part of the mechanics who are bringing this broad-based Government together. He is playing a big role. He knows, and he normally checks when we bring in serious people. He tells me, Hon. Junet, I am bringing the right people to the Government. Look at what is happening to this Government after the broad-based agreement. It is looking up. The Ministries of Health, Education, Energy and Petroleum, and the National Treasury and Economic Planning are being reformed. The economy is looking up. Inflation and interest rates have gone down. There is now a lot of confidence in the economy because of hiring an expert, like John Mbadi Ng’ongo, the former Chairman of our party. We have come together in this broad-based Government to help our country and make sure that it succeeds. That is why we want to have people like Dr Ouma Oluga in the Ministry of Health. This Parliament has changed all the laws pertaining to health and brought about digital healthcare. You, therefore, now need serious people like Ouma Oluga to handle SHIF and Social Health Authority (SHA). As a Kenyan, I am a very proud man today. I never thought one day Ouma Oluga would get a chance to exercise the kind of knowledge he has. I used to admire him when he was the Secretary General of KMPDU. This is a young man who is self-made and grew up in this country and participated in every aspect of healthcare in this country, such as at Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), where he built hospitals in v ijiji when he was the Chief Officer, Health. I urge Members to take ODM more seriously. We have more experts and if you want more, please write to me as the Leader of the Minority Party, and I will take it to Baba Raila Amolo Odinga. We have more experts in law, healthcare, engineering, water and all manner of things. We are a think-tank full of experts. I must get rights to brag because experts are coming from ODM.

What do you mean, Dr Pukose? The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

With those few remarks, I support. Thank you very much.

The Leader of the Majority Party takes precedence. Take back your seat, Hon. Member. The Leader of the Majority Party will be heard in total silence.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the nomination of Dr Oluga Ouma Frederick as the Principal Secretary. I do not want to get into the debate of whether he is an expert from ODM or not. He is a very professional and competent young Kenyan. I have known him since his days at the union. At one point he also served at NMS as County Executive Committee Member or Chief Officer. I cannot remember. Much as the Leader of the Minority Party says they are giving experts to this Government, these experts are Kenyans, and he will agree with me that there are equally competent experts in United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as His Excellency the President has purposed to broaden the base. As Hon. Junet says, there have been many fundis in broadening the base. For a base to be broad and firm, it needs fundis who will fix to ensure that you have a strong base where good professionals like Dr Oluga and others can sit in, and serve Kenyans. Hon. Junet, having been one of the fundis, knows that there are very good experts within ODM and other political parties. I am sure this professional may not want to be seen as a member of any political party. In fact, it is one of the requirements to declare whether one is an official of a political party. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with any Kenyan being a member of a political party, because people have political affiliation, including professionals. Even Cabinet Secretaries have cabinet affiliation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a nominee being a member of a political party. The only thing the law does not allow them to do is to hold office in political parties or to conduct their work in public office in a partisan manner. Irrespective of where you come from or your political affiliation, serve Kenyans diligently and with commitment knowing that you are coming into public service to serve Kenyans. When the broad-based Government came into being, it was not just about broadening the base to create positions for people, but about service delivery to Kenyans. Wherever you find a good person to offer good service to Kenyans, get them. If you find them in Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), ODM or UDA where there is a repository of knowledge, equally get them. Those within Government who are incompetent have time to be shown the door. I am happy this House has led from the front in showing incompetents the door by acting. Even as we approve these nominees, we ask them to show their competence, express their professional good manners in office and work for Kenyans, not just a region or party but by working with diligence and commitment, knowing that in their service in Government, they are serving the people who are ultimately the bosses. The appointing authority may be your boss, but ultimately the boss is Kenyans. Serve them with commitment. There are challenges but I am very certain that Dr Oluga knows those challenges in the Ministry of Health. I am confident now with...

Add the Leader of the Majority Party a minute to conclude.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am very confident with the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at the helm of the Ministry of Health. The issues that we have seen in the past, such as that house being nicknamed Mafia House, Duale and Principal Secretary Oluga will clean out the Mafia. I am The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

very confident that the challenges that have been there with SHIF will be addressed. I believe that the leadership and wisdom of my predecessor, Hon. Aden Duale, combined with the professionalism and experience of Dr Oluga, will fix what has not been right at Afya House I support and urge all the Members to support. Thank you.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you very much. What is out of order, Hon. Pukose?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, having allowed the Member for Rarieda, where Dr Oluga comes from, and knowing that we still have many other principal secretaries to approve, can I be in order to ask that we approve Dr Oluga as Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health, and move to the next approvals? Members can still contribute to those ones.

Yes.

Is it the mood of the House that the Mover be called upon to reply?

Yes.

Mover.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, everything has been said. I beg to reply.

Thank you.

Order! Hon. Oundo, freeze there.

Next Order.

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour to move the Motion.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Special Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Labour in its report on the Vetting of a Nominee for Appointment as Principal Secretary, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution, approves the appointment of Dr Jane Kere Imbunya as Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development. Following the notification of presidential action nominating Dr Jane Kere Imbunya for appointment as Principal Secretary in the State Department of Public Service and Human The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Capital Development, and subsequent Communication by the Speaker and referral to the Departmental Committee on Labour— 1. The Clerk of the National Assembly on 27th March 2025 facilitated the placement of an advertisement in the print media notifying the public on the dates, time and place of the approval hearing of the nominee. 2. In compliance with Section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the Clerk invited the public to submit memoranda by way of writing statements under oath on the suitability or otherwise of the nominee. 3. In addition, the Clerk on 27th March 2025 wrote to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and the...

Hon. Ken Chonga, the detailed report of the Committee is already on the Table and has been distributed to Members. Kindly summarise the Motion, if possible. Go to the resolutions so that the House can make a decision.

Much obliged, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Speaker. The Committee, having considered the nominee, filed a questionnaire pursuant to Section 6(8) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act. Having heard oral submissions during the approval hearing, the Committee concluded: 1. She is a Kenyan of ID No. 34645601 born in 1961 in Kakamega. 2. The nominee holds a PhD from the University of Botswana, a Masters of Philosophy from the University of Botswana, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Nairobi. 3. The nominee is currently serving as the Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences at Kaimosi Friends University. 4. She has previously served as a Director of Quality Assurance and Management Systems at the same university and has held different positions at the University of Botswana and the Gaborone University College in Botswana. 5. She has also been an Education Expert Advisor of the Botswana Parliamentary Education Committee and a Director of Research and Linkages at the Gaborone University College. Having conducted the approval hearing pursuant to Sections 124(4) and 155(3) of the Constitution, sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act Cap 7F, and Standing Order 216(5)(f), the Committee recommends that the House approves the appointment of Dr Jane Kere Imbunya as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development. I request Hon. James K’Oyoo to second.

Say that you beg to move and request Hon. K’Oyoo to second.

Sorry. I beg to move and request Hon. K’Oyoo to second.

Hon. James K’Oyoo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to support. I am a ranking Member of the Departmental Committee on Labour and I confirm that the said Dr Jane Kere Imbunya appeared before us. We held a rigorous interview for her and she proved very suitable. I believe she will add value to this country when she gets this appointment. With those few remarks, I beg to second. Thank you. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Put the Question

Is it the mood of the House that I put the Question?

Yes.

Having no contribution, there is no need to Reply.

Next order.

The Chairperson Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives to Move.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co- operatives on its consideration of the approval hearings of Ms Regina Akoth Ombam nominated for appointment as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade.

Chairperson, just go by the Order Paper. I beg you to start again for clarity of the record.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co- operatives on its consideration of the approval hearings of Ms Regina Akoth Ombam.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, do you have the Order Paper?

Yes, I have it.

Please, move the Special Motion as per the Order Paper now.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Special Motion: THAT, taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in its report on the vetting of nominee for appointment as Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 9th April 2025 and pursuant to the provision of Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution, this House approves the appointment of Ms Regina Akoth Ombam as Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade. The suitability of the nominee was assessed after scrutiny of her background, academic credentials and professional qualifications, work and professional experience, personal integrity, as well as her performance during the approval hearing conducted on 4th April 2025, upon which the Committee made the following findings: 1. The nominee is a Kenyan citizen and does not hold dual citizenship in conformity with Article 78 of the Constitution regarding her eligibility for appointment to a State office. 2. The nominee has the requisite academic and professional qualifications recognised in Kenya. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

3. According to the records and information availed to the Committee by the nominee and the various clearing agencies, the nominee meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity. 4. In accordance with Article 77(2) of the Constitution and the Schedule of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the nominee does not hold office in any political party. 5. The nominee is compliant with Articles 75 and 76 of the Constitution on the conduct and financial probity of State officers. 6. She indicated the non-existence of a potential conflict of interest and committed to declare any should it arise. The Committee did not receive any written statement under oath contesting the suitability of the nominee, as required under Section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F). 7. The Committee exercised due diligence and contacted vetting bodies for confidential information, but did not receive any adverse report on the nominee. 8. The nominee demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrational and technical issues touching on the Government and the specific sector she has been nominated to. The nomination of Ms Regina Akoth was in compliance with the Constitution and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F). The nominee is suitable for appointment as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade. On behalf of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, I am proud to move this Special Motion on the consideration of Ms Regina Akoth for appointment as the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade. I beg to move and request Hon. Marianne Kitany, Member for Aldai, to second.

Hon. Marianne Kitany.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second the nomination of Ms Regina Ombam as the Principal Secretary for Trade. The Kenyan Government is currently faced with many challenges in the trade sector, more specifically the recent ban on tea by Sudan. There are also issues to do with trade with the United States of America (USA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Agreement, which is coming to an end with a possible renewal. We also intend to pass many other trade agreements. We have the trade agreement with the European Union (EU) which is already in force. The State Department should actualise that trade agreement and ensure that Kenyans benefit from trade agreements that are already in place, and that trade between Kenya and other countries is improved. Listening to her experiences, we are very excited that she is up to the task. She will move this country forward to a better level in terms of trade, whether internally or externally with other countries. I beg to second.

The Leader of the Majority Party takes precedence.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the appointment of Ms Regina Akoth as a Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade. As we consider her approval, and I hope the House will support it, I would like to tell her that she is coming into office at a time the country and indeed the world trade environment The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

has major challenges. Top among them are the events that have happened in the United States of America with tariffs being loaded onto many countries, including Kenya, at a rate of 10 per cent. This will have new challenges for our goods and commodities, especially our tea and coffee that are largely exported to countries in America and Europe. As the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee has said, there are a number of economic partnership agreements that are in the works. Before this House, we have the Economic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. I would like to alert her that she will need to put on very light shoes to be able to run around the world to engage many more trading partners. This is so that our country is not dependent on one or two destinations for our commodities and products, whether it is our agricultural products or our manufactured products. She needs to open up more trade destinations. Opportunity lies within the African Continent. Encouraging more countries to sign up to the African Free Continental Trade Area is one of the quick wins we can get. I hope Ms Regina will be able to move with speed and encourage many more African countries to open up their boundaries for our goods to access the very huge potential that lies within the African continent. Even as we look at countries out there, we may not have the muscle to flex with those who are imposing tariffs like the USA on our products because we largely depend on many of them even for our tourism sector. But it is possible to open up many more destinations, open up more trade routes between our country and other African countries. The African continent is the continent of the future in terms of trade. We are the continent with the youngest age in terms of population that is productive and that can produce and consume. Therefore, the ageing generations in America, Asia and Europe increasingly will consume less and the African continent will increasingly consume more. Therefore, there is a great opportunity within the African continent. That is why I just want to encourage Ms Regina as she takes the office, should we approve her, to move with speed and help us open up more economic partnership agreements with many other countries and open up more trade routes within the African continent. This is even as we constructively engage with our colleagues and our partners in Europe and in America, including the Government of President Donald Trump. They also need our products. President Donald Trump is talking about America first. We must also begin talking about Kenya first and that which benefits the Kenyan people. In Nebraska and Seattle in the USA, they consume our coffee. As they do that, it must be Kenya first and Kenyan coffee first. We must not get enticed to get into the tariff war. However, we can position our country and brand our coffee, tea and other products in a manner that the population in countries that think of putting tariffs on them tell their countries not to tax Kenyan coffee because it is the best coffee in the world. I beg to support.

The Chair, Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I must take this opportunity to really stress that Ms Regina will do this job. She comes from my village. I know the work she did at the National Aids Control Council when it was very difficult to handle the Aids epidemic. She worked effectively and she has experience at this high level of Government. I support her appointment as the Permanent Secretary.

Hon. (Dr) Wilberforce Oundo is recognised to contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I sit in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. I had the privilege to listen to the nominee when she came to make her presentation before the Committee. By The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

looking at her CV, any misgivings I had about her immediately vanished. So, I sincerely support. As I support, I want to raise three fundamental issues. I will speak to her and the people of Kenya through this Floor. Africa only contributes 3 per cent of the global trade. On Kenya's contribution, your guess is as good as mine so she has a tough task to do. One is to make sure that we reclaim back our lost significance in the East Africa regional trade. Uganda used to be our biggest trading partner but because of geopolitics, we are slowly losing that market. We must reclaim our dominant position in East Africa and the rest of African. That will require a lot of repositioning and investment to ensure that our products and services meet the international standards. The international trade is becoming extremely competitive in terms of logistics and cost of production. It will be a tough call for her to deliver. The splendid CV she has might end up counting for nothing. She may just walk through the Department and leave after nothing has been done. As I conclude, I urge her to re-energise the programme dealing with the value chain now. It is dead. She should pump in more energy to make sure that the economy changes for the better. Thank you. I support

Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, the Member of Parliament for Buuri.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to support the Motion on approval of Ms Regina as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade. The task at hand is quite enormous. We know where we are coming from and where Kenya is going. The attempts of the Government to transform the economy of this land needs a lot of coordination between different sectors that form the trade block. We are talking about inward trade and outward trade. When we talk about inward trade, it is about the products that come into our country and when we talk about outward trade, it is about the products that leave our country to other countries. If you go to our supermarkets, you will notice that Kenya is like a supermarket of all products in the world. What am I saying? As a country, time has come to enhance our products so that they are competitive in the international arena. As the Government, our commitment through the President who works round the clock is to enhance the saleability of our coffee and tea in the international market. He has done quite a lot including enhancing or removing taxes on products that go towards packaging of tea and coffee.

The job of the Principal Secretary is to coordinate with other sectors like the ministries in charge of agriculture, trade, and local and international relations. That includes all our embassies, high commissions, and consulates. We have seen many boardroom Principal Secretaries who do not work very closely with the international arena through our embassies, consulates, and high commissions. When Ms Regina takes up the role, we hope she will do a lot of coordination with various sectors and the representatives of Kenya in the international arena.

We expect the new Principal Secretary to align our trade conventions. That is where we get a raw deal. We expect her to go and look at international conventions on trade and try to align Kenya because we have some preferential treatment in certain areas. We expect her to take keen interest in that. We have very many products that can be exported out there but they lack a push. They lack coordination and international marketing. We expect the new Principal Secretary to take up that responsibility. Without that commitment, we will not go anywhere. I hope and believe that she will fit in because she has grown up in the public sector. She has grown up in the investment line. Therefore, we think she is the best candidate for this. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

I support.

Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, Member of Parliament for Westlands.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also want to support the appointment of Ms Regina Akoth as the Principal Secretary of Trade. I will pick up from where the Leader of the Majority Party left. Whatever is happening to world trade in America is a wake-up call for Africa. Africa must now wake up and start trading among ourselves. We should now find our market in Africa. We can sell our products even in Kenya. We produce the best coffee but when you travel, you will never see even Kenya Airways saying there is Kenyan coffee when you ask for coffee. They are always selling ‘coffee’. People who come here take our coffee, blend it with just a small percentage of other coffee and rebrand it. You will find it labelled “Ethiopian Coffee” or some other coffee. Even our tea is also the best yet we do not market it properly. We need to find a way to identify our market in Africa. Many countries in Africa can trade with us and Kenya can become a leader in that. The Principal Secretary must now open up the African frontier so that we start increasing our market beyond our boundaries. I support and wish the Principal Secretary the best in the department as she takes up her new role.

Hon. Anthony Oluoch, Member of Parliament for Mathare.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I sit in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. The State Department of Trade is one of those specialised state departments that require whoever is chosen into those areas demonstrates a good grasp of the subject matter. I am a student of international trade, and I had the occasion to randomly engage and test her competence in terms of Section 7 of the Public Appointments and Approvals Act. I can confirm that I was pleasantly impressed with her versatility on issues concerning trade, international trade, the issues about international trade tariffs, whether or not they are fair trade or amount to restrictive trade practices, and the implications of the United States (US) trade tariffs on our coffee. The Leader of the Majority Party also talked about tea, but he should also have added clothing, which is also affected under the 10 per cent tariffs that will be imposed on Kenya. The Committee and I also engaged her on issues to do with trade agreements and the challenges facing Kenya in terms of concluding and having trade agreements that meet the standards and the needs of Kenya, and she was able to demonstrate versatility. I also want to confirm that we tested her competence in terms of her professional background. She has worked virtually in every sector imaginable: the public sector, the private sector, whether it be in investment, in governance, she has also worked with international organisations like the World Bank. She was able to show the Committee that she will bring all these professional credentials and academic background to bear in terms of shaping the policy that is required by the State Department for Trade. I join my colleagues in saying that she is competent. We hope that she will be able to give fresh impetus and shape to our trade and investment portfolio internationally. I support.

Hon. Members, allow me to interfere with the proceedings to communicate a recognition on behalf of the House. I wish to introduce to you a delegation of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) from the Parliament of the United Kingdom (UK), who are seated in the Speaker's Gallery. They are: The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

1. Ms Leigh E. Ingham (Head of Delegation) 2. The Rt. Hon. Baroness Tessa A.V. Blackstone. 3. Ms Kirith K.A. Entwistle. 4. Mr Richard J. Holden. 5. Dr Rupa A. Huq. 6. Baroness Doreen D. Lawrence. 7. Baroness Carmen Smith. 8. Ms Kim M. Johnson. 9. Ms Ann Mette Kjaerby. The delegation is accompanied by three members of staff. The delegation is being hosted by the Parliamentarians for Global Action Kenya Chapter and is on a visit to our Parliament to gain insights on legislative processes, the architectural heritage of the buildings, and the overall functioning of both the Senate and the National Assembly. On my behalf and that of the National Assembly, I welcome them to Parliament and wish them a fruitful visit. I thank you. This Communication is delivered on behalf of the substantive Speaker of the House, the Rt. Hon. (Dr) Moses F.M. Wetang’ula, Speaker of the National Assembly. Thank you very much and welcome to the House.

Let us continue with our Motion. Yes, Hon. Commissioner Mishi Mboko.

Asante sana Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Najua muda umetupa kisogo lakini kwa sababu huyu ni kiongozi mama, nataka niweke sauti yangu. Kwanza, namshukuru Mhe. Rais kwa kutambua ya kwamba kina mama ni viongozi na wanatakiwa wawe katika nyanja, haswa zile za kufanya maumuzi katika taifa letu la Kenya. Dadangu Regina Akoth ni mama ambaye amefuzu katika viwango vya juu sana katika tajiriba ya elimu. Tukiangalia uzoefu wa kazi haswa katika taasisi za umma, amekuwa na uzoefu wa hali ya juu sana. Amependekezwa kuongoza biashara katika taifa letu la Kenya. Ataweka natija ya hali ya juu sana. Jana tulipitisha uteuzi wa Mhe. Judy Pareno kama mama; leo tunamzungumzia Jane Kere na Regina Akoth. Kwa zile tajiriba zake na uzoefu wa kazi na elimu yake, naamini Regina ataboresha biashara zinazohusu taifa letu na zile zinahusu mataifa mengine yakishirikiana na taifa letu, ili tujenge uchumi wetu. Pia, tutazingatia biashara za kiulimwengu. Kuna biashara nyingi sana haswa pale kwa

s, zile sehemu ambazo zimetengwa ili tuweze kupata biashara za kuboresha uchumi wetu na kuleta ajira kwa vijana wetu. Regina atashirikiana na Waziri kuona kwamba hizi biashara zimeboresha uchumi wetu na zimejenga ajira, ndiposa tusikuwe na dukuduku la vijana wetu wachanga wanaosema Kenya hakuna ajira na hivyo basi wanaenda katika mataifa tofauti. Wizara hii pia inahusika na mambo ya viwanda. Kule Pwani tungependa kuwa na viwanda kama vya mnazi, korosho na biksa. Vikiwa pale, tutapata biashara kubwa. Tutaweza kupeleka korosho nje na kutengeneza bidhaa tofauti tofauti ambazo pia zitaleta fedha katika taifa letu la Kenya. Mbali na kuangalia mambo ya kimataifa, hapa kwetu Kenya pia, aweze kuwapatia nasua makundi yaliyotengwa ama makundi ya kuzingatiwa kama kina mama, vijana na wale walio na ulemavu. Makundi haya yakichukua mkopo kutoka kwa Sacco, wapatiwe nasua na mwelekeo wa biashara wanaoweza kuekeza ili wafaulu kujijengea ajira na kujenga uchumi wa taifa letu ili Kenya inawiri na itoke kati ya mataifa maskini na ijiunge na mataifa yaliyobobea. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Kwa sababu ya muda, naunga Hoja hii mkono. Nashukuru Mhe. Rais kwa kutupatia Makatibu, na kuhakikisha akina mama wamepata nafasi inayofaa. Tunakuomba pia wakati unatengeneza Baraza La Mawaziri ama unafanya mabadiliko yoyote, utumie mbinu hiyo hiyo na kuhakikisha kwamba kina mama wamepata nafasi sawia na kina baba. Kenya inataka uongozi wa kina mama na kina baba ndiposa tutafaulu. Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Hon. Thuku Kwenya, do you want to contribute? Please do.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for being magnanimous. I know the mood of the House is that the Mover be called upon to reply. I wish to add my voice to the nomination of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade. Looking at her credentials, I agree she has every capability to bring about change and transformation in this very important Ministry. Having said that, this is one of those ministries that has been looked down upon. While it may not be ranked as one of the most prestigious ministries, it should be. For this country to transform in terms of industrialisation and taking advantage of every opportunity we have in terms of trade, then we must have a robust and a very able Principal Secretary as the Accounting Officer, along with the other staff at the Ministry. It is a Ministry that we need to elevate to a level whereby they can recognise the opportunities within our country and outside. I think that is where the gap lies. The opportunities in Kenya are enormous. I will give an example of a neglected industry: the dairy industry. We often think the produce we have is sufficient for the Republic, but that is not the case. I happened to have visited Qatar, a desert country as we all know, but in terms of the dairy industry, they have one mega dairy farm with a population of about 400,000 dairy cattle. Their daily production is not less than 25,000 litres. That is the capacity that is within. They do not even have the feeds; they import them from Brazil, yet we have the capacity here to grow feeds for export. I do not know what the Ministry of Trade is doing in terms of looking at the opportunities out there. You can imagine the distance between Qatar and Brazil, but that is where they get their feeds. Kenya is only six days' travel by water to Qatar if we were to get into such kind of space. I hope the new Principal Secretary will look into our capability and exploit the same so that we elevate this country to the next level. Finally, we also have an issue with industrialisation. We have passed laws in this House to encourage local manufacturing and value addition. While we have good laws, I do not think the Ministry is doing enough to attract investors who could leverage these laws and the opportunities we have. This would help establish industries here and create employment for the thousands of young men in this country. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity.

Hon. Dorothy Ikiara has sat in the House patiently from 2.30 p.m. Do you want to contribute to this? Please do so before we put the Question.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I, too join my colleagues in congratulating Ms Regina Akoth on her prominent appointment as the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade. I want to say a very big thank you to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya for finding it fit to nominate this lady for this prestigious position. This is a clear manifestation that His Excellency has a lot of trust in women leadership. This is a Kenyan, and as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Trade and Investment alluded to, she is highly qualified for this job. I pray and believe that she will open The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

new frontiers for our country. As much as other doors may be closing, I believe she will be able to open other avenues so that we can interact and trade effectively with other countries. I single out the trade in coffee and tea. I also believe that as the Meru community, we will benefit from her expertise because we have been moving around the country looking for business and markets for our miraa, which is a game changer for this country. I am sure she will take this up as her first assignment to ensure that she looks for a better market for our

. Ms Regina Akoth is a Kenyan. I dilute the feeling that we are rooting for x party from any party. We do not root for x party. This is a Kenyan lady born of a mother just like any other. She deserves this position, regardless of where she is drawn from. I support her nomination. I promise her that she has our backing as women. We will run with her. Whenever she feels that she needs our assistance, we are ready to help so that this country, Kenya, can participate in the world trade just like other countries. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Rahim Dawood.

I do not want to contribute to this Special Motion.

He does not want to contribute to this Special Motion. Hon. Mwalyo, you are recognised to contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute. I support the nominee who displayed in the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives that she is very competent and has worked in many places. In all those places she has worked, she proved capable of what she knows she can do. Ms Regina Akoth is also very learned. From what we saw in her curriculum vitae, she went to school and has done a lot of consultancy work, especially for the National AIDS Control Council and advisory in the Global Fund. We interacted with her because she is coming in when there are very many trade wars between foreigners and locals, especially the Chinese. They are dropping their prices to the bottom. Our traders import goods from China, but they are unable to match with their prices. We discussed the issue with her. She told us that she would meet all the stakeholders and discuss on how to come to an amicable solution, so that they can work amicably. There was the issue of the tariffs that had been announced by the United States of America (USA) Government. They were discussed in all the affected countries. The tariffs are too high in some countries but ours remains at 10 per cent. She tackled the issue and told us that she would adopt, enforce and manoeuvre ways to keep our products in the USA, regardless of the tariff. She will also push for AGOA to be renewed, so that we can export as much products as possible. Therefore, I highly recommend the nominee for this job. I am sure she will do a lot and help this Ministry. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Member for Kajiado West, Hon. George Sunkuyia, do you want to speak to this Special Motion?

No. I will speak to the other one.

Member for Chuka/Igambang’ombe, Hon. Patrick Ntwiga.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, my contribution will be brief. Firstly, I stand to support Ms Regina Akoth’s nomination as a Principal Secretary. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Secondly, I will say three things. First, we have a very big market for coffee and tea in the world. The world over, the market for coffee and tea is very big and when Hon. Murwithania was contributing, he mentioned something that is very important. His Excellency the President has insisted time and again that we have ambassadors we send out of this country. We want them also to work as our commercial attachés and get markets for our products, and not just to sit in embassies and enjoy. Secondly, I come from the greater Meru region, and miraa is a key thing to us. We wish that as she gets market for coffee, tea, and other products, she also considers miraa and gets us good market for our product. Thank you. I support.

There being no further interests in the matter, I call upon the Mover to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity to thank the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for doing such a good job. I also want to thank those Members who have contributed on this Motion. I have seen the interest, and I can confirm that the nominee is equal to the task. We noticed some special qualities in the nominee, Ms. Regina Ombam. Having gone through the questions that many Members of the Committee raised, we realised she had a lot of humility. She sat for three hours during the vetting process; I doubt any other Committee has had that. She has vast knowledge of different fields, and she has now resigned from a better paying job to come and serve. Her family values cannot be compared to any. She displayed her professionalism, and…

Hon. Temporary Speaker, do I have your ear? With those few remarks, I beg to reply. Thank you.

Hon. Members, the time has come for the House to decide.

Next order.

Hon. Rahim Dawood to move.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, the Senate amendments to the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022), be now considered. I thank Sen. Samson Cherargei, who was the co-sponsor of this Bill in the Senate. The Senate just made one amendment. This is a very important Bill because it promotes telemedicine and e-health in cancer prevention and treatment. It further talks about the benefits of community health workers. It also mentions the National Cancer Institute which will work The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

with the counties and the national Government in training more oncologists because cancer is currently the biggest killer in Kenya. With that amendment, it will be easier for people to get treated as access to cancer treatment will be better enhanced through telemedicine. They will not have to travel to Nairobi or to any of the big cities. Patients will be able to reach doctors while in their homes and will get treated. I beg to move and ask Hon. Patrick Munene to second.

Hon. Rahim Dawood, who is seconding the Motion?

As I said, Hon. Munene will second.

Hon. Patrick Munene to second the Motion.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second this Motion. I do not want to belabour what the Member said. Cancer is a real issue in this country. It is high time we invested in health, especially in cancer treatment. The Senate only came up with one amendment that the Departmental Committee on Health concurred with because it does not change the spirit or letter of the Bill. They proposed that we insert the words “including telemedicine” immediately after the words “and information technology”. This amendment comes after we passed the Health Bill. Therefore, it is very important that we also include telemedicine in the Bill. I will not belabour what has been said. I beg to second the Motion.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, our Committee considered the Senate amendment to the proposed new definition of the word “e-health” by inserting the words “including telemedicine” immediately after the words “and information technology”. The Committee agreed with it. I support the consideration of the amendment.

Hon. Rahim Dawood, you are the Mover. I can still see your request. Hon. Thuku Kwenya, do you want to contribute to this?

Yes.

Proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I just want to emphasise the need for telemedicine and e-medicine because we have to move with technology. With the introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which allows hospitals to interconnect, a patient may be in a facility like Engineer County Hospital in Nyandarua to get an X-ray or a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) taken, but his doctor is in Nairobi. The patient may not be required to travel all the way to Nairobi for treatment. That is why this amendment suffices. I support the Mover and architect of this Bill because it is timely. It is about time that we utilised technology even in medicine.

Hon. Zamzam Chimba, do you want to contribute to this? I see your request. Is Hon. Guyo Jaldesa in the House? Let us have Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi, the Member for Buuri. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is a very important Motion. I come from Meru where the cost of treatment of cancer is quite high. Meru is second in cases of cancer in this Republic. Many people really struggle to get cancer treatment. The cost of treating cancer itself and the cost of moving from one place to another is high, and families and patients experience a lot of inconveniences. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we cannot be left behind because there are very many countries that practise telemedicine. So, this Bill has come at the right time. The biggest challenge right now is to ensure that we are all connected to the internet and power everywhere in the country. I am not shy to mention that what the Government is doing now is good particularly in connecting market centres and many other areas to the internet so that it becomes easier to access the service of telemedicine. This amendment Bill is good and we need to pass it. I am happy that the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Health is someone who has been in health management, a practitioner and now a Legislator. He should be able to guide us moving forward to ensure that we also put in place legislation that will go towards implementation of this new concept in cancer treatment. I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Dorothy Ikiara.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, allow me to thank Hon. Rahim Dawood and Sen. Cherargei for bringing this very important Bill. It is important, before going deep into debate, to know that our people are dying of cancer. I take special mention of the Meru community where we have many cancer cases. Most of the people do not die because of the disease. They die because of lack of information and fear. Out of fear because the cost of treatment is high, and when they are told they have cancer, it normally sounds like a death sentence. This Bill aims at demystifying that and ensuring that our people get renewed hope with trust that technology will be able to sort them out. This is why I am particularly very impressed by telemedicine and e-treatment that is in the market. We should leverage on technology and also not forget that prevention is more important than even the curative part of it. If we can use the community health workers to inform people and give them enough knowledge on what to look for, I am sure our people will go a long way in getting saved from this menace that is clearing them. This is a very important Bill. I wish it reaches the stage where we can comfortably say we are able, if not to completely eliminate cancer and handle it using technology so that our people can live without fear. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. (Dr) Naomi Waqo, Member of Parliament for Marsabit County.

(Marsabit County, UDA: Thank you for allowing me to add my voice to this very important Motion on consideration of Senate Amendments to the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022). I stand to support this because prevention is better than cure. We know very well that cancer is affecting many Kenyans. These days I am sure each person in every family is either individually affected or one of their loved ones is affected. Cancer is a disease that is taking away lives. It is also making people poor because treating it is quite expensive. The number of people suffering from cancer, those who have died of cancer and the potential of people who can get cancer is very high in Marsabit. That is why I am here to support any initiative we can offer to the people I have termed its potential victims. Anyone of us can get cancer, and God forbid. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

It is good for us to pray that no more Kenyans get cancer. Treatment is expensive. The disease itself is tough and very painful for both the cancer patient and the caregivers. We can overcome it if we give a lot of attention to prevention. We can come up with these kinds of amendments that put measures in place to prevent new cases to the young people and even the older generation. We should adopt a good lifestyle and get the right medication. We should undergo checkups on time and make sure any small sign of cancer is treated. That will really help us. Kenyans can be helped through this amendment. We can overcome the serious disease that is affecting many Kenyans in many parts of this country. Thank you.

The Mover can now reply. Hon. Zamzam, do you want to speak on this? Sorry, Mover. Let us allow Hon. Zamzam Chimba to contribute.

Nampongeza ndugu yangu Rahim kwa kuleta Hoja hii inayokusudia kusaidia wanaougua maradhi ya saratani kupata matibabu kwa kutumia teknolojia mpya. Ndugu yangu Mhe. Rahim, anajua kwamba mna wagonjwa wengi wa saratani huko Meru. Nakupongeza kwa kuleta huu Mswada uwe msaada kwao. Naambia watu wa kule kwamba wamepata kiongozi anayewajali sana. Pia, tuangalie vinavyosababisha hii saratani. Kuna wakati tulizungumza kuhusu kemikali zinazoitwa cathine na cathinone ambazo zinatokana na mmea wa miraa. Ndugu yangu Mhe. Rahim, hata katika Kaunti ya Mombasa nimeona watu wengi wanaotumia miraa wakiathirika sana na maradhi ya saratani. Ni kwa sababu ya hizo kemikali, na si kwa sababu nyingine. Ni lazima tuambiane ukweli tunapozungumza masuala ya afya. Kenya nzima itaangamia tukificha sababu za saratani. Kuleta teknolojia katika matibabu ni vizuri na tunasema asante sana. Hata hivyo, kuzuia ni bora kuliko kutibu. Wananchi waangalie na kupunguza matumizi yao ya mimea kama miraa na mengineyo. Hii ndio sababu kubwa ya saratani kule Meru. Ninyi wenyewe mmeona na kusema kwamba saratani iko kwa wingi kule. Kwa nini? Kwa sababu mmea huu unapandwa sana huko. Pia, kuna kemikali tunazokula kwenye chakula. Akina mama pia wanapata maradhi hayo. Ninaunga mkono kuletwa kwa teknolojia hii ili isaidie kutibu akina mama na hasa wazee. Tumalize kabisa mambo ya saratani katika taifa hili. Waambiwa mficha uchi hazai. Ndiyo maana tunaambiana ukweli. Kama saratani ingekuwepo kwa wingi kwetu, hata mimi ningesema kwamba sababu kubwa ni kitu fulani.

Hon. Kimani Kuria, Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Naweza kuendeleza kutoka mahali Mhe. Zamzam aliachia. Nampongeza ndugu yangu Mhe. Rahim kwa kuleta mapendekezo haya ya kutumia teknolojia kwa matibabu ya ugonjwa wa saratani. Bunge lipo kuhakikisha kwamba sheria zetu zinaambatana na mabadiliko ambayo yanafanyika katika nchi yetu. Kwa hivyo, tunatarajia kuona mabadiliko mengi ya sheria yakiletwa Bungeni ili kuhakikisha teknolojia inatumika kueneza mambo ya nchi yetu ya Kenya. Nampongeza ndugu yangu na naunga huu Mswada mkono. Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

Hon. Kimani Kuria, I can confirm why you are addressing the nation from the House in Kiswahili.

The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Mover, please reply.

It is unfortunate. I have directed the Mover to reply

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to donate one minute to my sister.

Hon. Rahim Dawood, the Standing Orders prohibit you from doing that.

(North Imenti, Independent

Next Order. Hon. Members, this is a quick matter. I am grateful for your patience and I request we all stay in.

Hon. Members, we shall start with the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.7 of 2025).

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Hon. Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move: THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting clause 2 and substituting therefor the following new clause— Amendment of the 2. The First Schedule to the Excise Duty Act is First Schedule to amended paragraph 1 of Part 1 — Cap.472.

(a) by deleting the following item and the corresponding rate of excise duty—

Imported Fully Assembled 25% Electric transformers and parts of tariff codes 8504.10.00, 8504.21.00, 8504.22.00, 8504.23.00, 8504.31.00, 8504.32.00, 8504.34.00

(b) by deleting the item of description “Imported Float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, whether or not having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked of tariff 7007” and substituting therefor the following new description “Imported Float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, whether or not having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked of tariff 7005 but excluding those originating from East African Community Partner States that meet the East African Community Rules of Origin”. The amendment is seeking to correct the unintended purpose in the amendment of the Tax Amendment Bill that we passed in December that gave tariff code of float glass as 7005 and not 7007.

Hon. Thuku Kwenya.

Kinangop, JP): Thank you, Hon. Temporary Chairperson. I support the amendment because for the first time in the life of this Government, we are reducing taxes at a rate of 25 per cent. We should see the same reduction in terms of power supply when we are constructing power lines. When we are issuing transformers, we should see the monetary value of transformers going down by 25 per cent. I support.

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Mover to move reporting. Yes, the Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Temporary Chairperson I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.7 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Hon. Members, we will now move to the next Bill, the consideration of the Senate Amendments to Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022)

CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE AMENDMENTS TO THE CANCER PREVENTION AND CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022)

Mover to move reporting.

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of Senate Amendments to the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022) and its approval thereof with amendments.

It is without amendments. Can you just move again for clarity?

Hon. Temporary Chairman, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the House its consideration of Senate Amendments to the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2022) and its approval thereof without amendments.

We will first deal with the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.7 of 2025). Chairperson.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.7 of 2025) and approved the same with amendments.

Sorry. We will expunge that from The

. I regret the disorder. The Mover to move agreement with the Report.

Asante, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Naomba kuwasilisha hoja kwamba Bunge likubaliane na Kamati kuhusu kuzingatia Mswada wa Marekebisho ya Ushuru wa Bidhaa, Mswada wa Bunge la Taifa Nambari. 7 wa Mwaka 2025. Ningependa kumwomba Mhe. Zamzam aunge mkono.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Ninaunga mkono Kiongozi wa Chama cha walio Wengi Bungeni bila kupinga.

I know why the Leader of the Majority Party has chosen Kiswahili.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I also request Hon. Mishi Mboko to second the Motion in agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to second Hon. Dawood on this very important matter. We are in the world of technology, and in the world of using electronic...

Order, Hon. Mishi Mboko. The Speaker has not recognised you. Kindly take your seat. First, the Mover will move in agreement with the report. The Chairperson, please move the report to the House.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Senate amendments to the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.45 of 2022) and its approval thereof without amendments.

The Mover to move in agreement with the report.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I also request Hon. Mishi Mboko to second the Motion for agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.

Hon. Mishi Mboko, proceed to second.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to second Hon. Rahim Dawood on this important Motion on the issue of cancer prevention and control. And since we are in the digital world, the issue of technology is very important, not only in the use of electronics, but also in terms of information and communication, and the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

issue of e-health. We need to ensure that we are going to provide proper infrastructure, especially in terms of connectivity, both in the rural and urban centres, so that all Kenyans can receive services without any kind of challenge. I second.

For the convenience of the House, I will defer the putting of the Question on the two Bills we have transacted in the Committee of the whole House until next time in the future when the House Business Committee will schedule them for the House's consideration and decision.

Next Order.

The Mover to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to, first of all, thank the Members who contributed to this report. As I had stated in my opening remarks when I was moving the report, the Public Accounts Committee is committed to making sure that the money and funds that are disbursed to different state departments are utilised prudently so as to achieve the end objective, which is to spur economic growth and also better the living standards of Kenyans. I want to reiterate that this report was good and well-examined. It has also given guidance on how state departments are supposed to take up their mandate and responsibilities in a manner that adheres to the Constitution and also in a manner that will enhance the work of the Auditor-General in terms of looking at accountabilities. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you are aware, we have a lot of misuse of the State’s funds which get lost through corruption and illicit trade. This report addresses those faulty lines that are used or enhanced by State officers to perpetrate these vices. Therefore, in the interest of time…

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order? Butere Girls High School was tear-gassed. What is out of order or do you want to comment on it? You do not have the microphone. Wait until when you have it and then you can contribute. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Hon. Tindi Mwale, you cannot take over the work of the presiding officer of the House.

No, I was just passing information, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I do not literally mean what I have said. I want him to be on The Hansard because he is upstanding, yet you have not even given him an opportunity. He needs to sit.

Hon. Toroitich, approach Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, procedurally, he is supposed to sit until you give him the chance.

Hon. Timothy Toroitich, what is out of order?

Hon. Tindi Mwale has made a serious statement that must be expunged from the record of this House. He has said that you are aware that there is a lot of misuse of public resources in this country. This statement is directed to Hon. Temporary Speaker. Could Hon. Tindi Mwale, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) withdraw it?

Hon. Tindi, do you own that statement? Proceed.

We have challenges of technology. Bear with Parliament.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I notify my colleague that I am replying to a report that was examined by the PAC. Therefore, as the Chairman, when we did the examination, we found out that there was misuse of public resources. I am stating this from a point of information. I am not informing the House from the blues. I am stating the findings of the report.

The point Hon. Timothy Toroitich is making is that when you make such a statement, you specifically mention the government institutions doing so. If you leave it blank, then the people watching may not be certain that you are dealing with a specific institution; not the whole of Government.

I am well guided.

Can you make that clarification and confirm again for the record, although you already did so, the financial statements of the institutions we are dealing with?

I am well guided, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In the interest of time, the State departments are too many. I named them when I was moving the Motion. Therefore, if I go back to the report which is 1,166 pages...

Hon. Tindi Mwale, you cannot review the direction of Hon. Temporary Speaker.

I am not trying to do it, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I agree with your direction. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

Why are you worried about time when Hon. Temporary Speaker is giving you time?

Okay. For example, we have the State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries where the Committee referred matters to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for investigation. We also have the State Department for Roads because of stalled projects. We also have the State Department for Citizen Services because of laxity in the processing of registration documents. Therefore, I rise to request the House to adopt the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on its examination of the Report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements for the National Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for the Financial Year 2021/2022, laid on the table of the House on Friday, 14th March 2015. I wish to contribute two minutes to my brother, the Chairman for the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, to make his contributions.

Hon. Tindi Mwale, you are replying.

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Number one, please confirm that you beg to reply.

Oh, sorry, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to reply that this House adopts the Report.

Then Tindi Mwale, having done so, I can confirm that you are not just functus officio but also, under the Standing Orders, you cannot donate any of your minutes to a Chairperson of a Committee. So, even the Hon. Member scratching his head in the hope that you would make additional donations too, will be disappointed. So, thank you very much for your good work.

Hon. Members, we should be moving to the next order, but I note that it is three minutes to 7.00 p.m. The House has been very committed this afternoon and we have covered a lot of ground. Let me register the gratitude of the substantive Speaker for the commitment by the Members who have been able to sit from 2.30 p.m. This is the kind of commitment that the Kenyan people whom we serve sent us to this House to have.

So, Hon. Members, for the convenience of the House, let us be upstanding. The time being 6:57 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 15th April, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.

The House rose at 6.57 p.m.

The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.

The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor.