Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 Afternoon Sitting

Clerk, confirm whether we have quorum.

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

I confirm that we now have quorum. Hon. Senators, take your seats. Clerk, read out the first Order.

Yes, Sen. Lomenen, proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to give Notice of the following Motion-

THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.37, the Senate do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter---

Sen. Lomenen, you are standing on a point of order. I saw your name on my screen, raising a point of order.

Proceed to give notice.

He is okay at this stage. However, he should state that he is standing on a point of order to state what he is presenting.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to give Notice of the following Motion–

THAT Pursuant to Standing Order No.37, the Senate do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter of urgent national importance— namely, the killing of Kenyan fishermen in Todonyang area.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, why are you interrupting the Senator of Turkana County?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I will repeat. I rise to give Notice of the following Motion –

THAT, pursuant to Standing Order No.37, the Senate do now adjourn to discuss a definite matter of urgent national importance, namely, the killing of Kenyan fishermen in the Todonyang area on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025, that allegedly left at least 22 Kenyans unaccounted for and 15 boats belonging to Kenyan fishermen stolen. Thank you.

Sen. Lomenen, I have confirmed that we have the requisite threshold. I direct that the Senate adjourn at 5:00 p.m. to discuss this Motion.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kathuri) : Next Order. What is your point of order, Sen. Kisang?

Maybe he is seeking clarification.

Next Order. What is your point of order, Sen. Kisang? (Sen. Cheruiyot spoke off record)

Maybe he is seeking clarification.

House that at 5.00 p.m., we would go to the service of our departed colleague, the late Sen. Cheptumo. Senators will lead the service. I do not know the arrangement we have.

House that at 5.00 p.m., we would go to the service of our departed colleague, the late Sen. Cheptumo. Senators will lead the service. I do not know the arrangement we have.

Sen. Kisang, this House will adjourn at 6.30

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 26th February, 2025-

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Executive of Bungoma for the year ended 30th June, 2024.

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Bungoma for the year ended 30th June, 2024.

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of the County Revenue Fund County Government of Bungoma 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 Bungoma for the year ended 30th June, 2024.

Report of the Auditor-General on Financial Statements of Bungoma County Assembly Members’ and Car Loan and Mortgage Fund for the year ended 30th June,

I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Speaker’s and Public Galleries this afternoon, of 80 students of Diplomacy and International Relations from Daystar University. The students are led by Dr. Sylvia Muriuki, a lecturer of Peace and International Relations, and student leaders from the University. They are in the Senate for a one-day academic exposition.

I request the lecturer and student leaders seated in the Speaker’s Gallery to stand when called out, so that you may be acknowledged in the Senate tradition-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Daystar has two campuses; one in Nairobi and another in Machakos County.

Thank you, Sen. Sifuna. I also want to notify them that it is the best university. My son attended the university and did international relations and security studies. He is not badly off wherever he is. I encourage the students to take up their positions rightly.

Sen. Onyonka, proceed.

Thank you, Sen. Sifuna. I also want to notify them that it is the best university. My son attended the university and did international relations and security studies. He is not badly off wherever he is. I encourage the students to take up their positions rightly.

Sen. Onyonka, proceed.

The university is a good institution. I hope you will continue to make sure that Kenya becomes a better country.

I wish you all the best in your education.

The university is a good institution. I hope you will continue to make sure that Kenya becomes a better country.

I wish you all the best in your education.

Let us move on to the next Order. Sen. Mwaruma was to give Notice of the Motion. Sen. Onyonka, did he delegate that duty to you? Do you want to give the Notice of Motion on his behalf?

Yes.

Okay, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion-

THAT, AWARE THAT Article 43 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive health care; NOTING THAT in Kenya, we have five National Teaching and Referral Hospitals with Kenyatta University Research and Teaching Hospital (KUTRRH) in Kiambu County and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County being the only ones outside Nairobi County; CONCERNED THAT the bed capacity, medical equipment and human capital in these National Teaching and Referral hospitals are not sufficient to absorb all the patients seeking specialized treatment; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT many Kenyans with critical health conditions travel long distances in order to access specialized services in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret or Nairobi where the other four National Teaching and Referral hospitals are located, leading to high cost of travel, augmented disease and in some cases deaths along the way; NOW THEREFORE the Senate urges-

Clerk, let us move on to the next Order.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern namely, the persistent delay by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) in paying salary.

Over the past year, KALRO employees across the country have experienced repeated delays in salary payments. Notably January, 2024 salaries were paid on 16th February, 2024; April, 2024 salaries were paid on 9th May, 2024; May, 2024 salaries were paid on 12th June, 2024; and August, 2024 salaries were paid on 13th September,

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of general topical concern namely, the persistent delay by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) in paying salary.

Over the past year, KALRO employees across the country have experienced repeated delays in salary payments. Notably January, 2024 salaries were paid on 16th February, 2024; April, 2024 salaries were paid on 9th May, 2024; May, 2024 salaries were paid on 12th June, 2024; and August, 2024 salaries were paid on 13th September,

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national and international concern namely, the recognition of the service of the late Mr. Samuel Kaitwai, a young police constable who died in the line of duty while serving as part of the Kenyan-led and United Nations- backed multinational security support mission to Haiti.

First and foremost, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Kaitwai during this difficult time. Mr. Kaitwai was a committed and courageous officer who made an ultimate sacrifice to the service of both his country and Haiti, where he was working tirelessly to help restore peace.

Mr. Kaitwai tragically lost his life on Saturday, 23rd February, 2025, after being shot during a security operation in response to a distress call from residents of Pont- Sondé, an area in Haiti, which had been suffering under the control of heavily armed gangs. His death is the first casualty of the multinational security support mission since its deployment in June, 2024. It serves as a stern reminder of the extreme dangers faced by those who serve in peacekeeping missions around the world. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced support and protection for those risking their lives for global peace and stability.

These officers need to be adequately armed and equipped to carry out their missions safely and effectively. I trust that the Government is doing all that is within its powers to ensure the safety and dignity repatriation of the body of Mr. Kaitwai to Kenya. This must be done swiftly and without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.

Furthermore, I call upon the Government to provide reasonable financial assistance to the bereaved family who have now lost their primary breadwinner. It is of utmost importance that the Government fulfils its moral obligation to demonstrate the nation's commitment to honouring the sacrifice made to their states.

I salute the service of this fallen hero. His bravery and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise, pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national and international concern namely, the recognition of the service of the late Mr. Samuel Kaitwai, a young police constable who died in the line of duty while serving as part of the Kenyan-led and United Nations- backed multinational security support mission to Haiti.

First and foremost, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Kaitwai during this difficult time. Mr. Kaitwai was a committed and courageous officer who made an ultimate sacrifice to the service of both his country and Haiti, where he was working tirelessly to help restore peace.

Mr. Kaitwai tragically lost his life on Saturday, 23rd February, 2025, after being shot during a security operation in response to a distress call from residents of Pont- Sondé, an area in Haiti, which had been suffering under the control of heavily armed gangs. His death is the first casualty of the multinational security support mission since its deployment in June, 2024. It serves as a stern reminder of the extreme dangers faced by those who serve in peacekeeping missions around the world. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced support and protection for those risking their lives for global peace and stability.

These officers need to be adequately armed and equipped to carry out their missions safely and effectively. I trust that the Government is doing all that is within its powers to ensure the safety and dignity repatriation of the body of Mr. Kaitwai to Kenya. This must be done swiftly and without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.

Furthermore, I call upon the Government to provide reasonable financial assistance to the bereaved family who have now lost their primary breadwinner. It is of utmost importance that the Government fulfils its moral obligation to demonstrate the nation's commitment to honouring the sacrifice made to their states.

I salute the service of this fallen hero. His bravery and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Next Order.

On a point of clarification, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

No, we are still under Statements. Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, what is it that you want to be clarified under Standing Order No.52 (1) ? You know the Standing Orders very well.

that we demonstrate respect for life and those who are still in the field, we should honour this man with one minute of silence.

that we demonstrate respect for life and those who are still in the field, we should honour this man with one minute of silence.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, are you giving instructions or are you communicating to the Chair to consider?

I was bringing it to your attention. It is very sad. If we had more time to intervene in these Statements, I would have asked the Government not only to underwrite the cost as long---

Now you have no opportunity to do that.

I would have asked for full compensation

Can you put the request properly?

I request two things. One, if you allow, request the House to observe one minute of silence.

Okay, fine, that is enough. No two requests, only one minute of silence this afternoon.

Na ile ya pili?

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 administrative challenges affecting the operation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) .

On 12thNovember, 2024, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for SHA was suspended for 90 days to allow investigations into his conduct and performance. The prolonged vacancy in this critical leadership position has raised concerns among key stakeholders, including patients, staff and the general public.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding allegations of child trafficking in Government health facilities and informal clinics.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding allegations of child trafficking in Government health facilities and informal clinics.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Although the Cabinet Secretary for Health was here, there were questions that were not responded to very well and I will still ask them.

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 status of payment of liabilities of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) .

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. Although the Cabinet Secretary for Health was here, there were questions that were not responded to very well and I will still ask them.

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 status of payment of liabilities of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) .

In the Statement, the Committee should-

I will read the second Statement. 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 criteria used by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to empanel clinical officers.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, concerns have been raised that SHA only recognises clinical officers affiliated with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) , leaving out the rest, including those affiliated with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) . This has far-reaching implications as it places an unfair financial burden on millions of Kenyans, especially in rural areas, who have to pay cash to access health care services at trusted health facilities operated by the excluded clinic officers.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, regarding the heated verbal exchange and altercation between the employees of Kenya Airways (KQ) and a Nigerian passenger at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) , on 3 February, 2025.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, regarding the heated verbal exchange and altercation between the employees of Kenya Airways (KQ) and a Nigerian passenger at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) , on 3 February, 2025.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing regarding the construction and upgrade of Lomut- Lokwamosing (B118) and Nginyang’-Lokori-Lokichar Road (A10) roads in Turkana County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, these roads are vital for opening of Turkana County to the rest of Kenya and play a key role in facilitating access to market, health care, education, and other vital services for the Turkana people. Despite their importance, these roads are still hard roads in many sections and are often rendered impassable by heavy rains.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) , to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing regarding the construction and upgrade of Lomut- Lokwamosing (B118) and Nginyang’-Lokori-Lokichar Road (A10) roads in Turkana County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, these roads are vital for opening of Turkana County to the rest of Kenya and play a key role in facilitating access to market, health care, education, and other vital services for the Turkana people. Despite their importance, these roads are still hard roads in many sections and are often rendered impassable by heavy rains.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

You have two Statements. Proceed and read the other one.

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, Defense, and Foreign Relations regarding the havoc caused by surging waters of Lake Turkana in Turkana County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the alarming rise in water levels in Turkana County has submerged homes, roads, schools, and health facilities, displaced countless families, destroyed farmlands and grazing areas and disrupted livelihoods dependent on fishing and trade.

Additionally, the increased presence of crocodiles has turned the lake into a danger zone with multiple fatal attacks reported. It is deeply concerned that despite the severity of crisis, no comprehensive assessment report has been presented by the relevant authority. The Kenya Meteorological Department is yet to provide an updated advisory on factors contributing to this unprecedented rise.

Similarly, the National Disaster Management Authority has remained unresponsive, failing to deploy necessary emergency response measures, thus leaving residents vulnerable.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise first to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defense, and Foreign Relations regarding irregularity observed during the 2023 Defense Forces Recruitment Exercise, particularly affecting Reuben Ngige Muthoni, Identity (ID) Card number 36754818, a resident of Ngaimurunya Ward, Kajiado North Sub- County Kajiado County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, during the recruitment exercise at Ngong Stadium, the complainant was shortlisted and issued with a confirmation letter to report to the recruitment centre.

However, despite having his biometric and identification documents taken, he has never received any further communication nor has his identification card been returned.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Next is the Statement by Sen. Miraj Abdullahi. She has delegated that responsibility to Sen. Hamida Kibwana. Similarly, Sen. Githuku has delegated his Statements to Sen. Hamida.

Sen. Hamida Kibwana, read the Statements; one Statement for Sen.Miraj, and the two for Sen. Joseph Githuku.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, regarding the alleged theft of 9,686,358 excise duty stamps from the custody of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this alarming incident has put the spotlight on issues like consumer safety, public health risk, tax evasion, and market integrity, raising urgent concerns about the proliferation of counterfeit goods. It should be noted that counterfeit excise duty stamps allow illicit trade to flourish, affecting not only the economy, but also the well-being of Kenyans.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this House will appreciate that the alleged theft revenue stamps at KRA is not an isolated case. In September of 2024, hundreds of title deeds were stolen from the Government Printer by unknown persons.

As we speak, no further information has been provided regarding the outcome of the investigations and the mitigation put in place to avoid recurrence or whether investigations were carried out at all. Most unfortunate, no officer has taken responsibility for the heist.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, regarding the alleged theft of 9,686,358 excise duty stamps from the custody of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) .

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this alarming incident has put the spotlight on issues like consumer safety, public health risk, tax evasion, and market integrity, raising urgent concerns about the proliferation of counterfeit goods. It should be noted that counterfeit excise duty stamps allow illicit trade to flourish, affecting not only the economy, but also the well-being of Kenyans.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this House will appreciate that the alleged theft revenue stamps at KRA is not an isolated case. In September of 2024, hundreds of title deeds were stolen from the Government Printer by unknown persons.

As we speak, no further information has been provided regarding the outcome of the investigations and the mitigation put in place to avoid recurrence or whether investigations were carried out at all. Most unfortunate, no officer has taken responsibility for the heist.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, please, allow me to seek this Statement on behalf of Sen. Mwaruma.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, please, allow me to seek this Statement on behalf of Sen. Mwaruma.

Okay, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the status of compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict in Taita Taveta County.

During a ceremony held on 12th July, 2023 at Voi in Taita Taveta County, the then Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Penina Malonza, announced that the government had released Kshs908 million to compensate victims of wildlife-related accidents across the county.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations concerning the alteration on the fourth day of July 2020 of the boundary between Taita-Taveta County and Kajiado County at Rombo Ranch in Taita-Taveta County by the county governments of Taita-Taveta and Kajiado.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a statement from the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations concerning the alteration on the fourth day of July 2020 of the boundary between Taita-Taveta County and Kajiado County at Rombo Ranch in Taita-Taveta County by the county governments of Taita-Taveta and Kajiado.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the delayed payments to supervisors, invigilators, and examiners of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE) examinations in Kisii County and in the Republic of Kenya.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, my second Statement. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding the status of pension schemes of former employees of the Kenya Pyrethrum Board (KPB) , the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) , Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and other state departments and corporations.

It is imperative that the government fulfills its obligations to retirees of our country who have dedicated their service to this nation. Delayed pension payments and the mismanagement of these retirees' funds has significantly affected their well-being and many of them, as you may note are most probably unwell because they are aged and old.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Next is Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda. You have two Statements.

Next is Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda. You have two Statements.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise first to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding concerns over alleged unfair labour practices, ethnic profiling, and violation of labour laws at China Square, Kisumu County.

While investment in Kisumu County is encouraged, all businesses must comply with the law and uphold fair labour practices, ensuring that employees are treated with dignity, equity and due process in recruitment, termination and career progression.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Thank you. There are two Statements by Sen. Wambua Enoch. Sen. Beatrice, I am posing for you to make some decisions. You know the consequences of dropping any business. We made a resolution in Naivasha.

Proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to read the request for Statement by Sen. Enoch Wambua. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 53

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 status of health facilities in Kitui County.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

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 status of health facilities in Kitui County.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

I thank you once more, Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare regarding concerns over tax regimes that have led to a growing trend where public servants are receiving salaries that violate the provisions of the Human Resource Policies and Procedure Manual on the one-third basic rule.

There is growing pressure on public servants due to the mismatch between salary deductions and the legal framework, where public servants are receiving salaries that violate the constitutional one-third basic salary rule, which is exacerbated by recent tax changes. These tax changes, which include new mandatory contributions, have had a significant impact on the salaries of public employees.

Over the last two years, workers have seen deductions of 1.5 per cent of their gross salary for Affordable Housing Levy along with an additional 2.75 per cent deducted for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) . These deductions, while intended for social welfare programs, have pushed many civil servants below the one-third threshold of their

basic salary, which is required by Section 3 of the Human Resource Policies and the Procedure Manual, 2016.

According to this policy, no employee should commit more than two-thirds of their basic salary. However, the additional taxes and contributions are forcing workers to take home less than they should, leading to a real danger of throwing more people into the poverty net called the working poor, perhaps calling for the need to review existing policies to align them with the new tax realities.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

basic salary, which is required by Section 3 of the Human Resource Policies and the Procedure Manual, 2016.

According to this policy, no employee should commit more than two-thirds of their basic salary. However, the additional taxes and contributions are forcing workers to take home less than they should, leading to a real danger of throwing more people into the poverty net called the working poor, perhaps calling for the need to review existing policies to align them with the new tax realities.

In the Statement, the Committee should-

Hon. Senators, I want to put the question on Order No.8, and then I will allow Members to comment on their Statements.

Clerk, next Order.

“Report of the Committee of Powers and Privileges on the conduct of Sen. Gloria Orwoba, MP”, the Senator was apologetic of her conduct; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 17(3)(d) and (g) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, the Senate resolves to vary its resolution made on 20th September, 2023 suspending Sen. Orwoba from the Senate and precincts of Parliament for seventy-nine (79) calendar days and reduces the suspension period to thirty (30) calendar days, commencing 12th February, 2025 to 13th March 2025, after which the Senator shall be allowed back to the Senate and the precincts of Parliament, on the terms resolved by the Senate on 20th September, 2023.

Hon. Senators, this matter does not concern counties and, therefore, this question should be put.

Clerk, confirm whether we have a quorum. It is now a requirement.

Thank you. Now, we will return to a few comments on Statements. We will start with the Deputy Minority Whip, Sen. Sifuna Edwin Watenya.

Number two, it emerged that UHC nurses have been on strike for three weeks, demanding to be put on similar terms to their colleagues working in these national institutions. They are saying that the ones who are not put on permanent and pensionable terms, although they do the same work and face the same workload, are being paid up to a quarter of what their colleagues are earning because of their status.

They also told me that they had not been paid gratuity since the days of COVID- 19 in 2020. These are the messages that I received on my phone. I am hoping that when the Committee sits down to deal with Sen. Hamida and Sen. Mundigi's questions, they will address this issue.

Lastly, I could also discern from those messages that the UHC workers are saying that a supplementary budget was passed in the National Assembly for the absorption of UHC workers. They want to know where that money went. Unfortunately, I had already spoken, and I did not get the opportunity to ask that question directly to the Cabinet Secretary. However, now that this matter has come up again, it is being committed to the Committee on Health.

I would want to encourage the Committee of Health, led by Sen. Mandago, to invite these UHC workers in the same room as the Cabinet Secretary because that is the only way to get to the bottom of the truth when there is the blame game. They are also tired of the blame game between the Government of Kenya, the Ministry and all other players.

Can we have all these people in one room with the Cabinet Secretary and let them investigate these issues?

I thank you.

Number two, it emerged that UHC nurses have been on strike for three weeks, demanding to be put on similar terms to their colleagues working in these national institutions. They are saying that the ones who are not put on permanent and pensionable terms, although they do the same work and face the same workload, are being paid up to a quarter of what their colleagues are earning because of their status.

They also told me that they had not been paid gratuity since the days of COVID- 19 in 2020. These are the messages that I received on my phone. I am hoping that when the Committee sits down to deal with Sen. Hamida and Sen. Mundigi's questions, they will address this issue.

Lastly, I could also discern from those messages that the UHC workers are saying that a supplementary budget was passed in the National Assembly for the absorption of UHC workers. They want to know where that money went. Unfortunately, I had already spoken, and I did not get the opportunity to ask that question directly to the Cabinet Secretary. However, now that this matter has come up again, it is being committed to the Committee on Health.

I would want to encourage the Committee of Health, led by Sen. Mandago, to invite these UHC workers in the same room as the Cabinet Secretary because that is the only way to get to the bottom of the truth when there is the blame game. They are also tired of the blame game between the Government of Kenya, the Ministry and all other players.

Can we have all these people in one room with the Cabinet Secretary and let them investigate these issues?

I thank you.

Members, please, make your comments in under two minutes. Many Members want to make comments, and there is also some business to transact. In the next 10 minutes, we should be through with these comments.

Sen. Wafula, proceed.

the necessary support to the Ministry and that they are part of the bargain by the county governments.

When you look at the entire debate, it is the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretaries who are firefighting on this matter, but health is devolved. The county governments are silent; they are not stepping up to be counted, and we shall equally put them to task to ensure that not only the national Government is asked questions and answers, but the county governments must equally stand up to be counted.

Thank you.

the necessary support to the Ministry and that they are part of the bargain by the county governments.

When you look at the entire debate, it is the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretaries who are firefighting on this matter, but health is devolved. The county governments are silent; they are not stepping up to be counted, and we shall equally put them to task to ensure that not only the national Government is asked questions and answers, but the county governments must equally stand up to be counted.

Thank you.

What is it, Senate Majority Leader? Give him the microphone.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg for your indulgence. I noticed that earlier on when our colleague Sen. Lomenen requested that we have an Adjournment Motion, you slated it at 5.00 p.m. I want to bring to your attention that at 5.00 p.m., we have a service at the home of our departed colleague, Sen. Cheptumo, where many of our colleagues will be going.

Therefore, I plead with you, to invoke Standing Order No.1 and vary that decision, so that perhaps we start at 4.15 p.m., so that by around 5.00 p.m. when we finish, many of us can join the rest who have are already gone to the late Sen. Cheptumo’s home for that service. I plead with you to allow, if you so permit, that we begin discussing the Adjournment Motion by Sen. Lomenen at 4.15 p.m.

I thank you.

Senate Majority Leader, I am somehow convinced that I should give that leeway. So, at exactly 4.15 p.m., we will adjourn the House to discuss the Motion brought by Sen. Lomenen. Senator, you should be around because you are the Mover of the Motion. At 5.00 p.m., we will see whether the House can be adjourned because of the prayers at our colleague’s home.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, you have been trying to catch my eye many times. You are on the list. Do you have a burning issue that you want to put across on the Statements?

Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Kindly, do so in two minutes.

There is a matter raised by Sen. Cherarkey about employees of Kenya Airways (KQ). Again, we must put the Ministry under pressure. I remember not so long ago, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Wetangula, was held at the airport for 45 minutes because they insisted that he must produce his identification (ID) card in order to be identified whether he was indeed the Wetangula that he claimed to be. These are Public Relations (PR) issues that our KQ staff require to be trained on so that their emotional intelligence grows.

Finally, there is a matter that was raised by Sen. Seki about discrepancies in recruitment of staff of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Again, we must insist to be told the composition of the KDF, county by county, region by region, and ethnic community by ethnic community.

This is a sensitive finishing because it is coming hot on the heels of the ruling by the High Court which found that in the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), only two communities are favoured in employment. The same problem faces KDF. We want our young people to enjoy service to the nation.

I thank you for the chance.

There is a matter raised by Sen. Cherarkey about employees of Kenya Airways (KQ). Again, we must put the Ministry under pressure. I remember not so long ago, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Wetangula, was held at the airport for 45 minutes because they insisted that he must produce his identification (ID) card in order to be identified whether he was indeed the Wetangula that he claimed to be. These are Public Relations (PR) issues that our KQ staff require to be trained on so that their emotional intelligence grows.

Finally, there is a matter that was raised by Sen. Seki about discrepancies in recruitment of staff of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Again, we must insist to be told the composition of the KDF, county by county, region by region, and ethnic community by ethnic community.

This is a sensitive finishing because it is coming hot on the heels of the ruling by the High Court which found that in the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), only two communities are favoured in employment. The same problem faces KDF. We want our young people to enjoy service to the nation.

I thank you for the chance.

Proceed, Sen. Ogola.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Statement by the Senator for Kisii, Sen. Onyonka, concerning delayed payments to facilitators of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

We are all products of teachers. Even as you sit there, if there were no teachers in your life, probably you would not be a Deputy Speaker today. I support this Statement because teachers sacrifice their holidays when they go to mark examinations. After marking, the whole country celebrates their work and sweat. Remember, they stay away from their families for weeks over December holidays.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there must be some planning by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) . You cannot engage teachers if you are not ready with their payment. We must also be sympathetic to our teachers regarding the kind of environment they are subjected to during the marking period. A number of times, they stay in schools, eat the same food and sleep in dormitories where the children sleep.

We have often seen in public and also in the newspapers the cries of these teachers due to the kind of environment they sacrifice to be in over the holidays so that Kenyans can celebrate the results. I happen to have been a wife of a teacher. That applies to all families of teachers; whether male or female. Over the holidays, their families sacrifice a lot.

This must be looked into. It cannot be that in this country, teachers continue suffering over their rights. The facilitators must be paid. When they are engaged in future, there must be a commitment that the money they should be paid is ready even before they start the exercise.

I also want to support the Statement brought by Sen. (Prof.) Ojienda over mistreatment and---

Sen. Tobiko, proceed.

police officers who went to Haiti. That young man who was less than 30 years old has left a very young family. He was the only breadwinner.

We thank the Government for coming out openly about the loss of that officer. For Kenyans to appreciate the role our officers have played in peacekeeping missions, we call upon the Government to support his family. The late had started building a house and he has left very young children. We request that the family be supported.

I also needed to mention - I have been mentioning on the Floor of this House – that there is even no road to go to the home of this young woman who is my relative and my neighbour. Can the road even be graded so that we can go and give this young officer a decent burial? Let the Government do the grading of the road from Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) going to Naserian because there is no road.

This is the embarrassment that we face every day to be associated with bad roads and bad infrastructure. This needs to be addressed. I do not know whether those who will carry that body to that place are going to fly because we do not have a road.

police officers who went to Haiti. That young man who was less than 30 years old has left a very young family. He was the only breadwinner.

We thank the Government for coming out openly about the loss of that officer. For Kenyans to appreciate the role our officers have played in peacekeeping missions, we call upon the Government to support his family. The late had started building a house and he has left very young children. We request that the family be supported.

I also needed to mention - I have been mentioning on the Floor of this House – that there is even no road to go to the home of this young woman who is my relative and my neighbour. Can the road even be graded so that we can go and give this young officer a decent burial? Let the Government do the grading of the road from Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) going to Naserian because there is no road.

This is the embarrassment that we face every day to be associated with bad roads and bad infrastructure. This needs to be addressed. I do not know whether those who will carry that body to that place are going to fly because we do not have a road.

Is it a county road or a national road? So, next is Sen. Mwinyihaji.

Asante Bw. Naibu Spika, kwa kunipa fursa ya kuchangia taarifa iliyohusiana na kucheleweshwa kwa mishahara na Shirika la KALRO iliyoletwa Bungeni na Sen. Eddy Oketch, Seneta wa Migori.

Ni aibu kwamba Shirika la Serikali kama KALRO linashindwa kulipa mishahara yake kwa wafanyakazi kwa wakati ufaao kwa mujibu wa sheria. Katika maombi ya taarifa hiyo, mishahara imecheleweshwa tangu mwaka jana Januari. Sio Shirika hili pekee linalochelewesha mishahara; kuna Shirika la Postal Corporation of Kenya ambalo limekuwa likichelewesha mishahara. Ninapozungumza hivi, mishahara ya mwisho waliyolipa kwa wafanyikazi wake ulikuwa ni wa mwezi na nane mwaka wa

Sen. Abass.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to contribute to Sen. Onyonka’s Statement. I agree with him that every county must have a national referral hospital, especially in areas that I mentioned including Wajir and Mandera. We are almost 1,000 kilometres from Nairobi and the roads are just in a very bad state.

That report has said---

Mr. Speaker, I beg to give a notice of the following Motion. THAT pursuant to Standing Order No. 37, the Senate now adjourns to discuss a definite matter---.

I requested you to move the Motion.

Mr. Speaker, I beg to give a notice of the following Motion. THAT pursuant to Standing Order No. 37, the Senate now adjourns to discuss a definite matter---.

I requested you to move the Motion.

Ethiopia Special Forces and the Dassanech community, in a well-planned attack to kill and dump the bodies into the lake. As a matter of fact, more than 22 Turkana fishermen were brutally murdered in cold blood and dumped into the water.

So far, little effort has been made to retrieve their bodies for proper handing over to the grieving loved ones who remain in deep sorrow after losing their family breadwinners, discarded like garbage into the lake. In addition, intelligence sources confirm that the Ethiopian military has been evacuating the Dassanech community from Lobeimukat, Namurpus Salan, Kalam village to an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp in a place called Omurata Town.

Consequently, thousands of Dassanech militiamen have regrouped alongside Ethiopian soldiers and have taken strategic positions along the border of Namurpus and Salan, less than 20 kilometres from Kenya's GSU base and in Lobeimukat, which is Kenya's land.

They are heavily armed and fully prepared for aggression. The objective is clear; to destabilise Turkana north and wipe out our people. Armed with sophisticated weapons, they are anticipating possible retaliatory action and are ready to launch further attacks.

Despite the gravity of this situation, the response from the Government has been grossly inadequate. During the recent visit of the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen to Todonyang and subsequent talks between Kenya's security and Ethiopian local administration and its military--- The Ethiopian special forces have only agreed to return stolen boats, motorbikes and two guns of National Police Reservists (NPR), while refusing to discuss the retrieval of bodies of our slain countrymen. The deliberate disappearance of bodies is a calculated strategy to erase evidence which is a tactic previously unseen in cross-border attacks.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, credible intelligence suggests that another attack on Todonyang could happen within five days or even sooner. The Ethiopian military and Dassanech militia, are fully prepared for war and other actions demonstrate a total disregard for peace and diplomacy between the two countries, Kenya and Ethiopia.

To secure the country border and protect innocent civilians, I call upon this Senate and national Government, Ministry of Interior and National Administration to take the following urgent measures -

Ethiopia Special Forces and the Dassanech community, in a well-planned attack to kill and dump the bodies into the lake. As a matter of fact, more than 22 Turkana fishermen were brutally murdered in cold blood and dumped into the water.

So far, little effort has been made to retrieve their bodies for proper handing over to the grieving loved ones who remain in deep sorrow after losing their family breadwinners, discarded like garbage into the lake. In addition, intelligence sources confirm that the Ethiopian military has been evacuating the Dassanech community from Lobeimukat, Namurpus Salan, Kalam village to an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp in a place called Omurata Town.

Consequently, thousands of Dassanech militiamen have regrouped alongside Ethiopian soldiers and have taken strategic positions along the border of Namurpus and Salan, less than 20 kilometres from Kenya's GSU base and in Lobeimukat, which is Kenya's land.

They are heavily armed and fully prepared for aggression. The objective is clear; to destabilise Turkana north and wipe out our people. Armed with sophisticated weapons, they are anticipating possible retaliatory action and are ready to launch further attacks.

Despite the gravity of this situation, the response from the Government has been grossly inadequate. During the recent visit of the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen to Todonyang and subsequent talks between Kenya's security and Ethiopian local administration and its military--- The Ethiopian special forces have only agreed to return stolen boats, motorbikes and two guns of National Police Reservists (NPR), while refusing to discuss the retrieval of bodies of our slain countrymen. The deliberate disappearance of bodies is a calculated strategy to erase evidence which is a tactic previously unseen in cross-border attacks.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, credible intelligence suggests that another attack on Todonyang could happen within five days or even sooner. The Ethiopian military and Dassanech militia, are fully prepared for war and other actions demonstrate a total disregard for peace and diplomacy between the two countries, Kenya and Ethiopia.

To secure the country border and protect innocent civilians, I call upon this Senate and national Government, Ministry of Interior and National Administration to take the following urgent measures -

Who is seconding?

Sen. Cherarkey.

I thought of Safaricom on network coverage. We must agree that we need network coverage in those regions, so that it becomes easy to track and eliminate these terrorists. I do not call them Ethiopians. I call them terrorists, because what they did is inhuman and an animalistic behaviour.

The issue of border control is sad. As EAC, we are encouraging movement of goods and people, but it looks like our neighbours are abusing this privilege. We must intensify the border control, so that we eliminate people who are terrorists or people who want to bring disharmony. We are not saying Ethiopians should not come to Kenya or Kenyans should not go to Ethiopia. We need a robust way of handling immigration, especially in Turkana County.We need to bring activities that bring unity, like trading points, sports and games, so that they can solidify.

I want to empathize and sympathize with the great people of Turkana. It is unfortunate that, today, Kenya has been relatively stable. Undoubtedly, I want to ask KDF, the national Government, the President, and the people concerned to ensure they pursue these criminals. Ethiopia has been a friendly nation. Kindly let them hand over those criminals for proper prosecution under terror charges. In fact, they should be charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

In conclusion, I saw the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration saying it was a small challenge. It was not a small challenge. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Murkomen should at least in future have empathy. He said in Tiaty this was a small challenge, and yet 22 people have died. As Government officials, we must be empathetic. We must show remorse. If you are calling 22 lives a small challenge, what does it mean to the ordinary Kenyans who lost one or two Kenyans?

With those many remarks, I beg to second this Motion.

I thought of Safaricom on network coverage. We must agree that we need network coverage in those regions, so that it becomes easy to track and eliminate these terrorists. I do not call them Ethiopians. I call them terrorists, because what they did is inhuman and an animalistic behaviour.

The issue of border control is sad. As EAC, we are encouraging movement of goods and people, but it looks like our neighbours are abusing this privilege. We must intensify the border control, so that we eliminate people who are terrorists or people who want to bring disharmony. We are not saying Ethiopians should not come to Kenya or Kenyans should not go to Ethiopia. We need a robust way of handling immigration, especially in Turkana County.We need to bring activities that bring unity, like trading points, sports and games, so that they can solidify.

I want to empathize and sympathize with the great people of Turkana. It is unfortunate that, today, Kenya has been relatively stable. Undoubtedly, I want to ask KDF, the national Government, the President, and the people concerned to ensure they pursue these criminals. Ethiopia has been a friendly nation. Kindly let them hand over those criminals for proper prosecution under terror charges. In fact, they should be charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

In conclusion, I saw the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration saying it was a small challenge. It was not a small challenge. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Murkomen should at least in future have empathy. He said in Tiaty this was a small challenge, and yet 22 people have died. As Government officials, we must be empathetic. We must show remorse. If you are calling 22 lives a small challenge, what does it mean to the ordinary Kenyans who lost one or two Kenyans?

With those many remarks, I beg to second this Motion.

The Senate Majority Leader, please, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, those people, by every deed and action, and each time acts such as this happen to them, it reminds them how far away from the centre they are removed. It also reminds us all, as we sit in the lofty seats of these Houses of Parliament, either in the Senate or the National Assembly, as we pass laws, do budgets, and share resources, to always remember that Kenya is a big country. Therefore, we cannot continue to only invest in certain sections of a country on account of only votes and population.

That is why this House, previously has stood firm when we discussed the third generation formula of revenue sharing, because we were intentional. The Senate is a House of equity. That is why, the Senator for Lamu County, who perhaps is voted in by a number equivalent to the votes that may be in just one ward in another county, has the same number of votes as the Senator for Kiambu and Nairobi City counties, who are voted in by other hundreds of thousands.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, one vote is one in this House, because we are a House of equity. That is why many regard us to be the upper House. We may not have the keys to the purse, but, at least, we have the passcode to making this country great through equalizing development and ensuring that resources are shared equally in all the corners of this country.

That, in this day and age, it can take this long to get news first out of what happened. The fact that up to now, we continue to struggle to establish where the rest of these other Kenyans are, tells you how much investment is needed in the border and frontier counties of this nation, to ensure that our citizens are protected.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to plead with our colleagues who sit in the National Assembly, those that have the power to budget, that, we must carry out modernization of our police service, so as to ensure that our police can quickly respond to such acts.

Second and most importantly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we expect an apology from the Government of Ethiopia. We also expect a better communication from them on who these criminals are, and what led to them invading the territory of Kenya, and committing these heinous crimes.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do hope that other than that, this will serve as a lesson on the need to keep the corners of this country that are prone to these kinds of attacks where people from other countries attack us and our citizens end up losing life.

I plead that even the rest of the country gives this problem the kind of attention that would have been given if 22 people, God forbid, had been shot here in Nairobi. There is an unfortunate trend where life is only equated or given seriousness if it is here in the capital.

The other day when we were discussing about the challenges about people disappearing, those that live in the frontier counties and counties such as Turkana were wondering what you are talking about, because that is the occurrence they live with on a daily basis, and when many of their kins disappear, they never get to see them again. Therefore, I would like to challenge that let this not be allowed to be just another occurrence without proper justice being served to the people of Turkana County and them feeling that indeed their people have not lost their lives in vain.

May it be the last of such occurrences that happen through serious intervention and investment into that particular region, so that our people do not die like flies.

I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

May it be the last of such occurrences that happen through serious intervention and investment into that particular region, so that our people do not die like flies.

I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Next is Sen. Beatrice Ogola.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is a sad day for this Republic. I, therefore, would like to add my voice to the fact that there is a lot of suffering in Turkana County. I feel with our brother, the Senator of Turkana County.

Kenya, as a nation, is a sovereign country. In this country, we have all grown and everybody knows that this is a country where we preach peace, love, and unity. What has happened in Turkana is not only a violation of Turkana as a county, but a violation of this peace-loving country that we have.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in this Republic, we live with almost every other person that comes from this continent, and at no time, do we treat them with unjust and the kind of criminality we have seen in Turkana County. If we can lose over 20 people at the hands of a foreign country, it is a pathetic situation. We have no problem with countries that border this Republic.

Mahatma Gandhi once said that you hate the sin, but love the sinner. As we love the Ethiopians or whoever they are, the Government must come out strongly to indicate, show and demonstrate that we hate the sin and it cannot be encouraged.

The last time we were in Turkana County for the Senate Mashinani, we all saw the suffering that the people of Turkana undergo, and it cannot be fair that on top of the suffering and the harsh environment, then they lose their lives in the hands of foreigners.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, last year on June 25th when Parliament was invaded, the next day, we saw that the Army were all over this city taking care of everybody else. I expected that that is what we should be seeing in Turkana County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I support this Motion, and feel with our brothers and sisters in Turkana Country, I hope this will never happen again, not only in Turkana County but to any other Kenyan in this Republic.

I call on none other than His Excellency, the President William Ruto, to take charge and ensure that the Turkanas are supported and protected. Most importantly, we are Africans that believe that when we lose one, we must be able to get the body and be at peace with the loss that we have. We must support Turkana County and the Government must ensure that the bodies of the 22 that have been killed, whether they are thrown in Lake Turkana or elsewhere, must be retrieved so that their loved ones are at peace with themselves.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I condemn this kind of criminality and hope that the sovereignty of this country that preaches peace, love and unity to our countrymen and beyond is protected.

I stand with our brother, Sen. Lomenen.

Sen. Abass Sheikh Mohamed, please, proceed.

As you are aware, this country has the longest borderlines with most of the neighbours, especially those that are unstable in Southern Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Most of these countries are unstable, and there is no proper law and order.

There are so many criminals roaming around with their sophisticated weapons. As a result, Kenyan borders have remained porous and unmanned for many years. We have very few officers in the field. Kenyan borders are not manned by Kenyan men and women of the Kenya Defence Forces and police officers, but by the locals. Therefore, it is high time that the locals also be armed especially in those areas, so they can be able to protect themselves, instead of telling them that they are having illegal guns and all these things. It is high time these rules be lessened, so they can be able to fight and repel the people who have invaded them.

Many lives have been lost in Turkana, Mandera, Wajir and everywhere. People are coming from borderlines with guns, raiding the animals, and therefore, we remain unprotected. I will request that we come up with a policy and a law that will take care of and arm the people of the borderlines, so they protect themselves.

We need to establish more border posts. Kenya has so many trained officers. We have the GSU, the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and the Anti-Stock Theft units, which are well-trained. Unfortunately, most of those officers are now guarding the VIPs. The VIPs have taken half of the police officers in this country, right from the Presidency to the MCAs. There are so many.

Half of the Kenyan police are guarding the VIPs. It is high time that we come up with a policy to reduce the number of police officers who are protecting the VIPs. The VIPs can even use Private security guards like KK than having police officers. We have used so much money to train officers yet Kenyans are dying by the day, being killed by criminals. There should be a law that will reduce the number of police officers guarding the VIPs.

Our officers are poorly armed. They cannot match those criminals. Those guys have sophisticated guns, ammunition and money. They are selling even drugs to take care of themselves. Our officers are not paid their allowances. They live in bad places, they are not even getting their salary on time, they have no ammunition. They have nothing.

It is high time that we must also change our policy so that we will be able to protect ourselves. So, these people should be taken care of, they should be paid their allowances and salaries on time. Our officers are demotivated and they are staying in very harsh areas for a long time.

There must be a specific time to keep those officers in those places. Everybody should be able to rotate in time, so at least everybody will be motivated to stay at a certain place, at a certain time and with a certain kind of allowances.

Also on infrastructure, the roads are not passable. The roads are in very poor condition. Even if today you sent a vehicle to rescue those guys, they cannot make it to that place.

I was seeing the other day when the President was saying that he is building a 720-kilometre road to Mandera, some Kenyans were making jokes as if Wajir and Mandera are not part of Kenya. It is the same thing with Turkana.

So, I think it is high time that we must accept that those areas need to be developed. Kenyans cannot be rescued, especially in Turkana and Mandera, because of the road conditions. It is time that we give enough budget for those roads to be developed so that we can be able to save Kenyans because we are losing so many lives.

So, I think it is high time that we must accept that those areas need to be developed. Kenyans cannot be rescued, especially in Turkana and Mandera, because of the road conditions. It is time that we give enough budget for those roads to be developed so that we can be able to save Kenyans because we are losing so many lives.

Sen. Onyonka, you may proceed.

these cattle rustling and killing of Kenyans by outsiders and our open borders is something that we must stop as soon as possible.

With these remarks, I hope that the Government will move as fast and as quickly to interrogate this matter. The Government should even think right to come to this House and ask us to permit the Kenyan Defence Forces to go to those areas and try and make sure that we maintain peace permanently.

these cattle rustling and killing of Kenyans by outsiders and our open borders is something that we must stop as soon as possible.

With these remarks, I hope that the Government will move as fast and as quickly to interrogate this matter. The Government should even think right to come to this House and ask us to permit the Kenyan Defence Forces to go to those areas and try and make sure that we maintain peace permanently.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of Nairobi City County as well to convey our heartfelt condolences and commiserations with the people of Turkana through their Senator; Sen. hon. Lomenen, who has caused this Adjournment Motion for us to discuss the situation in Turkana.

As you know, I am a very proud Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) , a party that has a very strong presence in Turkana. In Turkana North, we are represented in the National Assembly by hon. Ekwem Nabuin, who was elected on an ODM ticket and his counterpart, hon. Ariko Namuit, who represents Turkana South. These two Members of Parliament have taken the liberty to brief the party on the situation in Turkana as they see it.

I want to go through some of the reports that we have got from our two Members of Parliament. I will be presenting this brief before a meeting of the organ of a party that is scheduled tomorrow.

First, it is clear that this attack was carried out by Ethiopian militia who are operating on the northern most tip of Turkana County. According to these two Members of Parliament, there are more than 30 fishermen who are missing and feared massacred inside the lake during that attack. They also confirmed to party that they are yet to retrieve the bodies because the Ethiopian side is not cooperating and unwilling to engage with them.

Our MPs have also told us that on the night of the attack, there was no network coverage; that somehow the network by Safaricom experienced an outage on the night of the attack, making it impossible for them to save lives. The argument by these two MPs is that if they were able to communicate the attack early, many lives would have been saved. Sen. Lomenen can also confirm this.

The two MPs and the Senator are currently there trying to calm our people down because there is growing frustration on the ground. Some people are calling for retaliatory attacks. If these leaders were not present to calm the temperatures down, it is going to be very difficult. We want the Government to move with speed, especially the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, to secure the necessary cooperation from the Ethiopian authorities for us to get our brethren who are missing in the lake.

Lastly, the report was that the National Police Reservist officers who were stationed in Turkana had no ammunition. The Senator can also confirm this. Sometimes when we raise these issues, people say we are being unduly critical. However, as a Member of the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, I assure the people and the Senator of Turkana County that we are going to get to the bottom of these issues and the lapse in security that has led to the loss of lives.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have been asked to send a message to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs through the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi. The people of Turkana want to see the same effort we have seen in other things, including the same sort of delegation that went to Addis Ababa from the Ministry being stationed in Addis Ababa again to be able to secure the cooperation of the Ethiopian authorities. This will ensure that we not only retrieve the bodies of our beloved ones who are still somewhere in the lake, but ensure that such a thing never happens again.

On behalf of the people of Nairobi, our party, my family and myself, I tell the people of Turkana that we stand with them. This is a county that is very close to my heart for---

Sen. Sifuna, your time is up. I am very sure sitting from the Chair that the Honourable Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has definitely listened to the cries that have come from you on behalf of the people of Turkana. They should give it the attention that the other Ministries have given to safeguard the interest of our people. Thank you very much, Sen. Sifuna.

Sen. Okech Eddy, proceed.

If we do not have quorum, then perhaps we can revisit such conversation when the full House is here for the purposes of proper attention to such a matter of serious magnitude of state concern.

I thank you.

If we do not have quorum, then perhaps we can revisit such conversation when the full House is here for the purposes of proper attention to such a matter of serious magnitude of state concern.

I thank you.

Sen. Eddy, the Motion on Adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No.37 seeks to adjourn the House. As it stands, the House is adjourned for purposes of this Motion. That is why we have sought for every other Member interested in contributing to it to do so within a limited timeline of five minutes. Therefore, you cannot rise under Standing Order No.41 on quorum because the House stands adjourned for purposes of the Motion.

I, therefore, rule you out of order. We still have Members who are interested in contributing and you were one of them. However, yours was an intervention. We have Sen. Peris Tobiko, Senator Seki, who is not in the House and Sen. Joe who want to contribute.

I will allow Sen. Peris Tobiko to speak to this Motion.

Can we all be treated as one country of equal people, one country of life that is equal and matters most for all Kenyans? Let the Kenyan Government work fast to relieve the pain of the Turkana people and bring justice to what has just happened.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Senators, you may rise. Having concluded debate on the Motion of Adjournment under Standing Order No.37, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 27th February, 2025, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 5.02 p.m.

Hon. Senators, you may rise. Having concluded debate on the Motion of Adjournment under Standing Order No.37, the Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, 27th February, 2025, at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 5.02 p.m.