Clerk, do we have quorum?
Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.
Clerk, we now have quorum, call out the first Order.
Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery this afternoon of a visiting delegation of the counsel members from the African Colloquium of Legal Counsel to Parliament. The delegation is attending the third meeting of the counsel of African Colloquium. The African Colloquium is an organisation that brings together legal counsel serving in Parliament in Africa both in national and subnational levels.
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The objectives of the colloquium are to provide a forum principally for interaction and interlinkage between legal counsel serving the parliaments of Legal Services and the capacity building. The Parliament of Kenya holds the secretariat of the Africa Colloquium of Legal Counsel to Parliaments with the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, CBS, being the patron to the colloquium and Director of Legal Services of the Senate, Dr. Johnson Okelo, OGW, being the Secretary General of the Council. Hon. Senators, I request each Member of the delegation to stand when called out so that you may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition. (1) Ms. Sena Atsu - President of the Colloquium and Council in the Parliament of Ghana. (2) Mr. Asaph Ntanda – Vice-President of the Colloquium Council in the Parliament of Uganda. (3) Mr. Hamad Fares - Director, Litigation and Legal Counsel, Parliament of Libya. (4) Mr. Tangella Sam - Deputy Director, office of Law Clerk, Parliament of Sierra Leone. (5) Mr. Jella Sam – Deputy Director Office of Law Clerk, Parliament of Sierra Leone. (5) Ms. Thosko Gumedze – Legislative Drafter, Parliament of Eswatini. (6) Dr. Abdulkadir Hashim -Translator. Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to the delegation and on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit. Thank you. I am trying to get a legal counsel who is not Sen. Sifuna. Sen. Sifuna, I can see you have no competition in matters of law. Where is Sen. Dullo?
Okay, fine, take one minute to welcome the visitors.
Sorry, we apologise for that hitch in the system. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to welcome my colleagues in law of the Colloquium of Legal Counsel in parliaments across the continent. I have heard of a brother from Uganda; our neighbour, Libya, Sierra Leone and Ghana and as you know, I am the Senate's permanent representative to the Parliament of Eswatini. So, I want to take this opportunity---
I say that because you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, took me along for the meeting of various parliaments and their leaderships in Eswatini. That is where I was given that
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honorary title. I challenge anybody challenging me in that position to rise up and stake their claim. Welcome to Kenya. I am sure you followed the debates about what has happened in the African Union (AU). We thank your countries for the support that you accorded Kenya in that election. We hope that we can make our relationships as African brothers and sisters even closer. I am the Senator for Nairobi City County, the city that we are in now. Feel free to also enjoy and sample the hospitality of Nairobi, which I can assure you, is quite as nice as the other capital cities. Kampala is not too bad, but I am sure, Nairobi has a few things that might surprise you, my brother. You are welcome and God bless you. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator, representing the Capital City of Nairobi.
Asante, Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kwanza kabisa, nachukua fursa hii kuwakaribisha wanafunzi wanaosomea matibabu na mhadhiri wao. Jambo la kwanza, nachukua fursa hii kumshukuru Naibu Spika wetu kwa sababu aliona manufaa ya kuanzisha masomo ya matibabu na akaanzisha chuo hiki. Ni vizuri wameweza kutembea hapa siku ya leo ili waweze kuona vile majadiliano yanafanywa katika Seneti. Nawakaribisha nikiwaambia kwamba mambo ya matibabu ni mambo ambayo yamepewa kipaombele katika Jamhuri ya Kenya. Hii ni kwa sababu bila matibabu, itakuwa ni kazi bure.
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Ningependa kuwaambia kwamba, mtie masomo mbele na muendelee na hii kazi nzuri ambayo mnafanya. Hata ingawa mnasomea matibabu, nawajulisha kwamba mnaweza kuwa viongozi kama wale walio hapa. Kama vile Naibu Spika alifanya, alitaka muwe na maono na mawazo mazuri ya kuwatibu Wakenya wote. Nawatakia mema mkiwa hapa mkiona vile mjadala unaendelea katika Seneti hii. Mkirudi nyumbani, Meru, mseme hata sisi hapa tunamuenzi na kumpenda Naibu Spika wetu. Museme pia hata sisi tumempatia mamlaka hapa na mkirudi huko mmuombee na mmpe chochote anachotaka. Asanteni sana.
Thank you, Sen. Kinyua. Sen. Okiya Omtatah, resume your seat, I want to address you.
Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make on substantiation of facts that a Senator alleges to be true, and this is Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Hon. Senators, as you may recall, at the afternoon sitting of the Senate held yesterday, Wednesday, 19th February, 2025, the Temporary Speaker, Sen. Veronica Maina, directed Sen. Okoiti Andrew Omtatah to substantiate utterances made in the course of debate, following interventions pursuant to Standing Order No.105(1). In the course of the debate by Sen. Omtatah, Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, rose on a point of order, requesting for the intervention of the Speaker, for Sen. Omtatah to substantiate the claim that- “That is why the Janjaweed can be given an office in Nairobi at the whims of an individual and claim that the people of Kenya have welcomed the Janjaweed to come and run its genocidal government from Nairobi”. In the point of order, Sen. Osotsi MP, said- “I think it is important for us to be told more about this Janjaweed. I, as a representative of the people, would like to know more about that. Have they opened an office in Kenya?” The point of order by Sen. Osotsi, MP, was supported by Sen. Eddy Oketch MP, who also sought intervention of the Chair for Sen. Omtatah MP, to substantiate the allegation, and give clarity on whether the Janjaweed Militia had established an office in Kenya. Hon. Senators, Standing Order No. 105 provides- “(1) A Senator shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts that the Senator alleges to be true, and may be required to substantiate any such facts instantly. (2) If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate the allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such a Senator substantiates the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order No.
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121 on disorderly conduct unless the Senator withdraws the allegations and gives a suitable apology, if the Speaker so requires”. Sen. Omtatah, was not able to substantiate his statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 105(1) and subsequently walked out of the Chamber. His exit from the Chamber denied him an opportunity to make a request pursuant to Standing Order No. 105(2). Subsequently, the Temporary Speaker then directed that Sen. Omtatah, although he had exited the Chamber, was required to table evidence as raised in the point of order by Sen. Osotsi and as supported by Sen. Oketch Gicheru. Hon. Senators, pursuant to the directions above, I now invite Sen. Okoiti Andrew Omtatah to forthwith substantiate his claims, failure to which, the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order No. 121. In the absence of such substantiation, the Senator will be required to withdraw the statements and apologize to the Senate. Thank you. Sen. Okoiti Omtatah, proceed.
Thank you for the opportunity to address the House. It is the mark of ultimate shame that from the Chair, you can pronounce a record that is not correct. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale and Sen. Cherarkey contributed and you have not mentioned them. You are giving us a sanitised version of events. It is not that I failed to substantiate, but the House was unable to keep up with what I was saying. I gave a Universal Resource Locator (URL) to the information I had given. We have been given these iPads and we also have screens in this House. The taxpayer has invested a lot of money; substantiation does not have to be by paper. Once I give a URL, it is up to the individual Senators and the clerks-at-the-Table to access the information that I have referred to through the URL. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is shameful that you can stand there and read a sanitised version of events. Very many Senators contributed to that Motion and unless you give a correct record of what happened, I am not going to be invited into that murky bubble in which you want this House to exist. I will not. I was not disorderly; I did substantiate. I am not responsible for the incapacity of anyone to access the internet. The taxpayer cannot invest a lot of money to give us gadgets in this House yet we are unable to use them. If they do not give us, we complain we do not have them and when we are given, we cannot use them. So, what are we dealing with? Let us shape up, wake up and govern this country.
Have you substantiated?
Can you get the correct record?
That is the opportunity you have now.
I am not taking the opportunity to mess up my record. Give us a proper record of the HANSARD. I gave a URL and I have not seen you refer to the URL. You can even go to YouTube to see what I said.
What is a URL?
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The URL is a Universal Resource Locator. It is supposed to be in the HANSARD record. Thank you.
Sen. Okiya Omtatah, you have used very strange language towards the Chair.
I have gone to school.
I request that you substantiate that matter.
By doing what?
Can you sit down?
Do you know what you said to the Chair? What have you just said? You know the Chair does not stand in vain. I stood to make a communication to the Senate. This communication is official, right? You are now asking me if it is shameful for the Chair to stand. What do you want me to do? This is the tradition. The Chair can only make a communication while standing. I have no option of sitting when making communication. I should stand up and make the communication. Can you, first of all, withdraw that?
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Just a minute.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I think we should conduct proceedings in this House in mother tongue.
What are you saying, Sen. Omtatah?
I am just saying that you are misunderstanding me.
I will throw you out of this House. You have no privilege to do whatever you want, Sen. Okiya Omtatah. You must respect the Chair. I am telling you, you have to. You have no option.
Yes, Sen. Sifuna.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with great respect, I think that we can guide each other here. On previous occasions where somebody has doubted the record that has been read out by the Speaker, our Standing Orders require that the entire HANSARD be produced.
If in the event the Senator argues that he provided material, the URL that he is referring to, I was not in the House. So perhaps---
You know, Sen. Sifuna, I did not even come to determine what to do. I was raising the issue of disrespect to the Chair. That is what I raised.
Very well.
I am here also to safeguard the respect and dignity of the House.
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Very well, understood.
I have not come to determine what we should do with this.
Very well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Very well understood.
You can see he is not even remorseful. I do not know. You are my friend, you know. However, you are not remorseful.
( Sen. Okiya Omtatah stood at his place)
I have not given you that opportunity. I want to listen to Sen. Wambua.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think we can do well by just bringing down our temperatures in the House. We have visitors. With all due respect, and just to regain the dignity of the House, I humbly request that you continue with the business that is before you.
I thank you.
Let me take some time to check on something here on this URL that you provided. I will give some guidance.
Next Order.
Proceed, Senate Majority Leader.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025-
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Revenue Fund - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Receiver of Revenue - Revenue Statements - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Revenue Board – County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Laikipia Car Loan and Mortgage (Members) Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Education Bursary Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Emergency Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County State and Public Officers Car Loan and Mortgage Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Laikipia Car Loan and Mortgage (Staff) Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Development Authority for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Co- operative Development Revolving Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Enterprise Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Leasing Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Laikipia County Business Stimulus Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Rumuruti Municipality - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nanyuki Municipality - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Doldol Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Rumuruti Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County government of Laikipia for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nyahururu Water and Sanitation Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nanyuki Water and Sanitation Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Laikipia County Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme for the year ended 30th June, 2023.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Laikipia County Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Revenue Fund – County Government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the Receiver of Revenue - Revenue Statements - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Executive Car Loan and Mortgage Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Assembly Car Loan and Mortgage Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Municipality of Rongo - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Municipality of Awendo - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Ward Development Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Climate Change Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Referral Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Oyani Sub-County Hospital - County Government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Rongo Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Awendo Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Nyamaraga Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Kegonga Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Kehancha Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Macalder Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Muhuru Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Isebania Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Othoro Sub-County Level 4 Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Uriri Sub-County Hospital - County government of Migori for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Migori County Water and Sanitation Company Limited for the year ended 30th June, 2024.
The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate.
There is another Paper to be laid by Sen. Hamida Kibwana, MP. Has anybody been given that assignment to do?
Sen. Oketch?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Hamida Kibwana, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025-
Report of the Senate Delegation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024 on Sustainable Development in New York, United States of America, from 8th to 17th July 2024.
Thank you.
Next Order.
There is a Notice of Motion to be given by the Chair. Someone can read it for me.
Sen. (Dr.) Boni Khalwale, give Notice of that Motion.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to give Notice of your Motion, the Motion being reports of the 63rd and 64th sessions of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly and the 43rd and 1st sessions of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings held in Brussels, Belgium and Luanda, Angola respectively. THAT, the Senate notes the Reports of- (i) 63rd Session of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly and the 43rd Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific -European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings held in Brussels, Belgium from 19th to 28th June, 2023. (ii) 64th Session of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly and the 1st Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific -European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings in held in
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Luanda, Angola from 17th to 21st February, 2024. Laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 6th December, 2023 and Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024 respectively. Thank you.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the 9th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 15th to 17th September, 2023 laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 5th March, 2024.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. On behalf of Sen. Ali Roba, I beg to give Notice for the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the report of the 14th Ordinary Session of the Plenary Assembly and Related Meetings of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference of the Great Lakes region, held in Livingstone, Zambia, from 15th to 19th April, 2024 laid on the Table of the Senate on Thursday, 30th May, 2024.
Thank you once again, Mr. Deputy Sir. This is a Notice of Motion on the Report of the Senate delegation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024 on sustainable development. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Hamida Kibwana, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Senate Delegation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024 on sustainable development, held in New York, United States of America (USA) from 8th to 17th July, 2024, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025.
However, you have laid that Paper today not Wednesday. Today is Thursday. It should be: Laid on the Table of the House today, 20th February, 2025. I think there is an error in that Notice.
My apology. May it be on record that it was laid today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025.
Very well. There is another Notice of Motion by Sen. Veronica Maina and another one by Sen. M. Kajwang’. Sen. Eddy Oketch, you can do both.
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Thank you, Mr. Deputy Sir. This is a Notice of Motion on the report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 2024 Joint United Nations - Inter- Parliamentary Union Parliamentary hearing held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States of America from 8th to 9th February, 2024. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Veronica Maina, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 2024 Joint United Nations - Inter-Parliamentary Union Parliamentary Hearing held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States of America from 8th to 9th February, 2024 laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 17th September, 2024.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of Sen. Moses Kajwang’, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion- THAT, the Senate notes the Report of the Proceedings of the Parliamentarians’ Dialogue at the Africa Climate Summit, 2023 held in the National Assembly Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, on 3rd - 6th September, 2023, laid on the Table of the Senate on Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024. Thank you.
Next Order. Statements pursuant to Standing Order 52 (1). Proceed, Sen. Fatuma Dullo.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52(1) to make a Statement on a matter of countywide concern namely, the troubling events that transpired during H.E the President’s recent visit to Isiolo County on Thursday, 6th February, 2025 and the broader deterioration of governance and security in the county.
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The chaos and disorder witnessed during the Presidential visit were not merely spontaneous occurrences, but rather the culmination of systemic failures in security governance and administration exacerbated by deliberate action of certain county officials. These issues demand immediate national attention. First, I must address the glaring security lapses that characterized the visit. The security administration demonstrated inexcusable negligence in maintaining order despite clear intelligence warnings of impending chaos. Their failure to act on available intelligence and implement proper crowd control measures raises serious questions about their competence and impartiality. The preparation for the Presidential visit by the county leadership and administration was shrouded in unprecedented secrecy deliberately orchestrated to exclude legimate stakeholder’s participation. The Governor of Isiolo in a calculated move to maintain absolute control micromanaged every aspect of the Presidential schedule and programming. This turned what should have been an inclusive engagement into his political platform. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, local leaders were kept in the dark about programme details until the last minute. Even more disturbing was the top county security administration's denials of knowledge about the planned engagement despite clear evidence of behind-the-scenes coordination with the governor. The obstruction denied local leadership and community representatives their right to engage the President on pressing security and governance concerns that demand national government intervention. There is documented evidence, including a leaked video, showing top county political leadership actively mobilizing individuals to cause disruptions. In Garbatula, the governor openly threatened to mobilize 5,000 people and promised that he would turn brimstone fire against leaders opposing him. These threats materialized during the President’s visit, where several leaders, including myself, faced orchestrated heckling. Even the President himself was not spared from this organized disorder. What is particularly disturbing is the blatant selective application of justice following the event. Non-individuals with documented ties to the county leadership continue to roam freely despite their clear role in orchestrating the disruptions. These individuals operate under the protection of the governor's office and remain untouchable by security agencies. Meanwhile, innocent youths, including boda boda operators, have been arbitrarily arrested and charged with flimsy accusations of public disorder. This targeted harassment of innocent citizens while the real perpetrators enjoy impunity exemplifies the extent to which our local justice system has been compromised. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the county political figures who enjoy state security protection have abused these privileges by deploying security officers to harass, intimidate and bully Isiolo residents who oppose their leadership instead of protecting all citizens. Equally, these officers have been turned into instruments of political suppression, silencing dissenting voices through arbitrary arrest, threats and coercion. This blatant
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abuse of power has created an environment of fear where citizens are hesitant to exercise their democratic rights further deepening the governance crisis in Isiolo County. The Isiolo County leadership has also orchestrated an artificial show of public support through a coordinated deception campaign in individuals, both elderly and youth, who are on the county payroll and are routinely paraded before the media to issue scripted press statements. This same tactic was used during the Senate Committee Oversight visit to Isiolo County. These orchestrated press conferences follow a predictable pattern where legitimate concerns about governance are raised, and these individuals deflect blame from the governor and attempt to delegitimize genuine grievances. Their purpose is not to address substantive issues, but to attack those who speak truth to power and create a false narrative about the real situation in Isiolo. This manipulation of public perception through financial inducements and staged endorsement is nothing short of political deception aimed at evading accountability. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, beyond political intimidation, Isiolo County faces systemic security failures that endanger lives and livelihoods. Cattle rustling, a life-and- death issue for our pastoralist communities has been grossly mismanaged. Security officers demand bribes from victims before conducting operations, exposing entrenched corruption within the security apparatus. Even more alarming, while these security officers delay responding to cattle raids, they quickly protect Jeshi ya Lami, a local urban gang that terrorizes residents opposing the county leadership. This selective deployment of security resources shows that law enforcement has been compromised and is being used against the people rather than for them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Isiolo County is also witnessing an alarming rise in drug trafficking, with narcotics being sold openly in broad daylight. This is not just a small- scale substance abuse, but an organized and well-protected operation. Credible reports are linking certain political figures to the drug trade, with suspiciously amazing wealth being used to sponsor political chaos and buy influences. Families are watching helplessly as their children fall victim to the addiction while those mandated to protect them shield the drug traffickers instead. This toxic alliances between drug money and political power has eroded legitimate governance and compromised public institutions. I call upon investigative agencies to conduct a thorough probe into the suspicious wealth of those political actors and their potential links to the drug trade. Mr. Deputy Speaker, a particularly egregious incident occurred the weekend after the President's visit. The Senate oversight staff employed by the Senate and attached to my office were arbitrarily arrested and detained under fabricated charges of mobilizing goons and creating public disturbance. The irony is undeniable. While county officials were caught on video organizing 5,000 people to cause chaos, it was the oversight staff under my office who were thrown into the cells without bond. This exposes the arrests for what they indeed are - deliberate efforts to obstruct
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Senate oversight functions and intimidate those holding the county government accountable. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, given the gravity of these matters, I stand before the Senate to request you to direct that- (1) The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigates the suspicious wealth fuelling political unrest and insecurity in Isiolo County; (2) The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) investigates the drug trade in Isiolo County and its links to the local political network; and, (3) The Inspector General of Police conducts a complete overhaul of Isiolo County security apparatus to restore law and order to ensure public trust in institutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Isiolo County is at dangerous crossroads and immediate intervention is imperative. We cannot allow corrupt political forces to undermine governance, security and the rule of law. I thank you.
Thank you. Sen Dullo, in your Statement, you have tasked me to do some work and to contact the EACC to do a security overhaul. I direct that once it is constituted, the Senate Committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations will engage that Statement to see how we can assist Isiolo County. It will be their pending work.
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Yes, Sen. Cherarkey.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you have answered me partly, but I needed your direction Under Standing Order No.1. Now that there is ongoing reconstitution on the Committee, can you direct that since this matter of security is urgent and important, the Liaison Committee handles it for the time being? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with your indulgence you can do that under Standing Order No.1 because the reconstitution of committees might take longer than we anticipate. I can see the person who is lobbying for the position of chairperson is not even aware of what is happening, Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda. Sen. Sifuna, please handle him properly.
Sen. Cherarkey, you know that the Liaison Committee is composed of chairpersons of committees. If you have not elected chairpersons in your respective committees, then there is no Liaison Committee. Of course, I am the Chairperson of the Senate Liaison, and we are not meeting because we have no members. You must give me members from the committee. Senator for Nairobi City County, proceed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are Members of that committee, and whatever directive you will make, we will abide. For your information, we have elections to get the chairperson and the vice-chairperson on Tuesday next week. By the end of the day Tuesday, the committee will be in place with the leadership. There is no reason not to commit any business to us.
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Thank you.
Sen. Sifuna, you seem to have come with a lot of energy to that Committee. I think it will be one of the best.
Okay, it is a new broom. A new broom sweeps clean. He is a new Member of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations. Sen. Dullo, I have guided accordingly. Next is Sen. Oketch. You have a statement under Standing Order No.53(1).
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the persistent clashes between the Kuria and Maa communities along the border of Migori and Narok counties at Guitembe in Migori county side and Angata Barikoi in Narok county side. In the Statement, the committee should- (1) Explain measures put in place by the Government to bolster security in Guitembe and Angata Barikoi areas along the border of Migori and Narok counties, which have been plagued by persistent ethnic clashes between the Kuria and Maa communities. (2) Inform the Senate of actions taken by the Government to establish and address Kuria and Maa communities' clashes and the root causes of the clashes. (3) State plans by the Government to compensate families that have lost relatives and property as a result of the clashes, as part of its support for peace-building efforts in the region.
Proceed, Sen. Tobiko.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1), to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding rising rape cases in Magadi Area, Kajiado West Sub County in Kajiado County, attributed to a suspect going by the name Lorgali. In the statement, the committee should- (1) Establish the correct identity of the suspect, including his full name and place of origin. (2) Explain the steps the Government has taken to ensure the suspect behind the rape cases is apprehended and arraigned in court to face charges.
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(3) State the number of reported cases of rape and defilement in Magadi Area from June 2024 to date and outline the measures in place to support the victims in coping with the trauma. (4) Outline preventive measures the Government has implemented to curb further cases of rape and defilement in the region.
Next is Sen. Hamida Kibwana.
I have two statements on health matters. The first one is on mental health and work conditions of medical interns. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the tragic death by suicide of Frances Njuki, medical intern at Thika Level 5 Hospital in November, 2024. The incident came just two months after the death of Dr. Desree Moraa, who until her death by suicide was a medical intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County. This highlights the urgent need to address rising mental health concerns and toxic work conditions faced by medical interns in Kenya. The deaths of these young medical professionals are not only individual tragedies, but also a stark reminder of systematic issues within our healthcare system. It is imperative that the Senate takes swift action to ensure the safety, well-being, and dignity of all those who dedicate their lives to serving our nation’s health. In the statement, the committee should- (1) Investigate the working conditions and schedules of medical interns at public hospitals, specifically addressing claims of excessive working hours and poor working environment. (2) Examine the existing mental health support programmes available for medical professionals, particularly interns and recommend enhancements to those programmes to prevent such tragic outcomes. (3) Assess the role of hospital administration and the Ministry of Health in safeguarding the welfare of medical interns, including measures taken to address the grievances and provide mentorship. (4) Provide a detailed report to the policies governing deployment, supervision and work-life balance of medical interns and proposed reforms when necessary. (5) Recommend actionable steps to create a safe and supportive working environment for all medical professionals with a particular force on addressing mental health challenges within the sector.
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My second Statement concerns the agreements for supply and lease of medical equipment to county public health facilities. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the viability of agreements entered into by the Ministry of Health and county governments under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP) for supply and lease of medical equipment to county public health facilities. In the statement, the committee should- (1) Disclose the names and credentials of suppliers contracted by the Ministry of Health under the NESP to supply and lease medical equipment to county public health facilities, explaining how the said suppliers were selected. (2) Provide a detailed schedule of payments made by each county government under NESP in financial year 2024/2025, highlighting any deductions made directly from the county governments equitable share of revenue raised nationally. (3) Explain the role of respective county governments and the Council of Governors (CoG) in the negotiation and execution of agreements under NESP, outlining the steps taken to ensure strict compliance with public procurement laws. (4) State measures put in place to ensure that supplied medical equipment meets the required standards and are appropriately utilised once delivered to the health facilities. (5) Outline measures put in place to ensure that the agreements for supply and lease of medical equipment are financially sustainable for county governments in the long-term.
Next is the statement under Standing Order No.57(1) by the Senate Majority Leader.
Sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was consulting. I rise to make this statement pursuant to Standing Order No.57(1). Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the legislative business pending before the Senate is as follows- We have 53 Bills, of which 41 are at the Second Reading and 12 are at the Committee of the Whole. Nineteen Motions are pending conclusion; 24 Petitions are pending conclusion out of which 17 are due for reporting by the respective standing Committees. Four hundred and sixty-three statements pursuant to Standing Order No. 53(1) are pending conclusion. As listed in today’s Order Paper, Order Nos. 10, 11 and 12 are three Bills awaiting division at the Second Reading stage.
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I, therefore, request the party Whips to mobilize the prerequisite number of county delegations for the voting to be undertaken. I also request hon. Senators to remain in the House for the same purpose. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on Tuesday, 25th of February, 2025, the Senate Business Committee (SBC) will meet to consider the businesses for the week. The tentative business for that day will include business not concluded from today’s Order Paper as well business indicated in the Notice Paper. The tentative business for the morning sitting on Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 will conclude the schedule of Questions to Cabinet Secretaries as approved by the SBC as well as Motions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the scheduled questions include the following- (1) Question No.5 to the CS for Health by Sen. Kibwana (2) Question No. 14 To the CS for Health by Sen.(Dr.) Murango (3) Question No.5 to the CS for Health by Sen. Mumma. (4) Quesaton No. 8 to CS for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation by Sen. Eddy Oketch (5) Question No.9 to the CS for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation by Sen. Maanzo The tentative business for the sitting on Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 will include not concluded from the Order Paper on Tuesday, 25th February, 2025 and aslo the following- (1) Bills at the second reading – namely - The County statistics Bill (Senate Bills No. 5 of 2024). (2) The Statutory Instruments (Amendment Bill) (Senate Bills No. 10 of 2024). (3) The County Wards Equitable Development Bill (Senate Bills No. 20 of 2024). (4) The Public Finance Management (Amendment Bill) (Bill (Senate Bills No. 27 of 2024). (5) The County Government State Officers Removal from Office Procedure Bill (Bill (Senate Bills No. 34 of 2024). (6) The Creative Economies Support Bill (Senate Bills No. 30 of 2024). (7) The Livestock Protection and Sustainability Bill (Senate Bills No. 32 of 2024). (8) The County Governments (Amendment Bill) (Senate Bills No. 39 of 2024). (9) The County Library Services Bill (Senate Bills No. 40 of 2024) (10) The Labour Migration and Management Bill No. 2 Bill (Senate Bills No. 42 of 2024) B:Bills- Bills at the Committee of the Whole namely the Early Childhood Education (Amendment Bill) Senate Bills No. 54 of 2023, The County Public Finance Laws (Amendment Bill) Senate Bills No. 39 of 2023, The County Governments Elections Laws ( Amendment Bill) Senate Bills No.2 of 2024, The County Assembly Services ( Amendment Bill) Senate Bills No. 34 of 2023, The Local Content Bill ( Senate Bills No. 50 of 2023), The Land Amendment Bill ( National Assembly’s Bills No. 40 of 2022 and The Cooperatives Societies ( Amendment Bill) Senate Bills No.53 of 2023.
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C. Motions- (1) Report of the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee on the consideration of the audit reports of the County hospitals for the Financial Year 2021/ 2022. (2) Report of the Public Investments and special funds Committee on the consideration of the audit reports of the municipalities for financial years 2020/ 2021 and 2021/ 2022 and 2022/ 2023. (3) Report of the County Public Accounts Committee on the considerations of the reports of the auditor General on the financial statement of the following County Executives - Kitui, Bungoma, Embu, Baringo, Nyandarua, Garissa, Laikipia (2019/ 2020) and Kirinyaga, Kilifi, Kericho for Financial Year 2020/2021. (4) Report of the County Public Accounts Committee on the considerations of the reports of the auditor General on the financial statement of the following County Executives - Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Bomet, Kisii, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua, Nairobi City County and Kwale. (5) Report of the County Public Accounts Committee on the considerations of the reports of the auditor General on the financial statement of the following County Assemblies - Machakos, Turkana, Kisii, Uasin Gishu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Tana River. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the projected business for Thursday, 27th February, 2025 will include business not concluded in the order Paper for Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 and any other business scheduled by the SBC.
Hon. Senators I can see a few Senators lined up for comments. Let me put the question under Order No.8 then we come back to the comments.
Next Order.
So, Members, I can see Sen. Prof. Tom Odhiambo Ojienda. Do you want to make a comment on the statements?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to make to a comment on the request for statement on the conflict or clashes between the Kuria and the Maa communities along the border of Migori and Narok counties. This is a statement that has been sought today by my colleague, Sen. Eddy Oketch and it touches on the interests of a very small community, but also mirrors certain activities that impact on the lives of a community, in this case, the Kuria community. The Kuria in North Ntimaru, have been unable to peaceably live in their land, the land they call the land of their ancestors because of sporadic conflicts and invasion from the Maa community. It is important, that this is brought to the attention of the relevant committee. I am glad that you referred this statement to the Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations that shall deal with it. This has affected the lives of women. I recall in December, Sen. Eddy Oketch had to take food to the area of Ntimaru to leverage on the food shortages and on the inability of women and men to farm and feed their families. It is sad that a community as small as the Kuria community can go through attacks and in Angata Barikoi in Narok County. You will be surprised that even when these communities try to farm, they are unable to because their crop is either harvested before it is ripe or destroyed or cows are simply put into the fields. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is instructive because conflicts between neighboring communities should be resolved. Where neighbouring communities live and there are conflicts, there must be a solution because it is these conflicts that spread and eventually become bigger and people are unable to live in peace. I pray this statement is taken seriously. I thank Sen. Eddy for bringing this statement to the House so that we can investigate and call the security apparatus within this region. Where there is need, or there may be need, we may have as a committee in charge of security. I am glad my colleague, Sen. Sifuna, sits in that committee. I urge the committee to summon the county officers in charge of security in that region to explain whether it is due to complacency on the part of officers that these clashes have continued and communities have continued to suffer. If there is need to transfer officers or have a station in these places, so that we do not have these conflicts, let us do so. I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Sen. Cherarkey.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to support two statements. On the issue of security, Sen. Eddy should be comfortable because he is seated next to one of the members of the National Security Committee. I hope you will seize that matter.
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You can consult me and Sen. Ojienda on the peace along the border, where we continue to maintain peace between Nandi and Kisumu counties or Sen. Osotsi, between Nandi and Vihiga counties, and between Nandi and Kakamega counties. We hear you. We request the people along Angata Barikoi, where Sen. Ledama comes from to continue to maintain peace. All of us are one Kenya. I encourage the National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, which will be reconstituted, to find time to engage the great people of Angata Barikoi between the Migori and Narok counties. I hope the area Senators will be available because we are one united Kenya, where peace thrives in everything. If there is no peace, there is no development. Secondly, I have seen and I saw in news that there is a rampant rapist in Kajiado County called by the nickname ‘Lolgari’. I am bringing an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act, such that the individual who rapes is castrated professionally. We should castrate. Why would we allow somebody to rape? They can procreate and give birth to rapists. So, we should castrate. Some of us who are pastoralists like myself, Sen. Ledama and Sen. Tobiko, are experts in castration. We can assist with castrating those individuals. Under the Sexual Offences Act, what is the solution? You see these people are taken to court, they are given a bail and bond of Kshs100,000 and they are freed. The rape causes not only cause trauma to the individual, it is a lifetime mark. God, forbid if it is a child being raped. I am even surprised in this town and Sen. Sifuna should listen to this, the mentally unstable women are pregnant. Who dares to rape a mentally unstable woman in this city or across the country? If that person cannot request or convince a woman, or a girl, then that person is an animal. You can sit with a girl, take her on a coffee date and convince her otherwise. I will be bringing my proposal amendment to that Act.
Are you saying that animals do rape?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not saying animals do rape. I am talking of animalistic behaviour. You know when animals are on heat, they just do the needful. I do not want to say much because you have visitors. I would like to put another proposal on sexual offences, that we put trackers to these pedophiles and rapists, like the way it is done in Europe and America, so that when a rapist or a pedophile comes around there is a signal.
On a point of information, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
The legal counsel wants to inform you. You know that he is your senior.
The way the senior counsel is smiling makes me agree.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to inform the good Senator of Nandi County. He has made a very good statement that we should not tolerate rapists. However, I want him to consider advising our young girls to remain pure and not to tell them that if they are approached and lured, then they should have sex before marriage.
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We should encourage our young girls to remain pure and not to give in to sexual advances till they find their spouses. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree with the Sen. Okong’o Omogeni. He has spoken like an Adventist elder. That is a good sermon for the Sabbath. We have called them to be pure. The second proposal is that we need to put trackers on these rapists, the way they have done with pedophiles in America and other countries so that when they come around schools, they are tracked. There should be a signal, so that we can prevent these rapist cases. I want to challenge the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Mr. Amin. If these cases of abductions are happening and they know, is it hard to look for one rapist that is causing havoc that has raped eight women in Kajiado? It is very unfortunate. What does DCI do with the money we allocate them? DCI Amin and the police must be called out to ensure they track these rapists. We do not want our women and girls to live in fear when they are going to school. On the issue of doctors, I want to say that I brought a statement about the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) the other day. Now we have this doctor who committed suicide. I think we need to agree. There was a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that the Government signed with the doctors. We must implement that CBA. Let us give our doctors, nurses and medical practitioners their rights. The reason they are committing suicide is because of the harsh working environment where there are no gloves, no protection, care, or PPEs and poor remuneration. I have seen my brother Kebore, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) calling for strikes in some counties. Even I saw my classmate in Kericho calling for a strike of doctors because they have not been given fair treatment and fair remuneration. You saw there was a doctor who worked more than 24 hours in KNH and he died in his sleep a few months ago. People like Dr. Desree Moraa have given all in their life. To be a doctor is not easy because they say God heals, but the doctor cures. We need to stand with the professionals. I am proposing that the Senate and the Health Committee - I hope the Health Committee Members are here - let us form a National Health Commission (NHC) because there is a crisis in the medical sector. We have problems in Nandi County. Meru health system has collapsed. Why do we not form the NHC to handle the human resources of medical practitioners in this country? Let us give all these medical practitioners such as dentists, gynecologists, psychologists and therapists better packages. With time, if we do not fairly remunerate them, they will migrate to other countries and we will never have professionals to treat our people. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, most of our people will be emigrating from here to India and we will lose revenue. What is India doing differently that we cannot do in Kenya and treat our people, including cancer patients?
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With those many remarks, I support all these statements. I thank you.
Next, Sen. Osotsi.
I would have wished to contribute to the statement by Sen. Dullo. I do not know what your position is because I think the matters raised in it are very weighty. If you can allow me to comment on that.
Yes, Proceed.
I want to support the statement by Sen. Dullo regarding the security situation and the state of governance in Isiolo County. In the statement, she made reference to the events during the presidential visit to Isiolo. In the statement, you can clearly see that there were some governance issues related to the planning of that event and the incidents that happened, which were not very good incidents to happen in a presidential event. I want to comment on this because nearly three weeks ago, we had a similar incident in my Vihiga County, where the presidential visit happened at a place called Luanda. A market was being constructed. A day before the presidential visit, some people descended on the market stalls and demolished them. They never cared about the plight of the affected traders. The following day, the President came there to launch the market. It was very nasty because there was too much heckling. They even heckled the Governor of Vihiga County and other Members of Parliament there. I think this is a matter that we need to take seriously because the office of the Head of State is an office of honour, an office that must be respected. Therefore, when we have all this manner of heckling and disorder in a presidential event, then we are making this office lose the respect it has. I must dare to say that the security officers were well aware of what was going to happen, but they never took any action. There was no protocol in that meeting. There was no protocol in that meeting. This is a matter that the incoming Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations where my good friend Ojienda wants to be the Chairperson must seize this opportunity and investigate all these incidences, not just in Isiolo, even Vihiga County. We cannot and have never had a scenario where a President is in an event where there is chaos, disorders and heckling. It never happened under Moi’s regime. It never happened under Kibaki’s regime. It never happened under Uhuru’s regime. However, it is happening under William Ruto’s regime. The question is why. The Committee must investigate and tell us what is happening. In Vihiga County, stalls of poor traders were demolished and they have not been compensated to date; just because the President is coming the next day to launch a market. They had all the time to plan. They should have planned better. The Governor of Vihiga County ended up being heckled because the traders thought it was him who demolished the stalls. The stalls were demolished by national officials the day before presidential visit. This disorder must stop. I support.
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On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.
What is your point? Okay, he has finished.
Under Standing Order No.105 on accuracy of facts, has Sen. Osotsi reported to the police about the demolition of the stalls? This is not a marketplace where you just make sweeping statements. We must be held accountable in our statements as leaders. To allege that presidential functions are synonymous with heckling is not our issue. It is sad coming from the ODM deputy party leader.
So, what is out of order?
It is out of order to come and peddle lies before the House yet he knows he should go to the police and report.
Aahh!
You know Vihiga is---
You can see they are even heckling now.
Vihiga County is represented---
You know Eddy, you are heckling and we wanted to make you the Chairperson of the Committee on Roads. Why are you heckling?
Sen. Cherarkey, Vihiga County is ably represented by Sen. Osotsi. What he is saying must be factual. You give us many stories for Nandi, but we do not even ask you about Nandi. So, let us go to Sen. Sifuna.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a new Member of the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, I do not think you need any sessions with the committee to know why the President is being heckled across the country. That is my position. Nevertheless, I want to make comments on the statement by Sen. Eddy. One of the things that I am very proud of, as you know, is that I am the Secretary General (SG) of the ODM. In that capacity, we have proper networks across the country to give us information. I was sitting in my office and a young Member of County Assembly (MCA) called Eng. Tyson Kemege came to my office at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He is a specially nominated MCA by the ODM party. Many people will tell you or convince you that ODM has no presence in Kuria. That MCA is nominated by ODM party because we have very strong support there. If we can get our act right internally, I am sure that we can get one or two constituencies there in Kuria under ODM. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was quite surprised that it is very easy for us sitting here in Nairobi to be unaware that there are communities that have been living in conflict for a very long period of time. I was very surprised that this dispute at the border between Narok and Migori counties has been going on for years.
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Luckily for me, the Senator for Migori is elected under my political party, ODM together with the Governor of Migori. Additionally, the woman representative, although she is not elected on ODM, she is ODM adjacent. That is the term we use. I spoke to these leaders to try and understand how is it that a conflict can run for so long under the radar, that people have lost lives. As recently as a few weeks ago, there is a young man who was shot by security officers because of this dispute about the use of land that has historically been used by the people of Kuria to farm. It was quite surprising for me. I remember assuring the Hon. Kemege that I would speak to the leadership there. I spoke to Gov. Ochilo Ayako and Sen. Eddy. He had promised to bring a Petition. However, I am happy that after we spoke with Eddy, he has found a faster route that will not enlabour the people of Kuria there, because they have a Senator here who takes his work very seriously. Due to the conflict down there, we were informed by Sen. Eddy that, in fact, they have not been able to farm on their land for almost three seasons now. It is quite surprising that a conflict can just fly under the radar when lives are being lost for such a long period of time. Therefore, I am very happy that the Senator has brought this matter here. I saw the effort you put in, Hon. Eddy Oketch over the holidays in December, to try and assuage the situation there. A community that has not farmed for three seasons was literally at the mercy of starvation. It may take time for us to sort out our security matters, but I am happy that there is progress. Just this afternoon, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced that 13 police officers and one officer from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had been arraigned before a Kiambu court, charged with the abduction and murder of two Indian nationals and one Kenyan in July, 2022. These officers are suspected to have been members of the DCI that were part of the now disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU). Therefore, I want to encourage Kenyans, and especially the good police officers within the security forces, that it does not matter who puts you up to commit a crime. Those people will not be in power for long and the arc of justice will get to you at some point. Lastly, I want to also support the statement that has been brought by Sen. Peris Tobiko, on the instances of rape in Magadi, Kajiado County. Magadi is a place that is very close to my heart. I have spent many months in Magadi itself, because I have an uncle who used to work for the plant there before it was sold. What is surprising and this is something that is a universal scourge, these issues are not unique to Kajiado. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was sitting with a team of firefighters from Nairobi today and would you believe it, there was a complaint raised by one of the female firefighters. Due the nature of the dire situation in which the department is, there is no security at our fire stations. We are supposed to have armed police officers manning these fire stations at night, but they are not there. You can imagine you go to places like the Ruaraka Fire Station and there is no gate. More so, you are a lady manning the control room, supposed to receive fire incident reports and to dispatch firefighters and you are sitting there.
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There is an allegation at one of the fire stations a female firefighter was raped by a colleague. There are attempts within the leadership of the Nairobi City County Government to ensure that the perpetrator is protected. You can imagine the sort of mess that we are in at our fire departments here in Nairobi. In addition to the statement by Sen. Tobiko, I will personally be also presenting that same statement to the committee. The good thing is that I am now in that committee. There will be no cover up of that heinous crime here in Nairobi. Whoever it is that called the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in that particular case to drop those charges, we must do what we must do to make sure that there is justice for both the victims in Nairobi and Kajiado. I thank you.
There is a matter I want to dispense with, then we can divert to comments. Today I am a bit easy, I want to give as many Members as possible an opportunity to give comments. We had an issue with Sen. Okiya Omtatah on substantiation. He has approached me that the link he gave yesterday, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link is here, but he cannot confirm whether it is the actual one because he does not have his laptop with him now. Sen. Okiya Omtatah, in the next sitting, you will confirm whether this is the actual link, which now the Secretariat can access and see whether it is the actual information that you are supposed to provide.
There is another substantiation of facts that a Senator alleges, again, to be true. This is Sen. Karungo Thang’wa MP.
Sen. Tabitha Keroche, you can sit at the next seat there. Hon. Senators, as you may recall, at the afternoon sitting of the Senate held yesterday, Wednesday 19th February, 2025, I directed Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, MP, to substantiate utterances made in the course of his contribution on the Motion of recording
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the thanks of the Senate on Kenya's attempt for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). The direction arose out of a point of order by the Senator for Vihiga County, Sen. Godfrey Osotsi MP, pursuant to Standing Order No.105. In the point of order by Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, MP, Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, MP was required to substantiate the claim that, “it was the prayers of Kenyans that they wanted Rt. Hon. Raila to come back and do what he does, either he joins the Government and they continue looting, or he speaks for the people as he has been doing.” Hon. Senators, Standing Order No.105 on Responsibility for statement of fact, provides that– “(1) A Senator shall be responsible for the accuracy of any facts that the Senator alleges to be true and may be required to substantiate any such facts instantly. (2) If a Senator has sufficient reason to convince the Speaker that the Senator is unable to substantiate the allegations instantly, the Speaker shall require that such Senator substantiates the allegations not later than the next sitting day, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order 121 (Disorderly conduct) unless the Senator withdraws the allegations and gives a suitable apology, if the Speaker so requires.” Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, MP, was not able to substantiate his statement as required by Standing Order No.105(1) and subsequently requested the Speaker to provide the evidence at the next sitting day in accordance with Standing Order No.105(2). Having acceded to the request, I directed that the Senator substantiates the allegations at the next sitting day. Hon. Senators, as per Standing Order No.105(2), I now invite Sen. Karungo Thang’wa to forthwith substantiate the claim as raised in the point of order by Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, failure to which the Senator shall be deemed to be disorderly within the meaning of Standing Order No.121. In the absence of such substantiation, the Senator will be required to withdraw the statements and apologize to the Senate. Thank you. Sen. Karungo Thang’wa, please, proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. After deliberations and understanding my role as a Senator, which is oversight and representation, I understand that is what we call a fair comment. I do not want to attract Sen. Osotsi again to stand and maybe ask for more clarification. I am a Kikuyu and I come from Mt. Kenya and sometimes when we speak English, we replace Ls and Rs. So, I meant “routing,” which means Maandamano. I meant to say that he would come and do what he does best. I said “routing,” which is taking any route to demonstrate in the streets of our capital city. If I was misunderstood and maybe he had used an L, I meant “routing.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
But according to the HANSARD, this statement is different because you have said-
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“Either Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga joins the government, and they continue looting” I do not know whether you mean that the Government and Raila Odinga has been looting at maamdamano . I am not sure about that, but I will ask Sen. Osotsi.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Sen. Osotsi, I just want you to understand that even when the ODM is in a broad- based government, they will continue making noise; you will see them. They have given them chairmanship and they are still making noise against the government. So, what I am trying to say is that even if you do whatever you want to do, they will continue demonstrating.
It is time to substantiate.
So, I meant just that even if they are in Government and I am supporting that, because if you listen to Sen. Sifuna today, even if you listened to him yesterday, he looks uncompromisable, even if he is promised that his people will be given chairman. Look at Sen. Eddy. He is going to be chairman. He is the vice-chairman and he is still asking questions to this government.
Sen. Thang’wa, you have not substantiated your claim, unfortunately.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I say he will join the government---
You have not convinced the Chair that you have done that. Yes, Sen. Sifuna.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, when somebody is called to substantiate---
When “a Senator” not “somebody”.
Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. When a Senator is called to substantiate, they must provide something to back their claims. You cannot take us down a rabbit hole trying to teach us English and Literature. Even I, who is not a Njuri Ncheke elder like the Deputy Speaker, can tell when somebody is being clever. You are a person who has the capacity to tell when a Senator is being clever. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want you to rule the Senator for Kiambu County out of order. In fact, he has added insult to injury with the claims that he has made here, casting aspersions against Members of my party, ODM, which is not something we will allow. We will not allow it. So, please, if he has been unable to substantiate, let the law take its course. I know the Senator for Kiambu County has been very busy out there. In fact, we are wasting his time with him sitting here. I am sure there is a rally somewhere in Lari and I know how to use L and R. A rally in Lari is waiting for the Senator for Kiambu. Release him to go.
Sen. Thang’wa, your substantiation is very different from what I was pushing with Sen. Okiya Omtatah. Yours cannot be found anywhere in a newspaper or in a book that we are going to refer to. So, instead of opening so many fronts here, then why do you not just---
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If you were misunderstood, just apologize then we move on; we then withdraw it from the HANSARD because you are gentleman enough.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, actually that is what I did. I just said that I was misunderstood. I used an ‘L’ instead of an ‘R’ and since they did not get it and I want to continue being friends with Sen. Sifuna because I like what he is doing nowadays. I withdraw and apologize.
Very well. Let us now go back to Statements. Let me give this opportunity to Sen. Joe Nyutu.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I just wanted to comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana on the mental health of medical interns. This is a matter that concerns all of us because of what is happening and we have seen it during the many industrial actions taken by the medics. We have been able to establish that most of these medical interns are given long hours to serve, even as their seniors, the doctors sometimes do one or two hours and then, of course, go to their private practice. This is something that could be leading to a lot of mental pressure and stress, leading even sometimes to suicide cases. Once the Committee on Health then undertakes the job that it is going to do while looking at this particular matter, even the remuneration and the hours that these medical interns put in should be looked into. The Committee then should be able to give recommendations as requested by Senator Hamida. It takes six years to train a medical doctor at the university, while the other degree courses take four years. These are people who put in a lot of academic time; they are people that the government and the various hospitals need to recognize by paying well. Those who are admitted to take Medicine are the top cream in every academic year. These are not people then that we should pay peanuts and give them long hours of service. This is a matter that this House should take very seriously because, again, these are the people that we entrust our health to. Anybody can get ill. If they are going to offer their services to us while they are under stress, while not comfortable with where they live, what they eat and the kind of lifestyle that they lead, then every Kenyan that is seeking medical services from these interns, who basically are the ones that you are going to find in every hospital any hour, will also be at risk. So, when we speak for these medical interns, we are speaking also for our interests, ourselves, our families and indeed, every other Kenyan. We may want the Senate Committee on Health, while looking at this matter, to also look at the training of medical students. Everyone knows that previously, universities across the country used to admit a very small number of medical students, which has changed over time. Probably, the Committee should also concern itself with wanting to see what universities are doing with the increased number of students taking medical courses. It is
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something that the Committee on Health should look into broadly and give a comprehensive statement on this.
I want to give one more Senator from this and another one from the other side. There are requests by some colleagues here who have a flight to Mombasa and Malindi at 5.30 p.m. Therefore, I want us to manage the time. You can have two minutes each, starting with Sen. Olekina.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to make some comments on two Statements briefly. The first one is the Statement brought by Sen. Peris Tobiko on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kajiado County. It is imperative that all of us should be concerned about GBV. For the past three months, seven women have been raped in Magadi. That is something we should be worried about. To make matters worse, yesterday, one of the rapists who was arrested by the police was released on bail. It is upon us as Parliament to try and figure out how we are going to address this issue of GBV. We may need to relook at the law. We know that everyone has a right to bail, even in murder cases. Senior Counsels Prof. Ojienda and Sen. Omogeni, we need to start thinking about how to address such issues. In other countries, people are even held without trial. This is something affecting our own children and mothers. It is imperative that we do this. This is something scaring our women of the Maasai Community in Magadi in Kajiado County. Secondly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the Statement brought by my good friend, Eddy Oketch. Eddy Oketch and I have been working together to try and make sure that there is peace between Narok and Migori and we have done a lot of work. I want to commend him for bringing this Statement about the tension and the conflict. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I request that you give me another one or two minutes to give some facts. There is conflict between the Kuria and the Maasai. This is as a result of our way of living. Kuria people are settled doing agriculture, but we, the Maasai, are nomadic. We have had historical issues to do with land. That is the boundary between Kilgoris and the Kuria in Migori County. So, this is not just an issue that can be resolved by the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations. I heard Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda saying that the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations should go there and resolve the matter. This is a matter that needs us to look at the boundary and identify which land belongs to the Kuria and which land belongs to the Maasai of Kilgoris. I do not expect that Members of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations will go to that area and force my people to go away. Our people have been crying. The whole border of Kilgoris Constituency, all the way to Migori, has got serious issues. We have the Kuria Community on one side, just like we have the Kalenjin Community neighbours Luos. It is a problem. It is time we dealt with these issues. There has been a lot of cattle raiding back and forth. You will find the Kuria raiding our people and also our people raiding the Kuria. That is something which has
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been going on. Sometimes it happens because of our lifestyles. I think it is a matter that we cannot strictly limit to three issues raised by my colleague. How many people have been compensated? It is not only about compensation. If you compensate some of them today, what about tomorrow? It is about making sure that the boundary is clear. The land belonging to the Maasai should remain to the Maasai, while the one that belongs to the Kuria should remain to the Kuria. Another fact that is not out here is that along that border, there is no-man’s land where we have a camp. I am sure we have somebody senior in this country who---
Just one minute, kindly.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for adding me one minute. Let me summarise and put it this way. We have many challenges in that area. There is no-man’s land, which is around 3,000 acres along Kuria-Narok border. I am happy with Sen. Eddy because we have done a lot of work together in the community. We are making it known that when the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations goes there, it is not only going as for compensation. What are you compensating people for? Solve the problem once and for all, so that the Kuria people can farm in part of their land, while the Maasai people can graze in part of their land. We need to solve that problem once and for all. Concerning the no-man’s land, we need to know which part belongs to Kenya and which one belongs to Tanzania. It is that simple. It is just a boundary dispute. We have had the same boundary issues between Uasin Gishu and the Maasai. They are fighting over just a small section. To my knowledge, that has been resolved. What has not been resolved is the Kuria and Maasai dispute. We should not trivialise these matters or just say we should compensate them. Let us go there and solve the problem once and for all by putting a boundary. Once we do that, we should also revisit the land laws. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, right now, my people, the Maasais, are selling land at Kshs20,000, but those who buy are selling it at Kshs150,000 or Kshs1 million for an acre. That is causing problems because once those people have sold all and they have no land, they go back where there is a dispute and start causing problems. We need to deal with these issues and change the laws. We can have it in the laws, such that you cannot sell or lease land in a certain area.
Proceed, Sen. Seki.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to comment on the Statement sought by Sen. Peris Tobiko. The people of Kajiado are in a bad situation and they are worried. There is a dangerous person moving from one sub-county to another in the county. That person by the name of Lorgali has terrorised our people. I am worried because we have security systems of this Government. I think that is the person who should be abducted by the
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Government, but not innocent children or young men in this country who have not done anything. They should use all their apparatus to make sure they abduct Lorgali, who is raping elderly women in our county. If they do not, we will definitely give our people authority to find him. Probably he will be found dead. I do not think we need to give the Government a chance to continue allowing people who violate the law to terrorise citizens of Kajiado. I am told that man is in Kajiado Town, but I do not know what the security personnel are doing. That is a serious matter. Now we are worried about the health of those who have been---
Allow him one minute to conclude, since it is a matter touching on Kajiado County, which he represents.
Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I do not know the status of health of our people who are victims,
nd I believe the counselling process will be started by the county and the Ministry of Health Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we do not know the kind of system that we are going to put to make sure that such kind of problems will not happen again.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First, I want to comment on this idea of people who pose danger to society who are presented before court, are charged and released on bail. Our Constitution is very clear in Article 49 (h) that everybody who is charged before any court of law is intended to be released on bond or bail, unless there are compelling reason. If we have a serial rapist roaming Kajiado County, that should be a compelling reason for any judicial officer not to release that person on bail. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we appeal to our judicial officers to also take into account public interest. Anybody who can do the kind of heinous rape crimes I witnessed in Baringo, where you are raping an 80-year-old, is a danger to society and that person should not be intended to be released on bail or on bond. We know the Judiciary is independent. We cannot direct them on what to do, but they should apply Article 49(h) in a manner that does not pose danger to our women. We want our women to walk free. If you look at our honorable Senators here, beautifully dressed, we do not want them to be at risk of being raped by serial rapists out there. The Judiciary owes us a duty as Kenyans to ensure that people who pose danger to society should have their cases heard while they are in custody. If we do not do that, we will be failing the country. Kindly, give me two minutes to comment on the issue of health. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, what is before us this afternoon should move us to even adjourn and solely discuss this issue of our doctors committing suicide. How can we witness in one year, two intern doctors have committing suicide? Even in my Law class, I never saw a case where two of my colleagues committed suicide within one year.
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One case is Ms. Moraa from Kisii, another one is in Mr. Njuki. As we speak today, our interns have not been paid their arrears of Kshs206,000 for the month of August, September, October, November, December, 2024. How do these young professionals survive? As we speak today, there is a tussle between the Ministry and the county governments whether we should pay our interns Kshs206,000 or Kshs70,000. Surely, if you pay an intern Kshs70,000 then deduct for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Universal Housing Levy, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), how will these people survive? They will be left with no choice other than to continue committing suicide. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, health is a devolved function. If the suicide cases we are seeing from our own children cannot move us to do something, even to summon the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health to appear before us, then what is the role of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya? Also, if you are an intern, seeing patients appearing for treatment in a hospital that lacks facilities to treat them can itself trigger you to commit suicide. We are told that the transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHIF is 46 per cent where are these 54 per cent of Kenyans getting their health services from? We are being told that a patient will come to a hospital, but cannot log in their SHIF cards, but you are told the system cannot accept. Sometimes when the system accepts you, your relatives who are supposed to be beneficiaries are not in the system. I appeal to us to take opportunity of this statement to convert ourselves to a Committee of the Whole House. Let us there deal with this issue around the frustrations of our interns and the functionality of this thing we call SHIF.
On a point of information.
You can inform me. I accept.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to inform the distinguished Senator of Nyamira County that the Health Committee has taken cognizance of the issues. Today, following our elections of chair and vice-hair, we prioritized looking at county governments' budgets on health care, the Medical Equipment Schemes (MES) and also looking at the issues of doctors. I would like to encourage the distinguished Senator to keep an eye on the day when we have summoned several individuals to appear and then support the matter, instead of now converting the whole House into a committee on this issue. The Committee on health is alive to this matter.
That is a good initiative. I hope Sen. Olekina is a member of that committee. Please, address this issue where over 62 per cent of Kenyans are reporting difficulties in using that SHIF portal. We should not leave National Assembly to run away with an issue that is devolved. If there is a function that we should be seized of as Senators, look for solutions, discuss passionately, then it is health. Health is one of the most important functions that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 devolved to our counties.
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Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the reports we are getting is that most of our private hospitals are not accepting the SHA/ SHIF cards in many of our hospitals and we know it. I am speaking for the lowly of the lowly Kenyan, the person who paid Kshs300 to access a SHA card. If private hospitals cannot accept these poor Kenyans, where will they get treatment? Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you are from Meru, our cousins from the mountain. I am from Nyamira; I know the state of our public hospitals. If we restrict the SHA card to public hospitals, we are denying our people access to health services. We need a solution. I am speaking passionately because I know the suffering that the people of Nyamira are going through. The Social Health Authority (SHA) should be able to assist any Kenyan who is seeking treatment in our private/religious health facilities. The most competent health facilities are run by our religious bodies. If you go to Bomet, Tenwek Hospital treats people from Nyamira, because it is run in a very competent manner. If we leave Kenyans at the mercy of our public hospitals, we are leaving them to die while we are watching. We will never be forgiven by Kenyans. I support.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will only take two minutes because of the flight to Mombasa. First of all, let me thank Sen. Hamida for the Statement she brought in regards to medical interns. In fact, the problem is not only with medical interns. It is with all health workers in our hospitals, health centers and dispensaries. I went to Laisamis Hospital in Marsabit County in January. There was a nurse working on a patient without gloves. She was wearing nylon paper while treating an extremely ill boy. He needed some infusions and the pipe that is supposed to help him was not available in that hospital. It had to be transported all the way from Meru, and it came the following day. That is the situation our health workers are working under. Having said that, let me also say that the issues in our hospitals are not only on interns and medical health workers. Today, we have a problem in Marsabit. We lost three lives yesterday. There is a disease called Kala-azar carried by mosquitoes, and 25 people are now under medication. The kits for testing Kala-azar are not available in Marsabit County. I want the Government to note that the people of Marsabit are dying in numbers. First of all, I thank the KEMRI Director General. I spoke to him this morning, and he has already dispatched his team to Marsabit. I want the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Health to take note.
Give him one minute.
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I want to take less than a minute. I want the Cabinet Secretary for Health to take note that there are people in Marsabit dying as we speak. He must dispatch his team to Marsabit and a place called Loglogo specifically, Karare, Shurr, Jaldesa and Laisamis. Our people are suffering. I ask the President to
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please take note that the people of Marsabit are having a lot of problems on the kala-azar issue. Having said that, let me thank Sen. Hamida once again for the Statement. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Sen. Esther Okenyuri.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. First, I wish to commend you for always being considerate especially to Members in allocating time to comment. For that, I am grateful because on several instances I have spoken in this House courtesy of you.
That is malicious.
That is not malicious because you have greatly contributed to giving young people a platform for showcasing what they can offer. Secondly, on the issue of the Statement by Sen. Hamida, we have so many young people who are frustrated out here and not just the medical interns. I think we, as leaders, need a conversation around it, so that we do not lose or continue losing young people to such. Secondly, on the rape aspect; it is not just Kajiado County, we have rape cases reported countrywide. I think serious action has not been taken also. I also feel we should not send people to report to police because the moment you send them to report to police, most times the officers are very reluctant to actually take action, or sometimes they are compromised because the perpetrators are well-known or are people of means. Therefore, it becomes a challenge. I think mwananchi should take radical actions themselves. As much as that might sound extreme, it will be a wake-up call, so that we have that conversation in this country. Lastly, the Statement by Sen. Eddy on the border clashes. The clashes have been happening in very many parts of the country. There are conflicts in Chebilat and Keroka- Nyamira area. Most of those clashes arise from issues to do with border disputes, land or theft of cattle. Maybe---
Give her one minute.
I like the proposal by Sen. Ledama of actually taking the initiative to sit down with Sen. Eddie and other leaders. We should borrow this to other areas we are having these border conflicts, like Kisumu, Keroka area, so that we solve these issues internally as opposed to having them escalate and affect very innocent people who otherwise should not have been part of the crisis. Thank you.
Sen. John Methu, also known as Gitungo.
It is such a good name to introduce me with. I want to indulge you with the utmost humility that you allow me to comment on the Statement that has been sought by Sen. Dullo.
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I know it is under Standing Order No.52(1) and that is why I am asking for your kind indulgence, just as you indulged Sen. Osotsi. I will spend my two minutes very effectively. Since I have not gotten an opportunity, I also want to join my colleagues in celebrating the life of Sen. Cheptumo, whom I served with in the Standing Committee on Lands. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also would not want to discuss the reason there has been heckling across the country on meetings that have been attended by the President. It is common knowledge that people express their displeasure in different ways. I am more concerned, even as we look at this matter, why anybody would round up people after a meeting and you want to arrest people and take them to court because they heckled you or because they expressed displeasure when you attended a meeting. How would the police actually identify the people who attended that particular meeting? If indeed, these are people who are known, why can they not be stopped before the meeting? I have seen that part of the reporting of the Motion that we had here yesterday about the Kenyans' attempt to clinch the AUC position. Senators condemned Kenyans who celebrated that loss. It is my opinion that Kenyans never celebrated because Raila Odinga lost. A section of the Kenyans who celebrated, did so because they felt and they believe that President William Ruto lost that election because it is him who fronted Raila Odinga. It is our responsibility to be happy when William Ruto is out.
You know, a comment on a statement now is not open to a debate on a Motion which was concluded yesterday.
Yes.
So, you will not benefit from an extra minute.
It is a comment on this Statement. I am not going outside.
You are now taking advantage of---
No, I know that one may hurt you, but allow me.
It is not hurting me, but I am just wondering.
It will, of course, hurt you, but I will restrain myself to the content of this Statement. I will not go to discussing whether William Ruto lost, but I would want to say---
On a point of information, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
I can be informed. If you want to inform me, you can inform me.
I am just observing your behavior. Sen. Tabitha, what do you want to do? To read your Statement? Let him conclude his Statement. You want to inform him?
It is really unprofessional and pretense for Sen. Methu to say that the candidate we had in AU, was His Excellency Dr. William Ruto. Surely, if you look at the ballot, we did not see any name of His Excellency Dr. William. So, you cannot lie to Kenyans that Dr. William was the candidate of AUC.
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Even His Excellency Raila Amollo Odinga said very well that he is the one who wanted that position. What Dr. William did was only to assist and campaign for him. So, differentiate the two issues. Do not to lie to Kenyans, that you think they are not well-educated. They are well-informed and they read newspapers and they see things.
So, Sen. Methu, conclude on the Statement.
That is why you need to actually be inducting your Members. That would not be a point of information. Maybe it would be a point of order. If that is being exuded by the Deputy Leader of the Majority, you know that we are in very deep trouble. I was not expounding on the issues on AUC. I was saying that you cannot control how people behave or how people take you or how people feel when you are attending a meeting or when you are having a rally in their area. It is your responsibility to speak to them. It is their responsibility to feel whatever they want to feel. If they feel happy about you, it is okay. If they heckle you, it is okay. It is not every time, because people do not believe in whatever you are saying, that you want people to clap for you. They cannot clap for you every time because over time they will know that you are lying to them. Over time, they will express that anger. So let people tell the truth---
You are also right. There is somewhere else I also saw people teargasing other people while speaking. So, people express it differently. I agree with you.
Sen. Tabitha Karanja, let me conclude with Sen. Eddy then you will read the Statement. Sen. Eddy, you have two minutes.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish I could comment on my Statement, but I cannot by the rules of the House. However, I want to thank Sen. Ledama, Sifuna, Sen. Okenyuri and all Senators who contributed to that Statement. It is a very important Statement because it concerns issues of loss of life in Kuria and the Maasai side. Very quickly, let me comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana. I want to plead with this House that we need to do a serious enquiry on the state of affairs in our medical facilities, where our medical interns are. For somebody to become a medical intern, it means that they are committed to becoming a doctor. The work that is involved for somebody to go through the rigorous studies, the simulations in different studies and institutions, and become a medical intern, they are very committed to become medical doctors. However, the problems that we have are three and they are usually known. They include the issue of delayed payments that we have talked about. I do not want to belabor on it. The issue of lack of proper allowances, given the work that they do. Some of them keep solving problems long in the night. There is also the issue of poor working environment.
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I have been very close to several medical interns in this country. The corruption that is in our medical field is extremely major. Do you know that 90 per cent of medical interns in this country perform procedures without supervision? If they call a consultant to come and take care of them during those supervisions, the way they are treated by those consultants is because consultants do not want to leave their private practise. This issue of private practise in this country is something that must be dealt with. The issue of burnout that medical interns end up experiencing is predominantly because of that element of private practice. Doctors and consultants do not want to give medical interns the support that they need. They end up having serious burnout, they are mistreated, and in some cases they end up being under equipped. In some instances, they end up exposed to risks that lead to some of the frustrations. Even though it seems that only two medical interns have died of suicide, other mental disorders that are coming up in this country are untold. I urge this House, based on what Sen. Hamida has brought to this House, if we can move a serious Motion and form a special committee to do a proper investigation on the status of medical interns when they join work up to when they leave. Who are they assigned to? Who are their supervisors? Who is assisting them? How are they treated in those places of work? This is very important. Otherwise, we are getting serious---
Thank you, Sen. Oketch. Sen. Tabitha Keroche, I will allow you to read out your Statement under Standing Order No.53(1)
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the mysterious murders and disappearance of residents of Nakuru County. In the Statement, the Committee should- (1) Explain the circumstances leading to the unfortunate murder on 18th January, 2025 of the renowned political activist by the name Richard Raymond, Alias Molo President, which occurred a few metres from a Elburgon police station in Moro, and state any efforts put in place to bring the perpetrators to book. (2) Appraise the Senate on the mysterious disappearance of Brian Odhiambo from police custody on 18th January, 2025 and whose whereabouts remain unknown to date highlighting any efforts to establish his whereabouts. (3) Explain the circumstances leading to the disappearance from the mortuary in Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital of the body of seven-month-old baby, Mercy Chepng’eno, and state any measures in place to trace it.
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(4) Outline any strategies by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to improve the security situation in Molo and Elburgon as well as Nakuru Town and its environs following those tragic incidences. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, sir.
Thank you. Hon. Senators, from Order No.9, the Mover is not around, then Order Nos. 10, 11 and 12 are Divisions. We do have not much to do that. Orders from Nos. 13 to 22, also the owners of the Bills and Motions are not in the House. Therefore, that will be the end of our business today.
Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 25th February, 2025, at 2.30 p.m.
The Senate rose at 5.07 p.m.
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