Wednesday, 15th March, 2023

Clerk, do we have the requisite quorum?

Serjeant-at-arms, please, ring the quorum Bell for five minutes.

I am informed that we do have the requisite quorum. Clerk, is that the position?

Alright. Let us proceed with the Orders.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 15th March, 2023.

A

Report of the Auditor General on County Assembly of Machakos for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Kirinyaga County Health Sector Service for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Kirinyaga County Executive Staff Car Loan Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Kirinyaga County Executive Staff Mortgage Scheme Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Kirinyaga County Emergency Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Tetu-Aberdare Water and Sanitation Company Ltd for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Kirinyaga County Education Bursary Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Busia County Agricultural Development Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on Busia County Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on the County Assembly of Bungoma for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on the County Executive of Bungoma for the year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on County Executive of Embu for the Year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on County Assembly of Embu for the Year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on County Executive of Meru for the Year ended 30th June, 2022.

Report of the Auditor General on the Financial Statements of the County Assembly of Meru for the Year ended 30th June, 2022.

I beg to lay.

Hon. Senators, kindly take your seats.

The Senate Minority Leader

(Sen. Madzayo)

: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

A

A

Mine is to encourage you to learn from the proceedings of the Senate. When you go home, greet our people of Taita-Taveta County. Tell them that you have been sent with greetings from their Senator. Please, aspire to be teachers, it is very important.

What is your point of order, Sen. Madzayo?

I need to dispense with the point of order. I need to rule. A point of order has been brought up by the Senate Minority Leader and it is only fair and just that I rule.

AI have enough information from the Senate Minority Leader to rule. If there is something missing, you could have informed him before he sat down. You could have stood on a point of information to inform your Minority Leader. However, having left him to proceed and conclude the point of order, I think it is now upon the Speaker to dispense that point of order.

A

I believe that, procedurally, when a matter of this nature is dispensed with, a ruling is available to both parties and an order is extracted for purposes of being served upon parties. I implore upon the Senate Minority Leader, within the shortest time possible, to make available either the ruling or the court order, so that this Chair relying on those documents, can proceed to make the communication. The Chair will not relay any Communication until those official documents are made available to the Chair.

I so rule.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Bw. Spika, mimi sipingi uamuzi wako. Lakini, taratibu za Bunge la Seneti zinasema kuwa ikiwa kuna Wabunge ambao wamesema, “tafadhali Bw. Spika, niko na Hoja ya nidhamu, kwa kawaida, huwa unawapatia nafasi hawa Maseneta waweze kuweka wazi Hoja zao za nidhamu, ili ukifanya uamuzi wako, unaufanya kwa pamoja, halafu tuendelee. Hata Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale alitaka kuzungumza. Hiyo ndiyo taratibu ya Bunge la Seneti.

Sen. Madzayo, are you teaching the Chair how to preside over this House? Sen. Madzayo, I can rule on any point of order individually. I do not have to rely on other points of order for you to get a ruling on your point of order. The mere fact that I am going to rule on yours does not mean that after I am done with the ruling. I can still give Sen. Sifuna a chance to rise on a point of order. Therefore, the opportunity to stand on points of order is not lost.

Hon. Senators, allow me to just make a very short ruling on the point of order by the Senate Minority Leader. Hon. Senators, we have been in this House on this particular matter a number of times. The last time we agreed that because there was a court order, we abide by the court order until the matter that is before the tribunal is heard and determined; the HANSARD can bear me witness. That was the final ruling of the Chair on this particular matter.

Today, the Senate Minority Leader, standing on a point of order, has indicated that, that particular matter has since been determined. Therefore, the Chair is now free to proceed and make the Communication on the leadership changes in the Minority side.

Hon. Senators, I want to state this: He who alleges, proves. That is straight law. Sen. Sifuna, you are aware of that principle and the retired Judge is also fully aware of that principle in law.

I had hoped that the Senate Minority Leader, while prosecuting his point of order, will table either the ruling or the order, indicating clearly, that the matter has since been dispensed with. You have said that all Kenyans are aware that this matter has been dispensed with, but from where I sit, I am not aware. Where I sit, I do not go by rumours, newspaper cuttings or news on Television (TV) .

The only thing that this Chair can hold as proof that indeed that matter has been dispensed with is when either the order is served upon my office or at least at the very least, Senate Minority Leader, you table the ruling or the order. When that is done, then I will move to make that Communication. In the absence of the order served upon the Office of the Speaker or the Senate Minority Leader tabling a ruling on the effect that this matter has been determined in the manner that the Senate Minority Leader has said, I am afraid the Chair may not be able to act on that point of order and proceed to make a ruling.

Sen. Wambua, what is your point of order?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

What is your point of order, Sen. Sifuna? Bear in mind the Standing Order, where you cannot debate a ruling of the Chair. Therefore, Sen. Sifuna, as you stand to prosecute your point of order, be aware of that Standing Order. Mind you, it is disorderly to argue the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is why the Senate Minority Leader was insisting that you at least listen to the rest of us before you make a decision. I have a lot of respect for you, both as my senior in law and as the Speaker of this House. I feel that it is also my responsibility to extend some protection to your Chair.

The point I rise on is that, in fact, when you are party to a matter, you are presumed to be represented before that Tribunal. I remember very clearly in your presentation when you were served with that order, you in fact said that you had been cited individually, so that there would be consequences that would come to you individually if you ignored that court order.

Therefore, any person with knowledge of how the law works would expect that the Hon. Speaker had representation before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) and whether personally or through legal representation, he was present when the ruling by the PPDT was made yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, that aside, you have said that if we were to table the ruling or the order, you would waste no time in making the communication. As fate would have it, and maybe, because I went to visit the Archbishop this morning and God is smiling on us, I have just received, at this very instant, a certified copy of that ruling on my phone. I came directly to this House from the registry of PPDT.

I have been a practising lawyer before that Tribunal. As the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) , which is the most sued political party or entity before that Tribunal, it is unheard of that a decision is made yesterday and by 2.15 p.m., today, when I was leaving the registry, that decision had not been communicated or served upon your office.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, be that as it may, we make presentations in this House that, in fact, we are champions of the rule of law. We said that we will not attack the Tribunal; we will leave this matter to them and we were the fish in the water that is the Tribunal. We knew what was going to happen.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me table my phone because it has that order. If it is not possible, kindly give me five minutes, so that I prepare and present that decision on the Floor of this House for you to issue your Communication.

Sen. Wambua, what is your point of order?

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I do not know how it feels to the Chair and Membership of this House on both sides when every day, for the last three weeks running, we have to ring the Quorum Bell to get Members to come and debate. This matter has already done what we had said it should never do. It has divided this House sharply and brought so much disrepute to it.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I plead with you as a leader in this country. If we were on the political platform, we would be saying the Hon. Speaker has no dog in this war. This is a matter that purely and squarely has to do with the Minority Side.

I respect the ruling of the Chair because he is shifting the burden of proof to the Minority; that he who alleges must prove. There is no allegation on this issue.

I remember very well, although I could be wrong, that you read your decision on the matter of the leadership of the Minority and cited an order that had been brought to you. I do not remember you tabling that order. You just made reference to an order, and we were okay with it.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The Senate Minority Leader has made reference to a matter that is in the public domain, which, as Sen. Sifuna has said, you were properly seized of because you are party in this ruling.

If this is the direction that this House has decided to take, then some of us have to think very seriously about what we want in this House. I wish you could do the right thing.

As I conclude, and as I said the last time, this side is not asking you to do anything that you should not do. They are just saying ‘communicate the list of our leaders, so that we go into the serious business of this House.’

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I congratulate the Minority Side for following the rule of law. My advice is that they should not leave it midway. When you look at Standing Order No.23 (5) and (6) ,

“ (5) The removal of a Senator from office under paragraph (3) shall not take effect until a Senator is elected in the manner provided for under paragraph

I doubt the way the bishop is behaving today. It looks like that information is coming from somewhere else.

I do not have a problem. The Minority Side can change their leadership any time they so wish. My only concern is on two things. There was a letter that was written to you, which you read before the House.

Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Madzayo, the good Senator does not want to be informed.

No, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Kindly, proceed.

I doubt the way the bishop is behaving today. It looks like that information is coming from somewhere else.

I do not have a problem. The Minority Side can change their leadership any time they so wish. My only concern is on two things. There was a letter that was written to you, which you read before the House.

Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Madzayo, the good Senator does not want to be informed.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the only time I trusted Senior Counsel, Sen. Omogeni, was when he was releasing me from Gigiri Police Station. However, on this one, I am a bit cagey.

When you read the Communication on the Floor of the House, all of us, the Majority and Minority sides were present. You told us that the Senate Minority Leader had tabled a letter indicating that the status quo be maintained. Standing Order No.23 says that it should be in writing and be communicated.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, they can request for a short recess to obtain the court order, so that you have the opportunity to look at the documentation and make a written ruling.

This is a House of records and traditions. We cannot tell you to rule on issues of rumours, what is on social media or what has been said by a person who was in the Tribunal. Can they get a hard copy, so that we get to know? I do not have a problem if the Minority side want to change their leadership. Let us follow the law and the Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, you have a right to protect the Constitution. You are not a conveyor belt. It does not mean that if anybody wants you to rule on something, you just become a conveyor belt. You have an obligation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity.

A

I want to get you correctly. You are doing very well so far. Are you saying that if I make the Communication today, that is the only right thing I will have done for the time I have sat here as a Chair?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it can never be, but this one is pulling us back; it is holding us back. That is why I began by saying that I am speaking as your colleague; do the right thing.

Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, there are serious issues that can--- Mr. Speaker, Sir, so that we make progress - I am not directing the Speaker, you have many options - you can even step down from the Chair, write the Communication, come and read it, and we make progress.

Otherwise, we are going to look so bad out there, as a Senate, and that is not in the best interest of this House. I beseech you---

I want to get you correctly. You are doing very well so far. Are you saying that if I make the Communication today, that is the only right thing I will have done for the time I have sat here as a Chair?

That is my colleague, a lawyer. I welcome his information. Sen. Cherarkey, the next time you are locked up, I will not come to remove you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wanted to inform the House and Sen. Omogeni that the Senate was the subject of an editorial this morning by The Daily Nation Newspaper. Therefore, if you think that some of us think that this matter is trivial, look at the editorial of The Daily Nation Newspaper today.

I thank you.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, because I do not want to leave everything to chance, I have before me the decision of the Tribunal and Complaint No.E003 of 2023; Fatuma Adan Dullo versus Azimio La Umoja Coalition against Stewart Madzayo as interested party; Ledama Olekina as second interested party and the Speaker of the Senate, as a third interested party.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, at Page 18, which deals with the appropriate orders, it says and I wish to read with your permission:

“Having found that the Tribunal lacks jurisdiction, it follows that delving into the question of the second complainant’s representation will be an exercise in futility. That leaves no option but to down our tools and have the complaint struck off.” As we speak, the complaint that was the subject of the injunction that was served upon your office has now been dismissed and vacated. This order is certified as a true copy of the original by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to table before the House a copy of the said ruling.

Sen. Faki.

What is your point of order?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I should conclude then he can contribute.

Proceed, Sen. Cheruiyot.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, like I have always said regarding this matter, I do not have a dog in this fight and I am least interested in the decisions of the Minority Side.

I have told you that I only have one simple request to you; that you protect and safeguard the time of this House. It cannot be that every afternoon we gather here, we spend 30 minutes to an hour arguing over a simple matter. That is my only request.

I like the direction that Sen. Omogeni is taking. What the Senate Minority Leader was inviting you to do earlier was akin to turning this House into a circus.

How can you, as a Speaker, rule on the basis that there is a communication that has been issued somewhere? You have said clearly that you have not heard of it and you have not seen it. The minute they bring it to your attention, you will do the needful.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, since then, Sen. Omogeni has gone ahead and given you the purported orders. I am sure that there is a process through which you will conclude this matter in a fair and simple manner. Otherwise, do you want to tell me that every now and then I can just ambush you?

Sen. Sifuna, you have been doing very well, but you are getting---

He will have his time.

Sen. Sifuna, kindly let Sen. Cheruiyot be heard in silence.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, if it has been presented to you---

Sen. Sifuna, you have been doing very well, but you are getting---

Order, Senators. You interrupt Sen. Cheruiyot and I throw you out. The Chair knows exactly what he is doing. I had made a ruling. Thank God, Sen. Omogeni, in obedience to that ruling, has tabled an order. Let us take it up from there.

Yes.

A

Sen. Omogeni and Sen. Madzayo, you have been in this House long enough. Please quote for me an instance where anybody has come and tabled anything before the Speaker and told them to go ahead and read it as is.

Honestly, even if it is a ruling and he is supposed to make it this afternoon, he needs time for it to be typed before he can make a communication. So, what do you want him to rule about?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, please, safeguard the time of this House. If you made a ruling---

Sen. Cheruiyot, do you want to be informed by Sen. Wambua?

No! Sen. Wambua of the previous Senate would have informed me. However, since he teamed up with Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party, I do not like his thinking anymore.

Proceed and conclude.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, this is my humble request. Please, issue a ruling and let the matter rest.

There is a bad precedent that is being set in this House. I will never encourage it even from Members on my side. The minute you issue a ruling, whether I agree with you or not, you are the final authority of the House.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, once you have given a direction, I will live by it, in the past, now and in the future. I give you my assurance. That is the tradition of the House, which I do not want you to violate. Please, stick by it.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, what is your point of order?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am pleased to note that the Senator for Nyamira has tabled the ruling.

On my point of order, I want to draw your attention to the traditions, practices and customs of this House. When a document is tabled, the Speaker takes time to look at the report while on the Chair. If the document is admissible, the Speaker then informs the House that it is admissible.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, if, indeed, you have looked at it and it is admissible, then it means that we are now aware that a decision has been made. If that is the case, what is the big deal? Go ahead and make your ruling, so that we can proceed with the business of this House.

Proceed and conclude.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, this is my humble request. Please, issue a ruling and let the matter rest.

There is a bad precedent that is being set in this House. I will never encourage it even from Members on my side. The minute you issue a ruling, whether I agree with you or not, you are the final authority of the House.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, once you have given a direction, I will live by it, in the past, now and in the future. I give you my assurance. That is the tradition of the House, which I do not want you to violate. Please, stick by it.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, what is your point of order?

A

I disagree with my senior, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, that you can go ahead and make your ruling. I submit that it is for you to verify the Order given to you by Sen. Omogeni. Take your time; tomorrow is another day.

I submit that you will make a decision as the Chair of the House. Preserve the image of this House by following the procedure and give us a ruling at your own time, when you think you need to do it. This is because you had been stopped before, but now you have the Tribunal’s order.

I submit that we now forward----

Senator, kindly wind up your thoughts.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am finishing, but I want to tell you not to be coerced by any Member to give a ruling today.

A

I disagree with my senior, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, that you can go ahead and make your ruling. I submit that it is for you to verify the Order given to you by Sen. Omogeni. Take your time; tomorrow is another day.

I submit that you will make a decision as the Chair of the House. Preserve the image of this House by following the procedure and give us a ruling at your own time, when you think you need to do it. This is because you had been stopped before, but now you have the Tribunal’s order.

I submit that we now forward----

Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Sifuna and Sen. Olekina, kindly let the Senator be heard in silence.

Proceed, Sen. Chute

Bw. Spika wakati tatizo hili lilitokea, kama Seneta na mzee aliyefanya biashara kwa muda mrefu, niliwatembelea Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi na Kiongozi wa Walio Wachache na kuongea nao. Niliwaeleza kuwa hii nchi inahitaji sisi kama viongozi tufanye kazi. Tulipewa hivi vyeo ili tufanye kazi.

Niliwaeleza kuwa wanafaa waketi na waongee ili tuangalie kama tunaweza kutatua hili tatizo. Bw. Spika nilikuja hadi kwenye ofisi yako kuomba hili jambo litatuliwe.

Nchi hii ina mambo mengi sana ya kutatuliwa hapa. Kama Mheshimiwa ametoka chama chake na kwenda upande mwingine---

Asante sana, Bw. Spika. Wakati Agizo lilikuja kwako lilisimamisha hii Seneti kufanya kazi yake. Leo ningependa kujua, kesho mtu mwingine akileta agizo kama lile la kusema Seneti hii isifanye kazi wala kujadili mambo yoyote, tutafanya vile kweli?

Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Sifuna and Sen. Olekina, kindly let the Senator be heard in silence.

Proceed, Sen. Chute

Bw. Spika wakati tatizo hili lilitokea, kama Seneta na mzee aliyefanya biashara kwa muda mrefu, niliwatembelea Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi na Kiongozi wa Walio Wachache na kuongea nao. Niliwaeleza kuwa hii nchi inahitaji sisi kama viongozi tufanye kazi. Tulipewa hivi vyeo ili tufanye kazi.

Niliwaeleza kuwa wanafaa waketi na waongee ili tuangalie kama tunaweza kutatua hili tatizo. Bw. Spika nilikuja hadi kwenye ofisi yako kuomba hili jambo litatuliwe.

Nchi hii ina mambo mengi sana ya kutatuliwa hapa. Kama Mheshimiwa ametoka chama chake na kwenda upande mwingine---

Sen. Kinyua, the Senator is on a point of Order. Kindly, yield and let him wind up his point of order.

A

Kindly proceed, Sen. Chute

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am one of the so fatigued Senators. We are being pulled in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) business. I am so fatigued. Week in, week out, I come to the House hoping to discuss matters bleeding and free sanitary towels.

Every time I come here, somehow we are drawn into ODM shenanigans.

Sen. Kinyua, the Senator is on a point of Order. Kindly, yield and let him wind up his point of order.

Bw. Spika, sisi ni watu wazima lakini tunabishana kuhusu mambo ambayo hayafai. Ningependa leo - si kesho - ikiwezekana hata saa hii jambo hili litatuliwe.

Wengine wetu wamechoka. Niko na Hoja kuhusu bei ya nguvu za umeme. Wananchi wameshindwa kulipia nguvu za umeme. Baadhi ya Maseneta hawajakuwa wiki mbili sasa. Hatuwezi kuendelea hivi.

Tafadhali Bw. Spika, nakusihi kwa niaba ya wananchi na kukuomba kwa kuwa leo uko na uwezo. Usipendelee upande mmoja kwa kuwa wewe ni mwamuzi na unaweza kuamua haki, na hakuna atakaye kulaumu. Usiyafuate mambo ya kesho; yamalize leo ili tuendelee na kazi yetu.

Shukran.

Proceed, Sen. Orwoba.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I am one of the so fatigued Senators. We are being pulled in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) business. I am so fatigued. Week in, week out, I come to the House hoping to discuss matters bleeding and free sanitary towels.

Every time I come here, somehow we are drawn into ODM shenanigans.

Week in, week out, we are subjected to matters that are party affairs. I know that their electorates are watching. Kenyans do not care who is the Senate

Order, Senators! Sen. Orwoba, this is an honourable House.

Every other time we have come here, two, three, four hours---

On a point of information Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not want to be informed.

Sen. Orwoba, Sen. Crystal Asige wants to inform you.

Every other time we have come here, two, three, four hours---

On a point of information Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not want to be informed.

Sen. Orwoba, for your information, the position of the Senate Majority and Minority Leader and all other House leadership are extremely crucial for the better running of this House. This House cannot run without those positions.

I do not want to be informed.

On a Point of Information Mr. Speaker, Sir!

I do not want to be informed.

I have accepted it. They are crucial, but not to the extent where they are paralyzing the business of the House. They then cease to be crucial.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, while we are discussing who is the Minority Leader and Minority Whip of ODM or Azimio Coalition, consider some of us who have no business with these positions and whoever is sitting there. Today, it could be Sen. M. Kajwang’ sitting there, but has that affected whether I am debating or not? It has not.

These are the same Senators who have been walking out of this House to ensure there is no quorum for two weeks.

On a Point of Information Mr. Speaker, Sir!

Can you wind up?

Let me conclude. The Senate has been captured by mediocracy.

Can you wind up?

Let me conclude. The Senate has been captured by mediocracy.

Sen. Orwoba---

A incredible decisions that Hon. Marende made. Some of the very bad decisions he made, they include that we, in the Opposition, were busy clapping and clamoring on how we were happy that the committees that are supposed to be the Oversight Committees should never be allowed to be with the Opposition.

How we wished that ruling had given us that so that by today you would find all the Oversight Committees held by the Minority side to check and oversight the Majority side. Secondly, without being personal about this and I totally understand, sometimes experience sometimes enables somebody who is this House to even say some things which surprise many.

We are not handling shenanigans in making the argument about why it was necessary or not necessary for this matter to go to the Tribunal. The Tribunal has been incredulous. It has said they have no jurisdiction over this matter. I would like to explain to my leaders in this House--- This matter was so substantive and critical because it meant that somebody out there who is having a matter can come and stop us from debating and discussing that matter in this House had this ruling been accepted. That is so fundamental for the maintenance and sustenance of this Senate.

The second issue I would like to tell my colleagues in this House is that, we may be the people who are going to fight and make noise at each other. However, I would love that we hold our disagreements with decorum, sincerity and respect so that when everything else fails, we can be the people on the last line of defense for our country.

This country is polarized. Our country needs deep thinkers. It needs philosophers to help us maneuver where we are right now. Therefore, I want to reiterate what Sen. Chute has said. It is not trivial. This matter has been rested now. I would like to plead with my colleagues to carry ourselves with dignity, respect each other and listen to each other.

If the National Assembly and the Executive blows up, I would pray that many of you, Members in this House, who are in the Senate you are according to me and nothing changes you are the ‘Upper’ House. Please protect our country in this House. Let us not trivialize our disagreements. Let us be a little bit philosophical. Let us be much deeper in the way we look at the challenges we have for our country.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen.Wafula, you may proceed.

A incredible decisions that Hon. Marende made. Some of the very bad decisions he made, they include that we, in the Opposition, were busy clapping and clamoring on how we were happy that the committees that are supposed to be the Oversight Committees should never be allowed to be with the Opposition.

How we wished that ruling had given us that so that by today you would find all the Oversight Committees held by the Minority side to check and oversight the Majority side. Secondly, without being personal about this and I totally understand, sometimes experience sometimes enables somebody who is this House to even say some things which surprise many.

We are not handling shenanigans in making the argument about why it was necessary or not necessary for this matter to go to the Tribunal. The Tribunal has been incredulous. It has said they have no jurisdiction over this matter. I would like to explain to my leaders in this House--- This matter was so substantive and critical because it meant that somebody out there who is having a matter can come and stop us from debating and discussing that matter in this House had this ruling been accepted. That is so fundamental for the maintenance and sustenance of this Senate.

The second issue I would like to tell my colleagues in this House is that, we may be the people who are going to fight and make noise at each other. However, I would love that we hold our disagreements with decorum, sincerity and respect so that when everything else fails, we can be the people on the last line of defense for our country.

This country is polarized. Our country needs deep thinkers. It needs philosophers to help us maneuver where we are right now. Therefore, I want to reiterate what Sen. Chute has said. It is not trivial. This matter has been rested now. I would like to plead with my colleagues to carry ourselves with dignity, respect each other and listen to each other.

If the National Assembly and the Executive blows up, I would pray that many of you, Members in this House, who are in the Senate you are according to me and nothing changes you are the ‘Upper’ House. Please protect our country in this House. Let us not trivialize our disagreements. Let us be a little bit philosophical. Let us be much deeper in the way we look at the challenges we have for our country.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen.Wafula, you may proceed.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika. Ninapoona wenzangu wa mrengo wa Azimio kwa wiki tatu au nne hivi wakija, wanasujudu na kutoka, wakifuata yale wanaamini ni yao, inanikumbusha falsafa ya fisi.

A

Sen---

There are many points of order, Sen. Faki. We will dispense them according to how they have been queued here.

Sen. Kinyua, proceed to make your contribution.

Bw. Spika, ninasumbuka kwa sababu tayari wewe ulikuwa umefanya uamuzi kwa jambo hili. Karatasi iliyoletwa hapa na ndugu yangu mwana sharia, Sen. Omogeni, hayo ndio mambo anakuambia ufanye uamuzi.

Wewe mwenyewe unajua ni wakati gani utafanya uamuzi, ni mambo gani utaangalia uweze kufanya uamuzi. Hakuna mtu yeyote katika Bunge hili anaweza kukushurutisha, kukuamrisha ama kukuambia chochote kwa sababu wewe ndio mwenye uwezo na ujuzi wa kufanya hiyo kazi. Na kwa sababu ulikuwa umefanya uamuzi, na umeletewa barua ambayo wewe haujui imetoka wapi. Imesemekana imeletwa siku ya leo.

Bw. Spika, wewe unapaswa kufanya uamuzi bila kuamrishwa na mtu yoyote. Lakini mimi nimekaa hapa, ninaona kama vile unavyoongoza Bunge hili, kidogo niko na tashwishi. Hii ni kwa sababu watu wanapoongea, nimemwona Seneta wa Nairobi, Sen. Sifuna, akifanya vile ambavyo inakubalika kisheria. Nimeona leo pia Seneta wa Narok na Sen. Wambua wamekuwa watulivu.

Ukitembea katika Bunge zingine za duniani kama ni Afrika Kusini, Australia na Uingereza, haya si mambo ya kuongea bungeni.

Bw. Spika, watu wakubaliwe waongee katika Bunge. Lakini, nina uoga kidogo wakati mtu akiongea kidogo, unamwambia utamfukuza.

Order, Senators! Sen. Faki is on a point of order. Therefore, you cannot again rise on a point of order.

Proceed, Sen. Faki.

Bw. Spika, asante kwa kunipa fursa hii. Kuna msemo wa Kiswahili unaosema, ‘Nyani haoni umbile.’ Yaani, nyani haoni umbo lake. Ningetumia lugha nyingine lakini sio ya kistaarabu.

Order, Senators! Sen. Faki is on a point of order. Therefore, you cannot again rise on a point of order.

Bw. Spika, tumesikia kauli zilizotolewa na Maseneta kadha wa kadha, akiwemo, Sen. Orwoba, ambaye anatoka hivi sasa.

Itakumbukwa kwamba wiki tatu zilizopita, Sen. Orwoba, alikuwa hapa Bungeni akiwa ameingia katika hada zake. Sisi kama Maseneta tulimheshimu na tukamvumilia katika ile hali aliyokuwa nayo. Leo ni masikitiko kwamba, Sen. Orwoba anaweza kusimama katika Bunge hili na kukemea haki ya Maseneta wa upinzani, wakidai haki zao.

Bw. Spika, mambo mengi yamezungumzwa. Nimeskia pia Kiongozi wa Walio Wengi akisema kwamba, tunaharibu wakati wa Bunge. Lakini, haki ni haki. Haiwezekani kwamba haki zetu sisi zikataliwe katika Bunge tuliochaguliwa kuwakilisha watu wetu. Ikiwa sisi kama Seneta, haki zetu zinakataliwa, je, itakuwa vipi kwa wale ambao tunaowaakilisha?

Bw. Spika, ruling imeletwa mbele yako. Sasa, ninataka kukukabidhi order iliyotolewa kuambatana na ruling ya korti. Tafadhali niruhusu.

Sen. Faki, kindly, wind up your thoughts on the point of order.

Bw. Spika, ndio namalizia. Kuna tofauti kati ya ruling ambayo ni hukumu tribunal imetoa na amri ambayo imetolewa kuambatana na hiyo hukumu.

Bw. Spika, tumeweza kukukabidhi stakabadhi zote ambazo ni muhimu kuhusiana na swala hili. Tumetoa hukumu iliyosomwa jana na amri iliyoambatana na hukumu hiyo. Kwa hivyo, iliyobakia ni wewe utoe uamuzi wako.

Kuna ndugu zetu wengine, kama Sen. Chute kutoka Mandera, ambao wamekuja hapa kufanya kazi. Kwa hivyo---

Bw. Spika, ninamaliza. Tunaomba tuweza kumaliza swala hili haraka, ili tuweze kurejelea shughuli zetu za kawaida kama Bunge la Seneti la Jamhuri ya Kenya.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika.

Proceed, Sen. Joe Nyutu.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity, to add my voice to this current debate.

I have sat and listened to my colleague Senators. Sen. Chute and Sen. Orwoba have expressed their frustrations that for about four weeks, we have not been able to conduct the businesses of this House in the way that we should because of this matter of leadership on the Minority side. These are very valid concerns.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have listened to you deliver your ruling. I did not hear you say that you are not going to rule in favour of the Minority side. The bone of contention is that you have not received Communication from the tribunal in a way and form that you should.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I stand to urge our colleagues on the other side to exercise some patience. It is just a matter of time. If the documents they have tabled are authentic, you will also receive the documents from the same offices.

In the interest of Kenyans, whom we are here to serve, I beseech our colleagues to give you a day or two, so that in the meantime, we may continue dispensing the business of this House. Sometimes, some matters call for a middle ground. It should not be like we want to see which side wins against the other.

I rest my case. Again, I request our colleagues on the other side to exercise some patience and give you a day or two. In the meantime, we can continue with the business of this House. I submit.

Hon. Senators, can I have your attention? I have given a lot of room for quite a number of Senators to prosecute their points of order.

Bw. Spika, ninamaliza. Tunaomba tuweza kumaliza swala hili haraka, ili tuweze kurejelea shughuli zetu za kawaida kama Bunge la Seneti la Jamhuri ya Kenya.

Asante sana, Bw. Spika.

Next Order.

Hon. Senators, can I have your attention? I have given a lot of room for quite a number of Senators to prosecute their points of order.

A However, it seems there is nothing new we expect, even if I am to allow all of you to communicate. It all surrounds one thing.

When the Senate Minority Leader stood on a point of order, I made a ruling to the effect that the only way we can be persuaded by the submission of the Senate Minority Leader is when a ruling or an order is tabled. I made that ruling.

Pursuant to that ruling, two Senators rose on point of orders. One tabled the ruling while the other tabled the order, in compliance with the ruling of the Chair. That is commendable.

Hon. Senators, this matter must be laid to rest. I will, therefore, seek your indulgence for not more than half-an-hour. I will allow a Member of the Speaker’s Panel to take this Chair, as I retire to my office to do my Communication and then come back to the Floor of the House, resume the Chair and deliver my Communication.

Sen. Abdul Haji, please come.

Next Order.

A

A Department before being appointed the Director of Licensing and Compliance at the newly formed CAK in the year 2000.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in 2012, Mr. Francis Wangusi was appointed the Director-General of CAK, a position he held until his retirement in 2019. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in transforming, not just the IT sector but the telecommunications sector, overseeing the liberalization of the sector and the introduction of competition, which gave birth to Safaricom, Airtel and others which also led to increased investments, innovations like Mpesa and others, as well as expansion of telecommunications in this country.

Mr. Francis Wangusi was a visionary leader who believed that access to information and communication technology was essential for socio-economic development. He worked tirelessly to ensure that Kenya's telecommunications sector was at the forefront of innovation and development, and his efforts did not go unnoticed. Under his leadership, the country made significant strides in expanding access to affordable, reliable and meaningful communication services which had a positive impact on the lives of millions of Kenyans and Africans.

Mr. Wangusi was a strong advocate for the development of information and communication technology infrastructure as the former Director-General of CAK. Mr. Wangusi played a vital role in the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting, making Kenya one of the first African countries to embrace this new frontier, opening up the broadcasting industry in profound ways. He was also instrumental in the rollout of the 4G mobile technology in Kenya which revolutionized how Kenyans access and use the internet.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Francis was a man of great character. He was a kind, humble and generous person who touched the lives of everyone he met. He was a mentor to many and a friend to all. His infectious smile, positive attitude, and unwavering dedication to his work and community inspired many. He was a man of integrity who lived his life with honesty, humility and dedication and inspired others to do the same.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as we mourn the loss of Francis Wangusi, let us also celebrate the many ways in which he touched our lives. He was a true champion for the people of Kenya and a beacon of hope for Africa in matters telecommunication. His legacy will live on through the countless individuals whose lives he touched and the impact he made on the telecommunications industry in Kenya and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I wind up, may Francis Wangusi rest in peace. He will be deeply missed but he will never be forgotten because of his contribution to the ICT and telecommunications sector.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I made this Statement because this is a man I have known for long as a practitioner in the ICT sector. I had to make this Statement because many people outside there who are in this industry have given tribute to this great leader who happens to come from Bungoma where my colleague, Sen. Wafula, comes from.

I thank you.

Sen. Olekina.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I stand here today a very sad man. I have been caught by shock because I did not know that my good friend, Francis Wangusi, had passed on. This is a man whom I had tremendous respect for because of his agility and dedication to servicing this country.

I will remember Mr. Wangusi as a man who stood firm and fought every attempt by the Government to try and take over the CAK. The fights that he fought including challenging telecommunication companies like Safaricom and when we were introducing digital broadcasts with the media houses will never be forgotten.

As tears fill my eyes because of this sad moment, I just want us to remind us here that any time we serve here, we have to ask ourselves what will become of us the moment we leave this prestigious position that we serve.

I remember an appeal which was made by the family of the late Director-General of CAK, Mr. Wangusi, when his blood levels had gone down as he fought cancer while he was admitted at The Nairobi Hospital. He was one of the most renowned scientists in this country. However, after he served this country, he disappeared into oblivion and we forgot him.

This is the time we must remember him as we pay tribute and thank him for the service that he gave to this country.

I want to thank the distinguished Senator for Vihiga, who is also the Chair of County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, Sen. Osotsi, for bringing this Statement. Sometimes we think we know everything because we read a lot but I do not know how this one escaped me.

I want to tell the family that I will be mourning with them because that man personally touched my life. I will remember him for the good work and his contribution in the telecommunication industry in this country.

There were a few controversies during his tenure but I think they teach us a lot. There was a time when people were up in arms about gadgets which are out there to monitor communication between different people.

If there is one thing that I will remember the most about the late Wangusi, it is the fact that he went there to serve Kenyans. He did not care about the decision that the Board made even after he was sent on compulsory leave for four months. He went back and said he would not retire or go home until a substantive replacement was made to take over the organisation. That is the kind of agility and dedication to service that all of us must always practise.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the people of the great county of Narok and on my own behalf, I send my sincere condolences and prayers to the family of the late Wangusi. I hope that the good Lord will receive his spirit and also reward him for the time he served this country.

I thank you.

Proceed, Sen. Wafula.

A

A

Wangusi anatoka Eneo Bunge la Sirisia. Ana makazi Eneo Bunge la Kimilili na vile vile Eneo Bunge la Kanduyi. Ukienda kule mashinani, wengi walikuwa wanamjua kama Mzee Wangusi kwa sababu alikuwa mpole na mcheshi. Hakuwa mtu wa kujigamba ama kutembea na maafisa wa polisi ili kuwatisha wananchi.

Kila mara mwaka ulipoanza na katika hafla za kitaifa, alikuwa anawaalika watu katika makazi yake ili kula na kunywa nao. Watu wetu husema kwamba mkikaa ama kunywa na mtu, si kwamba huna kile anachokupa, lakini mnafurahia gumzo ama mazungumzo nyumbani kwake.

Sisi kama wakazi wa Kaunti ya Bungoma tumepoteza mchapakazi. Nitamlinganisha na aliyekuwa Mwenyekiti wa Tume Huru ya Mipaka na Uchaguzi, yani Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Bw. Chebukati kwa sababu si rahisi ujue watu wapole wanafikiria nini. Alikuwa ni mtu ambaye ungedhani ungeweza kumtisha kumbe anakuangalia na kukucheka kwa sababu hujamjua.

Sen. Osotsi amesema kwamba wakati huo kulikuwa na mibabe ama mafidhuli. Kulikuwa na kundi la wanabiashara ambalo lilikuwa limejipanga kuteka nyara nchi hii kupitia teknolojia lakini Bw. Wangusi alisimama kidete. Aliwapa Wakenya nafasi ya kujiandaa kwa mfumo mpya wa mawasiliano.

Vyombo vya mawasiliano vimeenea nchini humu kwa sababu wa uongozi wa Bw. Wangusi. Vile vile, kulikuwa na siasa kati ya kampuni za Safaricom, Airtel na Telkom. Bw. Wangusi alisimama kidete na kusema kuwa kila kiwanda na mwanabiashara lazima atii sheria na kuafiki malengo ya Serikali. Hadi wa leo, vita hivyo vimetulia na kila mtu anatafuta shilingi yake kwa haki.

Sisi kama watu wa Bungoma tumempoteza kiongozi shupavu. Langu ni kurai Serikali kwamba iwapo wafanyakazi wamefanyia kazi kwa muda mrefu na wana tajriba ya juu, si vyema kuwatelekeza na kuwarudisha mashinani ilhali weledi wao, historia yao na kumbukumbu za kazi zinahitajika kwa vizazi vijavyo.

Kwa familia ambayo naijua binafsi, kwa niaba ya viongozi wa Kaunti ya Bungoma na wananchi wa Kaunti ya Bungoma, tunasema pole. Mungu hupeana na Mungu hutoa. Mimi naamini tutakutana kule Paradiso ambao ni mji wa asali na maziwa. Tutakumbuka umbali tumetoka.

Ee Mungu, anapoenda Wangusi, tupe muda zaidi tuishi Kenya hii tunyoroshe mambo ili tutakapokutana na Wangusi tutasema it has been a good journey. Mungu atuneemeshe na tufikie hatima ya mapenzi yake.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, kwa hayo mengi, nashukuru kwa nafasi hii.

Hon. Senators, I would like to acknowledge the presence, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, of a visiting delegation from Miathene Boys High School in Tigania West Constituency, Meru County. The delegation comprises six teachers and 117 students who are in the Senate for a one-day study visit.

Hon. Senators, in our usual tradition of receiving and welcoming visitors to Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to them, and on behalf of the Senate and on my own behalf, wish them a fruitful visit.

I thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was going to---

Okay, let us allow Sen. Tabitha Mutinda to make a welcoming remark.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Meru County. Meru is also my home because that is where I am married. I am happy to see the good students that are here. Feel welcome.

This Senate is the “Upper House” and we are the Senators. Your elected Senator is Sen. Murungi Kathuri. He is the Deputy Speaker of the Senate. We also have Members of Parliament (MPs) who sit on the other side. Like I said yesterday to the students from Nairobi, because I am nominated under Nairobi, I come from Ukambani and I am the face of Kenya.

I like telling students about this. We have two books that guide us. We have the Standing Orders which are the in-house rules, the same way in school you have rules and regulations on, for example, the type of uniform that you are supposed to wear.

We also have the Constitution. In Kiswahili, it is called Katiba. That is what governs us and that is where the rules and the laws are. We also have the Head of the House who is the Speaker, the same way you have the headteacher who is your boss in that institution.

Mine is to tell you to keep working hard and pull up your socks. You can also be in this House at any one time in future. Listen to your teachers and parents and do your best to shine. God bless you.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Most welcome. Proceed, Sen. Kisang.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was going to---

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to extend a warm welcome to the students from Meru on behalf of the Senator of Meru, hon. Sen. Kathuri. We were together in the National Assembly for ten years and he is our Deputy Speaker.

Welcome and enjoy your stay here in Parliament. As you study, it is also important to tell you that to reach this level, what is important is discipline. So, get disciplined, work hard in your studies and you might find yourselves here in the future.

Secondly, I take this opportunity on my own behalf and on behalf of the Elgeyo- Marakwet County and the people of Kenya to send my condolences to the family of Mr. Francis Wangusi, who was the Director General of the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) for nine years.

I knew Mr. Wangusi as a close friend. We worked together for 10 years when I was in the National Assembly as a Member of the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and also as its Chairperson from 2017 to 2021 before we were fired.

Mr. Wangusi was a very smart scientist. He was employed as a trainee in the former Kenya Posta and Telecommunications Commission and rose through the ranks up to the Director General level. He saw the sector moving from 1G, 2G, 3G up to the current level where we are now of about 5G.

Mr. Wangusi was quiet, humble and not corrupt. By the time, he retired at the age of 60 years, he was still living in a Cooperation House. In fact, I saw there was an issue where the Communication Authority of Kenya almost forced him out of the house but thank God, he went to court and then he stayed in the house close to six months before he moved to his own house in Mbugani Road on Karen.

Mr. Wangusi did a lot for this country. It is unfortunate sometimes those who work hard are not corrupt are not rewarded in the society.

The current ruling Party, the Kenya Kwanza, I know is a very good Government. They reward the loyal and hardworking citizens. They will take care of Mr. Wangusi’s children and reward them. If possible, they can pick one of his children who has

Sorry, Sen. Kisang. What is your point of order, Senator for Homa Bay?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have observed that certain traditions of the House are being violated. It is our tradition to welcome visitors and the visitors sit in the Gallery as directed by the Speaker. However, when Members are contributing and welcoming visitors, we tend to speak directly to them.

The tradition of Parliament is that we address the Chair and any advice should be through the Chair. If we want to provide advice directly to the visitors, we can always retreat with them to the restaurant or outside. That is the correct tradition of Parliament.

If we do not discuss it, then it shall become common practice. It happens in all other parliaments that we go to, that you do not speak directly to persons sitting at the gallery. I thought that was important to sanitize proceedings of this House.

Thank you very much, Sen. M. Kajwang’. I guess all Senators stand guided.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I want to extend a warm welcome to the students from Meru on behalf of the Senator of Meru, hon. Sen. Kathuri. We were together in the National Assembly for ten years and he is our Deputy Speaker.

Welcome and enjoy your stay here in Parliament. As you study, it is also important to tell you that to reach this level, what is important is discipline. So, get disciplined, work hard in your studies and you might find yourselves here in the future.

Secondly, I take this opportunity on my own behalf and on behalf of the Elgeyo- Marakwet County and the people of Kenya to send my condolences to the family of Mr. Francis Wangusi, who was the Director General of the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) for nine years.

I knew Mr. Wangusi as a close friend. We worked together for 10 years when I was in the National Assembly as a Member of the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and also as its Chairperson from 2017 to 2021 before we were fired.

Mr. Wangusi was a very smart scientist. He was employed as a trainee in the former Kenya Posta and Telecommunications Commission and rose through the ranks up to the Director General level. He saw the sector moving from 1G, 2G, 3G up to the current level where we are now of about 5G.

Mr. Wangusi was quiet, humble and not corrupt. By the time, he retired at the age of 60 years, he was still living in a Cooperation House. In fact, I saw there was an issue where the Communication Authority of Kenya almost forced him out of the house but thank God, he went to court and then he stayed in the house close to six months before he moved to his own house in Mbugani Road on Karen.

Mr. Wangusi did a lot for this country. It is unfortunate sometimes those who work hard are not corrupt are not rewarded in the society.

The current ruling Party, the Kenya Kwanza, I know is a very good Government. They reward the loyal and hardworking citizens. They will take care of Mr. Wangusi’s children and reward them. If possible, they can pick one of his children who has

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am looking at the Order Paper for today and on Order No.7. it says -

“Statements as listed in the appendix” but there is no appendix to the Order Paper that lists the Statements, at least the ones that I am looking at electronically.

That is important so that it allows Members to anticipate the business that will be before the House and where you have an interest, you can prepare yourself to contribute.

Will it be in order for the House to be guided on where that appendix is? If it is not there, then perhaps, we should not proceed with the Statements.

Sen. M. Kajwang’ the appendix is on page 143 of the Order Paper, Number 3 - Statements.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the electronic Order Paper that I am looking before me ends at page 144 and I think that is why I raised that concern.

If we do not address such small things, it is possible one day that a Speaker sitting on that Chair will not be as civilised and disciplined as you are. It will be very possible that business that has not been processed by the House Business Committee can be sneaked before the House.

So, may be the Clerks can amend that so that we can get up to page 146 in the electronic version of the Order Paper.

Thank you. What is your point of order, Sen. Mandago?

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is about the conduct of hon. Sen. Nyamu who approaches the seat of the Chair without bowing. It is becoming increasingly dangerous that the traditions of the House are being violated and this has an impact on the image of the Senate. It is imperative that all Senators stick to the Standing Orders and to the rules of the House.

Sen. M. Kajwang’ the appendix is on page 143 of the Order Paper, Number 3 - Statements.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the electronic Order Paper that I am looking before me ends at page 144 and I think that is why I raised that concern.

If we do not address such small things, it is possible one day that a Speaker sitting on that Chair will not be as civilised and disciplined as you are. It will be very possible that business that has not been processed by the House Business Committee can be sneaked before the House.

So, may be the Clerks can amend that so that we can get up to page 146 in the electronic version of the Order Paper.

Thank you. What is your point of order, Sen. Mandago?

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to give a Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (a) that provides: -

“that a Chairperson of a committee may make a Statement relating to legislative business before the Committee. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to the above Standing Order, I wish to issue a Statement which is - a status report on the consideration of a Public Petition regarding public transport in Lake Victoria between Mfangano Island in Suba Central Subcounty and Mbita.

The Petition was presented before the Senate on 18th October, 2022 by the Sen.

Thank you, Senator, for bringing that to my attention.

We will move to the next Statement by the Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to give a Statement pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (a) that provides: -

“that a Chairperson of a committee may make a Statement relating to legislative business before the Committee. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to the above Standing Order, I wish to issue a Statement which is - a status report on the consideration of a Public Petition regarding public transport in Lake Victoria between Mfangano Island in Suba Central Subcounty and Mbita.

The Petition was presented before the Senate on 18th October, 2022 by the Sen.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am on a point of order. I believe that, ultimately, we are pursuing justice for the residents of the islands. Even though the 60-day period has elapsed, last week we had a Liaison Committee meeting where we reflected as Chairpersons on the inadequacy of the 60 days provided by the Standing Orders. We agreed that it was important that going forward, we provide adequate time for consideration of these petitions.

I conclude by asking the distinguished Senator for Kiambu County to visit Homa Bay County when the political climate is not foul or poisoned. I would like my distinguished Committee Members to come to my county and appreciate the beauty, potential and sit down with its people in a candid conversation, that is aimed at addressing some of the social and economic injustices that they face.

Probably, when we go back to the Committee, we shall discuss because the postponement is not indefinite. I believe that we can find an appropriate day so that we can serve justice to the people of Mfangano. I have reached out to the petitioners and they are in agreement with me as their Senator, that this Friday and Saturday is not the best day for the Senate to visit.

There is no malice, intention to defeat or derail the activities of the Committee. Had we spent a few minutes before coming to the Floor, we would not have given the impression that the Senator for Homa Bay County is out to derail the activities of the Committee.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

A

I take exception that this matter has found its way on the Floor of the House, without the Committee having deliberated upon it. I believe---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am on a point of order. I believe that, ultimately, we are pursuing justice for the residents of the islands. Even though the 60-day period has elapsed, last week we had a Liaison Committee meeting where we reflected as Chairpersons on the inadequacy of the 60 days provided by the Standing Orders. We agreed that it was important that going forward, we provide adequate time for consideration of these petitions.

I conclude by asking the distinguished Senator for Kiambu County to visit Homa Bay County when the political climate is not foul or poisoned. I would like my distinguished Committee Members to come to my county and appreciate the beauty, potential and sit down with its people in a candid conversation, that is aimed at addressing some of the social and economic injustices that they face.

Probably, when we go back to the Committee, we shall discuss because the postponement is not indefinite. I believe that we can find an appropriate day so that we can serve justice to the people of Mfangano. I have reached out to the petitioners and they are in agreement with me as their Senator, that this Friday and Saturday is not the best day for the Senate to visit.

There is no malice, intention to defeat or derail the activities of the Committee. Had we spent a few minutes before coming to the Floor, we would not have given the impression that the Senator for Homa Bay County is out to derail the activities of the Committee.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Before I take any points of order, Sen. Maanzo, please, undo your intervention button because it seems to be perpetually hanging on the screen.

No, it has been there for long. First, undo it. Sen. Wamatinga, kindly do the same. This is a new request.

I will take a point of order from Sen. Olekina.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Petitions is a way for Kenyans to get some form of justice. This House pronounces itself through Motions and Bills; or in Committees where interrogate matters brought before us as per the Constitution.

I have listened to both Chairpersons of the Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing as well as the Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. M. Kajwang. He brought the Petition on behalf of the petitioners.

With your guidance, I beseech the Committee; some of these issues are defined by our Standing Orders, setting a limited time of 60 days. Last week, this House passed a Motion that had been time barred because for various reasons. The reasons that have been given are valid.

On a point of order Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, what is your point of order?

Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, what is your point of order?

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I was not intending to rise on a point of order. However, when Sen. M. Kajwang was giving his submissions or the response to the Statement raised by the Chairperson, I indicated that I wanted to inform him that the Standing Orders, laws and communications guide this House.

When you gave this Committee the go ahead to deliberate on that Petition, we had limited time to look at it. The Senator has requested more than twice to postpone this matter. The Committee was ready. The Chairperson did the right thing to communicate to the House through Standing Order No. 56 which is the Statement that was deliberated by the Committee today.

The Senator was unable to attend the meeting. In the agenda list of our deliberation as a Committee today this morning, this matter was discussed extensively and a decision was reached that the Chairperson communicates this decision by the Committee so that the Chairperson can give guidance because time is of the essence when we consider Petitions to the Committee.

I thank you.

On a point of order Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is very unfortunate that in the Senate Business Committee (SBC) , we have been urging that Statements that have overstayed in Committees should be brought to the House. We never knew the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing was going through this kind of frustration.

I congratulate the Chairperson of the Committee for being candid and disclosing, risking the possibility that he would be cited for attempting to discuss a Senator without a Substantive Motion.

It is now clear that some---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is now clear that some leaders in this country in the hope that they will walk the journey of adventure, will zone off this country so that when you are going to certain parts of this country, you have this feeling that I am away from Kenya or away from home.

The Senator for Homa Bay is not a security officer. If there were security challenges in that area, the security organs would have alerted Parliament and discouraged it from sending the Committee to that place. I say this in all honesty. I was personally in Homa Bay to mourn with my younger brother when my former colleague Sen. Otieno Kajwang died. My brother will know that when he brought this Statement, I rode on it because I know the importance of that Petition.

I am risking pointing a finger at my colleague knowing that even as late as today, the Deputy Governor of Kisumu County Hon. Mathew Owili has assembled youth who have stormed a function chaired by---

I am on a point of order. You will speak. I am not discussing you. I am not discussing Owili. I am stating a fact. Take it easy. This pride of yours will take you nowhere. Kenya is too big.

Continue Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Deputy Governor pushed youths to attack the function that was presided by the Head of the Communication Authority (CA) to mark the World Bank Food Awareness Day. The Deputy Governor was heard saying: ‘We are preparing for Monday.’ They want to give the impression that that part of Kenya is not governable. It is a lie and to suffer the consequences of this misadventure, this Petition should be dismissed. We want to spend time carrying out serious business.

A

I appeal to leaders from that region to give the people of that region an opportunity to enjoy Government services. Muwache hii mchezo yenu. Kwendeni kabisa. Now you can speak.

A

Sen. M. Kajwang, I see that you have made a request to make a point of order. I will give you an opportunity so that you can reply to him. Let us allow Sen. Kinyua to finish so that I can give other Senators opportunity to also make their points.

Sen. Kinyua, you may proceed.

Bw. Naibu Spika wa Muda, ukisoma kitabu--- Ni vizuri ijulikane ya kwamba viongozi ama mashujaa huchipuka wakati kuna janga na wakati huu kuna janga. Mimi ni mmoja wa Kamati hii ya Barabara, Uchukuzi na Makazi. Tulipata ujumbe kutoka kwa Seneta wa Homa Bay akisema ya kwamba ombi lililokuwa limeombwa na sisi tulikuwa tumejitayarisha kuendelea na haya maneno kwa sababu ya muda uliowekwa.

Japo, Sen. M. Kajwang akatuambia kunaweza kuwa na mvutano na vurugu. Ni vizuri kwa sababu hakutaka tujipate katika hali ya sinto fahamu wakati tukifika huko. Lakini tumekuwa tukisema kila wakati tutatembea pale, kunakuwa na sababu ambayo inatuzuia kufanya kazi yetu.

Hata ijapokuwa anasema kutakuwa na maandamano, na ninataka kukubaliana na Kiranja wa Walio Wengi ya kwamba Seneta rafiki yangu Sen. M. Kajwang sio afisa wa usalama. Yeye hafanyi katika idara ile. Kwa hivyo, ijulikane wazi hakuna Seneta yeyote hawezi kuzuiwa kufanya kazi yake ya uangalizi na mtu yoyote. Nakumbuka Bunge lililopita aliyekuwa Waziri wa Usalama Mheshimiwa Matiang’i alisema hatutakwenda Laikipia kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa usalama. Lakini tukasema, liwalo na liwe. Nataka kumpongeza Sen. Wetangula. Alisema ya kwamba Seneta hawezi kuzuiwa kufanya kazi yake hata kwenda kuangalia zile sehemu ambazo zina shida ni kazi yake.

Sen. M. Kajwang’, nilitaka twende Mbita, Mfangano, tuone kama maandamano yamefanywa kama vile ulivyotaka. Hiyo ni kazi yetu. Tunataka kwenda kufanya kazi yetu. Hatuwezi kuzuiliwa.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ningependa kupongeza Mwenyekiti kwa sababu kama hatungefanya kazi yetu na muda unaendelea kuyoyoma, tungekemewa na kukejeliwa kama Kamati, ya kwamba hatufanyi kazi yetu.

Mwenyekiti alikuja kusema kwamba muda uliotupa wa siku sitini unayoyoma. Hatuwezi kaa kitako halafu tukuje kusomewa ndani ya Seneti. Seneta alisema kwa mtandao wa Kamati yetu kwamba kutakuwa na vurugu na mvurutano. Kwa hivyo, Mwenyekiti alifanya inavyopaswa. Tumekuwa tukisema hayo.

Ninakumbuka Sen. M. Kajwang’ alinipongeza nilipokuwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Ugatuzi, kwa sababu kila wakati nilikuwa nikileta Ripoti ya vile Kamati inavyoendelea.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ninakumbuka tulipokuwa tukiwasiliana katika ile Kamati, Sen. M. Kajwang’ hakuwepo.

Kulingana na vile amesema kwamba, hakujulishwa na Kamati, ninachukua jukumu kama Mwanachama, kumuomba msamaha. Kuomba msamaha haionyeshi unyonge, inaonyesha uongozi. Ni vizuri wakati mwingine sisi kama viongozi kukubali makosa ambayo tumefanya na tuombe msamaha, ndiyo tuweze kuendelea.

Hon. Senators. Order Senators.

Order Hon. Senators. Order Hon. Senators. Order Hon. Senators.

Sen. Kinyua, please conclude.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, nikinge kutokana na huyu kiongozi kwa sababu sijamaliza.

Sen. Kinyua, please conclude.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, nikinge kutokana na huyu kiongozi kwa sababu sijamaliza.

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you will speak. Can he conclude? He is on a point of order and you also want to rise on a point of order. Let him conclude.

Is it a point of information?

Please conclude, Sen. Kinyua.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ninaweza kuongea kuhusu Senata aliyepo katika Nyumba hii kwa sababu yuko na fursa ya kujitetea. Sikuongea kwa ubaya.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, niko kwa hoja ya nidhamu.

Sen. Kinyua, ninakuomba umalize.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, hana uzoefu. Haongei kwa sababu anajua, anafahamu au anazimenya sheria. Debe tupu haliwachi kutiririka, ndiposa sasa unasikia linaendelea kutiririka. Ni vizuri tuseme ukweli.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, Sen. M. Kajwang’ ambaye tunamwongelea amenyamaza na kutulia kwa sababu ananielewa.

Nikiwa kama Mwanakamati, ninamuomba msamaha kwa sababu hakujulishwa. An. hon. Senator: On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, niko kwa hoja ya nidhamu.

Sen. Kinyua, ninakuomba umalize.

Senators, I follow seniority and allow Sen. Madzayo to make his point of order.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Bw. Spika wa Muda, jambo la kwanza, mimi pia ni Member wa hiyo Kamati. Habari hiyo ilipoletwa, mtu wa kwanza kupinga na kusema kwamba hatuwezi kuruhusu kuongelea mwenzetu ambaye ni Seneta ndani ya Kamati, ikiwa tupo na wafanyikazi na watu wengine kutoka sehemu za Kenya.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ni jambo la kusikitisha sana. Seneta wenzangu, Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi na Sen. Kinyua walikuwa hapo.

Bw. Spika, Mwenyekiti wa Kamati amefanya vilivyo, kwa kuleta Ripoti hii, ili iweze kujulikana wazi sababu ya Kamati kutoweza kuenda Mfangano. Hiyo ndiyo sababu. Tumeomba msamaha kwa Seneta.

Asante Seneta. Sen. Oketch Gicheru, please sit down. Senators, please allow me to jump the queue and call Sen. M. Kajwang’, to make his point of order because he has been mentioned several times.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, how I wish that the debate on this matter could be truncated and terminated. This is the wrong use of the Standing Orders. I have reservations even though Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltembesi has informed me that there was a meeting in the morning of which I apologized because I did not attend.

When a Chair comes to this House and makes a Statement that mentions adversely a fellow Senator, the courtesy is to alert the Senator he or she will read a Statement, which the Senator has been mentioned and its contents. He does not have to do it but that is the courtesy that has guided this House for the last 10 years.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, my request to the Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Transportation is that, we needed one of two answers, yes or no.

If the Chairman feels that I am not well trained on matters of security and intelligence, then, he had the option of taking the Committee to Homa Bay. However, if he thinks that the views of the local Senator and the person who brought the Petition before the House deserves some consideration, I would have expected the Chairman to engage and inform me that he would be reporting to the House on this matter and this is the kind of prayer he was to make.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have no problem with the Report that the Chairman has given to the House. My biggest concern is on the conclusion of that Report.

Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltembesi says more than twice, this is the second time I am requesting the Committee to consider going to Homa Bay.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if the Chairman believes that my concerns are idle or my briefs around intelligence and assessment of political situation in Homa Bay, this week is irrelevant then, let the Chairman take the Committee to Mfangano in Homa Bay.

In fact, this matter should have never come to the Floor of the House to be discussed. In as much as my colleagues want to comment on this, I urge you to rule, so that we close this matter and not fall into the trap of discussing a fellow Senator adversely without notification.

Continue. The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : Utapata wakati wako. Kuwa na heshima wakati ninapoongea.

Bw. Spika, nisikize vizuri. Kanuni zetu za Kudumu No.111 (4) , inasema kwmaba: “Seneta hatatoa kizingizio kuhusu Seneta mwingine, au Mbunge wa Bunge la Taifa, isipokua kwa hoja hususan ambayo aarifa yake imetolewa angalau siku tatu kabla ya hoja ya kujadili mwenendo wa Mbunge au Seneta huyo”.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Madzayo, would you like to be informed by Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi? The Senate Minority Leader (

A

When Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale stands up on the Floor of this House and says that people who are supporters of Azimio or ODM have raided a meeting of a Government agency and stolen food, without any substantiation, you must substantiate.

Continue. The Senate Minority Leader (

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as the Senator of Nairobi I want to tell every Kenyan that having seen the increase of the budget for State House for buying tea and mandazi, that tea and mandazi is meant for Kenyans. Wherever they meet a Government agency holding a meeting, they should go there to eat that food. That is their food.

Any person in their right mind cannot go to hold a symposium on food right now and yet you know Kenyans are starving. You bring food only for yourselves and think that people will just sit there and look at you. They say a hungry man is an angry man.

Let me finish by speaking on this question of marginalization.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

What is your point of order, Sen. Sifuna?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am also a Member of the Committee on Roads and Transportation and the chairperson here is my friend. I am extremely disappointed that that statement has actually been made on this Floor.

One of the things that is very frustrating for us, as the Minority side is that we agreed in this House that when someone is on a point of order, they will be heard in silence. There are people who are using and abusing that opportunity that we agreed on in order for us to have orderly debate, to throw very insulting words against colleagues in this House and against people who are not present in this House.

We request that the Speaker should insist on enforcing the rules by making sure that when somebody utters something, they must substantiate. This afternoon we were told that we could not speak about a court order that the Speaker has not seen. We brought the court order physically and tabled it here. We tabled the ruling.

Senators, resume your seats. We want to hear everybody. Let the Senator conclude and then we listen to the second speaker. We cannot be exchanging utterances like this. Let us hear the Senator and let him conclude.

Sen. Sifuna, please conclude.

Senator, conclude. Senators, let

I must conclude! I am on a point of order.

Sen. Sifuna, resume your seat.

Order, Senators. Let him conclude.

I will be heard in silence! I want to demonstrate to you that you are abusing the points of order. That is what I will do. I am on the Floor on a point of order.

Senators, resume your seats. We want to hear everybody. Let the Senator conclude and then we listen to the second speaker. We cannot be exchanging utterances like this. Let us hear the Senator and let him conclude.

Sen. Sifuna, please conclude.

A

Hon. Senators, I have heard the contributions by the chairperson of the Committee on Roads and Transportation who made his Statement on consideration of the Petition presented by Sen. M. Kajwang’.

The gist of it is that the committee has not concluded the consideration of the Petition, owing to the request by the Senator for Homa Bay to defer the visits.

Hon. Senators, we know that the timeline provided in the Standing Orders is 60 days and they have lapsed. That said and done, it does not stop the committee to still continue with the matter even when 60 days have lapsed.

Hon. Senators, the time for consideration of the Petition has lapsed but there is precedent in the Senate where timelines have been extended. The Chair is commended for his report, but there is nothing stopping the committee from proceeding with visits at the appropriate time and tabling its report.

Let us go to the next Order.

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. The Temporary Speaker

]: What is your point of order, Sen. Oketch Gicheru? I hope it is not on the same issue that I have ruled.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, protect me from goons on the other side. Like this goon talking here.

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you cannot refer to other Members of this House as goons. Please withdraw.

He called me a goon. I thought it is a common language between me and him. So, he is a goon as well but I withdraw.

Sen. Sifuna! Hon. Senators! Sen. Sifuna, the Senate Majority Leader and Sen. Cherarkey!

Sen. Sifuna, the Chair is standing.

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, talk to the Chair.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the substantive Speaker did indicate that he would give us 30 minutes, so that he comes back and makes a ruling on the previous matter. Looking at the time now, it is way over 50 minutes.

Order, Senators.

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you cannot refer to other Members of this House as goons. Please withdraw.

He called me a goon. I thought it is a common language between me and him. So, he is a goon as well but I withdraw.

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you have concluded your speech.

Can I talk, Sen. Sifuna?

Sen. Sifuna, do you want me to enforce the rules?

Start with me. Enforce the rules.

Order, Senators.

I will not tell you. Serjeant-at- Arms, get Sen. Sifuna out of this House. Get out!

Sen. Sifuna, you are rubbish yourself. Get out! You called me rubbish?

It is approaching 5.30 p.m. and that is way beyond. It is almost an hour now. Can we have guidance on this matter because it is extremely important that we conclude on that business today?

Sen. Oketch Gicheru, you have concluded your speech.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, and colleagues, we can have differences here but I plead with all of us that we try and have dignity.

The problem with what is happening nowadays is that with WhatsApp, whatever we are doing here could easily find its way out there. Once information goes out there, this House is going to be equated to some Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) somewhere.

We can always differ but we want a House that is exciting and interesting and where we can challenge each other. However, let us always remember that people are watching.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, even when things were so bad during the Second World War, Roosevelt was able to sit down with Stalin. They discussed and came up with the United Nation (UN) League of Nations that we have up to today.

So, let us agree on the rules of the game or ground rules. When the Speaker is on the Chair, I plead, let us give him respect because he is the one who guides deliberations and moderates debate. Please, the shouting across is okay but I plead---

Start with me. Enforce the rules.

Get out Sen. Sifuna. You can get out of the House. As per the Standing Orders, I have asked you.

Which one?

I will not tell you. Serjeant-at- Arms, get Sen. Sifuna out of this House. Get out!

Sen. Sifuna, you are rubbish yourself. Get out! You called me rubbish?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, just for ten seconds. There are two issues that I want to talk about.

I agree with everything Sen. Omogeni has said. The only thing I want to humbly plead is that we can exchange with Sen. Oketch Gicheru as much as we want. He is my age mate and a friend. If I say things that he does not like, and I agree with Sen. Omogeni that we are guided on what we say, that is between us as colleagues.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have been in this House for sure. Even in the worst of times when we never used to greet each other as colleagues, there is no time that a Senator used to insult the Speaker. That is the truth. You cannot run away from it.

A

Senate Minority Leader, I want to plead with you my brother, teach Sen. Sifuna how to behave in Parliament. This is not the only time he has abused the Speaker. He has equally abused the Substantive Speaker. That is not right.

We can exchange as colleagues, that is fine. How may time do you and I trade things that we do not like but we will go out and share a cup of tea. That is a normal part of Parliamentary practice but we should not encourage the habit of insulting the Speaker,

Lastly. Sen. Omogeni said something that I agree with. I want it to go on record to the people running Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit (PBU), they are the ones who share some of these clips; the things Sen. Omogeni saying. This is because nobody else has access to these clips.

So, I want to humbly plead with the Clerks-at-the Table here that if there are certain things--- I was in Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) when we made the decision to allow PBU to be our own internal unit. That was because when we previously used to allow media to be the ones, they would focus on non-issues.

They, for example, beam on a Senator sleeping or a slip of the tongue by the Senator. So, we said that let us have our own professional broadcasting unit that is within Parliament.

Unfortunately, every time nowadays when there are exchanges, the following day, you will see the same clips being relied yet the broadcasting belongs to this House.

I humbly plead with the PBU - I have forgotten the name of the head - but the reason why we kept PBU inside the House of Parliament is that so that you focus on the core business. Not to be sharing clips of members in unfortunate exchanges that are not helpful to Kenyans.

I do not expect the clip that has been seen for example between Members saying one or two things to each other, to be found outside there.

I thank you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, and colleagues, we can have differences here but I plead with all of us that we try and have dignity.

The problem with what is happening nowadays is that with WhatsApp, whatever we are doing here could easily find its way out there. Once information goes out there, this House is going to be equated to some Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) somewhere.

We can always differ but we want a House that is exciting and interesting and where we can challenge each other. However, let us always remember that people are watching.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, even when things were so bad during the Second World War, Roosevelt was able to sit down with Stalin. They discussed and came up with the United Nation (UN) League of Nations that we have up to today.

So, let us agree on the rules of the game or ground rules. When the Speaker is on the Chair, I plead, let us give him respect because he is the one who guides deliberations and moderates debate. Please, the shouting across is okay but I plead---

Let the Senator be heard in silence please.

A ninavyofikiria kwamba wale walio nyumbani na wale wanafunzi ambao wanakuja hapa wanaona mtu kama Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, wanamwona Sen. Madzayo, Sen. Cheruiyot, wanaona kijana shupavu, Sen. Wakili Sigei, tukiwa tunarushiana maneno kama hayo.

Bw. Spika, kwa yote, piga moyo konde yaweke nyuma. Ninajua katika ile hasira ukiwa kinara katika hii Seneti unaweza kutoa uamuzi kuhusian na ile hasira iloyokuja kwa ghafla na wewe ni binadamu. Hakuna mtu anayeweza kukuita hivyo na wewe usimwite.

Yeye akiwa ameenda kidogo upande ambao umezidi, mimi ningeomba hiyo. Hata pengine vile ulivyotamka pengine ulisema ilikuwa katika spur of the moment. Hata hivyo, yote hayo tuliyoyafanya, nimi ninasema tuyaweke nyuma tugange yale yanayokuja.

Kwa ndugu zangu, mimi ninaweza kusema, kwa pande zote mbili, lazima tuonyeshe mfano. Kila siku, watu wanakuja hapa wakituona. Wanaoketi pale, wanaoangalia ndani ya nyumba kwa runinga, wanaoangalia katika ma-hall makubwa makubwa, sisi kama mfano, please, I plead with you, let us use good language. Let us Parliamentary Language so that we can at least save this House.

Pole, ninatumia lugha mbili. Lakini tunaendelea kudidimia kiheshima. Ningesema zote tuwe kitu kimoja ili tuweke heshima ya Seneti kwa sababu sio sisi peke yetu wa mwisho kukaa hapa ndani. Vizazi na vizazi vitakuja kukaa hapa Ni lazima tuweke msingi wa heshima nzuri tunayopeana katika Seneti.

Point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Sen. (Dr.) Kkalwale, you have the Floor.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise on Standing Order No.123 to move the following Motion, that Sen. Sifuna Watenya be suspended from the Service of the Senate. This is a Standing Order that was drafted to speak to what we have witnessed today.

A

Senate Minority Leader, I want to plead with you my brother, teach Sen. Sifuna how to behave in Parliament. This is not the only time he has abused the Speaker. He has equally abused the Substantive Speaker. That is not right.

We can exchange as colleagues, that is fine. How may time do you and I trade things that we do not like but we will go out and share a cup of tea. That is a normal part of Parliamentary practice but we should not encourage the habit of insulting the Speaker,

Lastly. Sen. Omogeni said something that I agree with. I want it to go on record to the people running Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit (PBU), they are the ones who share some of these clips; the things Sen. Omogeni saying. This is because nobody else has access to these clips.

So, I want to humbly plead with the Clerks-at-the Table here that if there are certain things--- I was in Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) when we made the decision to allow PBU to be our own internal unit. That was because when we previously used to allow media to be the ones, they would focus on non-issues.

They, for example, beam on a Senator sleeping or a slip of the tongue by the Senator. So, we said that let us have our own professional broadcasting unit that is within Parliament.

Unfortunately, every time nowadays when there are exchanges, the following day, you will see the same clips being relied yet the broadcasting belongs to this House.

I humbly plead with the PBU - I have forgotten the name of the head - but the reason why we kept PBU inside the House of Parliament is that so that you focus on the core business. Not to be sharing clips of members in unfortunate exchanges that are not helpful to Kenyans.

I do not expect the clip that has been seen for example between Members saying one or two things to each other, to be found outside there.

I thank you.

The Senate Minority Leader, you have the Floor. The Senate Minority Leader (

Sorry, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, before you give Sen. Olekina time, I request Sen. Kinyua, the PSC Commissioner to Second my Motion that Sen. Sifuna---

One moment. Sen. Olekina, what is your point of order?

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to beseech my colleagues that we are mature men and women in this House. A few weeks ago, I mentioned to the Senate Majority Leader, that if these things proceed the way they are doing, he is losing this House.

I have sat here and I have been very calm today, I have listened. I have listened to the Senate Majority Whip; the Senate Majority Whip has constantly used Un- parliamentary language. He has also tried to rewrite our Standing Orders by standing and saying, “I am moving a Motion under Standing Order No.123.”

Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have to give respect. I have listened the Senate Majority Whip saying, “The young Senators please learn from our wisdom.” However, does that learning equate to rewriting the Standing Orders that are not in existence?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not want us to get to a point where we are now directing the Chair. However, I want to follow the words of wisdom from Sen. Madzayo. I beseech you that with all these emotions; I take full responsibility for what has happened on our side and request us to maintain decorum in this House. That is the only time we shall be seen as different.

This shouting back and forth is not going to help us. Yes, we are all human beings and we lose our cool at any given time and maybe what my colleague said may be unparliamentary. However, having a situation where the Chair and a Senator are exchanging words, really beats the purpose of why we should be in this House in the first place.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I hope you can give me an ear. Senate Minority Leader, can you please allow the Chair to hear. Sen. Madzayo, kindly.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, kindly give me your ear for three minutes. It is true, I have been interrupted. Sen. Madzayo has been talking to you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beseech you not to let the actions of the spur of the moment, dictate how you are going to deal with this matter. You have been invited by the

Sen. (Dr.) Kkalwale, you have the Floor.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Sen. Olekina should listen because he was also imploring to have---

Under Standing Order No.1 and looking at the Motion that Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale has brought under Section 123; I beg of you with all humility, that at that moment Sen. Sifuna should have been invited to apologise and withdraw. That did not happen.

I am looking at the emotions and I agree that this thing has been generated. We also know you are a human being who has powers of Standing Order No.1. We do not want to take the House to the extreme end. In as much as Sen. Olekina is pleading with you to let bygones be bygones, then there should be some level of remorse. As you take a decision on whether to dispense off with Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale’s Motion as per Section 123---

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sorry, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, before you give Sen. Olekina time, I request Sen. Kinyua, the PSC Commissioner to Second my Motion that Sen. Sifuna---

One moment. Sen. Olekina, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, protect me from the Senate Majority Leader and the Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) . He is happy because Parliament has been allocated Kshs40 billion.

In conclusion, ignorance of the law is no excuse. However, looking at the unity and where we want to go as the Senate and coming together as a House of union, you can ensue your wisdom under Standing Order No.1. The House is becoming--- Ground imechemka. Maybe tomorrow we can discuss these issues in camera during the kamukunji at around 10.00 a.m. We do not want to degenerate to a point where you are insulting the Speaker.

Those are my humble submissions. Let us move forward as one House.

A Majority side, through a very unprocedural way, to effect Standing Order No.123. My plea to you as a colleague, is to let the bygones be bygones.

Let us learn from our mistakes and find a way to cool down these temperatures. We all need each other. At any given time when a Senator is not seated here because of spur of the moment actions, the people that he or she represents end up suffering.

Today, the whole day, I mean, it is 5.32 p.m., and we are still waiting for this Speaker to come back. Moreover, we have not discussed anything the whole day. There, was a Motion of Kenyans who are still seeking compensation from the bombing of 1998. We have issues of electricity that Sen. Chute had discussed. Do you really want to tell me – and this is to all of you, my colleagues – that we shall reduce the two and a half hours that we have in the Senate, to be a time of bickering, hurling insults and calling each other names?

I am really disappointed and ashamed of this House today. I request my colleagues to please act our age. Today we are not acting our age. We are insulting each other back and forth and it is not helping us. I said, I take full responsibility on what happened on our side and I request you; Mr. Temporary Speaker, to let it be bygones. They are highly regretted and the only way we can remain as one House, is when we learn to tolerate one another.

I thank you.

Hon. Senators, I am following the order on the screen. Sen. Cherarkey, what is your point of order?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Sen. Olekina should listen because he was also imploring to have---

Under Standing Order No.1 and looking at the Motion that Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale has brought under Section 123; I beg of you with all humility, that at that moment Sen. Sifuna should have been invited to apologise and withdraw. That did not happen.

I am looking at the emotions and I agree that this thing has been generated. We also know you are a human being who has powers of Standing Order No.1. We do not want to take the House to the extreme end. In as much as Sen. Olekina is pleading with you to let bygones be bygones, then there should be some level of remorse. As you take a decision on whether to dispense off with Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale’s Motion as per Section 123---

A

It is. Sen. Oketch Gicheru, let me invite you. You know you are my friend. Senior Counsel, can you do your job. You did it well when I was in remand. Can you please continue.

Under Standing Order No.123 and No.1, we are also human. There might have been that altercation but looking at the unity of the House---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have seen that you have invited us for a kamukunji tomorrow. These are matters that we can discuss in camera. We are one House. I know the Motion under Standing Order No.123 is too harsh. The standard procedure of the House should have been to invite Sen. Sifuna to withdraw and apologise but it was not done because of the emotions.

(The Temporary Speaker consulted Sen. Cheruiyot and Sen. Madzayo) Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know you are consulting the House leadership; the two wise men. I wanted you to listen to this because we are also human and I agree with the wisdom of both the Senate Majority and Minority leaders. The standard procedure would have been to give Sen. Sifuna a chance to withdraw and apologise. I am not playing devil’s advocate. This did not happen because we understand that we are human and the House was degenerating.

Secondly, even if we were to agree with the Minority Side, there should be some level of remorse, so that we invite you to invoke under Standing Order No.1.

Finally, looking at the Motion that Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, the bull fighter, has come up with, it is too harsh at this point. We are one House and we want to work together as a House of union, so that we can move forward.

A enforce the rules of the House when Members are saying that we are not taking responsibility for our actions?

It is not the best experience that we have had in this House today. It is not an excuse to say that it is the heat of the moment. I believe in taking responsibility. I beseech Members of this House to also sit back, search themselves and think through what has happened in this House, so that we restore the Senate to where it belongs. If we do not do that, we are going to lose the status of this House. We are going to lose this House.

I thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Omogeni, kindly proceed to make your contribution.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I would have liked to make my contributions when Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is in the House. However, let me proceed. I have already made my views on what happened this afternoon, which is regrettable.

We all know that before there is calm, there is always a storm. The way the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, is beckoning to me, when a flight is taking off, there is always turbulence. However, after the turbulence, there will always be calm.

I do not know whether in the history of Parliament; not the Senate, there is any elected Member who has stood up to invoke Standing Order No.123 against a colleague. That is the reason I wanted Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale to be here. In the history of the Parliament of Kenya, I do not think that there is any Senator or any elected Member of Parliament who has ever invoked that Standing Order against his colleague.

I ask Sen. (Dr) Khalwale to reflect and be calm because we are setting precedents. I have go through 360 degrees in my professional career. The oppressed have come to me as a lawyer and I have represented them. Those who are in power have also come to me to represent them. When you are digging a hole, warn yourself that tomorrow, you may enter the same hole. If we set a precedent where we, as colleagues, want to - let me use the word ‘finish’ - each other. We want to invoke Standing Orders to ‘finish’ our colleagues; that is being over emotional. These disagreements do happen. Some of us who were in this Parliament last, we saw them.

I mentioned the way I used to see serious exchanges between Sen. Orengo and Sen. Murkomen. However, there was a way that the Speaker would always guide the deliberations. I appeal to Sen. (Dr) Khalwale not set to a precedent where tomorrow if I see Sen. Cherarkey who I saw him a bit emotional some three months ago, if he becomes over emotional, I invoke Standing Order No.123. Tomorrow we may not greet each other. We will now convert this House into a House of enemies. That is not what we want to do. We have Muslims and Christians here. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

As Sen. Cherarkey has stated, Sen. Sifuna, was not even warned before punishment was meted on him this afternoon. The Standing Orders dictate that before you eject him, you warn him first. If he persists, then you evict him.

Proceed, Sen. Wambua.

Hon. Senators, there seems to be a lot of interest on this matter. I will only allow two more speakers. One from the Majority side and the other one from the Minority side. They will only have three minutes each.

Please, can we have Sen. Okenyuri.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. While I heed to the advice of some of the ranking Members in this House and, of course, accept their apology, I am disturbed by some few issues that I would like to mention.

Young and new legislators have been widely mentioned in that matter. I believe I am one of the young legislators who is very composed and rational in the way I operate in this House. However, I do not like a situation where we can debate to an extent of saying that this is an illegitimate Government, whereas it was elected by the people and declared by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) . The same was

Sen. Wakili Sigei, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. We will only restore the dignity of this House when we take responsibility for our actions. We will be a sober House when we are responsible even before we take the microphone to speak to anything that we are dealing with in the House.

This afternoon, I have watched the proceedings. I have listened to my colleagues. It is not lost to any of us that we can all speak. However, what are we speaking to? What were we speaking about? The Senate has all along been seen as a House of sobriety; a House where decorum is exhibited by the Members. However, today that was not the case.

The exchanges among the Members is made worse by what I listened to my colleagues from the Minority side say. It might be that the exchanges went beyond what is expected. Who takes responsibility? The Hon. Sen. (Dr) Khalwale has moved a Motion under Standing Order No.123. As to whether or not a Member ought to have been named prior to that, you have been asked to enforce the rules of the House. How do we

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is almost 6.00 p.m. The House started at 2.30 p.m. The composition of this House is because of donated power to all of us by the people of Kenya. I am glad that my brother, Sen. Cheruiyot is here because the position that he holds is established by the Constitution among other leaders, including my Minority Leader, Sen. Madzayo.

Today is a solemn day because we are not transacting business that helps the people of Kenya. This is very sad because we are sitting here because of privilege or responsibility. The founding father of this nation, His Excellency Jomo Kenyatta, in his book “Facing Mount Kenya” he talks about responsibility. He said that the responsibility of nationhood will be given only to reliable custodians.

I want to urge Sen. Cheruiyot as the Senate Majority Leader and in extension, my brother, Sen. Madzayo to cast their eyes in this House and tell me if they feel that this House is becoming a reliable House that deals with issues that Kenyans want us to be dealing with every day.

Sen. Omogeni, kindly proceed to make your contribution.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I would have liked to make my contributions when Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is in the House. However, let me proceed. I have already made my views on what happened this afternoon, which is regrettable.

We all know that before there is calm, there is always a storm. The way the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, is beckoning to me, when a flight is taking off, there is always turbulence. However, after the turbulence, there will always be calm.

I do not know whether in the history of Parliament; not the Senate, there is any elected Member who has stood up to invoke Standing Order No.123 against a colleague. That is the reason I wanted Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale to be here. In the history of the Parliament of Kenya, I do not think that there is any Senator or any elected Member of Parliament who has ever invoked that Standing Order against his colleague.

I ask Sen. (Dr) Khalwale to reflect and be calm because we are setting precedents. I have go through 360 degrees in my professional career. The oppressed have come to me as a lawyer and I have represented them. Those who are in power have also come to me to represent them. When you are digging a hole, warn yourself that tomorrow, you may enter the same hole. If we set a precedent where we, as colleagues, want to - let me use the word ‘finish’ - each other. We want to invoke Standing Orders to ‘finish’ our colleagues; that is being over emotional. These disagreements do happen. Some of us who were in this Parliament last, we saw them.

I mentioned the way I used to see serious exchanges between Sen. Orengo and Sen. Murkomen. However, there was a way that the Speaker would always guide the deliberations. I appeal to Sen. (Dr) Khalwale not set to a precedent where tomorrow if I see Sen. Cherarkey who I saw him a bit emotional some three months ago, if he becomes over emotional, I invoke Standing Order No.123. Tomorrow we may not greet each other. We will now convert this House into a House of enemies. That is not what we want to do. We have Muslims and Christians here. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

As Sen. Cherarkey has stated, Sen. Sifuna, was not even warned before punishment was meted on him this afternoon. The Standing Orders dictate that before you eject him, you warn him first. If he persists, then you evict him.

A

Hon. Senator, please allow me to finish. Sen. Sifuna has already received punishment. That is enough. We want to engage. We are trying to discuss. We want to restore calm and run our businesses. The way PLO Lumumba says, do not respond to a mosquito bite with a hammer. Do not go for an over kill. We will set a bad precedent because this a House of records. You invoke it today against Sen. Sifuna, I assure you Senators, tomorrow, it will be you.

In the last Parliament and the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, can correct me, we only had one expulsion from the House. Only one for a record of five years. Only Sen. Malala was sent out for the reminder of the day. This Parliament has now done six expulsions. We are not doing so well.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if you read Standing Order No.122, before you even call a Senator, it says, on the first occasion if he becomes very disorderly on a second or subsequent occasion during the same Session, you now take it up to seven days. If another time, he again persists, now you can invite Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, to invoke Standing Order No. 123.

Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale is from Kakamega County and Sen. Sifuna is the Senator for Nairobi City County, but he is his neighbour in Bungoma. I plead, let us not be over- reactive. It is good to express our anger. That is okay because we are human. However, let us also not overact.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have already apologized for what has happened this afternoon. Some of us are new in this House. Therefore, we learning. Please accept. We are also human. I know how you feel when there are these exchanges. It is not good for you.

Nonetheless, you are a son of a respected elder, the late Sen. Yusuf Haji. You know, when we had serious disagreements here on Division of Revenue, we used to refer to him. He is the one who used to guide, calm us and restore order. Therefore, like father like son.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, calm down. You have already punished Sen. Sifuna. We move on, so that we can become each other’s keepers. Today it is me and tomorrow it will be you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I submit.

Hon. Senators, there seems to be a lot of interest on this matter. I will only allow two more speakers. One from the Majority side and the other one from the Minority side. They will only have three minutes each.

Please, can we have Sen. Okenyuri.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. While I heed to the advice of some of the ranking Members in this House and, of course, accept their apology, I am disturbed by some few issues that I would like to mention.

Young and new legislators have been widely mentioned in that matter. I believe I am one of the young legislators who is very composed and rational in the way I operate in this House. However, I do not like a situation where we can debate to an extent of saying that this is an illegitimate Government, whereas it was elected by the people and declared by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) . The same was

A challenged at the Supreme Court and no one had issues about it. As hon. Members, can we engage and insult colleagues to that extent?

We are the same people who have been complaining about business in this House taking long to be addressed yet we keep on buying time with this kind of engagement.

It is not the first time Members are apologizing. If I remember well, the other time when Sen. Kathuri was seated there, the same happened. He was actually pointed at. Therefore, we will not keep on doing this similar actions and apologizing. It is going to be a culture.

Sen. Omogeni, I heed to your advice. However, as a young legislator, I differ with the bit that some of the ranking Members or those who were elected with many votes, can insult others and get away with it in the name of apology.

We really need to relook our ways of operation. I rarely speak during such times. However, on this occasion, I had to speak. Young legislators cannot be bundled up together as people who are on a learning curve and that they do not have decorum whereas some of us have actually been carrying ourselves with high level of esteem while engaging with our colleagues.

I also heed to the advice of the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Cheruiyot, that we should rethink, how we are carrying ourselves in this House.

I also want to say that it is not just about apologizing. People - particularly hon. Members - have repeatedly done this; they apologize, people calm down and the same continues.

We are even disputing matters that have been highlighted in National newspapers as rumours---

A

I thank you, hon. Senators. Let me also remind hon. Senators on the point of order that Sen. Oketch Gicheru had stood up on. The Speaker has indicated that he will be coming back to the House to Communicate the Message he has gone out to write. Senators please, bear that in mind.

Next Order, Clerk.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is almost 6.00 p.m. The House started at 2.30 p.m. The composition of this House is because of donated power to all of us by the people of Kenya. I am glad that my brother, Sen. Cheruiyot is here because the position that he holds is established by the Constitution among other leaders, including my Minority Leader, Sen. Madzayo.

Today is a solemn day because we are not transacting business that helps the people of Kenya. This is very sad because we are sitting here because of privilege or responsibility. The founding father of this nation, His Excellency Jomo Kenyatta, in his book “Facing Mount Kenya” he talks about responsibility. He said that the responsibility of nationhood will be given only to reliable custodians.

I want to urge Sen. Cheruiyot as the Senate Majority Leader and in extension, my brother, Sen. Madzayo to cast their eyes in this House and tell me if they feel that this House is becoming a reliable House that deals with issues that Kenyans want us to be dealing with every day.

A

We are reducing the House to be a place where we are constantly defending the position of our parties and our coalitions forgetting that we were elected. On 15th September, 2022, most of us were paraded here with the help of the Clerk of the Senate and took an oath that we were beyond elections and were starting to work for the people of Kenya.

I have observed this House and I know that my brother Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale thinks that some of us are young and are, therefore, naïve and do not know what we are doing in this House. Some of us came to this House because we were motivated by the stature that this House had conferred upon this nation.

The idea that when the presidency, the Executive or the National Assembly sometimes had challenges, people like hon. Orengo and hon. Murkomen rose beyond party and coalition positions to stand for this nation. What we are seeing today in this House is completely unacceptable.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what Sen. Sifuna said is regrettable and completely unacceptable. I was here and observed all the chaos that were there, I will be humble and apologize on his behalf, if it is allowed. It is not acceptable, not just to engage with the Chair, but to also go ahead and have abusive language with the Chair.

That said, there is a genesis for why emotions are rising high and high. I want to request our leaders to talk. Let us rise above these coalition positions and taking advantage of each other.

If you remember, the reason we found ourselves in that situation is that I rose to raise an issue with the substantive Speaker to give us assurance that he will be back in the House in 30 minutes to give a ruling over a matter that has held this House hostage for the last three weeks. It is now almost---

A

I thank you.

A Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources during the approval hearing of Ms Emily Mwende Waita; Mr. John Kioli; Ms. Umra Omar and Prof. George Odera Outa, nominees by H.E the President for the appointment as Members of the Climate Change Council pursuant to Section 7(1) of the Climate Change Act No.11 of 2016.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, after receiving a message from H.E the President on the nomination of Ms. Emily Mwende Mwaita, Mr. John Kioli, Ms. Umrah Omar and Prof. George Odera Outa to the National Climate Change Council; the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Senate on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023 respectively issued a communication and directed the approval hearing for the nominees for appointment to NCCC be conducted jointly by both Houses of Parliament as required by the Climate Change Act No.11 of 2016.

The names of the nominees and the Curriculum Vitae (CV) were referred by the Speaker of the National Assembly to the departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and by the Speaker of the Senate to the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources. The Committees jointly held preliminary sittings on 7th March, 2023 to prepare and consider memoranda received from the public prior to the approval hearing.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the aforementioned Committees complied with the constitutional and legal requirements and the establishment procedures for the approval hearing. The Committee ensured public participation and openness in carrying out the approval process. Notifying and inviting the public to submit memoranda were placed in the print media on 20th February, 2023 as required under the law.

The Committee conducted the approval hearing on Tuesday, 17th March, 2023. In conducting the approval hearing the Committee was guided by the provisions of the Constitution, The Climate Change Act No. 11 of 2016 and the Public Appointments Parliamentary Approval Act, 2011 and the Standing Orders of the respective Houses.

The Committee observations contained in the report, on the basis of the constitutional and legal requirements as well as submissions of the nominees during the approval hearing, Section 7(1) of the Climate Change Act No.11 of 2016, mandates the President to nominate candidates for appointment of members of NCCC.

The Committee recommendations as contained on page 39 of the report, are based on the evidence and information from the proceedings during the approval hearing. The Committee recommend that having considered the suitability, capability and integrity of the nominees; and pursuant to Section 7(4) of the Climate Change Act, 2011 and Section 8(2) of the Public Appointments Parliamentary Approval Act No.33 of 2011; Parliament approves the nomination of Ms. Emily Mwende Mwaita, Mr. John Kioli, and Prof. George Odera Outa for appointment as members of NCCC by the President and rejects the nomination of Ms. Umrah Omar as a member of NCCC.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Committee resolved to reject Ms. Umrah Omar, owing to the failure by the nominee to demonstrate knowledge of topical, technical and administrative issues touching on the matters relating to indigenous knowledge pursuant to Section 7(2)(h) of the Climate Change Act and Section 7(c) of the Public Appointments Parliamentary Approval Act, 2011 during her approval hearing.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like us to have a look at Standing Order No.123 which originates from Standing Order No.122 and somehow puts a procedure.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, under Standing Order No.123, the power rests with you. The Standing Orders assume that you already heard a hearing and made an observation and a ruling by yourself. Lastly, that particular power of delay in any way under Standing Order No.123 purely rests on you.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to plead with you, having noticed that this House has degenerated into something else I did not expect. I have been an MP now for 12 years. I never saw a thing like this in the National Assembly. Of late, this House has grown into something else maybe because of politics outside this House.

When we come here, we should respect this House. Otherwise, I am beginning to regret why I came to the Senate if this is what I am going to be doing here when I was doing well in the National Assembly.

I want to blame both sides of the House. It should not originate from that side, nor should it originate from this side. I believe all of us must have limits. At times, it begins from the majority side. A shout is made and a reply is made or a shout begins here and a reply is made.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, owing to the fact that tomorrow we will have a Kamukunji, I plead with you. Under Standing Order No.123, the decision rests with you. Having had a worst experience, it will be remembered that we placed a case for apology and sought for forgiveness, and it was granted and goodness prevailed.

I plead with you that that power rests with you. Having listened to us, you should look at it in a way that will bring harmony to the House. Look at it in terms of prosperity. Seasoned Members will engage the new ones, so that matters like these do not arise.

I thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Hon. Senators, I have to conclude this matter. I believe that Sen. Sifuna was thrown out of the House because of Standing Order No.121 about disorderly conduct. I would at this point decline Standing Order No.123 raised by the Majority Whip.

A

I thank you, hon. Senators. Let me also remind hon. Senators on the point of order that Sen. Oketch Gicheru had stood up on. The Speaker has indicated that he will be coming back to the House to Communicate the Message he has gone out to write. Senators please, bear that in mind.

Next Order, Clerk.

Clerk, where are we?

Proceed to the next Order. Once you are done, I will make my Communication. As hon. Senators have said, this matter should not affect the important business of the House. So, it shall be communicated last. Proceed with the more important matters.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I beg to move the following Motion -

THAT the Senate adopts the Report of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the Approval Hearing for the Nominees for Appointment as Members of the National Climate Change Council laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 14th March, 2023; and pursuant to Section 7 (4) of the Climate Change Act and Section 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, approves the nomination of Ms. Emily Mwende Waita; Mr. John Kioli; and Prof. George Odera Outa for appointment as Members of the National Climate Change Council, and rejects the nomination of Ms. Umra Omar. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Report contains the proceedings of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and the Senate Standing

It is 15 billion.

A Consequently, the nominee lacked the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a member of NCCC.

Further, from the general demeanor of the nominee during the approval hearing coupled with and unclear responses to the topical questions appeared not to be adequately prepared and displayed a general lack of interest.

The Committee wishes to thank the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Office of the Speaker of the Senate, the Clerks of both Houses and their staff for the logistical support accorded to them during the approval hearing.

The Committees are also grateful to the Members of the public who sent memoranda and media for their live coverage of the proceedings thus enhancing accountability and transparency of the approval hearing exercise.

On behalf of the Committee and pursuant to Section 7(4) of the Climate Change Act, 2016 and Sub Section 8 of the Public Appointment Parliamentary Act of 2011, it is my pleasant duty to table the Report of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the joint approval hearings for -

A

It is actually 15 billion. Thank you, Mwalimu Sen. Mwaruma from Taita.

Sorry, it is Sen. Mwaruma, the Senator for Taita/Taveta County.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, 15 billion trees will improve the forest cover across the nation and ensure that we reclaim the issue of carbon credits.

There is also the challenge of biting drought and famine. I agree this was an unusual longest period of drought but we thank God.

When some of us were praying in Nyayo Stadium, many people were wondering we were praying. The rains have started coming.

I encourage farmers to start planting. Yesterday, Sen. (Dr.) Oburu even said that the Government has provided subsidized fertilizer and affordable seeds. Therefore, I encourage farmers to farm.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, on competencies, I can see that one of the candidates, Ms. Umar Omar, was rejected. It says that the nominee did not demonstrate knowledge of topical technical administrative issues, touching on matters of indigenous knowledge. Of course, there is a reason. It is important for Kenyans to be aware, why one of the members was rejected.

A topical issue, for example, you can be asked who is the Senator for Lamu or what is happening somewhere across the world. These are technical and administrative issues that Kenyans should be aware of.

Senate Minority Leader, I thought we agreed to work together for the benefit of the Senate. You cannot limit the contribution of a Member. Let the time limit me. If the time is over, then I will finish.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, you must call the Senate Minority Leader to order. My apologies, Mr. Speaker, Sir. During approval hearings, consequently the nominee lacks the requisite abilities and experience to serve as a Member of the NCCC,,,,,,. The reason why the nominee was rejected was because of administrative, technical and topical issues.

The second and the final reason was that the general demeanour, body language is important. During the approval hearing coupled with unclear responses to the topical questions, the nominee appeared to not be adequately prepared and displayed a general lack of interest.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not easy to read the demeanour. The issue of demeanour, behaviour or how one expresses himself is important. I do not want anyone going to court or some activist asking why this lady was rejected. She lacked competence, ability and even interest such that the Committee noticed the behaviour, demeanour and the body language of this nominee.

A

The issue of environment is very critical. It is captured in the Constitution on land and environment. We must treat it with the seriousness it deserves. There is the issue of soil erosion when it rains. I challenge this Climate Council to use schools and educate our children. Let us use schools and training centres like Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVETS) by factoring them in.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, look at the experience that is in this council. I know Senators might be worried about the NCCC and the role of the Senate. There is the issue of connecting county governments and the National Government that is mainstreaming climate change function and creating that NCCC within both levels of government.

There is also approval and overseeing implementation of National Climate Change Action Plan. The President has expressed his intention of ensuring that this issue of climate change is given priority in various aspects.

The third one is to advise the national and county governments. I want to assure Senators and some of us who have been here a bit longer that this is one of the functions where country governments are mentioned expressly unlike others where we have to force.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is good that Sen. Wambua is still serving in the Committee on Roads and Transpiration, I remember there was a time there was an amendment to the Roads Act where the Member of Parliament, the Women Representative and the Governor were giving nominations to the Board that would sit at the sub-county level at the exclusion of the Senate. We had to beg. We had to throw that law away because the Senate was not mentioned expressly.

There is also the issue of research. We want to know which type of tree to plant in Makueni County where Sen. Maanzo comes from because of the climatic conditions there. When you go to Narok or Nandi, which type of tree should you plant?

Even as we say we want to massively plant trees, which trees should we grow in Garissa where rainfall is not regular unlike Nandi. We need to be very keen on this issue and also administer the Climate Change Fund.

The Committee should invite this council so that we know which type of fund this is. I know the Chairperson of the Public Investment Committee and Special Funds Committee, Sen. Osotsi is smiling because this is one of the special funds.

He has work to audit and invite so that they appear before them. We will now have Climate Change Fund which will fall under the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee. I can see a number of Members of the committee here. That committee is critical.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the last point I want to make is on the issue of research. The Climate Change Fund must in some way ensure that we get adequate seedlings, especially from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). We also have the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) where we can provide seedlings to groups. We have Community Based Organizations (CBOs) at the county and constituency level, including Nyamira, where we visited. We can use KEFRI and KFS to provide trees to them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to comment on this important matter. Climate change is a very serious matter in the country and many of us believe in it. Personally, I do. That is why you see the rains have delayed.

In southern part of Africa, there are serious floods going on now in a country like Malawi and, probably, the same will happen to Kenya because of climate change. I support the appointment of this important team so that they can begin their work of changing the country and preserving the climate.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Proceed, Sen. Cherarkey.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to support this Motion. I thank the National Assembly and the Senate’s Joint Committee on Forestry, Mining, Land, Environment and Natural Resources for a job well done.

I congratulate President William Ruto because one of his core agendas that he is still pushing up to date, is the issue of climate change.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the country is now struggling with biting drought. For example, where I come from in Nandi County, we have never experienced shortage of rains, until this year. It is because of the adverse effect of climate change. Therefore, the President has put it as one of his agenda, to ensure that we discuss the issue of climate change.

Secondly, the conversation on climate change is very alien. We used to think that it belongs to the first world countries. We did not know that the third world countries could have a conversation of climate change.

In Africa, Kenya is one of the countries that is tackling the issues of climate change. I remember in the last Session, we saw Sen. Olekina, hire planes to fly over forests in Narok and plant trees. At that time, many people did not imagine that it was a serious issue.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the President has promised that in the next 10 years, we must plant 10 billion trees. I continue to encourage myself and Sen. Olekina to push and grow more trees, so that we increase the forest cover. However, it has continued to be a challenge.

When you go to the coast where my brother, Sen. Madzayo, comes from, there is also a challenge with the mangrove forests. Erosion in the coast continues to be a big challenge. Therefore, I thank the President for bringing this conversation.

Many people might have more serious challenges. I know Sen. Osotsi may be concerned about the issues of maize, food and the cost of living, which is rightfully so, but we cannot wish away the conversation of climate change. We must plant 10 billion trees in the next 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, this council will guide ---

It is 15 billion.

Okay, it is 10 billion trees in the next 10 years. I challenge each and every Senator.

We will give you an opportunity, Senator.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not think I am even supposed to speak because we are way beyond the time we are supposed to be here. It is beyond 6.30 p.m. As I speak, we are not properly constituted.

The Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Madzayo) : On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Yes, Sen. Madzayo, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. We have our Standing Orders No.34(2). Give me a chance to read it to you. It says:

Hold on, Sen. Cherarkey.

I am submitting seriously.

What is your point of order, Sen. Thang’wa?

Yes, Sen. Olekina

He allowed me to speak. Please, Sen. Cherarkey. With tremendous respect---

Sen. Olekina, just have your seat. Senators, the Standing Orders do provide the hours when this Senate is supposed to transact its business. It is between 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. unless Standing Order No.34 (2) or Standing Order No.34 (4) is invoked; but both Standing Orders that I have cited must be invoked before 6.30 p.m.

In fact, Standing Order No.34 (4) provides that you need to rise and move that Motion half an hour before 6.30 p.m. If, indeed, I have to use my powers for the convenience of the House to proceed, I need to exercise those powers either at 6.30 p.m. or before. If you look at the clock, it is 6.38 p.m.

Indeed, it is true, I promised to deliver the communication which is ready here with me but owing to the fact that the sitting hours as captured under this Standing Order - by 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, I will deliver this Communication. It is ready and available.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

A

Yes, Sen. Madzayo, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. We have our Standing Orders No.34(2). Give me a chance to read it to you. It says:

A

consideration and if the Senate is in Committee, the Chairperson shall leave the Chair and report progress and ask for leave to sit again.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, with tremendous respect to this House, we were almost closing in on this matter. I do not see the reason; we are prepared now to go back to where we were. I thought we were making progress.

Sen. Madzayo, kindly wind up your thoughts, we are transacting business beyond 6.30 p.m.

Yes, and that is why I am making this application now. You promised to Communicate. You promised to come after 30 minutes which is why we have waited here. My colleague, Sen. Oketch Gicheru said that it will go way beyond 30 minutes. We wanted to find out what was happening. He did not receive a substantive answer. We have come to 6.30 p.m. We have been talking to you desperately, asking why do you not want to Communicate. We have listened to advices that we have been also receiving from the people who are supposed to advise us. I believe the traditions of this House where we trust what our clerks tell us. I am surprised that you are departing from what you have promised this House that you are going to deliver the Communication before 6.30 p.m. I am in total shock of how this House is being handled. I am afraid that you are going against your own word.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Yes, Sen. Olekina

He allowed me to speak. Please, Sen. Cherarkey. With tremendous respect---

Sen. Olekina, just have your seat. Senators, the Standing Orders do provide the hours when this Senate is supposed to transact its business. It is between 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. unless Standing Order No.34 (2) or Standing Order No.34 (4) is invoked; but both Standing Orders that I have cited must be invoked before 6.30 p.m.

In fact, Standing Order No.34 (4) provides that you need to rise and move that Motion half an hour before 6.30 p.m. If, indeed, I have to use my powers for the convenience of the House to proceed, I need to exercise those powers either at 6.30 p.m. or before. If you look at the clock, it is 6.38 p.m.

Indeed, it is true, I promised to deliver the communication which is ready here with me but owing to the fact that the sitting hours as captured under this Standing Order - by 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, I will deliver this Communication. It is ready and available.

Having said that, hon. Senators, it is now beyond 6.30