Thursday, 5th June 2025

Serjeant-at-Arms, we have no quorum. Ring the Quorum Bell.

Hon. Robert Mbui, where are your Whips? Are you on the throne or you are pretending to be on it?

Hon. Members, we have quorum now. Clerk-at-the-Table.

Leader of the Majority Party.

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

Hon. Members, we have a Supplementary Order Paper. The business of the afternoon will be as laid out. Order No. 8 on the ordinary Order Paper and not Supplementary Order Paper was a Procedural Motion which has exited. It is not on.

Secondly, today, being the Third Allotted Day for the Motion on Consideration of Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026, we will allot the whole of this afternoon for debate on it, so that we can give as many Members as we can time to ventilate and give their views on it. The Committee of Supply which appears at Order No. 11 will now be shifted to Tuesday, so that I can give as many Members as I can an opportunity to give their views on the Budget Estimates to be on record.

Pardon. Yes, Hon. Martin.

For purposes of this House, Hon. Martin is a young Member. He is a first-termer. Is he not a first-termer?

Is he a second-termer?

Yes.

Hon. Martin, then why are you behaving like a first-termer?

Before we go to Statements, allow me to acknowledge the following institutions in the House. In the Speaker's Gallery, we have Maai Mahiu Girls Secondary School from Naivasha Constituency, Nakuru County. Students, when your school is mentioned, stand up to be

acknowledged. Maai Mahiu Girls Secondary School, thank you. You may take your seats. We have Nakuru West Secondary School from Nakuru West Constituency.

In the Public Gallery, we have Githunguri Girls High School from Kandara, Murang'a County, and Ndagene Boys High School from Imenti South Constituency, Meru County. On my behalf and that of the whole House, we welcome all students, teachers and those accompanying them to the House of Parliament.

(Applause) We will now go to Statements.

Is Hon. Aburi in the House? You have a date with destiny.

Have you looked at the Hansard to see what the Speaker ruled and directed yesterday?

Yes, Hon. Speaker.

It is now your opportunity to purge your mischief.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika, kwa kunipa nafasi hii.

Speak loudly. I cannot hear you.

Mhe. Spika, mimi kwa roho yangu na akili yangu, niko hapa kusema pole kwa Mheshimiwa dada yangu kwa sababu mimi nilikosea kwa kurekodi hiyo video. Ni mimi niliirekodi, kisha baadaye, nikiwa na ndugu na marafiki wetu pale nje, mmoja akaomba “nimsambazie”, kisha nikafanya hivyo. Sikujua eti itakuja kufika nje. Kwa sababu hiyo, ilikuwa ni kuharibu jina.

Kivyangu nasema pole na naomba nisamehewe. Maandiko yanasema ya kwamba hakuna dhambi yoyote duniani ambayo haiwezi ikasamehewa hata kama ni nyekundu kama damu. Kwa hivyo, mimi kivyangu naomba msamaha.

Ahsante, Mhe. Speaker. (Kicheko)

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Mpuru Aburi. The Holy Book, the Bible, has one central message that the beginning of healing lies in the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, and the subsequent uttering of one magic word ‘sorry’. So, we forgive you. Hon. Umulkher, if you are harbouring any hard feelings, it is upon you to forgive. The House forgives you.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

There is no point of order to be allowed, because there is no Motion here against Hon. Mpuru Aburi. So nobody will discuss him unless your point of order is on something else.

Pardon?

Hon. Speaker, it is important that he confirms to the House that, being an elder of Njuri Ncheke, his apology is accepted everywhere and by all.

Thank you.

Yes, Mheshimiwa. It is not a Meru affair but go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. In Meru traditions and customs, when an elder acknowledges a mistake and begs for pardon and forgiveness, it is granted openly and with open hearts. So, we request the lady who feels that the mistake was done to her to forgive, and even the House, to forgive Hon. Mpuru Aburi for this mistake.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

The Speaker speaks for the House. The House has forgiven Hon. Mpuru Aburi unconditionally. Hon. Umulkher.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I have heard the apology of Hon. Mpuru Aburi. We spoke on the phone on the same day when the incident happened. I had asked him not to share that clip because I am a Member of Parliament who has guarded her integrity. The incident that occurred does not describe my nature or my character. He agreed not to share the video clip. However, I am aware, and he has mentioned it, that a woman Member of Parliament shared that video clip. I will accept his apology on condition that he shares that name so that I can also get an apology from the said woman Member of Parliament. Especially being a woman Member of Parliament, we have a serious movement on women's empowerment and other issues. Therefore, for the clip to be shared by a female Member of Parliament is even more painful than what Hon. Mpuru Aburi had done. That is my request, and I would wish to know.

Thank you.

Hon. Umulkher, I forgave you for your wrongdoing also, unconditionally. That you fought in the precincts of Parliament, whether you were the victim or not, warrants some form of censure. Order! Take your seat. The Speaker found that you were aggressed and you were defending yourself. That notwithstanding, there is a famous case from Zanzibar, Kimanga versus Republic, which states that a policeman, or a reasonable person cannot, in his presence, be a party to a breach of the peace because of the very nature of what he does. Being a Member of Parliament, even under extreme provocation, there is no justification for a physical fight.

The woman Member who solicited the clip from Hon. Mpuru Aburi and who subsequently circulated it, I know who she is. We shall keep her name under wraps for the purpose of not escalating this unfortunate incident. Even if you get to know her name, it only compounds the problem. So, we leave it there. Is that not so, Members?

Yes.

Yes, Hon. Umulkher.

Hon. Speaker, I am very grateful that you have considered my misbehaviour and indecency, and acknowledged that it is not reflective of the image of this House. However, I also know the female Member of Parliament. It is very painful because she shared it with a blogger, and was bragging about it. It is painful, but regardless, I accept his apology, and I will let it be at that. But she must also apologise to the House.

She is unknown and so, let us keep it that way. We shall not expose our own Members unfairly. Hon. Mpuru Aburi was the genesis of the mischief, and he has retracted and apologised. So, let us leave it there. Let us go to Statements.

Yes, Hon. Robert, what is it? Let the chips lie where they fell. Members, before we proceed to Statements, let me recognise, in the Speaker's Gallery, a group of women leaders from Nairobi County, from various constituencies. They are called the Dhobi Womens’ Network. When we mention your name, kindly stand, and then take your seat. Madam Grace Ngugi, Madam Agnes Mulesi, Madam Beatrice Korore, Madam Jane Mbatia and Madam Rose Okello. Mnakaribishwa nyote kwa Jumba la Bunge, kwa kikao cha alasiri hii.

On the Requests for Statements, we have Hon. Teresia Wanjiru. Is she in the House? Leader of the Majority Party, somebody is whispering that it would be a miracle if Hon. Teresia is in the House. Is she around?

Hon. Anthony Oluoch, go ahead.

Hon. 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 Education regarding the status of the Kenya School Meals Policy.

On 20th November 2024, this House received information from the Cabinet Secretary for Education that the Ministry had drafted a policy document intended to streamline and enhance the provision of school meals across the country. The Cabinet Secretary further assured the House that the Ministry aimed to have that critical policy finalised and operational by the end of the first quarter of 2025, a timeline that has since lapsed.

The importance of the school feeding programmes in our country cannot be overstated. Empirical evidence demonstrates a direct correlation between the provision of meals in schools and improved enrolment rates, particularly among learners from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds. The assurance of a daily meal reduces barriers to accessing education, thereby boosting school attendance, enhancing concentration in class and, ultimately, improving academic performance.

It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education to appraise the House of the following:

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Education, when can you bring a response?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. In two weeks, we will be able to bring a response.

Thank you. You have two weeks. Hon. Peter Lochakapong.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 2 (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee

on Environment, Forestry & Mining regarding the seemingly illegal commercial mining activities taking place in Lami Nyeusi and Kambi Karaya within Sigor Constituency.

There have been reported apparent illegal and unregulated commercial mining operations taking place in Lami Nyeusi and Kambi Karaya. Those activities pose serious environmental risks, including contamination of water sources, degradation of agricultural land, and destruction of natural habitats. Additionally, the activities threaten the livelihoods of the local communities and have contributed to increased insecurity due to inter-clan clashes over the control and exploitation of mineral resources. Further, the alleged operators are unlicensed and are employing unsafe mining methods, thereby endangering not only the lives of miners, but also the general well-being of residents in surrounding communities.

It is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry & Mining on the following:

The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining? Yes, Hon. Member, when can you bring a response?

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Vincent Musyoka is on a special assignment of the Committee, and we have a similar statement by Hon. (Dr) John Namoit on the same matter, which is active. Perhaps, we can meet with him next week on Tuesday or Thursday, and then we shall discuss the issue.

Just to reinforce the request of that statement by Hon. ‘Lochaks’ and the other one where the Member speaks about a Member of the Committee, I have a request to the Committee.

As he says, this is a second request for statement on illegal mining. You are aware that we were at one point told that all mining licences had, to some extent, been stopped. We are still unclear on who and how people are being licensed to do mining. We do not know who is licensed and who is not. I request the Committee to go beyond the request of statement and engage the Ministry on what needs to be done moving forward.

Yes.

Ideally, we should even have a board that licenses miners or the people who are engaging in the mining business; not one or two Ministry officials deciding whom to license. Just as we have the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in the gambling or betting business, we ought to have a mining board that is scrutinising who is mining, who is being licensed, where they are being licensed, and what they are to mine.

Not only are people doing illegal mining, they are also getting mining licences for quarrying. As Hon. ‘Lochaks’ says, people are mining gold and other very precious metals in some of those areas. The same thing is happening in Embu and Tharaka-Nithi. The people of Kenya own the natural resources that are exploited by foreigners and shipped out of this country. It is imperative that the Committee takes the responsibility of guiding the House on

what we need to do in legislation - whether we form a board or whatever we need to do so that even decisions on who is to be licensed are collegiate.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Emathe, have you heard that? In responding, combine the request for statements if they lead to similar issues. If you are going to invite the Cabinet Secretary to the Committee, invite Hon. Lochakapong and whoever else has requested for a similar statement. Subsequent to that, bring an answer to the House in two weeks.

Well guided, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Doris Donya, Kisii County.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning regarding unspent National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) monies for Kisii County for the 2023/2024 Financial Year.

I rise to seek clarification regarding the unspent funds amounting to Ksh7.9 million allocated to the Kisii County Women Representative under the NGAAF for the 2023/2024 Financial Year reportedly returned to the National Treasury. The funds were meant for various community development projects aimed at empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups in Kisii County. That is in line with the objectives of NGAAF.

Despite my continued follow-ups, I have yet to receive an update regarding the reinstatement of the funds for reinvestment in the planned initiatives. The delayed reallocation is deeply concerning as it has stalled critical programmes that are meant to uplift the marginalised communities, promote economic empowerment and enhance service delivery within Kisii County.

Moreover, the failure to reinstate the funds goes against the spirit of affirmative action as enriched in the Constitution. Article 27 (6) and Article 27 (8) of the Constitution obligate the State to take legislative and policy measures to redress historical disadvantages that are suffered by women and other marginalised groups. Returning those funds to the National Treasury instead of utilising them in intended purposes undermines those constitutional provisions and denies the people of Kisii County the benefits they are entitled to.

It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to appraise the House on the following:

Yes, Hon. Donya.

Hon. Speaker, the National Treasury gives us district accountants. They are the ones who returned my money that was meant for the Kisii people. I do not understand why their people returned my money.

Chair of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning or any Member from that Committee. Leader of the Majority Party, you can convey that to the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. Let him bring a response on this in two weeks.

Statement request by Hon. (Dr) Charles Onchoke of Bonchari is by the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works. Yes, Vice-Chair. Do you have a response?

Give Hon. Rindikiri the microphone. Go ahead.

Hon. Onchoke requested for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary through the Committee. There is a Statement by the Cabinet Secretary to the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works regarding the collapsed residential buildings in Bonchari Constituency.

The building and construction industry in Kenya is a key component of the country's infrastructure sector that involves engaging specialised professionals to oversee planning, design and development of safe structures for human habitation.

As a strategic pillar of Kenya's economic development and urbanisation, various legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks guide the building and construction sector. Several factors such as population growth, urban migration, urban policies and foreign investment strategies drive its growth. The industry remains a key enabler to socio-economic development. However, it faces several challenges relating to quality assurances and safety standards.

Despite the challenges, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development is supporting and advising our investors in various development-safe and resilient infrastructure for human habitation. Due to their potential threat to human life, economic stability and property integrity, buildings experiencing collapses have been a source of concern to both the national Government and county governments.

It is important to note that various factors such as poor workmanship, substandard materials used in construction, inadequate supervision, poor quality controls, inadequate maintenance of buildings, and extraordinary load or combination of those factors contribute to those buildings’ collapses.

Hon. Speaker, rising incidences of such events have underscored the critical need for improved buildings’ safety protocols and effective mitigation strategies. In light of those challenges, the Ministry of Land, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development has established a robust mechanism for ensuring compliance with sub-national, national and international standards.

Particularly, the Ministry is processing:

Hon. Onchoke, if you are satisfied, you do not have to say anything. We can go to the next statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to respond or react to the Statement that has been read by my friend, Hon. Rindikiri, on behalf of his Committee. This Statement has two fundamental flaws.

First, it states that the developer is in custody, while he is not. Secondly, it states that the developer supported the families with funeral arrangements and is engaging with the families to support them going forward, whereas he has not. I say this with authority because today, I spoke with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer (DCIO) on the ground, the Assistant Chief and Chief who confirmed what I have just stated. As a matter of fact, the five people who died come from very poor families and are very young people who have left behind orphans and widows. We recall that around about that time when they died, you supported us. Thank you very much for giving them a decent send-off.

For the Cabinet Secretary to provide a Statement which is fundamentally incorrect is baffling and also begs the question whether the Ministry is serious in tackling the issues raised in my request for a statement that I laid before this House.

Having said that, the five and their young families are still waiting for justice. In this Statement, despite the fact that the Cabinet Secretary has indicated that the Ministry conducts regular site inspections by qualified professionals and require that developers or contractors submit mandatory compliance reports, on the 3rd September 2024, that project was issued with a notice to suspend works because it was not compliant by not following the laid-down procedures, laws and policies. However, it continued. Where were the inspectors we are told are professionals or the regular inspections we are told in this Statement? This lacklustre approach to very serious matters when five people are dead and the families are waiting for justice .…

Hon. Onchoke, you are making a speech instead of seeking clarification.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am getting a bit emotional because it is a very painful matter. In my view, we require that the Cabinet Secretary brings a substantive and correct statement which is action-oriented and which is going to support those families and justice is going to be done. Not one that is laced with lies and inaccuracies.

Thank you. Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Rindikiri, Vice-Chairman, is your Statement full of inaccuracies?

This Statement was sought through the Committee, but the main agenda was the broader response to the issues because this is specific on residential buildings. I request to engage the Member for Bonchari. We will call him so that we can seek clarification and involve the Cabinet Secretary on the matters raised.

Hon. Onchoke, you can engage the Chairman and if you need support from my Office, you can reach out.

Hon. Joseph Gitari had a request for a statement to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Tongoyo. It is about the security situation in Kirinyaga County. Are you ready?

Yes, I am.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. In response to the request for a statement sought by the Member for Kirinyaga Central, Hon. Joseph Gitari, on the security situation in Kirinyaga, I state as follows:

On 4th January 2025, Stacy Nyakio Kinyua, 13, a Grade Seven pupil, was reported missing by her aunt at Kerugoya Police Station, vide Occurrence Book (OB) No.29/04/01/2025 at around 2.30 p.m. Her body was discovered three hours later in a coffee plantation near her home in Kibingo, following a search led by relatives, friends and the area chief. Preliminary investigations indicated signs of sexual assault and strangulation. A post- mortem confirmed the cause of death as hypoxia due to suffocation/strangulation following an assault.

Forensic samples including swabs and fingernail scrapings were submitted to the Government Chemist for analysis. The case remains under active investigation with efforts underway to identify and apprehend the suspects.

On 3rd January 2025, William Mbogo and his wife, Joyce Wangu Mbogo, were attacked by three armed assailants at around 2115 hours after closing their M-pesa shop at Block Area shopping centre in Kerugoya Town. Mr Mbogo sustained a gunshot wound to the right hand while Mrs Mbogo suffered serious head injuries. They were initially treated at ACK Mt. Kenya Hospital and later transferred to Kerugoya Medical Centre where Mr Mbogo was admitted for one week and Mrs Mbogo for one month. They are currently recovering at home and the incident was reported at Karaini Police Station vide OB No.10/03/01/2025. Nothing was stolen during the attack.

A spent cartridge and two live rounds recovered from the scene were subjected to ballistic analysis which linked the firearm used to another robbery with a violent incident that occurred on 10th February 2024 at Mwalimu Farm in Ruiru Sub-county. In that incident, three suspects riding an unmarked motorcycle and armed with a pistol fired one round and ordered the victims to lie down before robbing them of valuables and money. The matter was reported vide OB No.31/10/02/2024. Investigations into both incidents remains active with ongoing efforts to trace and apprehend the suspect (s) .

On 24th January 2025, Ms Gladys Nyambura Njuki was robbed by a gang of five assailants riding on two unregistered motorcycles at around 2130 hours in Kerugoya town. The attackers blocked her path and stole her handbags which contained household items including a packet of unga, cabbage and others. During the incident, a resident Mr Peter Karimi responded to her distress call and was fatally shot. His body was moved to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital Mortuary. Two spent cartridges and five live rounds were recovered at the scene. A post-mortem confirmed that Mr Karimi died from massive internal haemorrhage. Ballistic analysis linked the firearm used to the aforementioned Ruiru shooting incident on 10th February 2024. The matter remains under active investigation, and efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects are ongoing. The measures being put in place include:

Have you finished?

Yes.

Hon. Gitari.

Hon. Marianne, take your seat. Let us finish with Hon. Gitari first.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. First, I thank the Chairman and the entire Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security When you directed them to invite me when the Inspector-General of Police and the Deputy Inspectors-General appeared before them, they did so and we addressed this matter. However, I am a bit concerned about two things.

One, you directed the Committee to give an interim report, but I can assure you the interim report they gave us about two months ago is the same report they have given today. They have only changed the date.

Two, I raised this issue on 25th February 2025, and some of the incidents occurred in early January. For how long will the people of Kirinyaga Central keep waiting? The only thing that we hear from the Ministry is that investigations are underway. Out of the four cases I asked about, none has yielded results. People in Kirinyaga live in fear because they do not know what the criminals can do. They are still at large. Some of them are known people, but they are just free and might commit the same crime. We need more answers than what we have got.

I thank you.

Hon. Marianne Kitany.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. About a week ago, there was a report that had been given to the House by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the issue of Hon. Koimburi. He actually told us that he would give us a response within a week. Today, being Thursday, the week is over. It would be important that he gives this House an update, knowing that this

matter is of great national importance not only to this House, but to the nation at large. Everyone needs to understand this self-abduction business and whatever became of it and the actions being taken by the security sector, if any.

Thank you.

Hon. Tongoyo, clarify the issues raised by Hon. Gitari before you come to that.

Hon. Speaker, on the issues raised by my colleague from Kirinyaga Central, it is really unfortunate that several members of that community have lost their lives. I share his pain and concern, but I assure you and the country that I am going to take personal intervention, even if it calls for a change of security personnel in the area.

It is good to be appreciated that, at least, there are leads pointing to a particular gang that has been identified to be using the same gun. After this sitting, we may need to have a session with Hon. Gitari so that we seek quick intervention with the Inspector-General of Police, even if it means changing officers in the area.

All right. Deal with the question by Hon. Marianne Kitany. Your colleague Hon. Koimburi has not appeared in the House since the incident. You promised a comprehensive statement.

Hon. Speaker, it is true I promised to give the latest update. Since I gave the last update, there have been a lot of developments, including the apprehension and prosecution of the lady, who is a Member of a County Assembly, who spent the night with Hon. Koimburi.

It is not alleged; it has been confirmed! What became evident for all of us and the country to know is that this was self-abduction and self-hospitalisation. Today, being a Thursday, allow me to produce the latest update on Tuesday. What I can tell you is that it is obvious and evident that this was Afrocinema and drama. It was done by people who are hell-bent in portraying the Government in bad light. Rest assured that the incident was Afrocinema and drama, self-abduction and self-hospitalisation, and it remains to be so. As a House, instead of waiting for other agencies like the Ethics and Athi-Corruption Commission (EACC) to do what is right, we should take a position. The Committee of Powers and Privileges needs to summon the Member. This is a Member who previously accused this House to have been bribed to vote in a particular manner.

Prof. Guyo, what is it?

Hon. Speaker, it is disturbing to me as a medical professional that a senior medical professional of the status of Dr Gikonyo can falsely admit a patient to a hospital. Until these allegations have been confirmed, please, hold your horses and stop condemning the hospital, the medical practitioner and other people who were involved in the care of that person. Please, it is not right for Dr Gikonyo to be accused of admitting somebody falsely. He cannot admit somebody to his hospital when that person is not sick. That is not acceptable. And if that has happened, then an action should be taken against him by the Kenya Medical Practitioner and Dentists Council (KMPDC) . Until that kind of thing happens, please, let us not destroy people.

Leader of the Majority Party.

Hon. Speaker, I agree with Prof. Guyo that this is a matter that is still under investigation and we need to give investigating authorities time to verify whether even that admission was legitimate. You may also be admitted for other things, especially when it is alleged that you spent a night with somebody.

Other issues may cause your admission to hospital. Let us leave that to competent authorities. But more importantly, to ask the Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs, Hon. Tongoyo the following. Since after the said abduction or disappearance of Hon. Koimburi, we saw the disgraced former impeached Deputy President allege that Hon. Koimburi had been poisoned and inhaled very dangerous gases and he could not even speak and his throat was hurt. He actually had the diagnosis of what gases Hon. Koimburi had inhaled. He had been able to diagnose that he could not speak and I wondered how the impeached Deputy President knew that the victim who could not speak had inhaled some dangerous gases that are only known to him.

The Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs must take this matter more seriously than he is doing. He must get a written statement from the Inspector-General of Police and the doctors. More so, from the Inspector-General of Police telling us what investigations he has carried out to even get statements from one Hon. Rigathi Gachagua who seemed to have more information than the victim himself on his inhaling of dangerous gases in a coffee plantation. Hon. Rigathi Gachagua must tell the police about the gases that Hon. Koimburi inhaled. Were they inhaled at the hotel in Gatundu with the lady who he is alleged to have spent the night with? Did he inhale those gases from the chemicals that spray coffee in the coffee plantation where he went to sleep in the morning, or was it in the ambulance that his staff organised for him? It is important that we know this so that tomorrow, I do not allege what is not there, especially on serious matters like kidnappings and abductions and try to make political capital out of it.

Therefore, Hon. Tongoyo must give us an update from the police and the medical doctors who attended to the so-called victims. Thank you Hon. Speaker.

Members, let us not escalate this. As a custodian of the interest of all of you ,including Hon. Koimburi, Hon. Tongoyo, next week on probably Wednesday, you bring a comprehensive report about your colleague who has not reported to the House since the disappearance and re-appearance so that we can also be able to know what is happening around him. I do not want to escalate this Hon. Deputy Speaker. Let us leave it there because we will degenerate into discussing the personal conduct of a Member without a Motion and that is against Standing Orders. Let us leave it there.

Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe’s Statement. Hon. Tongoyo on Wednesday, bring a comprehensive statement including what Professor has said and what everybody else has been said.

I will, Hon. Speaker. Well guided. Hon. Speaker, it will be an uphill task at least on the issue regarding Dr. Gikonyo because I do not have the capacity to compel him to give the report. Remember we went there…

If you do not get it, we will draw our own inference. Just bring what you can get.

Hon. Speaker, remember you instructed us to go there the last time and we were denied access completely! So, we may still undergo the same.

Hold it Hon. Tongoyo. Let me acknowledge students who are in the Gallery before they leave. Moi High School Kabarak from Rongai, Nakuru in the Hon. Speaker’s Gallery, Kajiuduthi High School from Maara in Tharaka Nithi and Mutus Primary and Junior School from Mbeere South, Embu County. I have been requested by two Members, Hon. David Ochieng’ who says his son is in Kabarak and Hon. Letipila, to speak. I give them a minute each. Hon. David Ochieng’, you have a minute.

Thank you so much, Hon. Speaker. I believe the students’ visit to this Parliament normally is for information and education. I want to take this opportunity to welcome all the students who are seated in the Speaker’s and Public Galleries to Parliament and ask them to know that this august House is the ultimate place for politics. If you do well in whichever field, being a doctor, an engineer or a teacher, all of us are in this House representing different and various interests. All of you are welcome to Parliament and hope to see some of you here in the future. Thank you.

Hon. Letipila. He is not here. Hon. Murugara, one minute.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. We shared a class with Hon. Letipila at the great Moi High School, Kabarak, when it was named that way and I take this opportunity to welcome the students of that great school from the Rift Valley. I know they have maintained it ever since those days when I enrolled in that school in March 1986 and left in November 1987. On your Gallery, we have Kajiunduthi Boys’ High School from Tharaka Nithi and closely with them is also Muthambi Boys from the same county, two other great schools that are well known in the country because of their great performances. Mine is to welcome the students to this House and tell them to observe the proceedings to see how their leaders actually conduct their business and when they go back, to put emphasis on their studies, so that tomorrow they will become great leaders of this country. I welcome the students. Thank you very much.

Hon. Kitur, one minute.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. May I also join my colleagues in welcoming all the students who have made it to the Parliamentary House today and particularly those students from Moi High School, Kabarak, where I am an alumni. It so happens that about two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to them as an alumni. I welcome them and may it be a session where you are going to learn. I know that we have two other Members who are not here and who are members of the alumni of that great institution. Of course, when I look at those that are standing here, I see several in the future who are going to be in this House. I thank you and may you learn from here.

And there are also several parents who are here like Hon. Millie Odhiambo, Hon. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. For the parents and those who went to school there, I join you in welcoming the students from both Kabarak and the other schools. We also acknowledge Muthambi Boys’ High School from Maara, Tharaka Nithi Constituency. For all the schools, welcome to the House of Parliament and feel comfortable.

Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe’s Statement. Yes, Hon. Tongoyo.

Hon. Speaker, do I proceed?

Go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, on Hon. Wangwe’s request for statement regarding the status of investigation into the murder of Madam Roselinda Akinyi, I want to state as follows:

On 17th April, at approximately 5.30 pm, Mr. Paul Wechuli reported at Shinda Police Station via OB No.371704/25 regarding a robbery with violence incident. He reported that unidentified motor vehicle intercepted a bodabada en-route from the Co-operative Bank, Mumias Branch, and robbed the pillion passenger Madam Roselinda Akinyi Wanga of

Ksh285,000. Tragically, she died on the spot. Initial reports suggested that she had been shot by an unknown assailant aboard the said motor vehicle. Her body was later transported to St. Mary’s Mission Hospital Mortuary in Mumias.

The post-mortem examination conducted on the 21st April contradicted the initial gunshot claim revealing that Madam Wanga died due to internal bleeding resulting from sharp-force trauma sustained during an assault. This finding prompted the immediate launch of comprehensive investigations. A miscellaneous application No.00033 of 2025 was filed at the Mumias Law Courts requesting for court orders to obtain CCTV footage from Co- operative Bank Mumias Branch covering the time frame between 1300 hrs and 1600 hrs on the day of the incident. The same application sought the victim’s bank account statement as well as M-PESA and call data record of both the victim and the potential suspect who is a boda boda rider, from Safaricom.

Following the issuance of the court orders, the relevant institutions were served and they have complied. Investigating officers have since received the victim's bank statement and CCTV footage, both of which are currently under analysis. The boda boda rider, identified as Joshua Muteka Wafula, was initially detained as a person of interest, but was later released pending further investigations. The preliminary analysis of his call data did not establish any direct link to the incident.

Additionally, review is ongoing as we remain in communication with the investigative team. To bolster the investigation, crime research and intelligence bureau officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters were deployed to provide technical support and revisit the crime scene. In addition, call data from the several other persons of interest has been received and is undergoing forensic analysis. Statements have been recorded and the investigation is still ongoing.

On the status of robbery with violence against Madam Roselinda’s husband, upon receipt of preliminary correspondence from Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, seeking an update of the status into a robbery with violence, officers from the Mumias Police Station conducted a thorough review of the station Occurrence Book (OB) from the year 2023 to date. However, no entry on robbery with violence incidence was found. This prompted the officers from the DCI, based at Matungu Police Station, to initiate a follow-up action by summoning Mr. Paul Oshule. He acknowledged that the incident had not been booked. As a result, a late entry report concerning the alleged robbery with violence was formally booked via OB No. 12/16/5/25. His statement was subsequently recorded to facilitate the commencement of the investigation into the matter. He reported that the incident occurred in May 2023 at Harambee area while he was riding his motorcycle towards Bungoma Town, though he could not recall the exact date and time. He had withdrawn a total of Ksh260,000 from three different banks in Mumias Town.

He stated that he was accosted and robbed of the money and then abandoned near the Yala River in Khwisero Sub-County. He went to Mumias Police Station on the same day to make a report. However, the police assessed his condition and advised him to seek medical attention first and return to the station afterwards to make a report and record his statement. Unfortunately, he did not return. Investigations in the incident has commenced.

Hon. Speaker, that is what I have to say also concerning Hon. Wangwe's question.

Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to thank the Chairman for that good communication. On the same line, I also want to appreciate that I got the Statement in advance, which was good enough for me to have read and understood what it is. Let the Chairman just push for the investigations. He should not tire with that Statement. We want to get to the bottom of the whole issue, particularly, where they have murdered the wife and just a year ago, they had robbed the husband. Both of them

have been teachers. It is an issue that is affecting my constituency. The Chairman should push to the end. I also want to appreciate that my request to DCI headquarters to send thorough officers has been accepted and I can see officers from Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) have been sent. That is good and I want to appreciate it, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Tongoyo. That is a good comment. You can follow up and give the Member an update as and when you have additional material.

Hon. James Onyango K’Oyoo had a request to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

Yes, Hon. Tongoyo.

Sorry, Hon. Speaker. I need your guidance. We had a statement by Hon. Dorice Donya, which was ready by last week. She was not in the House and she has really been insisting that she is allowed to...

List it for next week. We are pressed for time. Hon. Dorice, go to the Table Office and have it listed for next week. Dr. Mutunga, are you ready with the Statement? Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) to respond to a request for statement by Hon. Onyango K’Oyoo on 12th of March 2025, regarding the position of the leasing programme of the State-owned sugar farms, particularly Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar companies.

Hon. Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has responded as follows, and I will summarise.

First of all, the Hon. Member wanted to know the status updates on the position of the leasing programme of the State-owned sugar farms, with reference to Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar companies. The tenders were advertised internationally on the 28th of February 2025. On 4th of March, 2025, the bids were received. Tender closing date was 25th March 2025. Bids were received, evaluated and tenders were awarded. The leasing results were as follows: Muhoroni Sugar Company, which is already under receivership, went to West Valley Sugar Company Limited and Chemelil Sugar Company went to Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited. The handover date was 10th of March, 2025. The current status is such that the leasing term is for 30 years as approved by the National Assembly. I have the approval notice or certificate by this House, which is number 039/13/2023.

The second issue that the Hon. Member pursued was the criteria used to tender for intended evaluation regarding the leasing programme of Muhoroni and Chemelil sugar companies. The bid evaluation was conducted under regulation 31 (1) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2020. The bidders received were as follows:

For Muhoroni Sugar Company, we had two bids: West Valley Sugar Company and Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited. For Chemelil Sugar, we had Sukari Sugar Industry Limited and Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited.

The evaluation stages were as follows: The first one was mandatory compliance check, where the bidder had to deposit Ksh200 million as security bid. And the certificate of registration was supposed to have been there. The tax registration also needed to be there and compliance certificate. CR12 was also supposed to be submitted and other eligibility

documents. The technical evaluation followed, where the companies were checked against the technical requirements. No material deviations, reservations or omissions were observed.

Bidders scoring over 80 per cent and above advanced to the financial evaluation stage. The qualified bidders in this particular respect with respect to Muhoroni was West Valley Sugar Company and with respect to Chemelil was Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Limited. The financial evaluation progressed well and they were assessed. All the financial aspects were assessed as per the set criteria. Negotiation followed, whereby the successful bidders were engaged in a negotiation process before the award.

The third issue that the Hon. Members sought was the composition of the tender committee that considered the leasing exercise and the recommendations they made. The

composition was as follows:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development was represented, the National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry was represented, Kenya Sugar Board was represented and we had a representative from the Privatisation Commission of Kenya. The recommendations were as follows from the evaluation committee:

Muhoroni Sugar Company was awarded to West Valley Sugar Company Limited which met all the qualifications and was responsive. Chemelil Sugar Company was awarded to Kibos and Allied Industries Limited which also met the qualifications and was responsive. The fourth issue that the Member sought clarification on was on the fate of the current workers in the affected far

Hon. K’Oyoo.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I have listened, with a lot of interest, to the response by my colleague, the respected Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. I would like to inform him that the response is grossly inefficient. We were given the impression that the purpose of leasing out the industry was to make the industry work better for the citizenry. I am more interested in what will benefit the farmers, workers and generally the locals who donated land when the Government came up with the process of kick-starting the industries. We may need the Cabinet Secretary to come to the Committee and demonstrate to us, one by one, because we would like to put down every process that was done. While the intention was very good, the process was flawed somewhere in between. Therefore, we need further clarification. But more so, our fear is about the land.

I am happy that none other than His Excellency has spoken to this fact; that land will not be interfered with. My apprehension is that in Muhoroni Sugar Company, the title deeds have since been removed from a strong room and kept by a receiver manager. We do not know at whose behest or what he is doing with them. We will not take this lightly. The Cabinet Secretary has to come and tell us that the land will not be an issue and we will not ask this another time. The position of land must be made very clear that the investors, who are the lessees, will make use of the factories that they have been so far leased to but will not interfere with the land issue. We may also want to know some of the conditions that were flouted. For example, it was important that any company that had a court case ought not to have benefited from that programme. However, one of the companies that has a litany of court cases has benefited here. So, we need the Cabinet Secretary to find time to come to the

Committee so that he can walk us through the system, and then we can rest assured that it is correct.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. That was just a speech Hon. Mutunga. Yes, Hon. Caroli Omondi.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I would like to joyride on Hon. K’Oyoo's question. pursuant to Articles 35 and 201 of the Constitution, Section 23 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act and our Standing Orders, I ask the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to submit to this House the following transactional documents in relation to the leasing of the sugar factories: One, the tender package and selection records. The entire process on how the bidders were identified during tendering. We also need to see the advert and evaluation.

Secondly, we would like to see copies of individual lease agreements for each of the following mills: Muhoroni, Chemelil, Sony and Nzoia. We would also like to see the investment programme as proposed by each of the bidders and the performance guarantees that they have provided, including those that have been issued by banks in case they default. We would like to see documentation confirming that the lessees will not charge the nuclear estate to borrow money. We want audited accounts of all the preferred bidders for the last seven years. We want the constituent instruments of all the preferred bidders and declaration of who their beneficial owners are. We also want evidence of public participation in the selection of the preferred bidders, including minutes. We need letters of reference from banks and other industry players vouching for the bidders. We also need a copy of the legal opinion of the Attorney-General on those transactions relating to the leasing of the mills. Finally, we need an opinion from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) as to how the presence of the bidders who have been selected will affect competition and market concentration in the sectors.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Mutunga, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am aware of the fact that the Member, who has just spoken, Hon. Caroli Omondi, has a Question to the Cabinet Secretary. I believe what I will do, as the Chairman, is to write to the Cabinet Secretary to make sure that all these issues that the Member has requested are brought to the House on the day he comes to respond to the Question. On the other hand, …

Better still, invite the Cabinet Secretary to your Committee and invite the Member to interrogate him.

Hon. Speaker, the Member has already asked the question. If we invite him to the Committee, then there is no need for the Cabinet Secretary to come here to answer the Question.

Yes, Hon. Caroli.

Hon. Speaker, my question relates to the nucleus estate of Miwani Sugar, which has not been...

That is okay. I have given direction.

Okay. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. (Dr) Mutunga, proceed that way. That is the end of Statement time. Leader of the Majority Party, give your Thursday Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, to prioritise business for consideration during this week.

With regard to business scheduled for Tuesday next week, the House is expected to continue with the consideration of the following Bills, should they not be concluded today:

National Government for the Financial Year 2025/2026 next week on Thursday, 12th June

schedule business for the rest of that week.

I now wish to lay this Statement on the Table of the House. Hon. Speaker, with your indulgence, allow me to take this opportunity to express the House's gratitude to our legal team that represented us in the RMLF matter in court, and to all the Members who volunteered their time to advise the legal team and support them, led by Hon. Peter Kaluma, who even this afternoon was listening to the judgment that has just been delivered. I congratulate our legal team and the negotiation team that was engaging with the governors. I also congratulate the courts for the very progressive judgment that was delivered this afternoon. It is a good and progressive judgment for this country and the people of Kenya, who have suffered immensely with roads going unattended due to Ksh10 billion belonging to Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) being held. I hope the Cabinet Secretary will now, forthwith, release the Ksh10.5 billion to KeRRA.

Thank you.

Order. Members on your feet, please take your seats. Can you disband that illegal kamukunji and take your seats? Hon. Mathenge, take the nearest seat.

Before we move to the next Order, allow me to recognise Tala Girls’ High School from Matungulu Constituency, Machakos County seated in the Public Gallery.

In the Speaker's Gallery, we have the following schools:

figures against the various votes contained in the First Schedule to the Supplementary Order Paper. When I looked at the figure in the Motion and the figure in the Committee of Supply, I noticed some variance. So, I instructed the Budget Office to scan through carefully and advise me on where the variance was coming from. The variance now corrects the figure to Ksh2,538,593,978,440 and not Ksh2,538,293,978,440. The variance was about Ksh300 million and the Budget Office informs me that it was an error in additions that caused this.

The Motion will, therefore, be considered with corrected figure, which is indeed published in the Supplementary Order Paper.

The House is accordingly guided. I also join everybody in congratulating Hon. Peter Opondo Kaluma and our team of lawyers, including

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, Hon. Otiende Amollo, Hon. Mwengi Mutuse, Hon. John Makali, Hon. Silvanus Osoro and Hon. TJ Kajwang’. Who is that raising his hand? Are you a lawyer? Hon. Naicca, you are not a lawyer. Thank you. Hon. Antony Oluoch and Hon. Gichimu. Thank you for gallantly fighting. As constituents best Members of Parliament, today is your day to smile because your Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) provision is back to you. These gallant lawyers of the House have been acting pro bono. Hon. Caroli Omondi, sorry I did not mention you. Pro bono means without any payment of fees. So, they have been acting for you for free.

Hon. Speaker, allow me to congratulate our gallant lawyers. I also congratulate you for leading the team through this. We are finally getting our fair share. Today, there was a pronouncement from a court of law that seems to injunct this House over a Bill that is yet to be presented here. This relates to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, for which we have just completed public participation. I know Kenyans are more litigious, particularly the civil society, but how do they preempt what is not even before us? Do we treat this as a judgment or as idle bystanders? We are lost. How do we injunct something that is not with us?

Hon. Jared Okello, my view on that is well known. We will deal with that.

Clerk-at-the-Table, please, call out the next Order.

Next Order.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to the Budget Estimates of the 2025/2026 Financial Year. I want to briefly comment on this year’s Budget, noting that it has gone up to Ksh4.2399 trillion, which is quite higher than the previous year, and it keeps escalating every year.

I took time to go through the Report of the Committee and I noticed that there is some sense of pride in the fact that the Budget is bigger and that there is an increase in revenues collected. Revenues have gone up because of an increase in income tax, Value Added Tax

(VAT)

, Excise Duty collections, and the introduction of new taxes like the Housing Levy.

We must be very careful about the wording because many people are still pained by the taxation levels in the country. Section 31 states that this increased revenue reflects optimism in the ongoing tax policy reforms and enhanced revenue administration measures. That is not the truth because many people out there have been complaining that they have much less disposable income as a result of increased taxation. We must be careful about how we word these issues so that people do not remember the pain that they are feeling.

There is also an increase in Appropriations-in-Aid, which is not a positive thing because it means that the cost of Government services will go up. Therefore, some of our people may not be able to afford basic services. We should not celebrate an increase in revenue and collections by Government agencies and forget that, that money is coming out of the pockets of Kenyans who were promised that they would have much more money.

Despite all that, I also noticed that we still have a budget deficit to the tune of Ksh876.1 billion, which will be plugged by borrowing. About two or three years ago, our political leaders were very categorical that we would not borrow in future. However, we have had to borrow for every single budget that has been brought to this House, and we are still borrowing. I am not saying that borrowing is bad, but there is an amount of borrowing that goes beyond what we can afford to pay. Even the complaints by the Committee about the amount of debt we already have fly in the face of what we are doing.

We are borrowing Ksh284.2 billion externally and Ksh591.9 billion from the domestic market. What does that mean? We are crowding out local investors. The minute the Government borrows locally, no money is available for businesses to borrow so that they can finance their activities because the Government is an easier entity to lend to. Borrowing too much money locally crowds out the private sector. That means that in the long run, businesses cannot thrive in this country because they have no access to loan capital.

I have gone through the submissions by departmental committees and some of them are quite horrific. I know that some changes have been proposed and made after discussions, but I will talk about just two or three committees.

First, is the Departmental Committee on Education which noticed that there were no funds for national examinations. This has happened in the past and we sorted out that problem through supplementary budgets. Why are we not taking our children’s education seriously so that we provide enough funds for all the activities that are required for education to take place properly? If you want to destroy a nation, just play around with its education system. That is exactly what is going on because, if we do not provide enough money for examinations from the National Treasury, we would not be thinking ahead. That was one of the things that the Departmental Committee on Education raised and yet, the Basic Education Act, which we amended in 2018, stipulates that examinations under basic education will be free.

The Committee also talked about substantial deficits in the State Department for Higher Education and Research that prohibit the funding of the University Funding Model. If we do not provide enough money for that funding model, how will we revive our universities and help our children? The Committee says that those deficits will negatively impact the students' welfare and increase the financial strain on students and their parents. Those are some of the problems that the Departmental Committee on Education raised.

There is a proposed allocation of Ksh4.8 billion to employ 20,000 intern teachers. I see two problems with that. First, some interns were already recruited and there has been no provision to employ them on permanent and pensionable terms. We do not know what will happen to them. The 20,000 interns who are being recruited with the Ksh4.8 billion will earn about Ksh20,000 per month, which is very paltry. Even Members pay their chefs and cooks a lot more than that. Those interns are graduates and they are supposed to mentor the future generations. How do we expect to get quality education? They say that when you pay peanuts, expect monkeys. How can we get quality education if we cannot properly pay our teachers? You keep somebody as an intern for a whole year and pay them Ksh20,000 per month and yet, there is no assurance that they will get jobs at the end of the year. Those are some of the things that we need to address.

I was invited by the Departmental Committee on Education this morning to discuss the matter of capitation. Even the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the capitation for basic education is not enough. It is very paltry. The amount given to primary schools is Ksh1,420 per child. In a school of about 100 or 200 children, that amount of money cannot even pay a watchman let alone cater for other things like tuition, books, sports, drama and music. They cannot afford to do all those things. We should allocate enough money to the education sector if we want to develop education in our country.

I also looked at the issues raised by the Departmental Committee on Health because health is very important. I noted that even though health is a devolved function, the national Government still encroaches on it. It is very shocking. I raised an issue that was introduced by the previous Government from about 2016/2017 on the Medical Equipment Scheme (MES). That project was a mess and it failed. It was implemented without the involvement of the county governments, which received equipment that they had not requested for. Some of that equipment is still being paid for, hence the debt of Ksh6.5 billion. Some of that equipment is not in use because some hospitals do not even have medical practitioners who can use it. We have now moved on from that project and we are introducing a new one called the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP).

I also noticed the construction of health centres in the Second Schedule of this Report. Jobs that are supposed to be undertaken by county governments are being done by the national Government. When will the national Government allow counties to do their job and do what is expected of them? No wonder people keep fighting the NG-CDF. I heard people even say that maybe we need to give NG-CDF to the governors. It looks like the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution is not being respected. Let us ensure that those responsibilities

that are devolved are taken to the counties, and they can carry out those activities. Those that are for the national Government are the ones that we deal with. We are dealing with a budget for the national Government. The ones for counties, once we do the division of revenue, it is now up to members of county assembly (MCAs) to decide how they will spend their money, and not for us to decide.

I can give you a minute to finish your sentence.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. You are very gracious. I want to finish by saying that I looked at the Second Schedule, and some of the things I saw are quite shocking. It is about the sharing of resources. Some of us come from an area where we have scarcity of water. You look at the State Department for Irrigation, and notice there are only one or two small projects given to the region I come from, whereas other areas are getting a lot more money. When it comes to the fair distribution of resources, we must bite the bullet and agree that, as we go into the future doing our budgets, we must look at what goes to every constituency. There must also be a schedule given to us to know how much each of us is expecting to go to their people, so that we can defend and make sure that it serves our people.

With those many remarks, Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Adan Keynan, Member for Eldas.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Budget and Appropriation Committee has officially submitted this comprehensive Report on the estimate of revenue and expenditure for the Financial Year 2025/2026. This pivotal Report, which is a product of the broad-based Government, was tabled on 4th June 2025, pursuant to Article 221 of the Constitution as read with Section 39 of the Public Finance Act, as read with Standing Order 239.

The Motion seeks parliamentary approval for the issuance of over Kshs2.5 trillion from the Consolidated Fund that is intended to finance the operations, development programmes and statutory obligations of the national Government for the fiscal year ending 30th June 2026. The budget estimates are coming at a time when there has been considerable debate on resource allocation, and it is critical that I mention this. Allow me to thank the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Samuel Atandi, for steering the Committee.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, there is a lot of consultation. I want your protection. There seems to be a lot of consultation here by my colleagues from the lake region.

Hon. Members led by Peter Kaluma and Jared Okello, can you break up the Kamukunji kindly?

You can expect the excitement. I am sure they are excited about the services of the broad-based Government. You can see these days they are the people who troop to State House and get a lot of development pronouncements. You can see the excitement on the face of my good friend, Hon. Kaluma. I was saying, and I want the Chairman of this Committee to hear this, for the first time in the history of the Republic of Kenya, the Budget and Appropriations Committee has been chaired by a person from the Lake Region, who is a product of the broad-based Government. That gives us an opportunity.

The Lake plus Northern Kenya have been neglected over the years. You understand the history, pursuant to one document called Sessional Paper No.10 of 1965. As a member of the Committee, every session, I attempted to remind the Chairman that please, out of this

opportunity, Northern Kenya and the Lake Region must get a share of the national cake. I confirm that out of the deliberations, this Budget will be different from the other budgets. Clear provisions on water, infrastructure and health have been made for those regions.

Sometimes, we say civility is not a sign of cowardice. What the Committee has done is to look at the whole budget-making framework and craft it in a way that will allow every region to get a piece of the national cake. Therefore, the 2025/2026 budget is crafted within a framework of fiscal consolidation that is intended to strike a delicate balance between stimulating economic growth and curbing the rise in public debt.

The Report also seeks to enhance domestic resource mobilisation, streamline expenditures and adopt prudent borrowing strategies. It also underscores the Government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit and safeguarding the long-term debt sustainability. Therefore, this proposal is anchored on transformative pillars. You have seen provisions for agriculture, food security, micro, small, and medium enterprises, affordable housing, universal healthcare, digital superhighway and creative economy. These are things that were lacking. This approval process is the cornerstone for our democratic governance, ensuring transparency, accountability and citizen trust in the public finance management.

Through the legislative scrutiny - and this is what we have done as a Committee - Parliament plays a pivotal role in ensuring that funds are directed towards priority needs. For some of us who come from a region that has been historically marginalised, when we see allocations for particular sections, we feel good. Allow me to dwell on this road from Isiolo to Modogashe that has World Bank funding. The road from Modogashe to Samatar was an annuity programme which has been gladly sorted out by the Government. From Samatar to Wajir, they did not have funding, and there was anticipation that the Arab Development Fund would do something. Right now, under this Budget, there is a clear budgetary provision for the tarmacking of that particular section. Kudos to the Head of the Ministry of Roads and Transport, Mr Chirchir, and the Committee for that particular clear provision.

Equally, there is a particular area that has been missing, and we will be pushing the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. I will be asking the Budget and Appropriation Committee, led by Hon. Atandi, to make a clear, outright determination that Northern Kenya must be connected to the national grid. Northern Kenya comprises 70 per cent of the landmass of the Republic of Kenya and yet, the national grid ends in Garissa. This is a high time, but because there will be no time when there will be enough resources, I will be asking the Chairman, through the subsequent budgetary allocations, to make that clear determination.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I know you are a seasoned lawyer. The Equalisation Fund, as intended, is not being applied. I want to request the leadership of the broad-based Government, the Northern Frontier Counties and the counties that ought to benefit from that fund, to urgently come together and resolve some of the legislative challenges, so that we get a proper avenue and mechanism for utilising that Fund. As it is right now, the time is coming to an end and yet, there is nothing to account for on how the funds were collected and utilised. Very soon, the Kenyan public will ask us whether the provision of this Article has enabled us to catch up with other Kenyans, whom we have called the ‘haves’ over the years.

The other bit is Vision 2030. Vision 2030 was a road-map to get this country to another level. Unfortunately, that is not being followed. Can we come back to Vision 2030, so that a clear road-map is also applied?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the other issue is examination fees. We say education is an equaliser. There is a lot of propaganda out there, that the Government has removed examination fees, which is not true. Education is everything. There is clear budgetary provision for examination fees.

On health, there is the issue of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff at the counties. It has also been resolved. I am sure the county government leadership will, very

soon, have an opportunity to confirm those career medical officers who are employed on meagre allowances, and give them an opportunity to serve their respective counties.

Everything revolves around politics. Once there is predictability, peace or tranquility, and civility in our politics, then there is an opportunity for the economy to grow and foreign direct investors to come. Therefore, I urge those who are still outside the Broad-Based Government to use this early opportunity to see sense and join the President and Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga in uniting Kenya. This is what will take us to the next level. We do not have any other country.

Once again, allow me to thank the Chair and all Members for the time they have devoted to these Budget Estimates. I hope and pray that they will get an opportunity to interrogate the Report and make their valid input.

I support the Motion, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Members, allow me to recognise the presence of schools in the House. Seated in the Speaker's Gallery is Kariobangi North Secondary School from Embakasi North Constituency, Nairobi County, and Kiriti Girls Secondary School from Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County.

Seated in the Public Gallery is my very own, Chepkurmum Junior School from Ainabkoi Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. It is next to my home. We also have Nginda Mixed Secondary School from Maragwa Constituency in Murang’a County. I now ask Hon. Kaluma to please welcome the schools, as he makes his presentation. Do not forget that there is a school from Uasin Gishu County, right near my homestead. Let them know that I taught you.

I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, and my teacher of law at the University of Nairobi. If it were not for how you intervened in my life and the lives of very many others, similar to how the teachers who have accompanied our students here are intervening in their lives, some of us would not be here. I, particularly, would not be here.

Hon. Keynan should know that you taught me public international law. I ate a lot of your knowledge on family law, children laws, and civil procedure and practice, which enable me to stand on the foundation of being able to address our courts, even as I serve in the National Assembly. For that, I am eternally grateful. Allow me, therefore, to welcome all visiting students, schools and their teachers to the National Assembly. It is a House of Parliament which represents Kenyans.

This is a very big journey for them. Some of us first entered into this Chamber, including where you are today, after we were elected. Therefore, this is an opportunity for you to be inspired. Go out there and fight hard not only to reach the level our Speakers have attained, but also far beyond to be leaders of our country, carrying forth the national values in our future constitutions. Feel welcome and may you go forth to be the people you are being nurtured into, whom we can hand over a stable Kenya as we look into the future.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Kaluma, it is good for the students to know what we are doing today, which is the budget-making process. I give you five extra minutes.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Parliament of Kenya has two Houses: the National Assembly, where you are, and the Senate. The roles of the National Assembly are representation, legislation and oversight. However, there is an additional role given to this House of Parliament which relates to budget and appropriations. We appropriate monies, in terms of division of revenue. We share the

monies between the levels of Government. We then send the portion allocated to counties to the Senate to share among the counties. We remain with the portion for the National Government to be shared out among the various Ministries, various State Departments and sectors of Government, including the education sector and other sectors within the National Government functions.

We are in the budget-making process today. Regarding representation, I would like to mention to them that this is a very tedious process. We are talking about the monies going to the various agencies, but we will later look at how they will be raised. That is when we will talk about the Finance Bill, one of which, you remember, was torpedoed last year.

As I conclude, I would like to inform our visiting schools and students that when they look at the faces of the National Assembly and the Senate, they will notice a distinctive difference. On the face of the Senate, at the door, you will see the flags of the various counties because it represents counties as entities. On the face of the National Assembly, you will see sculptures of human beings to signify that we are seated here on behalf of the people of Kenya who elected us to represent them, exercising their sovereign will. Those features will always be there. The budget-making process and the revenue-raising measures to sustain the Budget are very tedious. We have begun debating the Budget Estimates. Later on, we will deal with Committee of Supply where we allocate various sums of monies directly to the various agencies of Government, so that they can perform their functions both in the Constitution and the various laws we deal with.

The National Assembly has 350 Hon. Members, including the Speaker. It is bigger than most secondary schools in the country. The Senate has 68 Members, including their Speaker. If you have time, the roles of the National Assembly are specifically delineated or set out under Article 95 of the Constitution, while those of the Senate are in Article 96 of the Constitution. They deal with laws concerning counties and participate in those law-making functions, but we share in the sense that the National Assembly ultimately enacts all laws.

You can conclude and proceed to the Budget deliberations.

Yes. I have done the Budget preparations and I think they now understand it. I have emphasised that we are debating on how the Budget Estimates will go to various ministries and sectors of the economy to support the public services of the Government. We are doing this in a very constrained environment.

I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish the students sitting in the Speaker's Gallery and Public Gallery a good academic tour within the House of Parliament.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I also want to contribute. I have looked at the Reports presented to this House by the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Let me start by thanking the new Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Hon. Samuel Atandi, and his Members for the good work they have done in the Budget.

Firstly, the Budget Estimates for this year have restored the power and authority of the Departmental Committees in their participation in the budget-making process. Most of the Chairs of the various Departmental Committees have spoken here. They have confirmed that, unlike before, the recommendations from the Departmental Committees which are in charge of the various ministries, departments and sectors of Government, have been carried forth. This is unique. In the past, departmental committees assisted the Budget and Appropriations Committee in this process, but what they recommended in some cases was not carried forth. I commend the Budget and Appropriations Committee chaired by my brother, Hon. Samuel Atandi, for that good work.

Number two, there have been complaints that the Budget Estimates and the allocation and appropriation of national resources have been unequal and unfair to some regions, people and sectors of governance. Hon. Atandi, today, I was very glad when I saw a road specifically mentioning Mandera County. It was so pleasant.

We have been budgeting year-in, year-out and yet, we hear that some parts of this country still do not have an inch of a tarmac road. I was glad when I saw roads in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Tana River counties in the Budget. Including a school that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning talked about. That, the children of this nation face the tragedy of crossing Tana River since Independence. Yet, we know that river is infested with crocodiles.

We are now thinking about this country because I see a proposal in the Budget Estimates saying that a bridge must be built, so as to enable those students to build their futures through education, without risking their lives crossing the crocodile infested waters of River Tana. I, therefore, thank the broad-based Government.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, for how long are we speaking?

Ten minutes.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, earlier on, I had a chance to welcome students. I have just started contributing to the Budget.

Okay. You have an additional two minutes to continue.

Thank you. Hon. Temporary Speaker. We take very many things for granted. This would not have been possible without the broad- based Government. A government that is seeking equity, inclusivity and integration of all Kenyans in governance unlike before. I thank President Ruto. Have the two minutes ended?

No. It is okay. Continue.

I thank my party leader, the man who mentored me, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, for bringing this country together. With this togetherness and objectivity, we can now see that the entire country belongs to all of us.

Areas that were categorised as high production were the ones which used to be budgeted for during those years. The fact of the matter is that each county, region and section of our population has something to contribute to the national table. We want a country that moves in unison in development and togetherness.

Let me emphasise one thing only. I am very happy that we have funded the Judiciary and institutions that fight corruption very well. Sometimes, we lose up to Ksh1trillion through corruption. So, we need to empower those agencies to fight corruption and control pilferage. We now have allocated enough money to the EACC, Office of the Auditor-General and Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) . I request Members to approve this Budget.

Lastly, I support the Committee for proposing an increment to monies going to the KRA. We will not be doing much, if we do not capacitate the agency in charge of revenue raising measures.

I want to request the Budget and Appropriations Committee that we want a situation where the money allocated to KRA is between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent of national collection, so that they build their capacity and integrate technology in revenue raising measures. Then, we will collect more so that the whole country can be developed in equity.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, do you want to pronounce yourself on this or you are doing something else?

Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to thank Hon. Atandi on his maiden presentation of the

Budget as the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. I was a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee until recently. So, we worked very closely.

Just one moment. Take your seat again. Hon. Members, I want to welcome Tangulbei High School from Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County. They are in the Speaker's Gallery. Also, Lily Academy from Ruiru in Kiambu County.

Is Hon. Kamket in? Where is Hon. Kamket before we go to Kiambu? Mheshimiwa, you can appreciate and encourage the young learners from Tiaty on behalf of Kamket. I am talking to you, lady. Yeah, proceed. Give her the microphone please.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity. I welcome the students from Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County. I come from Elgeyo/Marakwet County. They are our neighbours and you can hardly tell who comes from Elgeyo/Marakwet or Tiaty.

My dear students, it does not matter where you come from. It might be miles away but if you are educated, one day, you can be a Member of Parliament in this House. You can even be the President of the Republic of Kenya. Feel at home. Once again, you are welcome to Parliament. Thank you.

Hon. King’ara, welcome the students from Ruiru Constituency in Kiambu County. Give him the microphone.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to welcome students from Ruiru Constituency. I am grateful that they found it worthy to come and see what we do. My word is that they should be very consistent in whatever they do. Be humble so that this world accommodates you. It is because of discipline and humbleness that you will come to this House to make or improve laws and grow this country.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Millie Odhiambo, you have ten minutes.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me also take this opportunity to welcome the students. I want to indicate that one of the teachers who has come with the students from Tiaty Constituency is from Rangwe Constituency in Homa Bay County. I also want to indicate that I went to Limuru Girls even though it is not in Ruiru but it is in Kiambu County. Therefore, there is a connection between the two schools. I want to encourage the students that many of us came from very far even as you see us here. Hard work pays.

Earlier on, I was thanking Hon. Atandi who I worked with in the Budget and Appropriations Committee, for presenting this Budget. I know people have spoken much on equity and fairness in the budgeting process. If you looked at the Constitution and the concept of equity, monies allocated to areas like Homa Bay County are still low. This is because of years of marginalisation and lack of adequate funding.

I was talking to some media people earlier today when somebody challenged me and said: “Is it because we are now in the broad-based Government that we are getting some budget?” It may be coincidental if we do. However, it should be constitutional that we get better funding for areas that have been marginalised for years.

I want to indicate that I am very happy because the Committee has considered the health workers who have been outside Parliament. I was actually getting very concerned. So, I am happy that there is an allocation for them.

In relation to education, I am also happy that the issue of examination fees that has drawn a lot of concern and attention has also been addressed. Many constituencies, including mine, have a lot of concerns in relation to energy, especially power connectivity. Many of us have an issue with transformers that are not working. We met the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and they are addressing this issue. With the granted allocation, areas in my constituency like Lambwe, Usao, Ngodhe and Kasgunga that have been raising concerns will be addressed.

I am very happy on the program on aquaculture business development that will touch my constituency, especially on fisheries. It will create jobs and enhance food security. Affordable housing originally was very contentions, but there is an allocation for it. I am sure at some point things will get better. When people start paying for the housing, the cost will be lower. I want to encourage that in some areas in my constituency, instead of focusing on affordable housing with the same design as big centres like Mbita Town, we should focus on Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). I want to thank the Ministry for already considering a TTI in Mbita Constituency.

Despite this very good budget, my concern is that we still have very low funding for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage in relation to children affairs. I want to encourage Hon. Atandi and the Budget and Appropriations Committee to reconsider this in the supplementary estimates. This is especially in light of gender-based violence cases that have skyrocketed in this country.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I beg to support.

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Rindikiri, who do you want to inform? She is not on the Floor of the House.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and his Committee. I know the Committee spent a lot of time engaging the public openly on the Budget and budget-making process. For the first time, we have seen open discussions on how revenue collected from Kenyans is utilised.

We have seen, in the past, some counties and constituencies getting more than others. We find some votes of the national cake being given continuously to some counties and constituencies with no regard to equality and equity. The 2025/2026 Budget has really addressed what has been missing. We have been seeing some counties and constituencies growing in terms of development more than others.

This Budget has taken into consideration the BETA agenda of the Government. This is very important. There are some constituencies, particularly mine, with issues to do with electricity and water. I have noted that we have been allocated Ksh100 million for water. Meru County has also benefited from electricity allocation. The Government has tried very much to bring equity on the division of money for road infrastructure. For the first time, we have seen a lot of consideration in the distribution of the road network on low-volume scale.

In this Budget, we see transparency in the utilisation of the Affordable Housing Levy money. This Budget does not interfere with that money because collections are ring-fenced purely for housing and related development. What Kenyans want to see are markets which are being constructed throughout the Republic. That levy is used for construction of houses. Recently, there was handing over of houses in Mukuru and other parts of this nation. That showed Kenyans how their money is being utilised transparently and accountability.

We have seen the Government committed to improving the health in the country. We have been having issues to do with SHA. The Government has come in handy and has factored that in the Budget. The same case applies to education, agriculture and other sectors.

Kenyans have been asking how their money is being utilised. I believe they have no problem paying taxes, but want to see how their money is utilised. I believe this Committee has addressed that question.

My people of Buuri Constituency want to see roads being put up, water projects, electricity connections, hospitals being uplifted, Information Communication Technology (ICT) hubs coming up, youth being employed and women being empowered.

The 2025/2026 Budget has tried to bring another dimension on how a budget needs to be and what it should cater for. We cannot sit back and listen to people who have no clue on how a Government functions. There are some people out there saying that nothing is being done. I believe through the 2025/2026 Budget, they will see the Kenya Kwanza broad-based Government at work. I can say with no doubt that by the close of the 2025/2026 Financial Year, we will say that money which Kenyans are paying as taxes has been put into proper use.

I support and urge Members to support this Budget.

Hon. Kwenya.

Thank you Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to add my voice to the Budget Estimates. At the outset, I want to recognise the effort put by the Budget and Appropriations Committee through the leadership of Hon. Samuel Atandi and Members therein. This has been a very tedious budget cycle process. In a very special way, I support this process and the estimates therein. I have been very keen and followed the ceilings that were set in the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) . I had my misgivings because of my experience in this House. We pass budgets but when it comes to implementation, we are unable to raise envisaged revenues. We have a budget but go wrong in terms of exchequer releases.

We have very ambitious figures but absorption becomes very difficult because there is no adequate revenue to meet expenditure. I am happy that there seems to be a level of improvement in terms of revenue collection. In future, we may live the Kenyan dream of having a balanced budget without a deficit column that needs to be financed through debt.

I am particularly happy with the financing of security organs, that is, the National Police Service (NPS) , Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Intelligence Service (NIS) . From the records in the Report, their request was met and to some extent, exceeded with respect to the Ministry of Defence. Just to bring to the knowledge and understanding of Members, our forces in Somalia are no longer being supported by the United Nations (UN) . Therefore, the Government of Kenya has to support them. The forces serve our interest on the border with Somalia. This Budget has ably addressed that funding. We should celebrate our ability to fulfil our obligations locally and internationally.

(Technical hitch)

Lastly, I would like to mention something on modernisation of equipment for security forces. Kenya is perpetually under threat either from our hostile neighbours or vigilante groups and organised criminals. Without modernising our equipment and use of technology, we find ourselves in a very dangerous state. Any responsible country…

There was an interruption, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In terms of modernisation, criminals may have superior technology than our security forces. Some of the equipment being used by our security forces are obsolete and may not match up to the emerging trends of criminal activities across our borders. Making provision to ensure we acquire the latest equipment is what every responsible country should do.

On agriculture, His Excellency the President William Ruto stated that we must vacate from subsidising consumption to subsidising production. Through provision of affordable

subsidised fertiliser, we are close to being food secure. That is a game-changer and I am happy that the same has been financed in this financial year.

On electricity, many households do not have electricity. About 60 years after Independence, we are still grappling with basic issues like having electricity in every home. It has been the dream of every Kenyan to switch on lights without struggling or begging. The Ksh52 billion allocated in this Budget will ensure that we connect many homes to the national grid. Actualising this dream should impress every Kenyan. I may not be able to go through all the content in this document. I unequivocally support and congratulate the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, who has delivered his maiden Budget Estimates.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Robert Basil.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute. Allow me to thank Hon. Atandi for his maiden Budget Estimates since he became the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. From the outlook, the Budget looks a bit healthy. However, I have some reservations, considering the ratio of recurrent expenditure to development expenditure. We are still far below the recommended ratio of 40 per cent for recurrent expenditure and 60 per cent for development expenditure. The first world has 30 per cent for recurrent expenditure and 70 per cent development expenditure. We are still grappling to attain this ratio. This is something we need to consider very seriously, if we are to move Kenya to the next level in terms of development.

The key sectors that drive the economy of any developing nation are energy, infrastructure and ICT. From the document in front of us, 20 per cent of the Budget has been allocated to energy, infrastructure and ICT. This is still very low, considering that most areas, particularly rural ones, have very low electricity connectivity. For instance, my constituency is below 20 per cent of our electricity needs. Most areas are not connected to electricity. Our roads are in a very bad state. That is why I say the 20 per cent earmarked for energy, infrastructure and ICT sectors is very low. We need to review it upwards to meet the needs across the country.

The other important sector is education. The total percentage allocated to the sector is 28 per cent. That is still low considering the needs in the sector. There are examinations, HELB and other infrastructure needs in education. It is important that we re-look at this and see if we can revise the money earmarked for education upwards.

The health sector has got the lowest percentage of the total Budget of about 5 per cent, which is around Ksh137 billion. Health professionals have been coming to Parliament to ask for their pay. Patients have no one to attend to them because health practitioners are busy on the roads demanding for a pay rise. It is important to listen to Kenyans and try to add some money to the health sector.

Agriculture used to be the backbone of the Kenyan economy. It is worrying when I see the agricultural sector and rural development being allocated 3 per cent of the total Budget, amounting to about Ksh78 billion. That is very low, if we really believe that agriculture is still the backbone of our economy. In a nutshell, there is a lot for us to do as a House to respond to the needs and realities of Kenyans, so that we move the country to the next level in development. When I look at the grey areas that need funding, some have been under-funded. To be specific, I will talk about the school feeding program. In the previous financial year, the program got about Ksh3 billion. However, in these Budget Estimates, there is nothing that has been budgeted for that program.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, my constituency and yours are classified as arid and semi- arid (ASAL) areas because they receive erratic rainfall. Most of the students in those areas

are retained in school because of the school feeding program. So, if we do away with that program, what will we be saying about retaining learners from poor families in schools? It is important that we reconsider and, if possible, reinstate the money for the school feeding program.

Another important element is HELB. I went to school and attained my first degree through the HELB loan. I have seen a reduction on HELB funds from Ksh37 billion to Ksh34 billion. That is about Ksh3 billion. That reduction will have a negative implication on learners from poor families. I am talking about 368,000 learners who will not continue with their higher learning, if that money is not reinstated. They will likely drop out of school because of financial constraints. Let us try to understand this particular issue, which is pertinent to poor Kenyans and reinstate the figure in the Budget Estimates.

Lastly, I have noted that what is budgeted for the police medical insurance in the Budget Estimates is quite low compared to what the Police Service requested. It is important to understand that those people play an instrumental role in ensuring that Kenyans have internal security. So, we should ensure that we provide them with the money for the police medical insurance so as to support and motivate them. If we do not incentivise them, we will have policemen and women who are demotivated to discharge their duties.

Going forward, I want to recommend that we look at the key sectors which drive the economy of this country and budget for them to ensure that they do not under-perform. They are the backbone and fulcrum of progress which we want to see in Kenya. This will make Kenya the great nation that all of us want to see.

With those few remarks, I submit. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Mutunga,

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Financial Year 2025/2026 Budget Estimates Report. The budget-making process started way back with the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) . Notably, there is some deviation between the BPS that we saw and what has finally arrived as the Budget Estimates. The deviation in some sectors like the one I represent was negative. This will affect the planning of activities in that sector. This is against our expectations and so, we will have cost reduction in some activities.

The efforts in the Budget Estimates progressively show provision for the BETA agenda priorities. In every sector, there is a provision. This is something that came up with the new Government, It was adopted and is bearing fruit. I hope that Kenyans are seeing this happening. I want to call upon them to appreciate the efforts being made, especially through the budgeting process by provision of a budget for some of those activities.

At some point, we might have to harmonise the budget in some sectors. This is because they can move the economy to raise better revenue, create jobs and earn foreign exchange, but they are not given due recognition. Many of the speakers have alluded to sectors like ICT, agriculture, rural and urban development. We might need a national conversation on how to prioritise. When you look closely at what happens in several sectors, this is something that we need to take caution on as a country. This is because some of the activities are long term construction efforts. So, they do not necessary yield results immediately. A five-year term Government needs to yield results very fast.

The current Government got into office on the platform of job creation. It can easily create jobs if we focus on some of sectors and give them more support. For example, the policy shift by the President to subsidise production and not consumption in the agricultural sector. This is coupled with the fact that God has been so gracious to us by giving us rains. This has made the country to realise food security over time. Those are some of the efforts we need to make. For instance, we have a target to improve coffee production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 200,000 metric tonnes by 2027. If we are to achieve that target, we

must do a lot of campaigns for landowners to grow coffee and intensification of coffee production and productivity. This cannot be done without proper budgeting and recognition of some of those activities in the budget process.

In terms of harmonisation, we are investing in industrial packs and aggregating centres as a country. Having those industrial packs is a very good initiative. Most Kenyan farmers are small holders. They are the producers of the raw materials for industries and the little that we sell outside the country. Big producers who are small in scale will need to aggregate. For us to have aggregation centres that are supportive of the economy, we must organise the producers in a manner that they will respond to the demands of the day. In that respect, it calls for investment in the organisation process, setting up co-operatives across the country and enabling those people to work, harvest, store and sell together. Those are some of the omissions in the Budget Estimates that need to be looked into.

The other notable inclusion in this respect is the focus on institutional support. Most of the Government institutions have been supported in the Budget Estimates. I have in mind the military, police, Judiciary and Parliament. I want to call upon those institutions to do their work and deliver their promises to Kenyans. This will guarantee them further support and give Kenyans the due recognition of the role that they play.

We have seen in the budgeting process the effort to sustain the budget deficit and to live within our means. The concern is that the fiscal space is limited. Under such limitation, we need to operate within the confines of the fiscal space. So, budgeting has been done in a way that it will not open up room for more demand of resources. That is a deliberate effort by the Government and this House to ensure that we do not open up that lid.

It is important for us to note as a country, there are certain projects that impact the livelihood of Kenyans fast. When you debate for instance the transfer of NG-CDF to the counties, those who live there are our brothers and sisters. We went to the same schools with them. We live in the same localities and all support devolution. However, if something is working, why change it? This is the only fund in this country which has a management fee of 5 per cent. I would like to explain why 5 per cent is so significant. If you are doing research and the data variation is not beyond 5 per cent, you normally conclude that there is no significant difference in the responses. In this particular respect, it means, therefore, that most of the money utilised under NG-CDF goes to development and that is why there is so much impact.

We need to ask ourselves why somebody should imagine that something that is working needs to be altered or changed. There is fear among Kenyans that NG-CDF is going to be removed while there is fear among Members that in next Financial Year, 2026/2027, we will not budget for it. I want to appeal to our judicial system that we need to look at these issues more constructively, especially when it comes to the role played by different individuals in terms of delivering development.

My final point is on the need to focus a lot more on the software as opposed to the hardware. For the hardware, I have in mind the constructionism while for the software, I have in mind things that make us turn around the results. For instance, when it comes to biological forms, genetic improvement in health, disease containment or control and in education, educating Kenyans appropriately to gain knowledge, those are some of the areas we need to give more focus.

There is an inclination towards construction in this country. Apart from the new program on affordable housing, different sectors need to reduce a lot more on investing in infrastructural development. On infrastructural development, I have in mind construction of offices and other facilities so as to focus more on the software that will turn around this economy. If we have to turn around the economy, we have to be a lot more focused on the productive sector which does not demand a lot of resources.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, with those few remarks, I wish to support the adoption of this Report. Thank you.

Hon. Tom Kajwang’

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak on the Report on the Consideration of the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year, 2025/2026.

I want to congratulate Hon. Chairman and the entire team of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, for finalising a beautiful Report. I have compared it against the Budget Policy Statement and the initial submissions by the Cabinet Secretary from the National Treasury and Economic Planning. I am satisfied that this team has done tremendous work to change what the National Treasury brought to us. They have given us a product which looks like Kenya. I want to thank you my friend, Hon. Atandi from Alego Usonga. It is a good thing to have experts like you. We have donated you freely to give your professional services to this good exercise so that we have a country which belongs to us.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, you know that we have been crying about skewed budgets because some counties, places or regions have been taking more than the lion share. However, we have seen the proposals from the National Treasury are now balanced. So, we have budgets for Baringo and comparative budgets for Homa Bay and Nairobi. For the first time, Nairobi has been looked at as an entity and region. Generally, it makes my heart happy that I am a member of this Assembly that is now considering the appropriation of the Budget.

Just last week, some people were laughing that there are some gentlemen in Homa Bay who were sleeping in the stadium. This is because they were happy that a stadium was built in Homa Bay, when other people were talking about securitisation of the economy. They thought that those people who were sleeping in the stadium did not know what they were doing. How can they not sleep there yet that is the only stadium which has ever been built? It is the only practical thing they have seen in this economy? Where were you when we were securitising the economy of Mount Kenya region and elsewhere?

Some of you have premised that economic development belongs to some people as a matter of right. Homa Bay people are celebrating the stadium because it is the first one they have seen in all their lives. What is wrong with doing that? They are showing that they belong to this country. Watch this space! The blue economy will blossom through this budget that is properly packaged. You will now see the people of Homa Bay not only dancing in the stadium, but they will be securitisation.

They will, one day. People should not take it for granted that there are people who are more citizens of this country than others.

It is my pleasure to bring to your attention, that there are a lot of discussions in Nairobi, for example, around the disbandment of Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) , Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and other organisations. However, you need to understand that in Nairobi, we stand on a pedestal. Although we are in a county government, it has a lot to do such that, if they do not do all those things, they will not take care of the capital city development. All the work that has been done by KURA and KeRRA is what is holding the capital city development.

We have a road from Nairobi to Mau Summit and not to Thika, Embakasi or Ruaraka. How will we build roads if we are talking about abolishing KURA and KeRRA? The county government is unable to build estate roads. All of you live in Nairobi. Therefore, when you ask why we should have KURA and KeRRA, who will build roads to your houses in Karen or Westlands? When we talk about some of those organisations, political expediency should not take over the logical consequences.

On a point of information, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon Temporary Speaker, my friend from Homa Bay is disturbing me by requesting to give information.

Do you wish to be informed by Hon. Kaluma.

I think I want some wisdom from Homa Bay.

Yes, Hon. Kaluma, what is your point of information?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Homa Bay Town Constituency hosted the whole country for Madaraka Day celebrations. I want to thank everybody for coming to Homa Bay. I also want to thank the President for allowing us to host that national holiday celebration.

The only part that I found sour is when some people were laughing. I am happy Hon. Kajwang’ has brought it up that the people of Homa Bay were lying in the stadium the whole night on the day preceding Madaraka Day. Instead of asking why it has taken President Ruto barely three months to give the people of Homa Bay County who love sports a stadium?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I have been in this Parliament for 13 years and there has not been a single inch of tarmac road until we had the broad-based Government. I want to inform Hon. Kajwang’ that I agree with him on securitisation of some funds to enable areas which have been marginalised to develop. We do not want people to talk carelessly about Homa Bay.

Notwithstanding the fact, that

Thank you, for that recognition.

Three of them came from Homa Bay. Where does Hon. Caroli Omondi come from?

Homa Bay.

Homa Bay? Then all of you are from Homa Bay.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, you know somebody like Prof Francis Aduol who was approved here yesterday.

Yes.

You saw his vetting process? Do you know that before the broad-based Government, such a Kenyan would not have come before this House for approval? That is why we are talking about equity. We are paying a lot of national debt and yet, we developed some regions and not the whole country. It is wrong for a Member of this House to say that for the first time, a road going through Mandera-Wajir- Garissa has been considered. Also, to say we cannot securitise, yet we know by the time some regimes were leaving, they constructed over 1,500 roads in one region. They keep saying they should be completed before going to other regions. We want an equitable and inclusive country for all of us.

Hon. Mathenge, do you want to inform him? He is already on a point of information. You cannot inform an informer.

He is an informer. Order, you cannot inform him.

As I inform Hon. Kajwang’, I request Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee that as we talk about equity, we are

not saying this lightly. I heard the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury and Economic Planning saying that there are rivers with crocodiles and people still swim cross them because there is no bridge. This has been happening since Independence. That is why we want Hon. Atandi to have the free liberty of the House with his current Members to support the Budget. We do not want a situation where the Chairman or Committee gives interviews outside there against inclusivity in this country.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for the opportunity to inform.

Hon. Kajwang’, you have two minutes to conclude.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Kaluma for the information. I accept it. I am sorry I was not here yesterday. I should have been here.

Yesterday, we were…

Homa Bay is composed of learned friends. The Members for Suba North, Suba South and I who was exported to Ruaraka are all learned friends. Yesterday, you talked about international maritime law. I should have been here. You would have had something from an international constitutional lawyer like me.

I want to thank my very good friend, Hon. Atandi. This is the way to go. Free this nation. Look at Mandera, Lamu, Alego Usonga, Ruaraka and also let Kiambu thrive. By the time people in Alego Usonga are burdened by taxation, they are paying the debts which have arisen from securitisation of Kiambu. This is how we should look at this country.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Let us have Hon. Rozaah Buyu, followed by Hon. Nyakundi Japheth.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity.

Hon. Nyakundi, is it true that you spoke to this particular Motion yesterday?

I only spoke for four minutes.

No.

You were not told you got an additional six minutes. You must be here very early so that the debate begins with you?

I was not told. I am sorry!

Hon. Rozaah Buyu.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. In discussing the Budget, I would like to take us back to 1965 when we had Sessional Paper No.10 after Independence. In that Sessional Paper, it was agreed that rather than trying to develop all parts of the country in unison, we would develop the areas that had greater potential. Later on, the other parts of the country would be developed with the benefits that accrued from those greater potential areas.

That has been the undoing of this country. The areas that were considered as the greater potential areas, like central Kenya, were developed with the sweat and burden of the rest of the country. However, since 1965, there has been no time in the history of this country when Kenyans came back together and said it is now time to look at the other areas that had not been given the privilege in 1965. That is why we have a discrepancy in terms of development in this country.

The major point we are discussing in this Budget is inclusivity. This Budget has tried to treat Kenyans equally regardless of what part of the country one comes from. Areas that were previously ignored have been allocated something in this Budget. I dare say that Kenyans are not against paying taxes. However, they are against paying taxes and not see any benefits.

Today, I am happy to see that for the first time, Ksh110 million has been set aside to purchase a ferry for Lake Victoria. This will enhance water transport, ignite business and grow the economy for the people around the Lake. I see that there is money allocated for the sugar industry. More often than not, a lot of money was being pumped into coffee and tea, while disregarding other crops that are beneficial to other counties. Looking at this Budget, a lot of money has also been set aside for mitigation of drought in the North Eastern part of this country. This is really positive. Nobody chooses to be in an area that is affected by drought.

I want to congratulate Hon. Atandi for being a Kenyan and not just a man from Nyanza. He opened his eyes and mind and looked at all Kenyans. I would also like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Mhe. John Mbadi, whom together with Hon. Atandi, opened up their minds so as to bring Kenyans together.

I also want to talk about Universal Health Coverage (UHC). We know that some people in this country have been offering voluntary services to ensure that health is enjoyed by everybody, even the lowest person in this country. They have been doing this free of charge without pay. Today, when you look at this Budget, there is money that has been put aside for UHC. Community healthcare workers will now be compensated for the services they offer. This is great. When you have a healthy country, you will develop much better. Also, agriculture has been allocated money because that sector affects the common mwananchi. I am sure that in a few years, Kenyans will be smiling because all the sectors have been looked into.

With that, I support these Budget Estimates. I am also happy that places like Nyanza, which have long been forgotten when it comes to road infrastructure, have been considered in this Budget. I am very happy to see that an area like Holo Lela, yawa. That place is in the middle of nowhere in Kisumu West Constituency. I can see in this Budget Ksh200 million has been put aside to construct a road there. If this is what the broad-based Government is doing, it is what Kenyans need. I urge every Kenyan who might still have a bit of suspicion against the broad-based Government that it is a Government of inclusivity, equity and affirmative action for areas that have long been left behind.

With that, I thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support. (Applause)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I support this Budget. However, I must dissuade some of the Members of this august House from deciding that because I come from Mt Kenya region now, I am guilty of what my forefathers did. At the time of Independence when the Sessional Paper No.10 was being presented, we had representation in the Cabinet from all over the country. The Government then, after having fought for Independence, was made of people from across the ethnic divide and people from different regions in the country. As such, the wisdom of our forefathers then, cannot be used to make us guilty today.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, this Budget has a lot of money going to the blue economy. I am not complaining but encouraging people in my region to also venture into aquaculture so that they can benefit. This is the kind of mindset I would like to see our current leaders articulate and adopt, so that we build a better foundation for our children and their children and consequently, they can manage to resolve the challenges they will face. Can we resolve

the challenges we are facing today without wanting to demonise one section of the country or one area of the country? I voted in this Parliament to remove a person from my region from office because I felt he was not right for this country. I urge all of us to embrace the broad- based Government and adopt what Hon. Atandi has done as the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Let us focus on that.

(Applause) I am happy that the coffee sector has received Ksh500 million for revival. The revival of coffee in this country and the earnings from that cash crop will be more dependent on the new coffee-growing regions, including Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western Kenya. At the same time, some of that money must be ploughed into the Mount Kenya region for regeneration of the old coffee bushes which are more than 62 years old.

(Applause) Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am happy that we have money to revitalise New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU). It will serve the whole country in warehousing coffee irrespective of where it is coming from. I am happy we have money for settling coffee debts.

Our athletes have really made our country proud. However, in the recent past, we have suffered the shame of some of them being caught in doping. The fact that this Budget has provided money for testing and educating our athletes is a big plus.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector is a game- changer in this country at a time when formal employment is shrinking and digitisation is changing work. The acquisition of technical skills is one of the areas that is going to help our people go into self-employment. The fact that we have provided additional resources for hiring technical staff is a big plus. I am an alumnus of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

Higher education funding in this country has discriminated diploma students for a very long time. Students pursuing medical and diploma courses have not been benefiting from HELB. Yet, Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) fall under the Ministry of Education. It is instructive in this Budget that part of the health budget has been appropriated to provide HELB for KMTC students. I am urging this House to collectively look at the issue of funding tertiary education so that none of our young people are discriminated.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we have been complaining about services in our national referral hospitals. One of the biggest burdens in those institutions has been the shortfall in personnel emoluments. I thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee for accepting the proposal by the Departmental Committee on Health, where I am a member, to fully provide for the personnel emoluments package for all our referral hospitals workers.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is heavily dependent on the provision of diagnostic services at the lower-level facilities, including Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 hospitals. The expired Managed Equipment Services (MES) program has stood in the way of the implementation of the National Equipment Placement Service (NESP) that is supposed to benefit UHC health facilities. Therefore, I am happy that money has been provided for the closure of the MES program and paved the way for NESP.

One of the saddest issues is failure to immunise our children on account of failure to remit funds for vaccines that are provided through Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). I once again thank the Chairman, Hon. Atandi, for caring for the children of this country. He has ensured that the requisite funding for our vaccines as well as for Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) commodities has been provided. The shortfall of almost Ksh34 billion from the threatened withdrawal of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding in the health sector has been provided for in this Budget. That is a big plus.

I have seen quite a number of sports academies. I want to remind our House that the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) pathways dictate that talented athletes across the country should have facilities for the development of their talent. Therefore, I am urging us all to be more aware while looking at the proposal on where the sports academies are going to be built to ensure that there is equity across the regions and across the counties. That is because sporting talent abounds.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am unhappy because of the reduction in the provision for payment to support children, orphans, vulnerable families and the indigents with Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Those are the lowest of the lowest in our society. It is not prudent of us to remove money that is supposed to pay for SHIF for the street families and orphans in this country. Where is our conscience? Where do we want them to access health services from? Yet, it is mandatory for every Kenyan to have a health insurance cover. I urge this House that we be more careful in terms of dealing with the most vulnerable in our society.

In conclusion, the Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) are supposed to have science laboratories. I urge the Departmental Committee on Education and this House, in the consideration of the education budget, to kindly factor in money for the construction of Junior Secondary School (JSS) laboratories.

Thank you. I support.

Hon. Victor Koech.

Thank you so much, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me the opportunity to also contribute to this Report before this House, on the consideration of the 2025/2026 Budget.

At the outset, I join my colleagues in congratulating Hon. Atandi for coming up with this maiden Report. Having looked at this Report from Schedule One to Schedule Four, I am convinced that Hon. Atandi with his team have done us justice for the first time. Last year and the years before, we have had several challenges and especially, for us, representing the rural constituencies. Speaking on behalf of Chepalungu Constituency, a rural constituency where I come from, we have roads running to almost 68 kilometres, which were started by the then Deputy President and now, the President of the Republic of Kenya, that have run several years without proper financing. This is the first year that I am seeing a considerable budget being considered for Kyogong, Sigor and Chebunyo roads. In the previous years, the same roads have been allocated around Ksh40 to Ksh30 million. Ksh40 million cannot even do a kilometre. This year is a bit better.

Still on roads, we have had several challenges. There is a bridge that was promised by the now Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration when he was in the transport sector - the Kaptomburiet Bridge. But it ran for the entire two financial years without consideration. I am happy that this Budget is now considering that bridge. Which means, the residents of Nyangores will benefit from this Budget. That is why I will keep congratulating Hon. Atandi for having a broad-based budget that is considering constituencies that have always been under-considered.

As I close on this issue of roads, many a times, when we visit the departments seeking for projects, they normally tell us that as new Members, we should wait for the ongoing projects to be completed before we start others. But I am happy because this Budget will consider another new road in my constituency.

On energy where I serve as a Committee member in this Parliament, I am happy because the Budget and Appropriations Committee accepted our request for Ksh5 billion that will serve all the constituencies within our country. I only urge the implementing departments that when that money comes, we should allocate money based on the need of each and every constituency. We cannot lie to each other. The urban constituencies can never be compared to the rural constituencies. In no way can constituencies like Chepalungu and constituencies from Bomet and Kericho counties can be compared to the constituencies in Nairobi. Nairobi has almost 90 per cent connectivity, whereas, in rural constituencies, we are still below 20 per cent. It is, therefore, upon the department and us Members to decide, and implore upon Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), which is the implementing department, to consider using a well-connected and analysed database on who has low connectivity. The person with low connectivity should get a higher budget.

In consideration of the education sector, I have an issue there. This is because Chepalungu Constituency, which is in Bomet County, has 188 primary schools and 97 secondary schools, a total of almost 300 schools. All of them are relying on the Ksh175 million budget for NG-CDF. If those constituencies are not considered under affirmative action through the Ministry of Education in construction of laboratories, rural constituencies will be left far much behind in terms of education. Whereas in the pathways, we are now gearing towards actualising the Competency-Based Education (CBE) programme.

On issues touching on water, our constituencies have not benefited for a very long time. This financial year, a project dubbed Bomet-Mulot that is going all the way to Sigor, will benefit more. That is a project that has not been completed for several years. That is why I congratulate the Budget and Appropriations Committee led by Hon. Atandi. That this year, we feel that we are part of this country. We are part of Kenya and we are beginning to see equity.

With those very few remarks, I support this Report. I still encourage all the departments that will implement this Budget, that when the money comes to their department, they ensure through oversight that, that money does what it is meant to do. Thank you so much.

I support.

The Whip of the Jubilee Party in the National Assembly, Hon. Sabina Chege.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I am very happy when I see Members on the divide happy about the Budget, the allocations and the distribution that have been done.

I was just reflecting on the journey that we have come as a nation from 1963 when we got our Independence. There are three things that the founding fathers wanted to fight in this nation; poverty, ignorance and diseases. It is very interesting that we are still speaking the same language and addressing the same things. Ignorance is about our education sector. I am very happy that we are trying to address the issue of university funding. Especially the funding model where we have many students who qualify to join university, but cannot proceed because of the high fees. I am just hoping that as the majority of us in this House went through the university using the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) , that we can finally have a proper solution for HELB. This will ensure that once somebody is admitted in the university, they automatically qualify for HELB. It will also ensure that parents do not have to worry whether their children will join the university or not. As they go in, we shall have a way to determine the level where we can assist the student, without making it complicated. Some of these things are so easy! I do not know why we complicate them for our students in such a way that we have very bright students who miss education because of lack of fees.

I am also very happy that now, the debate about funding the exams is done. Because this is something that was being politicised by some people; as to whether our students will sit for exams, or whether the parents will pay for them. It was very important for the Ministry of Education and the Departmental Committee on Education to address this issue of exams. I hope that one day, we do not have to make our exams so complex; that the exams have to have special codes, that they have to go to be printed out of this country, or that our students have to be manned by a police officer when they are doing the exams. Surely, those are young souls. I do not know why we do not train our teachers or the students, because this is a matter of integrity. That you do not have to have the policemen. We do not have to have the police coming in very early in the morning and guarding the exams papers. We can have a way to ensure that we have an exam that is free and fair. I am happy with the new CBE that there is continuous assessment.

We do not have to wait for the final eight years of a child’s education, from Class One to Form Four, where one examination determines the life of that student. I am very happy with the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) system, and I hope this will minimise a lot of bureaucracy.

We have our elderly people on the ground and I hope the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs has addressed this matter. Those elderly persons require social support from the Government, and we have made very good steps on how to finance them through their phones. They are now able to access the money. However, a majority of them are still unregistered. I hope that going forward, when someone reaches the age of 70, they can simply show their identification card and access those funds.

A majority of the Members have talked about equalisation and sectoral allocations. I am very sure that agriculture can address the issue of poverty in this nation. We have very good lands. We are located along the equator. I had a privilege of accompanying the Hon. Speaker to Brazil, where the Government is not using a lot of resources but rather, educates their farmers, provides extension officers, gives them proper seedlings and teach them on best farming practices and irrigation. We visited a place similar to our North Eastern region, where one river has been diverted to the shambas. With the support of the Government, farmers are able to farm, and through that, they are doing a lot of exports.

I hope that we would one day sit down, drop the politics, analyse how our nation is divided, evaluate which crops do well in certain regions, get farmers, assemble and train them, and give them proper seedlings. I am very sure that we shall develop our nation if we do that. The fact that this Budget is here today, with Hon. Atandi as the Chairman, and with many Members saying he has done a good job, I am convinced beyond any doubt that I was right from the beginning when I said I would not go to the streets. I have been vindicated for choosing to join the current Government because we do not have any other government until the next two years.

It has been proven that we can make changes in this House, which holds a lot of powers. We are the ones who allocate resources and we cannot go out and complain. Even if we go picketing or demonstrating, at the end of the day, the power lies with us. I am very happy today that the people of Homa Bay are happy and can smile because they have a stadium. I heard Hon. Rozaah talk about roads in a specific village in her place, and that reminds us as Members that once you are elected, whether on the side of the Government of the day, the minority or majority side, you have the power to lobby and convince other Members of this House to support your area. We do not have to unnecessarily go out and fight. If we hold this House with dignity, I am very sure what happened last year will not happen again this year. If we communicate well to Kenyans about the work we are doing in this House, we will regain our dignity and respect that comes with the honourable name we bear as Members. Today, I will sleep a very happy person knowing that, for once, Members

of this House have come together, reasoned and worked in unity. I can only say, long live Broad-Based Government.

Some people take peace for granted and others are busy inciting Kenyans against a Government that is working for them and Members of this House. I remind them that they elected their Members of Parliament to represent them. Instead of that Member of Parliament telling citizens who to elect in 2027, who to follow or promoting the creation of small demigods in this country, they should tell them how they sat in this House and mobilised resources for their regions. I hope we can change.

The only thing we need to eliminate in this Budget is wasteful expenditure. Let us share the little we have. Most importantly, let us not be extravagant but prioritise what is important for this nation. We should also focus on other areas, especially when addressing matters of diseases. A lot of money comes in not just from the Government but also through donor funding. Is that money well-utilised? We now have the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme through the Social Health Authority (SHA). We know that there was a lot of dishonesty with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), whereby people could just sit in a corner of a hospital, write down some identity numbers, and then go to claim from the NHIF that they have treated people. However, with SHA, a one-time-password (OTP) has to be sent to your phone for you to confirm that you are being treated. There are no longer many loopholes like before. That is why the cartels were fighting SHA at the beginning. However, I can comfortably say that SHA is working. I am a witness. What can we do about the areas that we are failing in? We can always improve the systems if they are failing, but let us first support SHA.

We should not forget very important people such as doctors, nurses and police officers. Tomorrow is a holiday but they will not enjoy it because they have to work. Let us also minimise the unrest within the labour sector. We should honour any agreements that were previously made with doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers to ensure that they also enjoy their work and the sacrifices that they make for this nation.

I support the Motion. Well done to the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the House. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you, Chief Whip of the Jubilee Party. Hon. Mark Mwenje will now contribute.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I congratulate the Budget and Appropriations Committee, now led by Hon. Atandi, for a job well done.

I know that we should never draw the Speaker into debates but those in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition have been engaging in maandamano since 2023. Some of us, and by extension our constituencies, have been punished. I was one of those who were punished because whenever I tried to get something for my constituents in the Budgets for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years, it always got lost. I believe that my close association with the former Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, and being part of the maandamano, affected me. With this budget, I feel like my Embakasi West Constituency is now part and parcel of the process, and that we will get something. I can now “see” the Broad-Based Government that you were talking about.

I want to speak about my constituency because even though we are a budget-making House, I was sent here by the people of Embakasi West. I tried to construct a road in my constituency around Tononoka area for two years, but I could not do it. The road would make it into the budget and then get deleted at some point. However, I have made it this far this time. I believe Hon. Atandi will be fair and ensure that we get to the end.

People do not realise that we have a water shortage in Nairobi. However, some boreholes were sunk in my constituency, and a few more are coming up. Those are some of

the things that we can appreciate in this Budget. By extension, with regard to the Supplementary Budget that we just recently considered, I can now focus on certain areas in my constituency such as Mowlem Ward, Kwa Maji, Umoja Phase 3 and Superloaf. We also have the SDA and Tena roads in Umoja Phase 1. I will be able to construct more classrooms in Kariobangi South and a road near the Catholic Road. Those are some of the benefits that we will enjoy. I can confidently say that over 70 new additional classrooms are being constructed in Embakasi West Constituency. That is what it means to have an all-round, equitable and fair budget.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I know that there is a common misconception that Nairobi is fully connected to electricity. However, in the last two Budgets, the entire Nairobi County got a maximum allocation of about Kshs150 million. We are now able to access a bit more. There are slums in Hon. TJ's Constituency in Ruaraka, as well as in Mathare, Embakasi West and Embakasi South. We provided for social protection to enable electricity connection to those living in the slums at a minimal cost, as we continue to work towards affordable housing. I thank Hon. Wandayi for calling Nairobi MPs to examine the problem and provide a budget for it. That has now been provided for.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, when it comes to education, we must remember that Grade 10 is approaching next year. Members should be aware that with the introduction of Grade 10, issues of bursaries and capitation will become quite dominant at the beginning of next year. We have seen money allocated for this purpose, which is why even the money for the examinations was a sensitive issue as well funding for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). We have seen many university students being sent home. We are all aware of the pressure on the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to provide bursaries to those students and yet, we know it cannot fully fund university students. It is, therefore, important that HELB is funded so that we can educate our students.

There is a lot to be said and I do not want to repeat what most Members have already raised. It is one thing to have a Budget Estimate brought to the Floor and Members leave here disgruntled, and a different thing when you demonstrate equity across every region, regardless of how they voted. That is a key issue and I must point it out. Regions like Nyanza and others, and even Nairobi, which has been an opposition stronghold, have really suffered. We are glad to now see some allocation for Nairobi because it is important for everyone to know that there are still problems in Nairobi. Nairobi is the only place where if you do not get something to eat, you sleep hungry. In some areas, you can walk into a farm and get some maize, or fish by a lake. In Nairobi, you are left with nothing. You can only steal and that is not something we want to encourage.

However, Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to throw some caution. While this House has been graceful with what we have done, I am concerned about the Ruling that came out today. I congratulate the Members who helped us, including yourself. I am a bit cautious about it. I did not hear it myself and I have not had the opportunity to read it, but I have seen some excerpts. I do not know whether we were able to get some stay orders, because it seems that the Kenya Rural Road Authority (KeRRA) has been lost, or we have lost some amount of money. Perhaps...

Order, Hon. Mark Mwenje. Your Speaker knows better, and the substantive Speaker will, at his own chosen time, brief you. However, I can assure you that the Court has made a very good decision that secures the existence of the roads agencies. It is a decision that essentially unfreezes the monies, the over Ksh10 billion, which had previously been frozen, and makes them available for the road functions under KeRRA, which has been saved.

Additionally, even with the declaration of unconstitutionality, the High Court has been gracious enough to suspend that declaration. We are, therefore, back to the status quo before the judgment and even the previous Rulings. So, do not go into that area.

Okay.

Our substantive Speaker, the Rt. Hon. (Dr) Francis Masika Moses Wetang’ula, will brief you at his own time. Do not worry, and do not debate it. I have also seen some people wiping their tears by distorting that Ruling through the media, but just ignore that. We are leaders. We know what the Court said and what we should do.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I stand guided. As I said, I made a disclaimer because I was not present when the Ruling was made. I will trust your better judgment and drop that matter at that point.

The other issue is that the great County of Homa Bay hosted Madaraka Day. We also had debate on the nominees for appointment to the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) who were approved by the House yesterday. Hon. TJ went into great length explaining how we have several Members of Parliament from Homa Bay, including the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, who used to sit with us. He was one of my tutors who taught me about the Finance Bill last year. However, I would like to send him some advisory notes as he prepares to come here to deliver the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026. He was here and he promised us Ksh52 billion. By the time Hon. Mbadi comes here, we do not want to make it uncomfortable for him. Let him come with the Ksh52 billion for NG-CDF as he delivers his Ksh4.3 trillion Budget. If we trust him with Ksh4.3 trillion, and I state on the record that we trust him with Ksh4.3 trillion, surely what is Ksh52 billion. Actually, the remaining amount is less than Ksh30 billion. I am sure he can disburse that as he delivers that Budget so that he can move this country forward.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, with that, I congratulate the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and tell them to keep up this work. Make sure it is always fair going forward. Thank you.

Hon. Daniel Manduku, Member for Nyaribari Masaba.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Hon. Samuel Atandi-led Budget and Appropriations Committee has done a commendable job. I am not an expert in finance, but I have gone through the proposed expenditure and estimates, and I can comfortably say that this Committee has, for once, balanced the revenue and the expenditure side while minimising the deficit. From the onset, I commend the work done that has been done by the Committee in trying to ensure that we get some discipline in matters finance.

Without repeating what most of my colleagues have said, I will highlight a few areas that are very key and pertinent to ensuring that we have a disciplined financial sector. One, I commend the Committee for ensuring that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) , which is mandated by law to collect taxes on behalf of this country, has been given resources to expand the tax base. Further, it has been given resources to implement a new system so that we can minimise human interaction and, therefore, eradicate possible areas of conflict or corruption. If we ensured that 70 to 80 per cent of our tax raising measures are tech-driven and that there is no human interface, I can assure you that under the guidance of a very able Commissioner General, Mr Wattanga, that revenue Authority will surpass its current targets. There are good signs given that already, in areas tax collection, and with specific reference to value added tax, the authority is doing very well. It is exceeding expectations.

Something else that I commend this Committee on, and in hindsight, remember what we went through last year, is that there are no adverse tax raising measures in this Budget.

We have made a budget with resources that we can easily attain without further burdening the taxpayer. Something else that I would like to highlight is on the issue of public debt. This House resolved that going forward, we would have a mix of 70 per cent to 30 per cent being the ratio between foreign and domestic debt, and that in the medium term, we hope that we shall achieve this. Going through the proposed borrowing for this year, I can comfortably say that we will get there if we follow the recommendations of this House.

I come from Kisii County. I am extremely happy to know that this Committee has allocated a total of Ksh1 billion to the construction and completion of the Kisii Cancer Centre. We have serious cancer cases and the plans to elevate Kisii University to a full medical college will make it a reference point in the region, and it will surpass Homa Bay County and other neighbouring counties in providing quality health care for our people.

I strongly believe in affordable housing. Anyone who doubted that this country can change should go and see the new houses at the Mukuru kwa Njenga Slums. I can assure you that our people will have magnificent houses with quality sanitation in the next five years. It is in that light that I thank this Committee for allocating adequate resources to not only complete the ongoing affordable housing projects, but to also, have decent markets spread across every constituency. I dare say that those markets will be game-changers because they come with proper sanitation, working spaces, spaces for mothers and children to rest, accessibility, safety and security.

The Committee has also recommended that funds be set aside to pay staff of the Universal Health Coverage programme who have been out here for many days. I also thank the Committee for setting aside funds to recruit junior secondary school interns. If those areas are well-funded and well-supervised, they would make a big and significant change in the development of our country.

Many Members have not talked about the innovative way of securitising the Road Maintenance Levy Fund so that most of our stalled road projects can be completed. It is commendable that we are allocating adequate funds to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, as well as the sports sector so as to grow our talent.

Overall, having been in this House for more than two years, I can say that this Budget has a very high level of equity. You can point out the monies that are being sent to virtually every county and region. I hope that, that will be the spirit going forward, and that by the end of our term, we shall tell our people that this is what we did.

With those few remarks, I support this proposal and hope that we shall implement it.

Deputy Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Owen Baya.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. A budget is either a tool of equalising or marginalising a country. That is a key principle when it comes to national budgets. You can use a budget to marginalise certain areas and boost others. However, you can also equalise a country and the budget we are currently debating is such a tool. I have seen in this budget that resources have been put in virtually every part of the country. Probably, it is the only time since Independence that we have had such a budget, thanks to the broad-based Government that we have. This is an important principle, and I want to ask other chairmen of budget committees and people who have been given the task of budgeting to ensure that we follow this spirit. The spirit of ensuring that every budget that comes in tries to equalise the nation, so that resources can go to every part of the country. Never again should we have a situation where we have marginalised areas and those that have made huge progress. Areas that have been left ten years behind others, or other areas which are ten years ahead. This is one of the things that I want to commend the Committee on.

Secondly, on a general principle of budget, it can also be used as an economic stimulus package – how you distribute the money. Many times, you hear people say: Yes, the economy is growing, and we can see the numbers, but then people still tell you they are not feeling it in their pockets. Probably, the money has been put in areas that do not spur economic growth. Areas like building more infrastructure, yet, the money is not coming into the expenditure issues. Therefore, you have a problem. Why I say this is an economic stimulus budget, we have increased resources in agriculture. When you have resources in agriculture, you are talking about productivity. When you are talking about productivity, you are talking about stimulating the economy.

We have resources that are going into building markets. When you have resources that go into building markets, you are encouraging and anchoring the economy to be market- driven. This budget has two principles that have been achieved. One, using a budget to equalise a country.

Secondly, it is an economic stimulus package to allow the economy to flourish and put money in the pockets of people. I want to assure Kenyans that, having looked at this budget and gone through it, money will start flowing into their pockets if it is properly implemented.

The other question that comes to my mind is the implementation of a budget. You can have very good figures. You can have a very good budget. But when resources are distributed and released, you realise that the money may not be released into the areas that have been marginalised for many years. It may be released to those other areas. This is a whole-year programme. In the first quarter, where is the money going? Second quarter, where is the money going? Third quarter, where is the money going? Fourth quarter, where is the money going? That is very important. And because we are a country that always has a deficit in the budget, we come to this principle where you look at priorities because resources are scarce.

The question is: Who then bears the deficits? I hear people celebrating, a road has been put in my place, or this has been put in my place. That is not enough. Will the actual expenditure of the money be available for that road to be done? Some roads were budgeted for last year, but have not been completed. Some programmes and projects were budgeted for the previous budget, but they were not done because of priority, deficit and less revenue coming in. This is a principle that we must guard against, that when the money is little, only certain areas benefit. Although the project is in the budget, certain areas benefit.

I also want to note certain areas where money has been put. For example, a lot of money has gone into the blue economy. We know that if the issues of the blue economy are properly implemented, and we have a good legal regime and good laws in the blue economy area, we are likely to benefit as a country. We are likely to spur growth. With the blue economy, something interesting is about it. You do not spend your money to grow the fish. The fish grows. It is not like a cow. You have to feed the cow, buy animal feeds, have someone to shepherd them and have structures. But the fish is in the sea or the lake. You spend nothing to grow the fish. The only thing that you need is equipment and tools to go and get it. Now, if you do that, economic growth is faster in that sector than in any other sector because you do not spend to grow the fish. This country needs to learn that important thing.

We are lagging behind in stimulating the blue economy and yet, it can help this country grow faster. It can benefit the whole country because the products and by-products that come from the blue economy are huge. But many a time, we do not see that. If I was given an opportunity to sit in the Budget and Appropriations Committee and if I were to allocate Ksh100 billion, where would I put it? Would I put it in cows or would I put it in fish? If I put it in cows, it means I will spend many recurrent resources to grow the cow to maturity before slaughtering or milking. I will have to feed the cow and do all that. If I put it in the blue economy, I would only need to buy equipment, go fishing, prepare it, sell it and make

money. For the first time, I have seen there is a drive to actually benefit from the blue economy sector. That, for me, is very important.

Another important thing this Budget has done is to allocate money to the Social Health Authority (SHA). Health is one of the highest consumers of resources of families and earners. Many times, families are left in tatters because they have spent all their money and sold their only goat or cow to take somebody to hospital. We will get it right if we have a universal health care programme and a healthcare system that takes care of the less fortunate in the society.

Take note that the healthcare system either makes or removes a President in the United States of America. You have heard about Obamacare. Trump removed it when he took office. Biden had his own system when he took office. Healthcare is everything for a country, especially in other nations. In the United States of America, your policies and programmes on healthcare alone will either make you President or bring you down.

We, as a country, are reaching that level where we need a healthcare system. Healthcare will now become an important campaign tool. No one will ever erase the important history we are writing now if we get SHA right. This 13th Parliament will be counted as that Parliament that got it right for the citizens of Kenya by bringing down the cost of healthcare and allowing everybody to benefit from national coffers to ensure that everybody is healthy and able to pay bills.

There is another thing I would like to speak about. The Budget can also help you to gauge the efficiency of the government. How efficient is the government? One of the key principles of an efficient government is to have a lean government. The leaner the government, the lesser the wastage. We need to examine our Government.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I know you were present during making the the 2010 Constitution. Probably, the efficiency at the helm or pedestal of a lean government was not looked into. This country has a huge Government. The county governments are making it even bigger. Functions are duplicated. There is duplication even in the two Houses of Parliament. We continue to spend money on duplicated roles. We need to have a Budget that actually spells out the word “lean” so that we move from the bloated Government we have. We would become more efficient and resources would move properly.

Add him a minute.

We need to move many Government programmes to the private sector. That will ensure growth. Everybody today wants to join the Government because you can afford to be lazy. You may skip work, do other things and still get a salary. The private sector works differently. I ask this Parliament to sit here and decide what the Government needs to look at and identify things that need to go to the private sector. When we move things to the private sector, Hon. Temporary Speaker, we will be more efficient, we will save money and we will become a better Government than we are.

I support this Budget and thank the Atandi-led Committee for a good job. I wish the new Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, who was here teaching me about matters Parliament two years ago, Hon. Mbadi, all the best as he steers the ship at the helm of the National Treasury and Economic Planning.

I thank you.

Hon. Jematiah will be followed by Hon. Joseph Oyula, in that order, because of gender and ranking considerations.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. At the outset, I would like to say that I am a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. I also want to thank my Chairman, Hon. Mbadi… Sorry! Hon. Atandi. Of course, I am talking about Hon. Mbadi because my fellow Members spoke about him.

This year's Budget is defined by equity and well distribution of resources. I just want to give a general highlight because most Members who have spoken before me have elaborated most of the items in the Budget. Because I am a member of the Committee, I was able to interact further and can give a general view on the bigger picture of the Budget.

This year's Budget is Ksh4.23 trillion. There is Ksh405 billion for the counties. As we know, since the inception of the Constitution in 2010, we have semi-autonomous counties. They are able to develop and have their own source of revenue. We were able to allocate them their fair share of money. We expect them to spend the money prudently and make sure it works fairly for Kenyans.

We also allocated Ksh48 billion for recruitment of 20,000 interns in the education sector. We want to absorb those members of the society who are hard-working and have gone to school. They have been considered in this Budget. They will have an opportunity to serve the country as they learn and develop.

We allocated Ksh6 billion for the Universal Health Care (UHC) for employment of medical service men and women who are going to give us better services in health care systems and improve specific areas like the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Taifa Care. The Kenya Kwanza Government has realised that health is prominent ‘must do’. With that money, the Ministry of Health is going to make a difference, specifically in Universal Health Care service. We allocated Ksh52 billion for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to improve quality of education for diploma students who have enrolled in those institutions to better their lives through handcraft skills. This will also ensure that every part of this country has a TVET institution. Old people too can enrol in TVETs and acquire skills to do things. Last Mile Connectivity is considered in this Budget and we allocated Ksh63 billion, which is fairly distributed equally in the country. We also considered the fact that some parts of the country have higher connectivity and allocated them their fair share according to how far their connectivity is. For the least connected areas in the country, this is the most equitable and fair Budget. If your area has less than 60 per cent connectivity, this Budget will give you a chance to improve. Areas with 90 per cent and above connectivity are going to manage and maintain. We should also realise that Kenya’s biggest problem is not resource allocation. It is infrastructure maintenance. Every government allocates resources. If you visit schools that were built 10 years ago, you will find many are more vandalised. We want to remind Kenyans that the money comes from their own pockets. Head teachers should ensure that school utilities are better preserved. We are not going to allocate money all the time to build every day. We should build to last. The same applies to road and electricity connectivity. People vandalise them all the time because they think there is free money. It is not free money; it comes from the people.

We have also allocated money for capitation. The Coffee Cherry Fund has also been enhanced. Recruitment of 10,000 police officers is also coming. We have allocated Ksh2 billion to recruit KDF servicemen and women. This Budget is going to be impactful to all parts of the country. So, under the chairmanship of Hon. Atandi, we are going to make a difference from the 2025/2026 Financial Year. I ask Kenyans to look at the expenditure side more, and not only the Finance Bill, and where we are putting money. Let us all interact positively to make this country better.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Joseph Oyula.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this debate. We are discussing the Budget for the

Financial Year 2025/2026. I must congratulate the Budget and Appropriations Committee for a work well done. The Committee, under the chairmanship of Hon. Sam Atandi, who is also my jirani, has done well. They have devoted most of their time to consider development. The development budget is well spread this time and many areas are covered. I am specifically happy because one of the roads that has been worrying us and which cuts across the four constituencies in Busia has been allocated some money in the Budget. That is very useful to the people of Busia.

On the security side, the Committee has provided funds for the recruitment of more police officers. Security is becoming a problem in this country. The more police officers we have, the better. In fact, very many areas now have security problems because of lack of personnel. So, the 10,000 additional police officers will help this country greatly.

They Committee has also considered the operationalisation of gazetted chiefs’ and assistant chiefs’ offices. If you recall, we previously held a long debate in this House with the Cabinet Secretary for Administration and Internal Security regarding the operationalisation of new administrative locations. That matter should now be concluded. I have also observed, through the budget estimates, that there is adequate funding for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs). Those institutions will be the backbone of our country's development, critical for creating employment and providing relevant training for our youth. However, I have not seen an allocation for machinery and equipment in TVETs. I hope this will be considered in the subsequent stages.

This Budget has laid the groundwork for future equality. In the past, budget allocations did not reach certain corners of this country. However, this time around, the estimates have touched almost every region. I believe this will help many areas across the country. I thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee, most sincerely, for the work they have done. I hope we will gain more from these budget estimates.

Something has particularly been done for education, although not much. I am a bit worried about the reduction in funding for the primary education. As primary schools continue to expand, any budget reduction will certainly affect them. I support these budget estimates, and hope that they will be useful to the country.

Hon. Makali Mulu, the Mover should be replying soon. Are you very anxious to speak? Please make your remarks before the Mover steps into the House.

It is Hon. John Makali, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Yes, Hon. John Makali.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to these budget estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026.

First, allow me to also congratulate you for hosting a very successful 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations. We in Bungoma, hosted the 61st Madaraka Day and thought we were the best. But the way you hosted it left us thinking we could have done even more!

Secondly, I thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee for burning the midnight oil to produce this Report. This is the third Budget Report of this administration since it came into office and the first under the Broad-Based Government.

Let me start by highlighting a few issues that are arising from this Budget. About 28 per cent of the total budget has been allocated to the education sector, which is commendable. Education remains the ultimate equaliser. We must invest seriously in it if we want to develop the human capital that is required to drive this country forward. Three things arise from this allocation. First, the budget has allocated money towards the promotion of teachers and the recruitment of more teachers. This is a commendable move by the Committee.

Since Independence, last year marked the first time we employed 50,000 teachers at once. If we are to employ more teachers, I have some in my constituency who graduated as far back as 2014, and have not yet been employed. We must address the unemployment scourge that is affecting our country. As much as we have allocated funds to education, our universities are still having problems. Capitation is a problem. We have a problem with the formula for disbursing the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans. I am hoping that in the new Financial Year, we will have a seamless remission of capitation to our schools so that the headteachers can run schools fairly and properly.

My second issue is in the agriculture sector. Agriculture contributes 20 per cent of our Gross domestic product (GDP). I have seen that the Committee has allocated Ksh78 billion towards that sector. Food security is very important. We want to thank the Government for the overtures it has made in the subsided fertiliser programme. How I wish that more funds are allocated towards the free fertiliser subsidy to enable farmers to go back to work in their farms so that we can be a food secure nation. My only worry in the agriculture sector is the sugar sector reforms. Last year and the better part of this year, we embarked on the sugar sector reforms. The train for the reforms in the sugar sector left the station. I come from an area where farmers rely on sugar-cane for their upkeep. The sugar factories have been leased. While I appreciate that the Committee has allocated Ksh2 billion towards the sugar sector reforms, my main worry – if you look at Annexure IV – is that there are unfunded areas. The Committee has clearly pointed out that we will require another Ksh5.3 billion towards payment of workers and cane farmers. I hope when we get to the Committee on Supply, we will allocate some money towards the settlement of those arrears of sugar-cane farmers, specifically of the poor Nzoia Sugar cane farmers and employees who their factory has been leased to an investor to run so that the Government can actualise that particular promise. In schedule IV, you will see unfunded areas.

The third thing is in the health sector. We appreciate what the Government is doing to ensure that universal health care is working. Every Tuesday when we come to this Assembly, we find the universal health workers demonstrators …

Hon. Wanjiku Muhia and the Chair of the Departmental Committee on Education will have two minutes each to register their comments, and then the Mover will reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I first thank the Budget and Appropriations Committee for doing a good work. However, it will not go well for me if I do not record some issues, especially on primary schools. As a country, we know that primary school education is the foundation of education. This is a sector that did not require any reduction but increment, considering that currently, the Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) are in primary schools.

In agriculture, particularly on fertiliser, it is high time that we delete the money for the delivery unit. I do not know what they deliver. When the ministries allocate money - so that the Committee can evaluate and agree or disagree with - it is important that we see some research effort from them. If we were to need fertiliser, what will inform the Ministry of Agriculture to require a given fertiliser in a tonnage that is specific to a region? For instance, Nyandarua County is a potato growing area that requires a different fertiliser from counties that grow maize and sugar-cane. However, there is no such information. That money will be allocated in lumpsum for fertilisers.

As I conclude, on lighting in this country, connecting people to the national grid in Kenya is a development agenda and it is a much welcome move. I hope that the money that has been allocated of Ksh50 billion will be utilised equitably. Some regions are claimed to be well connected up to 60 to 70 per cent and, when you go to the ground, that is not the case. Some counties like Nairobi are well connected and they continue to receive the allocation.

That is why I am calling upon ministries to conduct research, categorise regions as per their needs and allocate money with that information in mind, so that it can meet its purpose.

Thank you.

Hon. Julius Melly.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this time to also register issues on the Report on Consideration of the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2025/2026.

Firstly, I want to appreciate the Budget and Appropriations Committee led by Hon. Atandi, for the good work. On the issues of education, I want to bring to the attention of the House that this is the sector that has the highest funding of almost Ksh700 billion. On that, we got almost substantial amount of money especially on capitation, but we still have a deficit. The Ministry of Education has always had less funding by Ksh22 billion in the last seven years.

Secondly, I also want to thank them for they have manged to allocate money for various examinations: Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) , Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and all the examinations that are going to be done this year. We have enough money and exams will run normally.

Thirdly, on the issue of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) , I want to appreciate that the Budget Estimates are providing enough money to construct and finish TVET colleges across the country, and also providing more money for capitation. Even for the machinery, there is money to equip the institutions that have been finished.

On university education, yes, we have money for university education, especially on capitation of the new funding model. More importantly, we still need more money so that we are able to fund every student, especially in the Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) and Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) .

On agriculture, we are grateful that we have subsidised fertiliser. We want to thank the Government for sugar sector reforms. However, we have issues in the tea sector. I ask that next time we provide money to modernise the tea sector, give money and get rid of the problems in that sub-sector.

Lastly, is the issue of the Universal Health Care (UHC) . I have seen that we have provided enough money for that sector and, more so, for the health of this nation. We need to ensure that the UHC workers are not demonstrating every other time.

I thank you. I also thank the Committee for the good work.

The Mover will now reply.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to reply.

Before I reply, let me first of all thank Members of this House for debating this Report vigorously and raising some fundamental issues, which the Budget and Appropriations Committee has taken note of. Some of the issues that were raised by Members include concerns about the current budget implementation. Even though there is a hypothesis that the Budget is not fully implemented, the report which is before my Committee outlining how the Budget for this financial year is performing, tells me that it is performing above 50 per cent. Considering that development projects of Government involves elaborate procurement process, I think this is quite okay. I also think that the allegation that the Government is not disbursing the exchequer is not an accurate assumption.

The other issue which was raised has to do with the fiscal deficit. Some Members complained that we had put revenue projections which are not accurate because the Finance Bill has not been decided, discussed and approved. You are aware that these are merely projections. In fact, if you want to establish the accurate revenue collected in a financial year, you have to wait for the audit which normally happens after the financial year has lapsed.

As I said when I was moving this Motion, we have made one of the most accurate revenue projections in history. To show you that this is accurate, the revenue projection which was presented by the National Treasury is way less than what our own Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), our own fiscal and economic think tank of Parliament, which I said yesterday is globally rated, presented. Their projection is higher than the one which was presented by the National Treasury. This shows that for the first time, we are being more realistic. Even in the past, our revenue projections have always been accurate. Whereas, in the past, the National Treasury has projected higher revenue, we normally project lower revenue, which is what Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) achieves in the end.

On the Equalisation Fund, the concerns are real. Kenyans cannot see the projects that are being performed by the Equilisation Fund. When this Fund comes to an end, it will be very difficult for Kenyans to see the impact. This is something which the National Treasury has taken note of, and because some of those projects are implemented by counties, we urge the counties to change. We have less than five years. Those are genuine concerns, and the National Treasury and the Budget and Appropriation Committee have taken note of them.

There were concerns about the Judiciary budget. As a House, we have fully funded the Judiciary. We have given them the resources they need, especially for hiring new judges. Regarding the infrastructure in the Judiciary, I urge Members of Parliament to supplement the efforts of the Judiciary in funding the infrastructure using the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). I know Members who have spent their NG- CDF on constructing courts. This is something I would like to urge Members of Parliament to consider.

Regarding the allocation of resources to counties, it is worth noting that although the share of allocation to counties in this Bill is Ksh405 billion, there is an additional Ksh74 billion in conditional allocations that will also be due to the counties. In the end, counties are going to receive a total of Ksh474 billion. This is not a small amount of resources.

We have complaints in this House that our governors are a let-down, that the resources that we have given them, they have not spent them wisely and that they are abusing their powers in the counties. Those are facts that have been raised by Members and, therefore, we believe that the Ksh474 billion that is going to be sent to the counties will be good enough for our counties to realise development.

Lastly, I want to say that there is also a notion that not enough functions have been devolved in the health sector. If you look keenly at the Budget for the Ministry of Health in Nairobi, all allocations are purely for National Government functions. For example, we have more than six Level 6 referral hospitals. All of those hospitals are funded from the budgets of the National Government. There is no way of transferring budgets for national referral hospitals to the counties. That would be wrong. So, when you see the budget for the Ministry of Health in Nairobi, as large as it may look, it is meant for the National Government functions, some of which involve primary health care.

The campaign and fight for more resources by governors need to stop. We want governors to now focus on the implementation of development programmes in their counties. We cannot have governors only thinking about sponsoring court cases against the National Government. They want to grab everything, but they are not performing. They are not utilising those resources properly.

Once again, I thank this House for this debate. On Tuesday, we will be discussing the Committee of Supply, and I know Members will deliberate and allocate resources where it is needed.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to reply.

I will defer the putting of the Question to a future date.

Hon. Members, be upstanding. The time being 7.04 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 10th June 2025, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 7.04 p.m.

Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi