Tuesday, 2nd December 2025

Order, Hon. Members. We have a quorum to transact business. Clerk-at-the-Table, call out the first Order.

Hon. Members, take your seats. Mwalimu, take your nearest seat.

Hon. Members, as you are aware, by-elections were successfully conducted on 27th November 2025 in the Constituencies of Magarini, Banissa, Kasipul, Malava, Mbeere North and Ugunja.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared the results, issued certificates to the winners, and gazetted the Members-elect vide Gazette Notice No. 17611 of 1st December 2025. On behalf of the House and on my own behalf, I extend warm congratulations to the six Members-elect for earning the confidence of their respective electorates and for the privilege of joining this august House as representatives of the people.

The remaining Members-elect will take their Oath or Affirmation of Office in alphabetical order of constituencies as provided under Standing Order 33 and reflected in the Division List. The sequence will therefore be: Banissa Constituency, Kasipul Constituency, Malava Constituency, Mbeere North Constituency, and Ugunja Constituency.

To maintain Order and decorum during the ceremony, I direct that only two Members of the House escort each Member-elect proceeding to the Oath or Affirmation of Office. I am notified that, as usual, the leadership has nominated Escorts of Honour for the Members-elect. The Members shall proceed to my left to sign the Oath Book after subscribing to the Oath or Affirmation of Office. The two escorting Members will witness.

Additionally, and at the request of both the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party, I am pleased to grant the House 45 minutes immediately upon conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony. That is for Hon. Members to extend their formal welcome and congratulations to colleagues.

Your Communication has said that we will have 45 minutes to congratulate the newly elected Members. Last week’s exercise was a mini- election that is very important to the country. I seek your indulgence to extend the time to two hours so that we can ventilate on the matter properly.

This was a very important election. Remember, it took a long time for the exercise to happen because the IEBC was not constituted on time. There was much delay. The election was not easy in some places. Big people were defeated, including those who sat in this House and others. We want to ventilate. Give us two hours at a minimum.

Thank you, Hon. Junet. Your request has been declined. This is the last week before the long recess. I want to give you time to clear pending business.

One hour.

As to whether it will be one hour or not, I will see as you progress.

After we finish, I will give five minutes each to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party. Then, anyone else I choose will have two minutes. Clerk of the National Assembly, you may proceed.

Order, Hon. Members. It will be done in absolute silence, except for foot thumping.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to introduce to you the Member of Parliament-elect for Magarini Constituency, Hon. Kombe Harrison Garama.

The Oath of Office was administered to:

Congratulations. You may proceed to sign the Oath.

Congratulations. You may proceed to sign the Oath of Office Book.

Hon. Members, you will recall that on Wednesday, 4th June 2025, the Leader of the Majority Party laid on the Table of the House a Paper titled, The Privileges and

Immunities (the Global Centre for Adaptation) Order, 2025, which was published as Legal Notice No. 82 of 2025. It was published by the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, pursuant to Section 11 of the Privileges and Immunities Act (Cap. 179) and submitted to the House for approval. It provides a framework for a cooperation agreement between the Government of Kenya and the Global Centre for Adaptation (GCA), established to accelerate adaptation action and support climate adaptation solutions.

Following the tabling of the Order, I referred it to the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining for consideration. The referral was based on the understanding that it largely relates to climate change matters, which, in the first instance, fall within the purview of the said Departmental Committee.

Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on the matter is hereby stood

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to congratulate the Member-elect, Hon. Kombe Harrison, who was in this House before. He makes his comeback after a Petition that sent him packing. Welcome back, Hon. Kombe. I also welcome the new Member for Banissa, Hon. Hassan Ahmed Maalim. I also welcome Hon. Boyd Were, Hon. Ndakwa David, Hon. Leo Wa Muthende and Hon. Moses Okoth a.k.a. Randere. As I congratulate these Members-elect, I also congratulate their competitors who put up a gallant fight. This is a win not only for these Members of Parliament but also for their constituents, whom they will represent in the National Assembly.

The by-elections were a mini-general election, with seven parliamentary seats and a couple of county assembly seats. The win witnessed by the Broad-Based Government tells you that we are not only broadening the base, but this is also the future of this nation. It is also a vindication of those of us who truly believe in politics that unite all Kenyans. There are those who have been preaching ethnicity.

On a point of Order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. KJ, what is out of Order? Give him the microphone.

Hon. Speaker, I do not intend to interrupt the Leader of the Majority Party, who is prosecuting a very serious business.

You have already interrupted him. Go on.

Hon. Speaker, I want you to note that the matters prosecuted on the Floor of the House only belong to the House. This afternoon, we are conspicuously missing Members of Parliament from what is being called “united opposition”, while Members of the Broad-Based Government are here representing their people. You say that matters of Parliament should not be prosecuted at weddings and funerals. Is it in Order for this very important business to be absconded by Members of Parliament who have been given permission and mandate to represent the people in this House?

Order, Hon. KJ.

Kindly take some legislative notice of the absence of the united opposition.

Order, Hon. KJ. You are out of Order. There is no evidence before this House that anybody is prosecuting any matter before a funeral.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I hope you will spare me that one minute. I inform Hon. KJ that there is no such thing as a “united opposition” in this country. What I actually see is a disunited, colourless, rudderless, clueless, visionless

and planless opposition. That is how they lost the by-elections. On Sunday, one of them said that they had agreed with one another on how they would share positions in Nairobi City County as if they owned it. It belongs to the people of Nairobi. They are the ones who will decide on who their Members of Parliament, Governor, Senator and Woman Representative will be.

Unfortunately, yesterday I heard former Vice-President, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, a man I truly respect, assert that indeed the truthful liar was lying in church. As a Member of the Presbyterian Church, I am ashamed that this truthful liar has been deceitful at the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). I thank Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka for putting the record straight that the truthful liar was lying at PCEA Kariobangi.

Hon. Speaker, the by-election results vindicate those of us who believe in a united country – those of us who believe in the politics of progress; those of us who believe that this country can indeed transform from a Third World country to a First World country. Kenyans have vindicated us through the just-concluded by-elections.

I must express my regret that those who do not believe in democracy attempted to use violence in Kasipul and Mbeere North. We witnessed an unfortunate incident in which a former Speaker of this House attempted to box a young hustler simply because the young man had refused to vote for a man playing a guitar by the roadside. During our campaign last week, I promised the people of Mbeere North that on Tuesday, following the elections on Thursday, I would hold Hon. Leo Wa Muthende's hand and introduce him to you as the Member-elect for Mbeere North. I thank God for the opportunity I had today to introduce the new Member of Parliament from Mbeere North, the indomitable Leo Wamuthende. Hon. Wamuthende is a good man.

Fire!

He has seen fire.

Fire!

The fire he has seen is just the tip of the iceberg. I conclude by saying that those who remain planless, those whom the President has told us have only three things, namely, ‘Kasongo’, ‘one term’ and ‘must go’, have been served a notice. As the President told them, if they continue with their retrogressive and backward ethnic-based politics—politics that lack vision and plan for the people of Kenya—2027 is nigh, and they will see fire once again.

I welcome all the new Members and ask them to serve with dedication and commitment to their constituents for the two years that they will be serving in this House. We welcome them to the National Assembly. We will work with them irrespective of which party they were elected from. Those of you who have been elected on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket are part and parcel of the broad-based government. Members-elect like Hon. Randere and my brother, Hon. Boyd Were, who have been elected on ODM, are also welcome. I went to campaign for Hon. Boyd Were in Kasipul. I went to Ugunja. I went to Mbeere North. I went to campaign for Hon. Ndakwa in Malava. Unfortunately...

Your time is up. Next is Hon. Junet.

Hon. Speaker, I stand before you to congratulate the new Members of Parliament who won their seats decisively. The just- concluded by-elections have taught us a big lesson. There is a cliché that says, "Vitu ni different kwa ground.” I never used to believe it until I witnessed what happened during the by-elections. I could not believe it when I saw people who were so confident, like this group in Wa Muthende's place and in Malava, being floored. I thought it was a miracle.

I thank the Members of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) for standing up for their party and electing their new Members of Parliament. I thank the teams in Homa Bay, Kilifi, and Siaya for taking the time to ensure those seats remain with the Orange Democratic Party. There are many doubts, and if anyone had doubted that the Broad-Based Government is popular with Kenyans, we have been vindicated by the by-election.

When I saw Hon. Ichung’wah and my friend, Senator Aron, campaigning in Homa Bay and Siaya, I believed that Kenyans want unity; they are not interested in divisive politics. We have been in the opposition for a long time. Even now, that kasumba has not left us. However, I came to realise that holding press conferences in Nairobi alone every morning is not enough. One must go to the ground and engage with the people. Even if one holds 100 press conferences in a day in Nairobi, that message never reaches the grassroots. It is far more impactful to speak directly to the people on the ground.

What has shocked me in this by-election is that when one serves in a very high office, such as the Speaker, the President, or the Chief Justice, one is expected to retire with dignity. I was shocked and felt sorry to see my former boss, the former Speaker, fighting with a young man. These are matters that should be left to one's personal assistants and other subordinates. Honestly, that young man should have simply told the former Speaker to refrain from confronting him directly and instead to send someone else. Upon retiring from a high office like that of the Speaker, one should conduct oneself with humility and dignity because one is a senior member of society. When I see the former Chief Justice addressing only 10 people during campaigns, I feel pity for him. This is not how a former State Officer at the level of Chief Justice should retire.

The recent by-elections also confirmed that, God willing, we have a solid plan for 2027. We convened as a team and agreed that ODM would field candidates in Ugunja, Magarini, and Kasipul, while UDA would field candidates in Banissa, Mbeere North, and Malava. This agreement among parties under the broad-based government is crucial. If we maintain this formula, 2027 will be a walk in the park.

The former Deputy President, whom we impeached here, needs to return to the drawing board and become a village elder in Mathira. He has propagated divisive politics in this country, and Kenyans have refused to listen to him. The outcomes of this election have made that abundantly clear.

Allow him two minutes to finish.

I was merely piercing the real issues. This election has communicated to the former Deputy President that Kenyans have grown weary of his divisive politics. Kenyans are tired of his tribal politics and his shenanigans of abusing other leaders. Mbeere people are good people. They have proved to Kenyans that tribal politics will not work in this country. I am a very proud member of the Broad-Based Government. It delivers: elections, development, and everything I want it to. We are prepared, hio ilikuwa tu kionjo. Sitaki kusema “hii imeenda”, like I said last time. Lakini wajue hii ilikuwa tu kionjo; the real deal is coming.

Let the “united losers”, not the united opposition, prepare adequately. You did not prepare properly for these elections. Stop blaming the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) , the Police and the ordinary people. Prepare for the election. Come up

with an agenda, then talk to the people. Tell the people what you will do for them, rather than telling them “Kasongo” and “one term.” Those slogans will not help them.

I advise them to develop a programme and issues to present to Kenyans. Issues of development and of importance to the Kenyan people. If they continue the way they are handling things, including meetings in hotels, press conferences in Nairobi, and the sharing of seats in Nairobi, so and so will be the “one”. They will lose. We do not want to be part of losers. We had thoughts of joining them, but with the kind of manners they have, they should forget about us.

Hon. Wangari. Members, remember the rest of you have two minutes each; if you can take one minute, the better.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika. Naomba pia niwapongeze wenzetu ambao wamechaguliwa kuwa wawakilishi wa maeneo bunge mbali mbali. Nawakaribirisha Wabunge hao watano ambao wamejiunga nasi hapa kwa mara ya kwanza, pamoja na Mhe. Harrison, ambaye ameweza kuchaguliwa kwa mara nyingine.

Najua mambo mengi yamesemwa, lakini ningependa kusema mawili tu, kwani muda ni mchache. Kwanza, tumejifunza kuwa ni vizuri kuwa na tume huru ya uchaguzi. Ni vibaya sana kuwa na eneo bunge amabalo limekaa zaidi ya miaka miwili bila kuwa na mwakilishi hapa Bungeni. Ni vizuri tujifunze ili siku za usoni tuhakikishe tume ya uchaguzi ipo, ili uchaguzi kama huu ukitokea, uweze kufanyika.

La pili, ni kuwa jukumu la Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi si kusimamia uchaguzi tu, ila pia ni kuelimisha umma umuhimu wa kupiga kura. Nataja hili kwani ukiangalia asilimia ya waliopiga kura, ni kama asilimia 60 tu. Mambo ya uchaguzi ni mambo ya kitaifa, na tunafaa kuyafuata kwani kikatiba, ni haki yetu. Tunapoelekea kwenye uchaguzi wa mwaka wa 2027, Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi ielimishe umma.

Vile vile, mambo ya fujo na vurugu yanafaa kuchukuliwa hatua kama inavyofaa. Mambo tuliyoshuhudia wakati wa uchaguzi huu si sawa, na si haki. Watu wanafaa kuwa huru kujitokeza kupiga kura na warudi nyumbani.

Kongole kwa wale ambao wame…

Hon. Keynan.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. May I also join my colleagues in congratulating the newly elected Members of Parliament and their constituents. This is a win for democracy, civility, the rule of law, and adherence to our Constitution. It also demonstrates that in modern-day Kenya, there is no room for goonism, anarchy and violence— this cannot be a substitute for democracy. Also, the Broad-Based Government has clearly demonstrated the face of Kenya.

Additionally, proper planning means good results. As Hon. Junet said, there is a need to plan properly for elections to achieve the desired results. However, this can only be achieved if there is peace, stability, progress, development, adherence and fidelity to the rule of law.

For people like us who are part and parcel of the making of the current Constitution, I would like to urge the Police to abide by their tenets, the Constitution and the Police Service Act. Protect Kenyans from goons and ensure there is law and order.

I urge the IEBC not to be intimidated, but rather to function in line with its constitutional mandate. Additionally, Kenyans should know there is no room for anarchy. Let us continue believing in democracy; this is what will hold them together.

To the agents of the Broad-Based Government, I would like to say that this is the way. Continue bringing many Kenyans under the fold of the Broad-Based Government. I am sure this is the desire of Kenyans.

Once again, I welcome the new Members to the august House. Make sure you are familiar with the rules, continue functioning as a Member of Parliament, and serve your constituents.

Hon. Mary Emaase.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I also take this opportunity to welcome and congratulate all the Members who have been sworn in today. I also want to commend those who lost; in every election, there must be a winner and a loser. I urge them to go back and serve their people diligently.

Secondly, I condemn the violence and the utterances by some leaders, especially the former Deputy President, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua. He should stop his divisive and tribal politics. I was out of the country on official duty when I heard Hon. Gachagua accuse my community, the Iteso, of being “Wakora”. The Iteso are peaceful and loving people. When they want to marry, they pick the most intelligent and beautiful women from their neighbours and the diaspora.

When Hon. Rigathi Gachagua sensed he was being defeated by the team led by our very able and intelligent wife, Cecily Mbarire, he started calling the Iteso community “Wakora”. He must stop. He should respect other tribes and communities in this country. He should also stop engaging in divisive and tribal politics.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Nabii Nabwera.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I join my colleagues in congratulating our newly elected colleagues to the House, including my friend, Hon. David Athman Ndakwa. This by-election has taught us some lessons. Firstly, Kenyans are interested in issue-based politics. In Malava, I witnessed a whole platoon of people imported from all over Kenya pretending to be an alternative to the Government, making the Malava by-election a non-issue-based one and calling people names. Nevertheless, the people of Malava stood up and said they were interested in issues affecting their daily livelihoods.

Secondly, the ordinary mama mboga and bodaboda in the village want service delivery; therefore, they turned out to vote for people they believe will deliver services, not rhetoric.

Thirdly, Kenyans are not interested in divisive politics. Kenyans want a united country. That was very clear with the resounding win of the Broad-Based Government candidates.

Fourthly, propaganda can never win against truth. The “united losers”, as they have been called, introduced propaganda instead of addressing the issues that affect the public. Through this, the public chose wheat from chaff. The grain is here; the chaff remained in the streets. Thank you.

Thank you, Nabii.

Hon. Members, before I give the next person, who will be Hon. Jane Kagiri, allow me to recognise a delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho in the Speaker's Gallery. I wish to introduce to you a delegation from the National Reforms Transitional Office of the Kingdom of Lesotho, who are seated in the Speaker's Gallery. They are Hon. Richard Ramoeletsi, Minister of Law and Justice, and Mr Lira Ralebese, Principal Secretary, Minister of Law and Justice.

The delegation is accompanied by three officers and is on a benchmarking exercise to the Parliament of Kenya to learn about constitutional, parliamentary and public service reforms. Hon. Members, on my behalf and that of the National Assembly, I welcome them to Parliament and wish them fruitful engagements for the duration of their visit. I thank you.

Hon. Jane Kagiri, you will hold your horses. Hon. Otiende Amollo had asked me to give him a chance to welcome the delegation when I introduce them. I will give him three minutes, one for the delegation and two for the swearing-in of your new colleagues.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to congratulate our colleagues who won the elections and have been sworn in. Winning these elections and being sworn in is no easy task, and we really commend them for it. We are quite proud of them. We hope they will learn all the good things we do, those of us who have been here, and ignore the few bad things they might see in the few days they will be joining us, before we adjourn.

Hon. Speaker, allow me also, on behalf of the Bunge (FC) Football Club Team, to invite those involved in any of the disciplines in which we participate in the 14th Interparliamentary Games (IPG) of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) to join us. I am quite happy that Hon. Harrison Kombe, who is also my client and a member of the Bunge FC Team, has now joined us. For that reason, the team is much stronger. I am also happy that the Hon. Moses Omondi has indicated that he will be our key striker and will be practising with us from tomorrow. I invite, on behalf of all other disciplines, those who can join to do so in time for the EALA 14th IPG Games. We need you.

Secondly, Hon. Speaker, let me announce to this House that I had the pleasure, together with Senator Catherine Mumma, to meet the National Reforms Transition Office of the Kingdom of Lesotho, led by the Minister for Laws and Justice, Hon. Richard Ramoeletsi. We discussed matters of constitution-making from a historical perspective because the Kingdom of Lesotho is undergoing a constitutional process and seeks to benefit from our experience.

We took them through that the whole morning. We also took them through the traditions and practices of Parliament, both the Senate and the National Assembly. Above all, we took them through our various facilities, including the Chambers of the two Houses, committee rooms, the gym, members' facilities and more critically, the Members’ Restaurant. They wanted to see the food that Gen Z came to Parliament to eat during the 2024 Finance Bill protests. They tasted the food and confirmed it was of good quality.

I hope you showed them the beautiful new gardens as well?

Yes. They saw the beautiful new gardens, the fountain and everything in between. As for the evening matters, that is beyond the House. I will not go into that. Thank you.

Hon. Jane Kagiri.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to congratulate the Members who have joined us today. This day takes me back to the good old book in Joshua Chapter 1, Verse 9, where it says:

“Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will go before you wherever you go.”

Hon. Speaker, today is a confirmation that our God was with us in Banisa, Malava, Magarini, Mbeere North and Ugunja. This election confirmed to this country that it was an election of development versus insults and threats, and thank God the development agenda won.

Hon. Speaker, we need to become gracious losers or winners. It cannot be that in one part of the mouth somebody is saying they won, and on the other end, they are saying they

were rigged out. We all must respect the Constitution. Where you win, you accept that you have won. When another competitor wins, we accept it and say the other person has won. As we approach the 2027 elections, my humble prayer is that we conduct constitutional and fair elections. I will give an example from Mbeere North: when the opponent saw that we were about to win, they went for Hon. Alice Ng’anga's car and tried to set it on fire. Were it not for the security…That is how we stopped that, and security was reinstated. We are all competitors. It is my humble prayer that we go into it with fair play, and above all, let us all remember we have been elected to work for our people, and that is what we will do. Thank you.

Hon. Bedzimba.

Pardon?

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika, kwa kunipa fursa hii kuwapa hongera wote waliochaguliwa katika uchaguzi mdogo ulioisha hivi majuzi. Nachukuwa fursa hii kwa heshima kubwa kumpongeza Mhe. Harrison Kombe kwa ushindi alioupata katika eneo Bunge la Magarini. Ni wapongeze wote walioshirikiana naye kufanikisha ushindi huo, akiwemo Waziri Hassan Joho, Gavana Abdulswamad, Mhe. Mung’aro na jeshi lote la Wabunge wa eneo la Pwani walioshirikiana pamoja kuhakikisha kwamba tumefaulu katika uchaguzi huo.

Pia nawashukuru watu wa Magarini kwa kuchagua “Chungwa,” kwa sababu ndicho chama naona kinachovitamini ya kufanya waendelee na shughuli zao. Vile vile, nawapongeza sana watu wa Magarini kwa kudumisha amani kuanzia mwanzo wa kampeni mpaka siku ya uchaguzi.

Hakuna mtu aliyesukumwa wala kukanyagwa. Watu walitoka wenyewe, wakaenda kupiga kura yao mahali wanataka na kawaida yao, wao ni wa Chama cha “Chungwa”. Nawapongeza viongozi wote wa Broad-Based Government walioshinda. Hiyo ni ishara ya kwamba serikali inayokuja, ambayo ni Broad-Based Government, itachukua karibu nafasi zote za Taifa hili.

Kwa hivyo, nawashukuru na kuwakemea wale ambao walifanya fujo ama vurugu. Hii ni kwa sababu uchaguzi ni haki ya Mkenya yeyote ili aweze kuchagua mtu ambaye anaonelea ni sawa.

Mhe. Spika nimesimama kuwapongeza ndugu hao na nawatakia kila la heri katika Bunge la Kumi na Tatu. Asante sana.

Hon. Cherorot.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also join my colleagues in congratulating the newly elected Members who have just been sworn in. This shows that Kenyans have confidence in the elected leaders. Those who were defeated in the by-election should shake the dust from their feet and join hands with the elected leadership.

Hon. Speaker, this is also a sign. These are writings on the wall. To those who have been opposing and practising divisive politics, come 2027, Kenyans will still be the same. I encourage them to work diligently and ensure they serve Kenyans equally. I also congratulate and thank the constituents affected, who have patiently waited for these leaders to be elected. It is now upon them to show their solidarity and work with them.

Lastly, I thank you for coming to my constituency to support our fundraising efforts for the 16 churches. Thank you so much. Asante sana.

Hon. Makali Mulu.

Thank you so much, Hon. Speaker. You are the only one who can save us from this broadened Government. Unless you give us a chance to say something, it will appear like we are not there.

Hon. Makali, I have given you a chance. When your colleagues were being sworn in, you were not here.

Hon. Speaker, I was here. Even when Hon. KK was making his contributions, I was seated here. It is unfair for Hon. KK to say what he said in this honourable House.

I ruled him out of order, so do not debate.

Okay, Hon. Speaker. I congratulate our colleagues who won in the by-elections, irrespective of how they won. They should start working towards the promises they made to their people.

However, I witnessed a few things during the by-elections. My prayer is that as we move towards 2027, this House ensures that those things do not happen again. The first issue is the level of violence. As a country, we cannot afford to carry what we saw during the by- elections to 2027. The second issue is name-calling and abusing other leaders. This was across the board, not just the united opposition. Even the Members in the Broad-Based Government were using abusive language. The third issue is on voter buying and bribery. We cannot carry this behaviour to 2027.

I thank my colleagues because I see the Goliath spirit in them. As a believer, I remind them that David ensured Goliath went down. I request my colleagues to humble themselves. Members who like name-calling and assuming that other leaders do not matter will one day live to regret it.

Hon. Speaker, I submit. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

Hon. Milemba.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this chance. I congratulate the Members of Parliament who have been sworn in today. It is marvellous that Hon. Boyd has replaced his father. I welcome him to Parliament. I also welcome Hon. Kombe, a seasoned parliamentarian, back to the House. There is also Hon. Ndakwa, the ‘boy’ who made the people of Western Kenya prove that we are where we are. We are so proud of him. We are also proud of all Members who were elected, including Hon. Wa Muthende. That was proof that no one owns the mountain. This election was particular. It was a vote of confidence in the Broad-Based Government. Kenyans have shown a lot of confidence in the Broad-Based Government. You cannot doubt that. All the seats went to the Broad-Based Government. I thank the coalition and working partnership. I saw the ODM leadership, led by Hon. Shinali, work so closely in Malava. That was magic. As we move forward, we ask the newly elected Members to work for the people so they can make it again in 2027 and keep the Broad-Based Government in power.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this chance.

Hon. Millie Odhiambo.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I join the other Members in congratulating all those who have been elected, especially Hon. Boyd Were, because of the circumstances under which the father died. Some people may have been involved in his killing, hoping that they would inherit the seat. It is good that Hon. Boyd won. I thank all our supporters for honouring the spirit and memory of Baba. I thank the ODM leadership and the broad-based partners for an excellent job.

Some of the lessons that we learnt are that we should not rely on social media. Being loud does not necessarily translate to votes. Young people must decide what they want. Unfortunately, some young people were opposing Hon. Boyd. There is growing concern about 'goonism'.

As a consequence, even today, one of my constituents called Onkundi, out of ‘goonism’, has been attacked. We do not know if he will survive. He was struck by people who create a story around someone, then attack them.

Finally, there is the issue of ‘ethnisation’ of politics, which is a growing concern. You cannot balkanise parts of the country and declare them for given tribes. It is unfortunate. I encourage us, as leaders, to be careful with what we say as we move towards 2027.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Double N.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for this opportunity to also congratulate our colleagues who have joined us. We all know that the by- elections were not easy. They were tough. But we thank God that the Members were successful. To our colleague, Hon. Leo Wa Muthende, we know that the whole country was fixed on Mbeere North, especially Embu County. We congratulate Hon. Wa Muthende and tell him that he has done us proud. Over and above, I wish to remind our colleagues who have joined us that they will be judged by the delivery of the promises that they made to their constituents. We request that they try to deliver before the next general elections, especially Hon. Wa Muthende from Mbeere North. We know the services that the Mbeere people need—water, electricity and roads. We trust and know that we can bank on Hon. Wa Muthende to deliver.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Koimburi.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika. Nawakaribisha Waheshimiwa ambao wamechaguliwa kupitia kwa by-elections. Kuna wakati pia mimi nilichaguliwa kupitia kwa by-election. Kuna mambo mengi yaliyoendelea katika uchaguzi mdogo uliofanyika katika taifa letu la Kenya, hasa tukiangazia pale kwetu ‘mlima’. Pesa zilimwagwa kwa magunia. Corruption ilikuwa ya hali ya juu pale. Mhe. Wa Muthende, tumekukaribisha katika Bunge, lakini ni vizuri usikilize ground. Usidanganywe na Wabunge hapa. Wakati wa uchaguzi wa 2027…

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Order, Hon. Koimburi, there is a point of order. Take your seat. Hon. KJ, what is your point of order?

Hon. Speaker, I would like you to find Hon. George Koimburi completely out of order. It is only recently that this House forgave this gentleman for making utterances that he could not substantiate. This gentleman is in the habit of putting this House in great disrepute, making claims that cannot be substantiated. There is no place in this country called Mount Kenya. We have one united Kenya. The win in Mbeere North is an indication that Kenyans do not care for tribalism, sectionalism or the kind of politics being promoted. Hon. Speaker, this gentleman must be entirely found out of order for bringing total disrepute to this House by making inflammatory remarks.

Hon. KJ, you have made your point. Hon. Koimburi, wind up.

Asante sana, Mhe. Spika. Naendelea kwa kuwakaribisha Wabunge waliochaguliwa katika uchaguzi mdogo. Lakini ni vizuri kusema ukweli. Mhe. Wa Muthende, usikilize ground.

Order, Hon. KJ.

Nasisitiza, Mhe. Wa Muthende, usikilize ground. Usidanganywe na Wabunge hapa. Watakudanganya na ukose kurudi katika Bunge. Tunakupenda na tunakuheshimu kwa zile kura kidogo ambazo ulitushinda nazo. Kura 400 sio

kura ya kujidai nayo ama kujipigia kifua. Lazima Wakenya waambiwe ukweli. Ni wakati wa kuskiza ground. Ni wakati wa kutohonga watu. Ni wakati wa kufanyia wananchi kazi. Hatutaki udanganyifu katika taifa letu la Kenya wakati wa uchaguzi wa 2027.

Your time is up.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

What is your point of order, Hon. Millie Odhiambo? One minute.

Hon. Speaker, I do not think it is in order for Hon. Koimburi to cast aspersions on new Members when there is no case challenging their wins. More fundamentally, he is asking Members to go and "listen to the ground," when he failed to listen to his wife. He was listening elsewhere. He should have listened to his wife first. He must listen to his wife before anyone else. Is he in order?

Order. Hon. Didmus.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika, kwa kunipatia nafasi hii…

Order, Hon. Didmus. Hon. Koimburi, let us not escalate this. Those are some of the consequences that arise when you hurl “stones” at your colleagues. I want to remind you that in our democracy, in the 8th Parliament, two candidates in Wajir tied in the election, and the winner had to be determined through a by-election. A Member, Hon. Major Sugow from Garissa County, won by a majority of 2 votes and served for a full term. In our democracy, a win is a win regardless of the majority of votes.

Hon. Didmus.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika, kwa kunipatia nafasi hii ili niwapongeze wenzangu walioshinda viti tofauti katika maeneo bunge tofauti. Ninawakaribisha hapa ili tujenge taifa letu. Cha msingi ni kufurahia amani iliyokuwepo katika sehemu hizo. Mhe. Kimani Ichung’wah alifanya kampeini katika maeneo bunge ya Kasipul na Ugunja bila tashwishi yoyote. Miaka sita iliyopita, tulikuwa na uchaguzi mdogo kule Kibra. Kwa vile muda umepita na tuko katika Broad-Based Government, ningeliomba umuamuru Mhe. Otiende Amollo amwambie Mhe. Junet Mohamed anirudishie kofia yangu niliyoipoteza katika uchaguzi huo mdogo kule Kibra, kwa sababu sasa tuko na uwiano katika Serikali ya Broad-Based. Nitashukuru sana.

Bunge hili la kitaifa lipo na nafasi ya kushirikiana pasipo misingi yetu ya vyama ili kuendeleza agenda ya kuunda sheria zitakazowapa afueni Wakenya ili waishi na matumaini ya siku za usoni. Pia tuwe viongozi ambao jukumu letu kubwa ni kuisaidia Serikali kupeperusha maendeleo katika pembe zote za nchi yetu.

Nawatakia kila la heri Wajumbe wapya katika kazi ya kuwatumikia wale waliowaleta hapa.

Hon. Bensuda.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I also rise to congratulate all the newly elected Members in the recently concluded by-elections. They have a task to deliver on behalf of their respective constituents. We must strongly and objectively guard our political parties, so that their principles and foundations can yield results.

We must take home certain lessons from the just-concluded by-elections. We must retreat in the areas where we went overboard. We must also strengthen our weaknesses. That is how we shall exalt the spirit of democracy, unity, and love for our country. I encourage the newly and duly elected politicians who have joined this House as Members to note that they have less than one year to deliver on behalf of their respective areas. It is not a comfort zone because campaigns for the 2027 General Elections begin in 2026. It is not a comfort zone for all of us. We are all winners, and we must desist from hooliganism so that we can mentor and nurture the youth to deliver objectively and prudently use taxpayers' money.

As the County Women Representative elected to represent, legislate, and oversee on behalf of women, youths and persons with disabilities, I congratulate Hon. Boyd Ongondo Were, Member-elect for Kasipul Constituency.

Hon. Members, our 45 minutes are over. Next Order.

Leader of the Majority Party.

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

Reports of the Auditor-General and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th June 2025 and certificates therein in respect of:

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. Hon. Mathenge, are you in that Committee?

Give the microphone to Hon. Mathenge. Go ahead.

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

Report of the Mediation Committee on the Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No.10 of

Chairperson of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, Hon. Mulyungi.

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

Reports of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the Reports of the Auditor-General as follows:

Thank you, Hon. Mulyungi. Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. Yes, Hon. David. Proceed.

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

Reports of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on its consideration of:

Next Order.

Hon. Melly, you are not on my list. (The Hon. Speaker consulted with the Clerk-at-the-Table) Hon. Melly, you have a report to Table, but you are not on my list. Go ahead.

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

Reports of the Departmental Committee on Education on:

Thank you. Next Order.

Hon. Mathenge.

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

THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Article 113 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 150 (3) , this House adopts the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No. 10 of 2023) , laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, and approves the mediated version of the Coffee Bill (Senate Bill No. 10 of 2023) .

Thank you, Hon. Mathenge. Hon. Mulyungi.

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

THAT, this House adopts the seventh Report of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the audited accounts of the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund for the financial years 2016/2017 to 2021/2022 laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

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

THAT, this House adopts the eighth Report of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the audited accounts of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund for the financial years 2016/2017 to 2021/2022 laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

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

THAT, this House adopts the ninth Report of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the audited accounts of the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund for the financial years 2013/2014 to 2021/2022 laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

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

THAT, this House adopts the 10th Report of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee on its consideration of the audited accounts of the National Government-Constituencies Development Fund for the financial years 2016/2017 to 2021/2022 laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December

Hon. David, Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on its consideration of the agreement for establishing the Shelter Afrique Development Bank, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of section 8 (4) of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, Cap 4D, approves the ratification of the agreement establishing the Shelter Afrique Development Bank.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on its consideration of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, and pursuant to the provisions of section 8 (4) of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, Cap 4D, approves the ratification of the

agreement between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance. Thank you.

Do we have any other? Hon. Melly, like I told you, you are not listed on my…

Thank you, Hon. Speaker

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Education on its inspection visit to National Polytechnics from 8th to 14th April 2025, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.

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

THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Education on its inspection visit to 13 public universities in April 2024, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025. Thank you.

Thank you. Next Order.

Hon. Machua Waithaka.

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

Committee on Energy, regarding persistent power outages in Lower Gatina Village in Riabai

that depend on electricity daily. Schools and healthcare facilities in the two areas are unable to operate efficiently due to unreliable power supply. Attempts to follow up with Kenya Power on the installation of additional transformers and improvements to the power infrastructure have borne no fruit.

It is against this background that I request a Statement from the Chairperson of the

Thank you. Chair Departmental Committee on Energy.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Are you able to bring a response by Thursday this week?

We will try. I will get in touch, but I also want to assure the Member that we removed the moratorium on Independent Power Producers last week. We want to promise the House that, with the removal of the moratorium, these power outage issues will hopefully come to an end by next year. I will do my best to have the report by Thursday.

Hon. Mary Emaase.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the deteriorating condition and structural inadequacies of the Busia-Malaba Highway.

The Busia-Malaba Highway is a major transport corridor linking Kenya and Uganda, and serves as a key gateway for cross-border trade within the East African region. The highway facilitates the movement of goods, passengers, and heavy commercial vehicles, thereby supporting trade, agriculture, and regional integration. The road was not originally designed to accommodate the current heavy volume of trucks, leading to deterioration, especially from diverted transit vehicles.

The road is now in a deplorable state, riddled with deep potholes, eroded shoulders, and poor drainage, making it unsafe and inefficient. Maintenance efforts have been limited to filling potholes with murram, which is easily washed away during rain. The section between Likolis and Malaba Town is particularly hazardous due to deep potholes, poor drainage, and a lack of lighting, resulting in frequent accidents, vehicle damage, and traffic congestion. Residents and road users have persistently raised concerns over the poor condition of this vital highway and the slow pace of rehabilitation, despite its national and regional importance. The neglect has increased transport costs, hindered trade, and endangered lives.

It is against this background that I request a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure to apprise the House on the following:

Thank you, Hon. Mary. Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure? Hon. G.K. or any Member of the Committee? I can see Hon. Owen Baya.

I will inform the Chairman. Hon. Didmus Barasa was here, but he has left. However, I will let him know.

How soon can they bring a response?

I do not know whether Thursday is feasible because of the recess ahead.

Can you ask them to try and see if they can craft an answer for Thursday?

Alright. Much obliged, Hon. Speaker.

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. Mwenje.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise on Standing Order 42E (2) , which states that: “Where the Speaker determines a Question to be urgent, a Cabinet Secretary shall reply to the Question within three days of referral to a committee.”

Hon. Speaker, the reason I rise on this Standing Order is related to a matter concerning the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport. About a month ago, you gave directions that he should give a response regarding disbursements for the balances for the Financial Year 2024/2025. We were informed that these balances would be released by a certain date in your presence; this has not yet occurred. There was also a revision of the 2025/2026 ceilings, which is yet to be done. This has affected procurement and planning.

Hon. Speaker, you also gave directions to the Leaders of the Majority and Minority Parties. This issue remains unresolved, yet we are about to go on recess. I beg your indulgence. I have written two letters to you regarding this matter because I believe the Executive is undermining us by failing to give a substantive response. All we need to know is whether the balances will ever come so that the constituency committees can plan. I beg for your indulgence before this Fourth Session is over.

Thank you.

Hon. Owen, do you have any response?

Hon. Speaker, I do not have a response now, but I can promise to get in touch.

Can you ask Hon. G.K. to be here tomorrow afternoon to respond to this?

Much obliged.

Yes, Hon. Wangwe.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On 14th October this year, I rose under Standing Order 44 (2) (c) and sought a statement from the Departmental Committee on Education. You directed that I receive the response within two

weeks. It has been several weeks, and even today, the response is not on the Order Paper. Maybe I will come to you so that you can give the necessary direction.

Yes, Hon. Melly. Why have you not responded?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The Teachers Service Commission was scheduled to appear before the Committee, but gave an apology because they were attending to other issues. I communicated to them that we needed the Statement in order to read it before the House, but up to now, they have not given feedback. I directed the clerk on duty last week to ensure that the Commission furnishes us with the information within the Committee or give written submissions to the House. I will bring it before Thursday.

Okay. Hon. Wamboka.

In the same breath, a month ago, I also asked a question on Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) to the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education, and another to the Departmental Committee on Agriculture regarding the weighbridge issue in my Constituency.

I remember. Hon. Melly, are you able to bring a response?

I will follow up. I have just consulted…

Tomorrow afternoon? Can we revisit?

I will consult the CS. If possible, I will get the information and relay it to the Member on Thursday.

Thank you.

Hon. Owen, where is the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock?

I am sure Members are excited about the swearing-in ceremony.

Can you ask him if he is ready to bring a response on Thursday afternoon?

I will ask him. Much obliged.

Give Hon. Umulkher the microphone.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this chance. I would like to comment on the laxity in giving responses across the Ministries. I gave a statement and brought it to the attention of the House Business Committee two weeks ago. On 25th September, I gave a statement on the unfair treatment of passengers from Mandera. There has been no response two and a half months later. On 8th October, I gave another statement that is due for response today. On 4th November, I gave another statement on an incident that occurred, the one on the explosion that hurt children. You need to crack the whip on this because either the Committees will bring half-baked information or they will not respond at all. We need your indulgence and guidance on this.

Thank you.

Hon. Owen, you are the leadership; where are the Chairmen?

Yes, Hon. Speaker. Today does not look like a very good day. Our chairpersons are out celebrating and probably inducting the new Members. I promise to follow up on the matter so that tomorrow you give us time to respond to the issues raised. I beg your indulgence.

Please respond tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you.

Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, Hon. KJ, are you ready to respond to Umulkher’s request?

Hon. Speaker, I am.

Go ahead.

Hon. Speaker, we have received a response from the Ministry of Communication, Information and Innovation, and the Digital Economy regarding a statement raised by Hon. Umulkher on the allocation of the Universal Service Fund (USF) . As the response is lengthy, I shall provide the House with an abridged version, and the full document can be presented to the Member who requested it. The Statement reiterates that USF is a cornerstone of Kenya's digital inclusion agenda, having enabled significant progress across mobile and fibre networks, broadcasting and digital content. It also highlights persistent challenges, including remote-area infrastructure, land tenure issues, logistical constraints, and vandalism, which require sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy support, and adequate resources.

The Authority further commits to rigorous financial management, strengthening oversight and aligning USF initiatives with national frameworks such as the Kenya Digital Economy Blueprint and Vision 2030. These efforts aim to ensure that the USF continues to act as a catalyst for equitable ICT access and socio-economic transformation.

I request the attention of the Member who placed this request, because she also sits on our Committee. I will only give an abridged version because the Member has a complete response.

Hon. KJ, we have two Umulkhers.

Yes, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Umulkher Harun, not Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim, both of whom have requested a statement from this Ministry, and I shall be responding this afternoon.

You are responding to the first one.

I am responding to the request by Hon. Umulkher Harun.

Then you are wrong. The first one I called out is that of Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I will respond to that.

Okay.

I will also provide an abridged response to Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim. The Ministry has indicated that the absence of a network in Lulis Location is due to it being considered commercially viable and, therefore, not prioritised for USF subsidies. The Communication Authority of Kenya has outlined immediate measures, including quality-of-service assessments and engagement with operators, to improve coverage, as well as long-term plans to expand fibre backbone and backhaul infrastructure, incorporating more Mandera sub-locations into USF projects. The Authority emphasises collaboration with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the use of incentives to attract private investment, while continuing to monitor and implement USF initiatives to ensure universal connectivity in Mandera County.

Hon. Speaker, I wish to note that our Committee is committing to Hon. Umul Kheir that we shall conduct a site visit to ascertain the exact situation in Lulis Location. We also found it curious that the USF deems this area commercially viable for connectivity, yet service has not been provided. That is the abridged version of the response to Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim’s request.

Yes, Hon. Kassim.

I congratulate her because that Constituency did not have a Member of Parliament for three years. They only got one today, so she is doing the Lord's work representing the people of Mandera.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

They elected me to represent them, and it is true that they experienced under-representation for three years. Today is a good day, and we hope to work with the elected Member to ensure that services are delivered to the people of Banissa. As I indicated earlier, my concern has been confirmed by this response. It is incomplete. This is not a response that can be brought to this House. I requested this Statement over two months ago, yet they are still saying that they are checking, and the timeline given is six months. Could the Chairperson inform us of the progress made over the past two-and-a- half months on how best to connect Lulis?

The other irony is that they claim Lulis is commercially viable. If a place is commercially viable, it should be prioritised for network coverage. There is no justification for its exclusion from the USF. This again highlights accountability gaps in investigations and identifications. I urge the Chairperson of the Committee to visit Banissa Constituency as a whole, and specifically Lulis Location, to establish the situation on the ground. Currently, this appears to be just a cat-and-mouse game between the USF and the MNOs.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. KJ.

Just a quick clarification for the understanding of the Member. The Universal Service Fund covers underserved areas, which are assumed not to receive coverage from commercial Telcos. When the response states that an area is commercially viable and the USF has not intervened, then it means that, according to the USF’s analysis, Lulis location is considered a candidate for coverage by commercial Telcos and, as such, was excluded from USF projects.

As I committed, our Committee shall assist the people of Lulis Location and Banisa by planning a visit to the Constituency. The purpose is to establish the situation on the ground, but also to relay the feedback we are receiving from Mandera County through Hon. Umi to the Ministry. They can understand that, as they wait for the telcos to cover Lulis Location, the USF can move ahead of the telcos and provide the required coverage in underserved areas. It is established that Banisa is indeed underserved.

Yes, Hon. Umulkher Harun.

Hon. Speaker, I am privileged to sit in that Committee. The Communications Authority (CA) was with us in Mombasa two weeks ago, and they openly claimed that the areas Mheshimiwa Umi has mentioned cannot be connected due to insecurity. This is the response the Chairperson should have provided, not ruling it out because it is commercially viable. I disagree because these regions have genuinely been left behind. The Communications Authority needs to work with the communities and Members of Parliament, not dismiss everything as commercially viable. Yet Safaricom also shifts the blame back to the Communications Authority for connection issues. This is wrong, and I reject that response.

Hon. KJ.

Hon. Speaker, may I simultaneously respond to the request for a statement from Hon. Umi?

Can you respond to her concerns first?

Hon. Speaker, she is entirely correct in stating that there cannot be a squabble between the commercial telcos and the USF. The Communications Authority, from its position, can communicate with telcos, including Safaricom, Airtel, Jamii Telcom, and others. In fact, they are the regulators. The Communications Authority also has a mandate to identify underserved areas. Thus, underserved regions in Northern Kenya are candidates for coverage by the USF. Hon. Umi Harun is correct in saying that this cannot be a cat-and-mouse game between the Communications Authority and Safaricom. If she has additional information from the

Communications Authority, it would be useful to the Committee. However, as the Chairperson of the Committee, when responding to a statement, I cannot paraphrase; I can only report the response received from the Ministry. Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

Can you now respond to Hon. Harun?

Hon. Speaker, in the interest of time, I will also give a very abridged version of the response we received from the Ministry regarding Hon. Umi Harun’s request for a statement. The response reads that...

The Hon. Umulkher…

On a point of order, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Omanyo, what is the issue?

Hon. Speaker, I am being confused by Hon. Kiarie. He is mentioning Umi Bashir, who is a Principal Secretary in the State Department for Culture, The Arts and Heritage. This is Hon. Umi Harun.

Hon. KJ, you know too many Umis.

Hon. Speaker, it is clear there are too many Umis in my life. I am about to start speaking their language, Iskawarama and Sodawada, in Parliament, and I will make this response to Hon. Umulkher, who is the specially elected Member of Parliament representing the interests of the youth. The response is that the Statement we received from the Ministry reiterates that the USF is a cornerstone of Kenya's digital inclusion agenda, having enabled significant progress across mobile and fibre networks, broadcasting, and digital content.

However, persistent challenges exist. These include: remote area infrastructure, land tenure issues, logistical constraints, and vandalism. All this, as listed by the Communications Authority, requires sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy support, and adequate resources. The Communications Authority commits to rigorous financial management, strengthened oversight, and alignment of USF initiatives with national frameworks, such as the Kenya Digital Economy Blueprint and Vision 2030. These efforts aim to ensure that the USF continues to act as a catalyst for equitable ICT access and socio-economic transformation.

Allow me to invite Hon. Umulkher to bring this matter substantially before our Committee. She can then benefit fully from being a Member of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, where we can attend to this matter as a substantive agenda item before the Committee.

Thank you, Hon. KJ. Hon. Umulkher?

Hon. Speaker, I requested for this Statement four months ago. My concern aligns with the issues raised earlier by Members on how slow the responses are coming from the Ministries. Regardless, I still appreciate that there is feedback. I have the full report here.

Are you satisfied?

I am not, Hon. Speaker. I need to highlight a few things as to why this report is not sufficient.

This is not a debate. Just ask him a question based on what he has said.

Hon. Speaker, I am not satisfied because I serve in that Committee. The reason I brought this issue as a statement is that I was not satisfied with the few times we summoned the Communications Authority to give us responses.

That response from the Chairperson is the reason I am not satisfied. The response is here; he has not even given us a brief of what this report says. Therefore, I will not even be satisfied if I ask him to summon the Communications Authority to the Committee as well, because it is still the same. I am stuck, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Umulkher, it is not enough to say you are not satisfied four times. It is now necessary for you to ask him a supplementary question based on what he said.

He did not issue a detailed response that I can even give him feedback on. He just generalised the entire Statement.

That may very well be the case. This is statement time. Once a statement is given, however general or detailed, if you are satisfied, we let it rest.

Hon. Speaker, I am not satisfied.

That is very good. Now that you are not, ask him a question so that he can understand why he has missed the point.

But I just told him he did not even issue a brief. He just went over the entire report. What should I ask?

Hon. Umi, I am trying to help you. When you request a statement, expect an answer. When an answer comes, you can either agree with the response or not. If you are not, then you question the Chairperson further on the issues raised in your Statement. This is not debating time.

The issue I am raising is that the report has cited many areas that have been covered. If I pick a simple example, like what I mentioned earlier about connectivity, in a town like Galmagala or Bura, they have cited that they have connected Bura, which is operational, but Galmagala has security issues. It is the same area. This is what I feel the Communications Authority is not telling us: why are they ruling out regions that should be connected, especially since the Fund is supposed to serve underserved areas? They have ruled out Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir as areas of insecurity.

The challenge we have is that there is a network called Hormut, which is benefiting this region. This network comes all the way from Somalia. A network from another country is serving regions like Mandera, yet the Communications Authority and the Committee are telling us we have insecurity in these areas. That is why I am not satisfied with this report. I could go on and on, but I need the Chairperson to question the Ministry.

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Umi is not helpless. The Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation has a mandate given by our Standing Orders. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has not given a satisfactory response. In that case, our Committee can commit to going to the ground to establish the issues the Member has raised. The Constitution and our Standing Orders give the Committee the power to face CA on the issues raised by Hon. Umul Ker Kassim.

The issues being raised here are real. You cannot deny people access to a communication network in this day and age and then blame it on insecurity. In fact, to alleviate that insecurity, you need a stable communication network. Therefore, guided by our Committee's mandate, we shall substantively take up this matter and plan a comprehensive visit to the Northern Frontier District (NFD) counties of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa to establish the issues raised by Hon. Umul Kheir Kassim and Hon. Umulkher Harun. That is the only way that Parliament can assist the Members.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Hon. Harun.

Hon. Speaker, in my Request for Statement, I had asked for a breakdown of the partnership between CA and Kenya Power. There is no response to that effect. I also asked CA to provide us with a breakdown of the companies that have been awarded these tenders, but the response has generalised everything.

I am not satisfied with their response. I request that CA be summoned to the Committee. I sit on that Committee, but whenever CA appears before the Committee, they do not give us the right answers. I do not know the kind of protection they enjoy. I am dissatisfied with the response.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. KJ.

Hon. Speaker, first-term Members have a learning curve in the House. As you directed, Hon. Umulkher, a response is only as good as the question posed. With the clarifications we have this afternoon, this Committee has some business to attend to to make progress on this matter.

Did you say that Hon. Umulkher is a member of your Committee?

Yes, she is.

And did you also say that you will invite the Cabinet Secretary so that you can interrogate him?

Hon. Speaker, we shall invite CA because it is the relevant agency in this matter.

Committee work will go on until 15th December. So, if you have the time, invite CA to the Committee and assist Hon. Umulkher to prosecute her issues.

Hon. Speaker, we are well guided. This is critical because the responses have taken so long. So, if the Committee calendar allows, we shall prioritise this business.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Before we go to Order No. 8, I will give Hon. Otiende Amollo this chance.

Yes, Hon. Catherine Omanyo, what is it?

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I request that CA be summoned to the plenary. This is because the situation in Busia is the same as what I am hearing about northern Kenya. Busia County is also among the underserved. I have not seen anything happening there.

We cannot summon Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) to this House. We can only summon the Cabinet Secretary. If you lay sufficient ground, we will invite the Cabinet Secretary to the House. If he does not come, we will summon him.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I stand guided.

Hon. Members, as you are aware, the matter on the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has been ongoing in Court. Yesterday, there was a hearing in the Court of Appeal. I will not delve into the matter because it is still sub judice. I will give Hon. Otiende Amollo a minute or two, buttressed by Hon. Murugara, to apprise the House of the status of that critical case. I followed the proceedings, and I must say that both of you did a sterling job.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for those compliments. With your kind permission, I wish to apprise the House of the status of the appeal that we had presented at the Court of Appeal. As Members may be aware, the appeal came up for hearing yesterday, 1st December 2025, before a three-judge bench. This House was represented by me, as the lead, Hon. George Murugara, Hon. Peter Opondo Kaluma, Hon. Millie Odhiambo and Hon. Mwengi Mutuse. We were duly and ably assisted by advocates of the Parliamentary Service Commission led by Mr Sheriffsam Mwenda, assisted by Mr Joseph Kuiyoni, Mr Dennis Abisai and Ms Michelle Amuom.

I am glad that many Members joined in to listen to the proceedings as we prosecuted the matter. In my humble opinion, the team acquitted itself well, demonstrating juristic valour and immense jurisprudential ability. I believe we will persuade the Court to correct the errors of law and fact made by the lower Court. We pleaded with the Court to render its judgment in time, noting that the fall of the hammer as rendered by the High Court is midnight of 30th June

Hon. Murugara.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I thank Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo, Senior Counsel, for the work that was done yesterday. He put us together as we went through the submissions. He took the lead and did a fantastic job. Later, together with Hon. Kaluma, we assisted and eventually rendered justice to the matter. However, we may not say what the outcome would be, because no lawyer can give certainty in any case. Like any other case, there is no certainty. We did the best we could.

The Bench asked us pertinent questions, which we think we answered well. We felt that we had persuaded them to take our side, but we leave it to the Court. Ours, for now, is nothing but to keep our fingers crossed. Those of us who are religious can go to our knees and pray for a favourable outcome and to save this Fund. It is a Fund that is in the heart of every Kenyan. It goes with the public participation that we did for the constitutional amendment Bill that is stuck in the Senate. Ninety-nine per cent of Kenyans are in favour of the Fund. It is high time, God willing, that it is saved by the courts.

I thank you very much, Hon. Otiende Amollo, Hon. Kaluma and Hon. Mutuse.

Thank you. I do not want to escalate. The matter is pending before the Lordships. Yes, Hon. Caroli Omondi. One minute.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker, for indulging me.

Apart from congratulating the very able team, let me say that no Fund has delivered so much for so many, yet has been misunderstood by many for the wrong reasons, like the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) . Anyway, as we wait for the Court process, I believe the budget process has already commenced for next year. The NG- CDF allocation should be factored in. We should not drop the ball.

The date given for judgment precedes the Budget Policy Statement.

But the process is ongoing.

The process is ongoing, yes.

We really need to be alert so that we do not drop the ball. That is what I wanted to point out. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Musa Sirma.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to thank the legal team of the House. I confirm that the Members who are doing this are doing it pro bono. They have received neither funds from the NG-CDF Board nor any other source for the service they are providing.

I also confirm that we are on course with the disbursement of funds from the National Treasury as per their schedule, which they delivered to us. The money will be delivered promptly as agreed with the Cabinet Secretary. I am sure, Hon. Speaker, he confirmed that he visited you and that he is going to do the same.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

They did not. Promptly means when?

On the dates mentioned.

On every date that is given?

Yes, Ksh5.3 million.

Next Order.

Thank you. Leader of the Majority Party.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. We may need to up the volume on this microphone because we cannot hear what she is saying.

Can you repeat the call for Order No. 9 and raise your voice?

Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.

Thank you very much. As I move this Motion, Hon. Speaker, I request the Hon. Otiende Amollo to second. So, I request him to be prepared.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, noting that this House will be proceeding for a long recess from Friday, 5th December 2025 to Monday, 9th February 2025 in accordance with its Calendar; taking cognisance of the implications of the provisions of Standing Order 141

(2)

on specified Bills pending at the Second Reading stage of consideration in the House; now therefore, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 256

, this House resolves to exempt the following Bills from the provisions of Standing Order 141

(2)

during the period of the Fourth and the Fifth Sessions—

Hon. Speaker, this Procedural Motion is necessary, logical, and lawful.

I beg to second.

Umi, take your seat. Hon. Members at the back, please, take the nearest seat. This might take long.

Yes, Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo, before the next Order.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I have a very interesting case on this matter. I sponsored a Bill. It went all the way to Second Reading in February. For some strange reason, or because of the busy schedule of the House Business Committee, it has never been slated.

Which Bill is it?

The Land Control Bill of 2022. It has never been slated for Third Reading. I know the Standing Order saves it. I wanted to go on record that the Standing Order saves it until the House Business Committee finds it convenient to bring it to the Committee of the Whole House and Third Reading.

It is a safe Bill, as you rightly say. You can drop a note to the Speaker when we resume so that I can cause the matter to come to the House Business Committee to be allotted time for Third Reading.

Yes, Hon. (Dr) Nyikal.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I think it is a good thing to save the Bills that we do. How do we ensure that the bills we pass and send to the Senate do not lapse? This is something of concern.

As we speak, we have two Bills from my Committee that are in the Senate. I do not know how safe they are. Last term, I remember the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill of 2022 lapsed. We had to do it again after much work. What is the procedure so that we save our Bills when they go to the Senate?

We do not have any procedure for saving Bills going to the other House from our House.

I will direct the Clerk of the National Assembly to reach out to the Clerk of the Senate if you drop me a note. I could also reach out to the Speaker of the other House to ask whether they can employ a similar mechanism to prevent the Bills from collapsing. We do not have to waste time and effort restarting them. It is a lot of work. I can engage the other House if I have your note by tomorrow morning.

Yes, Hon. Owen.

Hon. Speaker, you texted me two days ago and asked whether my Bill had been challenged in Court. My Bill was assented to and lost in Court. I was taken aback a little bit. I explained one or two things, but I want to put something on record. We research on Bills sometimes. I do deep research before I present a Bill in the House. For it to journey from the First Reading through pre-publication, and then be brought and passed here, we do a good job. When it comes to assent, there is sometimes a lot of discomfort from Cabinet Secretaries and their users, who think we infringe on their space. When the Bill is about to be assented to, they rush and advise that it should not be done. They also give proposals that change the law. They should bring them to the Committee of the whole House for consideration. The Cabinet Secretary writes to say that the Bill cannot be assented to, yet he was given an opportunity to appear before the Committee to give input or challenge it.

When the Bill is taken to State House, they change it at that level. The same thing that we wanted to do here is what the Court had said. Do you remember the Bill on the National Land Commission (NLC) ? I had seen a Court judgment stating that you could not limit a constitutional right by time. When I brought the Bill, I considered that judgment. Therefore, I was correcting the law so that we could pass the appropriate one. When it was taken to the President for assent, it was returned. We cannot raise the requisite number to oppose the President's Memorandum. Therefore, we passed it. Then the Court said it was wrong. We are here again.

We need to have a good liaison office between Parliament and the office that handles Bills when they go to State House for assent, so that we can be on the same page. Otherwise, it is embarrassing to have a situation where I present a Bill which had taken care of the issues raised by the Court, and then we are back to the same thing. It speaks volumes about what research is done in the legal office at State House.

I thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Yes, Senior Counsel.

Hon. Speaker, the concerns by Hon. Owen Baya are legitimate. However, I am surprised because I thought that the liaison office he is talking about is his office. From where we sit, the leadership of the Majority Party is our liaison between Parliament and State House. That is our understanding.

What happens constantly is that the Bill is amended and brought in an amended form. Then, we are put in a situation where we can only overrule the observations and reservations by a super majority, which we have never been able to do. The blame, ultimately, is not with State House, but with us. If we are really persuaded by what we passed and we want it to be the law, why should we not muster two-thirds of the Members to overrule those reservations? In my view, two things should happen.

In fact, Hon. Owen, you may recall I raised this matter with the President. It is not his fault either. It is the fault of two offices: your office and the Department of Parliamentary Liaison. The President, in his wisdom, created a Department of Parliamentary Liaison in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, whose duty it is, among other things, to ensure that there is continuity of engagement between Parliament and State Departments. Bills are brought to the House. State Departments in the Ministries, led by the Cabinet Secretaries, are invited to come and present their views. They do not show up. Your office and the Parliamentary Liaison Office do nothing. When we present Bills for assent, the same Cabinet Secretaries turn up and say they were not consulted. The problem lies in your office and the government's Liaison Office in the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office, where there is a Principal Secretary responsible for this.

As the Senior Counsel has said, if you up your game, we will not have these issues. Where the ministries participate actively and fully in the process, we do not have issues. Every time I ask committees what happened, they say they invited them, but they did not show up. We recently said that whenever a committee invites a Cabinet Secretary to appear before it on a legislative proposal, the invitation should be copied to the Parliamentary Liaison Office. The Principal Secretary, Dr Rono, and your office should follow up to ensure that, if these Cabinet Secretaries are invited and do not attend, you summon them. You have so much authority under the Constitution that we should not be crying at all. I saw your Bill being challenged. Once we pass a Bill, we are functus officio. Anybody can go to Court and challenge it. I sent you a message asking if that was your Bill I saw being challenged. The rest is a detail that we will deal with.

Next Order.

Chairperson, Special Funds Accounts Committee, Hon. Mohammed Fatuma Zainab. Is the Chairperson Hon. Zainab or Hon. Mulyungi?

It is Hon. Zainab.

Leader of the Majority Party office, where is she?

We have no official communication on where she is. However, she should have communicated with us. She knows that she needs to communicate with us. Hon. Speaker, I request that we stand down the Motion.

It is stood down. Next Order.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Labour. Hon. Chonga, this is your Committee.

I am the Chair, Hon. Speaker. Yes, I am the Chair.

Hon. Speaker, I beg to remove the following Motion: THAT, this House adopt the joint report of Departmental Committee on Labour and Select Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers on the consideration of Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2023 on The Policy on Labour Migration laid on the Table of this House on Thursday, 9th October 2025 and approves Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2023 on The National Policy on Labour Migration. Hon. Speaker, the main objective of this national policy on labour migration is to promote inclusive and sustainable development of the country through safe, orderly, and productive labour migration. The specific objectives of this policy include;

the main avenues for technology and skill transfer between countries, and a rich, much-needed source of remittances.

Diaspora remittances are currently among Kenya's top foreign exchange earners. Hon. Speaker, despite these benefits, the sector continues to face numerous challenges, including a deficit in labour migration governance and inadequate protection for migrant workers. Furthermore, the reported cases of Kenyan migrant workers in distress have been on the rise, calling for sustainable solutions which can be achieved through a comprehensive policy, legal and institutional framework.

Committee on Labour, Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers, I beg to move this Motion on

Hon. Owen Baya.

Thank you. I take this opportunity to second this Motion moved by the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare Committee, Hon. Ken Chonga.

Labour migration in this country is not really a new phenomenon, but I think this Government has picked it up and made it one of its key pillars in terms of offering employment to Kenyans abroad. This matter has been belaboured by a lot of issues.

One, what happens to our young people when they go abroad and fall sick? We need a policy on that issue. Secondly, what preparations must be made for young people as they go

out to work abroad? What is the role of the agents, as they take away our young people and take them abroad? What is the work of the Cabinet Secretary?

Therefore, having this policy tabled here is important and a stitch in time. This is because the number of Kenyans migrating abroad to seek employment continues to expand. I saw Hon. Mutua championing this in the Ministry. As a Member of Parliament for Kilifi North, I have had several young people die abroad while working there. I actually have one case at hand right now.

Someone gets recruited to go and work abroad in Qatar, Saudi Arabia or other countries, and there is no medical scheme provided for them when they fall sick. So, they have to ask their families for money to pay medical bills. Unfortunately, this person eventually dies. So, what is the agent's role in repatriating the remains? What is the role of the family, because it's normally left to poor families?

Their loved ones remains in a mortuary abroad, and yet the remains must be brought to Kenya. They start moving from one office to another, looking for funds. Somehow, we got in touch with Ms Roseline Njogu, the Permanent Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. She tries to help, but she says there is no framework. Where is the framework to help the family? Who gets the air tickets? How does the body come here? Who does the autopsy?

This area is still very murky and needs to be strengthened and streamlined as we push for labour migration. I want to thank His Excellency, the President, for the work he is doing on labour migration and for his push to encourage more Kenyans to work abroad. But there are certain things that we need to do. The policy being tabled here by Hon. Ken Chonga is a stitch in time, to ensure we do not do it blindly. Let us do it within a policy framework.

Therefore, I want to thank Hon. Ken Chonga and the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers for the consideration of this Sessional Paper. A Sessional Paper is an anchor for good law and good policy. Therefore, I support this and second. I say kudos to Ken and your team for the good job done. You are giving direction to this country for an area that is still very grey. I second.

Member for Funyula.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to the debate on the Sessional Paper No.5 of 2023 on the National Policy on Labour Migration.

It is true that there must be labour mobility both internally and externally. That is a given fact. If you read the book 'The Age of Sustainable Development' by Jeffrey Sachs, he clearly argues, along with other authors, that for some people, labour mobility to a different jurisdiction is probably more fulfilling and rewarding than local labour mobility. Many times, a person's ability and capacity is better achieved in a different environment. That is a fact.

I totally agree with the Chairperson, Hon. Chonga, that Kenya has been exporting labour for many years. The process has accelerated with this new regime. However, there has been no framework at all. Many Members receive many harrowing stories and calls for intervention. Between 2019 and 2021, we buried about five ladies in my constituency who died in Arab countries where they had gone to work. The process of repatriating a body is one of the most heart-rending experiences that one can ever go through. You have to walk to many offices in Nairobi to get help. Eventually, by the time help arrives, the families are so distraught and traumatised to the extent that they wish they had never allowed such a situation to happen.

I am happy that the policy proposes adequate measures before departure to ensure that all the issues that require to be addressed have been addressed. That is a positive step. But we also need to ask a very fundamental question which has raged in academia for many years.

Why does a person migrate to look for a job elsewhere? The person migrates principally because there is not enough economic opportunity for them to realise their potential locally. Some migrate to acquire new skills on top of the ones they already have. Some migrate because they become economic refugees and have to move.

The data in Kenya is clear that many who migrate are low-skilled and unskilled workers, who go abroad to do household chores and other low-cadre jobs. Truth be told, their impact on the local economy is extremely minimal. Have we abandoned our people to the point that they have to take risks to find jobs outside the country?

Listening to Hon. Chonga move the Motion, I was persuaded, to some extent, to agree with The New York Times' report, which clearly stated that Kenya is now exporting more labour than it does coffee, a traditional export commodity. As a country, we should never take pride in exporting semi-skilled labour that adds no value. We should create our own employment and economic opportunities to absorb these young people who seek jobs out there at very high risk to their lives, reputations, and career progression.

Many of us pass through international airports such as the one in Abu Dhabi. You find Kenyans working as Kenyarungu. They are not engaged in skilled labour. They are merely Kenyarungu. They are askaris, reporters, and such kinds of things. Can we take pride in that kind of export? We have let ourselves down as a country. We have let our youth down. Whenever we go out there to campaign, we make very lofty promises, but once we get into office, we say that citizens should wait for the next chain of promises. As much as I support the Motion, the focus should now be on growing the economy, so that we can accommodate our young people.

Member for Buuri.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important Motion. One of the greatest problems we face in this country is the lack of employment, especially for youth. The Government has been trying to create opportunities both locally and internationally. On the local front, we are creating more opportunities through industrial and agricultural development and other sectors to expand our country's employment space. At the same time, skill development is key. We may have a large number of unemployed people, but if they lack the necessary skills required to work, either locally or internationally, it becomes difficult for them to benefit from the opportunities that arise. We also need to create a decent and conducive work environment for our people. Lastly, we must acknowledge that we cannot prevent labour migration. It is an international phenomenon, driven either directly or indirectly, and we cannot avoid it.

The Paper presented by the Committee raises awareness to another level and provides a basis upon which we must continue tidying up our policies to manage our country's labour capacity properly. You will recall that there have been many sessional papers in the past. Sessional Paper No. 6 of 1988 dealt with unemployment; Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1992 focused on development and employment in Kenya; and Sessional Paper No. 6 of 2006 outlined employment strategies. We also have the 2023 National Policy on Labour Migration. We now have another policy proposal before us, which either complements the existing frameworks or reflects the way we want the economy to grow in terms of the labour force.

All in all, it is important for us to move in tandem with our growing economy and the changing world. That is what the Committee is trying to do. Many things have changed because those previous sessional papers are outdated and not applicable today. This new policy paper has captured some of the basic things that we need to address. There are issues of identification of labour potential, qualifications and experience, unemployment, safety, brokers, and the registration of people who go to work at foreign missions. Based on that, it is very important that the Government moves with the current trends. I agree that we need to move fast, which

is the essence of this document. If we cannot manage ourselves, then somebody else will manage us.

I believe that, as the Government is trying to enhance local productivity, which creates opportunities for employment, the external opportunities need to be exploited. Therefore, when our people go out there, they need to feel safe, they need to feel that they are working in a nice environment, that they are being paid properly, and when the time of need comes, particularly during sickness and other things that require attention, all those things are inbuilt into a document that can be considered.

The most important…

You have one more minute to wind up.

The most important thing is when we are entering into a labour agreement with foreign countries. The other countries would like to see the kind of policy that our country has. If we do not have an updated policy as a country, it becomes a disadvantage for us when we negotiate labour benefits in foreign countries.

Thank you.

Let us have Hon. John Paul.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity to support Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2023. It has come at the right time, as the number of young people migrating to seek employment abroad is growing. We have experienced many agencies or agents who recruit or register our young people to work outside there, without a good framework to help them secure reliable jobs. When they want to return home, there has been no policy to assist them. This Sessional Paper will streamline processes for young people leaving this country to work.

Secondly, it will strengthen bilateral talks between countries, enabling our country to negotiate with other countries on employment opportunities, since we have the right policy to guide how job opportunities are offered to our young people or workers going abroad.

Thirdly, it will also protect the workers of this country. In the past, we have seen many people working in the Middle East being mistreated. So, the framework in this Sessional Paper will help curb such experiences that Kenyans working abroad have had.

It will also streamline remittances of money from our citizens working abroad. How they send money to build this Republic will now have a clear framework.

It will also help the Government understand how many Kenyans are working abroad. There will be clarity on how many people have gone to work and how many are coming back. If there is an incident of mistreatment in a certain country, there will be a clear follow-up on who those people are and how they can get help from the Government. Overall, this is one of the laws that will guide our people working out there.

With that, I beg to support.

There being no more interest in this, I call upon the mover to reply.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First of all, let me appreciate all my colleagues who have contributed positively to this Motion. I also want to appreciate the Members of my Committee and the Departmental Committee on Diaspora Affairs for their contribution as well. I do not want to go back to debating a Report that I participated in preparing, but one thing that must be appreciated is that Kenya, as a developing country, faces challenges like any other developing country, with unemployment at the top of the agenda.

I want to appreciate that Kenya is internationally recognised for having hardworking, dedicated youth. This morning, we were at State House when the President was receiving the

report on Jukwaa la Wananchi or something like that.

Jukwaa la Usalama.

Exactly. It is Jukwaa la Usalama. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Among the achievements the President spoke strongly about as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) was the bilateral agreements Kenya has entered into with other countries, through which we now have almost 450,000 youths employed and engaged outside Kenya. They have become among the second-highest foreign exchange earners for this Government. Notwithstanding the benefits of this, we are equally faced with the challenge of some agents who are using unscrupulous means to get our youths outside with the promise of jobs, but when they end up there, some end up in slavery. As we speak, I have a case from my constituency where there is a girl whose contract has ended, but the employer wants her to extend the contract by force, simply because she is being exploited. The employer wants cheap labour and does not want to release the girl. This is where we find the need for this policy, to ensure there are clear guidelines on how our labour is engaged on the other side.

Upon adoption of this policy, we can see a situation in which we introduce a Labour Migration Bill to regulate, streamline, and control all activities related to labour migration.

Thank you. I beg to reply.

Very well, Hon. Members, the putting of the question will be deferred.

Next Order.

We will defer this Motion.

This Motion will be moved to the next appointed time. Next Order.

This Motion will also be deferred to the next appointed time. Next Order.

This will also be deferred to the next appointed time.

The Motion will also be deferred to the next appointed time.

Hon. Members, please be upstanding.

Hon. Members, the time being 6.02