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

Hon. Naomi Waqo, how are we doing?

Hon. Members, we may now proceed.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following papers on the Table: Reports of the Auditor-General and Financial Statements for the year ended 30th June 2024 and the certificates therein in respect of: 1. Alliance Girls High School. 2. Alliance High School. 3. Bondo Technical and Vocational College. 4. Chanzeywe Technical and Vocational College. 5. Endarasha Boys High School. 6. Friends College Kaimosi-Kaimosi College of Research and Technology. 7. Friends School Kamusinga. 8. Kakamega Schools. 9. Kakrao Technical and Vocational College. 10. Kendege Technical and Vocational College. 11. Keroka Technical Training Institute. 12. Kimunyu Secondary School. 13. Kirobon Girls High School. 14. Larmudiac High School. 15. Magutu Girls Secondary School. 16. Mahiga Girls Secondary School. 17. Mang’u High School. 18. Matiliku Boys’ High School. 19. Mawego National Polytechnic. 20. Mbooni Boys High School. 21. Michinda Secondary School. 22. Naromoru Boys Secondary 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.

23. Ngoto Boys High School. 24. Nyakach Technical and Vocational College. 25. Nyando Technical and Vocational Colleges. 26. Nyeri High School.

The Chairperson, Public Debt and Privatisation Committee.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following paper on the Table: Report of the Public Debt and Privatization Committee on its consideration of the expenditures of the Consolidated Fund Services for the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2025/2026.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

We are moving to the next Order.

Again, Chairperson, Public Debt and Privatization Committee.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Public Debt and Privatization Committee on its consideration of the Consolidated Fund Services for the Budget Estimates for Financial Year 2025/2026, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 11th June 2025.

I, thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Members, before we continue, allow me to welcome the following persons who are sitting in the Public Gallery. These are village elders from Tembelio Ward, Moiben Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. I will ask Hon. (Prof) Bartoo, Member for Moiben Constituency, to welcome them on behalf of the National Assembly, and particularly on my behalf, as I come from the same area. Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for this opportunity to welcome the village elders from Tembelio Ward, Uasin Gishu County. These are the men and women who have been supporting me in running the Government agenda. I thought I would do them an honour by inviting them to Parliament, where we make laws.

I want to welcome them and tell them that in as much as they do not benefit from any Government pay despite the fact that they are doing a lot of work, we are in the process of entrenching them into the NGAO so that they can also benefit through salaries. I wanted to give them an opportunity to have a feel of what happens in Parliament. My people, this is where we make laws, appropriate money and everything else. Karibuni sana and feel at home. I would request that you allow a few Members of Parliament to also welcome them.

Hon. Member for Kipkelion East, I have seen that you pressed the intervention button. 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. Deputy Speaker for the opportunity. When I came in, I thought we had another squad in Parliament because of the uniform that these village elders are wearing.

I want to congratulate Hon. Bartoo for taking time to ensure that they dress well. This follows what we have been discussing in this House about taking care of the village elders. I want to emphasise that we fast-track what we have discussed in this House about them. They have to get their stipends. Otherwise, congratulations. Thank you very much.

Hon. Timothy Toroitich, you have a matter which has been stood down several times because of your absence coming up. If you could kindly not leave the House.

Hon. Ng’elechei, Member for Elgeyo Marakwet.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker for the opportunity. I have a special attachment to the village elders since that is where I was born and bred. I am from Kamaua Village, and I am sure my village elder and the assistant chief, Madam Mercy Kesse, who is my classmate and someone I am so proud of, are here. I want to assure the village elders from all the villages that I know and I am associated with, that they are indeed doing a superb job. I appreciate the Member of Parliament for recognising and appreciating them and ensuring that they take a tour to the National Assembly. Being a Member of the Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security, I want to assure them that we have discussed their issues and their contribution to the welfare of this country. The Committee is working hard to ensure that they get a stipend in the budget. This will ensure that even as they serve the Government, they will at least get something for airtime and to support them. As we speak, they are volunteers who are serving this nation for free. Welcome all of you from Kamaua, Kamokono, Komba Emit, Chepchobit, Kapkei and all the other villages. Thank you very much and welcome.

Hon. Sunkuli, Member for Kilgoris.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues in commending Hon. Bartoo for this rare opportunity that she has accorded the village elders. She has done something which no one has done before; inviting the ordinary leaders who work for our country back at home. Apart from the fact that I have been in charge of the Provincial Administration, I also stand to contribute to this because I have a special attachment to Uasin Gishu County – this is very vital to me. I hope the Members of Parliament from that area know that the name Uasin Gishu was given by our ancestors. We ask the leaders from that region that as they continue managing Uasin Gishu County, they must remember that all of us have a strong attachment to it. They should manage the place well because it is our land and we hope that one day we shall all be reunited there. Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Jerusha Momanyi, Member for Nyamira County.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity so that I can also congratulate the village elders from Moiben Constituency. Indeed, these are great men and women. What they do in our villages is so commendable that this House has severally discussed the matters of village elders. We assure you that we are fighting for you because of the good work that you are doing. I commend my sister, Hon. (Prof.) Phylis Bartoo, with whom we sit in the same Committee, for what she has done. I assure you that your people will be forever indebted to you for what you do for them. 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.

To the village elders, congratulations and welcome to Parliament. Some of your children will be great Members of this House. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

The last one on this matter is Hon. Chepkonga, because he is from Uasin Gishu, then we move to the next Order.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I would like to congratulate and thank Hon. (Prof.) Bartoo for inviting the green team from her Constituency to Parliament. This Constituency was the larger Eldoret East before it was split to Ainabkoi and Moiben constituencies. What Hon. Bartoo has done, in kitting the village elders, is commendable. In my opinion, she is a trailblazer in this particular industry. I also thank the village elders for the commendable job they are doing for this country. We would like them to know that this country recognises their output in their villages. They have done great work. We also assure them that we will continue to support them in their endeavour to ensure that there is peace and understanding in the villages. May God bless you.

Next Order.

There is a request for Statement by Hon. Yakub Kuno, Member for Bura to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the registration and regulation of education and immigration consultancy services in the country. The Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) regulates education and immigration consultancy services in the country by issuing Class G permits to individuals or partnerships engaging in these services. These services typically assist with career counselling by helping students explore different career paths and find the most suitable academic programmes in the right universities based on their academic profiles, goals and preferences. These consultancy companies also assist with completing university applications, including follow-ups and ensuring all documents are submitted correctly and providing support with visa applications, including gathering necessary documents, completing forms and managing the application process. In the recent past, there has been a growing concern over the exploitation of unsuspecting students by rogue education and immigration consultants operating in the country. These entities often lure students and their families with attractive offers and promises of guaranteed admission to foreign institutions and swift immigration processes. However, many of these promises turn out to be misleading, resulting in significant financial loss and emotional distress to the affected individuals. This worrying trend underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation and oversight of the education and immigration consultancy sector to protect vulnerable students from such unscrupulous practices. 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 against this background that I request the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to apprise the House on the following: 1. The number of companies currently registered with the Ministry to offer education and immigration consultancy services and the minimum requirements for registration. 2. The status of registration of Marg Education and Immigration Consultancy Limited and the period for which it has been licensed to provide education and immigration services to Kenyan citizens. 3. Provide a detailed list including the names, educational qualifications and counties of residence of students who have successfully and unsuccessfully obtained education and immigration status through the services of Marg Education and Immigration Consultancy Limited. 4. The standard terms of agreement between these companies and the students seeking education and immigration services and an indication of whether the Ministry considers the terms to constitute fair trade practices. 5. Measures put in place to protect economically disadvantaged students and families from potential exploitation, especially in light of the current economic challenges. I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

The Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. He seems not to be in. Is there any member of the Committee in the House? Hon. Ng’elechei, kindly give an undertaking on behalf of your Committee. How long will you take to respond to the Statement?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I request for a period of two weeks.

Thank you. Next Statement by Hon. Abdul Haro, Member for Mandera South.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the inability of universities in Kenya to issue certified duplicate degree certificates to graduates who lose their original certificates. Many Kenyans lose their degree certificates due to circumstances beyond their control, including theft, accidental destruction through fire and flooding or general misplacement. Despite the critical role of these certificates in the professional and academic lives of graduates, the current process for addressing the loss is burdensome and ultimately unsatisfactory. Most universities do not issue a certified duplicate or replacement copy of the original degree certificate. Instead, they issue a letter of certification or confirmation of award, which only serves as an alternative reference to the lost certificate. A degree certificate is routinely required for employment, professional licensing and further academic studies. While local institutions and employers may accept the letters of confirmation, these documents are often insufficient for international applications, where certified copies or re-issued certificates are a mandatory requirement. The lack of a standardised degree certificate replacement policy affects not only the employability of graduates but limits also access to academic and professional opportunities. Further, the inability to obtain a certified duplicate poses a security risk, as where 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.

an original certificate is lost and cannot be invalidated, there is a possibility of its fraudulent use by third parties. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following: 1. Rationale behind the current prohibition by the Ministry of Education on the issuance of certified duplicate certificates by universities to graduates who have lost their original degree certificates. 2. The measures the Ministry is taking to develop a national policy framework to govern the replacement of degree certificates. 3. The plans in place to standardise the replacement process across all universities in Kenya, in line with international best practices and expected timelines for implementation. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education, when will you bring a response?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. We will bring a response in two weeks' time.

We still have one more request for a Statement by Hon. Wambugu Wanaina, the Member for Othaya.

Hon. Deputy 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 Education regarding the low enrolment rate of students in rural area primary and secondary schools in Kenya.

It is deeply concerning that the number of children who are out of school has been on the rise in the recent years. According to the assessment report which was launched in 2023, the percentage of children aged six to 15 years who are out of school increased from 7.5 per cent in 2021 to 8.5 per cent in 2023. That is particularly, evident in rural areas, including Othaya Constituency in Nyeri County, where many day secondary schools that previously had the capacity to accommodate between 300 and 400 students are now operating well below their capacity, with several day secondary schools registering fewer than 50 students.

Education remains a critical tool for individual empowerment and advancing the economic, social, and personal well-being of all citizens. A high dropout rate and poor or lack of enrolment of students diminishes the human capital available and jeopardises the economic prosperity of the country in the future. 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 number of school-going children in Othaya Constituency and across the country indicating those in and out of school. 2. The measures by the Government to restore student enrolment in primary and secondary schools in areas such as Othaya Constituency, which has declined in recent years. 3. The steps taken by the Government to avert the potential education crisis, especially in light of the significant drop in enrolment rate, owing to the prevailing economic challenges. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education. 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. Deputy Speaker. The response will be ready in two weeks.

Thank you. Next, we have a response from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education to a request for a Statement by Hon. Timothy Toroitich, Member for Marakwet West. Are you ready? You have an assistant.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish to respond to the request for a Statement by Hon. Timothy Toroitich, Member for Marakwet West on the status of secondary education quality improvement projects in Marakwet West, popularly called SEQIP. It is true that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank, has been implementing the Kenya Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP). This was a seven-year initiative scheduled to run from 7th December 2017 to 31st December 2024. The project aimed to enhance student learning outcomes in secondary education and facilitate smooth transitions from primary to secondary school, particularly in targeted areas. Marakwet West was among the sub-counties selected to benefit from SEQIP interventions. These included: 1. Recruitment of 102 teachers, 61 from Marakwet West and 41 from Marakwet East, in Science, Mathematics, and English to address teacher shortages. 2. Retooling of 1,149 Science, Mathematics and English teachers under the School-Based Teacher Support System. 3. Provision of textbooks for Science, Mathematics, and English in Grades 7 and 8 (upper primary) and Forms 1 to 4 (secondary school). This led to 82 per cent achievement of the 1:1 textbook-to-student ratio in schools. 4. Elgeyo Marakwet also benefitted from live-streamed lessons in Science and Mathematics. The necessary equipment and content were provided to select schools. The schools participating in the programme included: (a) Principal School: Kapsowar Girls (b) Satellite Schools: (i) Sambirir Girls. (ii) Kipkaner Mixed Day. (iii) Tot Mixed Day. (iv) Kapcherop Boys. (v) St Peter’s Marakwet Boys. 5. Implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). All primary and junior secondary school teachers in the county have been retooled to support the rollout of CBC, which has now been implemented across all primary schools. 6. Elimu Scholarship Programme. To support equitable transition to secondary education, 185 learners from vulnerable and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds benefitted from the Elimu Scholarship Programme — 98 under Cohort One and 87 under Cohort Two. These students received full tuition for the 4-year secondary school cycle, a school kit which included a school uniform, basic learning materials and personal effects, and stipend to cover pocket money and transportation. 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.

7. Infrastructure Development. To enhance the learning environment and support retention, especially for girls in upper primary, the Ministry undertook various construction projects. These included: (a) Construction of additional classrooms and science laboratories to enhance access and quality of instruction. (b) Construction of sanitation facilities to support student retention. The completed and commissioned projects include the following: 1. One laboratory and two classrooms at Moi Kapsowar Girls. 2. One classroom at Kapsowar Boys. 3. One laboratory and two classrooms at St Mark’s Mixed Day and Boarding Litei. 4. One classroom at Chebara Boys. 5. One laboratory at St Peter’s Marakwet Boys. 6. One laboratory at Yemit Boys. This is summarised as indicated in the table below:

S. No. Projects Handed Over Number 1 Classrooms 6 2 Laboratories 4 3 Sanitation Facilities 0 Incomplete Projects 1 Classrooms 3 2 Laboratories 6 3 Sanitation Facilities 4 We wish to clarify that Santa Maria Cheptulon was to benefit from the construction of only two classrooms, and not two classrooms and one laboratory as previously indicated. On reasons the Contractor, Daya Agencies Ltd, Abandoned the Project Sites Before Completing all Projects and Before Settling Payments to Suppliers: The Ministry awarded Daya Agencies Ltd a contract to undertake construction works in Marakwet West Sub-County as follows: sanitation facilities in four primary schools, 10 laboratories in 10 secondary schools, and nine classrooms in six secondary schools. The contractor cited the following reasons for abandoning works before completion: 1. Change in Scope of Work: Due to the topography of the area, there were variations in the works. However, a contract variation was not possible, as this was a fixed-price contract. 2. Challenging Terrain: The terrain posed significant challenges, but since the contract was fixed, no variation could be applied to address these difficulties. 3. Serious Insecurity Issues: The contractor also highlighted serious security concerns in the area. Despite these challenges, the supervisor issued instructions to resume work and settle any outstanding debts. The contractor was additionally requested to submit a commitment letter outlining their intention to fulfil any pending obligations. However, the contractor failed to comply with these instructions. On the question as to what measures the Ministry of Education is taking to ensure that the unfinished projects are completed and affected suppliers are paid their outstanding dues, the Ministry is exploring internal solutions to address the gaps in the incomplete projects. We will also seek to leverage additional partnerships to fill these gaps. The Ministry is not privy to arrangements between Daya Agencies Ltd and the suppliers. Any contractual arrangements were strictly between Daya Agencies Ltd 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.

suppliers. Unsettled claims arising from such arrangements are to be addressed between the parties, in accordance with their contractual framework, as the Ministry was not involved. The Ministry has already paid the contractor to the extent of the certified works. On the question concerning the plans by the Ministry to review its contractor selection and monitoring processes in future projects to prevent similar occurrences, the Ministry has adopted a decentralised approach to the implementation of projects. For example, the construction of Grade Nine classrooms was undertaken by the schools directly. This means that the Ministry will channel funds directly to schools, and the schools will source for contractors. The Ministry disbursed funds to schools, which then procured contractors and monitored the implementation of the projects. To enhance monitoring and supervision, the Ministry will leverage the Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS), which has been integrated into the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS). Through the embedded KOBO Toolbox, data on school infrastructure will be efficiently captured by both school administrators and field officers. The GEMS tool has been fully incorporated into NEMIS to facilitate real-time reporting on infrastructure development. We respectfully submit, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Timothy, do you wish to say anything about the Statement?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me an opportunity to respond to that Statement. That Statement does not meet the threshold of a response from a Committee that ought to conduct thorough investigations on such a serious matter. On 14th March, I brought this Statement before this House. These are SEQIP in my constituency. There were 23 projects, out of which, only 13 were completed. Ten were never started. Some were started, but the works collapsed midway. These projects are wasting away. You will be shocked by the report that the Committee has presented to this House. For the ten projects that were neither started nor completed, one of the justifications given was that of challenging terrain. Hon. Deputy Speaker, you are my neighbour in Uasin Gishu. Tell me, St Teresa Koibarak Girls, which is in Marakwet West, Santa Maria Cheptulon, and Cheborowa Girls, Kapcherob, where exactly is the challenging terrain in that area? This is a serious matter that the Committee must treat with the seriousness it deserves. The second reason they have provided for not completing, or even starting the projects was serious security issues. Where in Marakwet West? We only have one challenge in one area of the constituency. Hon. Joseph Makilap is my neighbour in Baringo North, which is more rural, and has security challenges. One of the projects that has neither been completed nor started is in Chebororwa Girls. This is a joke. The problem we face with statements in this House is that committees merely adopt and regurgitate reports from the Ministry, hook, line, and sinker, without conducting any investigations.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hold on, there is a point of order by the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. What Hon. Toroitich is saying is quite untrue. We conducted a thorough investigation. He was the one who failed to attend the Committee Session where we questioned the Cabinet Secretary on his behalf. He is an absentee Member. When we had the Cabinet Secretary before us, we invited him to attend but he declined. The Chair is simply conveying the outcome. We did a great deal of work for you as the Member for Marakwet West. In fact, we even asked the very questions you are now raising. 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.

Therefore, for you to come here and claim the Committee did nothing… These Members worked hard. We even reviewed every contractor’s recognisance visit. Why would they not have raised the issue of challenging terrain? I must rise to clarify that we, as the Departmental Committee on Education, did our work. It took us about two hours to interrogate your Question. Now, for you to come here and say the Committee did nothing is quite absurd, Hon. Toroitich. You need to style up and recognise that we are taking this matter seriously.

Hon. Toroitich, did you attend the Committee hearing? This is just to confirm a fact.

Chair, I will provide reasons for my absence from the Committee Session. I did not even though I was invited. I informed the Clerk of the Committee that I was attending another meeting in Mombasa. I was never granted an extension. Nonetheless, Hon. Melly must be reminded of Article 125 of the Constitution of Kenya, that when a Committee of Parliament sits, it holds the same powers as the High Court to investigate a matter. It is the Committee’s responsibility to visit the projects and provide this House with a detailed report. It is not the role of a Member to attend the Committee in order to provide reports, especially when the Committee is acting under Article 125.

On a point of order, Hon.Deputy Speaker.

There is a point of order. What is your point of order, Member for Gem Constituency?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have listened to the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education, my brother, Hon. Melly. He did not dispute a fact that the Member said, that the Committee swallowed the report from the Ministry. From a phonological point of view, that English is incorrect. Thank you.

I hope Hon. Toroitich you stand corrected. You can still write further questions for the Committee.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, they swallowed the report of the Ministry hook, line and sinker. I have no apologies about that. They just took the report of the Ministry as it is, without further interrogating it. Chairman…

Hon. Toroitich, you are a lawyer. In a court, if only the plaintiff is there and the defender does not appear, the court will make a decision based on the presentations and petition of the plaintiff, without considering those from the defender. That is why we have default judgments and you know that. Therefore, in your absence to prosecute your case, the decision makers only rely on one side. I think it is important that you take responsibility. You can ask the Committee to re-look at your matter, but on the undertaking that you will appear.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, with due respect to the ruling you have given, Article 125 is very clear. That when a Committee of Parliament is sitting, it is equivalent to the High Court. They should interrogate witnesses. They should actually visit the sites that I have mentioned so that they can take evidence. The Committee has given a report that is unsubstantiated. Therefore, pursuant to Article 125 as read with Standing Order 1, I kindly request that you direct that the Committee visits the projects to ascertain the actual problem that we have on the ground. Thank you.

Hon. Toroitich, I do not think you understand. Let me repeat what I said. You have said that committees have the powers of a High Court, like we had said. Our courts are an adversarial system. Both sides must appear. If one side does not, a default judgement, that means a judgement in the absence of considering the other side's case will be 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.

made. Had you appeared before the Committee, you would have requested that they visit the sites. You wanted the Committee to move on its own motion, without guidance from you who had asked the question? Yes, what you have raised is very significant and I recognise that. That is why I am saying that the easiest way to resolve the problem in the interest of the members of the public and the students who are suffering, is to raise your matter again before the Committee. This time, be present and request that the Committee goes to the sites with your guidance since you know those particular sites, and look into the matter. That way, the matter will be resolved. The blame game will not help the members of the public whom we are trying to serve.

I am well guided, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Having made that Ruling, I also request that you re-direct that this matter be taken back to the Committee. I will do a letter to reappear before the Committee and make my submissions, so that the Committee can fully investigate this matter. This is because there is no value for money for these projects. The Ministry has used a lot of money for these projects. You will be shocked…

Hon. Toroitich, mentioning rhetorics does not solve the problem. That is why I am giving you a solution. Resubmit your request to the Committee, pointing out the shortcomings of the report that has been presented. But avail yourself so that you can interrogate the presentation made by the Cabinet Secretary then we move forward. But passing accusations and making rhetoric statements will not help the public. That is why I am saying we go to the solution. We will close this matter. We have agreed what you need to do. Hon. Member for Baringo North, let us proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am Hon. Toroitich’s neighbour. We, as the Departmental Committee on Education are more serious than the Member of Parliament. For once, we interrogated. When he says that we did not interrogate, how did he know that yet he did not appear in the meeting? Most SEQIP are not complete including those in Baringo North Constituency. The last statement in the Report says that the Ministry appreciates that there is a problem in this thing because the procurement was done at the Ministry Headquarters without doing site visits. Therefore, the Ministry says that they are adopting a centralised approach of sending the money directly to the schools in Elgeiyo Marakwet and Baringo, so that those projects are completed. A solution has been provided. Instead of taking us around and asking other questions, let him pursue with us and the Ministry so that all the Members, including those of Baringo North and Tinderet, who have SEQIPs which are incomplete, can have them implemented. This is rather than taking us back and not coming for meetings. We are in the same boat, Hon. Toroitich. Even in my Constituency, we have a problem with SEQIP. The Ministry has provided a solution and funds will be availed. Please, instead of writing other messages to this Committee, let us work together to ensure that the Ministry does what it has committed to do in good time. Thank you.

In closing, I will allow the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I want to add to what my colleague has said. During the interrogation on the issue of SEQIP, we learnt that SEQIP covers 131 constituencies in this country. There was poor workmanship even in the administration of the whole project. We agreed that there was a change of policy in two things. One, that the procurement will never be centralised anymore. Two, that the Ministry and our Committee undertakes a very clear tour and oversight of all the projects that had not been completed. The fact that Hon. Toroitich was absent and he is not aware of this, indicates that 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 Member is completely out of order, and he is not true to his duties as a Member of Parliament. Absenteeism cannot be a case of point here.

Hon. Members, this is now becoming an altercation between the Member and the Committee. We will move to the next response requested by the Hon. Rashid, Member for Kisauni. Chairperson for the Departmental Committee on Education. Do you have a response? Who is making the Statement? Oh, yes, Member for Kibra.

Yes, Mwalimu Orero. I rise to make a response on the request for a Statement on the criteria for recognition and equation of certificates and diplomas obtained from schools offering international curricula in Kenya. This was asked by Hon. Rashid Bedzimba, Member for Kisauni Constituency. The question has three limbs, which we wish to respond as follows. On the reasons for the inordinate delay in formulating guidelines on equation of certificates or diplomas obtained from schools offering international curriculum within the country, Section 10(2)(e) of the Kenya National Examination Council Act, 2012 outlines one of the functions of KNEC as being to equate certificates issued by accredited foreign examining bodies with the qualifications awarded by the Council. Section 48 of the same Act grants the Council the powers to make rules, including rules of the equations of certificates, including prescribing what examinations may be equated by the Council. Pursuant to this provision, the Council enacted the KNEC (Equation of Certificate) Rules 2015 and the Guidelines on Equation of Foreign Certificates (Revised in Edition IV) Annex 1A and 1B. Both the rules and the guidelines provide that the Council shall not equate a certificate for a course offered within Kenya and identical or similar to that offered by the Council. On the basis of these legal provisions, KNEC was not equating certificates or diplomas obtained from schools offering international curriculum in Kenya. The justification based on a range of reasons at that time. Among them the narrow content level in a number of subjects; disparity in subject content in a majority of subjects; difference in administration of examinations; that equation would lead to exodus from the Kenya system; that paper format for the two systems is different; that candidates willingly, choose to do that system despite the choice to do the Kenya education system; and that candidates sit a number of papers in several sittings over a number of years. That is unlike the Kenya system where candidates take all examination papers once. The High Court in the Dennis Kabuaya Mucheke vs Kenya National Examination

case declared this position unconstitutional. The Court found that the foregoing rules and guidelines were unconstitutional for being discriminatory. Following the judgment, the KNEC has been working with various examination bodies to develop a method for equating their certificates. The Kenya Association of International Schools has been coordinating the submission of documents required to develop an equation criteria from the various examination boards operating in Kenya. The development of an equation criterion entails evaluation of the curriculum in question, teaching syllabi, mode of teaching, assessment, and grading and certification in order to ascertain how a given curriculum would compare with the Kenyan education system. This is an exercise undertaken by KNEC subject officers together with the Kenya Institute 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.

Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Directorate of Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Education.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, to date, the equation criteria for the two main foreign exam boards—Pearson Edexcel and International Baccalaureate—have been developed and are being implemented. Cambridge International, which is also a major exam board operating in Kenya, is in the process of submitting documents for evaluation. Two, the Ministry of Education undertakes measures to facilitate equation of certificates and diplomas obtained from international schools in the country thereby allowing these students access to local university admissions and public sector employment opportunities. Three, is on the actions taken by the Ministry of Education to address challenges students of international curricula impacted by the KNEC face. As indicated above, the High Court nullified the legal provision that has been preventing KNEC from equating certificates and other diplomas obtained from schools offering international curricula. Consequently, KNEC is now working with examination bodies and other stakeholders to develop criteria for equation. As noted earlier, for examination bodies for which the criteria have been developed, KNEC is already undertaking equation. We are working with other exam bodies to develop the criteria for the equation in respect of their certificates and diplomas. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa kuchangia majibu haya ambayo yametoka kwa Kamati ya Kiidara ya Elimu. Kwanza, nitapongeza sana Kamati hii kwa bidii na juhudi waliyofanya. Swala hili limechukua muda mrefu kujibiwa lakini wamechukua nafasi na jukumu la kumuita Waziri ili wamuulize. Hata mimi niliulizwa kama nilikuwa na nafasi nikae hapo. Kwa hivyo, nimeridhishwa na majibu hayo kwa moyo wangu wote. Lakini, nahimiza Kamati inayoshughulikia maafikiano walichukue kwa haraka na waafikiane ili wale wanaopata shida kule nje wasipate shida tena. Kuna ajira za jeshi na polisi zinazokuja. Lazima wao wahusishwe katika ajira za kiserikali. Kwa hivyo Kamati iharakishe ili iwe wazi na sheria inayoweza kutumika. Wizara isingoje mpaka korti itoe maamuzi kwamba hivyo ni kinyume cha Katiba. Wizara iwe inafikiria iwapo wametoa leseni na kama watoto wanasomeshwa hapo na wizara iwe tayari kuwahudumia hapa. Asante sana, Mhe. Spika wa Muda.

You do not need to say anything on that, do you? Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The only thing I understood from my colleague, because he spoke in Kiswahili, is

That means he is satisfied with the response. I congratulate him because, unlike the other former colleague who did not attend, he attended the meeting and asked his question.

Thank you. Well said.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker. 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 surely know there is nothing out of order there.

There is.

What is it?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Member said many Kiswahili words when responding. Hon. Orero, whose family I know very well because they were an immediate neighbour when we were growing up, has said that he only knows the word “kuridhika” . I know him. I face similar challenges. I know there is a very similar Kiswahili word that means “succession”. I hope he is not thinking that this is an issue of succession or of wife inheritance. Perhaps, it needs to be translated into English.

Hon. Orero, u meridhika ?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I like the way my colleague always thinks about succession. It is because she knows we come from the same area and that I am a potential candidate for that succession. However, I thank her very much for allowing me to know that she thinks about me every time.

Okay, she thinks about you every time. Hon. Members, before we go to the next Order, join me to welcome students seated in the Public Gallery. They are:Nguluni Secondary School, Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County. In the Speaker’s Gallery, we have South Tetu Girls High School, Mukurweini Constituency, Nyeri County. They are welcome to follow the Proceedings of this morning, and to the Houses of Parliament. Next Order.

Hon. Members, for lack of numbers, I will defer putting that Question to next time the Bill is put in the Order Paper. It is for obvious reasons.

Next Order.

THE BASIC EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL (National Assembly Bill No. 3 of 2025)

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Let us hear Hon. Nyikal before we go to the Committee of the Whole House.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish to ask that we stand down this Order. The last time we had it, it was agreed that we had to harmonise a number of clauses. I was given the task to harmonise between the proposer and Hon. Kaluma who brought many amendments. We have started that process. It is a little lengthy process. We are working on it and are making progress. I would ask that we get more time to complete the process. Therefore, once again, I ask that this Order be stood down. For the last time, I hope that we intend to finish it and bring it up.

Hon. Millie Odhiambo.

Suba North, ODM): Hon. Temporary Speaker, we actually engaged with Hon. Kaluma and Hon. (Dr) Nyikal on this Bill yesterday. All I want to say is that if you look at the very first time it was stepped down for harmonisation, it has been a very long time. I think it is almost a year now if my memory serves me right. I have agreed for a last harmonisation process and we were waiting for this then we proceed with the harmonisation. I agree largely with most of the proposed amendments by the Committee. What we need to agree on the harmonisation is much more between Hon. Kaluma, the Committee and I. I would like to request that should we not be able to complete by next week, then we proceed the next time it is here. Maybe not by tomorrow but next week. I will be ready, able and willing to proceed. Finally, I notice Hon. Orero has left, but I made reference to their family. I know their family; they were my neighbours and he was my junior and in the Luo culture, juniors do not inherit so I will be training him about culture. I know he is a Nairobian and I will be training him about culture.

Hon. Orero is here, he is back but I will not give him a chance because if he is your junior, then he cannot comment on those kind of matters as regards you especially. Hon. Kaluma, on this issue of harmonisation, one minute.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, harmonisation of the amendments was ordered by Hon. Speaker the previous time. We are making good progress and I think we have even agreed that straight from here if Hon. Speaker allows the stepping down of this Motion, we are proceeding into a meeting to continue with the process. The challenge of course has been this season in which we have all these Budget things going on. We were frustrated in our meeting yesterday but also this is a Bill which you will note has 52 clauses. The amendments proposed, some very substantive, have also over 60 new provisions. It requires that in addition to the novelty of the matter the Bill is dealing with, those of us who are very concerned about it get good time to thrash it. It is a very noble area, so we commit to the House that Hon. Millie of course is in the Leadership, Hon. (Dr) Nyikal is in the Leadership as Chairperson Departmental Committee on Health, and I assist you Hon. Temporary Speaker at times. Our commitment is that if the House grants adjournment in the manner it did for purposes of harmonisation, we return to the House with progress and not that 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.

we disagreed. I also crave your indulgence in the manner the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health has indicated that we go for harmonisation and return to the House with something more substantive in terms of progress. I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you. In view of the fact that this matter of harmonisation has taken a long time, more than a year, I order that a report of that exercise of harmonisation be brought to the House on Wednesday, next week. I hope you understand that we want a report of the harmonisation, whether it is a blank page or agreed clauses, we have to get a report before we go into the Committee. I hope that is understood. We will expect a report from you Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Health, alongside the Bill itself. Order No.10 is, therefore, accordingly stood down.

Hon. Timothy Toroitich.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for this opportunity. This morning I had intended to Move this Bill, The County Governments (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No.25 of 2023), which is a Bill for an Act of Parliament to amend the County Governments’ Act to increase the thresh-hold for the removal of a Member of a County Executive Committee and for connected purposes. However, with a lot humility, I would wish that this Bill be stood down or deferred for the reason that we had an engagement with the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs, which was to Second this Bill on some aspects of the Bill as well as the Sponsor of the Bill at the Senate, Hon. Cherargei. For that reason, and also to add some value to my submission in the Second Reading, I humbly request that this Bill be deferred to the Wednesday of 2nd July if the House so orders. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you very much, Hon. Timothy. For the reasons advanced by Hon. Timothy this Bill is also stood down to the next time it is put in the Order Paper. I will not be able to say when as of now. Thank you.

Hon. Sabina Chege. She is not in the House. I hope she is informed about this Motion coming up today. If she is not there, the Motion is also stood down for the reason of the absence of the Mover.

Hon. Marianne Kitany. Interesting. Members are aware of their Motions being in the Order Paper and they are not turning up. The Motion is also deferred for the reason of absence of the sponsor. 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%; 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: (i) formulate a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country to control its potential misuse; 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.

(ii) 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.

Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi. Also not in the House. Members, the Order therein is stood down for absence of the sponsor of the Motion.

Hon. Charles Ngusya. Interesting. The Motion is also stood down for the absence of the sponsor of the Motion.

Hon. Faith Gitau.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, aware that the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 provides for the establishment of road authorities responsible for, among other functions, the management and development of roads under their respective purview and for developing and providing adequate transport infrastructure that guarantees safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services across the country and beyond; further aware that the First Schedule of the Kenya Roads Act provides for the classification of national trunk roads into classes A, B and Class C; recognizing that the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution assigns to the national Government the function of the construction and operation of national trunk roads; noting that significant portion of highways in the national trunk road network are currently single carriageways; concerned that single carriageway roads pose multifaceted 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.

challenges, including traffic congestion during peak periods which limits movement of people, goods and services across regions and increases vulnerability to road accidents; further concerned that the lack of foot bridges and safe pedestrian crossing areas on these high-traffic roads has been a leading contributor to the surge in road accidents in the recent past; cognisant of the duty of the Government to provide a reliable transport system for efficient traffic management, economic development and bolstering interconnectivity among all regions in the country and beyond; now therefore, this House resolves that the Government, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, undertake an expansion programme of national trunk roads with a view of upgrading all Classes A, B and C roads in the country from two-way lanes to dual carriageway, one- way roads with the necessary infrastructure that include foot bridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals, proper drainage systems and other requisite infrastructure for their optimal operation. The efficient functioning of a country’s economy depends largely on the adequacy and efficiency of its transport system. An efficient transportation network plays a significant role in accessing public facilities, both in rural and urban areas of the country. The main purpose of effective transportation, especially in urban areas, is to meet the demand for passenger and freight movement. One fundamental fact is that transportation is an indispensable component of the economy, playing a pivotal role in connecting cities and driving growth. Our country faces significant challenges in road safety, traffic congestion and urban infrastructure particularly along major highways. In recent times, road accidents have become alarmingly common, often resulting in the loss of lives. Recent statistics regarding road accidents from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) paints a very grim picture. Between 1st January and 30th March 2024, 7,198 Kenyans were involved in road accidents. Tragically, 1,189 persons lost their lives while 3,316 were seriously injured. Most alarmingly, pedestrians accounted for the highest fatalities. These figures underscore the critical need for the Ministry of Roads and Transport to undertake decisive action to ensure road safety. The rapid growth of our population has exacerbated these issues, leading to increased traffic volumes and severe congestion in major cities. To address these challenges, we must implement targeted road-engineering solutions, particularly the expansion of major roads into dual carriageways. Additionally, we need to implement sophisticated movement control measures such as traffic lights, pedestrian crossing, warning signs and road markings. These measures will not only ensure road safety but also provide a platform for economic growth and development by easing movement of goods and the people. The Fourth Schedule to our Constitution clearly lays out the distribution of functions between the national Government and county governments. Part 1, paragraph 18 assigns the national Government the responsibility for road traffic and the construction and operation of national trunk roads. Furthermore, the Kenya Roads Act, 2007 established the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) responsible for the development, rehabilitation, management and maintenance of all national trunk roads. This includes Classes A, B and C roads linking centres of international and national importance. A detailed review of collision data from KeNHA’s Black Spot Management Report 2018, covering 2011 to 2016, ranked the top 30 high-crash locations on roads under their mandate. Each of these locations recorded at least five collisions in a calendar year highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The rising cases of grisly accidents on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway are largely due to the road’s design. This highway should be fully upgraded to a dual carriageway to reduce the carnage we have witnessed due to high traffic flow. The section from Rironi to Naivasha to Nakuru is prone to serious traffic jams especially during major holidays. Similarly, the Nairobi- Mombasa Highway should be converted to a dual carriageway to address increasing traffic 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.

congestion. This upgrade would reduce travel time from 10 hours to four hours, facilitating faster transit and improved connectivity between our capital and our major port city. The Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Narok-Bomet Road, despite being a crucial gateway to many counties, is dangerously narrow. Expanding this road to a dual carriageway would reduce traffic snaps that result in millions of shillings in losses. This and many other national trunk roads that serve as a conduit between cities should be expanded to dual carriageway. There is also need to accord extra attention to appropriate road engineering designs to enhance the safety of all road users. KeNHA should design roads to move traffic at appropriate speeds, apply techniques to control speeds, improve visibility at intersections and physically separate highways in urban areas from pedestrian walkways. Many of our roads are narrow and do not account for the exponential growth in vehicular traffic. Statistics show that a high percentage of accidents are head-on collisions, especially at known black spot areas. The successful design of the road in Salgaa area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Road to a dual carriageway proves that a redesign on major national trunk roads can significantly reduce traffic accidents. The KeNHA should also provide engineering facilities like foot bridges, central barriers, road underpasses and sidewalks to safeguard pedestrians and non-motorised traffic. They should address the insufficient or absent road signs and markings at dangerous sites, which contribute to many accidents. Hon. Temporary Speaker, a prime example is the Waiyaki Way dual carriageway from James Gichuru to Rironi. The road lacks essential safety measures. It has no lighting and marked strips. It lacks service lanes and pedestrian crossings. It is crucial to note that this area serves a large population from surrounding towns such as Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo, Kikuyu, Zambezi and other nearby settlements. As we upgrade our national trunk roads to dual carriageways, we must also ensure that the necessary infrastructure—that includes foot bridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals and other requisite infrastructure—are there for their optimal operation. Additionally, we must replace non-standard and non-retroreflective road signage with high intensity signs for better visibility, especially at night. The impact of dual carriageways for sustainable socio-economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasised. The dualling of Classes A, B and C roads should be prioritised as this will go a long way in reducing transit time and minimising accidents caused by dangerous overtaking. Moreover, enhancing our road infrastructure will significantly bolster our economy by easing the movement of goods and people, decongesting major cities and reducing transportation costs. Improved road networks will attract investment, stimulate trade and create job opportunities, thereby fostering economic development across all regions of our country. In conclusion and in light of these considerations, I urge this House to support this Motion for the betterment of our nation's infrastructure, economy and most importantly, the protection of Kenyan lives. This expansion will be a critical step towards a safer and more prosperous country. By investing in this road expansion programme, we are investing in the future of our country where citizens can live and travel safely. Our businesses can thrive and our economy will grow further. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move and request Hon. Pauline Lenguris, Member for Samburu County, to second.

Give me one minute, Hon. Pauline.

Members, join me in welcoming students from DEB Kianda Primary School, Buuri Constituency, Meru County, and students from Bishop Lawrence Bessone Primary 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.

North Imenti, Meru County. They are welcome to follow our proceedings this morning in the House of Parliament.

Hon. Pauline, you can proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to second the Motion which is very important for Kenyans. We have experienced a lot of traffic and accidents on our roads. We know many Kenyans depend on the roads for businesses, and movement of persons and goods. The implementation of this Motion will help us in reducing the accidents and foster the growth of our country. I beg the House to support this Motion and ensure it is implemented. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second the Motion.

Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand to support this Motion by Hon. Faith Gitau on expansion of major roads in the country to dual carriageways. Before I go into the details of the Motion and offer my very sincere support, I take cognisance of the fact that today is Wednesday in the morning. We, as the National Assembly, spare time for private Members' business that includes Bills and Motions. It is very sad to note that Motions and Bills sponsored by Members were put on the calendar and programmed to be debated today, but they failed to turn up. This forced us to step down these Bills and Motions. We would have used that time properly, if they had given notice of their absence. The Clerk of the National Assembly does a very good job to remind every Member early morning or even a day before of the business that will be on the Order Paper. It is available for Members. Members are expected to communicate their unavailability in good time, so that their Motions or Bills are not put in the Order Paper. There are very many Members here who have Motions which have not been scheduled for debate because others are ahead of them. This situation is unacceptable. If you have a Motion or Bill, make yourself available. I am sure Hon. Kajwang’ has a Bill scheduled at a later date. He is a good Member who comes to the House all the time but his Bill cannot find space because others are ahead of him, yet those Members do not come to the Chamber. It is a waste of good and honourable time. We need to discourage Members from this. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we should not only reschedule or defer the business on the Order Paper, but also drop them completely so that they do not appear again. If we do this, Members will know that when they have business on the Floor of the House, they should come to execute it, but not what we see today. I support Hon. Gitau’s Motion. Road network is very important for this nation. For development and economic progress of the nation to occur, we need road network everywhere in the country. We need good roads to ensure that businesses, farmers and economic activities are carried out very well. The situation we have now is one where the good roads that we have are congested. There is a lot of traffic snarl-up in the city. We are probably becoming worse than New York, as we progress. I was on Nairobi Expressway about two weeks ago. I realised that as you look down on the other road, it does not move even for an hour. The Expressway now is becoming even more congested. 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.

We have a problem which we must solve, otherwise, it will stall the progress of this country, especially this City. If this City is locked down by traffic jam, there is no economic activity that will happen. What we do is that we waste man-hours, we waste human resource and capital on the roads because there is traffic snarl-up, especially in the mornings when everybody wants to rush. I want to request that as we move forward as Government, we must, like Hon. Faith Gitau says, have dual carriageways in Nairobi.

One of the problems that I have seen is the problem of roundabouts. The more roundabouts you have in this City, the more traffic congestion you have. If you look at the road that goes to Lang’ata, before that roundabout used to be one of the locked-up areas. That roundabout on the Raila Odinga Way going up to Lang’ata used to be locked completely for a whole day because of traffic. When they did the upper pass and the underpass, now it has eased; just a simple bridge that was done there and it eased traffic. I want to request Nairobi City County and the Ministry of Roads and Transport to move with speed to remove the roundabouts in this country that cause huge traffic jam as we prepare to dual our roads. As I speak about roads here in Nairobi and other towns where there is major traffic snarl-up, on the Nairobi-Mombasa Road, before you get to Machakos, you spend like four hours in Nairobi. You go to Machakos and then probably spend four hours and you are almost in Mombasa. Then when you get to Mombasa, you get the jam again so you spend 16 hours on the road just because you cannot leave Nairobi faster and you cannot get into Mombasa faster.

I am happy that this Government is considering dualing that road and I think the contract is in the offing to ensure that we dual that road to Mombasa and make the Port of Mombasa efficient. For the Port of Mombasa to be efficient, it requires good road networks. If you do not have good road networks, you will always have delay of goods from the Port. I want to request that we expedite the process of dualing the Mombasa-Nairobi Road so that we can ease business.

It is very important to say that agriculture still remains the mainstay of this country. A lot of agricultural activities happen in the rural areas yet these areas have a problem of roads. They are not tarmacked roads nor graded roads. They are just rough earth roads. What we lose in terms of post-harvest losses is colossal because you cannot get your goods to the market because of bad roads. These roads are mostly in the hands of the counties that receive billions of money, not only through the county allocation, but even more special allocations that we vote on this Floor. Governors and county governments do not consider that those roads are more important than the seats, the carpets and the vehicles that they drive around. If they were to open the roads in the rural areas and tarmac them, and ensure that farmers’ products have good access to the market, they would have raised more revenue which they would have used to buy golden seats if they wanted. What they want to do is to buy the seats before they open taps for revenue to come in. One of the best ways to open taps for revenue to come into the counties is to ensure you have access to markets for farm products. I want to request counties that are there to have a target.

Hon. David Ochieng’): I hate to interrupt you, but last time I checked, you were in some county as a very senior official. I hope you did not buy a seat.

No, Hon. Temporary Speaker. When I served in the county, I ensured that money went into roads, hospitals, and proper infrastructure for the people. I actually sat on a very simple seat that I bought at around Ksh2,000. I am very diligent in using public resources but I want to say that if there is one thing that we need in this country to equalise, and I want to use this word “equalise”, are good road networks. I also want to state that there are some regions in this country that have roads that they do not even use. I was in a certain county, and when I passed there, I saw people airing maize on tarmac roads ― good tarmac roads which have not been used because resources were 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.

skewed towards certain regions. I am not lamenting. What I am saying is that we need to do the same in other areas to ensure that those areas have roads. I come from one of those counties that for many years, and the records of this country will bear me witness, has had the lowest development index and highest poverty index because it was underserved. Many Kenyans knew a constituency or a sub-county called Ganze. They knew it, not because of great things, but it was in Kenyan papers because of poverty levels. If you ask Hon. Farah, “Do you know Ganze?” he says, “Yes, that very poor part of Kenya.” Why? Because nobody thought of constructing a road there. Today, we still sing that safari yabamba ni machero, 60 years after Independence, because nobody invested in the road networks.

If the people of Ganze, the people of Kilifi, the people of Magarini, the people of Kaloleni and the people of Suba had a good road network, they would have contributed to the GDP of this country, and this country would be at another level. Because we forgot them, concentrated on certain areas under the Sessional Paper No.10, we are where we are as a country. Malaysia and Singapore passed us. Yes, we are boasting that we are the sixth-largest economy in Africa, but we would have been second or first if we had developed this country equally by ensuring that there are roads everywhere in this country and without constructing roads in one area.

The GDP of this country will rise and go very high if we actually construct roads in every part of this country. It will improve access to markets. Also, there are children who cannot get good education because there is no road to go to a good school. We spend too much money paying for fare at short distance. You pay Ksh1,000 and yet you would have paid only Ksh200 if there was a good road. You see how we kill? There is a story called Africa Kills HerSun . That is what we have done in this country because of skewed development to certain regions.

I want to be happy about what Sam Atandi and his team did at the Budget and Appropriations Committee, to ensure that resources in the Budget that we passed here yesterday at the Committee of Supply, go to every part of this country so as to realise equitable development. Had we done this 20 years ago, the GDP of this country would be very high. We would not be speaking about poverty, and we would not be speaking about people being poor. If we ensured that every part of this country had good road networks, agriculture would develop faster, health facilities would develop faster and education would be at a higher level,

The Motion that Hon. Faith Gitau has brought to this House is very important. Actually, it is an economic empowerment Motion. The people of Kilifi and the fish folk in Kilifi would not be looking for handouts because they would get their catch, take it to the market at a good time and avoid post-harvest losses. That would be another level. Those who have been given an opportunity to sit in Committees like the Budget and Appropriations Committee, please ensure you distribute resources in this country equitably, including the people in Dadaab. They want a good road, and they want to see resources go to those sections. That is why I recommend the broad-based government. We have a situation in this country now where resources can be taken to every part of this country. Congratulations for the good mind, for the good thoughts, and for the good ideas for this country, Hon. Faith Gitau. Congratulations again for standing up for Kenya and standing up for the marginalised parts of this country. I thank you and I support.

Member for Emurua Dikirr.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to also weigh in on this Motion on the expansion of major roads in the country to dual carriageways. 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.

Historically, after the First and Second World Wars, the economies of Europe and the Americas were resurrected by their road networks and infrastructure. They put all their money and efforts into building infrastructure, which is the key to development in any country. Without infrastructure, there is no development. I support this Motion and I wish it could be made into a reality. I hope it will not end up in the archives of the National Assembly. I also hope that the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure will use this Motion as a case study, taking into account the contributions by Members.

We have many accidents on our highways because our roads are too narrow. The interchanges between vehicles moving in opposite directions cause many accidents. You will rarely witness accidents in Europe and America because all the roads are dual carriageways regardless of their levels. Vehicles move on the road at whichever speed. In fact, in some countries, a motor vehicle moving at a low speed on a road with a higher speed limit is fined because they could cause accidents. However, in our case, all our roads are single roads. Most accidents happen when vehicles are overtaking. If we also want to move goods and services faster to other areas, our road networks have to be properly done. The proposer of this Motion suggests that we dual all the highways, especially the roads from Mombasa to Nairobi and Nairobi to Malaba. We should also dual the roads to Kisumu, Kericho and West Pokot. We should dual all highways that have a lot of traffic. If we do not have money because construction is very expensive, why not toll them? People pay for the road from Mlolongo to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and arrive at their destinations on time without accidents or problems. There is a difference when you pay Ksh300 from Nairobi to the JKIA. When you use the normal road to the airport, you will take three hours and spend around Ksh3,000 on fuel.

People would have no problem if all those roads were expanded and tolled. If we do not have money to dual the roads, especially the ones from Mombasa to Nairobi and Nairobi to Malaba, we can do Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and toll the roads. People would prefer to travel for just two hours from Mombasa to Nairobi instead of over six hours or the whole day because the traffic on those roads does not allow them to arrive in Nairobi on time. The traffic in Nairobi is also at another level. Therefore, if we can partner with other countries or serious investors, we can construct underground trains in Nairobi and de-congest traffic. We can also introduce tramps and toll them. We can do many things without necessarily borrowing money and overtaxing our citizens to achieve whatever we want. We can also partner with other countries and investors to meet our goals. I fully support this proposal to dual our roads. Let us partner with investors, dual the roads and toll them. We can also construct underground trains in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu and toll them. I was in the Public Investments Committee with my good friend, Mhe . Aden, who was the Chairman. When the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) was being constructed, we went from Nairobi to Mombasa. We were shocked by the amount of money that was spent on the SGR, which would have been enough to construct a dual rail and an electric train. The kickbacks demanded when doing such big projects slow down our country’s development. If we had constructed a proper dual electric rail from Mombasa to Malaba, we would have eased traffic. We can still do that without necessarily borrowing or taxing Kenyans. We can do it through PPPs, partner with investors and toll the roads. After all, nobody travels on those trains without paying. The payment can be split in half between the investor and the country. Therefore, if the Departmental Committee on Transport and infrastructure pays serious attention to this Motion and works on it, our country’s infrastructure can prosper without overtaxing the citizens.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the 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.

Thank you. Members, I have a list. You are all my friends, so as usual, I will follow the list. Raising your hand up will not help you in this regard.

You are all my friends, therefore, I will not prefer anybody over the other. I will follow the list as it is so that everyone gets a chance to speak. Before we do that, I wish to recognise students from Olkejuado High School from Kajiado Central Constituency in Kajiado County. They are welcome to the House of Parliament to follow our proceedings this morning.

I also wish to recognise a delegation from the MLIFE Foundation from San Francisco, USA, who are seated in the Speaker’s Gallery.

The delegation is led by Mr Mwangi Mukami, the President of MLIFE Foundation. He is accompanied by 19 youths from San Francisco, USA. They are on a visit to Parliament to learn about our legislative process and other critical aspects about the role of the Parliament of Kenya in shaping the future of the nation. Hon. Members, on my behalf and that of the National Assembly, I welcome them to Parliament and wish them fruitful engagements. Next on the list is Hon. Farah Maalim.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to weigh in on this Motion. I want to thank the gracious good lady, Hon. Faith, for sponsoring this good and timely Motion.

In our 70 years of colonialism, the colonialists who came to our continent and country removed our resources for their own benefit. They took our fellow Africans as slaves in the western hemisphere and Europe. Many people do not know that Europe was also built by African slaves before they even went to America. They did that for centuries. Then they came to colonise us, and did the same thing. For us, they had what they called the railway line. It was to have a railway from Mombasa to Uganda, which was a pearl of Africa at that time. The idea was to take agricultural and all other resources, and also use us as cheap labour. The expectation was that after we fought for and won our Independence, the narrative would change, and we would have development geared towards developing the country.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, can you protect me from Hon. Wamboka and Hon. Kibagendi? They are consulting very loudly. Within a year of being independent from 1964, we became a Republic, and then in 1965 we had the Sessional Paper No.10, which followed exactly the script of the white settlers and colonists. It again concentrated development on areas that are supposed to be of high potential. That is why, although being at a level above that of Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong at the time of Independence, today their economies are probably 50, 60 or 80 times as powerful as our economies because we failed. We failed to change the narrative and think 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.

globally within our own country, and begin utilising our resources from one corner of the country to the other. That was also pretty much driven by the divide-and-rule political culture that was established by the colonists. For the colonists to rule our countries in the manner they ruled, without that unified, and also to forestall the possibility of a unified African resistance to their colonialism, they divided the people. They had tribal lands, trust, and whatever. They divided our people along ethnic lines. The new independent African countries also picked up the same narrative and ran with it. They concentrated development only within certain selected areas. In the process, they also became the new lords. I am talking about the political elite.

You were in the same class as Hon. Adan Keynan?

Who?

Were you in the same history class as him?

Who is that?

Hon. Adan here.

Adan Keynan?

Yes.

No. Adan Keynan…

He was contributing to something on coffee yesterday, and he used the same words you have used. I do not know whether you were in the same history class.

Hon. Adan was in primary school when I was a Member of Parliament.

Okay, go ahead.

No, he was at the university when I was a Member of Parliament. Of course, everybody knows Hon. Adan is an avid debater. He also did history at the university and knows all these things. I am glad that we are thinking more or less along the same lines. We have a country today, and we cannot keep on lamenting the past. The reason we have all these accidents is that there is congestion. The elite in here would rather buy a piece of land in the same high-potential area where the infrastructure is good than buy in far-flung places like Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and the rest of it. Our psyche as Africans, and as Kenyans, after Independence is either you are going to Mombasa, because that is where the port and beaches are and that is where the affluent people are putting up resources and investing in land, or you are going on the one that goes to Uganda, or taking this one that goes to Nanyuki. That is why the rest of the country is not being developed. Somebody like me, I will tell you, to look at these things and look at where so-and-so's properties are. You will be surprised. Many people from my area are putting up farms in here, the Rift Valley, Mombasa, Lamu and all those places, because those are the only areas they can easily access. Then there is congestion. There are going to be what you call accidents. The same happens when you move from Mombasa by truck. If a truck, a 40-foot container, cannot reach Entebbe, or rather Kampala, in time, it is a problem. When we open up this country, we put up Inland Container Depots (ICDs). They are on the way now, like in Naivasha. We will have ICD in Garissa, Isiolo, and Marakwet, and the country is going to develop. The way to do that is to have this infrastructure perfectly in sync so that we can de-congest Nairobi. Everybody has come to Nairobi. People are wondering why 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.

governors and rich people from the North Eastern provinces are not investing in Wajir, Mandera and Garissa but you would understand because there are no roads. For this person to go and visit his investments out there, he will take a week to go to Mandera or Wajir or fly, because there are no tarmac roads. If you go to my constituency right now, you will not see five metres of tarmac. Even in Emurua Dikirr. Many constituencies in the north share the same thing. Children only hear about tarmac, and look at it in the pictures, but they have never seen it. They have to come to Garissa to see what tarmac looks like. This Motion must be translated into a serious policy paper. We are not just talking about what my dear sister said about classes A, B and C. No. We are talking about all the roads. If there are sufficient roads right now that go to all the corners of the North Eastern Province, I can assure you, the north is going to become the breadbasket of this country. We can also do the same in parts of the Rift Valley. Places like Pokot, Samburu, Turkana and Rendille and our Cushitic brothers in Marsabit, Turbi, and all the deserts. Those places can become the centre for tourist attractions. If Nevada can be what it is right now, these are not exceptional. If you can go to San Diego, they do a lot of work right in the centre of the desert. It is one of the biggest economies you have in the USA. I do not know whether it is in California or Nevada. We need to open up the country. Once it opens up, industries will be set up in those places as an incentive. You incentivise industrialists who are going to come and invest in this country by telling them that if they go to far-flung areas, they get a tax haven; they get a tax holiday. That is the way we are going to de-congest Nairobi and address all this joblessness. We keep talking about young men and women who cannot find jobs and who have degrees. Imagine if the factories, industries, airports and the roads are there. You could move from one part of the country to the other in a matter of hours. Hon. Temporary Speaker, can you allow me to have just two minutes? Two minutes.

I will allow you 30 seconds to wind up.

Okay. This country needs to open up. I commend the Government. We had a coalition Government some time back, and I was the Deputy Speaker. We had a Prime Minister who came from my side but it was only a name, as far as development is concerned. We did not translate that into serious revenue distribution in the country for purposes of development so that every part of this country feels that it is part of this country. We are now getting a tarmac road to Mandera. We are also getting a tarmac road from Garissa to the border with Somalia in my constituency, the Liboi-Dadaab- Garissa-Harhar Road. When those open up...

That is the one passing through Kotulo?

The one through Kotulo is the one that goes from Isiolo, Wajir, and Mandera to the border. There is another one which is an international trunk road that goes all the way to Kismayo on the other end. By the way, with all its imperfections and the fact that it is a failed state, Somalia...

Hon. Farah, there is interest on this. You have 30 seconds to completely wind up.

Okay. If you take it to Kismayo, this becomes the great African road. They have already started on the road design from Kismayo all the way to the Kenyan boarder. We will de-congest Nairobi. It is time we moved Government Headquarters from here, and created a commercial 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 similar to Lagos then have a government city similar to Abuja and Dodoma. We need that infrastructure. Tanzania has infrastructure across the four corners of the country. That is why their economy has overtaken us.

Well said. Thank you. Next is the Member for Tinderet.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I thank the Member for Nyandarua for bringing this Motion to this House. First, trunk roads like all other roads normally spur development across the country. The whole country will actually come up if we construct trunk roads from Nairobi to Mombasa and western Kenya to northern, eastern or even the southeastern part of Tanzania. One of the biggest problems we have, especially those of us who travel on this road to Nakuru, Eldoret, and even Busia, is a serious traffic snarl-up. Previously, it took about three hours to travel all the way to Eldoret. Currently, it takes almost ten hours to travel to Kisii or other very rich agricultural areas. The cost of a car getting stuck or taking time on the road has serious ramifications to our economy.

First, goods take several weeks to move between Nairobi and our neighbouring countries. The snarl-up leads to loss of man-hours and fuel. That has an effect on the environment and, generally, on economic development. A dual carriageway will ensure that goods between Kenya and Uganda move at record speed and therefore spur economic development between the two countries. It will promote industrialisation. Kenya, as you all know, is the hub of industrial growth in this region. There is a serious problem when lorries take two to three weeks to move between Nairobi and Kampala or Mombasa and Nairobi. This affects development of our country. Building trunk roads between Mombasa, Nairobi, and Busia should have been completed about five years ago reason being even the port gets congested because of this single lane road. There are a number of accidents and a lot of property and lives lost. If you quantify the cost of lack of trunk roads on the economy it is quite huge. This House should come up with a very clear policy paper through this Motion. That is on how to ensure trunk roads are constructed across major towns and cities in this country. Secondly, we also need to know that accidents occur because of traffic snarl-ups, frustrations and very narrow roads. Huge trucks and small vehicles collide as result of fatigued drivers who have been on the road for more than 24 hours. The trip would ideally have taken them six or seven hours. That would have solved the problem. It is important for this House to come up with a very clear resolution to the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Public Works to give us the way forward on how to develop several dual trunk roads that link northern Kenya to Ethiopia through Moyale all the way to Turkana, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and even Somalia. All these roads will change our country’s economy. Several of my colleagues have talked about trunk roads across the world. In World War II and through the Marshall Plan, the then US Foreign Secretary of State, George Marshall, transformed Europe just by constructing huge trunk roads across the devastated World War II states. Similarly, Kenya has very good farmlands but most of the produce does not reach market on time. Avocados, coffee, sugar, vegetables et cetera, cannot reach markets on time because our roads are very narrow. Therefore, trucks take forever on the roads. 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.

In fact, the cost of not constructing these trunk roads or dual carriageways is higher than constructing them. Saying we do not have money will in one way or another affect us. By the time we construct a dual the road all the way to Busia and Kisumu, fish farmers in Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana will have most of their market in Nairobi, Eldoret and large cities. At times you will find that fish reaches Kampala before it gets to us. That makes their cost of fish cheaper than ours. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we should come up with resolutions to this Motion and ask the State Department to develop policies on timelines and clear programmes. Let us give timelines if we are going to start with Nairobi-Mombasa and Nairobi-Malaba. For instance, we can say that we will be done with that in two years. Thereafter, we can proceed to another trunk road or dual carriageway from North Eastern all the way to Wajir and indicate the timelines. Similarly, the one through Kisii-Isebania to Mwanza will open up our country. This is the best Motion that Hon. Gitau brought this morning. Through procedure, we need to write a clear paper that we can transmit to relevant sectors as a House. In finishing, we have three State agencies. That is the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA). I would like to indicate to Members that they should ensure the roads these agencies construct give value to Kenyans. I have been moving around the city lately. The roads are in bad shape. Investors will never come if the roads are in bad shape. It will be a problem for tourists and all other investors who want to establish factories et cetera . When they decide to construct a road, it should last more than 15 years before repairs. At times, a road is constructed and you see some repairs after two years. It is quite embarrassing. It is time we needed to be responsible as leaders and engineers. Additionally, the cost of putting up these roads are through the roof. It is not like in other countries. We are all in this world. The cost of constructing a road in this country and constructing the same road with the same specification in a neighbouring state cannot be different. We really need to come up and style up on some of the issues. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I support. Thank you.

Where has Hon. Wamuchomba gone? She has left? Hon. Keynan, go ahead. Hon. Members, you will all have opportunity to contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is a very important Motion. First of all, let me appreciate...

Before you proceed, can I just recognise the persons in the Public Gallery? I had hoped somebody from the Maasai area would give a word of encouragement to the students from Olkejuado, but that never happened. I want to welcome students from Kagondo Secondary School in Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County. I request Hon. Faith to put in a word of encouragement to both the students from Olkejuado and the students from Kagondo Secondary School in Ndaragwa.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I welcome the students from Kagondo Secondary School in Ndaragwa Constituency where I was born. So, I know the school very well. They perform very well academically. I welcome them here. This is where laws are made. I know some of you will join us very soon. Welcome. Thank you very much.

You are welcome. Hon. Keynan, proceed. 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. I appreciate Hon. Faith Gitau for this great Motion. I also want to say that this Motion is a product of Hon. Faith's understanding of the history, infrastructure, and dynamics of the Republic of Kenya. I do know our forefathers, the people who fought jealously for the independence of this sovereign State, aimed to create one mind-set and one country called Kenya. Over the years, different groups under the privileged leadership of this country have used their positions to entrench regionalism, tribalism, and biological nationalism instead of patriotism and nationalism. This idea is very good. I also want to take you back to the provisions of Sessional Paper No.10 of 1965, which you have ably referred to, which will continue to remain in my subconscious until we see a different mind-set from what we are seeing right now. I am glad that the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party has also alluded to this, the mind-set that appreciates Kenya in its entirety— the mind-set under the Broad-Based Government. This Paper, which was used from 1965 until the promulgation of the current Constitution, had three things in mind. Sessional Paper No.10 of 1965, titled African Socialism and its Application to Planning in Kenya, was a key Government policy that outlined the framework for Kenya's development with a focus on promoting African socialism and social justice. The Paper aimed to reduce poverty, ignorance and diseases. On the contrary, it entrenched poverty, tribalism, poverty and abuse of power in different parts of the Republic of Kenya. This Bill is coming at a great time under the current Constitution. Having appreciated my good friend, when she brings the Bill, I will move an amendment on it to read “expansion of all roads”, and “not all major roads.” Some of us do not have major roads. We are struggling to have a road.

Minor roads.

We are struggling to have minor roads. We are struggling to have something that befits the definition of a road. In your creative mind – and I like that – you have alluded to the great tarmac roads in parts of Kenya. I appreciate you. When you bring the Bill, please expand your horizon of thinking to my village and to somebody in Moyale, Turkana, Lamu, West Pokot or Garissa. That is what will bring the people of this sovereign Kenya together. We will then appreciate the classification of roads from “A”, “B”, and “C”. I do not have roads to be classified. We are still struggling. I want to remind you of one great thing the late Mzee Kibaki did. When he was the Minister for Finance in 1974, there was a bilateral agreement between the Government of Kenya and the Government of Ethiopia to tarmac the Addis Ababa–Moyale-Marsabit-Isiolo Road. The Government of Ethiopia did theirs within the shortest time possible. On the contrary, it took the Government of Kenya until 2003, when the late Mzee Kibaki became President, to remember that Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). He instructed the then Minister for Roads to forfeit all the precarious bottlenecks and implement that decision. Today, we have a great road that links Kenya to Ethiopia. The benefits? Accessibility, efficient road, reduction of road accident, and a literal trade boost. Remember, Ethiopia is the sleeping giant of Africa with a population close to 150 million people. Can you imagine that market? Today, there is something called the Safaricom effect in Ethiopia, which is going to be one of our diplomatic engagements. That is a closed zone. Right now, every Kenyan, even in the village, has access to Safaricom, courtesy of our communication infrastructure development. These are things we need to inculcate. For the people of Northern Kenya, these classes only exist in theory. I remember when I was in school, we used to be asked what a tarmac road was and we would answer that ‘a tarmac road is a black substance found in down Kenya.’ That down town Kenya is where you come from. I want to inculcate those students and make them believe that ‘down Kenya’ is in 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 village in Rhamu, Ashabito, Dadaab or Wajir. That is the Kenyan mind-set that we want to create. I will be moving an amendment, and I am sure you can do the same. I join you and appreciate what is being done right now. For the first time, the road from Isiolo to Modogashe is being tarmacked. We are seeing signs of acceptability and linkage to the national road network. These are things that will help people assume and accept that they are part and parcel of the sovereign Republic of Kenya. I do not want to over-emphasize. The Bill also suggests moving roads from two-way lanes to dual carriageways, yet I do not have a one-lane road. When will I move? My first attempt will be to move from the camel tracks to two-way lanes to reach where you want us to go. At that level, every Kenyan will have an opportunity to test the benefits of Independence. This is a good attempt. We are also talking about foot bridges and safe crossing zones. In my mind, this is ‘Greek’. By the time we reach there, I can tell you, we will really appreciate it. The reason why some of us who have been in Parliament opted for the separation of institutional roles to have KeRRA, KURA and KeNHA is just to make sure that we take these policy decisions to the villages. Some individuals who are satisfied with what they have got attempted to say that they would scrap KeRRA and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG- CDF), which is part of our Independence achievement. We shall contest such move. These institutions shall not be touched until we reach where other regions have reached. It is not a legislative framework in vain. I want to alert those who think that they can scrap KeRRA or NG-CDF that we will not allow them. They can do whatever they want. They can apply and use every legal route at their disposal, but we will continue to use those institutions to bring development to our people. The same applies to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). We have seen similar plans. While we are not connected to the national grid, we can at least see some light at the end of the tunnel. I am glad that you have brought up this matter, so that in the Bill you include all these provisions. This should encompass the face of the sovereign Republic of Kenya. Look at the social benefits of having modern roads. I am glad that Hon. Ng’eno has mentioned this. We have been struggling to improve the road from Mombasa to Nairobi all the way to Malaba and Kampala. Once upon a time, this country was the pride of the region in infrastructure development. We used to call ourselves the regional infrastructure hub. We are now being overtaken. You only need to visit Kampala. We have more resources and technical personnel, but they have used their resources efficiently and with minimal wastage. We must accept this reality. Otherwise, we shall continue to complain and lose our stature. Our roads will remain the epicentre of carnage. Please allow me two more minutes. The essence of having modern and efficient road transport is to bring political equity, social justice, human dignity and equal opportunity. The community I represent has some of the most fervent and determined business people. If only they could be shown an opportunity, they will excel. If the road all the way to Mandera was tarmacked, I can assure you that it would become a modern-day business hub. We would then demand that major towns in Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit and Tana River counties be classified as commercial cities of the Republic of Kenya. That is where we are headed. These roads must be tarmacked. Finally, there is nowhere in the world where resources are ever enough. We must prioritise. Countries like Saudi Arabia have developed by choosing a specific sector every five years, be it education, roads or energy, until every part of the republic is developed. This is a good attempt. It is a good Bill. Just expand your horizon of thinking. This is a first step and we will engage in more consultations. By the time you bring the final version of the Bill, it will be 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 most progressive and productive legislation for once and for all to help us sort out our road issues. I thank you and support the Motion.

Next is Hon. Wamuchomba, who will be followed by my brother, Hon. Omboko and the Member for Kwanza.

Order! Order, Hon. Kibagendi! My good old friend, do not invite the wrath of the Chair. Proceed. It is not a right to catch the eye of the Chair. It is a privilege. There are a lot of things that the Chair looks at. Proceed, Hon. Wamuchomba.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this wonderful Motion from the gracious lady and my colleague, former Woman Representative of Nyandarua and now the current Member for the same, Madam Faith. When she came up with this Motion, it was as though she had read the urgent needs of my constituency, Githunguri and of Kiambu County, where I come from. Hon. Temporary Speaker, Kiambu County, and Githunguri in particular, is slowly becoming a dormitory for Nairobi. Every worker in Nairobi is finding a place to buy and build a good home in Kiambu County. As a result, we are experiencing a significant influx of people into our county, yet we are still using the same traditional narrow roads. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I do not know whether you have ever visited my constituency and Kiambu County, but I know you are familiar with Kiambu Road. It is a mouthpiece and I am happy you are confessing that you are also a resident of Kiambu County when you are not in your constituency. Truly speaking, we need to move away from the traditional way of thinking…

Order! Order, Hon. Keynan, Hon. Wamboka and Hon. Kibagendi.

I hope you will compensate me for those interruptions. I appreciate your confirmation that you sometimes reside in Kiambu when you are not in your constituency. Kiambu Road has become an economic time-waster for most of the people who live and work in Nairobi. It is too congested that police officers must stand at various points to control the flow of vehicles entering and exiting Kiambu. In fact, without police intervention, Kiambu Road would not be functional. We have even attempted to cut down roadside trees to widen the road. This Motion has come in handy. I rise to support it 100 per cent. It is time to review our traditional road systems. We acknowledge that there are efforts to build and improve roads, but even existing ones require attention. We need to stop the unnecessary delays, the road rage caused by congestion and the frustrations motorists experience daily from the pressure on the roads. As we talk about expanding major roads across the country, I support the submission made by my colleague – that, we should not only focus on major roads. There are constituencies struggling with even the smallest of roads. If you bring the Bill, I will support it with such an amendment Madam Faith. All roads are built to serve people. There is no such thing as “a road to nowhere.” It is not just about expansion. It is also about the quality of roads being constructed. We often celebrate when we see budget allocations to specific roads. For example, I am grateful that the national Government is now allocating some funds, though minimal, to complete the stalled Githunguri-Uplands-Ruiru Road, which has remained incomplete for the past 11 years. 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.

However, how sure are we that the work being done is sustainable and truly serves the communities they are meant for? In that regard, there is a road connecting Githunguri and Lari constituencies, and also linking these constituencies with Nyandarua constituencies, where Hon. Faith comes from, called Moi Road. That road was constructed using World Bank funding. It is barely six years old yet it is completely eroded. What kind of work are we doing? Constructing roads is one thing and ensuring quality is another matter altogether. I have an idea I would like to float to Madam Faith for consideration as she develops her Bill. It is high time we created a special disaster road levy. Too many people have been injured, maimed or killed on our roads. We leave them in hospitals without any structured support. There is no special fund to cater for road accident victims. We need to create a dedicated fund, sourced from road revenue and kept aside as a disaster fund to support victims of serious road carnage incidents. For instance, in the Rift Valley, whenever accidents occur, families and politicians are called upon to fund-raise. Based on justifiable incidents, families, especially economically vulnerable ones, should receive assistance when their livelihoods are disrupted due to road accidents. I support this Motion. Let us not just focus on major roads. Let us ensure that all roads, regardless of size are accounted for. Kenya must be equitably developed. Not every place has tarmac roads but we must ensure that constituencies without even a kilometre of tarmac road are not left behind. I am from the mountain region in central Kenya, and I often hear people say that those of us from the mountain should not be part of the conversation about roads. The people of Turkana pay taxes. The people of North-Eastern Kenya pay taxes too. Therefore, they also deserve to be supported in this campaign. When one kilometre of road is constructed in Nairobi, let us ensure that another kilometre is also constructed in the North-Eastern and Coastal regions. Concentrating resources in one region is what fuels tribalism and introduces the politics of tokenism. We must be clear in this House. Are we going to continue this way, where because a certain region has many votes, all the kilometres of tarmac are directed there? Remember that even those regions that lack paved roads have honey, goat, meat, minerals and people created by God. We cannot keep on making budgets by reallocating money meant for one kilometre of road in Ruiru to Nakuru. I am from that region, but it is time we called a spade a spade. Let us treat all regions of Kenya equally. Let us compensate areas that have no kilometres of tarmac. We are all looking to a Kenya where we are cousins, brothers, sisters and in-laws. How can you restore the spirit of family and unity if one in-law has tarmac roads and the other in-law has none? So, I insist that any debate in this House that involves road construction should be about tarmacking the whole of Kenya in totality. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Member for Kwanza, you will speak after Hon. Wamboka. Proceed, Hon. Wamboka.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank Hon. Faith for this important Motion. I encourage her to put this into a Bill because it is very important. I am from a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport. For the first time, I commend the Government and the appointing authority for getting it right in the appointment of Hon. Chirchir as the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport. We can see light at the end of the tunnel. That man understands Kenya and knows what he is doing. So, I congratulate him. He is doing a good job.

Secondly, I would like Hon. Faith to widen her scope in her definition of roads. There are many constituencies in this country that do not have a single road. We should, therefore, talk about roads. In our meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, he talked about affirmative action, the issue that Hon. Wamuchomba has alluded to. Since Independence, distribution of resources 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 been skewed to certain areas. As we consider affirmative action, the people handling the Budget are at crossroads because there are too many projects initiated in one region of this country, and to call a spade a spade, in central Kenya. In as much as we want to commit funds for completion of stalled projects, 50 per cent of the Budget is going to one region. That is wrong. Kenya is for everyone and everyone pays taxes. We must start from there. I encourage the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport on the issue of affirmative action. Let the Samburu child feel that they belong to Kenya. Let the Turkana child also feel that they belong to Kenya. Previously, I worked for the Ministry of East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development and I moved around the ASAL areas of this country. I have been to Hon. Keynan’s place. If you land from above by a chopper, you will think that you are in Trans Nzoia. His place is green because of irrigation. The only thing they lack is exposure. After Hon. Keynan harvests, where does he take his produce to if transport from Wajir to Nairobi takes three days? We must open up this country for all of us. We should put our focus on the Ministry of Roads and Transport.

On a point of order.

It had better be a point of order. What is not in order?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am perturbed that the Member is insinuating that 50 per cent of the budget has gone to central Kenya without giving figures. I think that is misleading.

Do you have the figures?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, ignore him. Everyone knows it is a fact.

Yes!

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Mau roads in Central Kenya are consuming 49.651 per cent of this year’s Budget. You must stop being selfish.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we must put our eyes on the Ministry of Roads and Transport. The Cabinet Secretary agrees that he has a challenge in the Ministry because the officers inflate figures. He gave an example of constructing foot bridges. They have donors to support building the foot bridges but when he asked for the figures for the construction, they were inflated four times. We have a problem with the Ministry. It is rotten. It is letting us down. A road is built but hardly one month later, even before it is commissioned, it has potholes. How do we clear the contractors and issue them certificates of completion? As a House, we must be deliberate about this. I call upon the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure to dig deeper now that the Cabinet Secretary has acknowledged that there is a lot of corruption in the Ministry. We must deal with corruption. As we talk about trunk roads, we must be deliberate as leadership and Parliament. Some roads help to de-congest the major roads. I come from close to the border and we are so disadvantaged because of trucks. At times they line up to Eldoret. So, if we focus on the interconnecting and inter-county roads, like the Mungatsi-Mianga-Kimaeti-Malakisi Road, we will de-congest our major roads, which will help us. Additionally, we must focus on the railway because it will de-congest our roads. We must be deliberate and de-politicise allocations to, and routing of the railway. The mzungu came to Kenya and put a ruler from Mombasa to Malaba. They decided that having a railway from Mombasa to Nairobi to Eldoret to Bungoma and Malaba would be economically viable 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.

but because of politics and economic pressure, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) being constructed through Mau Summit has to turn and to Kericho and Kisumu. I have no problem with that but let us look at the viability and prioritise what will add economic value to us. Good roads reduce accidents. If we have dual carriageway roads in this country, we will have fewer accidents. For example, Thika Super Highway is dual and the number of accidents on that road are fewer.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, protect me from a heckling Member. This is an honourable House.

There are less accidents on the dual Thika Super Highway than they are on the Nairobi- Eldoret-Malaba Highway. That road has become a massacre of human lives. That is why we support this Motion. If we deal with this issue, we will save lives.

A lot of our rural people also die on their way to hospitals. The roads are not good and it takes them too long to reach hospitals. That is why I support Hon. Faith’s Motion. She should expand its scope. The Motion also speaks to the image of our country. If tourists come and use good roads, we will be advantaged. Some time back, I flew on Kenya Airways and the captain told me that we had a pothole at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). As pilots approached the runway to land, they would be advised on the radar that on the left side of the runway, there was a pothole. That taints the image of this country. So, kudos to Hon. Faith. We support her Motion. She should bring a Bill as soon as possible once we approve this Motion, so that we bring sanity to the infrastructural sector of this country. Thank you.

Hon. Members, before we have the next speaker, I want to take this moment to welcome students from Midland International School in Mavoko, Machakos County. I will ask Hon. Mohammed Adow to say a word of encouragement to the students. Proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to welcome the students with us today from Machakos to this august House. I want to ask them to continue working hard in school. They should feel welcomed. What they see in this House are Members of Parliament who were all elected by the public to cater for their interests. They should take up their leadership example as they continue with their studies into the future. Thank you.

Hon. Members, if each of you takes a maximum of three or five minutes, many Members will have opportunity to speak. Let us have the Member for Kwanza.

Order, Hon Member! The Member for Kwanza was before you.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank Hon. Faith Gitau for coming up with this very important Motion. Let me point out at the outset that she read my mind. Yesterday, somebody talked about dual carriageway roads. It is important that we take that seriously as a House. One-and-half weeks ago, as students from my constituency were going to Turkana for a feasibility study, they had a bad accident because the road to Turkana is narrow. It is very unfortunate that due 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.

to a narrow road that is supposed to be a dual carriageway, they had a very serious accident. As I speak, the sad news is that five students are in the Intensive Care unit (ICU), including their principal. We must take this Motion very seriously. I have gone for business trips outside the country. For example, if you go to China, you will find two or three floors of dual carriageway roads. There is no congestion at all, given their population compared to Kenya’s population. It is very clear. There are no people on the streets. Delivery of goods and services to various destinations is very good. We are not doing this for beauty purposes. It is important. As someone has mentioned, with a dual carriageway, the communication between the producer and the consumer takes a short time. Thus these services are rendered properly. We also improve the employment and finances of these services.

It is important we take this Motion very seriously. His Excellency the President talked about a dual carriageway about two or three weeks ago. He is equally affected, and has seen this in depth. There are too many Bills that have been directed to him, like the one on the Northern Corridor Highway, which is from Nairobi to the border of Kenya with South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and northern Tanzania. They are all served by this corridor. It takes a long time to move goods to those countries. For example, instead of a truck driver taking one day to reach the border of Kenya with Uganda and proceed to other places, it takes him more than three days on the road. That means most of the trucks take such a long time.

The particular truck that almost killed 45 students did so because the driver was in a hurry. Two other trucks were ahead of him. He was overtaking. By the Grace of God, the driver decided to swerve the bus on the right-hand side. That is how he saved them. I went to say pole to the families and students last weekend. The bus is completely damaged. I agree with Hon. Faith on this Motion. Once we approve it, bring a Bill, so that we can pass it. There are many people, like the Chinese, who are willing to work with us for prosperity in terms of constructing dual carriageways. It is important that we do something about this besides constructing small roads in the countryside. We have problems. The population of this country is growing every day. Recently, I went on a business trip to Singapore. I saw a lot of cleanliness. Trucks were moving too fast to their destinations. It is important that we do something about this. I take this opportunity to ask Hon. Gitau to come up with a Bill so that we pass it. His Excellency the President is also willing to expand our roads to dual carriageways. With those few remarks, I support the Motion.

That is fair enough. Next is the Woman Representative for Turkana County, who will be followed by Hon. Kibagendi and Hon. Adow. I will come to the rest of you thereafter.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this chance to contribute. To begin with, I thank my colleague, Hon. Faith, for bringing this important Motion to the House.

Contribute for a few minutes. I am sure you can say everything you want in five minutes.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the discussion is about roads. Good roads mean good to any serious economy. The roads in Kenya are either poor, not there or inequitably distributed. Good roads reduce accidents. If the roads are upgraded to dual carriageway, road safety is enhanced. Good roads also save time. There is also the issue of security. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as bona fide resident of North Eastern, you are aware that security is an issue in that part of Kenya. Good roads will help address the issue of insecurity. Most of our security roads are not motorable. This Bill will be good riddance to the people who stalk motorists in those areas. Good roads uplift our economy as they connect Kenya to the rest of the world. I come 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.

from Turkana County. I have always said that this is a special county to this country. If there were good roads connecting Kenya to South Sudan, through Turkana; if there were good roads connecting Kenya to Ethiopia, through Turkana; if there were good roads connecting Kenya to Uganda, through Turkana, our economy would be something else. Due to marginalisation, as Hon. Owen Mbaya said, some areas have roads that they use to dry maize and other farm products yet there are many constituencies in Turkana County that have zero tarmac in post-independence Kenya. Some parts of this country are still under colony. We are still colonised by our own Government. Turkana County has a lake – the biggest desert lake in the world. We produce good fish but we cannot access market due to poor road networks. Our people do a lot of fishing. They even risk their lives because Lake Turkana has become a death trap. Our people are killed in the corridor of Ethiopia and the other side. Even game rangers kill our people who go fishing in that lake. They risk their life fishing but they cannot access markets at the end of the day. The fish rots on the road because there are no good roads. The only best means of transport in Turkana is bodaboda. Even women in labour are ferried to hospital on bodaboda because there are no roads. Due to lack of roads, we do not enjoy other means of transport like cars and ambulances. We have very few ambulances, which can access limited areas of Turkana County. Hon. Temporary Speaker, let me repeat that Turkana County has a lot of potential. The A1 road that was constructed that connects the rest of Kenya to Turkana County has done a lot. For instance, security in the Kainuk corridor has improved because of the A1 road. You can now imagine what will happen if we had good roads in most of the places in Turkana. The transport corridor used to transport goods to South Sudan because the Ugandan route is very long. The shortest route would have been Lodwar through Lokichogio then to South Sudan. However, our people have to transport goods through Gulu in Uganda, which is a very long distance that takes a lot of time. Why can we not do a transport corridor road now that the A1 has been done up to Lokichogio? We can then proceed with the road up to the border so that we improve business with our neighbours. The other aspect I would like to mention is air transport. The airstrips and airports fall under transport as well. There is a Member who talked about a pothole at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Lodwar airstrip is the most dangerous airstrip in Kenya, if not in the world. When we fly to Lodwar, we risk our lives every day. Air transport from Nairobi to Mombasa is cheaper than from Nairobi to Lodwar yet it is the same distance. When we try to enquire why, we are told that our airstrip has a lot of potholes and a very short runway. So, the wear and tear involved is too high. We pay a lot of money for transport compared to those who travel to Mombasa. Good transport network or infrastructure will improve our lives by reducing the cost of transport. With those few remarks, I support this Motion. It is an eye-opener for the rest of us in Northern Kenya. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Kibagendi.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this Motion. The condition and management of Kenyan roads are major subjects of concern. This happens with successive governments that we have had. One of the major reasons we have these challenges is mainly the corrupt manner of awarding people road construction contracts. We also have poor road designs. The poorly managed and narrow roads that we have in our country make Kenyans spend a lot of hours on the road. This is time they can use to contribute to economic development.

The major roads that we have in this country, particularly where I come from, have a problem. Because successive governments have been skewing development, you find that a 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.

major road like the one from Limuru to Maai Mahiu, all the way to Narok and those sides, has been a single lane since Independence. This causes a lot of trouble to our people when they travel to and from the region. Even the trucks that ferry goods and services to different areas of this country, including the Nyanza region, get trapped in traffic, especially at the escarpment leading to Maai Mahiu all the way to Narok. The other road that has been treated unfairly in this country is the road between Sotik and Kisii Town. This region is a bread basket for this country. Because of skewed and corrupt people— especially in the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Public Works— this road has never been given attention, despite making noise about it. Some Members have said that the Broad-Based Government has developed the country. I feel they are equally skewing development to areas they hope to get votes instead of being practical in the way they allocate resources for development of roads in this country. To effectively deal with road issues, we must, first, look at the design of our roads. We need to have truck stops. They should not stop at whatever stage they wish to do so. We need to have truck stops and sleep alerts on our roads, so that we have discipline and ensure the safety of both the drivers and other road users. Poor road networks not only affect the economic development of areas, but it also leads to tear and wear of vehicles. That is why we are calling upon this Government and the others that will come to prioritise roads that will effectively improve service delivery across the country.

In my constituency, since Independence we have had a road that cuts across Kitutu Chache South. However, the urban design of Kisii Town affects the expansion of the road between Kisii and the junction, leading to Migori and Oyugis. We also need to look at how urban areas are designed, so that we can have roads going outside the cities or towns for effective management of traffic. In my constituency, since Independence we have never had a tarmac road other than the main highways. It was during my time as Member of Parliament for Kitutu Chache South that we secured funding to construct tarmac roads, including one from a place called Igonga to Raganga and Mosocho, and another one from Nyabururu. It forms a loop going around to Nyamataro. We also have another road currently under construction from Nyakoe all the way to Marani. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of our former Members of Parliament, Hon. Jimmy Angwenyi and Hon. Onyonka, who advocated for these roads. However, we should not reach a point where Members of Parliament are the ones who must push for development in their areas. The officials in the Ministry ought to identify areas that are congested or require urgent intervention and take appropriate action to ensure development. I appreciate the efforts of my sister, Hon. Faith Gitau, for bringing forward this Motion. We urge you to continue pursuing it. We shall support it to ensure that, while we focus on major roads, we also consider all roads across the country and guarantee equitable distribution of such opportunities to all regions of our republic. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Adow is next, and then we shall have another round.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Faith Gitau for bringing this immensely important Motion to the Floor of the House. We are discussing the expansion of major roads into dual carriageways, the construction of footbridges, and the establishment of pedestrian crossings to enhance safety. We live in a country where one part enjoys extensive and elaborate road networks, while other parts have no roads at all. For the record, because this is a House of record, when I say there are no roads, I mean precisely that; no roads. You, in contributing to this 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.

aptly described how there are not even five metres of tarmac in your constituency. The same is true for most constituencies in northern Kenya. It pains me that when every a matter of progress or development is raised in this House, whether it concerns crop production, fertilizers and development of tea, coffee or sugarcane, we, the Members from northern Kenya must rise to point out how livestock is consistently ignored in the national budgeting process to the extent that the newly established Livestock Marketing Board has been allocated a paltry Ksh50 million, which is not even sufficient for administrative costs. In that spirit, I would like to emphasise the need for affirmative action regarding infrastructure development in this country. We are not using roads, but cattle and camel tracks. A 100-kilometre journey on those paths is a bone-jarring experience that requires one to rest for at least a week to recover. The same tracks are used to transport our pregnant mothers to properly equipment hospitals when they require specialised medical treatment. These are the same routes our business people use to transport their goods, be it livestock or food crops to the markets. It is simply not fair. It is not fair that more than 60 years after Independence, we still speak of having no roads at all. There is a glimmer of hope in the North Eastern region right now, where segments of the Isiolo-Wajir-Mandera Road are under construction. Workers are on the ground. Contractors with their heavy machines are busy working on those segments but there are bottlenecks. For example, the section between Modogashe and Samatar in my constituency was earlier on designated to be an annuity project but there is still no hope that the contractor will be on the ground any time soon. This is because the process of changing that part from annuity to budgetary provision funds has taken too long. There was a consortium of Arab banks that were supposed to construct the section between Samatar and Wajir town but there are doubts as to whether the banks are ready to do that section. It was supposed to start this month but we have not seen any action on the ground. The section between Rhamu and Mandera town is also an annuity project. We are, therefore, calling on the Government, KeNHA and the Ministry of Roads, to kindly ensure that those bottlenecks are removed. The Lorian Swamp passes in between Modogashe and Habaswein. If that part of the road is not constructed, we will not have a road leading anywhere in North Eastern. Because every time it rains, that part becomes a lake. I believe it is time we co-owned this space called Kenya and treated all Kenyans fairly and developed the country at the same pace. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Hon. Adow for using your time very prudently. I will now list another four. Hopefully, each one of you will take about three minutes. That way, you can all contribute. We will start with Hon. Omanya, who will be followed by Hon. Saney, Hon. Khalif, Hon. Caroli and the Member for Mandera North.

Oh, fair enough. Then you will come after. I did not see your name in there.

Japheth yako iko.

Yes.

Oh, yes. Then Hon. Japheth. Please take as few minutes as possible so that all your colleagues can also have a moment to weigh in. Thank you.

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Hon. Omanyo, go to the next one.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is long overdue. Hon. Gitau has always thought beyond boundaries for Kenyans. She is my role model. Many roads in Kenya were constructed the way our grandfathers or colonialists thought; to the destinations. But roads should be made for journeys. We should not suffocate and congest cities. We can think in a broad way and not narrowly, on how we can use different routes from what our grandfathers used. These are the same routes we are still using today. We are harming Kenya, because there is no way we will attract investors in areas that were never even discovered by Google Maps. I want her to also edit and add that every county must have at least one airstrip. I stay in Busia, a town that neighbours Uganda but if I want to go to Kampala, a person in Nairobi will reach Kampala before me. I will have to come from Busia, go to Kisumu and come to JKIA to board a plane to Uganda. We have to stop thinking narrowly. We also need to do something about improving livelihoods. We should have more properly tarmacked inroads, and not roads that the concerned authorities keep on patching up only for them to be washed away when the rains come. I mean roads that will be clinically constructed beyond towns into remote areas. That is how developed nations thought and started those days. If we started today in every town, and it does not matter if it is Turkana or Garissa, places that I have heard my other colleagues mention hardly have any tarmac roads, adding at least one tarmac road per year, in 10 years’ time, a town that was neglected and could not attract investors will be the talk of the day. The indigenous people, and even us, will also be attracted to that town because the infrastructure will be up to date. Hon. Temporary Speaker, when we talk of growing our economy infrastructure cannot be ignored. It has to be among the factors that improve any village and bring new money to the community because both domestic and international investors are attracted to areas where the roads are well done. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

To whom had I given the next chance? Is it Hon. Saney or Hon. Khalif? Let us have Hon. Saney quickly. If you take as few minutes as possible, you will…

Go behind.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In all intent, the Motion by Hon. Faith Gitau looks good, but for those who really have roads. In some parts of Kenya, they are talking about optimal operations – optimal yet we do not even have the basics in northern Kenya. People are talking about expansion yet I do not have a road. People are also talking about two-way lanes, I do not have a one-way road. On lack of foot bridges, I do not need foot bridges where I come from. I need a road. We do not even care about safe roads, we need a motorable road. On provision of drainages for roads, I do not need these. I need a road. Is Kenya really one? Are we independent in the Northern Frontier District, where I come from? Do we have a country? The only semblance of having a country is a flag hovering around us during school days or during holidays. A flag should be a national emblem; a mark of patriotism, unity and love. People always talk about one road ― Isiolo-Mandera Road. Is that the only road in northern Kenya, and for how long shall we talk about it? Where are the other roads? Where is the road from Garissa to Liboi? Where is the road from Moyale to Wajir? Where is the road from Moyale to Mandera? We have too many KeNHA roads. In as much as this is good for 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.

first-class Kenyans, this is for first-class Kenyans. I, a second-class citizen, a third for that matter needs the basics. Hon. Temporary Speaker, looking at the budget, for the first three years in our Kenya Kwanza Government, resources have been skewed and a county is getting Ksh13 billion. My constituency was locked out because of rains and we could not access Wajir North Constituency for two months in April and May. The Cabinet Secretary is a hard working person but it is like there is a systemic challenge in issues of equity. For how long shall we claim to be in Kenya when we are not yet embraced? Am I not a Kenyan? Are roads not for all Kenyans? This is a joke, Hon. Temporary Speaker. This is a joke. I am on the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Shall I fly the Ethiopian flag? We are fighting Al-Shabaab . I am sorry. Can we be embraced as Kenyans? Can we be accepted? This is a good thing for those who are privileged. For those who are not privileged, it is music. It does not ring a bell.

You have made your point. Hon. Khalif, please; keep emotions aside and use exactly two minutes so that your colleagues can also contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I would like to support the Motion of Hon. Faith. Road development in this country has been skewed to favour only a few counties since Independence. Some Members are talking about road furniture like pedestrian walkways and road markings. That is like someone who has already had two meals and is waiting for a dessert while others are hungry with nothing to eat. That is a joke. The benefits of road infrastructure are well known. Roads offer inter-connectivity and transportation of goods and services between towns as well as across counties. However, some roads are used by criminal gangs, like the road from El Wak through to Alungu-Lafey–Fino– Arabia and Mandera, which is barely 10-kilometre away from the Somali border. That road always has Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which most of you are unaware of. These are explosive devices which are used by criminal gangs to kill our people. They are mostly planted on all-weather roads. I am not saying that it is not right, but it is unfair to allocate funds largely to the construction of dual carriageways and leave out roads being used to kill our people. Therefore, I urge the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Government at large to prioritise roads that pose security challenges, like the El Wak-Lafey-Mandera Road. We have repeatedly highlighted this road. President William Ruto has tried by commissioning the Isiolo-Mandera Road although some sections between Habaswein and Modogashe, and others between Rhamu and Mandera, are under annuity programmes. We urge the Government to deal with the contractors by cancelling their contracts and allowing KeNHA to freshly award the contracts. We need uniformity in the country. If we do not treat people equally, it will create animosity between the Government and its people. That is why we had the Gen Z revolts. Equitable development creates a sense of belonging. With those few remarks, I support the Motion.

We have limited time. Let us have Hon. Lelmengit, who will be followed by Hon. Nyakundi. Please, take as few minutes as possible.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Faith for bringing this Motion on expansion of major roads to dual carriageways. I will be brief. I will start with safety. Kenya records many fatal accidents annually, through which we lose many lives. An example is the Mombasa-Nairobi-Malaba Road through Eldoret Town, which has experienced several accidents. The upgrading of these roads is long overdue. These roads were built in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In the 1990s, Kenya had about 400,000 cars. 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.

Currently, there are close to 4.5 million cars in this country using the same roads. That is absurd. I echo Hon. Faith Gitau’s sentiments in this Motion. Thirdly, these roads must be upgraded to global standards. Speed bumps are placed on roads without proper consideration when they should only be erected around residential areas and schools. Sub-standard rumble strips are also randomly placed, damaging people’s cars. Many people are going to the garage because of the substandard speed bumps and rumbles. I urge our engineers and the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Public Works to consider safety as a priority.

Third, is on the statement I made almost one month ago. I was requesting the upgrade of the Eldoret-Kapsabet-Chavakali Road. I have not gotten any feedback for the last two months. I would like you to consider that and advise accordingly.

Finally, as much as we complain so much and urge the Government to upgrade the major roads in the country, the Mombasa–Nairobi–Malaba dual carriage is a welcome idea. I thank the Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir, especially for making sure that all the contractors on the pending works have returned to site. Without knowing anyone, every contractor was paid 40 per cent of the certificate raised. Most of the time in the past, you had to push for these payments. However, every contractor owed money by the Government was paid 40 per cent of the raised certificate. That means this is a good way of moving forward.

Finally, I thank the President for initiating the Isiolo–Mandera Road Project, through Modogashe. Most Members here have talked about it as opening up the interior parts of this country. We need to distribute resources equitably across the country so that every Kenyan can feel part of the country.

Hon. Members, we have to rise. This debate will continue next Wednesday. Hon. Nyakundi, Hon. Bashir of Mandera North, the Member for Moyale, Hon. (Prof.) Jaldesa; Hon. Karemba, and the gracious Hon. Mary Emaase from Teso South will have the first bites of the cherry when this debate resumes. Thank you very much. That will be the order in which you will speak.

Hon. Members, the time being 1.00 p.m., the House stands adjourned until this afternoon, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 1.00 p.m.

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