Tuesday, 19th August 2025

Hon. Members, well done; there is no quorum hitch. Clerks-at-the- Table, let us start.

Hon. Members, you may recall that on Thursday, 24th July 2025, the House negatived the Motion on consideration of Senate Amendments to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill (National Assembly Bill No.24 of 2023) . This decision consequently remitted the Bill to a Mediation Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Article 112 of the Constitution and Standing Order 149. You may also recall that on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, I reported to this House a Message from the Senate on its rejection of the National Assembly amendments to the Startup Bill (Senate Bill No.14 of 2022) . The Senate also remitted the Bill to a Mediation Committee, in accordance with Article 112 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

Article 113 of the Constitution requires that whenever a Bill is referred to a Mediation Committee, the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament shall each appoint an equal number of Members from both Houses to attempt to develop a version of the Bill for consideration by both Houses. In this regard, having consulted with the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, I have appointed Members to represent the National Assembly in the Mediation Committees to consider the said Bills. With respect to the National Disaster Risk Management Bill (National Assembly Bill No.24 of 2023) , I have appointed the following Members:

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42 (1) , I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from His Excellency the President, seeking approval of persons nominated for appointment to Foreign Services.

In his Message, His Excellency the President conveys that, in exercise of the powers conferred to him by the provisions of Article 132 (2) (e) of the Constitution as read together with Sections 20 (2) and 22 (2) (a) of the Foreign Service Act, Cap. 185E, he has nominated nine (9) persons for appointment as High Commissioner, Ambassadors, and Consuls-General, as hereunder–

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42 (1) , I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from His Excellency the President, regarding the nomination of persons for appointment as Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties.

In the Message, His Excellency the President conveys that, in exercise of the powers conferred to him by the provisions of Section 34A and the Sixth Schedule to the Political Parties Act, CAP.7D, as read together with Section 5 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, CAP.7F, he has nominated Mr John Cox Lorionokou and Ms Agatha Wanjiku Wahome to the positions of Registrar of Political Parties and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, respectively, and now seeks their approval for appointment by the House.

Standing Order 45 provides that, upon receipt of notification of a nomination for appointment, such nomination shall stand committed to the relevant departmental committee for consideration. In this regard, I hereby refer the Message from the President, together with the curriculum vitae, and other testimonials of the nominees to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration.

Paragraph 6 of the Sixth Schedule to the Political Parties Act, CAP.7D provides that the National Assembly shall, within 21 days of the receipt of the names of the nominees, consider the nominees and approve or reject the nominations. In this regard, the Committee is expected to immediately commence the approval process and notify the nominees and the general public of the time and place for holding the approval hearings and, thereafter, table its report for consideration by the House.

Noting that the House is scheduled to commence its long recess from tomorrow, Wednesday, 20th August 2025, the Committee will be required to table its report when the House next sits.

Thank you. (Hon. Rael Kasiwai and several other Members walked into the chamber)

Members at the back, please, take the nearest seats. Member for Pokot, take the nearest seat. Those on their feet, freeze where you are.

Hon. Members, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42, I wish to report to the House that I have received a Message from His Excellency the President, regarding the referral of the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.3 of 2023) .

His Excellency the President conveys that pursuant to the provisions of Article 115 (1) (b) of the Constitution, he has considered the Bill and referred it back to the National Assembly for reconsideration, expressing reservations on the Bill. In the Presidential Memorandum, His Excellency the President has expressed reservations on Clause 2 of the Bill.

Further, His Excellency the President has proposed to amend the said clause and also introduce a new provision. His Excellency now requests the House to reconsider the Bill in accordance with the provisions of Article 115 of the Constitution. You may recall that this House passed the Bill on 18th June 2025, following which I presented the Bill to His Excellency the President for assent in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This House is, therefore, required to consider the President’s reservations to the specified clause. Standing Order 154 (2) requires the House to consider the President’s reservations within 21 days upon receipt of the Memorandum.

In this regard, the Presidential Memorandum stands committed to the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife for consideration. The Committee should prioritise the consideration of the President's reservations on the Bill and table its report soonest to allow the House to conclude the reservations within the said timelines. I hasten to guide the House that the consideration of the President’s reservations to the Bill by the Committee and the House will be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of Article 115 of the Constitution.

Further, the guidance contained in the Speaker's Communication of 28th July 2025 relating the consideration of the President's reservation to a Bill and amendments thereto will apply as shall be necessary.

I now direct the Clerk to circulate the Memorandum of His Excellency the President to all Members so that they familiarise themselves with the contents therein.

The House is accordingly informed.

Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.

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

Thank you, Hon. Owen. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

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

Report of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on its consideration of the Kenya Roads (Amendment) (No.3) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.34 of 2025) .

Chairman of the Committee on Delegated Legislation.

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

Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

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

Reports of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on its consideration of:

Next Order.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular No.04/2025 on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of the electronic Government Procurement System (e-GPS) by all public procuring entities in contravention of Section 77 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, Cap. 412C, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 19th August 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 18 of the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap 2A, this House annuls in its entirety the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of the electronic Government Procurement System (e-GPS) by all public procuring entities (Circular No.04/2025) . Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Put the Question!

Order, Members! How do you expect the Speaker to put a Question on a notice of motion? Hon. Members, that is on a light touch. As we go to Order No.7, I direct that we re-arrange the Order Paper. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice

and Legal Affairs, Hon. Murugara, had requested to make a Statement in relation to some issues that you discussed yesterday.

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

THAT, notwithstanding the Resolutions of the House of 13th February 2025 and 7th August 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 28(4) (Calendar of the Assembly), this House resolves to further alter its Calendar –

Hon. Speaker, this is a simple Motion to alter the Calendar. As Members are aware, we were to proceed on our recess at the end of last week, but we extended the sittings to this week. We will need to recover the time for the recess, this being a short working recess. Therefore, we are extending the recess by one week. Instead of resuming on 16th September, we will resume on 23rd September.

With those remarks, I beg to move and request the Leader of the Minority Party, who is also a Member of the House Business Committee where this matter was deliberated, to second.

Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, I second.

Members on their feet, take your seats.

Put the question.

Next Order.

Let me start with Hon. Dan Wanyama. He is making a Statement in relation to the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) football tournament. Any Member who wants to joyride may join that fray in Hon. Murugara’s Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to make a Statement on behalf of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture on two matters of national importance; firstly, the success of Kenya’s co-hosting of the African Nations Championships, CHAN 2024, thus far, and secondly, the remarkable

achievement of our national football team, Harambee Stars, in reaching the quarter-finals of the said tournament. As this House may be aware, Kenya, together with Uganda, and Tanzania, was granted the prestigious opportunity to co-host the 2024 edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This tournament presents an important platform not only to showcase our sporting talent, but also to demonstrate our ability to host continental events of this magnitude.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports ensured that the stadia met the international standards required to host a tournament of this magnitude, and this is a great development of our sporting infrastructure. The Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture also performed its oversight role by engaging the Ministry from as far back as 2023 on the status of Kenya’s preparedness to host this great tournament.

Despite our success in co-hosting the tournament, we have suffered a few setbacks. The House will recall that on 10th August at Kasarani Stadium, challenges of crowd control and ticketing breakdown posed a serious threat to the tournament. This situation resulted in sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. Guided by advice from this Committee to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, innovative Fan Zones were introduced outside the stadium to absorb excess crowds, while Government enhanced security measures within and around the venue. This initiative has been highly successful in decongesting Kasarani, safeguarding fans, and ensuring compliance with CAF standards, thereby averting additional sanctions and enhancing Kenya’s reputation as a capable host. The Committee will continue to work with the Ministry to ensure that the remaining matches are held in strict compliance with the standards required by the Confederation.

Hon. Speaker, permit me to now talk about the performance of our national football team, the Harambee Stars. The national team has shown commendable spirit, discipline, and determination. This House will recall that Harambee Stars defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo, overpowered Morocco, held Angola to a draw, and most recently outclassed Zambia. This has resulted in Harambee Stars emerging as the Group Leaders with 10 points, thereby earning their place in the quarter-finals against Madagascar. The quarter-finals game is scheduled for Friday 22nd August at 5.00 p.m. at Kasarani Stadium.

It is worth mentioning the great work that the national team coach, Benni McCarthy, is putting in with his team. We commend him for the tactical skills that he continues to impart to the national team, and we believe that he has what it takes to steer the team to victory through the quarters, semi-finals and eventually the finals. Indeed, talent is not the challenge in Kenya. Across sporting disciplines, we have an abundance of talent. Beyond planning, this administration is determined to actualise the Talanta Hela initiative. The Committee will continue to work with the Ministry of Sports and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that any legislative interventions necessary to actualise this great initiative, will be undertaken by this honourable House.

With the stadia renovations and building of Talanta Stadium, and the sports academies being constructed across the nation, the future is bright and the strategic direction shall bear fruit very soon. Indeed, we have demonstrated our ability to host international tournaments and the infrastructure shall be available long after CHAN. We can start aspiring for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and other sporting events as well.

I wish to thank His Excellency the President for the motivation he has accorded to the national football team. His actions to reward our players is a great testament to the need to monetise talent, which is a key pillar of the Talanta Hela Initiative. This will go a long way in motivating our players to be the best that they can be. It will also ensure that they reap the results of their hard work and discipline.

Hon. Speaker, I am, indeed, grateful for the continued support of your office and the office of the Clerk in facilitating the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture to execute its oversight mandate on matters of sports within the country. The Committee has, indeed, travelled to various parts of the country to conduct inspection visits regarding the renovation and construction of stadiums. Furthermore, the Committee has held several engagements with the Football Kenya Federation and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of sports in this country. We have set the standards as high as we could. It can only get better with more cooperation among federations, Government, partners, and sportspersons who are integral to the grand scheme of things.

Hon. Speaker, the Committee wishes to thank all Hon. Members and all Kenyans who have come out to support the Harambee Stars and sports in general. I also extend gratitude on behalf of all the teams and sportspersons who continue to fly our flag high and ensure our national anthem is played on international podiums. We shall continue this journey and mark each milestone. Kenya stands at a pivotal moment in its football journey. Co-hosting CHAN 2024 is not just a sporting event, it is a national project that carries economic, diplomatic and cultural significance. The Harambee Stars, as our ambassadors, deserve our unwavering support.

As I conclude, allow me to commend the Malkia Strikers Under-20 team for winning the African Under-20 Championship in Cameroon by beating the host nation three sets to one.

I thank you Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Members. I have been requested to give an opportunity to Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo, as the captain of the Bunge football team, to complement that Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Let me thank Hon. Dan Wanyama and the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture. On behalf of the Bunge Football Team, a few of whose Members are here; I can see Hon. Jack Wanami, Hon. Kaikai, Hon. Maungu, Hon. Mogaka and Yesu himuselfu. I am referring to the male team. I have limited time, so let me finish this quickly.

I congratulate the Harambee Stars. Even though the Harambee Stars is currently a men's team, this is not discriminatory. There is both women's and men's football, each with its own category. I am happy to offer these congratulations, unlike the matters I will speak on later that have brought me great sadness. On this matter, I am truly happy to congratulate, first, the players; secondly, the technical team; thirdly, the federation itself; fourthly, the Kenyan public and not just Kenyans, but East Africans as well; fifthly, the President; and sixthly, ourselves.

I thank the Members, because many may not know that when the Harambee Stars were preparing during their final days of training, we in the Bunge FC mobilised ourselves to encourage them at the Police Sacco Stadium. You would be surprised how encouraged the boys were, some from our constituencies, others from elsewhere. They were happy just to shake hands, kick the ball around with us. We hope that support helped them. Also, not many are aware that the idea of giving a token to the boys started right here, in this august House. We raised Ksh1 million and took it to them during training. It might seem a small amount, but these are local players, non-internationals, so that encouragement is very good. The President was riding on our back when he upped it to Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million, but we had already set the pace.

Lastly, I want us to be conscious of the fact that we are co-hosting. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are co-hosting this tournament. The good news is that each of our countries have qualified for the quarter-finals, an unprecedented feat. Let us support one another as East Africans. If we end up playing against each other, we do so with brotherhood, not bitterness. Yesterday’s thrilling match between Uganda and South Africa was among the most captivating in football; those who love football will agree. Six minutes in football means a lot. I encourage

Kenyans to keep supporting the Stars. If you have tickets, attend the matches. If not, go to any of the public viewing points or watch from home. Thank you. Go, Stars!

Thank you, Hon. Members. For those who did not watch football yesterday, six minutes to full time, Uganda was down 3–1 against South Africa. Within six minutes, they rallied their strength and scored twice, drawing the match and qualifying. This CHAN tournament has reignited our national football spirit. Those who watched football in earlier years may remember the phenomenal team of Mohamud Abbas, Hussein Heri, John “Bobby” Ogola, Josphat Murilla, Ambrose Ayoyi, Wilberforce Mulamba, JJ Masiga, Onyango Jogoo, and many others who made this country proud.

Hon. Lelmengit, you are too young to remember those good old days. Hon. Members, you may thump your feet in support of the Harambee Stars in their next encounter. Of course, the Leader of the Minority Party is joyfully reminding me that Arsenal beat Manchester United.

Yes, Hon. Millie. What is it?

Hon. Speaker, thank you. As a Manchester United fan, I cannot sit in this House while the Leader of the Minority Party casts aspersions on the great team. We sympathise with small teams like Arsenal, which my husband supports. Useless teams! I hope my husband is not watching this.

Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, if you watched the game between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday, you could only pity Manchester United. They were playing like Rusinga Island Football Club.

Order, Hon. Members. Let us leave it at that. Yes, Hon. Wangwe?

Hon. Speaker, in 1987, the captain, Austin Oduor, helped Kenya win the cup. You cannot mention them without listing Austin Oduor.

I did not mention all of them, but I know them all. It was a fantastic team. Hon. Members, can we leave football there? Yes, Hon. Farah. I have never known you to watch football!

Hon. Speaker, this is an august House, a House of leaders. Our young boys and girls in the Public Gallery and in the Speakers Gallery and across the country are watching us. Instead of celebrating our own, why must we celebrate a team from the farthest parts of the world?

Hon. Farah, you are out of order. You are out of order!

We are doomed with this!

Hon. Farah, you are out of order. In fact, Arsenal is Arsenal because of our African boys, like Nwankwo Kanu, Eboué, Bukayo Saka and many others. So, you are out of order.

Hon. Members, allow me to acknowledge, in the Public Gallery, learners from Gakuuru Primary School in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka-Nithi County and Sally Ann Academy Primary School in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County. On my behalf and that of the House, we welcome them, their teachers, and those accompanying them to the House of Parliament.

Let us now go to Hon. Murugara.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. We are just from a light moment, but this is not very light now as it touches on very serious matters that are before the House. This is a Statement on allegations of inducement in the consideration and passage of a Bill.

Hon. Speaker, this Statement is made on behalf of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and its Members with regard to statements made during the Joint Kenya Kwanza – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Parliamentary Group meeting held yesterday, 18th August 2025. It was presided over by His Excellency the President, Dr William Samoei Ruto, and the former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

At the meeting, a statement was made to the effect that the consideration and passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was influenced by Ksh10 million inducement collected by a Member or Members of Parliament allegedly on behalf of the Members of the National Assembly.

Hon. Speaker, the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party. It was read a First Time in the House on 4th March 2025. Thereafter, it was committed to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration and reporting to the House. The Committee duly conducted public participation, considered the Bill and tabled a Report in the House to inform its Second Reading.

The Bill sought to amend 10 Acts of Parliament to address technical compliance deficiencies identified by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group, the Financial Action Taskforce in Kenya's regime on Anti-Money Laundering, Combating of Terrorism Financing and Proliferation of Financing. The record of the House reflects that, after exhaustive debate, the Bill and amendments proposed by the Committee were wholly supported leading to its passage on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, with amendments.

Following the Bill’s referral by the President with reservations on the term of the office of the Director-General of the Financial Reporting Centre, it was passed by the National Assembly on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, with amendments fully accommodating his reservations. On behalf of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, I wish to categorically state that the Committee did not solicit and receive any inducement of any kind whatsoever from any Member or quota in its consideration of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as alleged.

The Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and its Members are fully cognisant of the principles of leadership, ethics and integrity which bind the Members of Parliament. They condemn and abhor corruption and any practice that is likely to erode these

principles that are the substratum of the public trust that the people of Kenya have entrusted on this institution of the House of Parliament.

Having deliberated over the matter and considering that the Bill in question was a Government Bill, whose contents were supported by the House, the Committee poses the following four questions:

or Members of the National Assembly solicited and/or received

The Committee notes that any inducement with respect to the Bill could only have been given to persons opposed to the strengthening of the laws against anti-money laundering, terrorism, financing and related offences. Only a person or entity that engages in corrupt practices or wash wash, as it is popularly known, could have opposed the passage of the Bill. The fact that the Committee recommended its passage and ensured its enactment into an Act of Parliament, that is now in force, speaks for itself.

For avoidance of doubt, the position of the Committee and its Members is that if any Member of the National Assembly or any other individual solicited and/or received any inducement with respect to the consideration and passage of the Bill, as alleged, he is a criminal. Such a person ought to be investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or even the committee of this House charged with the responsibility on such matters and then prosecuted. If found culpable, he should face the force of the law to the fullest. Such conduct has no place in the discharge of the mandate of the National Assembly and in the society of Kenya as a whole.

The Committee urges any person with information against any Member of the National Assembly or any other individual, with respect to the allegations, to submit it to the Parliamentary Committee of Powers and Privileges which always rises to the occasion and jealously protects the integrity of the House and its Members. Needless to add that the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs is one of the busiest committees in this House. It is only rivaled by the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. These two, being the busiest, have always and will always resist any temptation or advances that are made to induce them with finances or any other form of material inducement because the dignity of this House must be maintained at all times.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Before I sit, allow me to kindly read one Article from the Constitution which is extremely important. Members should listen because they will comment on it.

Article 96(1)(2)(3) of our Constitution is on the role of the Senate in the Republic of Kenya. It states:

represents the counties, and serves to protect the interests of the

participates in the law-making function of Parliament by

determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as

Thank you, Hon.Murugara. We had discussed and I promised to give Hon. Wandeto the first shot. Is he in the House? It is on the basis that he had a Motion of Adjournment, which was a tautologous to the Statement by Hon. Murugara. Members, you must also remember the provisions of Standing Order 87 on matters contents of speech. Take that into account.

Hon. Wandeto?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. As you have correctly said, I had brought before you a Motion of Adjournment to debate this very serious...

As Hon. Wandeto takes the Floor, how much time can I give everybody?

Five minutes.

Five? I have allocated one and a half hours for this. Can we do three minutes?

Yes.

With your leaders each taking five minutes.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. As you have said, I had brought a Petition to you.

Hon. Speaker, you need to protect me.

Yes, give Hon. Wandeto an opportunity. Wandeto, you have three minutes. Compose yourself.

Thank you. I start by saying that the House of Parliament is a temple of democracy in this country. This is where the will of the people is exercised in accordance with Article 95 of our Constitution.

Whenever there are allegations of the nature that have been made in the last two weeks, it is a matter of grave national concern. That is why you have done the right thing to stop all other business of the House to ensure that Members can ventilate on the otherwise very serious allegations that have been brought against this House. I am very committed to the principles of integrity, transparency, and good governance in the Constitution. All we have seen in the last two weeks is worrying.

It started, I think, two weeks ago with an allegation by a senior member of the Executive that there are, indeed, allegations of bribery within Parliament. I was at the Devolution Conference last week in Homa Bay, and none other than His Excellency the President repeated the same. The following day, the former Prime Minister also claimed that there is a lot of bribery and corruption going on in this House. To take you back to the events of 2024, these Members of Parliament were nearly killed in this House as they defended democracy and the rule of law. Thereafter, there were some allegations that money had changed hands. A figure of Ksh2 million was mentioned at that time. Even some of the Members lost their property. Their houses were burnt, while others lost livestock and other things.

The bribery allegation against Members, especially the figures that are being touted, makes us feel endangered as we walk in the streets. People first imagine you have some Ksh10 or Ksh150 million, and others possibly think you are the worst enemy of the people. You know, we have been called Mpigs. We have been called all manner of names.

Hon. Speaker, as I conclude, I want to urge you as the leader of this House, to do whatever you can to defend the integrity of this House.

(Applause) Since I had a substantive Motion, please add me only two minutes so that I can finish. It is important that you lead us to restore the dignity of this House. There are certain things that we must stop doing. First of all, we have what I would call an unholy dalliance with the Executive. That must...

Give him a minute.

Hon. Speaker, this House has to stop being a choir for the Executive!

This week, we have also seen a lot of attacks on the National-Government Constituencies Development Fund

(NG-CDF)

and the funds for roads by the same Executive that we have helped here with very difficult decisions. I think the chickens have come home to roost.

I invite the members of the Executive to read Matthew 7:3-5. We know corruption is a big issue in this country, but the Bible reminds us of this: “Why do you look at a speck of sawdust in your neighbour’s eye while you have a log in your own eye”? As I finish, it appears some people are falling, but we will not allow them to fall with the whole House.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Otiende Amollo.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I will beg that I be added two minutes for context, as a Member of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

First of all, let it be clear, I am a Member of the Committee. I have never sought or received any gain or advantage to support or oppose anything except as by law, my conscience and my constituents. The simple sequence of that long Statement read by my Chairman is that this was a Government Bill, sponsored by the Executive Office of the President, and we were told that we needed to pass it to remove Kenya from the grey list. It was signed off by the Leader of the Majority Party. We complied - it came here and was passed. Where is our fault? Should we have rejected it? Because if we did, then you could blame us.

If that passage of the Act and the amendment was procured by any corruption, then that corruption can only come from the Executive Office of the President because they are the ones who wanted it to pass. And if that is so, then three things follow: one, either the President or someone in his office knows who gave the bribe; two, the President or someone in his office knows who received that bribe; and three, they know why it was given. Obviously, it could not have been for the passage of the Bill.

It is even more annoying that it is alleged that some Ksh10 million was given. Do you know if you share with the Members, that is Ksh28,000? It is being alleged that Members of this House are as cheap as Ksh28,000 to pass a law. It is even more annoying. Some of us have reputations and careers beyond this House. You attend a forum, where for the first time in a parliamentary group, live television has been invited, and then you are being accused of that kind of thing, it is so insulting, demeaning, and unfortunate.

Even if there was such a supposition by the President, Standing Order 42 gives him the opportunity to write to you a special message that you can table and we can inquire into it, but not to be paraded and demeaned as if we are criminals.

I would want to suggest a way forward. We cannot discuss people adversely because Standing Order 83 all the way to 107 restricts our discussions. Unfortunately, no one protects

us out there. All sorts of allegations are made against you and you must just sit and listen. Our only ventilation is Standing Order 192.

Give him one minute.

Under Standing Order 191 (1) (a) , the Powers and Privileges Committee is allowed to summon any person to appear before it for the purposes of giving evidence or providing information. This House has been called the House of extortion and a corrupt House. It has been alleged to have received some Ksh10 million.

Hon. Speaker, my suggestion is that you authorise the Powers and Privileges Committee to summon the President or, if not the President, then the Head of Public Service and the Secretary to the Cabinet to come and tell us about these allegations because we do not know how to protect ourselves out there.

I so submit, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. (Dr) Pukose. Remember you have three minutes.

Hon. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to contribute to the Statement by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. It is was a very embarrassing situation when the Head of State stood up to accuse this House. He specifically referred to a committee. That is not acceptable. If there is any issue of corruption, he should have discussed it with the Members of Parliament. I suppose that, most likely the Head of State was misled by whoever took information to him that the concerned person took Ksh10 million to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

No!

Those are his views. Just listen to each other.

If Ksh10 million was given, then the person who gave the Ksh10 million must state clearly who he gave that money. That person should account for the Ksh10 million. Where did he take the Ksh10 million and to who? When the Bill was presented before the House by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, we were told the requirements and preconditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and we passed the Bill. Therefore, when we are later accused of having taken money… It seems that the Ksh10 million exchanged hands. Where did it come from, where did it go and why? Any Government Bill that comes before this House is sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party. Now that we have a bipartisan agreement under the broad-based Government in the House, more often we support all the Bills that the Government brings to this House. This allegation must be investigated and the truth unearthed so that all of us come out clean. In the public, people are looking at us as thieves and extortionists. That is not right. We have families and reputations to protect. Our friends should not be suspicious of our activities.

Thank you.

Hon. Zamzam:

Mhe. Spika, wajua fisi

Hatukufuatwa na mtu yeyote atuhonge. Mswada huo ulipitishwa hapa hapa Bungeni bila hongo.

Kati ya Wabunge, mimi ni maskini sana. Pesa ya the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) haitoshi. Huwa natoa mshahara wangu kuwapa wananchi na nabaki bure. Ikiwa tunaambiwa kuwa Wabunge walipewa hongo ya milioni kumi, tunataka kujua ni nani aliyepewa pesa na kusudi la pesa hizo lilikuwa nini? Huu Mswada ulikuwa na siri ipi kubwa mpaka milioni kumi zikatolewa kama hongo? Sasa tutatoa majembe yetu store kama Bunge turejee kama tulivyo kuwa mwanzo ili sauti zetu zisikike. Haiwezekani kuwa Wabunge wanateseka na kuhangaika kwa sababu hawana pesa.

Tulipea county governments Ksh485bilioni na haziwatoshi. Sasa zinakimbilia Ksh54 bilioni za Bunge hili na hatujaona kazi zao mashinani. Ikibidi tutoe devolution, basi tutaitoa ili hali ibaki kama ilivyokuwa zamani. Wabunge hawawezi kunyanyaswa kiasi hichi. Wanaitwa wezi na extortionists kwa televisheni wakati mimi kama Mama Mombasa ninapojiangalia, sina chochote. Wakienda kuangalia accounts zangu watashangaa. Leo Mombasa nikiambiwa sisi ndio extortionists tunaoiba pesa, sitakubali. Kama mtu anataka kuenda chini na sisi, mimi nitaenda naye chini.

Ahsante sana.

Hon. Musa Sirma.

Hon. Speaker, I want to support the sentiments of Hon. Murugara on this issue. We have been portrayed as a Parliament of extortionists and as people who take bribes. The court is the place where people who are corrupt in this country are taken. If there are people known for being corrupt, the Government should take them to court to be jailed. They belong in jail. We are being maligned by people who are looking forward to take the NG-CDF money to counties to be misused. If a governor can bring Ksh150 million to the Senate, where does he get that money from? Counties cannot show the development they have accomplished for the people of Kenya with the amounts of money they are given. It is time we audit counties to see whether they are proper entities to be used as vehicles for development in rural areas.

I was in Bomas during the Constitution making process. The Constitution that was brought by people and passed was not what we have now as our Constitution. The Yash Pal Ghai Constitution of the Kenya Review Commission had proposed 14 regions that were non- executive instead of the 47 counties. The executive powers that the governors think they have can be removed. It is high time we talked to our people so that they can get direct development. I beg to differ with all that has been adversely said about this Parliament. The people who committed this vice should be taken to court.

Thank you.

Hon. Robert Mbui.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Parliament is under attack. If you go to social media, read newspapers and watch television, it is this House that is continuously under attack. That has gone to the level of funds that go to the people that we represent, specifically NG-CDF, Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) and NGAAF.

The Executive must respect this House. Some of us have been opposing the Executive. However, largely the Members of this House have stood with the Executive in supporting all its agendas, sometimes even becoming extremely unpopular with the population because they made sure that the agenda of the regime was passed on the Floor of this House. They have now been thrown under the bus. That also happened last year after the passage of the Finance Bill.

The President said the Finance Bill was unpopular and yet he is the one who told Members to support it. We must make sure that we fight together as a House.

There is something that is going on with the Executive. I have been seeing empowerment forums all over the country. How can someone who was a Cabinet Secretary just the other day be giving Ksh200 million or Ksh300 million in two or three functions per week? What we need to do is to start auditing the Executive. When they say there is corruption in this House, we also ask them where the money they are spending is coming from. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It is important that we defend ourselves as a House.

It shocked me when the Executive went completely against the Constitution. I am lucky I was not in the joint parliamentary meeting lecture room yesterday. Constitutional Articles were thrown under the bus. When it was said that the Senate has no authority to oversee counties, that is completely against the Constitution. As Parliament, both the National Assembly and the Senate, we must stand together, be each other’s keeper, support one another, pass Bills that serve the people of this country, and hold the Executive to account.

Thank you.

Dr Mutunga.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I would like to differ from the sentiments of Hon. Mule. We did not discuss anything in that meeting, contrary to the impression that we kept quiet. There was no discussion and therefore, no resolutions. The meeting ended as such, and that should go on record.

Hon. Murugara must be finding himself in a difficult situation. As the Chairman of a Committee, I know how hard it is for a Committee report to be amended. These reports are prepared with the secretariat, and we have to ensure that we do the right thing. We would like to know who this individual is. The report was based on raw information and intelligence. The person who received the money is known. The reasons why the money was given are also known. As Members of Parliament, we need to be cleansed of this matter. We have suffered greatly as parliamentarians. We have supported the Executive many times, and this is what we get in return. Since the persons are known, they should be named so that we can be cleansed. The reasons behind the payments should also be tabled in this House so that Members of Parliament are vindicated. Out there, we have been given a bad name for supporting the Executive. Yet we are supporting the Executive to enable Government programmes to succeed. If there is a problem concerning Members of this House, it should be brought to the fore so that they are informed.

Since last week, after the pronouncement at the Devolution Conference, we have suffered again. We suffered after passing the Finance Bill, we suffered after the broadening of the Government, and we suffered after the sacking of some cabinet secretaries. We have suffered many times, and it is unfair.

Thank you.

Hon. Caroli Omondi.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I will be brief. I take great exception to the Statements made by His Excellency the President, who has now three times attacked the character of everyone in this House, including yourself. We must now take the position of zero tolerance. Mass character assassination shall not be accepted. If somebody is guilty, let them be charged individually. The President has made this attack three times. At the Stock Exchange, at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, and yesterday at our Parliamentary Group meeting.

It is unfortunate to condemn all of us as corrupt extortionists, yet many of us have held the sharp end of the knife to support him. This is something we cannot accept. Mr President must either provide evidence, take those people to court, or apologise and withdraw.

I am glad the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs read the Constitution. At our meeting yesterday, a lot of misinformation and misreading of the law occurred. The allegation that the Senate has no power to oversee county governments has now been debunked. Article 96(3) of the Constitution is clear.

Let me also clarify on the NG-CDF. The national Government has the power to establish special funds to discharge its functions. Under Article 6, the national Government can devolve its functions to sub-counties, which form constituencies. In a presidential system such as ours, there is nothing wrong with the national Government having NG-CDF as its fund, financed from the shareable revenue allocated to it. Even without the NG-CDF, the money would not be given to counties. Unfortunately, the law has been misinterpreted by the Right Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. In a parliamentary system, Members of Parliament form the Government. The Prime Minister and ministers sit in Parliament, design projects, implement and oversee them. Why then should Members of Parliament in Kenya be told they cannot do what Members of Parliament in the House of Commons or House of Lords do? That is a wrong application of the law.

Yesterday, I was upset because State capture is taking root in this country. This House should examine what is happening on the e-Citizen platform. How many channels are leaking Government revenue into private pockets? Members of Parliament must call this out. Sugar mills were privatised, workers were dismissed, and assets built by public funds were taken without competition. We must ask who took over the sugar mills. I have a Question before this House, calling the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning to explain. Let us take this fight to them.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Let us take the war to them. If they want, we will give…

Member for Kieni.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity. This House is under siege, including yourself as its presiding officer. When the House is under attack, you are the first target. We have worked and sacrificed for this Government. We have given our sweat and blood to take it to where it is now. We have lost property, reputation, and credibility in our constituencies. Even our business partners view us as corrupt when we engage with them. For that reason, Hon. Speaker, whoever alleges that we are corrupt must take that message to our wives, children, business partners, and friends. The statement made by the Head of State was erroneous. When I went home last night, my wife checked my pockets to see if I had illicit money.

I insist that we earn our sweat by offering services to the Government through Parliament.

Thank you. Member for Bumula.

Hon. Speaker, I was shocked yesterday by the sentiments of His Excellency the President.

Members, let us listen to one another.

You will add me some 30 seconds, Hon. Speaker.

The Constitution is clear in Chapters 8, 9, and 10 on the roles of Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Executive. This House regulates itself through the Committee on Powers and Privileges, chaired by none other than the Speaker. This House has done well. As the National Assembly, we have risen to the occasion. We called out on the Social Health Authority (SHA) , the Adani deal, and the Public Accounts Committee has exposed how money is being lost through e-Citizen. My guess is good. That is where the rage is coming from. They have come out to unmask the culprits of e-Citizen and how money is being stolen.

This House even impeached a Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Mithika Linturi. We have done well as a Parliament. It is, therefore, wrong for the President to claim he was fed on raw intelligence and then make such accusations. In law, and Hon. Speaker knows better than me, anyone who becomes aware of a crime and remains silent is an accomplice. By his admission, the President is an accomplice. Why was he giving the Ksh10 million?

Order, Hon. Wamboka. I refer you to Standing Order 87. If you want to discuss the person and conduct of the President, bring a Motion.

Well guided, Hon. Speaker.

Read your Standing Orders.

The President has all instruments at his disposal…

On a point of order.

Order. Yes, Hon. Otiende Amollo. What is your point of order? Give him the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, as you know, I respect your guidance and rulings. However, I had intended to bring up something later for your formal guidance. It is under Standing Order 87 (1) , on contents of speeches. It is my understanding that it is the conduct of the President that we cannot discuss, but we can discuss his speech. I would like you to give a ruling on that.

As we sit here, I have no speech from the President to discuss. Hon. Otiende Amollo, when he addresses the House, you know very well that the President makes a speech that I allow you to debate for three days. Currently, I have no speech that can guide me on what you should debate.

Proceed, Hon. Wamboka.

Hon. Speaker, there are thin lines in what we are discussing. I think the point is made.

We think that someone is trying to get to the NG-CDF, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) , and other funds devolved through this House. It is unacceptable for Hon. Members of the National Assembly to see the kind of headlines that we saw today.

Hon. Speaker, add me two minutes. I was disrupted. The kind of headlines we saw today are unacceptable. You are the champion and the head of this House. We will not allow anybody to try to soil your reputation because that is tantamount to soiling the reputation of the whole House.

As I conclude, we are now going to exercise our teeth and bite. I will table a censure Motion before you. We must now take our rightful position as a National Assembly. It is so painful. Most Hon. Members have stood with the Executive, defended it and suffered. Some have presumably lost their popularity because of the Executive. Now, the same Executive wants to throw them under the bus.

We say “No”. Wakwende.

Hon. Members, I want to acknowledge some groups before I give the Floor to Hon. Silvanus Osoro. Kipsingei Secondary School from Sotik in Bomet and Joska PAG Church from Mavoko in Machakos. On my behalf and that of the House, we welcome them to the House of Parliament.

Hon. Osoro.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I first want to confirm that I am a Member of the largely mentioned Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs.

Secondly, I fully want to associate myself with the statements made by Hon. Caroli Omondi even before I get to the details of what Hon. Murugara said. Before I get to the second matter, I will be very particular regarding the question of the NG-CDF and devolution. I think the vision and the mission of the drafters of the Constitution and those who dreamt about devolution, including the Hon. (Rt) Raila Amollo Odinga, had very good plan on what devolution is and what it should have been.

I say this with tremendous respect, kwa ground vitu ni different. What people think devolution is or should have been is not what it is. Nothing is working on the ground level as far as devolution is concerned. That is why, in any case, Article 96 should be implemented more. We cannot leave the responsibility of overseeing governors to the members of county assemblies (MCAs) . A governor that controls Ksh13 billion cannot be overseen by an MCA who earns Ksh80,000 and receives Ksh3,000 every day to even follow them. That is why we must be very particular.

On a point of order.

Hon. Saney, what is your point of order?

Hon. Speaker, the argument is about this House being declared corrupt. It is not about discussing devolution. The Head of State declared us corrupt.

Order, Hon. Saney. Do not be harsh on your colleague. Hon. Saney, if you were listening to the debate, we have been talking about several things; the integrity of this House, the fate of devolution, the fate of the NG-CDF, and the power of the Senate to oversee counties. All these are entwined into what we are debating.

Hon. Speaker, as I was saying, this House has been under attack from every corner. We have been attacked by some members of the Judiciary and members of the public. We are sometimes threatened to have our houses torched.

Give him a minute.

Now that attacks are coming from all over, with tremendous respect, we want to tell His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya that he should not take the invitation also to join the bandwagon that attacks this House.

If somebody claims that they brought money to a certain committee or chairperson, especially regarding a Bill that is actually sponsored by the Attorney-General, then that person

should be arrested first because he is the one picking money from public coffers to try to bribe Members of Parliament.

This House has been under attack from every corner. That should not be happening. Today, as we speak, people are already complaining about KeRRA. They want its funds to be reverted to their counties and NG-CDF to go. But Hon. Speaker, you will need a microscope to see what governors are doing. Nothing is being done.

Time up. Hon. Parashina.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Thank you for being counted as one of the leaders who defend Parliament in this country.

I also need to comment on three or four things. One is the doctrine of separation of powers that we saw yesterday. We need to remind the Executive that we do not work at their mercy. Secondly, yesterday, I witnessed the Executive, that is the President, lecturing Members of Parliament by trying to create intimidation.

We want to tell him that we are not going to be intimidated here or outside. We will continue performing our duties without being coerced. We also need to remind the Executive, through the President and Hon. Raila, that they should respect Parliament every time. He leads the Executive. The Judiciary and Parliament should be respected.

Another suggestion that was made was about us in committees. They alluded that we keep asking them for money when we summon State agencies or cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries. Then the question is: How are we going to perform our oversight role when they say we are looking for money? It is our duty to oversight and I can tell them it will no longer be business as usual.

Last is an independent investigation. If possible, let the President or this House establish an independent investigation where the Executive can submit evidence where this House has been involved in corruption. How can a pot say that the pan is black? It is not possible.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Jane Kagiri.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this discussion. My English teacher always told us that before you skin a dog, you must give it a bad name. This is precisely what is happening today. We all know that the NG-CDF and the NGAAF are under siege, which explains the attacks on Members of Parliament. I wish to remind this honourable House and all individuals vying for office, including the presidency, that we are re-elected based on our performance. The performance of both the NG-CDF and the NGAAF will significantly count on the overall performance of any presidential candidate at the end of their five-year term. We need the NG- CDF and the NGAAF to be respected.

Let it be on record that Members of Parliament make decisions based on their convictions and the best interests of their people. No one here is motivated solely by the money they receive; we make decisions because we want the best for our people.

Hon. Daudi.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to declare that I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, and I have not received any bribe.

I thank the President for one thing: He has reminded us that we need to do our work. We have not been performing our duties effectively, as we have often supported the Executive. The Anti-Money Laundering Act, which the President mentioned, was sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party. We should not even start with the President; rather, we should pose our questions to the Leader of the Majority Party regarding whether he bribed the Committee, and if so, how much that amount was.

Furthermore, if that Act was, indeed, procured through bribery, it should be repealed and returned to this House for reconsideration without the taint of corruption. Thank you.

(Laughter)

Hon. Karemba.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to express that I am both happy and upset at the same time. I am happy because I believe that engaging in this conversation is essential; the dragon of corruption must be slain in this country. Corruption is robbing the future of our nation. It is okay for this discussion to be initiated by the President or any other individual. However, I am upset due to the wholesale condemnation of Parliament. As you are well aware, I only recently joined the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, and now I am being branded as potentially one of those who have already received illicit funds. It is utterly wrong for anyone to cast such aspersions on Members of Parliament. I believe this reaction stems from a couple of reasons.

Firstly, they may be targeting the NG-CDF and the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) . Secondly, they could be attempting to salvage their political aspirations at the expense of Members of Parliament. They might have realised that many Members are currently unpopular and thus seek to throw them under the bus. This is unacceptable, particularly given that they have benefited from the support of these Members of Parliament and now wish to sacrifice them. Thank you.

Hon. Kibagendi.

Hon. Osero, you are not Kibagendi, are you?

He sometimes borrows my name.

Order! You are known as Hon. Osero in this House. Please take your seat.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. This is the classic case of the skunk calling the pig stinky. The President himself bears responsibility for questionable governance decisions and has erred gravely in issuing a blanket condemnation of this august House. While Parliament is not without flaws, dismissing it wholesale, is unfortunate for the Head of State. Such actions are hypocritical and an affront to the very democratic institution that gives legitimacy to the Presidency. Constructive criticism is welcome, but scapegoating an entire arm of Government for failures that cut across the Executive is both disingenuous and dangerous for our country.

Going forward, the President must ensure proper investigations are conducted. He mentioned that he receives information from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) . He must conduct thorough investigations before condemning the entire House. But again, sometimes we have to tell those who call us names that they need to look in the mirror. Kenyans know that the actual temple of corruption is the State House.

Thank you.

Yes, Lelmengit.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to echo the sentiments expressed by my colleagues on this matter. First and foremost, I would like to

apologise to this honourable House, as I used to refer to Members of Parliament as "M-pigs" during my time at university. I was among those people who branded honourable Members “M-pigs” because of the notion and negativity out there. Now, I sit here as a Member of Parliament, and the ball is in my court to change that narrative. I have come to realise that there is an enormous burden placed upon these Hon. Members, encompassing their roles as representatives, legislators, and overseers.

I must state categorically that concerning the NG-CDF, as part of our representative duties, we struggle to identify substantial projects completed by the county governments across our counties. I come from Kilibwoni Ward, and I cannot identify a single project executed by the county government. Only those projects funded through the NG-CDF are recognised and appreciated by the people. In future, we may find ourselves with an elected President - I do not wish to mention names - who allocates resources based on the shareholding politics. Should that occur, various counties and regions may face discrimination.

Therefore, this is an Hon. House and we do our work perfectly; we uphold our duty and integrity as Members of Parliament. Thank you.

Hon. Oluoch, your name is on the screen. Let us have Hon. Millie then.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. If there is one individual I truly admire, it is Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. He is a person who stands firmly on principle; even if he is the only one remaining, he upholds those principles. I have learnt from the best, which is why I also stand on principle, much like the person I admire, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. I urge my party leader to listen to the ground regarding the NG-CDF. Furthermore, I wish to highlight one admirable quality of his: The emphasis on equality and fairness. However, it appears that he tends to favour the governors more than he does the Members of Parliament. We are all your children; look at all of us favourably.

Should I one day be unfortunate to be the president of this republic - because it is not a happy occasion to be president - one thing I cannot take for granted is the support of Parliament.

If you are a president, do not take for granted the support of Parliament. If in doubt, ask Hon. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta.

Finally, there is demand and supply sides of corruption. We have heard and we keep hearing a lot on supposed or alleged demand. As a governance expert, tell us the supply side. If you are serious about dealing with corruption that is bedevilling this country, let us look at the demand and supply sides. As a Christian, I want to remind us that I was taught a song:

Kila mtu atauchukua, mzigo wake mwenyewe Na kila mtu atatoa, habari zake mwenyewe Mbele za Mungu, siku hiyo itakuja. It is about individual responsibility.

Thank you. Order, Hon. Members. One may think that Hon. Millie is out of order, but the reason I have allowed her is that I have treated the song as a quote in a speech. Anything beyond that should have been out of order.

Hon. Rindikiri Murwithania.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I associate myself with the sentiment expressed by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. In other forums, I am the President of Democracy and Good Governance in the

International Conference of the Great Lakes Region. Democracy dictates that we express ourselves anyhow, but good governance is a responsibility of each one of us. The Executive has a responsibility; as the Legislature, we have a responsibility; the Judiciary too has a responsibility. We are equal partners and we do not have a lesser responsibility. The advantage of the Executive can be good or bad. In the last Parliament, and Members who were there know, we were called names. We were accused of being corrupt. This is not a new thing. We are being called corrupt again. If we are to apply the principles of good governance, each person must exercise what the principles stand for.

One of the principles is the rule of law. The rule of law dictates that when something is wrong, the law takes precedence. I want to imagine that the President knows this principle. Let him subject all of us found to be culpable of corruption to the rule of law. It is as simple as that. Transparency is very key in leadership. We cannot all be accused, more so without giving evidence. The Executive needs to be held accountable and be transparent on what the President is saying about Members of Parliament being corrupt. The President is privy to intelligence and nothing prevents him from mentioning the people found to be corrupt. I disassociate myself with the allegation that this Parliament is corrupt.

Hon. Mbeyu.

Asante, Mhe. Spika. Mimi

Hon. Omboko Milemba.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I think this is a very great opportunity for the President and Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga to call out Parliament. And this is a great opportunity for the 13th Parliament to actually deal with the elephant of corruption. You do not underrate when Raila Amolo Odinga stands up and says something; you do not underrate when President Ruto rises up to say something. Therefore, the way we deal with this matter will be very important. The 13th Parliament has been given this opportunity. If we deal with it in a manner of only lamenting or threatening other organs and moving away from it, we shall lose it. The correct way to deal with this matter is to dissect it squarely, the way the Chairman of the Committee puts it. We should establish a parliamentary committee or unit within our Standing Orders to investigate this matter to the very end. Remember, the President who spoke to this has intelligence. I hear, though I did not attend the

meeting, that he indicated that he gets raw intelligence. The investigation would then roll out to every other sector, including the Executive and other players.

If there is anything that Kenyans are crying of, it is corruption. If we are being mentioned on corruption wholesomely, we have to dissect it squarely and then move to the other players within the Executive. Are you aware that there could be members of the Executive who could pick money from the President and say they are taking it to Parliament, but do not deliver it? This could be a bigger scheme which this House can take up and look into the details. For instance, Parliament has been standing with the Executive. How much money did you receive when you passed the Affordable Housing Bill? How much money did you receive when you passed the Social Health Authority (SHA)? How much money did you receive when you dealt with the Finance Bill? And many other Bills that we have dealt with. So, we need to deal with this matter squarely. If we go that direction, we shall save Kenyans.

We shall actually start dealing with the elephant of corruption beginning with this House and roll it out. I am also sad that there are unconstitutional statements that were pronounced. We need to defend the Constitution and the independence of this House. Let us mark that when one talks about the lack of Senate's role in counties. That needs to be dealt with by this House. Also, there is talk of the NG-CDF. I do not want to belabour this one because it has been thoroughly talked about. But look at this, there is another suggestion that we need to devolve education. Look at what is happening in health. That also came from the two leaders. I think it is Raila Amolo Odinga who suggested that we devolve education. Health is dead. We are now speaking of devolving education to counties. We shall not have education. So, this is a very good opportunity. The independence of the House can…

Your time is up. Give him 30 seconds.

The independence of this House can only be protected by this House. The students in the Galleries are taught that this House is independent and no other unit or no other body can make a law. That is what we teach. I am a teacher. But let us look at the number of Bills that are referred back to the House under the constitutional Article which requires that we raise a two-thirds majority. Those are issues that this Parliament must now stand on and make good law.

Hon. David Ochieng’.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I have been here long enough to know that every time we have had a bipartisan initiative, this House suffers. I remember in the 11th Parliament, when the President and Raila came together on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) , we were brought here one afternoon and told the Bills to pass without removing a comma and a full stop. When the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) came, the same thing happened. Now we have this opportunity and I thought it would be used to bring the country together and fight these ills together. Corruption has been pointed out as the biggest ill we have. All those initiatives, the one of Uhuru and Raila and this one, corruption was at the forefront to be fought.

It saddens me for the President to come before Members of Parliament and tell us that he knows that a governor gave people money and that he knows a Member of Parliament was given money, but the said governor and Member of Parliament are not arrested. What does he want us to do? Are we the police? If you are the President and you know those who are stealing, why do you not arrest them? Why do you come to tell us? What do I have to do with it? You are the President, you say you want to fight corruption and you know those who are stealing, what are you waiting for? Is it our business? Everyone should carry out their functions.

This President gave us a Finance Bill that was very unpopular. We passed it for him. This President gave us a Housing Levy Bill and we passed it for him. This President asked us to pass the Social Health Authority (SHA) Bill. We sat here until 10.00 p.m. and passed it for him. What have we not done for him? What has this Parliament not done for the President that

now he has to come and bastardise us? What? Let him do his job. Why? He is also involved in corruption, we will follow him. He cannot come and name everyone else to be corrupt as if he himself is very clean. It does not work like that.

We have one country and we must all protect it. We are not begging for the NG-CDF because we do not use the NG-CDF money ourselves. We are not begging for the NG-CDF to be maintained. The Senate should not beg to carry out its functions. It is not the job of Raila to tell us what the law says. It cannot be. This House must take this seriously going forward. If there is a principal secretary or a cabinet secretary stealing money, let us deal with them. But we cannot allow people to come and start reading to us the riot act as if they themselves are very clean. This Parliament must reclaim its place in history.

Give him 30 seconds.

Hon. Speaker, I was very happy yesterday with our leadership. You cannot go before governors, abuse us, insult us and then call us. Instead of telling us why you called us, you start lecturing us on matters that you should deal with personally. I request our leadership of Parliament to deal with the issue the President raised. But let us not be beggars. On the NG-CDF, we must sit here as Members of Parliament and make sure that it is entrenched in the Constitution. We cannot allow people who do not sit in Parliament to control what we do in here. It is wrong and we must deal with that.

Thank you. Your time is up. Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi

Hon. Speaker, I just want to take this very seriously. I am doing my third term in this House and this House must be respected. I would like to tell the Members who are here that we are losing our integrity out there. Our discussion here is not about defending ourselves, but because of allegations. I would have expected the Head of State to call us to a kamukunji and privately expose to us and tell us what he has heard. But instead, we have been exposed.

Hon. Speaker, because you oversee us here, your name is going to be spoilt. In fact, out there, people are dismissing us. I remember just two days ago, I gave out money and I was told I am a millionaire. I heard Oginga Odinga making the allegation also. I was so shocked. He said that we have no job and that we are not supposed to do what we are doing, yet he knows constitutionally our role here as Members of Parliament.

I take this opportunity to ask the Speaker to get the Head of State to come here and tell Kenyans out there that that was wrong. Whatever he said was out of order. Out there, people are talking about us. It is bad out there. I take this opportunity and request the Speaker to tell the Head of State to come to this House and apologise for whatever he said because it is affecting us as leaders of this country. That is what it is, Hon. Members. It is not going to be easy for us as Members to come back to this House because it is alleged that we are rich, and we are bribed, but we do not give money to the people out there.

Hon. Speaker, kindly, get the Head of State to this House so that Kenyans can hear that he was wrong. I think the Members agree with me. Let Ruto come here and tell the whole country that it was wrong for him to say what he said. If he is relying on Oginga Odinga for his re-election, let me tell him...

Hon. Oginga Odinga died in 1994. Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi, I was in this House with the late Hon. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and he died in 1994.

Hon. Ken Chonga.

Asante Mstahiki Spika kwa kunipa nafasi hii. Matamshi niliyoyasikia yakitoka kwa Rais yalikuwa ni ya kuvunja moyo, si kwa Wabunge pekee lakini hata kwa nchi nzima. Ifikapo wakati baba anasema ameshindwa na watoto ni kumaanisha hiyo jamii imeangamia. Mtoto akikosea, baba anatakikana asimame apeane mwelekeo.

Wakati ulimwengu mzima ikitaja ufisadi, Kenya huwa tunapewa pozisheni. Kuna mahali Kenya inaonekana kwa upande wa ufisadi. Je kwa ufisadi huo, ni Wabunge wanaoufanya? Mbona tusichukue nafasi na wakati tujue kikamilifu mahali shida iko? Ni jambo la kuhuzunisha. Nimemsikia mwenzangu hapa akizungumza kuwa jana alipofika nyumbani bibi yake alimwangalia mifuko. Jana nimetoka mashinani nikiwa sina pesa. Swali la kwanza bibi yangu aliniuliza lilikuwa ni kwa nini sisi ni maskini ilhali tunabeba mabilioni ya fedha huko nje. Kwani ninapeleka wapi pesa hizo? Niko na bibi mwingine? Niko na warembo ama pesa hizo zinaenda wapi?

(Makofi) Uheshimiwa wetu umeshatoka. Hatuitwi “Waheshimiwa” tena. Tumedharauliwa. Bali na hayo yote, sisi tunapambana kuitetea Serikali ya Mheshimiwa Rais Ruto. Mheshimiwa Spika, umenijua tangu hapo awali. Nilipowania kiti cha ubunge, nilijua ninapopeleka mawe yangu. Nimepunguza utambi kwa sababu ninataka Kenya iwe na umoja na isonge kwa ajenda zinazostahili. Lakini itakuwaaje niitetee Serikali inayonidhulumu na kuniita mwizi? Wabunge wengine hapa wamevalia koti za Ksh10,000. Iwapo ni kweli tunapewa pesa nyingi hivyo, je, Mbunge angevalia vibaya namna hii? Ni jambo la aibu na la kukera.

Ninaunga mkono kuwa sisi ni tegemeo la Rais. Anahitaji atuombe msamaha. Bila ya hivyo, kila mtu ataubeba msalaba wake kama vile Mhe. Millie Odhiambo alivyosema.

Hon. Saney.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. You have always supported the dignity of this House. The former President Uhuru Kenyatta was on record saying that his Government lost Ksh2 billion daily to corruption. Corruption is more widespread in the Executive than is being portrayed. Parliament is not corrupt.

Two words were used, namely, “extortion” and “corruption”. Extortion is a dirty word, which means forcefully getting money. Corruption is a better word, which means using your office or power to acquire something. It was very rude, unacceptable and unpalatable to call us extortionists. The President, Parliament, tribunals and the Judiciary laterally enjoy delegated powers as per the Constitution. There is separation of powers across the various arms of government, therefore, we must respect each other. The Speaker of this Parliament is the Rt. Hon. Wetang’ula and he deserves respect. He leads a team of Members.

Hon. Speaker, you must be respected and by extension, we deserve that respect. We conduct business as per the procedures and the Constitution.

We have been behaving like a conveyor belt of the Executive. We have been called to State House and lectured on Government policy. We have never let down the Government of the day in ensuring that policies are executed and laws are enacted. We have mostly been reprimanded on the basis of the Political Parties Act to ensure that we do not speak our minds. If we do, we risk being de-whipped and face sanctions. It is time to revisit the Act, so that Members exercise their discretion and right to represent their constituents. We can no longer represent others. We should instead represent Kenyans and their sovereignty.

Hon. Junet. We are now in the last 10 minutes of this business. I gave you five minutes and Hon. Ichung’wah five minutes.

Hon. Speaker, at the outset, he who alleges must prove, so the burden of proof is with our accusers, not with us. Parliament is an institution in this country that has been created by the Constitution, which governs it. It is an arm of government that caters to every Kenyan who aspires to be a leader. I have said this on the Floor

of the House before that people think coming to Parliament is easy. If all of them tried to vie for a seat, even for a Member of a County Assembly (MCA), they would realise how difficult it is to win an election or to get to this House. More than 10 people in every constituency express interest to become Members of Parliament, but Kenyans in their own wisdom decide to elect one person at a time to this House.

(Applause) That is why Members of Parliament are given the title of “honourable”. It is earned. One earns the title by first getting elected by the people. Thereafter, you deserve being referred to as an “honourable member”.

People cannot demonise the institution of Parliament as a whole. If you have a problem with someone, say it, but do not demonise the entire institution of Parliament because it is in place to serve Kenyans. It has a direct mandate to exercise the sovereignty of the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people and it can be exercised directly or through their elected representatives. Elected representatives of the people, other than the MCAs and the President, who is also elected, are only found in Parliament. All other people who are operating in offices in this country are all exercising delegated mandates. Therefore, as the Leader of the Minority Party, I will defend Parliament to death. I will not sit down when people degrade Parliament, or use it as a punching bag or as a bogeyman.

(Applause) Corruption is a menace in the whole country. It has permeated the whole society. There is corruption in the Executive, the Judiciary and in Parliament. There is a way to address the fight against corruption, but not through the condemnation of an entire group of people who are serving Kenya.

On the issue of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG- CDF)…

Order, Hon. Wamboka.

I have even lost my train of thought due to the disruption.

As the Leader of the Minority Party, I want to take the responsibility to persuade my Party Leader to vacate his position on the NG-CDF.

There is a notion that the NG-CDF still does the same work it used to when it was first started. It has changed. It now only deals with functions that are not devolved. It deals with national Government functions including education and security. It does not deal with devolved functions or county government functions. If the Fund is not given to Members of Parliament, it cannot be given to the county governments. That money is given to Members of Parliament after the division of revenue, which is equitably shared between the national Government and the county governments.

On a point of information, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Chepkonga wants to inform you. Do you want the information?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. He is my senior.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I just wanted to inform the Leader of the Minority Party that on 15th August 2025, the Supreme Court rejected the application by the Senate to review the orders of the Supreme Court, which declared that the NG-CDF does not concern counties. It was completely rejected. Therefore, the NG-CDF has nothing to do with counties. It cannot go to the Senate. It can only be enacted in this House.

Hon. Speaker, I agree with Hon. Chepkonga that NG-CDF has got nothing to do with devolution. If NG-CDF is not sent to constituencies, the national Government can send it to county commissioners to build schools, dams and chiefs’ offices. Nothing stops the national Government from sending this money to anybody. They can even send it to chiefs to build their offices themselves. We have to acknowledge that this Fund has nothing to do with devolution. The Fund does not take any money that belongs to devolved entities.

We must note that only important people are normally bashed. When the President or my party leader accuses us of many things, it is because they know how important this House is. Let us not take them very seriously.

Hon. Speaker, do you know why I say that? It is because everything they want to do must pass through this House. Even for NG-CDF to be dissolved, some work must be done here in Parliament. Who will do it? So, let them have their say; we will have our way. That is the position. Let us give them the freedom to have their say while we have our way. We all know that corruption is not peculiar to Parliament. Corruption is everywhere and it must be fought in that manner. If you make corruption sectional, then you lose the war on it.

My final word is that we should come together. Let us perform our functions of oversight, representation and legislation. We have legislated on several matters in this House under your leadership, Hon. Speaker. We have passed many Bills and we have the power of the purse. It is we, as a House, who decide which fund goes where. There is no taxation without representation. We have all the powers. The Executive cannot operate without Parliament. They can say whatever they want to say out there, but everything they do must pass through this House. If there are allegations of corruption against anyone among us, everybody will carry their own cross. There is no need of condemning the whole House as a group.

With those few words, Hon. Speaker, I would like to tell Members not to be annoyed. We will deal with these people perpendicularly. We know how to deal with them. Just keep quiet.

Leader of the Majority Party.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

What is it, Hon. Millie?

Hon. Speaker, I do not want to interrupt the Leader of the Majority Party. Hon. Jane Njeri just walked into the House and I must make a comment. I know she fears because her political leaning nowadays has stopped her from speaking. Can you use Standing Order 1, especially for a lady who is young and is emulating me, just to declare that she is exceptionally well dressed?

(Laughter)

Order, Hon. Millie Odhiambo. The Speaker can only rule you improperly dressed. I have no capacity to declare the excellence of your dress.

Go on, Leader of the Majority Party.

Order, Hon. Njeri. The Speaker has no capacity to see exceptional dressing. The only exception I see is that the gracious lady is wearing something that looks like a cheetah or a leopard.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I will start from where Hon. Junet stopped. But before I do that, I must say that Hon. Millie has a very sharp eye. Hon. Njeri passed in front of me but unfortunately I did not notice anything. You can be certain that if Hon. Njeri were here earlier, she would never have recognised any of the footballers that you were mentioning who used to play back in the days, just like Hon. Josses was asking who those people you were mentioning are. They had not been born by then. But that is the beauty of this House.

In this House, there are men and women, as Hon. Junet has said, elected by the people to represent them and oversee Government on their behalf. We oversee the Executive and the Judiciary because we have that singular role as enshrined in our Constitution. We do not do it as a favour to anybody—not to the President or those serving in the Executive. We do it on behalf of the people. Therefore, I would like to encourage Members that nothing and nobody should instil fear in them in the course of doing their work, as Members of Parliament. We are duly elected by the people of Kenya to exercise an oversight role over the Executive, the Office of the President and even the President himself. That is why this House has powers under the Constitution to impeach those in the Executive but those in the Executive can do nothing to remove you from this House. Absolutely nothing. That is how we crafted the Constitution.

I listened to the contributions and I take particular interest in what Hon. Otiende Amollo said—that we have the Committee of Powers and Privileges in this House, which is fortunately chaired by none other than yourself. The Committee has the powers and a singular mandate to receive complaints, as Hon. Otiende Amollo said, from whatever quarters against any Member of Parliament who may engage in any manner of impropriety, whether within the precincts of Parliament or outside. It is not fair to condemn the House in its entirety. We have young Members like Hon. Njeri and Hon. Josses who joined this House the other day. We also have older Members like Hon. Keynan, the father of the House, who has been here for a long time and yourself, Hon. Speaker. When this House is condemned, you are also condemned and Hon. Keynan is also condemned. Hon. Njeri and Hon. Josses are condemned.

If there is someone who has suffered immensely from the condemnation, it is me. As the Leader of the Majority Party, I was the sponsor of the Bill that Hon. Murugara was speaking about. Yesterday, I saw figures of Ksh150 million being mentioned about the Senate. There are people who went on social media to say that that is the Ksh150 million that Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah used to purchase I do not know what and where.

No, this time they did not mention a chopper. They mentioned that I invested in bank shares. But I have investments from money that I borrowed from our own parliamentary Sacco and my other Sacco, Mhasibu. Fortunately, while they use those stories thinking they are maligning me, the share price of NHIF has risen by Ksh2. The NHIF investment, by the very essence of their maligning stories, has gone up. Today, I can liquidate the investment, pay off my loan and walk home with a tidy sum. You cannot vilify me for that. Nobody should vilify any Member of Parliament just because they are Members of Parliament. When we vilify one person in this House unfairly, we vilify the institution of Parliament. We must protect and defend, as strongly as we can, not only our integrity as individuals but also that of the institution of Parliament. This institution exists to oversee the Executive. We cannot undertake meaningful oversight over the Executive if we are seen not to be beyond reproach. Let us use the Committee of Powers and Privileges to ensure that if by any chance there is any one of us—and I mean any one of us including myself—who, as the Swahili would say, aliye na tuhuma yoyote, let them appear before the Committee and other investigative agencies like EACC so that action may be taken against them. This will ensure that we protect the institution of Parliament.

On the question of what is provided for in Articles 94 to 96 of the Constitution, I do not want to repeat what has been said about the powers of our sister House, the Senate, on their role of oversight on the national revenue that goes to counties. As I said yesterday in that meeting, this is a matter that is explicitly provided for in the Constitution.

We cannot amend this Constitution by vilifying the institutions of Parliament, whether the National Assembly or the Senate. Let us purpose to live by the tenets of this Constitution.

Hon. Speaker, the NG-CDF is vilified and attacked in this fashionable thing of attacking Members of Parliament. The NG-CDF does not belong to Members of Parliament. The Kikuyu Constituency NG-CDF does not belong to Kimani Ichung’wah, nor does the Eldas Constituency NG-CDF belong to Hon. Adan Keynan. The NG-CDF belongs to Kenyan constituents who elected us to represent them. We oversee it like any other fund in Government.

When the Kikuyu NG-CDF audited accounts come before the Special Funds Accounts Committee, they do not summon me to their sittings. Instead, they call my Fund Manager and the NG-CDF Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO). We must protect the NG-CDF, not for our own sake or because we have anything to do with it, but because it delivers public goods and services to the people who elected us to represent them.

We would have no business being the people's representatives if we had nothing to oversee on those that have been charged by Kenyans to hold public funds in trust. We would also have no business being Members of Parliament if, at a time like now, when it is cold and rainy, we visit our constituencies and find a school latrine has sunk or a roof has been blown away, yet we cannot influence the NG-CDF committee to improve the lives of the people who elected us. This House must protect the NG-CDF with our blood and soul. We must also tell everybody, including those in the county governments, that we are not in competition with them.

As Hon. Chepkonga has said, the new NG-CDF Act, 2015 makes it very clear what role NG-CDF plays in education and security. The other day, we amended the Act to remove contentious issues like sports that were there before because we want to abide by what is provided for in this Constitution. As a House, we must stand strong together and walk with our heads high if we have nothing to be suspicious of in what we do.

Finally, the things we say and do out there also portray us. During the Finance Bill, 2024, it was said that Members were being paid to vote. These are the things that lower the dignity of this House and entertain those who are vilifying us. I beg to end there.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Members, let me thank you, particularly Hon. Murugara and Hon. Wandeto, for finding it necessary and within their powers to bring the Motion, which I did not approve but informed the House and allowed Hon. Wandeto to have the first bite. As your Speaker, I shall always be your first and last line of defence for your integrity and the dignity of this House. I encourage us, in the words of the Leader of the Minority Party, that as leaders we cannot insulate ourselves from criticism, both fair and unfair, because that is the cost of leadership.

When you are in leadership, you fall under the category of what one writer says: when you meet people, 30 per cent will like you without hearing anything from you or knowing who you are, 30 per cent will hate you without knowing who you are or hearing anything from you, and it is up to you to convince the remaining 40 per cent to like or hate you. That is the paradox of life. As a House of leadership, I encourage you to be above irritations or any temptations to have a short fuse on issues. When you are a leader, you cannot sit there and expect to hear only things that please you. You will also hear things that do not please you, and sometimes when we hear such, they raise us to a higher calling to ensure that things are done differently. I also advise that when something is said against you and it is not true, ignore it. If it is true, do something about it, then move on.

There was a very high state of anxiety and anger. Many Members called me expressing displeasure and wondering what direction we are headed. We have had an opportunity to speak. To those who have not spoken, I am sorry but the time was not enough. We cannot all speak on the same subject. To Members like Hon. Salasya, when we have a Motion like this, the Speaker gives priority to Members who are regularly here. If you are not regularly in the House, you are unlikely to get the favour of the Speaker to speak simply because this is topical.

There are Members who sit here for hours waiting to speak, and sometimes they do not even get the opportunity. Those are my priority. If Hon. (Dr) Nyikal was in the country, I know he would be here. He is now in Japan. He is like the new Hon. Martin Shikuku. The Speaker always found Hon. Martin Shikuku in the House and left him there. For the entire afternoon, you would never see him even responding to a call of nature. He would just sit there doing business. I encourage you, young Hon. Salasya, to spend more time here and you will catch the Speaker's eye when it matters. However, if you choose to prosecute parliamentary business on TikTok, then the House will deal with matters differently.

Hon. Members, as we conclude this, Hon. Junet said it very well: Everybody has their say, but you have your way under the Constitution. You hold the power of the purse and you legislate. The next Motion deals with your authority over an Executive Order that is not in compliance with the law. That is the power given to you by the Constitution. I urge that our integrity must be beyond reproach. We must be like Caesar's wife, whom nobody could suspect.

Given what has been said, what you know, and what goes on, this House has sufficient mechanisms under the Constitution and the law, whether it is the Conflict of Interest Act, Leadership and Integrity Act, Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, to handle issues that come before us. I assure you that I have received some letters about Members that I would have presented to the agencies on different things, but sometimes I call and talk to you, and you correct your ways. Let us also uphold our integrity. This afternoon, I have given you an opportunity. Waswahili wanasema, ‘‘Mgala muue na haki umpe.’’. By giving you haki yenu, you have exercised your right of reply in this matter. I want to encourage us to now lower the anger, be the leaders that we are and transact the business of the House in the manner we always do.

I know that some Hon. Members were not happy and rightly so because if you are not within the bracket of those who are bent and you say everybody is bent then you create serious issues. In my community we say, there is no little stream that does not have a snake. Every stream has its snake. As Parliament, we probably also have our snake. So, the Leaders of the

House: Hon. Ichung’wah and Hon. Junet and your groups have regular get-togethers. Luckily, this matter comes at a time when we are retreating with the entire leadership of the House to Mombasa tomorrow. Among other things, we will also have a colloquium with the Judiciary to discuss our relationship so that we can also face each other and ask each other hard questions. If you have time, watch a movie called The Star Chamber where beyond formal decisions, there are decisions on issues so that you can be able to also look at each other and tell each other stark truth. That you know what I know and you know I know what you know and going forward, let us not act in a manner that says do not say, do not ask.

Thank you, Hon. Members. We will now go to the next business, but the decorum you have displayed reaffirms what everybody expects; that this is a House of reason, superiority, maturity and it is a nerve center of the Republic of Kenya. You are the representatives of the people of Kenya. They have donated this power under the Constitution to you, to levy, appropriate and audit those taxes through oversight. It cannot be any better than that. Let us leave it at that. Thank you, Hon. Members.

As your speaker, you have seen today in one of the newspapers, that is rapidly degenerating from a respected paper to not just a tabloid but a gutter press, putting the two Hon. Speakers on the front page. However, when you read the story, there is no relationship whatsoever. But as leaders we are used to this. They will do this, but they will give up. What is important is to focus on what we are doing. Winston Churchill said, “you will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” Focus on your journey and you will do things right.

Thank you. (Applause) We are still on statements and they are many. I wish those who are asking for statements allowed us to go to Order No.12. However, I seek your consensus, Hon. Members. Hon. Leader of the Majority Party and the Hon. Leader of the Minority Party approach the Hon. Speaker.

(Hon. Speaker consulted with Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah and Hon. Junet Mohamed)

Hon. Chairman, Committee on Delegated Legislation.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Committee on Delegated Legislation on its consideration of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular No.04/2025 on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of the electronic government procurement system (e-GPS) by all public procuring entities in contravention of section 77 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, Cap.412C, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 19th August 2025 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 18 of the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap 2A, this House annuls in its entirety the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of the electronic government procurement system (e-GPS) by all public procuring entities, published as Circular No.04/2025, for the following reasons:-

Order, Hon. Chepkonga. When you are moving a Motion, you just read it as it is.

Yes, that is what I am doing, Hon. Speaker.

You are saying, it contravenes Article 2 and it also contravenes... Where is “it also”?

Sorry, Hon. Speaker. The import of this Circular originates…

We know! During the Morning Sitting of the National Assembly on 14th August 2025, Hon. George Murugara rose on a point of order seeking clarification from the House on the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular No.4 of 2025, dated 12th August 2025, on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of the e-GPS by all procuring entities. He observed that the Circular is a statutory instrument within the meaning of Section 2 of the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap.2A. As a result, it ought to have been transmitted to the House

for committal to the Committee on Delegated Legislation for scrutiny and approval. He noted that the Circular appeared to have the force of law by declaring that failure to comply would constitute an offence, making it imperative for it to undergo the requisite parliamentary scrutiny.

Accordingly, Hon. Murugara requested that Hon. Speaker issue directions for the Circular to be referred to the Committee on Delegated Legislation for scrutiny and approval, as required by the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap.2A. Consequently, Hon. Speaker directed the Committee on Delegated Legislation to undertake thorough scrutiny of the Circular, in line with the relevant legal framework, and further directed the Committee to table its Report before the House on Tuesday, 19th August 2025.

As a consequence, the Committee sat on the same day and invited the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to appear before it at 4.00 p.m. It appeared before the Committee and we examined the Circular. We also looked at it in regard to Section 2 of the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap.2A, which defines what a statutory instrument is. Members need to be careful to hear this. A statutory instrument is any rule, order, regulation, directive, form or any other instrument issued, made or established in the execution of a power conferred by or under an Act of Parliament.

This Circular purports to exercise statutory power by evading this House and giving directions and creating offences on issues that this House has pronounced itself. Let me mention a few sections of the law that it contravenes.

Article 27 of the Constitution is on equality and freedom from discrimination. It states very clearly that every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law. If you enforce the electronic process, we are aware that some parts of this country do not have internet. How do you want someone in Samburu, outlying areas of Mandera and Kerio Valley where there is no signal to participate in the tender process called e-GPS?

In Tana River.

In Tana River. As a former Director- General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, if it is true that the internet is available across the country, why do they have a Universal Service Obligation Fund? It is intended to ensure that internet and telecommunication services reach all over the country. That is the reason it is there. It is recognised that telecommunication services are not available across the country. To make e-GPS mandatory is to make it discriminatory to other Kenyans who do not have that service.

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority attempts to quote Article 227 (1) of the Constitution. It states that:

“When a State organ or any other public entity contracts for goods or services, it shall do so in accordance with a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.” In the spirit of fairness, you cannot implement e-GPS when you know other parts of this country cannot participate. You are telling us that mama mboga is asked to enter into e- GPS to supply mboga, cabbage and milk to schools. Is it even possible that mama mboga, and the so-called hustlers have the capacity and competence to enter into that system?

This Circular contravenes Section 13 of the Statutory Instruments Act in its entirety. There was no public participation. It was not brought to this House within seven days. The Speaker has not committed it to the Committee on Delegated Legislation.

With those very many remarks, it is the submission of the Committee on Delegated Legislation that this House annuls, in its entirety, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Circular on the enforcement of compliance with the mandatory use of e-GPS by all public procuring entities as it contravenes Statutory Instruments Act, the Constitution and all other enabling laws.

Hon. Speaker, I move and request Hon. Junet to second.

Hon. Speaker, this matter which is before the House is very simple and easy. It is not regulations or any letter of communication from any Cabinet Secretary. The law says that you are allowed to use either electronic or manual procurement system. If you want to tell the country to use only electronic system, the first thing to do is to change the law. You start from there. This circular is just a piece of paper. Which Ministry is this circular from? This is an opinion being given to the ministries. This is because where there is a law, you cannot change it by a circular. You can only change the law through Parliament. That is the reason I said in my earlier contribution, that people do not know the powers we have. They will realise our power slowly. They will realise that we are people who matter in this country.

Most importantly, this issue reminds me of something in the last Parliament. The Governor of Central Bank issued a circular saying that people cannot deposit more than Ksh1 million or withdraw more that Ksh1 million without explanation. We called him to appear

before the House and told him to bring regulations so that the House could pass them so that the circular could have the force of law. When he left, instead of bringing the regulations, he sent someone to court to injunct parliament from doing its work. Even now people who are being asked questions when withdrawing over Ksh1 million from the bank, should just ignore them. There is no law that bars anybody from withdrawing the amount. You do not have to explain anything to withdraw your money. People are being taken as fools by banks. Some will tell you to fill a piece of people to tell them where the money is going. Just tell them the money is going to your house and there is nothing they can do.

Hon. Speaker, this is a warning to the Executive, that the only entity the Constitution has given powers to make law is Parliament. No other person can do anything that will have the force of law other than Parliament. Therefore, if you want to enforce, please bring it to Parliament because that is our business and that is the reason we are here. So, this circular should be thrown out immediately with unanimous “Ayes”, so that people can start procuring manually from tonight at midnight, God willing.

Hon. Speaker, I second.

Order. Members on their feet, take your seats.

Some Members have approached saying they want to speak.

Is it the mood of the House that I put the question?

Put the question.

Order. Members at the back, take your seats. I have not put the question yet. Hon. Ng’eno, take your seat.

Hon. Members, can we now go to Order No. 13?

Yes.

Clerk-at-the-Table, call out Order No.13. Hon. Members, I had overlooked the fact that we had skipped Statements. Let us clear with Statements first. Clerks- at-the-Table, call out Order No.7.

Order, Hon. Members. Order, Hon. Wamboka. Unfortunately, that authority is not shared. Hon. Jessica Mbalu and Hon. Kimilu. Members, take your seats. Order, Hon. Kimilu, you are getting disorderly. Hon. Members, unfortunately, that authority is not shared. It is the Speaker's authority.

Call out Order No.7. We have called out Statements. Is Hon. Jessica Mbalu not there?

I am.

Go ahead.

Order, Hon. Members. Hon Jessica, hold on. Allow the Member for Kibwezi East to prosecute her Request of Statement.

Let me move on, Hon. Speaker. Thank you. Of course, I understand the House.

The national Government gazetted new administrative units in Makueni County in 2017 with the aim of bringing Government services closer to the people. Further, in 2024, additional administrative units were gazetted. They included one sub-county, four divisions, 28 locations, and 48 sub-locations spread across the county.

Subsequently, the then Cabinet Secretary of Interior and National Administration installed the first Deputy County Commissioner for Kambu Sub-County on 11th March 2024. Despite the installation, some administrative units in the sub-county are yet to be operationalised. That is denying residents access to critical Government services. As a result, many residents of Kambu Sub-County are forced to travel longer distances to access such services.

It is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on:

Thank you.

Order, Members. Chairman, Administration and Internal Security Committee.

Yes, Hon. Tongoyo, how long do you need to respond to the question?

Hon. Caroli, there is nothing out of order and you know that very well. Go ahead, Hon. Tongoyo.

I will respond to the question one week upon resumption from recess. But Hon. Temporary Speaker, the issue of operationalisation of several units across the country has been extensively addressed by the Cabinet Secretary on several occasions ― that all of it is a result of lack of funding. Nevertheless, I will respond one week upon resumption from recess.

Hon. Mbalu, you heard that? One week after we resume from recess.

The next statement is from Hon. Edith Nyenze, Member for Kitui West. Is she in the House?

Yes, I am here.

Yes. She is in the House.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am here to request for a Statement regarding the provision of motor vehicles to National Government Administration officers in Kitui West Constituency.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2(c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the provision of functional motor vehicles to the National Police Service and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in Matinyani and Kitui West Sub- Counties.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Motor Vehicle Leasing Programme, initiated in 2013, was designed to enhance the mobility of the National Police Service and National Government Administration Officers, thereby facilitating the effective provision of crucial security and administrative services. The programme has progressively increased the availability of vehicles for police operations, resulting in quicker response times, improved visibility and enhanced service delivery across the country.

Despite the importance of this programme, the Deputy County Commissioners for Matinyani and Kitui West Sub-Counties, the only two sub-counties in Kitui West Constituency, have been without functional vehicles since the expiry of the previous lease agreements in

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the

Hon. Tongoyo, this is related to you. It is not an isolated Question. It is not about Kitui West only. You know that. This is a national issue. We need to get a proper answer to this request for Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. As you have well put it, the question keeps coming up on the Floor of this House every other time.

I want to say that as the Cabinet Secretary informed the House the last time he was here, there is a procurement process being undertaken by the National Treasury to provide motor vehicles to the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) . Of course, this will include the National Police Service. Nevertheless, I can come with a comprehensive response maybe two weeks up on resumption from recess.

Hon. Members, the question asked by the Member for Kitui West is very important. It is about motor vehicles for all offices in the country. The Chairman has said that he will bring a report two weeks after recess. We hope he will bring a report that will help make the situation better.

The Member for Lang’ata or the Member for Kaiti.

What is your point of order, Hon. Otiende?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we were all here when the substantive Speaker made a declaration on adjusting this Order Paper. The pronouncement was very clear. We would come to Order No.13 once we are done with Order No.12. There has not been a subsequent adjustment to that. I now see almost eight Questions lined up for responses without that alteration.Can we get guidance? Is that Order vacated? Is Order No.13 withdrawn? What is happening? Please give a very clear direction.

No, I do not need help on this matter. The Speaker said that “he, and he only” has the job of organising the Order Paper as he did. It is his job and not yours. I will follow his ruling on this matter. He ruled that we go back to Order No.7. He left the seat in the middle of Order No.7. We will proceed that way.

The Member for Kaiti, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Before I read it, I want to say that the Statement I have here has been overtaken by events. It was about the Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GPS) . I withdraw. Thank you.

Member for Isiolo South, Hon. Tubi Bidu, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Kwani, is the time over?

Order. Hon. Tubi shall be heard in silence. Go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. Because of the pressure from my colleagues, I would like to defer the request for statement to next time.

Thank you.

Members, the trend you are setting will come back to bite you.

Hon. Tubi, go ahead and withdraw the request for statement.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. Because of the demand from my colleagues, I defer this request for Statement.

You can only withdraw it, not defer. So, go ahead and withdraw the request for statement.

I am not withdrawing it; I am deferring it to next time.

This request for Statement is marked as dropped, not deferred.

Member for Nyandarua County, Hon. Faith Gitau. Where is she? The next request is by the Member for Luanda, Hon. Dick Maungu.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, looking at the mood of the House, and being in the same system, I wish to defer my request to a later date.

The request is accordingly dropped.

Order. We are going to the last request for Statement before you raise a point of order. The last request is from Hon. Abubakar Talib.

Order. Order, Hon. Kimilu.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Order, Hon. Kimilu. I have known you to be a very decent Member. If you continue being rowdy, you will constrain the Speaker. I hardly send Members out of this House, and I do not want to do that. Some of you are young. Your constituents and families are watching as well as the country. It is disgraceful to be asked to leave the House because you are being rowdy. Just maintain your cool. When you want to speak, seek the Speaker's authority and I will give your time to speak on any matter that is relevant to the House.

Go on, Hon. Abubakar Talib.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. Ngogoyo.

Hon. Speaker, Protect me from Hon. Wanjala.

I rise on Standing Order 52 (m) . Looking at the time, the Sitting should end at 7:00 p.m. There might be a scheme to delay the business that we have before this House. Therefore, I wish to move without notice…

Order! Take your seat. You are completely out of order. What you are doing is casting aspersions on the Speaker. The Speaker presides over the proceedings of this House and has been given authority by the Standing Orders to re-arrange the Order Paper.

When you say there is a scheme, who is scheming? Other than the Speaker who is responsible for the order of business in the House, who else is? You are grossly out of order. If you were not a first-timer, I would have sent you out of the House because you are still on a learning curve.

Hon. Abubakar, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I withdraw my Question.

Thank you.

Now, we will go to responses to Questions. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations will respond to the question by Hon. Weytan Mohamed.

Go ahead and respond, Hon. Nelson.

I will not be long. Kindly allow me two minutes. This is an important issue that touches on Muslim Members of Parliament who are going to Hajj.

Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , the Member for Mandera-East Constituency, Hon. Hussein Weytan Mohamed, requested for a Statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs regarding the management of the Hajj programme in the country. The Member specifically sought to be informed on the following areas—

Yes, Hon. Weytan. That was a response to your request for a Statement.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am not satisfied with the response given by the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign relations.

Ask your questions.

What have you done about SUPKEM's failure to keep Kenyans at the level that they deserve like other African countries such as Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia? Kenyans were taken to Zone Six, which is over seven to eight

kilometres from the Jamarat, a stone-throwing area. Those questions were not answered. The response is very shallow.

Do you throw stones, or do you stone the Devil? Do you just throw stones?

Are you stoning the Devil? Yes, Hon. Zamzam. Take note, Hon. Nelson. You will respond after the Members’ questions.

Mhe. Spika, nimesikia majibu

Hon. Farah Maalim.

Hon. Speaker, the situation of Hajj for Kenyan pilgrims is very pathetic. It is the worst in that place. Failed States like Somalia are much better than us. Can you imagine that? The SUPKEM has transformed itself into a money-making cartel. They extort millions of dollars. What used to cost 100 dollars is now costing 1400 dollars per person. They have collected millions of dollars; 8 - 7 million dollars and they do not give services at all. The Committee Chairman needs to do a serious investigation. Ninety-nine per cent of the Kenyan Muslims’ population are today very disappointed with SUPKEM. You can tell from the mood in the House. Nobody is supporting it, including the Vice-Chair of your Committee seated next to the Chair. My plea to the Chair and the Speaker is that this should be taken as a national crisis… We have very good relationship with gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. This time round we cannot allow Kenyans to be mistreated the way they were mistreated. The Chairman should make serious investigations involving the Members of Parliament so that we can get to the bottom of this cartel that is bleeding Kenyans.

Yes, Hon. Saney. Give him the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, SUPKEM supervises the exercise of the fifth cardinal pillar of Islam by Muslims. There are registered Hajj agencies in this country that SUPKEM has usurped their roles. The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim is very corrupt and complacent. It is giving these allocations to companies. What is being relayed by Hon. Weytan is that there is loss of faith in SUPKEM as an agency. The Chair should go back and engage SUPKEM. What SUPKEM has been doing is not satisfactory. Kenyans have suffered in exercising Hajj, a very fundamental pillar of Islam.

Thank you.

Yes, Hon. Major Bashir.

Hon. Speaker, first and foremost, I am a member of the of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and

Foreign Relations as the Vice-Chair. I understand the pain that the members of the Islamic faith undergo when they go for Hajj. The most important thing is that this is not a matter that the Government can regulate. Islamic issues cannot be regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Statement that was read by the Chair said that there must be a structured meeting between SUPKEM, Hajj agents and the Muslim leadership. That is the best way forward that we should pursue instead of trying to… This House has Members of various religious faiths. The best way out of this is convening a meeting between SUPKEM, Hajj agents and the Muslim leadership so that they can come up with a structured way of handling Hajj going forward.

Thank you.

Yes, Hon. Junet. Hold on, Hon. Farah. Give Hon. Junet the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, I have listened keenly to the Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. One does not lose his nationality by virtue of going to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. He will still remain to be a Kenyan. One of the reasons the Kenyan Government has an Embassy in Saudi Arabia is to facilitate Kenyans who are going there. I must appreciate the current Government. It opened a Kenyan Consul General in Jeddah near the venue for the Hajj to help Kenyans. One can be sick and die there. You cannot just say call the SUPKEM, the Hajj agents, and the leadership of Muslims. They cannot agree on anything. That is why the Government is in place to guide them on what to do and how to do it. I know you are a Hajj agent yourself, but do not bring your agency into this matter. If you are conflicted, there is a Conflict of Interest Bill that will deal with you thoroughly.

Hon. Weytan.

Hon. Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity. This issue is not about the Islamic religion. It is about the administrative aspect of the Hajj. As Hon. Junet said, the Ministry has a role to play. I disagree with my brother, Hon. Major. I want the Committee to investigate this matter thoroughly, call all the relevant departments and stakeholders, and bring conclusive answers to this House. What the Chairman has read here is not a solution for the people who went for Hajj in the last several years. They have been suffering because they have been subjected to very harsh treatment.

Thank you.

Hon. Koech, please take your seat first. I listened to your response and appreciate that you are reading what is written at the Ministry. Even as the Speaker, I find it unsatisfactory. When I was the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Hon. Farah can bear me witness, I dismantled the cartels that were swindling our pilgrims to Mecca. They were charging exorbitant fees and abandoning the pilgrims. A delegation saw your Speaker in the chamber, and I was shown a contrast. Pilgrims from Tanzania are accommodated in facilities where they have beds, sanitation, and catering. Pilgrims from Kenya, on the other hand, are forced to lie on the floor in very awkward conditions. Those who go to Mecca as our compatriots do not lose their citizenship. They go because we facilitate them. It is a religious duty for Muslims who are able.

I direct you to go back to the Ministry and tell them that what they have provided is inadequate. If necessary, I will send your Committee to Jeddah and Riyadh to establish where the lapses are that place Kenya in such an awkward situation. Do you understand it, Hon. Nelson? You probably have not had a serious interaction with the Muslim faith.

Hon. Speaker, I have interacted with Muslims and I know. I relied largely on my deputy, who is a Muslim, since I am a Christian. Listening to Muslim Members and others who have spoken, there is a serious management problem. Even if we were to meet the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and leadership, it would not make sense unless this issue is dealt with at the root. As you have directed, my Committee must

consider the matter seriously and call all parties to a meeting. That is the best course of action, and I will pursue it that way.

Before you take over, Hon. Speaker, I wish to add that I have been engaging Hon. Hussein, who personally requested this statement. I have spoken extensively with him and other Muslim members. It is important, as you instructed, that we go in the direction you have outlined. I am most obliged.

Thank you. Hon. Gikaria, you are the Questioner?

Yes.

Hon. Kareke? Give Hon. Kareke the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, first, I would like to seek your guidance. I have seven statements to respond to this afternoon. We had very close interactions and engagements with the Members who had sought the statements. Subsequently, we invited the Cabinet Secretary and the entire team from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, and we deliberated on the issues. I strongly believe that the respective Members were satisfied with the responses given by the Cabinet Secretary.

Hon. Speaker, I therefore seek your guidance on how to proceed.

Why did you allow the statements to be listed? Hon. Gikaria, did you have an engagement?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. We had an engagement in the Committee last week. Could it be put on record whether the explanation given in the statement can be tabled as a reference?

I will come to that.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Next is Hon. Joshua Kandie. Are you in the same category? Go on record. Give Hon. Kandie the microphone.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am waiting for a reply from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.

Okay. Hon. Kareke, go ahead.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to give a response to a statement on the rampant cases of snakebites in Baringo County requested by the Member of Parliament for Baringo Central, Hon. Joshua Kandie. The statement sought the following:

Hon. Speaker, on the measures being considered to provide interim relief, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) promoted response by attending to the affected families and communities to provide both practical and emotional support. KWS officers visit various families to offer condolences and counselling, recognising the profound emotional impact that snakebites fatalities and injuries have on the victims.

Hon. Speaker, since the beginning of 2024 to date, Baringo County has recorded 42 cases of snakebite injuries and three related deaths. The KWS promptly responds by attending to affected families and communities to provide both practical and emotional support. KWS officers visit families to offer condolences and counselling. The KWS also provides logistical assistance to the affected families, such as facilitating transportation of the deceased during burial ceremonies. It also works closely with the county health department and other partners to ensure victims receive prompt referral and treatment at equipped health centres. Finally, the KWS actively participates in raising awareness about snakebite prevention and first aid with the communities.

Thank you.

On a point of order.

Hon. Kibagendi, what is it? Please, give him the microphone.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise on a point of order under Standing Order 52 (m) , to move a Motion without notice for the extension of sitting time so that we may deal with Order No.13. I also call the Member for Kajiado North to second.

You are out of order. Proceed, Hon. Kandie.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The response from the Ministry is not accurate because they did not provide any counselling to the victims; they merely attended the burial as guests. Furthermore, they did not offer any vehicle for the transportation of the deceased, thereby forcing the family to hire a vehicle for themselves. Thus, the answer from the Ministry is not satisfactory, and the family is unhappy with what the Ministry is stating.

Mr Amos Kimeres was bitten by a snake within his home compound and not while grazing, as reported by the Chairman. He left behind a very young family that solely depended on him; he was the sole breadwinner. The Ministry has not even mentioned anything about compensating the family. Therefore, the answer is inadequate.

Hon. Kareke, take note of that and engage further with the Member.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I note the same. Issues of snakebites are rampant. As we speak, the Ministry is reviewing the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, which will be presented here on the Floor of the House. If Members feel that snakebites should be included in the schedule, we will cross that bridge when we get there. I will engage with the Member, and we will also have discussions with the Ministry together with him to resolve this matter.

Thank you.

Hon. Marianne Kitany is not present. Therefore, that item is stayed. Hon. Victor Koech, did you engage with the Chairman and the Ministry?

Yes, I did.

Are you satisfied?

Yes, I am satisfied with the response.

Thank you. Hon. Julius Taitumu. Yes, Hon. Kimilu. Please give Hon. Kimilu the microphone.

Thank you. I rise under Standing Order 52. I would like you to advise us. Standing Order 52 (m) states that a Motion for the extension of

sitting time without notice can be made. I rise to request the extension of sititing hours until

I already ruled your colleague out of order. Take your seat. Hon. Victor Koech, yours is spent. Hon. Julius Taitumu is not in the House. Hon. Irene Mayaka is present. Oh, she is. Hon. Irene, have you received your response? Hon. Kareke, are you ready to give the response?

Yes, we engaged with the Committee as well.

That is all right. I hope you are satisfied.

I am.

Hon. John Waluke is not in the House. That ends Statement time. What is it Hon. Otiende Amollo?

Hon. Speaker, I had wanted you to give direction, maybe not now, but under Standing Order 1, as read with Standing Order 40 on the Order Paper. The Order Paper, once settled, is required to be published by the Clerk but under Standing Order 40, you retain the discretion to rearrange it. However, under Standing Order 40 (2) , you can only re-arrange it for the convenience of the House, in my understanding. Business shall be disposed of in the sequence in which it appears in the Order Paper, or in such other sequence as the Speaker may, for the convenience of the House, direct. I would like you to give this guidance, maybe for the future, because this request for re-arrangement was requested by the Leader of the Majority Party. My understanding of the convenience of the House is like you usually ask: is that the mood of the House? And in this case, the mood of the House was not to re-arrange. So, I beg not now, but in future, please give a proper interpretation of Standing Order 40 (2) , so that we are very clear at whose discretion we re-arrange the Order Paper.

Thank you.

Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo, I can read right through your mind and I can assure you that what Hon. Speaker has done is perfectly legal, and is within the Standing Orders. For Members who have been shooting up purporting to move Motions to extend the Sitting of the House, that is not how to run business. Even an informal Motion like that requires Hon. Speaker to approve. You cannot just sit there and say I have moved a Motion, and so and so will second me.

The House is not run like that and it is good for you seniors like Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo to engage and tell your colleagues, first-timers, what courtesy requires. For the longest I have been in this House and as a first-timer I sat on this Chair…You draft a handwritten Motion, take it to Hon. Speaker, he will look at it, because you do not have time to print it, and if he approves it, then he tells you go and move it. You do not just stand there as if we are at a market place and say I want cabbages or I want eggs. We do not operate like that.

Yes, Hon. Junet.

We have also been around here for some time now. One of the most important issues in Parliament Hon. Speaker is the time of Sitting and that issue must be taken very seriously, because you cannot extend the time of Sitting of Parliament just like that without the concurrence and the approval of Hon. Speaker. And to some extent, we were told before that it may even require House Business Committee’s approval. Hon. Speaker, I am now requesting officially if we can go to Order No.13. We are ready, for those who support it.

Thank you. Hon. Members, we still have Order No.11, which I will stay. I hope Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo has no challenge to that because you cannot have your cake and eat it. You will now also challenge why I am staying Order No.11? Order No.11 is stayed. Call out Order No.13.

Order Members. Order Hon. Kimaiyo.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Joint Report of the Departmental Committee on Energy and Select Committee on Public Debt and Privatisation on the consideration of Sessional Paper No.2 of 2025 on the Proposed Privatisation of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Limited, laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 14th August 2025, and—

Order, Hon. Shurie. Hon. Kimaiyo, that kamukunji is unlawful. Can it be disbanded?

I also wish to register my deepest gratitude to the diligent Members of the….

Mama wa Elgeyo Marakwet, take your seat.

I also wish to register my deepest gratitude to the diligent Members of the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee and the Departmental

transaction itself. Stakeholder engagement is paramount. Employees and other key groups must be considered in the ownership structures to safeguard their perspectives, while ensuring that the new management retains flexibility to innovate, enhance efficiency and align with international standards.

The Committee further recommends the strengthening of communication and marketing strategies for the IPO, including public roadshows and use of multiple media platforms to ensure Kenyans fully understand the opportunities and risks, and to broaden participation across large, small and diaspora investors alike.

Finally, inclusive ownership requires affordable financing. We, therefore, recommend active engagement with Saccos and commercial banks to provide financing mechanisms that will empower ordinary Kenyans to participate in this IPO, thus promoting equitable ownership and ensuring that benefits of privatisation are widely shared. Privatisation is not an end in itself but a means to a greater economic vision. With the right policies, safeguards and oversight, this process will not only strengthen KPC but also advance Kenya’s broader economic, physical and social development agenda.

With that, Hon. Speaker, I beg to move and request Hon. David Gikaria, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy, to second.

I thank you.

Hon. Gikaria.

I rise to second this Motion. As the Chairperson of the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee has indicated, we had a very elaborate consultation and engagement with various stakeholders. We met the National Treasury, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and eight different stakeholders in the petroleum sector. All of them did support the sale of this company because of very obvious reasons.

One reason is that during public participation on the budget, it was alluded that we would be raising Ksh149 billion through privatisation, out of which Ksh100 billion would be realised from the sale of KPC. Issues were raised, but we were satisfied that Sessional Paper No.2 of 2025 fully complied with the Privatisation Act in its entirety. Some of the issues that were raised were about the workers’ union with regard to their employment and loss of job opportunities. It was agreed that the workers be assured that no job losses would be envisaged.

Secondly, there was an issue as to whether the petroleum tariffs will be increased by bringing in a private investor. Hon. Speaker, it was confirmed that Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) will continue in its mandate and responsibility of regulating petroleum prices in the market.

I do not want to go deeper into the details but I admit that it is indeed important for us. The proposal seeks to privatise 65 per cent of the Government shareholding in KPC through an IPO. The government will retain 35 per cent to safeguard the strategic control. As it has been indicated, the objective is to raise approximately Ksh100 billion, which will go towards financing the 2025/26 budget, reduce debt reliance and broaden citizen participation in one of the nation's most strategic enterprises.

Our Committee found KPC to be a financially sound and strategically important institution that plays a central role in petroleum transport and storage in Kenya and the wider East African region.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is currently robust with sufficient depth, liquidity and investor appetite to absorb the transaction of this magnitude. Kenya's regulatory framework in both the energy and capital market sectors is strong enough to guarantee transparent, fairness and protection of investors' interests.

The Committee made several recommendations. First, that the House approves the privatisation of KPC through an IPO in which the Government will retain 35 per cent of the stake.

Second, that this is a very important privatisation. I beg to second.

Order! Hon. Members. I will now propose the question.

Take your seats, Hon. Keynan and Hon. Liza Chelule. Order!

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes.

Hon. Speaker, I seek your indulgence. This is a very important matter for our country and should, therefore, be given good time for debate. We want to share with Kenyans what we know.

Hon. Speaker, protect me. I am entitled...

Order! Hon. Members. He is on a point of order.

I was sent here…

Hon. Speaker, there are fools here who are just shouting at me. I do not want to say that…

Order! Hon. Junet, withdraw the use of the word “fools” against your colleagues. Hon. Junet, go ahead.

He is on a point of order.

Hon. Speaker, I withdraw the word “fools”. However, I am entitled to be given time to debate. It is my constitutional right.

Order! Take your seat. Hon. Members, let me propose the Question.

Put the question.

Order, Hon. Members. Be up standing.

Hon. Members, the time being 7.00 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, at 2.30 p.m.

The House rose at 7.00 p.m.

Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi