Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly, ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. We now have quorum. Clerk, kindly, call the first Order.

Proceed, Chairperson, Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the Senate, today 23rd July, 2025-

Report of the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism on its consideration of the Creative Economy Support Bill (Senate Bill No.30 of 2024) .

Next Order. Proceed, Sen. Omtatah.

That Order is deferred.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding the death of Ms. Rose Wangari Maina on 10th June, 2025 at Abyan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi City County.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Ms. Wangari had been admitted at Kayole 2 Level 4 Hospital on 6th June, 2025, where she successfully delivered a healthy baby girl. However, shortly after delivery, she developed complications and was referred to Abyan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi City County. She was admitted to the intensive care unit for four days and unfortunately passed away on 10th June, 2025.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Order, Hon. Senators. Kindly, hear the Senator in total silence and, please, take your seats.

Sen. Mugor, take your seat.

You may proceed, Hon. Senator.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir,

Hon. Senator, I called you to take to the Floor pursuant to Standing Order No.52. However, you have read a Statement under Standing Order No.53 (1) .

Yes. I still have a Statement under No.52 (1) . I apologise for that. I think the Clerk mixed them up.

Hon. Senator, just take your seat. We have got urgent business to transact before you come back to the Floor.

(Several Senators consulted with the Clerks-at-the Table) Sen. Veronica Maina, as they consult for one or two minutes, you can conclude your Statement.

Proceed to read your Statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.52 (1) to make a Statement on a matter of national concern and importance namely, the life, service and enduring legacy of the late Hon. (Dr.) Phoebe Muga-Asiyo, former Member of Parliament (MP) who passed away on 16th July 2025.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Dr. Phoebe Asiyo was born in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County. She was a trailblazer in Kenya's academic, diplomatic and political spheres. She stood tall as a pioneering champion for women's empowerment, gender equity and social justice, earning her place among Kenya's most celebrated national figures.

Dr. Asiyo began her education at Gendia Primary School and later attended Kamagambo High School in the former South Nyanza District. She pursued her teacher training at Kangaru Teachers College in Embu and went on to teach at Pumwani School. She later served as a social worker with the Nairobi Municipal Council, where her lifelong dedication to community service took root.

Mr. Speaker Sir, in 1953, before her entry into elective politics, Dr. Asiyo joined the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation, later rising to become its chairperson. Despite facing colonial resistance, she redefined Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation's mandate to focus on women's economic empowerment, maternal health and political participation. In 1963, she made history as the first African woman to be appointed Senior Superintendent of Women's Prisons in Kenya.

Dr. Asiyo was first elected to represent Karachuonyo Constituency in 1980 and again in 1992 under the FORD-Kenya Party following the advent of multiparty democracy. During her tenure, she introduced a landmark affirmative action Motion in 1997 that addressed domestic violence, widow disinheritance, electoral malpractice and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) . She also championed constitutional amendments to safeguard women's representation in Parliament and was a fervent advocate for girls' education, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Her work transcended national borders as Kenya's representative to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) , where she projected Kenya's leadership in global gender advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, her influence remained deeply tied to Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation, where she nurtured a generation of women leaders and catalysed the formation of grassroots women's movement.

In 2001, she was appointed Commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) , playing a vital role in shaping the constitutional reform process. She also served in regional peace initiatives, notably as part of the delegation to Uganda that advocated for women's inclusion in peace negotiations.

Until her passing on, Dr. Asiyo served as a Chairperson of the Caucus for Women's Leadership, formerly the Kenya Women's Political Caucus, mentoring young women and

championing their inclusion in leadership. Notably, she was the first woman to be conferred the honour of Luo Elder in recognition of her lifelong efforts to advance girls' education and women’s rights.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Dr. Asiyo will be remembered as the original voice behind the Two- Thirds gender principle, which is now enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya. She laid the foundation for women's representation in leadership and mentored countless women, many of whom serve today in various capacities across our Republic. A teacher at heart, her influence extended from the classroom to the highest corridors of national leadership.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Homa Bay County and the nation at large mourn the passing of this gallant daughter of Kenya. Her service to nation-building, education, women's empowerment and democratic leadership will remain etched in our national memory.

As the Chairperson of the Kenya Women Senators Association, (KEWOSA), I convey our deepest condolence to her family, friends and women leaders across Kenya and the globe.

May her soul rest in eternal peace. I thank you.

We will move to Orders Nos.8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, before resuming the normal flow of business as contained in today's Order Paper.

Clerk, you may proceed to call the orders.

debate on the President's Reservations, the questions will be put, as indicated in today's Order Paper, at Order No.12.

Hon. Senators, this is not the first time that the Senate is considering the President's reservations on a Bill. On 16th December, 2015, the Senate considered the President's reservations on the Public Audit Bill, (National Assembly Bills No.38 of 2014) and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 40 of 2014). However, it is imperative that I guide the Senate on the procedure for disposal of the President's reservations at the time of voting.

In a Communication issued on 1st October, 2015, the then Speaker, Sen. Ekwee Ethuro observed that Article 115 of the Constitution requires that each House of Parliament specifically pronounces itself on the President's reservations by either accepting or rejecting the reservations. He stated, and I quote-

“There is no room for deeming of either an acceptance or a rejection. A specific resolution must be made by the Senate”.

Now, consequently, in considering the Motion on the President's reservations on the Conflict of Interest Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.12 of 2023), the Senate may-

President's reservations or amend the Bill in a manner that fully accommodates the President's reservations. This will require the vote of a majority of the delegations in the Senate, which is 24 delegations, or;

amendment or with amendments that do not fully accommodate the President's reservations. This will require the vote of two-thirds of the delegations in the Senate, which is 32 delegations.

Now, from the foregoing, the only action that will take the agenda forward is either an acceptance or a rejection of the President's reservations by the requisite numbers. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee of the Whole will vote on each reservation.

It would appear that any other action that does not result in an outright acceptance or rejection of the President's reservations would put the Bill in a position of uncertainty to which former Speaker Ekwee Ethuro referred to as constitutional purgatory.

I refer Hon. Senators to Standing Order No.170(5), which gives a window to the Speaker to direct a further vote to be taken on a question within five sitting days. Whenever a question to approve or reject the President's reservation fails to obtain the required majority and the vote results in a majority of the “Ayes” and the “Nays” have not numbered at least one third of all Senators.

Standing Order No.170(6), however, states that if the Speaker does not direct a further vote under Paragraph 5, or if on such further vote the fixed majority is not obtained to either reject or approve, the Speaker shall declare that the Motion is negative. Kindly be guided.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, the House very well appreciates the importance of the business that you have referred to. Therefore---

Order, Hon. Senators. Proceed, Sen. Boni.

Since the matter has captured immense public interest, purely for avoidance of doubt, I would like you to clarify that the Clerks-at-the-Table or your office have been able to interpret your Communication in consideration of Article 115 (6) of the Constitution, which says that if the President does not assent to a Bill or he refers it back within the period prescribed in Clause 1, or assents to it under 5 (B) , the Bill shall be taken to have been assented to on the expiry of that period.

The clarification I seek is that we avoid finding ourselves with egg on our face where some Kenyan goes to court and interprets the dates. Have the dates prescribed in Article 115 clinically been adhered to?

Let the Clerks confirm through our correspondence. In the meantime, as the Clerks try to get that information, we can proceed with Order Nos.9, 10 and 11.

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Veronica Maina): I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to move the amendments.

Where is the Chairperson? Can you, please, move the amendment on Clause 4? Proceed. Please, give him the microphone.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson. I beg move- THAT Clause 4 of the Bill be amended in subclause

(2)

by deleting the word “Bills” appearing immediately after the words “county governments’ appropriation” and substituting therefor the words “legislation for the Financial Year 2025/2026”.

Division at the end. Clause 5

The Temporary Chairperson

: I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendment.

I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to move the amendments.Where is the Chairperson? Can you, please, move the amendment on Clause 4? Proceed. Please, give him the microphone.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson. I beg move- THAT Clause 4 of the Bill be amended in subclause (2) by deleting the word “Bills” appearing immediately after the words “county governments’ appropriation” and substituting therefor the words “legislation for the Financial Year 2025/2026”. (Question of the amendment proposed) Division at the end. Clause 5 The Temporary Chairperson (

I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendment.

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT Clause 5 of the Bill be amended in subclause (1) by —

(xv) deleting the expression “O” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (x) and substituting therefor the expression “P”;

(xvi) deleting paragraph (y) and substituting therefor the following new paragraph—

Agency) for Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project 2 (KISIP2) as set out in Column Q of the Third Schedule; and

(xvii) by deleting the expression “Q” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (z) and substituting therefor the expression “R”; and

following new paragraph—

Division at the end. Clauses 7- 10.

(Question, that Clauses 7, 8, 9 and 10 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division at the end. First schedule

(Question, that the First Schedule be part of the Bill, proposed) Division at the end. Second Schedule

The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Veronica Maina): I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendments. Proceed, Sen. Roba.

(iii) deleting the expression “B” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (b) and substituting therefor the expression “C”;

(iv) deleting the expression “C” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (c) and substituting therefor the expression “D”;

Column” in paragraph (d) and substituting therefor the expression “E”; and

(vi) inserting the following new paragraph immediately after paragraph (d)—

committees pursuant to section 11(4)(c) of the Affordable Housing Act as set out in Column F of the Second Schedule.

(1A) Conditional allocations financed by proceeds from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund shall be as set out in the Third Schedule.

introductory clause—

development partners to beneficiary county governments for the Financial Year 2025/26 shall be as set out in the Fourth Schedule, comprising—

(ii) deleting the expression “A” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (a) and substituting therefor the expression “B”;

(iii) deleting the expression “B” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (b) and substituting therefor the expression “C”;

(iv) deleting the expression “C” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (c) and substituting therefor the expression “D”;

Column” in paragraph (d) and substituting therefor the expression “E”;

(vi) deleting the expression “E” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (f) and substituting therefor the expression “F”;

(vii) deleting the expression “F” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (g) and substituting therefor the expression “G”;

(viii) deleting the expression “G” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (h) and substituting therefor the expression “H”;

(ix) deleting the expression “H” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (i) and substituting therefor the expression “I”;

Column” in paragraph (l) and substituting therefor the expression “J”;

(xi) deleting the expression “J” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (m) and substituting therefor the expression “L”;

(xii) deleting the expression “L” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (s) and substituting therefor the expression “M”;

(xiii) deleting the expression “M” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (v) and substituting therefor the expression “N”;

(xiv) deleting the expression “N” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (w) and substituting therefor the expression “O”;

(xv) deleting the expression “O” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (x) and substituting therefor the expression “P”;(xvi) deleting paragraph (y) and substituting therefor the following new paragraph—Agency) for Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project 2 (KISIP2) as set out in Column Q of the Third Schedule; and(xvii) by deleting the expression “Q” appearing immediately after the words “out in Column” in paragraph (z) and substituting therefor the expression “R”; andfollowing new paragraph—Division at the end. Clauses 7- 10.(Question, that Clauses 7, 8, 9 and 10 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division at the end. First schedule(Question, that the First Schedule be part of the Bill, proposed) Division at the end. Second ScheduleThe Temporary Chairperson (

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendments. Proceed, Sen. Roba.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefor with the following new Schedule-

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

(Question of the amendment proposed) Division at the end. Third Schedule

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I move- THAT the Bill be amended by renumbering the Third Schedule as the Fourth Schedule. The Temporary Chairperson (

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendments.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson. I move- THAT, the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefor the following new Schedule—

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

Conditional Additional Allocations to County Governments from National Government's Share of Revenue for the Financial Year 2025/26 (Kenya Shillings)

Total 10,522,211,853 13,115,570,862 23,637,782,715

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefor the following new Schedule, and that the new Schedule be read a second time—

I invite the Chairperson, Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen. Roba, to move the amendment.

Services, Senate.

THIRD SCHEDULE (s. 6(1A)

Can the Hon. Senator be heard in silence, Hon. Members? Sen. Seki, the Deputy Speaker, Sen. Cherarkey and Sen. Gataya, please resume your seats. Can the Senator be heard in silence or consultations be done in low tones, please? Proceed, Sen. Roba.

Services, Senate. Nairobi

351,270,031.50 437,845,869 789,115,900 Nakuru

527,595,810.89 657,629,816 1,185,225,627 Nandi

187,283,793.82 233,442,731 420,726,525 Narok

275,190,523.69 343,015,410 618,205,934 Nyamira

114,508,787.31 142,731,218 257,240,005 Nyandarua

222,822,887.93 277,740,975 500,563,863 Nyeri

281,534,361.32 350,922,783 632,457,144 Samburu

168,450,780.04 209,968,035 378,418,815 Siaya

160,843,154.82 200,485,395 361,328,549 Taita Taveta

223,111,858.65 278,101,167 501,213,025 Tana River

192,087,922.00 239,430,909 431,518,831 Tharaka Nithi

161,810,686.87 201,691,390 363,502,076 Trans Nzoia

149,496,401.78 186,342,062 335,838,464 Turkana

251,956,760.03 314,055,332 566,012,092 Uasin Gishu

245,361,739.87 305,834,869 551,196,609 Vihiga

104,335,371.63 130,050,409 234,385,781 Wajir

251,017,318.26 312,884,351 563,901,669 West Pokot

163,127,206.27 203,332,385 366,459,591

Total 10,522,211,853 13,115,570,862 23,637,782,715

Thank you, Madam Temporary Chairperson. I beg to move- THAT Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by deleting the definition of the word “authorized person”.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by inserting the following new Schedule immediately after the Second Schedule-

Services, Senate.

THIRD SCHEDULE (s. 6(1A)

Services, Senate. Murang'a

270,941,894.18 337,719,641 608,661,535 Nairobi

351,270,031.50 437,845,869 789,115,900 Nakuru

527,595,810.89 657,629,816 1,185,225,627 Nandi

187,283,793.82 233,442,731 420,726,525 Narok

275,190,523.69 343,015,410 618,205,934 Nyamira

114,508,787.31 142,731,218 257,240,005 Nyandarua

222,822,887.93 277,740,975 500,563,863 Nyeri

281,534,361.32 350,922,783 632,457,144 Samburu

168,450,780.04 209,968,035 378,418,815 Siaya

160,843,154.82 200,485,395 361,328,549 Taita Taveta

223,111,858.65 278,101,167 501,213,025 Tana River

192,087,922.00 239,430,909 431,518,831 Tharaka Nithi

161,810,686.87 201,691,390 363,502,076 Trans Nzoia

149,496,401.78 186,342,062 335,838,464 Turkana

251,956,760.03 314,055,332 566,012,092 Uasin Gishu

245,361,739.87 305,834,869 551,196,609 Vihiga

104,335,371.63 130,050,409 234,385,781 Wajir

251,017,318.26 312,884,351 563,901,669 West Pokot

163,127,206.27 203,332,385 366,459,591

Total 10,522,211,853 13,115,570,862 23,637,782,715

Madam Temporary Chairperson, I beg to move- THAT the Bill be amended by deleting the Second Schedule and substituting therefor the following new Schedule, and that the new Schedule be read a second time—

Services, Senate.

THIRD SCHEDULE (s. 6(1A)

Services, Senate. Nairobi

351,270,031.50 437,845,869 789,115,900 Nakuru

527,595,810.89 657,629,816 1,185,225,627 Nandi

187,283,793.82 233,442,731 420,726,525 Narok

275,190,523.69 343,015,410 618,205,934 Nyamira

114,508,787.31 142,731,218 257,240,005 Nyandarua

222,822,887.93 277,740,975 500,563,863 Nyeri

281,534,361.32 350,922,783 632,457,144 Samburu

168,450,780.04 209,968,035 378,418,815 Siaya

160,843,154.82 200,485,395 361,328,549 Taita Taveta

223,111,858.65 278,101,167 501,213,025 Tana River

192,087,922.00 239,430,909 431,518,831 Tharaka Nithi

161,810,686.87 201,691,390 363,502,076 Trans Nzoia

149,496,401.78 186,342,062 335,838,464 Turkana

251,956,760.03 314,055,332 566,012,092 Uasin Gishu

245,361,739.87 305,834,869 551,196,609 Vihiga

104,335,371.63 130,050,409 234,385,781 Wajir

251,017,318.26 312,884,351 563,901,669 West Pokot

163,127,206.27 203,332,385 366,459,591

Total 10,522,211,853 13,115,570,862 23,637,782,715

Hon. Senators, we can now resume our seats. I will clarify the questions that are being voted on. Sen. Boni Khalwale, Sen. Chimera, Sen. Murango, please, resume your seats. Sen. Eddy, go and sit. Sen. Chimera, guide the others to go and sit. Sen. Sigei, please sit. Sen. Chute, I do not know why you have been active in the whole House disrupting it.

Hon. Senators, I will read out the question that you are voting on and the question is as simple as I am reading it.

We will vote for the first nine using a voice vote. I will put the question. If you answer “Ayes”, then you are approving to the President’s recommendation on Clause 2. It is not the Committee’s report. We have bundled them in a set of nine questions to ease the voting.

The Clerk is going to call out the names using the alphabetical order and you will respond. If you agree with all the nine, you can simply say “yes” to all the nine questions. We have a teller for the “Ayes” and a teller for the “Nays.”

Now, I will give the Clerk the opportunity to call out the Members. Sen. Hezena, you are not in your position as a Teller for Noes. Please, take your position.

The Clerk will proceed to call out the names. Please, do not waste the short time that we have to do this exercise. When you are called out, do not delay. Please, concentrate.

The Temporary Chairperson

: Sen. Maanzo, are you voting “No” to all the nine?

Services, Senate.

Division will be at the end. The Title and Clause 1

(Question, that the Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. That is the end of the Committee of the Whole in respect of the County Governments Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025).

Next Order.

Services, Senate.

Division will be at the end. Clauses 34-48

(Question, that Clauses 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. Clauses 49-56

(Question, that Clauses 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 be part of the Bill, proposed) Division will be at the end. The Schedule

Services, Senate.

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

Services, Senate.

Services, Senate.

Sen. Chimera and Sen. Wambua, stop distracting Members. One Senator has not voted. Sen. Sigei, you need assistance as a voter. Come over to the Clerks-at-the- Table. You need to approach the Table.

We are proceeding to the third division on all clauses. I put the question that Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, the First Schedule, the Second Schedule (as amended), the Third Schedule (as amended), Clause 2 (as amended), the Title and Clause 1 be part of the Bill.

Please, proceed to vote.

Services, Senate.

If the Senators are convinced with the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee to reject the President's recommendations on clauses 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 20, the threshold pursuant to Article 115(4)(b) of the Constitution is two-thirds of the county delegations.

I want to now put the nine questions, which you will have a chance when you are called out by roll call to vote, reject or approve. So, you choose what to vote. We have the Ayes and the Noes. I am proceeding and it is good for you be keen on this one. Sen. Okiya Omtatah, you are bordering on going out of order now. Please, resume your seat.

I now put the Question, that the President’s recommendations on Clauses 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 20 be approved. That is the first set of the nine amendments and you will be voting on those nine in the first set. You will now be called by way of roll call by the Clerk.

Clerk, you can proceed.

Services, Senate.

AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Boy, Kwale County; Sen. Cherarkey, Nandi County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Githuku, Lamu County; Sen. Joe Nyutu, Murang’a County; Sen. Kajwang Moses, Homa Bay County; Sen. Kathuri, Meru County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kinyua, Laikipia County; Sen. Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. ( Dr.) Murango, Kirinyaga County; Sen. Murgor, West Pokot County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita-Taveta County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu Oginga, Siaya County; Sen. Oketch Eddy; Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Sen. Maanzo, are you voting “No” to all the nine?

Yes, I vote no to all the nine.

Services, Senate.The Temporary Chairperson (

Okay.

Services, Senate. Oginga, Siaya County; Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

We will proceed to the next set of questions. They are three questions. We have Question 10, and I will put the question in order for us to move fast. These are three questions; Question 10 11, and 12 respectively, on clauses 30, 31 and 35. We will use voice vote. We have the Tellers in place and we will proceed with the Roll Call. Kindly note that before we proceed to the voice vote, we will ask the Tellers to reconcile what they have then we will proceed after the reconciliation of the votes cast for the first nine questions. (The Tellers verified the votes) The Temporary Chairperson (

We will now proceed to the next set of questions. (Sen. Madzayo stood in his place) (Question put) Sen. Madzayo, resume your seat. Sen. Methu and Sen. Thang’wa, we are proceeding to vote on the set of three questions. For purposes of clarity, I will repeat the questions. We are proceeding on to vote and I will request the Clerk to take up the Roll Call. (Roll Call voting in progress) (

Services, Senate. Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Teller of the Ayes:

Services, Senate.

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Services, Senate.

AYES: Sen. Abass, Wajir County; Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Boy, Kwale County; Sen. Cherarkey, Nandi County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Githuku, Lamu County; Sen. Joe Nyutu, Murang’a County; Sen. Kajwang Moses, Homa Bay County; Sen. Kathuri, Meru County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kinyua, Laikipia County; Sen. Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. ( Dr.) Murango, Kirinyaga County; Sen. Murgor, West Pokot County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita-Taveta County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu Oginga, Siaya County; Sen. Oketch Eddy; Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Services, Senate. Sen. Murgor, West Pokot County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita Taveta County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu Oginga, Siaya County; Sen. Oketch Eddy; Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Teller of the Ayes:

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (

Teller of the Ayes:

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Services, Senate.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Veronica Maina): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows: -

Teller of the Ayes:

Services, Senate.

AYES: Sen. Ali Roba, Mandera County; Sen. Boy, Kwale County; Sen. Cherarkey, Nandi County; Sen. Cheruiyot, Kericho County; Sen. Chute, Marsabit County; Sen. Faki, Mombasa County; Sen. Gataya Mo Fire, Tharaka Nithi County; Sen. Githuku, Lamu County; Sen. Joe Nyutu, Murang’a County; Sen. Kathuri, Meru County; Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, Kakamega County; Sen. Kinyua, Laikipia County; Sen. Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet County; Sen. (Dr.) Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Samburu County; Sen. Lomenen, Turkana County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Methu, Nyandarua County; Sen. M. Kajwang, Homa Bay County; Sen. Munyi Mundigi, Embu County; Sen. (Dr.) Murango, Kirinyaga County; Sen. Murgor, West Pokot County; Sen. Mwaruma, Taita Taveta County; Sen. (Dr.) Oburu Oginga, Siaya County; Sen. Oketch Gicheru, Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County; The Temporary Chairperson (

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Veronica Maina): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Services, Senate. Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (Sen. Veronica Maina): Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Services, Senate. Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (

Sen. Eddy, you are completely destructive. The Senators cannot even hear whatever you are consulting with the Senate Majority Leader.

I would like to call the Mover of this Bill, Sen. Roba, to proceed and move. Please, report.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Services, Senate.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Madam Chairperson, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the President's Memoranda on the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) and its approval thereof the recommendations on Clauses 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 30, 31, and 35.

I thank you.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, we are reporting on the County Governments Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025) .

Chairperson, please proceed.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. Maanzo, Makueni County. Teller of the Noes:

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (

Okay, thank you. Mover, please, proceed.

Services, Senate. Migori County; Sen. Okiya Omtatah, Busia County; Sen. Osotsi, Vihiga County; Sen. Seki, Kajiado County; Sen. Thang’wa, Kiambu County; Sen. Wafula, Bungoma County; Sen. Wakili Sigei, Bomet County; and, Sen. Wambua, Kitui County.

Teller of the Ayes:

Sen. M. Kajwang’ that business is for after this session.

Sen. Abass, Wajir County. The Temporary Chairperson (

Mover, please proceed.

Hon. Senators, we are now going to Division.

Hon. Senators, let us report on all the Bills and then we can go to Division together.

Let me be clear now. Chairperson, Committee of the whole, please report.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir I second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2025) , be now read a Third Time.

I request Sen. Osotsi to second.

Sen. Eddy, you are completely destructive. The Senators cannot even hear whatever you are consulting with the Senate Majority Leader.

I would like to call the Mover of this Bill, Sen. Roba, to proceed and move. Please, report.

Madam Chairperson, I beg to report that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the County Government's Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025) and its approval thereof with amendments.

Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on The Conflict of Interests Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) .

Chairperson, Committee of the Whole, please, proceed.

Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Committee do report to the Senate its consideration of the Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2025) and its approval thereof, without amendments.

We are moving to the next Bill, The Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) .

I call upon the Mover, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC) . Sen. Sigei to report.

Mover, please, proceed.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, we are now not in the Committee of the Whole, but serious business.

You can see the Mace is here now.

Hon. Senators, we are reporting on the County Governments Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025) .

Chairperson, please proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the House do agree with the Committee of the Whole---

Sen. Veronica Maina, I saw you standing!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was wondering what Sen. Ali Roba was doing. I stood and he also stood.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the County Governments Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025 and its approval thereof with amendments.

Okay, thank you. Mover, please, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report and request Sen. Wambua to second.

Sen. Wambua, please, proceed.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, I want to give the House some guidance since the system is not working and we have three Divisions. We have already done two. We must call out the Order of the third one and then I will put the question.

Clerk, proceed to call Order No.13.

Sen. M. Kajwang’ that business is for after this session.

Services, Senate.

(Laughter)

Services, Senate.

Let us go to the next division. Hon. Senators, you can vote on The Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2025).

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the County Governments Additional Allocations (No.2) Bill (Senate Bills No.8 of 2025) be now Time.

I request Sen. Wambua to second.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, we are now going to Division.

Hon. Senators, let us report on all the Bills and then we can go to Division together.

Let me be clear now. Chairperson, Committee of the whole, please report.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2025) and its approval thereof without amendments.

Mover, please, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee on the said report and request Sen. Oketch Gicheru to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir I second.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Social Protection Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2025) , be now read a Third Time.

I request Sen. Osotsi to second.

Services, Senate.

Serjeant-At-Arms, now open the doors and withdraw the Bar.

Hon. Senator, it is also better to be clear on this. The reason I am pausing is so that Senators can give some inputs at this point because we are reading the Bill a Third Time. I am pausing so that, if there is any Senator who wants to give an input, he can say something at this point. Now that you have nothing to say I will put the Question.

Hon. Senators, we are now reporting on The Conflict of Interests Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) .

Chairperson, Committee of the Whole, please, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, can I be heard in silence? Please protect me.

Services, Senate.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of the Whole has considered the President’s Memoranda on the Conflict of Interest Bill (National Assembly Bills No.12 of 2023) and approved the recommendations on Clauses 2, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 30, 31 and 35.

Mover, please, proceed.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report and request Sen. Olekina to second.

Services, Senate.

investigation into police operations during the saba saba protests, specifically the killing of innocent Kenyans and the use of brutal force against unarmed protesters to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

respect of human rights in crowd control and detention procedures, including whether enforcement officers receive sufficient training on lawful conduct and ethical standards in line with their duties and the system in place to hold them accountable for misconduct.

I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Abass Sheikh Mohamed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the utilization of climate financing and development grants by Wajir County in the energy, environment and natural resource sector during the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

It is noteworthy that Wajir County receives substantial climate-related funds, including an allocation from the Climate Change Adaptation Fund, which constitutes two per cent of the county's annual development budget. In addition, the county benefits from the external grants, notably, the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme (FLLoCA) . Despite the presence of these resources, questions abound regarding the transparency, equity and effectiveness of the implementation at the ward level.

In light of this, I request that the Committee address the following-

Sen. Hezena.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I request Sen. Oketch to second.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I second.

Services, Senate. a matter of county-wide concern regarding the status of critical medical equipment at Baragoi Sub-County Hospital in Samburu County.

Baragoi Sub-County Hospital serves a vast population in the northern part of Samburu County in the northern constituency, including remote and under-served communities. The hospital continues to face major challenges in the delivery of essential health services due to lack of functional equipment.

The anesthesia and X-ray machines have been out of service for an extended period despite repeated requests for repair, forcing patients to seek radiological services in the distant Maralal. The hospital also lacks a CT scan and a full haemogram machine, both essential for accurate diagnosis, surgical procedures and maternal care.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

ray machines and establish who is responsible for this prolonged inaction.

Hospital with a CT scan machine.

the hospital’s surgical and diagnostic capacity.

adequately safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents in Samburu North Sub-County and the county at large.

Next are Statements by Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, I want to give the House some guidance since the system is not working and we have three Divisions. We have already done two. We must call out the Order of the third one and then I will put the question.

Clerk, proceed to call Order No.13.

Bw. Naibu Spika, nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba Kauli kuhusu suala la kitaifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Leba na Ustawi wa Jamii kuhusu hali mbaya ya Gereza la Wanawake la Langata na changamoto zinazokumba maafisa wa magereza katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao.

Gereza la Wanawake la Langata ni miongoni mwa magereza makubwa nchini na machache ambamo wahalifu wa kike wanafungwa. Kwa masikitiko makubwa, gereza hilo halina ua rasmi, jambo linalotishia usalama wa wafungwa. Kando na hilo, visa vya ukatili na dhuluma za kijinsia dhidi ya watoto wanaoishi gerezani vimeripotiwa na kuibua wasiwasi.

Aidha, kituo cha elimu ya utotoni, yani Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) , kinachohudumia watoto wa wafungwa katika gereza hilo na maafisa wa magereza na jamii jirani kimeachwa nje ya mpango wa lishe na Serikali ya Kaunti ya

Services, Senate. Nairobi. Vilevile, kituo cha afya cha daraja la tatu kilicho ndani ya gereza hilo kinakabiliwa na uhaba wa dawa na wahudumu, hali inayotishia afya ya wafungwa, watoto na maafisa.

Licha ya kuchimbwa kwa kisima na Mamlaka ya Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), kisima hicho hakifaidi jamii ya gereza hilo kutokana na ukosefu wa vifaa vya kusukuma na kusambaza maji.

Katika Kauli hiyo, Kamati inapaswa kueleza yafuatayo-

imefanya ukaguzi wa kina wa miundombinu ya gereza hilo,

ikiwemo uwezekano wa kulizingira kwa ua dhabiti ili kuwahakikishia wafungwa na wafanyakazi wa gereza hilo na familia zao usalama.

magereza kama vile huduma za afya na iwapo kuna mipango ya kuboresha makazi ya maafisa wa magereza, ikiwemo kuwajumuisha kwenye mpango wa Serikali wa makazi bora ya bei nafuu;

mpango wa lishe na serikali ya kaunti na hatua gani zinachukuliwa kurekebisha hali hiyo pamoja na kukabili dhuluma za kijinsia na kingono dhidi ya watoto katika gereza hilo.

kuwahakikishia wafungwa na wanajamii wa gereza hilo maji safi na ya kutosha.

Just hold on. Sen. Madzayo, you are a seasoned Member of the House. You know you should not walk across the aisle the way you did. Please comply.

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba Kauli kutoka kwa Kamati ya Usalama wa Taifa, Ulinzi na Uhusiano wa Kimataifa kuhusu visa vya ukatili wa maafisa kadhaa wa polisi kutoka kwa Kikosi cha General Service Unit (GSU) katika Kaunti ya Kirinyaga.

Katika kipindi cha hivi karibuni, Kikosi cha GSU kimekuwa kikiwakabili kwa nguvu kupita kiasi wakazi wa maeneo ya Kutus, Ngurubani na Gachai katika Kaunti ya

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Services, Senate.

The ‘‘Ayes’’ have it.

Hon. Senators, the results of the Division are as follows-

Services, Senate.

Serjeant-At-Arms, now open the doors and withdraw the Bar.

Thank you, Sen. Omogeni. Hon. Members, I directed that the available timeline will be shared based on the number of Senators who wish to comment on the Statements. So, the next Senator I will allow to contribute to kindly take four minutes for the rest of the requests to be reached within the timeline I gave.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thank Sen. (Dr.) Murango of Kirinyaga County for bringing the Statement on Lang'ata Women's Prison. The issue of Lang’ata Women Prison has been swept under the rug for some time. The conditions in Lang'ata Womens’ Prison are not only alarming, but are also an abuse of

Services, Senate. human rights. They are also a direct contravention of Article 51 of our Constitution, which guarantees the rights and the conditions in prisons.

I happen to have spent a night at the remand prison of Lang'ata Womens’ one night, but luckily I was set free the following day. However, I had the privilege of walking around and seeing the conditions that Sen. Murango is talking about. As someone who had reported that day, I was put in a small cell with very tiny mattress. I could hardly get sleep.

I think some of these experiences that God makes us go through are important because he knows that on your journey ahead, you are going to be tasked with representing such people in such facilities. Some of them are pregnant while others have infants. The diet is not balanced.

There are no special conditions for the vulnerable populations in prisons. It is dark. It is either you sleep on the floor or on very thin mattresses. It is time that we decongest Lang'ata Womens’ prison and think about the conditions of the women in our prisons.

It is a big shame that we have ignored this very key area of our justice system. It does not mean that just because they are awaiting trial or some of them have already been sentenced. I doubt if any of you here knows what to kaba is. I kaba---

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on a matter of national concern regarding the deaths of Master Thomas Gachwara and Ms. Julia Njoki during and after the saba saba demonstrations on 7th July, 2025 in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Julia Njoki, a 24-year old, was arrested during the saba saba demonstrations in Nanyuki on 7th July, 2025. After being charged in court the following day, she was granted a cash bail of Kshs25,000, which she could not afford, leading to her remand in Nanyuki Prisons.

On 9th July, her family was informed that she had collapsed in custody and was taken to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital with severe injuries. She later died, with preliminary medical reports pointing to blunt force trauma, raising serious concern about her treatment while in State custody.

Further intensifying public concern was the fatal shooting by the police of Thomas Gachwara, a Form Three student, also in Nanyuki on the same day of the protests. These incidents highlighted a worrying trend of the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies during demonstrations and exposed critical failures in protecting detainees' rights and ensuring police accountability.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following -

Services, Senate.

investigation into police operations during the saba saba protests, specifically the killing of innocent Kenyans and the use of brutal force against unarmed protesters to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

respect of human rights in crowd control and detention procedures, including whether enforcement officers receive sufficient training on lawful conduct and ethical standards in line with their duties and the system in place to hold them accountable for misconduct.

I thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Sen. Abass Sheikh Mohamed.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget on a matter of county-wide concern regarding the utilization of climate financing and development grants by Wajir County in the energy, environment and natural resource sector during the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

It is noteworthy that Wajir County receives substantial climate-related funds, including an allocation from the Climate Change Adaptation Fund, which constitutes two per cent of the county's annual development budget. In addition, the county benefits from the external grants, notably, the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme (FLLoCA) . Despite the presence of these resources, questions abound regarding the transparency, equity and effectiveness of the implementation at the ward level.

In light of this, I request that the Committee address the following-

Sen. Hezena.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on

Services, Senate. a matter of county-wide concern regarding the status of critical medical equipment at Baragoi Sub-County Hospital in Samburu County.

Baragoi Sub-County Hospital serves a vast population in the northern part of Samburu County in the northern constituency, including remote and under-served communities. The hospital continues to face major challenges in the delivery of essential health services due to lack of functional equipment.

The anesthesia and X-ray machines have been out of service for an extended period despite repeated requests for repair, forcing patients to seek radiological services in the distant Maralal. The hospital also lacks a CT scan and a full haemogram machine, both essential for accurate diagnosis, surgical procedures and maternal care.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

ray machines and establish who is responsible for this prolonged inaction.

Hospital with a CT scan machine.

the hospital’s surgical and diagnostic capacity.

adequately safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents in Samburu North Sub-County and the county at large.

Next are Statements by Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Bw. Naibu Spika, nina Taarifa tatu ambazo ningependa kusoma mtawalia.

Services, Senate.

Bw. Naibu Spika, nasimama kwa mujibu wa Kanuni ya Kudumu Nambari 53 (1) ya Kanuni za Kudumu za Seneti kuomba Kauli kuhusu suala la kitaifa kutoka kwa Kamati ya Leba na Ustawi wa Jamii kuhusu hali mbaya ya Gereza la Wanawake la Langata na changamoto zinazokumba maafisa wa magereza katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yao.

Gereza la Wanawake la Langata ni miongoni mwa magereza makubwa nchini na machache ambamo wahalifu wa kike wanafungwa. Kwa masikitiko makubwa, gereza hilo halina ua rasmi, jambo linalotishia usalama wa wafungwa. Kando na hilo, visa vya ukatili na dhuluma za kijinsia dhidi ya watoto wanaoishi gerezani vimeripotiwa na kuibua wasiwasi.

Aidha, kituo cha elimu ya utotoni, yani Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) , kinachohudumia watoto wa wafungwa katika gereza hilo na maafisa wa magereza na jamii jirani kimeachwa nje ya mpango wa lishe na Serikali ya Kaunti ya

Services, Senate. Nairobi. Vilevile, kituo cha afya cha daraja la tatu kilicho ndani ya gereza hilo kinakabiliwa na uhaba wa dawa na wahudumu, hali inayotishia afya ya wafungwa, watoto na maafisa.

Licha ya kuchimbwa kwa kisima na Mamlaka ya Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), kisima hicho hakifaidi jamii ya gereza hilo kutokana na ukosefu wa vifaa vya kusukuma na kusambaza maji.

Katika Kauli hiyo, Kamati inapaswa kueleza yafuatayo-

imefanya ukaguzi wa kina wa miundombinu ya gereza hilo,

ikiwemo uwezekano wa kulizingira kwa ua dhabiti ili kuwahakikishia wafungwa na wafanyakazi wa gereza hilo na familia zao usalama.

magereza kama vile huduma za afya na iwapo kuna mipango ya kuboresha makazi ya maafisa wa magereza, ikiwemo kuwajumuisha kwenye mpango wa Serikali wa makazi bora ya bei nafuu;

mpango wa lishe na serikali ya kaunti na hatua gani zinachukuliwa kurekebisha hali hiyo pamoja na kukabili dhuluma za kijinsia na kingono dhidi ya watoto katika gereza hilo.

kuwahakikishia wafungwa na wanajamii wa gereza hilo maji safi na ya kutosha.

Services, Senate.

As you are aware, when we were in Form One, we were being told the definition of biology or chemistry. The word "technopolis" refers to an urban place, similar to Silicon Valley in the United States of America (USA), where technopreneurs are based. It is an area of innovation and technology and, therefore, it is very critical.

I agree that as the world evolves and as we talk about technology, we are still slightly behind in Kenya. I saw that even companies like Meta and other major companies are now moving toward artificial intelligence. It is a moving target.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I know you are a bit senior and may have watched the movie called, “Hard Target”. The story of that movie is about a gentleman who always wanted to use one bullet, but would miss the target. That is why it is called Hard Target.

I know the Generation Z and the rest may not know what movie Hard Target is. I do not think the current types of movies on Netflix, Amazon or YouTube captures that. I know you are a busy man, but I advise that should you find time, watch that movie. It is a very interesting one.

I want to relate this to technology. In technology, what is relevant in the morning, as Sen. Osotsi will tell you, has become obsolete by evening. So, we must keep pace. I remember there was an issue regarding elections and you were very instrumental during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations process. You also served as an election agent and were among those signing the charter during the engagement with the current President. In that context, we were arguing about the role of technology in our elections. Technology will control our lives.

What surprises me is that when you go to other countries, they are now resorting to the use of paper, especially when you travel. I know your members from the Table Office are conversant with that because we normally travel together with the secretariat. I can see they are smiling. I do not know whether it is true or false. They are aware since I was once a Chair. When you go to America and other established countries, they are now retreating and using paper. They no longer fear technology because it is vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, you have practised law long enough in this country. You will recall the substratum of the conversation within the election petition of Hon. Raila Odinga in 2017 was about the servers and we were being told that people in France were yet to wake up.

I am happy that in this Bill, we are creating our own store. Let me use the word store, so that Kenyans can understand. We are creating our own hub, so that we do not need to outsource. In fact, as we talk today, the issue of e-Citizen and the use of cards in banks is becoming a serious digital economy. Therefore, regulation and legislation on digital economy are very important.

I thank His Excellency the President because he has been instrumental in the establishment of digital hubs in 290 constituencies. That will bring a revolution in terms of the digital economy. The laying of fibre optic across the country will ensure that Kenya, alongside South Africa and Nigeria, becomes one of the greatest hubs in the entire Africa. These 290 digital hubs that His Excellency President William Ruto is pushing to be established everywhere should and must be welcomed by each and every person.

Just hold on. Sen. Madzayo, you are a seasoned Member of the House. You know you should not walk across the aisle the way you did. Please comply.

Proceed, Sen. (Dr.) Murango.

Sen. Cherarkey, it is 6.30 p.m. When the House resumes tomorrow, you will have your 15 minutes remaining to conclude your contribution.

Services, Senate. Kirinyaga. Wakazi wa Kijiji cha Gachai wamelalamika kuwa maafisa hao walivamia nyumba kadhaa usiku wa Julai 11 mwaka wa 2025 na kupiga raia wasio na hatia na hata kuwalazimu wanawake kuvua nguo zao.

Wakazi wa maeneo ya Ngurabani na Kutus pia wameshuhudia ukatili, kukamatwa kiholela na vitisho katika siku za hivi karibuni. Matendo hayo yanadhoofisha imani ya wananchi katika vyombo vya usalama na ni kinyume na Vifungu 28, 29, 50 na 244 vya Katiba ya Kenya vinavyobainisha haki za kibinadamu na majukumu ya Idara ya Polisi.

Katika Kauli hiyo, Kamati izingatie yafuatayo-

kiasi dhidi ya wakazi wa maeneo ya Kutus, Ngurubani na Gachai katika Kaunti ya Kirinyaga.

katika visa hivyo.

kuwa wakazi wa Kaunti ya Kirinyaga wanaheshimiwa kwa haki zao za kikatiba hasa na maafisa wa polisi wanaotumikia kikosi maalum cha Idara ya GSU.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ya mwisho imeandikwa kwa lugha ya kilowezi. Kwa hivyo, niruhusu nisome jinsi ilivyo.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.53 (1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Education on a matter of countywide concern regarding the state of ECDE in the County Government of Kirinyaga. This follows numerous complaints about the deteriorating state of ECDE centres in the county as well as lack of conducive learning and teaching environment for both learners and teachers.

In the Statement, the Committee should address the following-

Thank you, Sen. (Dr.) Murango. Lastly, I will allow Sen. Madzayo to read his Statement, which had also been approved by the Speaker.

Services, Senate.

Now, I will allow Members to comment on the Statements which have been read out. However, the timeline will be limited to 20 minutes, starting now.

When you get an opportunity to contribute, kindly be mindful of the rest of your colleagues who also desire to comment on the Statements.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I want to make a comment on the Statement that was read by the Senator for Laikipia, Sen. Kinyua. We, as Kenyans, are all concerned of the number of youthful Kenyans, more so students, in our polytechnics and universities, who have lost their lives. Last week, we buried a student in Nyamira who was shot by a police officer at Ekerubo Gietai Technical Training Institute.

Nobody from the police station that was involved in that murder has either recorded a statement or been arrested as part of investigations. I believe that this is because of the declarations or the kind of signals that the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Coordination sent.

A country that does not care about its future generation is doomed. If we are good students of history, we should learn from what is happening in other parts of the world. If

Services, Senate. you remember, there was a mass massacre of university students in Bangladesh in 2024 where about 1,500 students lost their lives. As I speak, the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, the Home Cabinet Secretary, equivalent of our Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Coordination and the Inspector General of Police are facing a tribunal for crimes against humanity and genocide against innocent students.

We do not support people who are out to destroy anybody's property. We were students at the University of Nairobi and we were involved in demonstrations. Once in a while, you would get one or two people, in the group, who could destroy vehicles and we used to reprimand them. The police never responded by shooting dead our colleagues.

We were there with Hon. Kabando wa Kabando, Hon. Moses Kuria, Hon. Munya and Sen. Mungatana. In the entire three years that we were at the University of Nairobi, not one university student was shot dead by police officers. Right now, it has become the norm. We have lost close to 10 students from our higher learning institutions. We cannot allow this to continue.

Anybody who breaks the law in a country that respects the rule of law should be arrested and arraigned in a court of law. He will then be proved guilty, convicted and taken to jail or he will be acquitted. We cannot say that police officers should be trigger happy and should shoot to kill. That is a recipe for chaos.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I want to tell those who are making these pronouncements that there is no limitation in criminal liability. I have told you of what has happened in other jurisdictions like Bangladesh. Watch your mouth. Tomorrow, you will find yourself arraigned in courts. Our Constitution states that you enjoy immunity while in office as the President. When you leave, anything can happen.

In successive regimes in South Korea, four former presidents have been charged in courts. Two of them were convicted and pardoned after serving four years in jail. I want to appeal to our leaders, beginning with the President, the Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector General of Police, to promote the culture of arresting criminals and not shooting to kill. They should not even say that they should be shot in the legs. No law in this country allows anybody to give an order to shoot people in the leg. That should never be allowed.

I support this Statement and urge progressive civil societies, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to document these criminal pronouncements from our leaders. When the right time comes, they can be charged either through private prosecution or through our state institutions.

I support and I am very disappointed with our leaders.

Thank you, Sen. Omogeni. Hon. Members, I directed that the available timeline will be shared based on the number of Senators who wish to comment on the Statements. So, the next Senator I will allow to contribute to kindly take four minutes for the rest of the requests to be reached within the timeline I gave.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thank Sen. (Dr.) Murango of Kirinyaga County for bringing the Statement on Lang'ata Women's Prison. The issue of Lang’ata Women Prison has been swept under the rug for some time. The conditions in Lang'ata Womens’ Prison are not only alarming, but are also an abuse of

Services, Senate. human rights. They are also a direct contravention of Article 51 of our Constitution, which guarantees the rights and the conditions in prisons.

I happen to have spent a night at the remand prison of Lang'ata Womens’ one night, but luckily I was set free the following day. However, I had the privilege of walking around and seeing the conditions that Sen. Murango is talking about. As someone who had reported that day, I was put in a small cell with very tiny mattress. I could hardly get sleep.

I think some of these experiences that God makes us go through are important because he knows that on your journey ahead, you are going to be tasked with representing such people in such facilities. Some of them are pregnant while others have infants. The diet is not balanced.

There are no special conditions for the vulnerable populations in prisons. It is dark. It is either you sleep on the floor or on very thin mattresses. It is time that we decongest Lang'ata Womens’ prison and think about the conditions of the women in our prisons.

It is a big shame that we have ignored this very key area of our justice system. It does not mean that just because they are awaiting trial or some of them have already been sentenced. I doubt if any of you here knows what to kaba is. I kaba---

Sen. Karen, be mindful of the language that you are using. Comply with the Standing Orders of the House.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I do not think there is another word for that. There is no other language for that. It means squatting, when you are being counted. They do not count you as you stand. You have to squat. Kaba is prison language.

Sen. Murango, I do not know how you came to learn about this. Either you have a relative or a girlfriend in prison because this is very timely.

I support and the relevant Committee, to come up with sound reforms to help our women live in decent conditions as they serve their term.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, very briefly, I want to comment on the extremely disturbing statement brought by the good Senator from Kirinyaga County in terms of the conditions of our prisons, particularly prisons with young children.

Those children did not commit any crime to be incarcerated with their parents. So, it is about time that we think seriously as a country to figure out how we adapt with the current changes in the world. It is just like standing here today and I tell my little child not to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) . I would be thinking like a 19th century person instead of the 21st century. Therefore, it is about time that we try to teach our children how to use AI to be able to better them.

Countries like the United States of America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand have experimented on having private prisons run by private companies.

In the UK, a company like G4S, which is also here in Kenya also as a security company manages some private prisons. So, it is about time for us to really be realistic and become AI, thinking individuals or 21st century legislators and advocate for the privatization of institutions, especially those penitentiaries that have got children in them. Of course, there are pros and cons.

Services, Senate.

One, people might say because they are profit-driven, you know, those managing these prisons would probably try to come up with cost-saving measures to be able to earn more profit. However, we have to look at it also in a way that Government will be able to oversight them. It is wrong for us to punish our children.

When you hear that children in Lang’ata Women’s Prison are being raped, you know, who are there. Those children are not getting educational services which is guaranteed by our Constitution for every child in this country. It worries us.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this statement should be taken seriously. It is about time that we start thinking outside the box. Let us experiment with the privatization of these penitentiaries. We can privatize the ones with children.

You might find that the Government will spend less money. I know a lot of people might worry that prison officers will lose jobs. No, people can find a way to work and we privatize them. We have so much land in this country. We have areas that are deserts. We can build a prison there, privatise and then fund it.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I request that you add me just 30 seconds on this matter. This issue of the massacre in Kilifi County is devastating. That when you go to Malindi, you will find a container with over 500 bodies inside. Why not resolve this matter, once and for all? Sometimes we do things that really leave some of us wondering whether our medulla oblongata is functioning. I think it is about time that the Government takes this matter seriously.

We need to take care of the health of the people who fall sick and admitted in the hospitals in Malindi. If a morgue is stinking as hell because maybe our criminal justice system is dragging its feet to resolve this matter, why not find a way of disposing?

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, from the onset, I agree on the issue of prisons, having been a serial guest in a number of them and, at some point, you represented me.

By the time I was de-whipped, the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Humans Rights had a report of reforms in penal institutions. One of our recommendations was privatization of prisons within the country and also to avoid punishing the children that are born in prisons. It is very unfortunate and undermines Article 53 of the Constitution on the child rights and they say child-based interest.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, since you are the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Humans Rights, ensure you wind up on the report on penal institutions. There is much land where these prisons are. I am happy today that Lang’ata Cemetery is being expanded to become part of Kamiti Land among other lands. Therefore, we must be innovative.

Secondly, is on the issue of Kianjai in Kirinyaga County. It is not right that the GSU travel all the way from Nairobi to terrorize people of Kianjai village because of business differences. There are people that are using police or GSU. The next GSU camp that is in Mount Kenya region is in Laikipia. How can they drive GSU personnel all the way to Kirinyaga to terrorize people? I appeal to the Committee to look at this issue of business rivalry that we see in Kirinyaga, so that the people of Kianjai village do not suffer.

Services, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on the issue of saba demos, while we empathize and sympathize with what happened, the organizers, planners and the executioners must be punished using anti-terrorism laws. That is economic sabotage and a way of sabotaging the Government.

When you even ban a police booth, you are a local terrorist and you must be handled as such. While we appeal for the IPOA and the Government to rein on the issue of police brutality and extrajudicial killings, any person found to have violated---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to hold peaceful demonstrations and without arms. However, what we saw during saba saba were criminals and goons, attacking, looting businesses, burning police stations and blocking roads. They must be dealt with as local domestic terrorists.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I join the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Stewart Madzayo on the issue of Shakahola. Yesterday evening, I was shocked to learn that there is the Shakahola massacre season two. This is very sad knowing that the bodies of the previous Shakahola victims have never been released to their families.

I appeal to the Government to put closure to this issue of Shakahola. As a parent, I was at pains because we were told that bodies of children were being retrieved from shallow graves. This matter should capture the imagination and attention of the nation.

We have never seen the seriousness of prosecuting and persecuting individuals who have persecuted the Shakahola massacre. I sympathize and empathize with the great people of Kilifi County. I would like to assure them, through the Senate Minority Leader, that we are together and will pursue justice. They say the hand of the moral universe is long, but it always bends to justice.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I submit.

Asante Mhe. Spika wa Muda. Ningependa kuchangia Taarifa ambayo ililetwa na Seneta wa Kaunti ya Laikipia. Hapo awali, nimesema kwamba ni vizuri kutofautisha maneno. Kwa mfano, kwa muda wa wiki moja, nimekuwa nikienda kuzika vijana wadogo waliouawa wakiwa na umri wa chini ya miaka 21.

Wengi wao waliuliwa katika maeneo ya Kaunti ya Kirinyaga, mmoja tu ndiye aliuliwa akiwa Githurai 44, ihlali hawakuwa katika maandamano yaliyokuweko. Tumesema ni wazi kwamba, kuna wakora ambao walikuwa wakiharibu mali ya umma na tunakubaliana wanafaa kuadhibiwa.

Hata hivyo, wale waliouliwa na hawakuwa na makosa, kwa maoni yangu wanafaa kupewa ridhaa. Kisa cha msichana ambaye alikufa akiwa katika jela ni ambacho tulisema hakifai kurudiwa. Tulipokuwa tukiongelea maneno ya Ojwang’ - nasikia alikuwa mtoto wa Chief katika eneo hilo. Alipelekwa ndani katika kituo cha polisi halafu akatoka akiwa ameaga.

Hatuwezi kuunga hiyo mkono. Nimeskia viongozi wakisema mambo mengi. Nimesikia wengine wakisema hata watu wapigwe risasi. Wakati tulikiwa tunatembea katika nchi wakati wa kuomba kura, sote tulikuwa tunaongea lugha moja. Walakini, nimekuja kujua binadamu ni kama mihogo. Maganda yanafanana lakini ladha ni tofauti kabisa. Nasema hivyo kwa sababu inapofika mahali ambapo tunafaa kuongea maneno

Services, Senate. ambayo tunajua ni dhuluma na hujuama, tunakwepa kuongea hilo kwa sababu tunafaa tukae kama Wakenya na tuongee mambo yote.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, siku hizi katika uongozi, nimekuja kujua kwamba sio kila kikombe ni cha chai. Sio kila tabasamu lina maana njema. Siku hizi, hata sumu inakuja na harufu ya maua. Ndio unaona leo, tunapoongea mazuri ambayo yanafaa yafanywe na kuongea wazi wazi yale mambo ambayo yanafanywa, wengine tutakuwa wabaya. Hata hivyo, baada ya wiki moja inzi lazima akufe. Kama inzi lazima akufe, afadhali kukufia kwa nyama kuliko kukufia kwa choo. Kwa hivyo, ni vizuri kuwa katika kumbukumbu na kukaa ukiongea maneno ambayo unajua kwa kweli inalingana na Katiba na watu wako katika upande wako.

Kila mtu anaelewa haya maneno tunayoongea kwa sababu tumekuwa katika hii Kenya. Sio lazima uonje bahari nzima ndio ujue iko na chumvi. Tunajua kuna wale wakora walioharibu mali, kuna watoto walikufa ambao hawakuwa na hatia na tunajua wale ambao tunafaa kuadhibu ama kunafaa kuwafanyia namna gani.

Tusiwe watu wakuongea maneno yasiyo maana kwa sababu wakati mwingine tunanonekama ni kama hatujui kile tunafanya. Ukumbuke kwamba unaweza kuwa kiongozi lakini nyani ni nyani, hata akivaa suti ni nyani kwa mwenye alimshonea suti. Kwa hivyo, ukichaguliwa na mienendo yako ni mbaya na unaongea mambo ambayao hayafai, utaonekana hivyo.

Mungu yuko na ukawaida ya kuinua watu ambao hawana lolote mbele ya watu ambao hawaamini chochote kwa sababu Mungu ni wetu sisi sote. Wakati utafika. Kwa hivyo, ni vizuri tuzingatie, tuongee na tusaidie wale ambao wanaumia. Tuchunge sana tusiumize wale ambao wanazikana kwa sababu haya mauti yatatukumba sisi sote. Hata mimi ninajua kuna mti ambao unakua mahali wa kutengeneza geneza langu. Sisi sote tunafaa kujua hivyo. Sisi sote ni watarajiwa katika---

Hon. Senators, that sums up the comments. In order to conclude on the business of the House, I will re-arrange the Order Paper and call out Order No.20.

Clerk, call out Order No.20.

Services, Senate.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I stopped at the point where I was saying that there are some provisions in this Bill which are quite unique. They are not consistent with the international norms on Technopolis. I said, for example, the definition of the technopolis, particularly the Konza Technopolis, is defined as just a number of hectares. That is not proper, it is not progressive and is very limiting.

We know of Technopolises across the world. We know of Silicon Valley, we know of Silicon Forest, we know of Gurugram in India and all these are not limited by the number of hectares they sit on. They are limited by ideas, not the amount of space they sit on. So, we will be starting on the wrong footing, as a country, if we try to limit Technopolis based on geographical sites that they occupy. It will be very important to amend, so that we do not set a wrong precedent on that.

I was also concerned about the functions of the authority where the authority has been given the function to allocate land. That cannot be the function of the authority.

We have institutions which do that in this country. We have the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Ministry of Land. Can they be allowed to do that? We have started hearing concerns that some unscrupulous land operators have already descended in Konza City and are buying land in preparation for all this.

This Bill has also to look at the seven elements of a Technopolis. It has only captured Government and large companies. For us to have a proper Technopolis, we need to have a university. All Technopolis across the world have a university located within the Technopolis. This Bill does not talk about that. Research institutions do not talk about that.

The Bill is also limiting as it is only talks about large technology companies. We also need to provide opportunities for youth who can set up small tech companies to be housed there.

So, there is a lot that needs to be done to this Bill. As a Member who is very conversant with Technopolis, I will be proposing amendments to this Bill to align it with international standards and create value for Kenyans in this Bill.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I second.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I thank the Mover of the Bill. I also thank the seconder, the Deputy Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and my neighbour, Sen. Osotsi. He also serves as the Chairperson of the County Special Funds and Investment Committee. I was excited to listen to most of his insights yesterday since he started seconding because this industry is his forte. I am happy that he has given a conspectus of what should really happen in technopolis.

Services, Senate.

As you are aware, when we were in Form One, we were being told the definition of biology or chemistry. The word "technopolis" refers to an urban place, similar to Silicon Valley in the United States of America (USA), where technopreneurs are based. It is an area of innovation and technology and, therefore, it is very critical.

I agree that as the world evolves and as we talk about technology, we are still slightly behind in Kenya. I saw that even companies like Meta and other major companies are now moving toward artificial intelligence. It is a moving target.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, I know you are a bit senior and may have watched the movie called, “Hard Target”. The story of that movie is about a gentleman who always wanted to use one bullet, but would miss the target. That is why it is called Hard Target.

I know the Generation Z and the rest may not know what movie Hard Target is. I do not think the current types of movies on Netflix, Amazon or YouTube captures that. I know you are a busy man, but I advise that should you find time, watch that movie. It is a very interesting one.

I want to relate this to technology. In technology, what is relevant in the morning, as Sen. Osotsi will tell you, has become obsolete by evening. So, we must keep pace. I remember there was an issue regarding elections and you were very instrumental during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations process. You also served as an election agent and were among those signing the charter during the engagement with the current President. In that context, we were arguing about the role of technology in our elections. Technology will control our lives.

What surprises me is that when you go to other countries, they are now resorting to the use of paper, especially when you travel. I know your members from the Table Office are conversant with that because we normally travel together with the secretariat. I can see they are smiling. I do not know whether it is true or false. They are aware since I was once a Chair. When you go to America and other established countries, they are now retreating and using paper. They no longer fear technology because it is vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, you have practised law long enough in this country. You will recall the substratum of the conversation within the election petition of Hon. Raila Odinga in 2017 was about the servers and we were being told that people in France were yet to wake up.

I am happy that in this Bill, we are creating our own store. Let me use the word store, so that Kenyans can understand. We are creating our own hub, so that we do not need to outsource. In fact, as we talk today, the issue of e-Citizen and the use of cards in banks is becoming a serious digital economy. Therefore, regulation and legislation on digital economy are very important.

I thank His Excellency the President because he has been instrumental in the establishment of digital hubs in 290 constituencies. That will bring a revolution in terms of the digital economy. The laying of fibre optic across the country will ensure that Kenya, alongside South Africa and Nigeria, becomes one of the greatest hubs in the entire Africa. These 290 digital hubs that His Excellency President William Ruto is pushing to be established everywhere should and must be welcomed by each and every person.

Services, Senate.

Sen. Cherarkey, it is 6.30 p.m. When the House resumes tomorrow, you will have your 15 minutes remaining to conclude your contribution.