Thursday, 27th November 2025

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

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

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may now stop the Quorum Bell. Let us proceed.

First Order.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

The Chairperson Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table:

Next, we have the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table:

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT, this House adopts the report of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the budget implementation for Financial Year 2024/2025 for the following offices, State Departments and Agencies laid on the table of the House on Thursday, 27th November 2025.

for Internal Security and National Administration;

Commission; and

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Health, Hon. Nyikal.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:

THAT this House adopts the report of the Departmental Committee on Health on the utilisation of funds disbursed by the Social Health Authority since its inception and the challenges faced by health facilities laid on the table of the House on Thursday, 27th November 2025. Thank you.

Hon. Members, before we go to the next Order on Questions and Statements, allow me to dispose of Orders No.8 and 9.

Next Order.

Hon. Members, allow us to go to Order No.12 then come back to Questions and Statements. Read out Order No.12.

I beg to move that the Motion be amended by:

I beg to second the amendment presented by Hon. Marianne. Initially, this had been amended. It is on data of pharmaceutical products and non-tariff measures in relation to health products and technologies.

Initially, we thought this would interfere with data of pharmaceutical products with new molecules being brought into the country. For this, it means anybody else has freedom to bring in any other molecule as long as they can register it within the country, that will treat the same disease. It does not prohibit anyone else from bringing in a different molecule for the same treatment.

On non-tariff, the agreement says “unless otherwise stipulated”. It implies that we are all subjected to the World Trade Organisation agreement that every country will sign. The non- tariff agreement will not introduce anything on pharmaceuticals that will increase costs.

I beg to second. (Question of the amendment proposed)

Hon. Nyikal.

Thank you. I moved one of the amendments and the Committee moved the others.

In my view, we should have let the amendments be carried. As much as the details indicate certain provisions, I do not see why we should take risks to pass something that has the possibility, however, slight to cause us discomfort. It could interfere with our pharmaceutical industry, particularly new products and the regulations required in relation to non-tariff measures. I believe that we should let those amendments stand.

Leader of the Majority Party.

I rise to support that particular amendment. As the Seconder of the Motion has said initially, there were indications from the

Committee on Health that there was likely to be problems with our pharmaceutical industry. I

The Mover to reply.

I beg to reply.

The House resolved accordingly:

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on its consideration of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 13th November 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 (4) of the Treaty Making and

Ratification Act, CAP 4D, approves the Ratification of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.

We can now proceed to Questions and Statements. Sorry, I know I have said that we may go to Order No.7. However, allow me to go back to Messages as the Message we were waiting for has just arrived.

Read out Order No.3.

Hon. Members, I have a Message on the nomination of a person as Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) . Pursuant to Standing Order 42, I wish to convey a Message from the Chairperson of the SRC relating to the nomination of a person for appointment as Commission Secretary and CEO of SRC.

In the Message, the Chairperson states that pursuant to provisions of Article 250 (12) of the Constitution, and in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 16 (1) of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Act (Cap. 412D) , the Commission nominates Mr Ali Abdullahi Surah as Commission Secretary and CEO of SRC. The Commission now seeks the approval of the nominee.

Standing Order 45 provides that upon receipt of a notification of nomination for appointment, it shall stand committed to the relevant departmental committee for consideration. Pursuant to the provisions of the said Standing Order, I hereby refer the Message, curriculum vitae and other related documents from the SRC to the Departmental Committee on Labour for consideration.

The Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2012 requires the National Assembly to undertake the approval exercise within 28 days. However, aware that the House will proceed on a long recess on 5th December 2025, the Committee is expected to commence the approval process immediately, notify the nominee and the public of the time and place for holding approval hearings. Upon conclusion, they will table their report to enable the House to consider the matter within the statutory timelines, preferably before recess.

Thank you. We shall now go to Questions and Statements. Clerk-at-the-Table, read them out for record purposes.

Let us proceed.

We have a General Statement by the Member for Mbooni, Hon. Erastus Nzioka, on the demise of a former Member of Parliament.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I rise to give a General Statement on the passing on of Hon. Joseph Konzolo Munyao. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 259D (2) , I rise to pay tribute to the former Member of Parliament for Mbooni Constituency, a former Minister and distinguished statesman.

The late Hon. Munyao passed away on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, after a short illness. He was born on 4th May 1940 in the then Makueni District, which is now Makueni County. He began his education at Kibauni Primary School, proceeded to Makueni Intermediate School, and later joined Machakos School where he studied between 1958 and

Hon. Ngusya. Be brief.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to convey condolences to the family of the late Hon. Munyao, the former Member for Mbooni Constituency.

I first met Hon. Munyao in 2002 when he was helping to constitute the NARC Government. I was at the university. He invited university students to a political forum. It was the first time I met Hon. Charity Ngilu, the late President Mwai Kibaki, Hon. Munyao and the late Hon. Kijana Wamalwa. They were forming NARC Government. I have walked with him in many stages of life. He will be remembered as one of the most development-oriented legislators. As Minister for Livestock and Development in the NARC Government, he performed very well in livestock development. He was also a very humble man who interacted with anyone, regardless of social or economic status. This country has lost a great man who will be remembered for his humility.

On behalf of the people of Mwingi West Constituency and my family, I wish to convey condolences to his family and friends whom he impacted during his life. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace.

Thank you.

I will give an opportunity to one more Member. Member for Dagoretti South.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. On my behalf, my family and the people of Dagoretti South Constituency, I send a message of condolence to the family of Hon. Munyao and the people of Mbooni Constituency.

Indeed, I have a very special attachment to Mbooni Constituency. Hon. Kivasu is my Member of Parliament by dint of being the representative of the people who hail from Mbooni, including my mother, Hannah Ndindi Mutiso. Therefore, Hon. Munyao was her former Member of Parliament. He is among the last of a dying breed of politicians. They were principled, stood for something and were patriotic not only to their people in the village but also to their country, Kenya.

When the story of Hon. Munyao is written, there will be a whole chapter on his participation in the formation of the Democratic Party (DP) , and the rise of one of the finest leaders in Africa, Hon. Mwai Kibaki. Being a lifelong friend of Hon. Mwai Kibaki, Hon. Munyao did exceptionally well in the campaign that led to a landslide win by Hon. Kibaki in

I will give a special indulgence to the Member for Eldas.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I have known Hon. Munyao as a nominated MP, Secretary-General of DP, and Minister for Livestock. In 1999, when Members of Parliament started agitating for their rights – I vividly remember then Hon. Munyao was living in Langata – we formed a group of wise men comprising all Members of Parliament and young legislators. There were times we met at odd hours to discuss how we could circumvent the stumbling blocks of the Executive. There were times when we got tired and annoyed and we thought of giving up but Hon. Munyao would say, “No, we cannot give up.” Instead, he would encourage us to hold on.

As a Muslim, I believe that death is a must. We say that every soul must test death. Regardless of how you think about death and how you conduct yourself, God will decide the time, place and how life will be taken away from you. Therefore, to the people of Mbooni, the family of the late Munyao and Kenyans, we have lost a great leader.

It is not just enough to condole with families when their loved ones have passed on. We must appreciate the lives and contributions of great men and women when they are still alive, so that we learn from them. It is high time that the elites and intellectuals started documenting the positive contributions of some of the great men and women so that the next generation can learn from them. Kenya is not about to come to an end. We will all go one way or the other but Kenya will remain as a sovereign Republic. I say pole to the family and I hope and pray that his family and friends will find solace in his rich legacy.

Thank you.

Hon. Ichung’wah, do you also want to give your condolences? Proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Allow me to take this opportunity to condole with the family of the late Hon. Munyao. The late Munyao will go down in history as a very good leader in our country. Were it not for the late Munyao, we would probably never have had the opportunity to enjoy the services that were rendered to this country by the late President Mwai Kibaki. It is men like the late Munyao who courageously supported the late Mwai Kibaki and his party, DP. It was a very strong party that worked together with other opposition parties to form the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) in 2002 that obliterated the KANU regime from power. Were it not for the resilience of Hon. Munyao and his leadership as the Secretary-General of DP, we would never have enjoyed the kind of leadership that we enjoyed from the late President Mwai Kibaki. I am paying glowing tribute to the late Hon. Munyao and I condole with his family. I pray that the Almighty God rests his soul in eternal peace as he comforts his family to move on with life even in the absence of their father and patriarch of their family. Indeed, it is a great loss not only to the people of Mbooni Constituency that he represented in this House for many years, and to the people of Ukambani, but also to all Kenyans and political parties in our country.

I am also saddened that we are paying tribute to a great leader of the then vibrant DP yet today the part is a pale shadow of its former self when the late Munyao was the Secretary- General. This morning, I was shocked to watch with shame, as a Member of Parliament, somebody who served this House as Speaker for 10 years stooping too low to fight with young village boys who are the age of his grandchildren. The late Munyao would have turned in his grave had he been rested if he imagined that the party he led has people purporting to be its leaders fighting with young men and women who are the age of their grandchildren.

You know, it is shameful for our former Speaker, Hon. J.B. Muturi to have allowed himself in that kind of situation. Even if it is the frustration of losing elections, elections will come and go. His respect as an elder, former Speaker, former Cabinet Secretary, former Attorney General, grandfather, father and husband should never allow him to do that. As frustrated as he was, he should have allowed the people of Mbeere to make their choice. They will make their choice. He cannot whip people to vote for his candidate. He cannot box our young men and women to vote for his candidate. The former Speaker should allow the people of Mbeere to elect their new Member of Parliament without boxing and intimidating them.

God forbid, but when the time comes, we will pay glowing tributes to each other's participation as leaders. However, when we start reducing…

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the people of Kenya watch you every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon as you preside over the National Assembly. The Speaker is the third most powerful position in the Republic of Kenya. When you serve in that position, you must never reduce yourself to the level that J.B. Muturi reduced himself and this House to. I am ashamed to have had a Speaker like him.

Thank you.

Hon. Members, let us be upstanding and observe a minute of silence in honour of the late Hon. Munyao.

May God rest the soul of Hon. Joseph Konzolo Munyao in eternal peace. We have a request for Statement by Hon. Charles Ngusya. Are you present?

Yes, I am, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding investigations into the death of Ms Lucia Kithuka in Kitui County.

On 17th October 2024, Ms Mukiti Kithuka, a resident of Mwingi West Constituency, was found dead under unclear circumstances at her homestead in Kanyaa Village, Migwani Ward, Kitui County. The family immediately reported the incident at Ngutani Police Station under OB No.02/8/10/2024. On 10th February 2025, the son of the deceased, Mr Goeffrey Kaluku Kithuka, began receiving death threats, which appeared to be aimed at deterring him from pursuing justice for his late mother. He reported the threats at Ngutani Police Station under OB No.27/10/02/2025.

Regrettably, no investigations were undertaken into the death of Ms Lucia until 7th April 2025, when the matter was referred to the Kitui County Criminal Investigation Officer, prompting several witnesses to record statements. The family is in distress as no suspects have been arraigned before a court of law for the death of Ms Lucia Mukiti to date, yet they continue to receive death threats believed to be from the perpetrator. Despite numerous visits to the police station to follow up on the status of the investigation, no substantive information has been provided to the family.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Department Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following:

Vice-Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Ali Raso.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. This is about death. The life of any Kenyan is important. Considering that next week we are going on long recess, we will ask the Ministry to respond to us in two weeks’ time. We will forward the response to the Hon. Member.

Hon. Members, before we proceed, allow me to recognise students of Light International School from Westlands Constituency, Nairobi County, who are seated in the Speaker's Gallery. On behalf of the National Assembly, we welcome you to the precincts of Parliament.

Next is a request for Statement by Hon. Anthony Mupe, the Member for Rabai. Are you present?

Yes, I am here. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Pursuant to the provision of Standing Order 44 (2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding the recently concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment exercise in Ruruma Ward, Rabai Constituency.

On 15th September 2025, the Ministry of Defence advertised the recruitment of general service officers, cadets, special officers, general duty defence forces and constables to the Kenya Defence Forces. The report released by the Ministry on the outcome of the exercise indicates that only one person from Ruruma Location was recruited. During the recruitment exercise, both Ruruma and Mawesa Wards were categorised under the former Mawesa Division, which was de-gazetted in 2018. Subsequently, Ruruma was subdivided into Ruruma, Mawesa and Mikahani Locations, which now exist independently under the former Mawesa Division.

However, the reorganisation was not reflected during the recruitment exercise. This anomaly has caused discontent among the residents of Ruruma Ward, particularly the youth who feel unfairly denied the opportunity to serve their country through the KDF.

It is against this background that I request for the Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on the following:

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. If he is not here, the Leader of the Majority Party can give an undertaking.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, without anticipation, we are bound to go on recess. I ask the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations to deal with this request for Statement within the first week after recess.

Okay. The next request for Statement is by Hon. Amos Mwago, the Member for Starehe, but he has requested for its deferral to a later date.

Therefore, the request for Statement is deferred.

The next request for Statement is by Hon. Adhe Wario, the Member for North Horr.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provision of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife regarding the underutilisation of key heritage, ecological and tourism sites in northern Kenya.

Tourism is a key driver of our economy and a significant contributor to economic activity in the country. Northern Kenya is fortunate to host numerous sites rich in cultural heritage that are essential for tourism development and economic growth. These sites include Sibiloi National Park, the archaeological sites in the Lake Turkana Basin, which is the biggest in Africa; and the Chalbi Desert, which is the largest desert in East Africa. These sites present immense potential for tourism, ecological research and cultural preservation.

Despite this, these sites remain largely undeveloped and economically underleveraged. As a result, the region suffers from limited infrastructure, low tourism traffic and minimal investment in conservation and research. Further, opportunities for tourism growth and employment, global partnerships in scientific and cultural research and, increasingly, revenue through ecotourism and heritage tourism continue to be lost.

It is against this backdrop that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife on the following:

Who is representing the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife? He is not here. The mandate of undertaking falls on you, Leader of Majority Party.

Hon. Kangogo, stop preoccupying the Leader of the Majority Party. The Statement was directed at the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife. Give an undertaking on their behalf.

Hon. Speaker, again, just like I did in regard to the one directed at the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, allow me to relay the information to the Chairman to respond to it within the first week of the new Session after the recess, since it may not be possible for them to engage and report before next week.

The last request for Statement is by the Member for Wundanyi, Hon. Mwashako.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I rise to request for a Statement regarding compensation of civil servants retrenched under the Civil Service Reform Programme.

Pursuant to the provision of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour regarding compensation of civil servants retrenched under the Civil Service Reform Programme II of 2000.

The Kenya Retrenched Workers' Association (KERWA) sought redress from the Government for the civil servants who were retrenched under the Civil Service Reform

Programme II of 2000, but their efforts have been futile. This resulted in them seeking redress in courts for compensation in the case of Peter Baiye Gichohi and others versus the Honourable Attorney-General vide Nakuru HCC 395 of 2001[2012] eKLR; and James Nyangiye and others versus the Honourable Attorney-General vide Case No.55 of 2013 [2015] eKLR.

The petitioners sought orders of the Court for the Civil Service Reform Programme to be implemented as a medium-term strategy between 1998 and 2002 to be declared illegal, unconstitutional, and in breach of the law and therefore null and void. The Court issued judgment in their favour and provided the payment of their full benefits amounting to Ksh1, 575,528,510

It is reported that the Ministry of Public Service Performance and Delivery Management requested the National Treasury to provide Ksh1, 657,091,994 in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the payment of the full benefit of the retrenched civil servants.

In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection verified a list of officers who worked for the Government in various capacities and were retrenched in the year 2002. It is unfortunate that the compensation of these former civil servants has been inordinately delayed, resulting in many of them living in hardship and unable to afford necessities due to difficult economic circumstances.

It is against this backdrop that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour on the following.

Thank you. Is there anybody from the Departmental

Committee on Labour? They are not here. Leader of Majority Party, you can also undertake on

Hon. Deputy Speaker, many of our Chairpersons are out with their committees finalising a number of reports before the end of the financial year. I will relay Hon. Mwashako's request to the Chairman. Again, if you allow, we can have the response done within the first week after recess.

Thank you. Next is the weekly Statement by the Leader of the Majority Party.

Please, proceed.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the weekly Statement, on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 25th November 2025 to prioritise business for consideration during the week.

As Members are aware, the House is expected to proceed on its long recess next week. I, therefore, urge Committees to expedite any pending business to enable its conclusion before the annual suspension of Committee sittings, which is the reason why many Chairpersons and

the Vice-Chairpersons are not in the House. Several committees are sitting in retreats to finalise with this business. I also encourage Members to be present during the last week of the Fourth Session so that the House concludes with all that is required before we commence the break.

With regard to business scheduled for Tuesday next week, the House is expected to consider the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill, 2025 at Second Reading, if not concluded today. The House will also consider the Senate Amendments to the Cooperatives Bill, 2024 in the Committee of the whole House if the mediated version of the Bill is agreed on by the Committee.

Additionally, debate will be undertaken on the following Motions, some of which are listed on today’s Order Paper –

on exemption of business from the provisions of Standing

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 42A (5) and (6), I convey to the House the message that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development is scheduled to appear before the House on the afternoon of Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, to respond to the following Questions:

In conclusion, the House Business Committee shall reconvene on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, to schedule any other business for the rest of the week. I now wish to lay this Statement on the Table of the House.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Members, before we go to Order No.10, there is a Communication that I was supposed to make earlier. It has just arrived.

Hon. Members, I wish to guide the House on the procedure for the consideration of the Product Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Field Development Plan for Blocks T6 and T7 located in South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County, which have been tabled by the Hon. Leader of the Majority Party. These documents were submitted to the House by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum in accordance with Article 71 (1) of the Constitution, as read together with Section 31 (1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap. 308 of the laws of Kenya.

For clarity, Article 71 (1) of the Constitution states— A transaction is subject to ratification by Parliament if it:

the Senate, the Senate shall commence its consideration of the agreement and shall forward its resolution to the National Assembly. Hon. Members, I am aware that the same documents have also been submitted to the Senate. Consequently, I hereby refer the Product Sharing Contract and Field Development Plan for Blocks T6 and T7 located in South Lokichar Basin, to the Departmental Committee on Energy for consideration, including undertaking public participation pursuant to Section 31(3) of the Petroleum Act Cap.308.

Hon. Members, just for your noting, Section 15 of the Natural Resources (Classes of Transactions Subject to Ratification) Act, Cap.387B further provides as follows, with respect to the counting of the sixty-day period specified in section 10(2) of the same Act:

Computation of time Where under this Act the computation of time depends on the Parliamentary calendar, the period during which Parliament is not in session shall be excluded in the computation. Hon. Members, conscious of the fact that the House will be proceeding on a long recess on 5th December 2025, the time will stop running upon adjournment of the House for recess and resume upon resumption of regular sittings of the House and its committees on Tuesday, 10th February 2026. That being the case, the statutory timeline will lapse on Wednesday, 4th March 2026.

Hon. Members, the Departmental Committee on Energy is required to notify the public and relevant stakeholders in good time to submit their memoranda. Thereafter, upon resumption of our sittings, the Committee is to undertake public participation and submit its report to the House by Tuesday, 24th February 2026, to enable the House to consider the Product Sharing Contract and the Field Development Plan within the provided statutory timelines.

The House is accordingly guided. Thank you. Next Order. Order No. 10.

What is your point of order, Hon. Leader of the Majority Party?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg your indulgence if it is not out of time, to request that you reorder to start with the Judges Retirement Benefits Bill (National Assembly No.27 of 2025) Order No.11 before we proceed to Order No.10.

I can grant that request. Read out Order No.11, and then we will come back to Order No.10.

Where is the Mover? You can reply, Hon. Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, this Bill had already been debated by 99.99 per cent of the Members. I say so because there might be one or two Members who were not in the House and would have opposed the Bill. However, 99.99 per cent supported the Bill.

For a long time, the pension of judges has been governed by the Pensions Act Cap.189. The framework’s foundation at the time was sound, but it neither reflects the evolving roles, responsibilities, and expectations of our judicial officers nor those of senior judges. It is expected that we have a vibrant and independent Judiciary.

It is not fair to subject our judicial officers to the indignity of going to the queue at the National Treasury and Economic Planning to pursue their pension payments. They have served this country diligently until age 70, when they retire. These judges are seniors in our society, not just in terms of the seniority of the position that they held as judges, but also in age. It is only fair that we transition their pension in accordance with the provisions of this Bill.

Since I am replying, I do not want to talk about what was said when the Bill was moved. But it is a very progressive piece of legislation—one that will ensure judges live with the dignity they deserve in retirement. Retired judges should not suffer the indignity that many of them have suffered in the past.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, when you serve as a judge, just like the position that you are serving in today, the society where you live has certain expectations of you. If you live an undignified life, it does not just reflect on you as a person but also on the institution that you serve. Therefore, to protect the image, integrity and independence of our Judiciary, we are obligated to maintain the dignity of these retired officers even in their retirement. I thank all the Members who supported this Bill.

On a point of information, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Ichung’wah, would you like to be informed?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I do not mind being informed by a former Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I wholeheartedly support what the Leader of the Majority Party is saying. However, now that he has mentioned you, the Speaker in the Chair, I would like to inform him that the only institution among the three Arms of Government where the deputy head does not enjoy a pension is Parliament.

Even as we pass this law for our brothers and sisters in the Judiciary – as we have done for the Deputy President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers – we should keep in mind that we have failed to do the same for the Legislative Arm of Government. Leader of the Majority Party, we are all very proud of you because of the manner in which you have steered this House. I expect you also to introduce a similar Bill for the Deputy Speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly.

Thank you. Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Leader of the Majority Party, proceed.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, recently, a Member from Murang'a referred to Hon. Farah as ‘fala’.

We were at pains to explain to the Member that there is a difference between ‘fala’ and Farah. Hon. Farah Maalim is a distinguished Member of this House who diligently served the House as Deputy Speaker. I agree with his sentiments about the Deputies of the Legislative Arm of Government. When you are the Deputy Speaker, you are a substantive office holder. That is why we elect the Deputy Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is not appointed by the Speaker or anybody. Voting for the Deputy Speaker is done during the first sitting of the House.

As soon as we elect the Speaker, we elect the Deputy Speaker. That is the same way we elect the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party. I agree with Hon. Farah Maalim that, over time, we need to introduce a Bill to address the needs of Parliament's officers. However, I do not know whether I would be the right person to move that piece of legislation. It is high time we considered Deputy Speakers and Leaders of the Majority and Minority Parties, as they also hold constitutional offices. We should start thinking towards such a law.

Since Hon. Farah is a distinguished Member of this House and a veteran, he should encourage younger Members to take care of the older Members in this House, including himself and you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Pension Bill should also extend to the positions of the substantive Deputy Speakers, the Leaders of the Majority Party, and the Leaders of the Minority Party.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, as I was saying, this Bill was long overdue. I also noted that judges retire at 70, so they offer the country the best of their productive lives. Many of them are appointed at the ages of 40 to 50. They serve for close to 30 years in public service. During this period, they are restricted from engaging in business or an active social life. They sacrifice most of their active social lives and forego many significant opportunities to preserve impartiality as judges. It is said that they must be above Caesar's wife in terms of impartiality and being objective in the conduct of their work as judges. Therefore, we are obligated to take care of them in retirement. That is why I thank all the Members who supported this Bill. I beseech the House that even as we conclude, we also adopt and pass this Bill in Second Reading so that we may prepare to go into the Third Reading.

I invite anyone who may have an amendment to bring it forward. ‘Anyone’ does not mean Members of Parliament only, but even judicial officers and judges who may have noted something within the debate that they think needs to be amended. This is the time to invite anyone who wants to engage with the Bill. This is important because even very senior people in this country do not understand our processes.

You remember during the Finance Bill, 2024, when we concluded the Second Reading, many Kenyans assumed that the Bill had passed and become law. They were incited to believe the Bill had already passed, unaware that it was only the Second Reading. Should there be any amendments, including correcting a comma or full stop within the text of the Bill, they have to go into the Committee of the whole House and Third Reading. I say this so that even Kenyans who may want to amend anything in this Bill can come forward and do so. This is the time to approach your elected representatives to amend the Bill on your behalf.

This Bill will significantly restore the honour that long-serving members of our Judiciary deserve. It will also bring a great honour to the judicial officers who will be retiring. This is a good and very progressive piece of legislation.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to reply and ask for Members’ support.

Thank you. Hon. Members, let us move to the next Order.

Hon. Farah Maalim, Member for Dadaab.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I also want to join other Members of Parliament in applauding and congratulating the Head of State for the State of the Nation Address. He talked about his track record for the last three years. We now have a transformational President in this country. He is a serious, transformational economic President with an agenda and a vision. This vision will take us to the next level of development. I must admit that I am in unfamiliar waters. I cut my teeth in politics in 1992.

For the last 30-odd years, I have been finding faults with the Government of the day. I first came to Parliament in 1992. A Member behind me says, "You were not born then," but I must assure you that you were. We have known you for many years as a leader. I was in the opposition. I am used to finding faults with the Government of the day. I literally found faults with every one of them. I was closest to the Government of Mwai Kibaki, which did a lot of good things for this country. However, I had issues with equity in project allocation during his time. They were a little bit lopsided, not as fair and universal as they are now.

I can tell you, and I have said this many a times before, when we were through with the elections, His Excellency the President invited me once to the State House, out of the blue. When I went there, he told me, “Farah, we are looking for a new Kenya. Those of you who supported me in the elections, as well as those who never supported me…” I want the Leader of the Majority Party to listen to what I am saying. You seem to be engrossed in something. You are supposed to be listening to me.

Yes.

Fair enough. Thank you. One hundred thousand teachers will be employed in about four years. Doctors are also being employed. The medical field now has hope. Hospitals are being built. In my own constituency, there is a TVET where hostels will be built for students. Development is going to the four corners of the country. I am talking about Dadaab. We are also hoping to get affordable housing projects. Right now, we have markets. More than 45 boreholes have been drilled in my constituency in less than three years, a record number that surpasses what was done in over 60 years. We have seen a record number of pans. We are now looking to take serious, innovative, and technological steps to build an infrastructure that will connect all four corners of this country. The road to Mandera is done. Children along that corridor are seeing tarmac for the first time. Construction of the

road to Dadaab is expected to start as early as January next year. These are the things we are looking at.

I sat with a friend who was involved in the Nyayo Car Project. I do not know if you remember the Nyayo Car. It was a model effort by the Government of the time. There was a lot of mediocrity in the discussions and deliberations on the way forward. Today, the car would match Toyota, Mazda, Mahindra and other vehicles built in what were hitherto third world countries. After World War II, Japan was an impoverished country. We abandoned the project because we focused only on the domestic market instead of the global market. That single project could have spurred a technological take-off. It would have enabled us to consider other electronics such as televisions, stereos and mobile phones.

If we dream big and have a vision, the nation can go far. I am a perfect witness, mover and shaker of a dream in my first term in this House. Only 52 students from northern Kenya were joining universities. Hon. Keynan was one of the student leaders at that time. I introduced an affirmative action Motion. We enrolled about 550 students in the first year. Today, students from northern Kenya make up more than 20 per cent of the total university population. Over the past 30 years, there has been a powerful transformation. We are unable to secure jobs for graduates from our region. I was in Dadaab, where UN bodies were, but it was hard to find even a diploma holder to hire. Today, there is a glut. If you need 100 or 200 jobless doctors, you will find them in an hour. They are now working all over the world. We now have doctors, engineers, lawyers and others.

If you dream and take the first steps towards that dream and vision, you will definitely get somewhere. Before you take off and reach the pinnacle, you must dream and take deliberate steps towards the dream and vision. You will definitely go far.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, can I have two more minutes to wrap up? I will ask Hon. Shabbir Shakeel, if he is unwell, to nurse his wounds. These days, he always holds his hand in a sling. I do not know who bit him.

I had the opportunity to attend a prestigious business school in South Korea for one of the modules of the Master of Business Administration programme I was pursuing. He was with me and I agree with that. When Kenya got its Independence, the South Korean President was a military ruler called Park Chung Hee. He was broke. He needed US$800,000 to facilitate his travels all over Europe and America in search of technology scholarships for South Korean students. He did not have that money. He had to come and borrow it from the late President Jomo Kenyatta. He visited Kenya and borrowed that money.

I am the former Deputy Speaker. Therefore, I should get a little bit more time than the others. Can I have two more minutes just to wrap it up? I will ask Hon. Shakeel Shabbir to respect seniority.

The former South Korean President got 3,000 scholarships for South Korean students in prestigious universities in the United States of America (USA) and in Europe, only in the field of technology. On the other hand, our country is taking a lot of time training procurement and bachelor of arts students, and other things that do not help us in technological off-take. The former President got those 3,000 scholarships. Those students went to the top schools in the world. They came back and spurred technological take-off in South Korea, transforming it into what it currently is. They were able to achieve that in 45 years, which is unbelievable. They once had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) similar to ours. Today, their GDP is US$2.8 trillion while ours is only US$136 billion. That is what made the difference.

It is never too late. We are currently taking off in the same manner envisioned by the former South Korean President, who was a military dictator. He went on a mission to ensure that his country becomes a First World country in the shortest time possible, and it did. We have also taken off. We need to support our President. We need to walk the talk with him. We need to eliminate the naysayers.

The former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew was recently asked how Singapore was able to perform much better than Kenya, yet we were at the same level at Independence. He said that we killed our visionary, Tom Mboya, but the Singaporeans did not kill him.

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, Member for Suba North.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank the President for the State of the Nation Address that spoke to many issues. It was a good coincidence that it fell on 20th November, which is also the International Day of the Child. I am very passionate about the protection of children. Even though I noticed that that issue was not given primacy, the President spoke a lot about issues of hardware, especially in terms of development. I wish he had also given attention to the protection of children. I know the report contains human rights issues, but I wish that the protection of children was also given primacy, especially as we celebrate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

It is unfortunate that we are seeing a lot of violence, especially during the ongoing by- elections. I pray that we take firm action against the perpetrators. There is violence in virtually every area where there is a by-election. I see people giving many excuses saying how political parties should have conducted fair primaries, yet some of the most violent people did not take part in any political party primaries. They chose to be independent candidates or formed their own parties but are still extremely violent. I hope the Government will take firm action, and our courts will punish the perpetrators, so that we do not excuse or allow violence.

Since I know I do not have a lot of time, I do not want to speak about the economy like everybody else. One area that normally goes unnoticed is the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) . I want to thank the national Government for acknowledging that in partnership with the NG-CDF, the Government has delivered 23,000 new classrooms and 1,600 laboratories, which are still under construction. That has eased congestion in schools and provided dignified facilities for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) . Many of us may not realise it but the NG-CDF has done a lot to enable access to education in our communities, especially in the rural areas.

Another issue is the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) institutions, which have changed the economic situation of our young people. Many people who come out of TVETs are able to employ themselves. Enrolment in TVETs has leaped from 341,000 in 2022 to 718,000 in 2025 as young Kenyans embrace engineering, ICT, modern agriculture, hospitality, design and trades that power a modern economy.

I can attest that in my constituency, the NG-CDF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, built a Technical Training Institution (TTI) at Waondo. The area has transformed from a small village into a town. Above that, we can see what our youths can do. They are building other facilities within the institutions. They have constructed walls and toilets, which can now be used. They will be able to work in the community once they leave the TTI.

I also want to talk about affordable housing. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I request you to give me just two more minutes because I can see my time is almost up.

You can give her more time.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Affordable Housing Programme is noble. I was hesitant when it first started, especially for those of us who represent rural constituencies. However, when I saw the Affordable Housing Programme in Homa Bay Town, I realised it is a good initiative. I wish that other Affordable Housing models could emulate what was done in Homa Bay Town because it provides decent and dignified housing for our people. People have plenty of space in the one, two, and three-bedroomed houses. That is a good thing.

The only challenge that we need to deal with is what is happening in Makongeni in Nairobi, where people who have lived there for years have been evicted. The Government compensated each one of them to a tune of Ksh150,000. Although the Government may have good intentions, people mess up such situations. Some people have not been paid their Ksh150,000 because of minor problems.

Most of those people are also from rural constituencies. Some Makongeni residents were originally from my constituency, so they are stuck. They are looking for alternative accommodation. They do not have money, yet the Government has availed Ksh150,000 for them to relocate. At some point, the Kenya Railways stopped changing the cards of ownership, yet there are people who have stayed there for more than 20 years. I request that the appeals arising from such situations be considered quickly, so that people do not stay out in the cold.

That area also has religious institutions like the Makongeni Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church – which even the President himself has contributed to – that has been earmarked for destruction. However, it is not situated within the area where the Affordable Housing Programme will be done. I request that we consider that.

Many people are talking about how they are not seeing any development in their areas. In my own constituency, the Rusinga Ring Road is done. There is only a little bit here and there that needs to be done, but more or less it has been tarmacked. In Luanda, the market is 85 per cent complete. I do not know why the President has to struggle to prove that he has done 90 or 100 per cent; you do not have to do 70, 80, 90 or even 100 per cent.

All of us who have been elected more than once or twice, know that the most difficult term is often the first term. So, for me, if there is goodwill, that shows that there is work being done. However, we still need to deal with issues of human rights. I know there is a lot being done, but we could still do better. I just want to thank the President because in terms of development, he is on the right track.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next is the Hon. Member for Emurua Dikirr, Hon. Ng’eno.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish to also add my voice on this particular presentation to this House by the Head of State. Much has been said by Members and even by the Head of State himself in this House. My only contribution is that there has been a lot of backlog on development activities in this country, such that even as we speak, these are matters which should have been spoken to 10 or 20 years ago. The blueprint that the President presented before this House, is one which was supposed to have been presented in this House in 1969 or 1970, and these are matters which should have been dispensed with. However, due to leadership defaults and faults and so many issues, no President has ever addressed comprehensively the issues that the great President of this Republic presented before this House.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the matter of infrastructure is the greatest backbone to any developing country. The issues of irrigation and education are great achievements which make a country leap from Third World to First World but we have met many challenges. I would not wish to debate much on the matter, but I just want to urge this House that if we must realise the blueprint of the President, it is upon us to ensure that we do our part as the National Assembly and the Senate. It is also upon the Judiciary to do their part so that they do not hamper the success of this particular undertaking. It is also incumbent upon the Executive to ensure that they implement the four agenda which the President presented before this House.

Otherwise, I wish to thank the President, particularly for the dualling of roads that have long been prone to accidents and severe snarl-ups, especially the Mai Mahiu and Kinoo sections, all the way up to Mau Summit, which he is launching tomorrow. I wish to state here that it is going to open up our countryside in terms of development and other matters. On

matters of SGR, I believe that in the near future, we are going to electrify the SGR so that we have faster means of transport to various destinations. I believe this House will also take it upon itself to ensure that we support the President on the matter of SGR, so that we electrify it so as to ensure that we have trains that move with speed. This will ensure that the people who are traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi arrive in Nairobi within two hours, just like the planes. Likewise, those who will be travelling from Nairobi to Kericho or Bomet to Kisumu will also take the shortest time possible. So, I am in full support, and I would wish as a Member of this House to give my support to the President's Speech.

Lastly, I would also wish the President to consider introducing underground trains in Nairobi to reduce traffic jams and snarl-ups in the city and ease transport, so that if you are travelling from Ngong to Nairobi CBD, you could take only five minutes, and from Thika to town, the travel time would be as short as possible. This can be done through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), where an agreement is made between investors and the country. Through such an agreement, we can establish underground trains in our country, similar to those in developed countries.

I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, and I support. Thank you.

The Mover can now reply.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Allow me to thank all the Members who rose in their places in support of this Motion to note the contents of the Address by His Excellency the President to the Nation, which was his third State of the Nation Address. In his own words, as he began his Address, he indicated that three years ago in his first State of the Nation Address, he had a vision that he came to share with the House and nation. This time he did not come with that vision, he came with a story on how far he had moved in the achievement of that vision that he wanted to roll out for the people of Kenya, and in line with the manifesto that he presented when he went around the country campaigning and on the basis of which millions of Kenyans voted for him to lead our country.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the many Members who have contributed to this debate have noted the many good things that are in place. I want to agree with what Hon. Millie Odhiambo has just said here in her contribution, that nobody should be in a hurry because what is there can be seen and can be felt. However, when you listen to those “high priests” as they were described, of eternal pessimism, and their children, because even here I heard few of their children share the same pessimism, they point fingers to data that they cannot offer any alternative to. People can stand in their place and doubt steel and cement consumption in this country, in the last two years. Even in your own village, or in your own county, with Affordable Housing Project, with markets being built left, right, and centre across the nation, and all those things are consuming cement and steel. With over 23,000 new classrooms built, somebody has the guts to come and make the world imagine that the consumption of steel and cement has gone down in the last two years. You just need to exercise a little intelligence, not wisdom.

I have seen that some of us are now fashioning ourselves as masters of double-speak, where what you said yesterday no longer stands today simply because you are not sitting where you sat yesterday, and that some of us now want to be lecturing people in workshops and seminars. You are shopping around for every other small seminar and workshop you find to elucidate on fake data, then you come here and say the President was not relying on data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Unfortunately, I saw one of the media houses fall into the same trap, questioning data that can, in fact, be verified. Unashamedly, one of them even claimed that this data is not verifiable. So why do you not give us alternative data? If we say we have thousands of Kenyans working on the Affordable Housing Project, tell us that the houses do not exist and that there are no people working on them. Maybe there are robots working in those housing projects, and they are probably using soil, not cement and bamboo sticks, not steel.

(Laughter)

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Leader of the Majority Party, do you wish to be informed?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I will allow the Hon. Member to inform me as soon as I finish the point I am making. I was saying classroom economics, at times, can be more theoretical than practical. Practical economics speaks to real people and speaks to the real economy.

We have employed 100,000 teachers, but somebody stood in his place here and told us that the President did not speak about education. We know our Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) was collapsing in 2022. Parents did not know what to do with their children. Public universities were closing down and we had no teachers in our schools. We are all Members of Parliament representing constituents and our head teachers were always sending us to get them teachers for Chemistry, Kiswahili and for other subjects. Today, facts and data show that 76,000 teachers are on payroll paying taxes to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) .

Do you wish to be informed by Hon. Chepkonga?

Today, somebody is saying that our region is a beneficiary. It is not just my region. Thousands of Kenyans today who would not have accessed education opportunities can now access them because of the transformation that has gone on in the education sector.

Let me allow Hon. Chepkonga and Hon. Keynan one minute each to inform me.

Go ahead, Hon. Chepkonga.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. It is not my culture to interrupt a very good speech by the Leader of the Majority Party. He has spoken from his heart.

Is it a culture or habit?

It is also not my culture. It is not allowed. You do not just interrupt senior people like that. So, you must apologise first when you interrupt.

It is very important to inform the Leader of the Majority Party. In fact, he has spoken correctly that the foreign exchange reserves were below three months’ import cover, just slightly above US$6 billion. As we speak, the foreign exchange reserves are over US$20 billion, two times, and somebody had the audacity to tell the Leader of the Majority Party that we were doing better than now. Shame on them.

Hon. Keynan. Actually, it is more than three times, not two times.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, access to education is a basic right. Before the Government of His Excellency President William Ruto, Northern Kenya was used as a recruitment bureau. People used to create an artificial security crisis, recruit teachers in Northern Kenya and post them. But within weeks, they would create crisis and repost them to other regions. I can tell you there are enough teachers even in the constituencies I represent. Access to education is now a right. More fundamentally and for the first time, the Government has operationalised two new teachers training colleges. Leader of the Majority Party and other Kenyans, we will have surplus teachers in the next few months. We will be asking for more opportunities for employment so that these teachers from Northern Kenya can now serve in other parts of the Republic of Kenya. And this would not have been realised without that deliberate policy by the Government. Those who want to hear, please come to Northern Kenya and see the difference. Thank you, Leader of the Majority Party.

Leader of the Majority Party, proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I am well informed by Hon. Keynan, and it is true. That is why I was saying, facts speak for themselves. You cannot dispute facts and data. I must thank even the members of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) . I saw one of our young Member, who, as I said, has been running from one conference to another, in association of this and that. At least the accountants, because they speak to facts and figures, were able to challenge that Member on some of the things that he was saying because it is very easy to talk. Political talk is very cheap and easy. However, you cannot sit with accountants and give us cheap political talk. We will challenge you based on data, facts, and what you were telling us yesterday. When I was the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, or when I was with Hon. Keynan as the Vice-Chair of the Public Investments Committee, in my First Term as a new Member of Parliament, if the things I said then held, even today they should. That is what defines leadership. If you want to be a leader, you must be consistent. If I am wrong, I will consistently be. If I am right, I will consistently be. Because if I flip-flop on my position today and tomorrow, based on the position I hold, it means I am nothing other than a small conman.

Therefore, even for those of us who are young leaders, let us not be swallowed into the bitterness and desire for revenge of those who are older than us, the wamunyoro’s and others. If you are a young leader, please be faithful in your representation of the people and their issues. When I hear someone say, securitisation is illegal borrowing, how can your conversion of an asset into a marketable security be borrowing? Because you know and you want to sound intelligent, you move from one workshop, classroom, training session to the other, saying, the Government is involved in illegal borrowing because we are doing securitisation. When I was the Chair of the Public Investments Committee 10 or 12 years ago, I authored a Report together with Hon. Keynan to say that the Government must innovate ways through which our parastatals can cease being dependent on the exchequer. I have innovative ways of financing their operations in a commercially viable manner. If I held that position 12 years ago, I still hold the same. I cannot flip-flop. Now, I cannot say that if Kenya Power wants to securitise

some of their funds, it is illegal borrowing. Let us be honest. Let us also be objective in our criticism. I wish people would be like Hon. (Dr) Oundo, who at times, criticises but does so objectively, and is consistent in his position. Even when he is not consistent, he knows and will tell you this is for politics. But you know, when somebody behaves as if…

(Laughter)

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Order, Hon. Leader of the Majority Party. Hon. (Dr) Oundo, what is out of order?

The Leader of the Majority Party is extremely out of order. I do not politic without facts. I cannot say anything on the Floor of the House without facts. However, I politic outside.

I debate based on facts and available information. Hon. Ichung’wah wants to prolong the debate. Sometimes, he uses me as an easy punching bag, but I take it positively.

Order, Hon. Oundo. Parliament is a political institution.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Hon. Oundo is a serious legislator. I have immense respect for him. That is why I said when he criticises something on the Floor of the House, he does it based on facts. He is consistent. That is leadership. When he does it out there, it is politics. However, here, we deal with facts and figures.

What astonished me is that somebody who was a chair of a committee recently, kept on pushing for securitisation. However, today, he says that it is illegal borrowing. Recently, he told us that the consumption of cement and steel had gone up. Because it is politically expedient today, he stands on the Floor of Parliament because he thinks he has prime time television, to lie to Kenyans. That is not leadership. I encourage our younger brothers and sisters who sit in this House to be objective and faithful to the truth. Let us not allow ourselves to be consumed by anger, revenge and bitterness. They consume those who are old. If you are young, please do not allow them to consume you.

Somebody said that the Kenyan economy is not the most dominant in the region today. Facts and data speak for themselves. The Kenyan economy remains the most resilient in the East African region. We have now moved from position eight to six among the fastest growing economies in Africa, but not in the region. These are facts from the World Bank. I do not need to belabour on them.

I may go on and on, but because I was simply replying, let me thank all the Members who supported this Motion positively. We have heard those who had alternative views based on facts. We are not in a hurry. This Administration is three years old. When we go for elections in 2027, this Administration will have walked the talk on the vision that His Excellency the President elucidated to this House and the nation three years ago in his first State of the Nation Address. Last week on Thursday, he spoke about a story of sacrifice, resilience, determination and an endeavor to move our country from Third World to First World country. It is a story that this House is an active participant in.

I fondly noted the appreciation of the President on the role that Parliament plays in moving our country forward. Let us say no to negativity. Let us watch those older and younger priests of eternal pessimism, but not lose our focus on the transformative journey that we began

three years ago. I believe His Excellency, President William Ruto and his Administration will indeed put this nation on that trajectory to move it to a First World country. The naysayers may not believe it, but it is coming right in front of their eyes. They can see the affordable housing units going up. They can see road projects that stalled seven to nine years ago. Tomorrow, I invite them to Rironi, Limuru, Mau Summit, Nakuru and Salgaa to witness the transformation of the corridor to the western part of our country. Hon. Oundo will not sleep on that highway next Christmas. He will go home the way I go home in Kikuyu from here using either the Southern Bypass, Western Bypass or ABC–Rironi Dual carriageway. That is the Kenya we want. It is possible to realise it within our lifetime, if only we can take up the challenge that the President has thrown to us, as leaders. We should work together with him to transform our country for the better.

With those remarks, I beg to reply.

Order, Hon. Members. Order, Hon. (Dr) Oundo and Hon. Chepkonga.

Hon. Chepkonga.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Leader of the Majority Party has done an extremely profound job. When you drive through Kikuyu, the work that is going on at the interchange is wonderful. We have never seen anything like that; yet, some people can dare say that nothing has been done by the Leader of the Majority Party. Surely! He is the one who ensured that this thing is done. In fact, there was a

Director-General who was causing him problems. When you drive there, you wonder whether you are in New York or California. We have never seen anything like that. People should not be saying certain things in this country.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion:

The Fund has supported publication and dissemination of official Government information, State security materials and educational resources. However, despite substantial operational changes since the establishment of the Fund in 1988, a lot has undergone a number of comprehensive changes, which require a total review of the Fund. The Government, therefore, found it necessary to modernise the legal framework to strengthen the governance structures, and properly anchor the Fund under the Public Finance Management Act.

The object and purpose of this Fund is to support the sustainability of commercial and non-commercial activities of the Government Press, including printing, publishing and consulting. In particular, the Fund is intended to finance the purchase of raw materials to be used for printing and publishing works by the Government Press. The Government Press performs a very important function. Bills, Gazette Notices and a number of educational materials including exams, are all published by the Government Printer.

The other objective of this Fund is to finance the maintenance, renewal and replacement of obsolete plant. The Government Printer has been in existence since 1963. Most of its plants are very old. It uses very old technology. So, the intention of this Fund is to replace some of the equipment with modern equipment supported by information technology. Many of their equipment are manual yet we claim we are a digital country. That is a contradiction. This Fund seeks to digitise the Government Printers’ equipment to be more efficient and convenient in printing and production.

The third objective is to provide resources for the payment of overheads related to printing and publishing works that the institution performs for this nation. The Government Printer also provides services to county governments. County assemblies use the services of the Government Printer to print their Bills.

Having examined the Public Finance Management (Government Press Fund Regulations) 2025, the Committee found that certain parts contravene the Statutory Instruments Act, particularly Section 13(m), which provides that no statutory instrument shall inappropriately delegate power to any other person when the Minister or the regulatory-making

authority has been given that power, and purport to delegate to someone else to make decisions as they deem fit or as they consider appropriate. That in itself goes against the Constitution, which states that no person in Kenya has the power to create any legislation that has the force of law. Purporting to give a third party the power to make laws, contravenes the Constitution and the statutory instruments. That is why we recommend to this House that paragraph 5(2)(d), which inappropriately delegates the responsibilities of the regulatory-making authority to a third party, be annulled. We also recommend that paragraphs 9(1) and 12(1)(g) be annulled, so that the Regulations are in line with the Constitution, the parent Act, and the Statutory Instruments Act.

I urge that this House approves the Public Finance Management (Government Press Fund) Regulations, 2025, Legal Notice No.142 of 2025, subject to the annulment of Regulations 5(2)(d), 9(1), and 12(1)(g) for contravening Section 13(m) of the Statutory Instruments Act.

With those few remarks, I beg to move and request Hon. Janet Sitienei to second.

Hon. Janet.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Just before I second, I want to support the Leader of the Majority Party who said that the President’s plans and strategies to transform this country are a hope for a brighter future for this country. His determination is inspiring and it gives us hope as Kenyans. We thank the President for that. We know that he is determined and focused on transforming this country.

I beg to second the Public Finance Management

Regulations, 2025, so that they conform with the new Constitution.

Yes, Hon. Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Public Finance Management

Regulations, 2025. I want to go on record as a Member of the Committee on Delegated Legislation in the 12th Parliament. Hon. Chepkonga was not in the 12th Parliament.

He was on a leave of absence or sabbatical. While serving in the Committee, very curious issues arose. By the time we were preparing our exit report, we made several recommendations to improve the workings of the Committee.

Normally, once an Act of Parliament has been assented to by the President, we tend to delegate certain powers to the cabinet secretaries, accounting officers or constitutional office holders to prepare regulations, on the understanding that we cannot have everything in an Act of Parliament. Consequently, there was a tendency for Cabinet Secretaries to abuse that delegated authority. They abused it in several ways. First, by extending their mandate and attempting to interpret afresh the provisions that gave them those powers to an extent that they could even impose levies or forms of taxation through the back door. Many times, we stood our ground and made this clear. In many cases, we were threatened, but we believed it was good for the country to make sure that we stood firm.

Second, there were many cases where either Government officers or cabinet secretaries published regulations and began implementing them before approval by the House. This included levies and enforcement measures. It is good that we went ahead during this Term to amend the Statutory Instruments Act to stem that blatant abuse of power. As we stand here today, let me also commend the Government Press. For many of us, the Kenya Gazette held

some kind of awe. Whenever you heard it mentioned, you would always think many important matters were there. We must find a way of making them autonomous so that they can do their work judiciously and according to the law.

It is important for us to understand that in future, we might have a standalone Act of Parliament to ensure that the Government Press remains independent and an accountable institution that serves all Kenyans. There were many instances when a matter was taken to the Press but never published or placed in the Kenya Gazette. This is because someone had interfered or given instructions not to proceed to gazette a particular matter. When many Kenyans lose their documents such as title deeds, certificates of lease, academic certificates or similar documents, or even want to change their name, just like the conman in Mbeere North; where you con Kenyatta National Hospital then go and change your name; and for some strange reason, you are cleared to vie in an election on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party. We thought the party was for the rule of law but it has not turned out to be the case. They must serve all Kenyans. They must have a service charter, that if I have to gazette the loss of my title, once I have paid the requisite fees, I should expect that gazettement to be out after a certain period of time, rather than delaying forever without anything else. I wish they could work with the same clarity and speed with which they gazetted the impeachment of the “truthful man.” Now that he has been impeached, he is causing sleepless nights to many people. He is causing butterflies in many stomachs because of the speed of the process.

Let me commend the Committee. I hope it has maintained the same spirit. If there is no adequate public participation, annul. If there is no memorandum or impact assessment, annul. If it continuously overstretches the mandate of the parent Act, annul. We must fix this country. We cannot become a country that praises and worships bad governance.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Is there anybody else? Fair enough. There being no further interest, I call upon Hon. Chepkonga to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to thank Hon. (Dr) Oundo, a former Member of the Committee on Delegated Legislation. In fact, we hear of a very important contribution that he made in the 12th Parliament. The only thing he says is that I was on leave yet I was not. I just changed roles. I moved from being a Member of Parliament for Ainabkoi Constituency and he elected me as his commissioner to represent him at the Parliamentary Service Commission. He must have forgotten, but I just want to remind him that he elected me. So, Hon. Temporary Speaker...

He, in effect, promoted you.

Absolutely yes. I used to pay him.

From being a Member of Parliament you became a boss of Parliament.

Yes, Hon. Temporary Speaker. You know, Hon. Oundo’s Committee was nicknamed: “Annulment Committee.” It is because it was extremely strict. As a consequence of that, when we took over we did so with its recommendation of stemming the annulment of regulations by undertaking pre-publication scrutiny. We are now doing it. We did it on this regulation and the next one. That is the reason we did not want to annul it just because there were small errors. We did not want to pass them with errors. We would rather just annul some small parts of it and approve the substantive part of it. I want to thank him for his contribution. I also thank this House for the support it has given to the Committee in passing a number of regulations that have been brought forth. So, I thank the Member for contributing fervently and competently to this particular Motion.

I beg to reply.

Fair enough. Hon. Members, my role is to put the Question.

Chairperson, Committee on Delegated Legislation.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Public Finance Management

(Amendment)

Regulations, 2025, laid on the Table of the House on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 24

(4)

of the Public Finance Management Act, Cap 412A, this House approves the Public Finance Management

(Amendment)

Regulations, published as Legal Notice No.106 of 2025. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as you know, the Sports Fund has acquired some importance in the recent past. The President has been promoting our sportsmen and women. This Sports Fund has made a huge contribution towards inspiring these particular sports people. The money that we hear the President is contributing to sports persons comes from this Fund. Some people may wonder where the President gets this money. The money in the Sports Fund are collected from companies like Sport Pesa and Aviator, who are taxed and are given to our sportsmen and women who make this country proud. This is the only legitimate thing to do for those who give themselves to putting Kenya on the world map. Recently, Kenya achieved a commendable fourth place in global athletics.

Additionally, the CAF tournament hosted here garnered interest even from those who are not typically soccer fans. I am a huge fan of Arsenal. Just to remind Hon. (Dr) Oundo, Arsenal won yesterday and is now leading by over 10 points against our competitors. Those competing against Arsenal are seeing us on ViuSasa.

This Sports Fund was established to support sports activities in the country and was initiated pursuant to the Public Finance Management Act, Cap.412. Most funds established are initiated by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning, in line with the Public Finance Management Act. We are considering these regulations in line with the Public Finance Management Act, the Constitution, the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, and the Statutory Instruments Act. The regulations have undergone the due process, and public participation has provided us with the Regulatory Impact Assessment Statement.

The objective of this regulation is to refine the scope and mandate of the Fund and to introduce an updated formula for the apportionment of funds to various entities. For example, we are constructing Talanta Stadium at a total cost of Ksh40 billion. This is why the Leader of the Majority Party is addressing the issue of securitisation. It is indeed a novel and new approach to financing infrastructural projects in this country and globally. We have pending regulations before this Committee concerning the securitisation of funds allocated to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) , the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) , and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) . We have witnessed significant funds being raised

through securitisation. For example, in the road sector, the Government has raised Ksh175 billion to settle pending bills and facilitating the construction of numerous roads.

Kindly give him two more minutes.

Thank you very much. It appears there were just some technical issues. As I was saying, securitisation has sorted out our major problems. For instance, Talanta Stadium stands as the only stadium of its kind in Africa, constructed at a remarkable cost of Ksh40 billion. I often pass by and marvel at the magnificent stadium built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) through the Sports Fund. Kenyans should be thankful to me because when I served as the Corporation Secretary of Kenya Post and Telecommunications, we successfully prevented goons and crooks from allocating themselves that particular plot. The plot was owned by Kenya Post and Telecommunications, which is a Government institution. Had it not been for our efforts, we would have seen numerous small houses constructed on that site.

Some people had funny title deeds. I do not know if they made them from River Road, but we clipped their wings. I went to the then Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) , Mr Noah Too, who arrested them. They surrendered the fake titles. That is the land where Talanta Stadium is being constructed. This Fund intends to finance infrastructural projects. Many stadia, including two stadia in my constituency that were promised in the past, have stalled since there are no funds to complete them. They have become white elephants, one of them is Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet, which is well known to Dr Oundo.

This Fund will sort out these problems. We begin building stadia and realise we have no funds. We allocate money from the Exchequer, making sportsmen compete for allocation with important sectors like education. We know education takes up the largest chunk of our Budget, at Ksh700 billion, yet we collect around Ksh2.6 trillion. This Fund will sort out the intermittent problems.

It also intends to strengthen operational definitions and institutional rules. It will also provide clarity on the administration, management, and utilisation of the Fund. The overall purpose of the Fund remains to support the development and promotion of sports and arts programmes that foster social development, including universal health. As you know, our sports people…

Proceed, Hon. Chepkonga.

We must ensure our sportspeople are healthy by providing sufficient facilities, like physiotherapy. Our sportspeople just run and sit, while those who run for other countries get physiotherapy services when they are resting. Their injured muscles are massaged. This will make our sportspeople very competitive.

Our sportspeople have a challenge managing themselves. A good example is the case of Kelvin Kiptum. If this Fund had been operationalised, this gentleman and his coach would not have been drunk- driving. They would not have lost control of their car. They should have been kept in a secluded area…

Protected areas to protect them from themselves.

Yes, protected from themselves. They can injure themselves since some lack self-control once they get too much money. This is a gentleman who could have run a race in under 2 hours. He had already set the marathon world record at 2:00:35; he easily did it like a walk in the park.

This Fund will also establish gyms for sportspeople to ensure they tone their bodies. They need to engage in muscle-strengthening activities. This will help them run until the finish line. In past races, some Kenyan sportspeople run, and when they are close to the finish line they lack the last kick. Ethiopians pass them since they have better facilities. This Fund will ensure we provide such facilities.

I do not want to dwell much on the Fund. It is straightforward and useful to this country. I request the House that, pursuant to Section 24(4) of the Public Finance Management Act, Cap

Hon. Mwalyo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Before I second this Motion, I would like to commend the Committee for coming up with this regulation for our sports people and sports academies. A while back, teams would be invited to play outside the country but could not travel because there was no money for their expenses. This affected their morale. They also did not have good facilities or uniforms. Therefore, this Fund will help them.

We now have sports academies coming up in our constituencies. This Fund will help our young people to train, become professional sports persons and earn a living. Sports men and women in other countries are well taken care of. Sports is their career. They train from morning to evening and become professional footballers and sports men and women. They also earn a living from sports.

This Fund is most welcome. We will pass it in order to help our country in sports development, just as the education sector. We have many universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) coming up in every constituency. Likewise, we should have sports academies in every constituency so that talented youth can pursue sports careers if they cannot excel in education. It should be an alternative for our youths from the books.

With those few remarks, I second.

Hon. (Dr) Oundo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In my early years, I was a very active sports person until I fractured my foot in old age. I no longer involve myself in any sport because I fear further injuries. I join the Committee in supporting its recommendation to adopt its report on the consideration of the Public Finance Management

(Amendment)

Regulations, 2025. Our country has been known and its fame has spread across the world because of sports, specifically athletics. If there is anything that brings the people of Kenya together, regardless of their political divide or primitive tribal association, it is sports. Many of us feel very proud when we see the ‘Chebets’ and ‘Obiris’, crossing the tape with their hands raised up and the colours of the national flag on their uniform. When they run the lap of honour with the Kenyan flag, it gives many of us a lot of pride. Whenever I travel all over the world, people always talk about Kipchoge Keino and other famed athletes. It is important that any opportunity that is available to strengthen funding for sporting activities is supported.

The funds to pay for indigent and universal health is also domiciled in the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund. I hope and pray that the amendments that have been presented on the same Fund, goes further to strengthen its operations and management. Kenya has very

old and dilapidated sporting facilities. The last major sports stadium to be built was Kasarani. I remember some of the earlier matches in Kasarani included the match between Harambee Stars and Nigeria in the African Cup Confederation (CAF) qualifier.

I ask the Members of Parliament and the public to join in this debate. We have taken antagonistic, belligerent, and confrontational approaches towards securitisation. We might argue in many ways but truth be told, both from literature and practice. Securitisation is a loan. Securitisation is a debt because it includes capitalising your future income to get a lump sum for today, to undertake an event and commit that future income stream to service the amount. In the event that income stream fails to materialise, the Consolidated Fund will be required to service that commitment. So, there is no other argument. It must be subsumed in politics. We might want to do all that we can do but securitisation, whether you like it or not, is a loan. Since it is a loan in terms of public resources, then it becomes a public debt. We might refuse to include it in the schedule of public debt, but that remains an undeniable fact—both from literature and practice. Securitisation is a debt and a loan where you commit a fixed income hoping that the income will remain there forever. In the event that that income is not forthcoming, you have to look for an alternative source to service that particular loan. In public funds, where do you find that? That is the Exchequer, through the Consolidated Fund.

Nevertheless, once we have Talanta Stadium, let us deal with the problem. We should not burden the future generation to deal with the problem while the current generation, led by Hon. Chepkonga, will have exited the world. Therefore, it is important to note that securitisation is a loan. In public finance, that is a public debt.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second.

Those of us who have a memory of the 1960s and the 1970s will not forgive Kenyans for failing to remember the real stars of the 1960s. You have mentioned Kipchoge Keino but there was Ben Jipcho, Wilson Kiprugut, Naftali Temu and Amos Biwott. These are the people who put us on the map of the world in the 1960s. I was in Standard One in 1964.

Give him the microphone.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in boxing was Wangila, from Funyula Constituency and was a cousin to my grandmother. I warn Hon. Chepkonga .…

Wangila had a big issue because he had converted to Islam.

Yes.

They wanted to bury him in the traditional way, but we went to court and managed to bury him the Islamic way.

But that cannot deny the fact that he came from Funyula Constituency and was a cousin to my late grandmother. I bring it to the attention of Hon. Chepkonga, that any day he annoys me beyond what I can hold, he needs to look at where my hands are coming from because one punch and he is down.

Thank you, Temporary Speaker.

I know it is not for your Committee but the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture must put up statues for the people who have put us on the map of the world. Naftali Temu, if my memory serves me right, ran barefoot and gave us a gold medal. A country that does not know its history does not know its future. If you do not know where you came from, you will have a problem knowing where you are going.

Now that it seems to have the support of everybody, I think the Mover should be called upon to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. As a country, we remember with nostalgia, the quartet of Naftali Temu at the Munich Olympics where Kenya won a gold medal for the first time in 4x400m. The last person to pick the baton was almost the last person in the field, but he ran and out-sprinted the rest who were ahead of him.

Which year was that?

That was 1972, when we were in Standard One.

And where were you at that time?

I was still a toddler.

Are you sure?

Yes, I was.

Are you sure your mother and father had met?

Yes. Absolutely. The age difference between you and me is not very big. It is just that I have remained young.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank the Members who have contributed and the sportspeople who have done immense work in putting the image of Kenya beyond what people would do in ordinary circumstances. When we see someone running in the field, some of us who are watching live know what it is like, the adrenaline which is running in them. When we want to go and sleep, the sleep disappears because the adrenaline is moving faster than the blood all because of what we are watching on the screen.

We commend our sportspeople for having done this country proud, particularly those who have won gold, silver, and bronze medals. We don't forget those who attempted. I remember a marathoner from Tanzania who ran and he continued running, but he was the last one to finish. He was asked why he continued running yet he had been out-sprinted by everybody, and he said that his country did not sent him to win but to finish. That is called sports. It is the reason we support the Sports Fund to be established urgently and be recalibrated to ensure that funds are used in a manner that will benefit our sportspeople and this nation.

I thank you. I beg to reply.

Hon. Oundo takes a lot of pleasure in boxing and, I think, soccer. I am sure he only remembers Joe Kadenge. Do you not remember JJ Masiga and Kadir Farah?

Do you remember Kadir Farah?

Okay, thank you.

Hon. Oundo says that JJ Masiga comes from Bumula Constituency, therefore, Bumula must be celebrated.

Hon. Okuome, MP for Karachuonyo, what is your point of order before we go to the next Order? Am I right? I knew when the MP for Karachuonyo was some other name. I will tell you. Proceed.

You are totally right. Thank you. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 35 to inform you that there is no Quorum to transact any further business properly.

Okay. If my memory serves me very well, I remember Hon. Phoebe Asiyo was also a Member of Parliament for Karachuonyo. Am I right? We served with her in the 7th Parliament.

I now direct that the Quorum Bell be rung for 10 minutes.

Hon. Members, there being no quorum and the time being 5:52 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 5:52 p.m.

Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi