Hon. Members, we need to determine whether we have a quorum. I think we have more than the requisite numbers. Let us commence Business. We have a quorum.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. My colleague talked about Kshs380 billion. I doubt whether it is really billion. For the record, he has to clarify.

Let us take the request for the statements first and the responses for the two statements afterwards. Sen. Karaba, hold on for a while. TERRITORIAL STATUS OF MIGINGO ISLAND

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. James Orengo, the Senator for Siaya and with your permission, I would like to request a statement from the Senate Majority Leader on the following. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I request the Chair to allow me two weeks to allow me to get the responses from the relevant authorities of Government. CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIAKIRIGA-MITUNGUU-MERU TOWN ROAD

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Similarly, I would like to request the following statement from the Government through the Senate Majority Leader. First is a statement on the current status of the construction of the Siakiriga- Mitunguu-Meru Town Road which traverses both Tharaka-Nithi and Meru Counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this contract being implemented by Impex Construction Company was awarded in the last financial year. Although some bush clearing and some earth work has been done, no single inch of tarmack has been done, although the financial year has come to an end. So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we require a detailed Statement from the Government stating:- 1. What was the commencement date and the completion date of this contract? 2. What was the contract sum? 3. How much money has the Government paid, so far, regarding that contract? 4. What percentage of the work has been done by the contractor? 5. What steps is the Government taking to ensure that this road is completed as soon as possible? PROVISION OF SECURITY TO COUNTY ASSEMBLY SPEAKERS Mr. Speaker, Sir, the second Statement is on the security of the Speakers of the county assemblies. Given the fact that the Speakers of the county assemblies are constitutional officers under Article 178 of the Constitution, who are critical in the proper functioning of the county governments; given the fact that their colleagues – the governors, county commissioners and even district commissioners – are provided with security both in their homes and in their offices; also given the very difficult conditions under which the speakers of the county assemblies are operating, especially if you see The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Senate Majority Leader?

(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Given the urgency of the matter at hand, I want to request the Chair to indulge me for one week rather than two weeks in order to come up with a comprehensive Statement on the matter.

It is so ordered; the Statement will be brought after one week. Sen. Abdirahman Hassan, you are not on record as intending to do---

No; no at all, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

That is the end of requests for Statements. There will be two more from the Senate Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Finance Committee, but they will be sought after we interrogate the earlier responses. So, let us start with the issue of the laptop project. Yes, Sen. Karaba?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I also want to thank the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and, more so, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, for reading that very comprehensive response from the Secretary. But from what you have already stated here, it is important to note that Legal Notice No.534, which was signed in 1997, gave the teachers hope that the allowances said thereof were going to be paid in ten phases. Strangely, this agreement was infringed by the subsequent governments. It was even reduced to six phases by the then President, Mwai Kibaki. From there, it ceased to be recognized. So, the reason teachers are on strike is because they have been mistreated. They have been taken as if they are not serious negotiators and they are suspicious of these negotiations. Maybe that is the reason for not trusting the Government. What made it possible for the Government to denounce Legal Notice No.534 of 1997 without even due meetings and agreements with the teachers? I The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. Abdirahman, the Deputy Senate Minority Leader.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to thank Sen. Kagwe for the very detailed presentation, but I have two quick questions. One is in relation to the teacher’s strike. It is clear that between 1997 and 2003, there has actually been two gazette notices which were varied. I believe it is varied unilaterally by the successive governments. I want to ask Sen. Kagwe, because teachers and even the union are depicted very negatively; when you listen to what they do and the response from the Ministers today, it will be assumed that teachers are on a wild goose chase. It will be unfortunate if we depict them in that bad light. Can Sen. Kagwe, on behalf of that particular Ministry, confirm that teachers were engaged in all those instances; and if these variations were done, they were done with their consent? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is of great interest to us because two Committees will be crucial in determining the validity of these gazette notices. These are the Committee on Education, Information and Technology; and the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Welfare. It will be of interest to us because I am a Member of the House Committee on Health, Labour and Social Welfare. We will want to get copies of these gazette notices, if they can be tabled. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my last question is in relation to the laptops. The issue of laptops not being a priority aside, because some of us do believe it is still a priority--- I want to ask about the Kshs15 billion being committed to schools for connection of electricity. This is the same thing as what the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has been doing in the last ten years. We fear duplication of roles. To what extent will this Ministry liaise with REA to ensure that we do not duplicate electrification projects because we need this money for other essential purposes? Thank you very much, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Yes, Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo. That should be the last one before we get a response from Sen. Kagwe. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I did not hear clearly the Statement of the Chairman of the Committee on Education, Information and Technology. Really, has the plight of the child been considered or not? What we have been hearing in the media, especially in television and radios, are two giants fighting – the Government on one side and the teachers on the other side, for close to two weeks now. The Kenyan child has become a casualty and he has suffered. Nobody seems to be talking about these children. What becomes of them? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as a result of the strike that took place last year, examinations were done beyond the prescribed usual times. It affected the whole school routine. Where I come from, there is only one academy. Now, it looks like everybody is comfortable because some counties could be having a lot of academies, which are private schools. I am asking this because I come from a pastoralist region. If the child’s routine is interrupted, a new “pastoralist” is being born for those two weeks. The rhythm changes now from following school programmes to laughing and looking after the cows. That is an avenue of creating new cattle rustlers in some regions if we are not keen. So, I want Sen. Kagwe to tell us clearly when these children are going back to school. It is as simple as that.

Mr. Chairman, please, respond?

Thank you, Sen. Kagwe.

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

What is it, Deputy Minority Leader?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Sen. Kagwe spoke at length until he forgot to address some issues we had raised. This matter is of great importance to us. I want to refer to the gazette notices. The relevant committee such as the Committee I belong to on Health, Labour and Social Welfare need to interrogate these gazette notices because we are portraying the teachers’ unions in bad light. The Government has cleared its name on this matter. Kenyans believe that teachers are on the wrong side. It is important that Sen. Kagwe tables these gazette notices if he has them with him.

Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o!

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, first, let me begin by congratulating Sen. Kagwe for a very spirited and clear Statement. It makes me proud, having been his teacher. Having said so, there are a few issues that I would like Sen. Kagwe to clarify. As he says, I believe very strongly that we should leap into the future and catapult our nation to a second world nation. Indeed, this is the spirit of Vision 2030 for which I was partly responsible. Having said so, there are a few things that we, as hon. Senators, need to get clear. We know that we have had a problem in the successive governments with the issue of procurement. Good ideas come and vultures hijack them and make nonsense of them, especially where big monies are involved. In this regard, big monies are involved. We want to make sure that these monies are put to the use which they are intended. I want to be clear on the issue of the Kshs15 billion energy connectivity. It would be important for us to get the facts and figures as to which counties are not yet connected and where these monies have been used. We also need to know whether it is energy connectivity to electrical or solar power. I am sure there are certain thesis regarding these tablets where solar power will be more efficient and cost effective. Secondly, since we are in devolved system kind of government, the implementation of this project should not to be over centralized. When you over centralize that is when the vultures of procurement come in. Nonetheless, given the fact that counties may not have developed at this point in time, the capability and capacity to handle this project---- I was wondering whether it would not be a good strategy for the Government to pilot the project in certain areas and have the ocular proof that it is working without rolling it out massively in the country and then finding out whether there are bottlenecks all over the place, thereby, discrediting the project. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o should be the last to seek a clarification. We need to conclude this issue and move on to other business. Sen. Kagwe, you may give you final response.

On a point of information, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Proceed, Sen. Murungi.

Former Minister for Energy! Sen. Njuri Ncheke! The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to inform my very able colleague that, indeed, what he is talking about has already been done. When I was at the Ministry of Energy we had a programme for universal electricity connectivity for this country by the year 2030. We prepared a rural electrification master plan which listed all primary and secondary schools, and other public institutions. The costing was also done. I believe these figures could be linked to that rural electrification master plan because it is available. We only managed to connect about 90 per cent of the secondary schools. But a large number of primary schools were not connected, except those which were near the grid because our target was not primary schools, but secondary schools. I fully support the laptop programme for our primary school pupils. We, as the Senate, should not obstruct transformation of this country. We will not transform if we do not embrace the computer era because this is the direction the rest of the world is taking.

Sen. Kagwe, you have two minutes to conclude.

Are there any other Statements or request for Statements?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir for according me this opportunity. I want to thank Sen. Kagwe for responding to issues regarding the laptops programme. However, I would like him to remember the disabled people. We have blind pupils in our schools. Can a blind pupil in class one use a laptop? When they are sourcing for these laptops, I urge them to consider such pupils. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Thank you, Sen. Kemunto. Although we had concluded that issue, I reconsidered you and you have made a very good contribution. Sen. Kagwe, please, transmit that submission to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. Senate Majority Leader, please, table the programme for the coming week. BUSINESS FOR THE WEEK COMMENCING TUESDAY 9TH JULY, 2013

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, I beg to present the business for the Senate for the week commencing Tuesday, 9th July, 2013---

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

What is it, Sen. Murungi?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was waiting for a response from the Senate Majority Leader on---

Order, Sen. Murungi. That will follow after Sen. Billow gives a Statement on the business for the coming week. Proceed, Sen. Billow.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.43(2), I wish to present the business for the Senate for the week ahead. On Tuesday, 9th July, 2013, the Rules and Business Committee will meet at 12.00 noon to schedule the business of the Senate for the week commencing Tuesday, 9th July, 2013. The Senate will, however, continue with the business that will not have been concluded in today’s Order Paper. The Senate will also commence debate on a Motion by Sen. Haji on the operationalization of planned irrigation schemes in pastoralist areas and consider any other business to be scheduled by the Rules and Business Committee. On Wednesday, 10th July, 2013, morning sitting, the Senate will continue with the business not concluded on Tuesday, 9th July, 2013 and will commence debate on a Motion by Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo on the need for a policy on creation of livestock disease free zones in pastoralist areas and consider any other business scheduled by the Rules and Business Committee. In the afternoon, we will continue with the business not concluded on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The Senate will also commence debate on a Motion by Sen. Emma Mbura on expansion and modernization of the Port of Mombasa and consider any other business scheduled by the Rules and Business Committee. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Next Order. GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SUPPORT MIRAA TRADERS

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Again, on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader, I wish to respond to the issue of the Statement that had been sought by Sen. Murungi on the issue of miraa business. In view of the developments in the last couple of days, as you all remember, the UK Government and other countries have banned importation of miraa . We are seeking a further request of time, until next week, to provide a Statement on this matter.

Sen. Murungi, what do you have to say about that?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Statement was supposed to be given to this House two weeks ago and the ban on miraa only came yesterday. So, we do not understand why the Government does not seem to appreciate the urgency and importance of this matter. The entire miraa industry as my colleagues would know, is under threat, it is about to collapse and it is going to throw the entire Meru economy, the Meru people, the Somali community and other Kenyans into joblessness. There is going to be a lot of poverty and apathy among our people. As far as we are concerned, we do not know what the Government is researching weeks on end. The issue was for them to clarify whether miraa was legal or illegal. Indeed, there was a law which was passed by Parliament in 1994; the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act of 1994 which listed all the dangerous drugs. Miraa is not among those listed drugs. So, you do not need to research beyond that Act. The issue of legality or illegality of miraa should be closed. What we wanted was a statement confirming that, indeed, that is the position. So, we do not know why they want to take so much time. With regard to what happened yesterday, this ban of miraa by the United Kingdom (U.K), we would indulge the Government because this was new and it also affects us in a serious way, for another one week to study why the U.K, contrary to scientific and legal evidence has decided to ban miraa. We have a report from the U.K. Government, from the home office dated July 2011; Occasion Paper No.95---

Order Sen. Murungi. The issue on which you are seeking clarification was whether you would indulge the Majority Leader The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The only addition is, now that there is this new development, could the Government consider taking diplomatic action as well and report to this House, regarding the ban by the UK Government of miraa which is political and discriminatory? It is the duty of this Government to protect the miraa traders who have been operating in Europe and in England for a long time. The Statement should also contain the steps the Government is taking to protect the miraa traders against this illegal ban by the U.K Government.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in view of the additional information that the Senator for Meru is asking, it would be appropriate to give him a response by Thursday, next week, so that we can incorporate his request.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Listening to my dear friend, Sen. Murungi expound on this issue of miraa and noting that in one of the past Parliaments, we had a major debate on this miraa issue, would it be in order, using your discretion to bring this matter on a Motion of Adjournment, so that it can be debated extensively by the House?

Sen. Murkomen): Sen. Murungi, what do you say on that?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think we can do that on Tuesday, next week, after the Statement.

Hon. Senators, it is important to remind each other that Questions and Statements sought by Members are very serious in terms of the manner in which it affects the citizens of this country. I think, on behalf of Majority Leader, Sen. Billow should transmit the information that the Cabinet Secretary should take it seriously because from the Statement seeker, Sen. Murungi, time is of the essence. As requested, I order that the Statement be submitted on Thursday, next week. S

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the point is noted. We will do so. I have a Statement to make can I go ahead?

Proceed! THE BUDGETING PROCESSES OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have a Statement from the standing Committee on Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs on the budgeting processes of a county governments. We are issuing this Statement after our meeting this morning because of the concerns that have been expressed in the media in the last three days regarding the budgets of various counties, which has alarmed many in the country. The standing Committee on Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs is a committee of the Senate established under Standing Order No.206 and the mandate as highlighted in the Second Schedule of the Standing Orders, includes consideration of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have listened to the hon. Senator. This Statement is coming from the Committee on Finance. It is like we are closing the stable when the horse has already escaped. This is because, essentially, I think that the TA did not do its job very well. They were supposed to provide the capacity for the county governments to do, from Day 1, what they were supposed to do and not to leave them to mess and then we complain, as if we set them out to fail. If I were a Governor and was supposed to do a budget, definitely, I would fail if I did not have people with the capacity to help me work out that budget. In fact, budgets are very difficult to work out. I can tell you that all this Members who campaigned, probably, did not have a budget. This is because they do not know how to work out budgets. So, it is a technical thing. They should have provided technical staff to help these ladies and gentlemen work out their budgets. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, look at the situation in some of the counties, where the budget says: “This is what we will do with the money that is coming, which is only about Kshs5 billion to Kshs6 billion.” Then, they say that their budget is Kshs20 billion, without saying exactly where the money will come from or showing any commitment from any donor as to where that money will come from. The technical people from the TA let this come to the Treasury. I think that it should have been stopped. They should have been asked: You only have Kshs5 billion; where are you getting this Kshs20,000? They would have said: “The IMF has given me this and another bank will give this.” From this you can make a meaningful budget. A budget is not a wish list. Eventually, that is now what we are seeing all over the country. They are just wish lists. It is like saying: I wish I had a mountain. I would have done this and that in one year. These budgets do not seem to have been built on some progression. We are here for five years, this is the project that we want to start. This is how it will go until the circle of three years is over. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I hope that the Committee will take this seriously. In fact, we need a serious amendment, if not to the Constitution, then to any other Act of Parliament, that would give serious oversight even at the time of budgeting. This is because if the budget is wrong, then the entire implementation is wrong. You will be oversighting something which already started on a very wrong premise. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, those are my very humble views.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I also want to say one or two things regarding this Statement that has been given by Sen. Billow. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if this House does not move fast and arrest certain situations, we may find the entire country in confusion. I can bear witness of the budget that was read in my own county. The allocation that is coming from the Government is The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the points raised by Sen. Kajwang. These things should have been done, but what happened in this Financial Year is that everything seems to have started late, because of the late elections which were held in March. The whole budgetary process should have actually been done well before April, that is, from September, last year. However, it is important to note that none of these counties have actually received this money. We are talking about budgets now and this can, again, be amended through a Supplementary Budget. This is because provisions for amendment of the budgets by the county assemblies are provided for in the Public Finance Management Act. So, if we are talking about how to manage the resources that they are going to get in the next two or three months, there will be a schedule on which money will be released by the Treasury. So, I think that county assemblies can still have an impact in terms of addressing some of the areas. If, for example, money has been provided for on areas that are not a priority, the county assemblies can still make amendments to address those areas. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Section 107 of the PFM Act is very clear that there are fiscal responsibilities that must be complied with. For example, not less than 30 per cent of that budget should actually be spent on development projects. Regarding the position raised by Sen. Muthama, actually Section 107 of the PFM Act provides that the county assemblies cannot approve a budget with a deficit. So, some of these things are very clear and going forward, we will be working very closely with the Treasury and the Controller of Budget to ensure that the county assemblies and county government executives do not flout the regulations and laws. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Senators, I have the following Communication from the Chair. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. It has been a tradition that when such a Communication of a departed former colleague is made to the House, we observe a minute of silence, because not all of us will be in a position to attend the burial.

Very well. I agree and I am well advised. So, I want to request all Members to stand and observe a minute of silence.

Thank you. Next Order!

Hon. Senators, you will remember that we had debated the Motion by Sen. G. G. Kariuki and completed it. It is now time to put the Question. But before I do so, let me allow the Senators who are coming in to take their seats.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. We have observed one minute of silence for our late brother. As a KANU nominee, I think that it is befitting really to say that hon. Njiru did a lot for this country. Therefore, we cannot just observe one minute of silence and leave it at that. Maybe most of us did not know that he had passed on. I, therefore, think that it is important that we, at least, allow Members to convey their condolences, since we have observed a minute of silence. Personally, I knew Mr. Njiru as a good citizen and Minister in this country.

Order, hon. Senator! Sen. Kittony, we had already passed that stage. Unfortunately, if a formal request, which you have attempted to do, had been made in good time, we would not have hesitated to do the same. I saw you standing around here and was wondering why you were not raising any point of order at all. In honour of such an important former Member of Parliament, we will reserve the last 15 minutes before the end of business today, to pay tribute to him, for those who knew him or want to say something about him. Hon. Senators, the Motion by Sen. G. G. Kariuki was due for voting. I want now to put the Question. I would like to remind the Senate that this is not a Motion affecting counties. Therefore, it will just be voted by the majority who are available.

Hon. Members, you remember that the next Motion by Sen. Obure had an amendment introduced by Sen. G.G. Kariuki. We had debated the amendment and it is due for voting. Therefore, I want to order the Division Bell be rung on the amendment. I want to emphasize that it is a Motion affecting counties.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I wish to make a request in view of the importance of this Motion and more particularly the amendments by both Sen. (Prof.) Anyang’-Nyong’o and Sen. G.G. Kariuki. I wish to request under the relevant Standing Order No.51 (3) that the voting be deferred to Wednesday afternoon.

Order, Senator. As you very well know Standing Order No.51(3) requires that any request for deferement is to the next day. The next day, in this situation, cannot be tomorrow, but Tuesday when we have the next sitting. So, it cannot be Wednesday.

Thank you very much for that guidance. In view of what you have just said, I would make the request for Tuesday afternoon.

Okay. I order that voting on this Motion, which is basically the amendment to the Motion, be deferred to Tuesday 3.00 p.m. In that regard, I also order that the debate of the main Motion be deferred accordingly.

Next Order. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have this Motion talking about the construction of the Turkwel Gorge Dam in West Pokot County. It was constructed between 1986 and 1991 and it became into operation in 1991. It has been generating power to the people of Kenya. To date, I am told that the power generated forms up to 18 per cent of the power used in Kenya.

Order, Senator! This is the first time you are moving this Motion, although you are learning and we have had more than 100 days to learn. So, you need to move the Motion appropriately. COMPENSATION FOR COMMUNITY DISPLACED BY TURKWEL GORGE DAM

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move:- THAT, aware that the construction of the Turkwel Gorge Dam by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) led to the displacement of many Kenyans due to the large area covered by the dam; noting with concern that no compensation was given to those who were displaced; further concerned that the dam is a breeding place for mosquitoes which cause Malaria and is heavily infested with crocodiles which pose a danger to both livestock and people living around the dam; noting that the area lacks necessary social amenities such as schools, dispensaries and access roads; the Senate urges the Government to compensate the displaced persons and to purchase motor boats and construct access roads, dispensaries and schools in the area in order to enable Kenyans living around the dam locality to move with ease and to access necessary social amenities. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this dam was constructed in 1986. It took almost five years to complete. It started its operations in 1991. I am told that because of this dam, Kenya has really benefitted by receiving electricity. We used to get some electricity from Uganda, but as a result of this dam, our electricity deficit reduced as we continued getting up to the tune of 18 per cent of our power needs from Turkwel Dam. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the water that accumulated as a result of the construction of this dam affected so many families in about five locations in my county. To date, 700 families in Korupu Location have been displaced by this water; 150 families in Toyo Location and, in particular Kesot Sub-location; 130 families were affected in Nakwikid Location, particularly in the Sub-location called Tamaruko; 630 families were affected in the whole of Kositey Location; while 120 families were affected in Kapchok Sub-location, Kopean. This totals to about 1,730 families which have been affected by The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Yes!

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if there is market for crocodiles, how can we trap them? I read in the Bible that the Israelites were taken captive and they were---

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Is the hon. Senator in order to propagate and incite Kenyans to do poaching in the name of marketing crocodiles?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have crocodiles in that area and I was wondering whether there is a market for them. I expected him to come and tell us where it is and how we can capture them. It is not necessarily the local people to do it, but---

Order Senator! You know very well that crocodiles are wildlife. There are certain laws and regulations that require conservation of wildlife. So, for you to use the opportunity in the Senate to try to market or behave in a manner that can be construed to mean that crocodiles in Turkwel shoul be harvested by certain people, you are completely out of order. Proceed! The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I stand guided by your direction. The KWS should open a station there so that they can tell us how to live with these reptiles and then come up with a compensation scheme. If they can turn part of the lake to be a wildlife sanctuary, then they should tell us how we can stay with those reptiles. The child mortality rate is very high because of the presence of the mosquitoes that I have just mentioned. I can give a living example. There is a very good resort in Turkwel which has become dilapidated because of migration of KENGEN staff, where one woman carried a dying child in her hands for several kilometres, for two days on the mountain and found us in the camp. This child died when we were watching. She told us that if there was a dispensary her child would not have died. These are the issues that I am mentioning. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, whenever the Government puts in place a plant, is there no mechanism put in place so that when this plant comes up, they make sure that the community benefits? When KENGEN staff moved away last year, there is no vehicle on site. Occasionally, the local community used their buses to go to town and back. Now that has been cut off completely. The staff of KENGEN sometimes operated as though they were not Kenyans. So, you find that there are two worlds there; people in the camp are totally different from those outside the camp. So, I would like to urge that the relevant department gives us a comprehensive direction on how this can be done. I would like to see the people given appropriate land. Irrigation should be done downstream between the two counties. The one million acres we were talking about are ready. The water is already there. The Government needs to allocate a substantial amount of money and then incorporate the community so that they can also benefit from the irrigation scheme. I beg to move and I ask Sen. Sang to second this Motion.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I beg to second this Motion. In seconding, I wish to sympathize with the over 1,730 families that were displaced to pave way for the construction of Turkwel Dam. We definitely need to look at this issue more broadly. We have had instances in this country where the Government decides to carry out development activities that are aimed at supporting the economic advancement of this country, but at the end of the day, they are not careful enough to look at communities that are being affected by these development activities. If you look at the over 2,000 families being affected, these are families, as described by the Mover of this Motion, who are living in abject poverty. These are communities who are having their children suffering from malaria and other diseases, courtesy of a Government project that was supposed to alleviate poverty within this region. This was supposed to be a blessing, but we are now seeing a project which was well intended ending up to be a challenge to the communities within this region. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Motion for a simple reason. In the spirit of allowing host communities of natural resources to benefit from the resources that they have always taken care of and are part of, it is in order that such a Motion should be passed. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for example, in this case, we know the benefits of electricity. We know that electricity is actually the bedrock of a lot of economic activities and the benefits that companies such as KenGen have accrued from the generation of electricity. It is only in order and it makes sense that the host community, that has The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for giving me this chance to contribute to this very wonderful Motion and I will support it for various reasons. First, the Motion is well-intended and it has what we can say a national approach to food insecurity. This is one of the Motions trying to accuse the arm of the Government for neglecting residents where such projects are located. I also come from a county where there are people who have been affected by the construction and operation of such a project called Mwea Settlement Scheme in Kirinyaga County. What the professor is articulating here is true. It is true for many other projects that we have in Kenya. So, it is not only in Turkwel Valley where we have this problem but all over the country. At one time we visited Nyando when I was the chairman of the committee on education. We saw The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you for at least seeing me today. I want to congratulate my neighbour, a very close friend, from Pokot County which borders our County of Trans Nzoia. So, we are actually like brothers and sisters. When we saw this project being constructed we were very excited as neighbours and we thought heaven is near and our people will benefit. To our surprise and dismay, it has come to give us destruction. When he talks about mosquitoes invading us, that is true. They have actually come to my bedroom because Turkwel Gorge is very close. What The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. Tiole Ndiema!

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I stand to support this Motion. This issue of compensation for the people of West Pokot is long overdue and it is not a favor that the people of West Pokot are asking for. It is their right under the Constitution. It has become almost a tradition in this country that projects are conceived, considered and feasibility studies are carried out – very beautiful ones – promising heaven on earth to residents of those areas where those projects will be domiciled. Madam Temporary Speaker, if I remember well when the Turkwel Gorge Project was initiated, the residents of Pokot and Turkana were promised, just to mention a few, that they will get electricity, and that would have been the first priority. I do not know whether they have got enough electricity and as neighbours – as earlier mentioned by my The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. Muthama.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to support this Motion and, at the same time, to propose an amendment. The reason I am proposing this amendment is because this Motion is very important and many areas, not only Turkwel Gorge, but the entire Republic of Kenya, have been affected. What the Mover did was to highlight one of the serious issues. Madam Temporary Speaker, if you allow me, I beg to move:- THAT, the Motion be amended as follows. (a) By inserting the following words: “in the area and all other areas where such dams have been constructed and people have not been compensated” immediately after the word “persons” in the eighth line. (b) By deleting the word “area” appearing in the ninth line and inserting the words “affected areas.” Madam Temporary Speaker, the amendment is meant to cater for areas like those mentioned earlier, Kisumu, Kiambere and also Masinga Dam as good examples; and many other areas. In Masinga Dam, people were displaced 15 or 20 years ago. KenGen has been generating electricity there and selling it to Kenyans, and they are being paid money. Although KenGen is generating revenue from the dam, Kenyans and wananchi there are still suffering. Some of them have become squatters and they have no place to go. Ten years ago, these people went to court, they won the case and they were awarded about Kshs240 million. But what did KenGen do? Without caring about the people that this nation is supposed to be serving, they went to court and made an appeal. The judge asked the institution to deposit only Kshs10 million and those people are still waiting for the determination of the appeal, while KenGen is generating money. Madam Temporary Speaker, you know the electricity bill you and I – including everybody else who is here and who is not here – pay after using electricity. We even know the bills that poor teachers, who are demanding for their money, pay when it comes to electricity; it is a lot of money. Today, KenGen is just expanding at the expense of the people who live in those areas. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this chance to second the amendment by Sen. Muthama. Madam Temporary Speaker, we all know that devolution is about allocating resources to all the counties in Kenya; and that is the job of this House. If there are places, as mentioned, basically where projects were done – we have Rusinga, Turkwel and a number of other companies that operate today – and if the people who live in those areas or the communities surrounding those resources or projects were not compensated, it is our role as the Senate to ensure that they are compensated, and the time is now. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Government has, a number of times, displaced people. There are several such cases and a good example has been mentioned by Sen. Muthama. Today, I ask myself one question; yes, these people were displaced; the Government did achieve to construct and to put up a project that is running until today. But what about the lives of those people who lived around there? Are we really building this economy or are we destroying it? Because at the end of the day, those people who were displaced there are very poor today and they live in terrible conditions. These people were displaced by the Government. On that note, what I am trying to say is that the Government should compensate all people across the board within the 47 counties. If there were people who were displaced and the projects are running, let all of them be compensated so that they can come to their original positions and help build this Republic. Madam Temporary Speaker, in those dams, we have the water resource as the Mover said. His was my lecturer and Principal at the university. I congratulate you Senator. There are water resources in these dams. I was trying to inquire and I found out that money was allocated to these dams for irrigation but until today there is no irrigation in a majority of these dams. So, the question that we are asking today is, where did this money go? Money was allocated for irrigation and people should produce food so that this country can have enough food. Today we cannot believe the prevailing situation. Money was allocated but nothing has been done. Our job is about fairness and, therefore, as the Senate we should see to it that everybody who has been denied a chance is given a chance to change their lives. Lastly, companies have what we call corporate social responsibility. I do not know to what extent these companies have done this job to ensure that the communities that live around these dams are provided with schools, hospitals and infrastructure. I want to request that this Senate comes up with a law to ensure that every company that operates within a certain place across the 47 counties has something to offer to the people who live there. That is our job and we can do it. If these things are done the way they should be done, I am sure the lives of many people will change. We look forward to all The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Thank you Madam Temporary Speaker, I also stand here to support the Motion as amended bearing in mind the reason that the Government has always used to bring up multipurpose projects. I will give an example of Turkwel Dam. When the Government conceived the Turkwel Dam, it was a multipurpose project that was supposed to deal with agriculture, fisheries and hydro electricity. It seems that most of the time, the projects are abandoned and in the end the Government concentrates more on the project that generates more revenue. Therefore, even when the Government is identifying an area to start a project, one of the things that we have always failed to do is to create awareness for the community to understand that there is a project that is coming up. It is very sad because the Pokot community are pastoralists and yet the project was supposed to generate agriculture, but we were not able to train and impact skills. Worse still, they were unable to understand the fisheries part of it. When you look at these projects, they are projects that can empower the community if the Government puts in place measures in terms of ensuring communities understand why they need a project. Madam Temporary Speaker, as we speak, we have laws. One of the laws in this country states that you cannot just go into a community project without building a school or hospital. It should be any social project that will benefit that community. Therefore, I think because of the impunity we have in terms of disrespecting law in this country, that is why we never abide by certain laws. I think now that we have devolution, it is up to the Senate that any project that comes to the county government, the Governor must have a Memorandum of understanding which indicates what the investor is bringing and what the community is going to benefit. Now that we have started oil drilling in Ngamia I and II, very soon, let us not find Turkanas becoming displaced yet we imagine that for the first time we want to see a different Turkana County. Therefore, we are saying this knowing that we are celebrating 50 years of Jubilee and God has blessed us with a lot of natural resources. I just hope and pray that in this Senate we will be able to protect the interests of the counties. I think time has come for the real protection. The communities where we have natural resources will benefit in terms of ensuring that young people go to school and get employment. As much as the investor would want to bring in expatriates from wherever, at least, 70 per cent of the informal jobs must be given to the youth within that community so that they feel part and parcel of the project. It is important for the Government to come up with measures to start owning up these projects. Let the community feel part and parcel of the process that is going on. If we start projects the way we did in Turkana – you could see how the communities were even engaging each other and chasing away the investor. I would The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

What is your point of order?

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. Would I be order to ask that the Question of the amendment be now put?

Going by the mood of the House, I feel that I should now put the Question of the amendment.

We will now proceed with the Motion as amended.

Madam Temporary Speaker, first, I want to say that I support this Motion as amended. I also want to thank Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo for the initiative that he has taken to bring this Motion here. I also want to thank the Senator for Machakos for introducing the amendment which extends the impact of this Motion to other communities that are affected in a similar way. Madam Temporary Speaker, what was initially intended to be a blessing to this nation – the electricity project at Turkwel Gorge – has actually turned out to be a curse to the local community. What was intended to make us proud, as Kenyans, through the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

On a point of order, Madam Speaker, Sir. Is it in order for the hon. Senator, who was a Minister in the previous Government, to continue misleading The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Senator, as a senior Member of Parliament, while you are on a point of order, you might also be out of order by not presenting facts to the House. Can you present to this House with facts that negate the facts contained in this Motion and which Sen. Obure was deliberating on and presenting?

Madam Temporary Speaker, what I am saying is true because I am aware and given time, I can bring the facts but it is misleading to say that KenGen has not associated itself with this community because for sure they have built primary schools and employed local people. For those who have said that they have not employed people, they should show that by tabling the list of people employed there to show whether local people are not employed. So, making such statement is not fair on KenGen.

Senator, I still repeat my statement, you are actually now sailing in the same boat with Sen. Obure. Why can you not do Senators a favour by presenting to us, specific names of the schools that have been built by KenGen so that we negate the claims by Sen. Obure?

I do not have the list today with me but surely, this is information you can get.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Are you aware that the Senator was already on a point of order?

I am standing on a point of order on his point of order.

Proceed.

The point of order that I have is that here we have different Senators from different backgrounds. Some of them were Ministers, others were Assistant Ministers, others were Cabinet Secretaries and some were in different Government departments. So, what I want to find out from the Chair is whether we can bring our past experience to correct the impression created by Senators as they present themselves here.

Sen. Obure, proceed to conclude your contribution.

On a point of information, Madam Temporary Speaker.

Do you wish to be informed, Senator?

Yes, certainly.

Proceed, Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I wish to inform Sen. Murungi that I was in Turkwel for two days and I can tell you that it is desolate. KenGen The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Shame! Shame!

Proceed, Sen. Obure.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I am aware that Sen. Murungi, whom I respect very much, was not present when Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo moved the Motion. I am also aware that I have served as a Minister before and I am aware Ministers can also be misled by being provided with information that may not be accurate. I hope Sen. Murungi is not relying on information provided to him and which could be incorrect. I am hoping that he will come here with concrete information to negate what I am saying but let me go ahead. Madam Temporary Speaker, I was just about to come to the issue of compensation. Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo, when moving the Motion, indicated that there are other similar projects elsewhere, and he quoted Chebara and Ndakaini Dam, where the local communities were compensated. He said that in the case of Turkwel, the locals were not compensated. So, the spirit of this Motion is that compensation should be paid in all similar projects around the country, which I support. If that was to be done, then the kind of views which are being expressed in respect of Turkwel project would not arise. So, I support the spirit of this Motion that all communities wherever they are in this Republic who have given up land for a national project should be compensated and that there should be no discrimination whatsoever in carrying out compensation. I want to conclude my remarks by saying that what this Motion is asking the Government to do is simple. They are asking the Government to compensate displaced people, not just in Turkwel but elsewhere that similar projects have been undertaken. We are being asked to provide motor boats instead of canoes and things like those which endanger the lives of people. That is sensible and this House should be able to support this Motion because the request is very simple. The Government should build access roads, dispensaries and schools around the project. This is reasonable and it is not too much to ask of the Government, particularly taking into account the overall benefits which the nation derives out of a project of this nature. I support.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker.

I want to disallow that point of order and listen to the Senator for Laikipia County.

On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

What is out of order, Senate Minority Whip?

This point of order is just to alert the Chair; looking at the time, it is now 6.00 p.m. and the previous Speaker who was on the Chair ruled that by 6.15 p.m. we should adjourn the debate to enable the House to send condolences to the family of the late former Minister, Mr. Njiru. My kind request is that we try and share the remaining minutes. We should allocate 10 minutes for each of us, maybe three or four minutes per speaker.

You are simply requesting that we reduce the contributing time from five minute to three minutes?

Yes.

Going by the mood of the House, I think that is a general agreement. So, Sen. G.G. Kariuki, proceed and you have two minutes.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I do not know what to say about the two minutes except that I need to---

You have three minutes.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Madam Temporary Speaker, I have been listening since the time this Motion was moved by my good friend; I have also listened to those Senators who contributed to this Motion, including yourself, and I think there is one thing we are omitting here. Nobody is talking about the positive side of this kind of development. Everybody is saying they were neglected, they were not consulted and all these manner of things. Madam Temporary Speaker, the intention of those who created these major projects was quite good at the time these projects were being contemplated. However, I wish to remind the Senate that, that was not the time to consult anyone---

This was the time which we call “personal rule”, because only one person had a say on what was to be done and what ought not to be done. That is why Kenyans unanimously voted for a new Constitution because of various historical problems they have gone through. Therefore, it is important for us to appreciate some of the projects which were done at that time, whereby economic consideration was there. But the issue of compensating people downstream or the people who occupied the area was not taken into consideration because they would have otherwise delayed implementation of the project by those who, perhaps, wanted to benefit financially from these kind of big projects. Therefore, Madam Temporary Speaker, it is up to this Senate to appreciate the problems that this country has gone through. Recently, the people of Kenya elected us to come here to try and correct all the past mistakes which were committed. They also The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Sen. G. G. Kariuki, the yellow light actually notifies you that you have about a minute to conclude your contribution. It is when the red one goes on that your time is over.

I have another minute?

Yes, you still had a minute to contribute. The yellow light notifies you that you have a minute.

Madam Temporary Speaker, some of us respect the Chair very much. When I saw the yellow light, I thought I was being alerted to sit down. But thank you for allowing me to wind up. We need to support the sentiments of this Motion and what has been said by the Mover and Senators of this House because it is now a national Motion and not purely for West Pokot. The people of West Pokot have definitely benefited from this project, and I know that. But we cannot say vividly that all the projects that have been created to date have not benefitted our communities. So, Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to support as it is. Thank you very much.

Sen. Kipchumba.

Bi Naibu Spika, nakushukuru kwa kunipa nafasi hii. Kwanza, ningependa kuunga mkono Hoja hii. Nimetiwa kiwewe na mawazo ya Sen. G. G. Kariuki, ya kwamba maovu yaliyofanyika katika miaka iliyopita yanaweza kuwa halali kwa sababu ilikuwa inaendeleza mafanikio ya wachache. Nadhani hizo ni fikira ambazo zinadunisha haki za watu. Kwa hivyo, ningependa tubadilishe ya kwamba maovu ambayo yameweza kufanywa wakati wowote na Serikali yoyote yaweze kupingwa na kukataliwa kwa enzi zote. Kwa hivyo, kuhusu Turkwel Gorge Dam, kwa wale ambao hawajui jina lake halikuwa Turkwel bali Tilkol. Tilkol ni jina la Kiturkana kusema kwamba mto unaweza kustahimili jangwa. Kwa kimombo wanasema; a river that withstandswilderness . Huo ndio ulikuwa mto wa kipekee ambao wakati wowote kukiwa na jangwa, mto huo ulibaki na maji. Hio ndio sehemu ambayo wananchi wa sehemu hiyo The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Madam Temporary Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. As the first Senator for Tana River County, I think I am better placed to come and discuss this important issue which affects counties. Tana River has not been represented over the years. Today is when the people of Tana River feel that they are represented. All these projects have been initiated by people who are not mindful of others. The project does not favour the people living downstream. Tana River which I represent which is being used as a buffer zone is the most affected place in Kenya. Tana River has also been affected by KenGen for the past 45 years. Other projects were initiated by the Executive. The Constitution of Kenya favoured the executive and not the locals. This is where we went wrong. It is today when we have the Senate which is representing the counties and county assemblies where we have county representatives. Today, we can discuss our issues fully. Therefore, we have a full Government where issues are discussed.

Sen. Bule, you should stick to the Motion.

Madam Temporary Speaker, we need to correct what went wrong before. We have suffered in the hands of greedy leaders who are not mindful of the people of Kenya and Tana River which is very special to me. We should be compensated fully by KenGen. These are the people who have caused suffering among the people of Tana River. People died, crops and livestock were lost because of their project. They just The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Before I call the Mover to reply, I will give two minutes to Sen. Hassan. Please, we are constrained of time.

Madam Temporary Speaker, once Sen. Bule has spoken, I really do not have anything to add. That said and done, I would like to support this Motion and lay down a Government philosophy of development. No Government can purport to develop a society, a community or an area by disenfranchising groups of people for whatever purpose or development. Madam Temporary Speaker, I support this Motion, because nobody can contest the fact that areas like West Pokot, Turkana, Mombasa and Ukambani have been victims of systematic and deliberate marginalization, even in the event of development. It is because of a greedy few who have agreed on a collective strategy at the expense of the many. So, I think that it is important at this point in time to restitute the people of West Pokot and all other areas where people have been disenfranchised by virtue of Government actions or inactions in terms of their strategy of development. So, I support this Motion because I know that it will benefit every Kenyan across the counties to ensure that Kenya is made a better place and those we have displaced and disenfranchised are restituted. Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to support this Motion.

I now call upon the Mover to reply.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I rise to thank my colleagues for contribution to this Motion. By passing this Motion, most of the areas that are going to benefit or have ever benefited from the national Government will now be looked at critically, to see to it that the local communities benefit properly. Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to move.

THAT, aware that the construction of the Turkwel Gorge Dam by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) led to the displacement of many Kenyans due to the large area covered by the dam; noting with concern that no compensation was given to those who were displaced; further concerned that the dam is a breeding place for mosquitoes which cause Malaria and is heavily infested with crocodiles which pose a danger to both livestock and people living around the dam; noting that the area lacks necessary social amenities such as schools, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Hon. Senators, I will now make reference to Standing Order No.31 (1) which states:- “A Senator may, at any time, for reasons stated, seek leave to move “That, the Senate do now adjourn.” That leave was sought by Sen. Karaba earlier and permission was granted that he will move a Motion to eulogize the late James Njiru, who is a former Member of Parliament for the then Ndia Constituency. Hon. Senators, take further note of Standing Order No.31 (3) which states:- “The debate on a Motion under this Standing Order shall be confined to the matter of the Motion.” TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. JAMES NJIRU, FORMER MEMBER FOR NDIA CONSTITUENCY

Madam Temporary Speaker, I wish to thank the Senate for adjourning to eulogize the late hon. Njiru who was a Member of Parliament for Ndia Constituency in Kirinyaga Constituency. He was a Member of Parliament from the 1980s where he was very instrumental in the founding of this nation. Those people who knew him, and I can see some of them here, will agree with me that this was a gentleman who did a lot for the country. He contributed a lot in Kirinyaga County and we join the residents of Kirinyaga County in eulogizing the departure of a great person in the name of James Njiru. He was known to have started the echo of KANU moto . He was appointed as an assistant minister by the former President, Mr. Moi and later on as a Minister for Political Guidance. During his tenure, he was the most powerful Minister. So, we are asking the Senate to really eulogize him. I sympathize with the family and the people of Kirinyaga for having lost such a person. It is also regretted that the Late Njiru passed on last Thursday in a Nairobi hospital suffering from cancer, according to the doctor’s report. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 6th July, 2013 at his home in Kirinyaga. Therefore, I am appealing to those who can afford to come to do so and give a send off to the great hero. I beg to move. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Madam Temporary Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to send my deepest and sincere condolences to the late hon. Njiru, former Member of Parliament from Kirinyaga. The late Njiru was known to me and indeed, to many other politicians who are now here in the Senate. So, we at the Senate feel it is appropriate to send our collective condolences to the family of the late James Njiru. For those who come from the region, the Late Njiru is well known as KANU moto and also known in other dear terms as “brother”. He was a giant in Kirinyaga politics together with others like Njunu and Njogu Kasam with whom they developed politically in the 1980s. The late Njiru will be remembered for his high drama in politics. I remember at one time when they came to Meru with the former President, Mr. Moi. The whole presidential convoy was in Meru and Moi decided to fly back with a chopper and left his limousine to Njiru, who passed through Nanyuki, Karatina and Kirinyaga. Everywhere he stood, he would pop up from the limousine and greet the people. Of course, people would think it was Moi and we all thought that by the time he arrives in Nairobi, he would be sacked. But former President Moi had a liking for him. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the entire political leadership of Kirinyaga and this country. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace. Thank you.

Bw. Naibu Spika, ninashukuru kwa nafasi hii ili nitume rambi rambi zangu na kilio changu kwa moyo wote kwa familia ya marehemu Njiru. Njiru alikuwa mwanasiasa aliyefaa na aliyestahili sana. Alichaguliwa kwa kuwaambia watu wake ya kwamba akichaguliwa atajishughulisha na majukumu ya kutatua shida za watu wa sehemu yake. Ninasikitika sana kwa sababu, bali na kuwa alipigiwa kura, alitaka kuwapa watu wake maji lakini aliwaacha bila maji. Alitaka wapate matibabu na hosapitali lakini aliwaacha bila. Baada ya miaka, 50, Njiru ameiacha nchi hii ikiwa sio vile alivyotaka. Lakini ninashukuru Mungu kwa kazi aliyofanya. Tunamtakia kila la heri katika maisha yake ya kwenda mbinguni. Mungu amuonee huruma na amuweke pahali pema peponi. Nasi tufanye kazi tukijua kwamba tutaondoka na tuna jukumu la kutoa huduma kwa watu wetu na kuona ya kwamba tunashughulikia nchi yetu iwezekanavyo. Naomba kutuma rambi rambi zangu.

Madam Temporary Speaker, I join my colleagues in passing my personal condolences to the family of the late James Njiru. I knew him as a very solid leader, as a person who was very patriotic and that is the one quality that enabled him to be appointed Minister for national guidance. I take this opportunity to express my prayers that the Almighty God will bless his family and that he rewards him for the contribution he made to nation building. May God bless that family. Thank you. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.

Hon. Senators, there being no other business, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday 9th, July 2013 at 2.30 p.m. The Senate rose at 6.30 p.m. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.