Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to present the following report with regard to the Petition on the protection of the fishermen and residents of Budalangi and Funyula constituencies on the shores of Lake Victoria by Sen. Mbura. REPORT ON PETITION: PROTECTION OF KENYAN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST Secondly, I want to present a report of the Petition on Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the Standing Orders allow me to give you five or so minutes to make comment on these petitions. You can have 20 minutes to do so if you have an issue or comment to make. Each Member will have four minutes.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, unless Members have issues, I personally have no comments on the same.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. I see none.

The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Karaba! I have not seen your request.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of what the Petition is about. However, all the same, if it is about the workers in Saudi Arabia and other Arabian nations, it is a pity what we read in the newspapers. The suffering of our young girls who have gone to work or who have sought jobs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and so many other countries in the Middle East is unbearable. We continue to receive very disturbing reports about the deplorable working conditions our girls are subjected to. Some of them have ceased to be domestic workers and forced to become wives of their employers contrary to their contract agreements. It is also important for us to know how these girls are recruited. We would like to know who licenses the recruiting agents in this country. Some of these things are ambiguous.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): What is it, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale?

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Is Sen. Karaba in order to suggest that there is anything wrong in any of those girls becoming wives of their employers? Since time immemorial, employees have become wives to their employers. Is he in order?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Senator! It is you who is out of order! You cannot dictate the opinion of Sen. Karaba. Proceed, Sen. Karaba.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for that protection. I was saying these girls go there as domestic workers, but they are forced to become wives to their employers or merchants. Those are the reports we are reading from the newspapers. This Petition is important because it will assist us to do thorough investigations and know how these girls are recruited and how they get visas to work in those countries. We want to get proper information about the kind of jobs they do. Some of them are treated as slaves and do dirty jobs in a very dehumanizing conditions. We need to protect our people from being exploited by their employers in those countries. We are tired of burying our girls who are mercilessly killed in those countries. This is an issue that should attract a lot of attention from Members of the House.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Petition is quite emotional. Sen. Mbura is very passionate about these issues. We cannot run away from labour export because we are not generating enough jobs for every Kenyan in this country. However, we need to regulate this industry because what we have seen from the Middle East are despicable issues. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale raised issues of employers marrying their secretaries and house girls. However, that is not the issue. The issue here is that she must agree to be married. She should not be coerced or forced. We have been seeing these Arabs confiscating passports of these girls and forcing them to marry them. This is unacceptable. We have seen our girls subjected to a lot of suffering. Sometimes they are burnt to death by their employers. Our people have died in those countries and we have had to receive bodies every day at the airport. It is quite a sad story. We, as a country, need regulations. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Petition is timely. We, as a country, require answers to what has really been happening in the Gulf country. This will help us respond to some of these issues which have brought a lot of anxiety about Saudi Arabia because it is a country that calls itself an Islamic State. We need to get to the heart of it. In addition, what bothers me most about the treatment of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia is if someone is breaking the law, say, an employer has thrown a Kenyan domestic worker out of a window and she has passed on. If this person was violated or tortured in a manner that is against the Islamic Sharia, why is there no action being taken domestically in Saudi Arabia against those who perpetrate these types of crimes? As we interrogate these issues to know who the unscrupulous agents are, we must also find ways and means to ensure that we compel the Government of Saudi Arabia to investigate instances of murder. In addition to the investigation, those people are punished as per the law in Saudi Arabia. In fact, those who have killed, Islamic law requires nothing else, but a beheading. Therefore, we want to see action being taken on all those who have killed Kenyan citizens or any other citizens of this world on account of impunity. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also want to commend the Committee for the good work and Sen. Mbura for presenting this Petition. We have always had many questions as to what really happens to Kenyans, particularly the ladies. I am sure there are also gentlemen somewhere who are domestic workers, but it is only that their plight has not come out. When we have a clear foreign policy or legislation on domestic workers, we will know the way forward. We have had instances where domestic workers have suffered quietly in Saudi Arabia until someone shouts out help for them. As Sen. Wangari said, we should know for how long such workers go out of the country and when they are expected back. Cases of workers being held in foreign countries for a long time - like it happened in the United States - under pretext that they refuse to go back to their countries because of fear of being abused should be controlled. Once they finish their term they should be facilitated, so that they can bring back foreign exchange. Mahatma Gandhi once said that people should work abroad, but invest at home. If Kenyan workers in the diaspora come back to the country alive, they will increase foreign exchange.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. We are allowed only up to 20 minutes. How many minutes do we still have for this Petition?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to congratulate the Senate Deputy Majority Leader for his business prowess.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! Order, Sen. Wetangula!

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to make a comment on this Petition as a Member of the Committee. The plight of Kenyan workers in the Middle East is very distressing. As you know, I have been a Minister for Foreign Affairs of this country. I engaged very deeply in trying to create an enabling environment for orderly legal---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Sen. Munyes, do you have a point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wanted to contribute. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): I will not allow you to contribute because Sen. Wetangula is on his feet and he will be the last to contribute on this issue.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Report of my Committee is not strong enough. We are “calling upon Saudi Arabia,” yet we have a bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia under the Geneva Conventions. Our Committee visited Philippines - Sen. Fatuma can confirm - which has the best migrant policy in the world. They even have an association called “Filipino Workers Abroad” based on policy and law. I heard the Minister for Trade the other day announcing that Kenya is about to export two million workers to the Middle East without telling us how those workers live. The young girls who go there are routinely sexually abused. Some are killed and very little happens. I, therefore, urge that we should not just adopt this Report, but the Committee should bring to this House a Motion, so that we debate this Report extensively and formulate a position as the Senate - we represent counties where these workers come from - so that we pass it on to the Executive for implementation. We have so many third- rate labour contractors who are recruiting young girls and sending them to Saudi Arabia, on agreement that they will collect the first two months’ salary. Once they get there, the employers impound their passports and they are never allowed to go anywhere. We must stop this. It is good to export labour, but it must be done in an organized manner, just like it is done in Cuba, Philippines and other countries which are probably even lesser in terms of empowerment than we are. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I urge that you direct that this Report does not just get the “noting” and “commenting” by Members, but it moves on to a Motion, so that we can debate fully, adopt and turn it into national policy and legislation. Thank you.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Whereas I appreciate your wishes, please refer to Standing Order 227, which gives the modalities of handling a Petition. As it is now, we can only have it tabled. In the next 15 days the Clerk will have to forward it. I will not close the doors for anybody who wants to bring a Motion on the same, but discussion on the Petition is not allowed by the Standing Orders.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Following the debate that has been going on, my mind is provoked to the extent that maybe, in future, we should consider a provision where such a report is first tabled and then the 20 minutes given for discussion come at a later time when we have looked at the findings of the Committee and contents of the Report. This will enable us to make useful interventions.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Whereas I sympathize with you, please refer to Standing Order 248, which shows the modalities of changing the Standing Orders. Just look for 15 Members to support you and you will move to include whatever modalities you want on the Standing Orders. You are at liberty to do that and it will be very good for the next Parliament. Next Order! The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:- THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations on the assessment of the security situation in Mandera County, Laikipia County and Kapedo (border town of Turkana and Baringo counties) conducted between 19th January and 5th February, 2015 and laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday 29th July, 2015.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations regarding the issuance of the national identity cards. In the statement, the Chairperson should state:- 1. The policy regarding the issuance of the identity cards for Nairobi residents who hail from other regions in the country. 2. Whether he is aware of the profiling of one ethnic community, the Somalis, at the National Bureau headquarters and being branded as aliens. 3. The measures being taken to ensure that all new persons registered in the North Eastern region receive their identity cards within the shortest time possible to enable them register as voters in the ongoing exercise. Thank you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, before the Chair undertakes to respond, the profiling and discrimination of Kenyans in issuance of identity cards has been meted on Kenyans of Somali origin and those from border counties in general. In Western Kenya where we come from with Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Sen. Khaniri, Sen. Ndiema amongst others, one cannot get an identification card until there is production of a host of documents including a title deed, a letter from the area chief, an ID of one’s grandfather, ID of the father and if an applicant is a married woman, consent to get married and all manner of impediments that make it difficult to enjoy their rights. The Chairperson must tell the House whether they appreciate that an ID is not a document to identify oneself. It is everything because it is required when looking for a job, accessing shopping malls, transacting on M-pesa services and accessing social safety net funds. There are also the usual questions by the police and if one does not have an ID, he or she is classified as a rogue and vagabond. Can this be addressed so that the Somalis The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): When the Senate Minority Leader referred to the “Speaker’s”, he meant the Kuria community.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when the Chairperson will be working on this - there was a directive by the President in Mombasa a couple of months ago that Kenyans should be issued with identity cards wherever they are - the Chairperson should ascertain whether that directive has been put in writing and communicated to all the registration centres across the country.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, border communities find themselves at a challenging geographical location in this country. We have people in our county whose wives are from Uganda. In our culture, a husband’s home is a wife’s home. In our culture too, the wife’s tribe is the husband’s tribe. So, when women who are married in our area are asked to go back to Uganda to bring their parents’ identification documents, how do such documents of Ugandan citizens help to register Kenyans? There is a young man from Musoli Village in Ikolomani, Kakamega County whose wife is a Ugandan. He has been to registration offices for the last ten years but they have never registered the wife. The woman is our wife and she has given birth to our children. If my cousin dies, she will be inherited by us and if the wife dies, she will be buried in Kakamega. What is it that these registration officers want? It should be streamlined.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): I have given enough latitude to those riding on this. It is not normal practice to ride on another Member’s Statement request. You should be brief lest you test the Chair’s patience.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Actually, criminals are more entitled to be identified.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this problem is not isolated to border counties and north eastern areas as stated but even areas where some of us come from and particularly counties perceived not to be supporting the Jubillee Government. This is disenfranchising our people and this is the reason for the low voter registration in Vihiga County. It is the responsibility of the Government to issue identification documents and I am working on a Bill that will address the issue of IDs. There must be data from when the child is born and when one turns 18 years. The Government should be looking for them to issue the documents and not the other way round. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is a problem for Kenyans---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Kindly be explicit and say which intervention you want.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my intervention is that, I want to understand whether there is a policy for Kenyans residing anywhere in this country. For instance, Somalis living in Turkana are sent to North Eastern to get their ID cards. Is that fair? Unless there is a policy that requires, for example, Kikuyus or any other community to get back from Turkana to one’s respective region, we cannot discriminate. Can that be factored in the response?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is a unique constituency called the women of this nation. I am talking particularly about Nairobi region. We have spouses whose parents were born in Nairobi and these children were also born in Nairobi. Somehow, they do not have identity cards. Could the relevant Committee come up with ways of identifying how these residents can get identity cards? Does it mean these people will not be registered?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Are you seeking a Statement from the Chair? Kindly reframe your request because what you are giving her is a duty to perform which might not be easy. What do you want her to answer to this House?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want the Chairperson to include in her Statement how these particular constituencies suffering from this bracket can be assisted.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well, I close that.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know this is a very serious issue because it is a matter that affects the whole country. I request Sen. Hassan to give us about two weeks to respond to that. However, we could ride on an opportunity tomorrow morning when we will be meeting the Registrar of Persons in Continental House, 5th Floor at 7.00 a.m. Members who feel they want to ride on this are welcome and we shall respond to issues affecting various counties. I thank you.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well, that is an opportunity that should not be missed. Two weeks is adequate time and it is acceptable. Next Statement! PENDING BILLS BY COUNTY GOVERNMENTS

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise under Standing Order No.45 (2)(b) to seek a Ministerial Statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget. The Chairperson should:- (1) Table before the Senate pending bills of all the 47 counties as at the end of the Financial Year 2014/2015. (2) Explain how the county governments incurred the pending bills. (3) Inform the House when the respective governors will settle those pending bills. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Sen. Wetangula, do you want to ride on the Statement?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Chairman of the Committee, in responding to this, should take into account the fact that this is a matter that the Committee he chairs has been grappling with. You may recall that the former President of Kenya, President Kibaki - arguably the best president this country has ever had - decreed that no public procurement should be undertaken until and unless there is a budgetary provision to cover it. Indeed, it was during his time that he set up a committee to sort out pending bills in the country. Today, without exception, almost each and every of the 47 counties is choking with a pending bill of not less than Kshs2 billion.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): You will make this Chair very comfortable if you avoid debate and go to the clarification you want to seek.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, could the Chairman tell this House what the Senate, as the oversight House, will do to arrest the escalation of pending bills because at every county headquarters, contractors are picketing and demanding payment for services they have rendered to the counties?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is true that the issue of pending bills has become a major problem in many counties. It is a matter that has been raised by the Controller of Budget in her report.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! Could we have some order and decorum in the House? You can laugh silently if you are able to do that.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, because of the importance of this matter, my Committee will invite the Controller of Budget and the Council of Governors (CoG), if possible, to get appropriate answers on this vexing issues. I require at least two weeks from today to come with the response.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well, two weeks.

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

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Who do you want to inform?

The House.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well, inform the House.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I said that tomorrow’s meeting will be on the 5th Floor of Continental House. The meeting will be held in Continental House on 7th Floor and there will be breakfast. We shall meet the Registrar of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Whatever the Floor, you will be guided when you arrive at Continental House. Just note the time and it will be a breakfast meeting. Very well! Sen. Kanainza. COLLECTION OF LEVIES FROM BUSINESSES FOR PLAYING MUSIC

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No.45(2)(b), I rise to seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the collection of levies from businesses such as bars, kiosks, barber shops and public transport operators for playing music. In the Statement, the Chairperson should state:- (1) The role of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) as well as the Kenya Association of Music Producers and Performers Rights Society of Kenya (KAMPPRISK) with regard to collection of performance levies. (2) Who is entitled to collect the levies collected by the two bodies? (3) How much the owners of such businesses are required to pay for playing music in their premises? (4) Why the MCSK and the KAMPPRISK officials are always accompanied by uniformed police officers when collecting levies from the said businesses. (5) The steps being taken by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to set up regulations for remitting such levies by business owners who own radios and television sets for public entertainment in their premises. Thank you.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. I can see Sen. Obure wants to ride on the Statement.

Today, Sen. Khaniri and his gods are so excited. Why can you not tell the House what it is?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the Statement, the Chairman should also explain why that particular aspect of the law gives these societies powers that are demystified. There are far too many people who are being harassed in their houses, buses,

and everywhere. Could the Chairman explain if they will come up with a structure in which the operations of that law are understood by the general public?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Could you also explain to us whether these groups have powers to arrest immediately when they find you culpable?

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thank Sen. Kanainza for raising this issue. As the Chairman gives his response, I would like him to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Wetangula! Whereas you have a pertinent point, it has been wrongly executed.

Yes, Sen. Madzayo!

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I need about two weeks to respond to the statement.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): As you respond in two weeks, include what Sen. Omondi will say. Have a sit please.

Much obliged.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also request that as he answers, he puts into consideration if there is anybody who has been prosecuted since the Music Copyright laws started working on the issue of controlling music played in public places.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. Also, include what Sen. Ongoro wants to say.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, further to what has been said, when he is giving the answer, I just want to know if this revenue collected over the years has ever been injected back to the Ministry by way of supporting upcoming artists and developing the industry.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. I have no more requests for statements on my Table. ISSUANCE OF IDENTITY CARDS TO RESIDENTS OF NAIROBI WHO HAIL FROM OTHER REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY The Chairperson of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations, do you have the response to that statement?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think that was prosecuted.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Did you say it was prosecuted?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, yes, it was by Sen. Hassan. He was seeking a statement.

It is covered.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. That has been prosecuted. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have not received the report. I will try to bring it next week.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Which particular day next week? Could you be precise?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, next Wednesday.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I guess that we have no choice but to wait for Wednesday. However, the Senator stood here and gave an undertaking that the statement would come in two weeks which elapse today. So, I have no problem. We will wait for next Wednesday. Let us hope that she will make a follow up so that the statement is delivered.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. It is so ordered.

STATUS OF POSSESSION OF LAND TITLE DEEDS BY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN KENYA On Statement (c), where is the Chairperson of the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources?

Mr. Chairman, Sir, on behalf of the ---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! I am the Speaker today and I think my size so fits.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Land and Natural Resources, I wish to state that we received a letter from the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development requesting for a further two weeks until next week. The letter is dated 18th February, 2016.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, yes, I happen to be a Member of that Committee and I am privy to the letter that the Committee received. So, I oblige to next week.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): It is so, ordered. He said next two weeks, not next week.

He said next week.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Could you clarify, Sen. Obure?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, yes. The letter was written on 18th February, 2016. So, two weeks elapse next week. We will be ready with the response next Thursday.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): It is so ordered. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to give the statement requested by the Senator for Bungoma. The first question is what steps the governor of Central Bank ---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Well, it is normal practice that if you have to do that, you have to come to the Dispatch Box.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the first question is what steps the Governor of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Dr. Patrick Njoroge has taken to ensure that our notes and coins; our currencies, bear no portrait of an individual with compliance of the Constitution. Article 231(4) of the Constitution requires that notes and coins issued by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) may bear images ---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Munyes! The rules of this House are such that two Members cannot be on their feet. I think you are a seasoned politician and you know that.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 231(4) of the Constitution requires that notes and coins issued by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) may bear images that depict or symbolize Kenya or an aspect of Kenya but not the portrait of an individual.

Any individual. Not an individual.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Governor confirms that the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has embarked on a process of developing new currency as required by the Constitution. It will be appreciated that the process is very technical and complex and also involves public participation which the Governor confirms has already been undertaken. Further steps include preparation of the design and procurement of the currency in accordance with the law. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you could see from the body language of the Chairperson and the bemused manner in which he was making the statement that he does not believe in what he saying.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Wetangula! How do you know that?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is an observation.

The demeanor of an individual is an acceptable observation by any individual. In December, 2014, the distinguished Senator for Siaya raised a similar question in this House. The answer we were given is exactly the same one; work in progress, designs and so on. The consequential provisions of the Constitution and the process of implementation of the new Constitution gave a period of five years which is over. I have not in any way asked to determine the validity of the currency bearing an individual’s portrait in circulation today because the world over, such currency will be given a period to phase out as it goes on in the market. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, five years now and this is the sixth year down the line - you can see Constitutional Implementation Commission (CIC) has left - is there any The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): If you could strictly confine yourself to reaching---.

I am not dealing---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): I will not allow that because there are other Members who want to contribute.

One minute, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. There was a dictator in Equatorial Guinea who every evening---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): But it is me who was to give you the one minute. I have not given you the one minute.

Allow me, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Yes, that is a better request.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. When the national television was switched on, a cloud comes on the television then a man called Macias Nguema descends from the clouds and announces that “God’s gift to Equatorial Guinea”. That is a personality cult. Every time you pull out a bank note from your pocket and you see a head of an individual that is the personification of personality cults and we have to stop this because that is what the Constitution says. Is the Chairman satisfied that from December 2014 when a similar answer came here, and the answer that he has brought which is similar to that answer, anything has been done enough to change our currency and comply with the Constitution? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I end, may I congratulate my colleague from Nyeri---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): If I heard Sen. Wetangula right, he is asking whether are you trying to propagate personality cults in Kenya.

Yes Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. That is what I am asking and I congratulate the Nyeri Senator for arm-twisting the President to give them two dual carriageways at the expense of the rest of the country.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order Senator.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. One of the gravest violations a constitutional office holder can do is to violate provisions of a country’s Constitution. The Constitution was effected in 2010 and there was the transition period of five years which has elapsed. What the honourable Chairman is telling us is just excuse. This Government is fond of violating the Constitution in very many occasions. We have all seen this. If it was not for the tyranny of numbers, I think this Government should be home for this particular offense of violating the Constitution. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the provisions of Article 231 (4) of the Constitution is very clear. The Government is violating it. Can the Chairman give a firm undertaking The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Five years ago when my Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly was investigating a scandal involving printing of Kenya currency by De la Rue, we did extensive investigations and I want to reveal here that in the confidentiality of the investigations, the designs that the Chairman is talking about were given to me. If you were to ask me, I have seen the designs for Kshs100, Kshs500, Kshs1,000 and Kshs200,000. They are there and they are finished. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what is missing are two things. May be the Chairman could tell us whether that is the reason. First is that, the lucrative tender of printing currency is the reason why there is competition and people do not want to miss out on that lucrative tender. Could he clarify? Secondly, there is no goodwill on the part of one of the top leaders in the country because he and a group of people around him are priding in the fact that the photographs currently on the currency give them nostalgic moments when they look at it. Could he clarify if, indeed, these are not the reasons why our Constitution is being breached?

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. A provision of the supreme law of this land is being violated and has been violated for five years. Inspite of the fact that we have the Attorney-General who is the chief adviser of the President, we have institutions like the CIC and other institutions. This is a very serious matter. We have no reason taking anybody to court for minor offences when people who are violating the supreme law of the land are not taken to court. This is serious and we need a substantive answer to know why the President is continuing to lead with impunity and violating the supreme law of the land. It states clearly that no institution and no person is above the law.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I think the answer given to me is not satisfactory. First, we are told that the design is so scientific and technical that it takes five years to arrive at. I think there is nothing so technical in designing a currency. Public participation is something we have always done and it can be done within a week. Instead of apologizing for the delay, matters are being made worse when it is said that it was because of technical reasons. I think we should be given enough reasons and not the reason they have given us.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. You know the sort of the problems you have heard in printing of currency in this country. It is well known to those who have been in the Grand Coalition, because that is the time when there were a lot of intrigues regarding the whole idea of the De la Rue complex with regard to ownership and all that. I think no one knows better than the Senator who is seeking this answer. That is now water under the bridge. This Government has only raised two issues. One, there is no doubt that this is a very technical and complex matter because of the national security implications in trying to get all those kinds of things into place. I think Sen. Ndiema knows because he has worked in Identification Cards (ID) and he knows how long it takes to roll out a new generation ID because of the technical aspect, security features and the due diligence that has to go into it. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! Sen. Billow, be serious because I am tempted to believe what Sen. Wetangula first alleged that you do not believe in your own answer.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have answered the questions that have been raised and given a commitment to get a timeframe from the Governor of the Central Bank on when this can be effected. But I want to assure the Members that we do not have a cultist situation. I am sure that the Senator for Kakamega will be more than pleased to have his own portrait on any currency, in the likely event that he ends up in that office. I can assure the House that we will get a timeframe.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! The matters raised in this House on this issue are very important; strongly put and worded. As the Chair, I am not satisfied with the Chairman’s performance today on this answer, both in action and demeanor. I order that the Governor of the Central Bank is invited to address the whole House in a Kamukunji in a week’s time.

Most obliged, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

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

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Are you on the same issue, Sen. Wetangula? That ruling could not have been better. Just leave it as it is. Let us move to Statement No. (e). Sen. Ndiema, do you have the Statement?

Yes, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Move to the front Table. I am told that we should not call it a Dispatch Box, because that is the British system. STATUS OF TEA FARMERS’ MONEY HELD IN A KTDA FIXED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT AT IMPERIAL BANK

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, at the Senate sitting held on 10th February, 2016, Sen. Obure requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries regarding the status of tea The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): How long is your statement?

I am almost through.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Proceed then.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for Imperial Bank, it was Kshs2,926,365,091; Family Bank, Kshs3,905,389,153; and Chase Bank, Kshs4,475,289,153. The total is Kshs27,093,433,144. Deposit placement is done as and when funds become available from the trading teas and interest rates offered by the banks determines which bank gets the deposit based on competitive. It was unfortunate that Imperial Bank was put under receivership when preparations to pay final payments to farmers were in top gear. The Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) management services limited was able to release the farmers payment on 23rd October, 2015 and use money earmarked for other obligations to cover the deposit held at the Imperial Bank. Going forward, KTDA management services limited will spread further the deposits and although this may reduce the interest earnings, the risk may be reduced although it may not be entirely eliminated.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to thank the Chairman of the Committee for this effort. However, I want him to explain what would be the fate of this fixed deposit at the Imperial Bank after it was liquidated. Is the whole amount of Kshs2.9 billion farmers’ money lost? What options do the farmers have? Do they just give up or what plans does KTDA, together with the Government, have to salvage farmers from this huge potential loss?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Sen. Ndiema, just record the questions.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like the Chairman to tell the House whether it is possible for KTDA to pay farmers twice per year instead of this money lying around hence risking it in the banks as has been shown in Imperial Bank.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, apart from the Imperial Bank issue where Kshs2.9 billion is likely to be lost, we know banks are holding Kshs27 billion of farmers’ money at an interest rate of just 10 per cent per annum. It is earning Kshs2.7 billion for the banks per annum. Could the Chairman tell us whether the small-scale farmers have consented to their money being held and traded around in fixed The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Wetangula! You have already executed your question, which was very good and well put, do not spoil it.

Let me finish, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Could the Chairperson tell this House, and if he does not have the answer now he can seek for it and bring, whether there is any privity of contract? The term “privity” means parties have agreed and there is a relationship between the small-scale farmer in Nyangores and KTDA that they will hold his money and put in a fixed deposit?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to ask the Chairman whether the money he is alluding to has been deposited in such banks is owned by farmers all over the country. If it is so, could he give us a tabulation showing each county and the amount of money for each?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, under what authority did KTDA invest that money in Imperial Bank? Do they have an agreement or a memorandum of understanding? On whose authority are they investing such an amount of money? Who will pay the accrued interest of Kshs2.9 billion that Imperial Bank is under receivership?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we all know that small-scale farmers are an important pillar of this economy. When they have their monies withheld for such long periods, I am interested in knowing what informed the rationale of holding these huge amounts for such long periods rather than injecting it back into a system that facilitates the farmers to grow. Were they part of the decision? What informed this rationale and how is it helping the agricultural and farming sector in this country?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, some of the information sought was not in the initial request and I may not be having answers. Therefore, I will ask for indulgence so that I can go back to get more information. The first issue is about what will happen to the money in Imperial Bank that is already under receivership. It is now Central Bank of Kenya that is handling it and we do not know whether they will recover the money when they have done what they ought to do.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Sen. Ndiema, you have confessed that there are questions whose answers you do not have. Instead of turning to the Plenary to try and help you to answer, why can you not agree with the first observation and seek for more time? I will gladly grant you.

I will be able to do this in two weeks time.

It is okay, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Where is the Chairman, Standing Committee on Health? Sen. (Prof.) Lesan, do you have any information on this?

I do not have information. My Chairman was here a few minutes ago.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well, tell the Chairman or the Vice Chairman that this is very important and very urgent and a response should be given to the House as soon as possible. We also have Kenyan citizens going to that country very soon. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I seek your indulgence. I was informed that the statement is ready, but the Cabinet Secretary was not there to sign it. I request to issue it latest on Tuesday, next week. If it will be ready tomorrow, we will issue it.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): I concur with you. In your own words, you have said it will be issued “latest Tuesday, next week.” Let it be so. What is it, Sen. Karaba?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Chairperson has stated that if is ready by today, it will be issued tomorrow. It is very important that it is read as soon as possible.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Karaba! You were a teacher and you heard exactly what I said. I said lastest Tuesday; that includes today or tomorrow.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let it be tomorrow.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Karaba! I will not give the order the way you want it. I maintain that it should be latest Tuesday. However, if it will be ready tomorrow, she can issue it.

Looking at the Order Paper, Order Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 require that the House has at least 24 Members. I am informed that we are less than that threshold.

Sen. Obure, kindly point this way because we need you to fill our numbers. I order that the Division Bell be rang for two minutes. I also urge the Whips to do their work.

In the meantime, let the next Order be read. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): We do not have the requisite numbers to Vote. The Division Bell is being rung.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! Can I have a report from the Whips? What is the position of the House? I am waiting for the report from the Whips. Can the Whips move forward, please? Continue ringing the Division Bell for another five minutes.

Whips, please, confirm the position. You can stop ringing the Division Bell now; we have the quorum.

Order! The House is in Session. We are on Order No. 8; Motion. I will read out the terms of the Motion before I put the question. Information and Technology (IT) experts, are you ready or we do it manually? Why are we not getting the display? I am seeing it on my computer, but there is no display on the main screen. Can you kindly display it? It is not working. Reset it and inform us accordingly. Very well. We can now start voting. Are we ready for the special voting? We do not talk of assisted voters here, but voting by special method. Kindly, move forward and vote? Do you want me to use the terminology“assisted voters”?

No. Special voters! The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): If the secretariat is ready, I do not have to announce the results now. I can do so later. We move on to Order No.9 on the Order Paper.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): As we prepare to vote, I will announce the results of Order Nos.9, 10 and 11 together at the end.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

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

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): What is it? Remember, if you look at your Standing Orders properly, no points of order are allowed during voting. So, have a sit!

What is it, Sen. Wetangula?

Could you put your microphone on?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for purposes of the HANSARD, we are doing something procedurally incorrect. After announcing the results of every Bill, the Clerk-at-the Table ought to have stood to read out what she is reading. The HANSARD will now record that she is reading pertaining to all Bills at the end and the flow of the HANSARD will be distorted. We need to follow the proper procedure.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order! It is a true procedural concern. I rule that the HANSARD reports as appropriate.

What does that mean?

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Although she is reading that at the end of the four votings, I rule that each is divided to --- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, but the HANSARD is a verbatim report. It cannot be ---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Very well. I note the discrepancy. I am concerned about it. It will not be repeated.

No. Let us just repeat the process---

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Irrespective of the matters raised, surely, the Temporary Speaker and Sen. Wetangula cannot carry on a conversation as if he is your equal.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Sen. Kagwe is very much in order. With that, Sen. Wetangula should desist from making the direct conversation with the Chair without going through the normal process. However, with a rider, Sen. Wetangula has brought to the attention of the House on a very important procedural issue. I will, therefore, repeat.

Yes!

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): If you noticed, I was sitting every time I announced the results. I did my part as your Speaker. Again, we cannot discuss the secretariat in the House.

No. We cannot do that.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): For the purposes of correction, let us repeat the process.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Hon. Members, as we proceed, all the other Committees of the Whole – Orders No.12, 13 and 14 – we had actually reached a decision. So, none of us should think that we will take too long. I beseech you to stay put and we finish them. They have been on the Order Paper for too long. Next Order!

Let me say that even when a madman speaks, it may be ---

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Order, Sen. Wetangula! When I am on my feet, you know it is so good and so sweet to tower over your boss. For now, I am the boss.

Power is sweet.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Power is sweet.

Oh, yes!

You did not bend on this side.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): I did.

You bent on that side and bowed on this side.

(Sen. (Dr.) Machage): Draw the bars. I did not say that. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Order, Senators! We will still vote on this.

May I beseech colleagues that these Committee of the Whole will necessitate voting. I plead with you, please, let us sit here and finish. I can see some Members leaving with their iPads and, probably, going away. Let us take matters seriously.

Order, Senators! Let me remind the House that we had done all the amendments and we are going straight to Division. So, Senators should not leave. Can the Division Bell be rung for two minutes?

Hon. Senators, we are to go straight to Division because we already considered all the clauses on the Public Appointments (County Assembly Approval) Bill (Senate Bill No.20 of 2014). We will have Division on four clauses.

Sen. Abdirahman, Wajir County; Sen. Adan, Isiolo County; Sen. Billow, Mandera County; Sen. Chelule, Nakuru County; Sen. Chiaba, Lamu County; Sen. Elachi, Nairobi County; Sen. Hargura, Marsabit County; Sen. Kagwe, Nyeri County; Sen. Karaba, Kirinyaga County; Sen. Kembi-Gitura, Murang’a County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Khaniri, Vihiga County; Sen. (Prof.) Lesan, Bomet County; Sen. Lesuuda, Samburu County; Sen. (Dr.) Machage, Migori County; Sen. (Eng.)Muriuki, Nyandarua County; Sen. Murkomen, Elgeyo-Marakwet County; Sen. Musila, Kitui County; Sen. Muthama, Machakos County; Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., Makueni County; Sen. Ndiema, Trans-Nzoia County; Sen. Ong’era, Kisii County; Sen. Orengo, Siaya County; Sen. Wamatangi, Kiambu County and Sen. Wetangula, Bungoma County.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows;

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows;

Nil

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows;

Hon. Senators, the results are as follows.

Hon. Senators, the results are as follows.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows:-

We are now reporting the Bills one by one. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Thank you Madam Temporary Chairperson. On behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee, I beg to move that the Committee reports to the Senate its consideration of The Public Appointments (County Assembly Approval Bill), Senate Bill No. 20 of 2014 and its approval thereof with amendments.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee reports to the Senate its considerations of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Amendment Bill (Senate Bill No. 4 of 2015) and its approval thereof with amendments.

I now call upon the Mover, Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee reports to the Senate its consideration of the County Industrial Development Bill (Senate Bill No.7 of 2014) and its approval, thereof, with amendments.

We will now move to reports and we will be done. The Bars can be opened now.

Order Members! Why are you standing yet I bowed long time ago before I sat?

The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

We are on The Public Appointments (County Assembly Approval) Bill (Senate Bill No. 20 of 2014).

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered The Public Appointments (County Assembly Approval) Bill (Senate Bill No. 20 of 2014) and its approval, thereof, with amendments.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report.

seconded.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Public Appointments (County Assembly Approval) Bill (Senate Bill No. 20 of 2014) be now read a Third Time.

seconded.

This is not a “noise” vote and we have to go to Division. That is the reason we asked Senators to remain in the House so that we vote, so that the work you have done now is not in futility.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the putting of the Question be postponed to another day in accordance with Standing Order No.54(3).

Could you do it according to Standing Orders?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am still looking for the appropriate words. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

You should state that it be deferred to the following day.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the putting of the question be deferred to tomorrow.

Very well. It is so ordered.

Next Order! THE HIV AND AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL (SENATE BILL NO. 4 OF 2015)

We are now on reporting on The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No.4 of 2015).

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Whole has considered The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No.4 of 2015) and its approval, thereof, with amendments.

The Mover of the Bill, Sen. (Dr.) Machage.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report.

seconded.

The Mover.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No.4 of 2015) be now read a Third Time.

We do not have the threshold.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand under Standing Order No.54(3) to request that putting of the question be deferred to the following day.

It is so ordered.

Now, let us move to the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the County Industrial Development Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2014). The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that a Committee of the Whole has considered The County Industrial Development Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2014) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee of Whole on the said report.

Who is seconding you?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Sen. Kagwe.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the Bill. In doing so, I wish to congratulate the Mover of the Bill, Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki. We, indeed, sat on this Bill in the relevant Committee. It is a very important Bill that we have passed today. In my County of Nyeri, this Bill will have an impact because we are relying on value addition on our agricultural products to develop industries. Of particular importance is value addition in agricultural products particularly coffee, tea and milk as well as horticultural exports to create industries. In the past, we have been exporting our jobs to Europe. This is because when we export in gunny bags and the packaging of that coffee is done in Europe by Europeans. That is why you hear of countries in Europe that are supposedly big coffee exporters when we know very well that there is no coffee that is grown in Europe. Therefore, the only way that we will create jobs for our people in agricultural areas is by value addition on those agricultural products. A very good example of the impact that value addition can have is the Mukurwe- ini Wakulima Dairy Ltd in Mukurweini Constituency. Through the efforts of the former Member of Parliament, Hon. Muhika Mutahi, the organisation has moved from a milk collection company to a processing company that now has a brand called Royal Milk. Through that effort, approximately 300 families are now benefitting with many young people in Mukurwe-ini working in the factories. These people will not need to come to Nairobi or travel to other urban areas to look for jobs because they have jobs right there. I once again reiterate that this is a very important Bill and we should congratulate the Mover for bringing it. I hope that impact will be felt even in Nyandarua County because of their value addition in potatoes and so on. Therefore, I have no hesitation whatsoever in seconding this Bill. I beg to second.

Sen. Karaba, do you want to contribute to the Bill?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a Bill ---

Order, Sen. Karaba!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to contribute towards this very important Bill. It is important in the sense that we are already implementing devolution in our counties and we are getting it well done. With all these, it will be very difficult for the counties to realise their industrial dream which can only be The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Order Sen. Karaba. You are taking advantage of the fact that I am sitting at the Chair. Are you not?

I am contributing to the industrial development of Mt. Kenya region. Thank you and I support.

Order Senators. Let me just make a clarification, that when I proposed the question, it was to propose the question:- THAT The County Industrial Development Bill (Senate Bill No. 7 of 2014) be read a third time. That is the way I should have proposed it. I apologize for that oversight because it has been a long afternoon for all of us.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand corrected but I thought we had not reached there because we were agreeing with the report, then we would vote on that and then I would move that it be read a third time.

Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki, I thought what you are saying is correct but the Clerks-at-the-Table advised me that we had moved to where I said we are now. Did we do the “as many as of that opinion?”

No, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. We have skipped “to agree with the report”.

That is what I thought. I think it is the Clerk who misled me on that point but never mind. My view is that we were at the point where I was putting the question on the agreement to report. So, hon. Senators, let us get this correct and correct the HANSARD completely so that we are not wrong on this one. The question I had proposed and put which has been debated was that:- “The House do agree with the Committee on the said report”. Am I right?

Yes Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

That is what I thought.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move:- The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

seconded.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to request that putting of the question be deffered until another day. Thank you.

So ordered.

Next Order!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:- THAT, the Senate adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the National Drought Management Authority Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 42 of 2013), laid on the table of the House on Thursday, 3rd December, 2015. This is a simple Motion. This Bill has gone through a long process. It originated from the National Assembly, was brought to the Senate for the first time in 2014 and has been pending. It is a Bill that seeks to establish an authority to deal with drought. We had amendments and according to Article 113 of the Constitution, the two Houses constituted a Mediation Committee whose membership was ten. The Members were: Hon. Joyce Emanika, Hon. (Dr.) Otichilo, Hon. Chachu Ganya, who is the Mover of the Bill, Hon. Juma Zulekha, Hon. Elmi Mohammed Ibrahim, Sen. Fatuma Dullo, Sen. (Prof.) John Lonyangapuo, Sen. Martha Wangari, Sen. Abdirahman Hassan and Sen. Danson Mwazo Mwakulegwa. It was an interesting Mediation Committee because we only met once and agreed on all the contentious issues. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second.

(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me a chance to support this Report and thank the Members of both Houses; the National Assembly and the Senate who sat in this Mediation Committee. It is gratifying to note that the culture of mediating differences of legislative opinion, as anticipated in the Constitution, is taking root. When we started in 2013, it was not easy, but now it is common that either the two Houses will concur or where they do not concur, the Mediation Committee has worked harmoniously to resolve outstanding issues and table a report, which is adopted unanimously in most cases by both Houses. I want to commend colleagues who sat in this Committee for finding consensus. This Bill is extremely important and urgent for Kenya. It is expected that the passage of this law will unlock many of opportunities for this country. I support and thank those who made this consensus possible.

This is a matter that obviously affects counties because it was on the consideration of the Bill. Therefore, let Sen. Wangari reply before we proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank all the Members who made this possible and echo the words of the Senate Majority Leader in terms of building consensus. We should strive to see mediation as a good process because it enriches the Bills and makes it better. I hope that we will be more open-minded as we deal with other Bills. I beg to reply and request that under Standing Orders No.54(3), that the Question be put to tomorrow.

The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Next order. ADOPTION OF REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON COUNTY HEADQUARTERS

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move:- THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Ad-Hoc Select Committee on County Headquarters laid on the Table of the House of the Senate on Thursday, 3rd December, 2015. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, many of the problems counties are facing on headquarters were discussed during the formation of this Committee. Therefore, I will not go into that. It will suffice to say that the Committee was formed and we looked into the headquarters of all the 47 counties. We talked to the stakeholders and visited many of them. We also talked with Government agencies like the Ministry of Works, Transition Authority (TA), Committee on Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and many others. We eventually came up with a report. The gist of it was that we recommended 11 counties to be supported. We classified all the counties. We have Class A which need a lot of support, Class B, which needed little support and Class C who did not have a problem. We also classified Class AA which really needed support immediately which included Nyandarua, Isiolo, Tharaka-Nithi, Lamu and Tana River counties. We recommended that they be given conditional grant of Kshs800 million. I am glad to mention that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), who were among the big public bodies we consulted, bought into our draft report and have factored in the Kshs800million per each of those counties. It is, therefore, very important for this report to be approved by the House because the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Treasury has agreed in principle to support it. The Government had seen the need to support some of the counties and set aside a huge amount of money for that purpose. However, the CIC headed by Mr. Nyachae said that it was unconstitutional and that is why it was not implemented. We now hope that we can move forward. I beg to move and ask Sen. (Prof.) Kinidki to second.

(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second this Motion and thank Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki and the team that did a wonderful job. There are some counties that have no infrastructure at all but we also know that many counties, if not all, would require some form of support to improve the infrastructure at the county headquarters. So, the good thing that the report of this Committee has done is to categorize the needs so that progressively, each county, hopefully in the long term can be assisted. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is important to note the five most needy counties, namely; Tharaka-Nithi, Nyandarua, Tana River, Lamu and Isiolo; there is consensus even among other Government agencies like the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and even the National Treasury that these ones require urgent attention. We hope that through this budget, now that the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) will be tabled next week, both Houses will agree that these counties receive Kshs800 million each so that The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Hon. Senators, there is no request for the Floor. So, Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki, can I put the question?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I only wish to reply to the hon. Senator who seconded. It is important for the House to adopt this Report, more so because we are now talking about five counties, there are other six which are in the second category and it has been agreed that they should be supported next time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to request that you defer putting of the question to another day pursuant to Standing Order No. 54(3).

It is so ordered.

Hon. Senators, we can move on to the next Order which is The Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 13 of 2015) by Sen. Omondi. She will have one minute to contribute before adjournment time. Next Order.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move The Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 13 of 2015). The principal object of the Bill is to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act, No.14 of 2013, with a view to provide for the obligations of the national and county government in ensuring the wellbeing of persons with disabilities. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Article 54(1) of the Constitution provides for the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to access social amenities and the right to be treated with dignity and respect. The two levels of government have an obligation to ensure that persons with disabilities are protected and the requirements of Article 54(1) of the Constitution are met. Currently, matters relating to persons with disabilities are dealt with by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) established under Section 4 of Persons with Disabilities Act. However, there are no structures at the county level to ensure the well-being of persons with disabilities. This Bill, therefore, seeks to amend the Act to provide a legal framework for dealing with matters affecting persons The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes

Order, Senator. Sen. Omondi, when we resume debate on the Bill, you will have 58 minutes to move it.

Hon. Senators, it is now 6.30 p.m., time to adjourn the Senate. The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 25th February, 2016, 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