Wednesday, 26th November 2025

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes.

Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell for another five minutes.

Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Quorum Bell. First Order.

Hon. Waqo, proceed on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party.

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

Let us move to the Ordinary Questions. Hon. Gikaria, proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to ask the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) the following Question: Could the Commission—

The Question will be replied to before the Departmental

Committee on Education. The next Question is by Hon. Umulkher Harun, who has asked that

Let us move to the Statements. Hon. Daniel Karitho, Member for Igembe Central.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding non-payment of salaries to Chief and Assistant Chiefs serving in Igembe Central. The following public officers who were appointed and are actively serving in their respective administrative units since 13th August 2024, have not received their salaries or remuneration since their appointment:

Hon. Onchoke.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the statement sought by the Member for Igembe Central. The same situation applies to Bonchari. There are four officers who are serving in the same Ministry and who have gone for a long time without their pay. The officers are Robin Nyamenya Bundi, Ombati Mokua Evans, Benjamin Opanga and Elvis Moemi Onyancha. As the Cabinet Secretary addresses the issue of Igembe Central, I would like him also to address the case of the officers in Bonchari.

I, thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Nyamai.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to also make a comment on this matter of chiefs and assistant chiefs. As Hon. Karitho has said, in Mutomo, there is a chief and an assistant chief who have not been paid for the last one year. I will avoid mentioning their names for ethical reasons.

There is also the Assistant Chief for Makaya and another one in Ikanga, making them a total of six in my constituency. It becomes very difficult because those people have families and yet, they do not have food. It has not rained in my constituency for the last three years. It is extremely difficult to continue working without pay. We can wait for the operationalisation of the new administrative units, but the Ministry needs to ensure that those people who have already been hired are paid. As they serve justice to the constituents of Hon. Karitho, I would like to ask that they do the same to chiefs and assistant chiefs in Kitui South Constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you. This request for statement would be considered by the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security. Hon. Raso.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I would like to have a consolidated list from even the other two colleagues. This issue appears to be rampant. We want to address it directly with the Ministry. We will respond to the House in a week’s time.

Hon. Timothy Toroitich, Member for Marakwet West Constituency, you have a request for a statement.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the allocation and disbursement of Transitional Infrastructure Grant (TIG) funds to learning institutions.

TIG funds are a Government initiative programme that is managed by the Ministry of Education. It supports infrastructural developments in schools. Its objective is to address the infrastructural gaps in schools to accommodate the increasing student population, following the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) Curriculum, and the transition policy guaranteeing 100 per cent transition of learners from primary to secondary education.

However, several projects that have been initiated by the Ministry of Education under the TIG Programme, in Marakwet West Constituency have stalled, leaving incomplete structures and disrupting learning in the affected schools.

Additionally, the criteria and procedure used by the Ministry of Education in allocating and disbursing TIG funds to learning institutions remain unclear to stakeholders, raising concerns about equity, transparency and accountability in their distribution.

It is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following:

Hon. Tonkei, do you want to give an undertaking on behalf of the Departmental Committee on Education? When will it be responded to?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. We will respond in two weeks’ time.

Hon. Tonkei, you should respond in a week’s time because of the recess.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, looking at the calendar, we will go on recess on Thursday. I do not think it will be possible for us to respond to the request for statement before then. You all know what is happening now. There would be by-elections on Thursday. We undertake to respond after two weeks. Alternatively, the Member can appear before the Committee so that we can respond there.

Thank you.

Hon. Toroitich, if I am not wrong, you requested for this statement before. Is it?

Hon. Deputy Speaker, this is a different question. The other question was about School Equipment Kit (SEK) , but this one is about TIG funds. Whereas, I respect Hon. Tonkei’s sentiment, this is a very serious issue. Under the current CBE Programme, we need more classrooms. Many pending projects, under the TIG funds, remain incomplete in our institutions.

If the Cabinet Secretary will appear before the Committee on Tuesday, I am ready to appear there so that I can put across the sentiments to the Committee and Ministry. Thursday next week is fair for the Committee to bring the response.

Hon. Tonkei, take note of that. There is a request for a statement by Hon. Amos Mwago, Member for Starehe. Is he here? He seems not. We would therefore, defer it.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands regarding the prolonged delay in the registration of the Turbi-Bubisa community land.

Sections 6 and 7 of the Community Land Act (Cap. 287) clearly outline the legal procedures for registration of community land. On 25th September 2024, the Turbi-Bubisa Community, located in North Horr Constituency, Marsabit County, undertook all the necessary steps in relation to recognition of their community land, including constitution of the Community Land Management Committee, holding of public participation forums, mapping and demarcation of their ancestral land and submission of Form CLA-1 for recognition and registration of the community land to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

Despite doing that, the Community is yet to receive its title deed from the Registrar of Lands. This undue delay not only exposes the community to land insecurity, potential encroachment and development, but also undermines the spirit and intent of the Community Land Act, which was enacted to protect the land rights of pastoralists and indigenous communities across the country.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this backdrop that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Lands on the following:

That request for statement will be responded to by the Departmental Committee on Lands. Is there a Member of the Committee here? Hon. Josses, do you want to give an undertaking on behalf of the Committee?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. We will give feedback in two weeks’ time.

We have a request for a statement by the Member for Nyaribari Chache, Hon. Zaheer.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. There is a bit of confusion this morning. I am supposed to ask a question, but not a request for a statement. I will defer it.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

The next one is the Member for Sabatia, Hon. Clement Sloya.

Hon. Naomi Waqo, did you want to say something first? Hold on, Hon. Clement.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Putting into consideration the number of days and months that Hon. Clement Sloya has been out because of health issues, as the 13th Parliament, we thank God that he is back. He has been very active and has been participating in different ways but, due to health issues, he has been away. We thank God that he is back. As we welcome him, I thank the Members who have stood with him. I also thank his constituents because they have been very understanding. So, welcome back. We are happy to have you back and we thank God that you have recovered.

Hon. Clement Sloya, you may proceed.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the Lunyerere Bridge along the Kisumu–Kakamega Highway.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Lunyerere Bridge serves as a critical link for residents of Vihiga, Kakamega, Kisumu, and surrounding regions, facilitating the daily movement of passengers, goods, and services. However, the bridge is narrow, lacks adequate safety guardrails, and is poorly illuminated. As a result, it has increasingly become a blackspot. Several lives have been lost over the years, with vehicles and motorcycles frequently plunging into the river when motorists lose control due to heavy rains or during periods of low visibility. The recurring loss of lives and property, therefore, calls for urgent intervention regarding the bridge's structural design and width.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the

I thank you.

This will be marked to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. Is there a Member of the Committee to give an undertaking on behalf of the Committee? Yes, Hon. Zaheer.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, we will do something about it and respond in one week. Thank you.

There is also a request for a statement by Hon. Joyce Kamene, Member for Machakos County.

You have just walked in on time.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Allow me to make a request for a statement regarding the compensation of victims of the 1999 train accident.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding compensation of Mr. Stephen Mboya Mutiso, a survivor of the 1999 train accident.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, Mr Stephen Mboya Mutiso of ID No.5090070 and a resident of Kaewa in Kathiani Constituency, Machakos County, was involved in a tragic train accident on 24th March 1999, while travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa. The accident, which occurred when the train derailed at Tsavo National Park, claimed 32 lives and left more than 100 passengers injured. Mr Stephen Mboya sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital for eight months. Following his discharge, he has continued to attend monthly medical clinics. Tragically, his mother, the late Ng’ondu Mutiso Musembi, was among those who lost their lives in the accident. The Kenya Railways Corporation undertook to cater for burial expenses for the deceased persons and to assist with medical bills

for the injured victims. Despite those assurances, the victims and their families have not received any compensation to date for the losses, injuries and expenses incurred as a result of the accident. The prolonged lack of compensation by the Kenya Railways Corporation has caused immense financial hardship and distress for Mr Stephen Mboya who continues to face expenses for medical care linked to the injuries that were sustained during the accident. Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the

I thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

That will be dealt with by the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. Hon. Zaheer, do you want to give an undertaking?

Yes, Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Committee will do a response in two weeks’ time for both requests for statements. Thank you.

We also have a request for a statement by the Hon. Member for Nandi Hills, Hon. Kitur.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the poor road design of Mombasa-Malindi Highway, specifically at Kadzengo area.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Mombasa-Malindi Highway is a key road that serves the coastal region facilitating the transportation of goods and passengers and fostering trade and tourism. However, the highway, particularly the section at Kadzengo, lacks critical road safety features, including properly designed speed bumps, clear road markings, and sub-standard signage. This has exposed motorists and other road users to safety risks. Since the completion of the road, multiple accidents on the road have been attributed to the poor design of the road, especially the absence of visible road markings and signage.

In fact, on 10th of April 2025, a 25-year old Mr. Hezron Kiprotich of ID No.38317443 lost his life in a road accident at Kadzengo area. Road users have raised concerns severally about missing signages and lack of traffic safety infrastructure and yet, remedial action has not been taken to date.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following:

That would also be responded to by the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. Hon. Zaheer.

Hon. Deputy Speaker, we will respond within two weeks.

Next, we have a request for a statement by Hon. Muhammed Wajir South.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) c, I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife regarding the unlawful relocation of two orphaned Somali or reticulated giraffes from Wajir County.

Two orphaned giraffes which were being cared for and protected by members of the local community and conservation volunteers in Wajir County, were recently relocated from their natural habitat by the Kenya Wildlife Service without any local community involvement in total disregard of established conservation principles, community rights and the spirit of devolution. Such actions by the KWS undermine public trust, alienate local stakeholders and threaten the sustainability of community-led conservation efforts across northern Kenya. Conservation must be anchored on transparency, accountability, meaningful community participation, and must not be imposed from above.

Communities in arid and semi-arid regions have consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to wildlife protection, often at a great sacrifice. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the national Government and its agencies to uphold the principles of partnership and consultation in all conservation undertakings. Policy and administrative measures must ensure that the community consents and participates. Those are mandatory prerequisites for any wildlife relocation.

It is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife on the following:

That will be dealt with by the Committee on Tourism and Wildlife. Is there a Member of that Committee here? Okay. Hon. Waqo, do you want to give an undertaking?

Yes, Hon. Deputy Speaker, I will make sure that the Chairperson will respond to this as early as possible because it needs some serious attention. Thank you.

Before we proceed, I would like to recognise the presence of members of the ACK Church Kirinyaga Parish from Kirinyaga Central Constituency, Kirinyaga County. They are seated in the Public Gallery. On behalf of the National Assembly, we welcome you to observe the proceedings.

Hon. (Dr) Oundo. You have a request for a statement.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for your indulgence. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) C, I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Labour regarding the reported assault of a Kenyan worker by a foreign national at the TCA Mabati Factory in Eldoret.

One Andrew Tabu Kagwa Waliera, holder of ID No.3242230, and a resident of Shibinga Sub-location, Nambuku Location in Funyula Constituency was captured on video being violently assaulted, demeaned and threatened by his Chinese supervisor, Mr. Xiao Jianzhong. That repressive act, now in the public domain, has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about the treatment of Kenyan workers by certain foreign employers that are operating in our country.

The victim is currently in poor health, nursing serious injuries that he sustained during the assault. He has been unable to resume his duties effectively and shockingly, is now reportedly facing threats of dismissal from employment. Even more worrying is the allegation that he was coerced into recording a video with his assailant purporting to forgive him. An act that was clearly aimed at repressing the truth and obstructing justice.

This matter goes beyond an isolated case of assault. It touches on the dignity of Kenyan workers, the sovereignty of our labour laws, and the responsibility of the State to protect its citizens from abuse, intimidation and unlawful treatment within their places of work. It is against this background that I seek for a statement from the Chairperson of the Department on Labour on the following:

That will be forwarded to the Departmental Committee on Labour. Is there anybody from the Labour Committee to give an undertaking? Hon. Waqo.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I will talk to the Chairperson so that they can respond before we go on recess.

Thank you. Now we go to responses to requests for statements. We will start with the Hon. Member for North Horr. Hon. Wario’s request for a statement. Who is responding? Hon. Raso are you the one responding? Okay.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Member of Parliament for North Horr Constituency, Hon. Adhe Wario, requested to be apprised of the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Marsabit County. The Member sought to be informed on the plans to expedite and conclude the process of resettlement and the specific measures being implemented to restore and sustain long-lasting security and peace in Marsabit County.

Marsabit County has IDPs arising from the 2017-2021 conflicts. Consequently, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has formed an IDPs Committee chaired by the County Commissioner. Other members of the Committee include the county government members and Members of Parliament. The Committee has the following terms of reference:

Hon. Wario, are you satisfied? Do you have anything to say?

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. First, I would like to appreciate the response by Hon. Dido Raso, who comes from the county and is also affected by the plight of the IDPs. I wish to make it clear to this august House that the profiling of IDPs was done between 2022 and 2023. Since then, no action has been taken to resettle, rehabilitate and compensate them.

In my request for a statement, I made it very clear that I wanted to understand where this process has reached in terms of timelines. Unfortunately, there is no mention of resettlement or what action has been taken in terms of compensation. The Statement has also not given a timeline on when those IDPs will be resettled. The Statement is generic, unsatisfactory and does not meet the aspirations of the communities who have been affected by the conflict in Marsabit.

Hon. Raso, your Committee has to send back a request for clarification from the Ministry.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I come from that area and I am fully versed with what my colleague is stressing. One thing we must appreciate from this Government is that there is peace in Marsabit. From 2017 up to the last

general election, we were fighting and there was an apparent absence of Government. Today, we can talk about this because there is peace.

Secondly, the Government has gone further to form a committee and also a peace committee. There must be...

Hon. Raso, you are now holding brief for the Ministry. All we need is your confirmation that you will seek the three clarifications that he wants.

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am well guided.

Okay. There is a response to another question by the Member on insecurity in North Horr. Hon. Raso, do you have the response?

Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Member of Parliament for North Horr Constituency, Hon. Adhe Wario, requested to be apprised of the status of insecurity in North Horr Constituency.

The Member sought to be informed on:

the support of local residents, recovered all the stolen camels and returned them to their rightful owners.

Third, is insecurity incidents in Bales Burra and Bisiq areas. On 6th September 2025, a banditry attack occurred in Bales Burra and Bisiq locations within Marsabit North Sub-county, resulting in the fatal injury of three Gabra pastoralists and serious injury to one person in the Dambala Bathana area. An Inquest File No.04/2025 was opened following the incident. Chiefs from both Marsabit North and Loiyangalani sub-counties recorded their statements.

There is something on insecurity within Loiyangalani Sub-county. Epus Lichochi made a report at Loiyangalani Police Station on 13th October 2025 suspecting Gabra bandits had attacked and fatally injured a herder at Wano Water Wells within Gus Location of North Horr Sub-county. The incident was booked in the OB and the deceased’s body was later interred in

Loiyangalani following a post-mortem.

In what is believed to be a retaliatory attack, suspected Turkana bandits shot and killed Guyo Elema Halakhe while he was herding cattle at Milima Siriqo in Gus Location of North Horr Sub-county on 19th October 2025.

What are the long-term measures that are being implemented to restore security in the area? They include the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) camp at Gus, which continues to enhance security in hotspot areas. Security agencies are sustaining continuous disarmament operations targeting illegal possession of firearms. There is a recruitment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) to complement the police in the fight against banditry. We also have revitalisation of community policing forums and facilitating sustained dialogue between communities through regular meetings that are aimed at fostering mutual understanding.

Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, EGH, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration signs it. I beg to respond.

Member of North Horr, do you have anything?

Thank you. The incidents of attacks that the Ministry reports are just a few among many others that are afflicting the peace-loving people of North Horr. According to the Report issued on 1st March 2024, a total of 46 camels were stolen. Out of those, 27 camels and four calves were later surrendered to the owners. The attackers reported that two camels had entered their territory, four died, and hyenas killed two. That is against the 45 that were reported by the community.

However, the figures do not add up. They reveal clear contradictions. The four camels reportedly died while in the hands of the aggressors and, therefore, compensation is required. The key question remains: What plans does the Government have regarding the 13 missing camels?

It was reported that Turkana herders attacked Gabra Satellite Camps on 2nd October

movement suggests that the victim may have been on a serious mission. Furthermore, no evidence has been presented to prove that Gabra herders were responsible for the killing because there were no reported incidents of attack on that day.

On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

What is your point of order?

I do not know whether the Member is in order to continue reading while he is not giving a statement. He is supposed to be debating and only referring to his notes. He is reading the Statement. Is he in order?

Take that into consideration, Hon. Wario. Proceed.

I gave my request for statements long ago. That is why the Member was able to respond. I am just giving facts about the irregularities within the Response that has been presented by the Committee Chair.

Attacks on Gabra herders are still ongoing. According to OB No.10/11/2025, Gabra herders were reportedly attacked in the Sibiloi area on 1st November 2025. It resulted in the killing of one herder aged 30 years, Gilo Quni Golbo. The attack injured two others aged 25 years; that is, Mr Roba Quni Golbo and Mr Abudo Yatani Wario. The attackers stole 420 sheep and goats.

An incident booked OB No. 092/11/2025 occurred the following day, on 2nd November. Heavily armed Turkana militia attacked Gabra herders, killing one person. I am just finishing. Looking at the number of stolen livestock and those recovered, we still have a deficit of 1,355 sheep and goats, 40 donkeys, 28 cattle and 13 camels that have not been returned.

Hon. Wario, it would be best if you submitted the incidents to the Committee so that you bring it to their attention. You have more than what the Cabinet Secretary has provided.

Police report that some have been recovered but they remain in the hands of the aggressors. I would like to know when the livestock will be recovered and returned to the rightful owners, and what measures will be put in place to prevent continued attacks along the corridor.

Thank you.

Take that into account as you seek clarification from the Ministry.

Thank you. Although you stopped me last time, I come from the area. I am the Member for Saku representing Marsabit in this august Assembly.

The major problem in Marsabit is within an arc between Mount Kulal and Lake Turkana. It is a kind of to-and-from attacks among pastoralist communities. I will get more details from my honourable colleague and share them with the Ministry.

Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

Thank you. Hon. Raso, you are going to be on your feet today. The next response is to a request for statement by Hon. Esther Passaris, who is the County Woman Representative for Nairobi County.

Thank you very much. The Member for Nairobi County, Hon. Esther Passaris, requested to be apprised on a video clip that had been circulating on social media alleging confession to rape by pastor James Ng’ang’a. The honourable colleague sought to be informed on measures the DCI is undertaking to authenticate and investigate the video. Two, the mechanism in place to identify, locate and protect survivors of sexual violence. Three, plans of the Government to regulate, monitor and curb misuse of artificial intelligence.

A video clip that circulated online in early October 2025, purportedly showed Pastor James Ng’ang’a confessing that he and seven other men participated in the gang-rape of a woman during his youth. The clip went viral and sparked widespread public outrage.

The DCI launched inquiries into the matter. Pastor Ng’ang’a was subsequently summoned. He appeared before the DCI in Nairobi on 15th October 2025 and recorded a statement. In his account, he clarified that he shared a personal testimony about his life during a crusade held at Maili Tatu in Meru in September 2025.

It included his time in prison and the reason for his incarceration. He explained that the reference to a gang-rape incident was a fictitious illustration drawn from stories shared by inmates, intended to emphasise that God can redeem anyone regardless of their past. An exhibit memo form has been prepared, requesting the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to download and preserve the video clip from the provided link. The CA is to determine whether the video was AI-generated or digitally manipulated, certify the clip and furnish a forensic report. Meanwhile, the investigating officers are in the process of identifying the congregants who attended the crusade, with a view to interviewing them to obtain further investigative leads. Investigations are ongoing with forensic digital results and intelligence analysis being awaited to aid in determining the authenticity of the clip. Upon receipt of the forensic report, the inquiry file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for perusal and appropriate advice.

The National Police Service (NPS), through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has established the following mechanisms to identify, trace and protect survivors of sexual violence:

collaborates with medical, psychosocial and legal support service

continues to strengthen multi-agency coordination to ensure

digital technologies:

Thank you very much, Chair. Hon. Passaris, do you have any specific clarifications to seek?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. As you are aware, we have just started the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) . I rise with absolute concern about the escalating dangers faced by women and

girls in our country. That is what has brought about the Statement that I have sought. The events of the past week have shown us that we are not dealing with isolated incidents in GBV. It is a pattern of violence, neglect and institutional failure.

The matter involving Pastor James Ng’ang’a generated intense national debate. When the video circulated, the pastor came out immediately. He addressed it, reacted to it and in many ways, acknowledged the clip while making further remarks, some that were directed at me personally. But this is not about personalities; it is about the incident he described, whether it happened many years ago or recently. It involved harm to a woman whose story remains unknown. Violence does not lose its gravity with time. A possible survivor or her family may be living with unanswered questions. If nothing happened, the public needs clarity grounded on professional investigations. What the Chair has just told me in the response is what appears in textbooks or Government structures, but not the reality on the ground. This country needs a Magufuli or a Karisa Maitha, where you take the bull by the horns and do something about it.

Just this week, we have seen a disturbing TikTok video of teenage boys harassing women in broad daylight. They are grabbing and slapping them. The boys are dragging school girls into videos without their consent. Why? Because they are looking for ‘likes. That is sexual harassment. What are we doing about it?

As I said, we are in the 16 Days of Activism against GBV. There was Rita Mueni in Roysambu, Starlet Wahu in South B, Mary Wangui in Kasarani, Christine Soita in Kakamega, Brenda, an MKU student in Thika and Irene Ayimba. And there was Abigail in Kasarani. I want you to listen to Abigail’s story because you always interrogate the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration. When Abigail’s mother called recently and asked for the status of the investigation into her daughter’s case, this is what the police told her: “Wait, we have other cases.” And here you are telling me that we have structures and we are doing what is necessary. We are giving counselling and we are investigating. No! We are failing. No parent should have to be told to wait because of other cases. It is a reflection that the system is overstretched, under-resourced and, at times, lacking in compassion.

The Models Association has come to me and said they work and walk in fear. I will organise for them something during this the 16 Days of Activism. I will not bring a question here anymore, but I will take them to the Principal Secretary for Interior and Internal Security, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations. I have spoken to the Director of Criminal Investigations personally and told him we need a human heart and compassion. We need to do something more than just saying: “This is a case or a file.”

Hon. Passaris, I am being magnanimous because you started by talking about the 16 Days of Activism. I would like you to specifically address the matter you had raised, so that the Chair knows whether you are satisfied with the response given.

No, Hon. Temporary Speaker. On this matter, Pastor Ng’ang’a already went to the DCI and recorded a statement. The DCI are now coming back to me asking whether the clip is AI-generated. It is ridiculous to tell me they are going to investigate whether the clip is AI or not. It is not AI. They are also going to the church to look for the congregants who listened. Pastor Ng’ang’a has owned up to this clip and so you are wasting a lot of time. Get to the details. There is a woman out there. Probably she died. Probably she bore a child. Probably she got HIV. You are not telling me how you are going to identify her. In the area where the rape happened, was there a reported case. Can you reach out? I have seen America solve cases 30 years later using forensics. What are we doing? Is our forensic system working? When it comes to Pastor Ng’ang’a, I want to say that when you seek forgiveness from God, it is more than just becoming a reformed person.

It is also going and making peace with the people whom you have wronged. If he wants, we can find the victim. We should actually come out clearly that rape is not right.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I want to bring to your attention what is going on in South Africa today. It is so important. It might happen in Kenya. This year alone, South Africa has recorded 5,475 femicide cases. It has been declared a national disaster. We do not want to head there, but we are almost heading there. We are heading there because there are files like those of Abigail and of the victim who was gang-raped! I want you to imagine this: Gang-raped by eight men and left there lying like a dog. Those were his exact words and you come here and tell me you are still concerned about the AI video? Get real!

It is not about the AI video. You are explaining to me that the AI video is actually not the original and that the church members have said this and that. Find me the survivor. Find me justice for the survivor. Tell me what happened with this case. There must have been a patient in a hospital, a police case reported or a dead body. You can look at your records over 10 years. Where are the forensics? We should be able to solve those cases.

The files of women who have been raped and killed in Kenya, and I have mentioned their names, are gathering dust. The police are too busy. They have no compassion. They are bribed by perpetrators. Nobody is getting justice. This was one case that you could have run with, but here you are interviewing the people who had the clip. That is not the case. The case is about the survivor. Tell me what you are doing about the survivor. You have not responded to me about the survivor.

Thank you.

In Abigail's case, they said they have no reagents to do the DNA with. The chief prime suspect, who was arrested, was probably released and is out at large to rape his next victim.

Thank you, Hon. Passaris.

This is serious…

Hon. Passaris, we fully understand that this is a serious matter. Vice-Chairman, would you like to comment on this? Do you have answers on whether the cases have specific timelines, and if the police have the ability, the financing and tools that are needed or the timeline when you are going to answer Hon. Passaris?

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Firstly, I thank Hon. Passaris for raising this particular matter. If we must take this country seriously, any person who commits a crime, regardless of the level they operate in, should be aware that nobody is above the law. Pastor Ng’ang’a, whoever he is - and I do not know him - must be a known personality. He should not take rape as a joke. That is why the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned him.

The reason AI came into the picture of this particular matter is that the same colleague wanted to find out if it was AI-generated or if it was the original video in which the gentleman spoke on the pulpit. That is why you do not mix issues when you ask questions in Parliament. Let us call a spade a spade. If Pastor Ng’ang’a was involved in the rape case, he must be brought to book, including prosecuting him. Additionally, he also confirmed that he was in jail. The question is: Was it on the same or on other crimes?

Vice-Chairman, let us be specific. You are telling us what the DCI should do. Since you are representing the Chairman in his absence, tell us when the activities you are indicating will be done. Do you have timelines so that we can close this matter?

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I am not emotional about this matter; I am all about facts. If she has more information on this matter, let her raise it so that we put DCI to question, including even summoning them to Parliament.

Order, Hon. Passaris. The

Thank you. As a Committee, we are going to summon the DCI on this particular case. This might just be one of many cases. They will be summoned to explain to us what they are doing about this matter. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Thank you very much. So, will you respond in seven days? Thank you very much.

Next Order.

On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

What is out of order, Member for Makueni Constituency, Hon. Suzanne Kiamba?

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I have been sitting here listening to responses to statements, but I am very disturbed. I requested for a statement on 13th March from the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works. Additionally, I have risen on a point of order twice on the Floor of the House and I am yet to get a response. I am wondering who should follow up since I have even followed up at the Table Office, but I have not got a response. I asked the question on behalf of my constituency and Kenyans at large. I want to know the way forward on when I will get the response to the request for a statement that I sought on 13th March.

Are you a Member of the Housing Committee? Would you like to respond to that? Are you sure you have the response? That is because I wanted to find out… You do not have? Okay. Where is the Chairman? The Chairman is here. Thank you very much for being in the House. Would you like to respond to this? It is nine months down the line, and Hon. Suzzane Kiamba has not received a response to a statement she sought on 13th March and yet, the year is almost ending. What is your response? In a minute, please.

When that question was raised, we proceeded for recess. We had organised to come and give a response, but the Cabinet Secretary had not done a good report on it. I request that I respond within a week.

From March up to now? Fair enough, review your documents. You have requested for one week? So be it. Thank you.

Before we go to the next Order, Hon. Rahim Dawood… Hon. Suzzane, so that we move to the next business, the Chairman has indicated that you are going to get a response in a week.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we are almost closing this Session, but you have ordered that I get the response in one week. Am I being assumed? Three sessions have lapsed without a response, and now you have said that I will get a response within a week. Will this happen online, or how will I be answered?

Thank you.

Hon. Suzzane, for your information, we still have a week in this House, and this is a House of records. The Chairman

has made a commitment that you will get a response within a week. One week is good enough. Have you accepted? You have accepted. Thank you.

Hon. Dawood.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I wanted to give my comments on the President’s Speech.

Thank you very much. Next Order.

Hon. David Kiplagat.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity to contribute to the State of the Nation Address delivered by His Excellency the President.

The Address by the President covered key milestones as required by our Constitution. When the President was presenting, the people of Soy, the entire Uasin Gichu County and the nation were happy. Looking at the President’s blueprint, we are on a trajectory to move Kenya from a third world nation status to first world nation status or the “Singapore” of this region.

I would like to specifically address the issue of the proposed infrastructure fund. This is a crucial injection that has been lacking for us to develop. The proposed infrastructure fund of about Ksh5 trillion will spur economic development in the country. The money will be invested in roads, railways and airports infrastructure development. I dare say that our airports resemble 19th-century airports when compared to other international airports around the world. This injection will also ensure that the country becomes food sufficient by investing in significant mega irrigation schemes and mega dams. It will provide support for agriculture,

which is indeed the backbone of this country’s economy, thus enabling it to rely on both rain- fed agriculture and irrigation systems.

I urge this House to support the President's agenda so that we can establish the proposed fund. The resources are available. We are currently borrowing from the savings of pensioners in China, Europe and USA. Why do we not adopt a similar approach and start borrowing internally? For instance, if we create a well-managed fund through the savings in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and other pension schemes, the funds can be invested in the development of this country. This approach would benefit us significantly by utilising our own- source revenue instead of depending on external borrowing.

Moreover, we have parastatals that are dear to us. However, it is well known that the Government is poor in conducting business. Therefore, we should not retain parastatals that lack a strategic component in their operations. Most of them only engage in commercial activities. Even if they must be regulated, there are regulatory bodies that can oversee businesses. We do not need to engage in business ourselves, such as selling oils or bundles in Safaricom, to incorporate that strategic component.

As the Infrastructure Fund Bill is introduced, we should assess the entirety of our parastatals and the necessity to streamline them, thereby granting the private sector an opportunity to do business. If we carefully evaluate those parastatals, I believe we can secure enough funds – about Ksh1 trillion – to inject into the proposed infrastructure fund for the development of the necessary infrastructure in this country.

A healthy nation is a wealthy nation, and vice versa. Considering the ongoing reforms in the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the strategies that the Government has implemented to ensure that all indigents are registered, we should unite to ensure that all Kenyans are registered with SHA. This will enable us to finally offer free universal healthcare. With an effective healthcare system, we will alleviate poverty in this country. If there is anything that causes poverty, it is a situation where one’s relative falls ill, and one has to raise around Ksh2 million, compelling one to sell their assets to afford treatment. If we can address that situation and establish a working free healthcare system, it will save this nation.

With those remarks, I support the President’s State of the Nation Address.

Next is Hon. Robert Mbui, the Member for Kathiani.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to the Motion on the State of the Nation address delivered by His Excellency the President.

First, I note that there are specific areas which the President is obliged to address. He is supposed to report on the measures taken and progress achieved in realisation of the national values and principles of governance, the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of this Republic, and the state of national security. The Constitution is very clear.

Unfortunately, the President comes here with long drawn-out speeches, which he is good at delivering. Regrettably, this time round, he went beyond what is legally expected. As an excellent marketer, I observed that people were excited, thinking that what he was doing was, perhaps, the right thing. However, I must emphasise that our Constitution is very explicit regarding what to present during a state of the nation address.

It is important to note that the President claimed that we are doing well. However, I argue that one cannot simply declare to people that they are doing well. You cannot go to your neighbour and tell them that they are doing well. They must feel it. Parents are struggling to put food on the table. Parents are unable to take their children to school and pay school fees. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Therefore, I do not understand how we can be told that we are doing better. We are unable to feed our families because we have less disposable income. In the three years that this regime has been in power, the salaries of Kenyans have

decreased six times. Six times! Therefore, we have less disposable income and we are unable to provide for our people. It quite unfortunate that we are being informed that we are doing better; that the country is doing well, and that we are much better off today than yester-years.

The only good thing I can say about this regime is that it is very good at cash handouts. They have been travelling all over under the guise of public empowerment during campaigns and dishing out handouts. However, one cannot develop a country or elevate it to first world status through cash handouts.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, concerning the specific issues that the President is supposed to address regarding values and principles of good governance, as stated in the Constitution, the first is transparency and accountability. The President mentioned Singapore. Singapore has achieved its current status because the political leadership there embraced and promoted the values of integrity, transparency and accountability. I am unsure whether this regime operates under those principles. I wish to point out that Singapore is free of corruption. Is Kenya corruption-free? I shall not even attempt to answer that question. Every Kenyan knows the answer. You cannot claim that we shall become like Singapore when corruption is the order of the day.

In terms of transparency, the law is very clear about borrowing. Public debt must be contained and controlled by this House. However, this regime has been over-borrowing right under our noses. Members are aware of this but they choose to ignore it. We hear of terms like “securitisation.” I challenge the Leader of the Majority Party to define the word ‘loan’ as it pertains to securitisation. We are taking money in advance from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF). The funds that Kenyans will be paying to the RMLF ten years from now are already being spent. That is a loan. That is not being transparent. We are borrowing beyond what we should because we are concealing the fact that we are, indeed, borrowing.

The second point is public participation, which is a value espoused in the principles and values of our nation. Whenever we intend to pass a law, we are mandated to engage the public. Prior to the passage the Finance Bill 2024, Kenyans said “No” to very many things that were contained therein. When an impeachment motion against the former Deputy President was brought to this House, Kenyans said so much, but the current regime and the Members of this House ignored what the people said. The people’s opinions are supposed to be respected.

Human dignity is one of our national values. How can we say we have human dignity when we saw what happened? The New York Times reported recently that Kenyans are being traded to be slaves out there, and that the transactions benefit a few individuals. We were told that we will be a first world country. How do you become a first-world country when our citizens are slaves in other peoples’ countries?

Human rights is another national value. How can we say that we respect human rights when the President did not even talk about that matter? How many Kenyans were killed in 2023 and 2024? How many young Kenyans were shot? The President himself gave an order for people to be shot on the legs, but we say that we respect human rights. I am talking about the values that are espoused in the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya.

The issue of regional balance …

Next is Hon. Yegon, the Member for Bomet East.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the State of the Nation Address by the President. I would like to contribute and put into context a few points which the President touched on.

About 27 million people have registered for the Social Health Authority (SHA) . This is three times the number that the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) had

registered. The NHIF was not serving our people the way SHA is doing now. This shows that the President is taking the country in the right direction.

This regime has employed 76,000 teachers, which has never happened before, and another 24,000 teachers are due for employment early next year. This will bring the total number of teachers who have been employed by this regime to 100,000. This has never happened in the three or four previous regimes combined. This shows that the President has a good plan for this country and for the people of this great nation.

When it comes to housing, we have seen the robust building of affordable housing, which has culminated in the employment of very many young people. Over 300,000 individuals have so far been employed by this administration because of the plans of the President. All this information is in the public domain, and we cannot deny it.

The infrastructure development projects that are going on across the country show that the President is doing the right thing by trying to unite the country. There is no place in the country where development it is not taking place. Development is going on even in places where he did not get votes. Countrywide, infrastructure development is going on. New tarmac roads are under construction, and trading centres are being connected to electricity.

Another thing is the issue of dams. The President talked about rain-fed agriculture which has been going on for a long time. He is now calling upon us to harvest water by constructing many dams which he mentioned in the State of the Nation Address. The dams will be used to irrigate farms in areas which receive little rain, thus increasing agricultural production and enhancing food security.

On the issue of the Kenyan currency, the Kenya Shilling has stabilised at Ksh129 against the US Dollar, thus giving confidence to the people who are doing business in this country. Because of the stabilisation of the currency, there is no fluctuation, thus giving confidence to the business community.

There are also the markets which he has decided to construct across all counties of this great nation. It is happening in every constituency and it will go a long way in helping our young business ladies and gentlemen and everybody in the counties. It is going to give them security and protect them from harsh weather like the rains, instead of always doing business on roadsides.

With those remarks, I beg to support the President’s State of the Nation Address of last week. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next is Hon. (Prof) Bartoo, Member for Moiben.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Let me join my colleagues and make my contribution on the State of the Nation Address.

I congratulate President Dr William Ruto for his bold initiative to transform Kenya. In the education sector, all along, our education system has been generating employable students. As a result of transforming the education system from 8-4-4 to the Competency Based Education (CBE) , it is going to go a long way in making young people do what they study and to employ themselves. Congratulations to the President.

The funding model for our universities had been going down. For very many years, we have had lecturers and students on the streets. As a result, universities were not able to pay lecturers or carry on with their programmes because of scarcity of resources. The transformation of the education system and the new funding model have enabled universities to concentrate on what they know best – transforming young people and transferring knowledge to young Kenyans. I am sure that in the future, it will go down in history that all the students who are going through our education system will not be carrying brown envelopes in the streets looking for jobs. They will, instead, be busy because they will be job creators,

entrepreneurs and they will be engaged in many activities. We will not get them on the streets demonstrating because they will be busy building the nation.

I come from Uasin Gishu, the breadbasket of Kenya in terms of agriculture. Farmers have received support. The fertiliser subsidy has enabled the region to have a record bumper harvest of maize. I am sure that the price of unga will come down. Building of the capacity of farmers and enabling them to divest and grow other crops like coffee is something the people of Uasin Gishu can now appreciate. In future, it will improve the economy of that region.

I will not be doing justice to the President’s Speech if I do not mention the road infrastructure development that is going on across the country. A case in point is the Rironi- Malaba Road. Last year, during the festive season, travellers got stranded between Naivasha and Nakuru to an extent that some children decided to play soccer because of the traffic gridlock. Vehicles were stuck for 72 hours. They could not move back or forth. At some point, children got tired and decided to entertain themselves and play soccer. Dualing that road from Rironi to Malaba will be a game-changer. It will enable travellers to move with ease. A case in point is my own constituency, Moiben. For a long time, we have had poor roads, which had been earmarked for tarmacking. They had been budgeted for, but they have not been worked on so far. My constituents are happy because the Tabiasis-Chebiemit Road, the Kaplogoi-Birika Road, the Kabenes-Koisagat Road, and the famous Opande Road – the only murram road in Eldoret Town – will all be tarmacked. Those are just a few examples in my constituency.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Next is Hon. Parashina Sakimba, the Member for Kajiado South. He is not in the House?

Hon. Victor Koech, Member for Chepalungu, you may take the Floor. Is the Hon. Member in the House? Please proceed. Did you want to contribute on the President’s Address or on a different matter?

Kindly, give me 10 minutes.

Alright. No problem. Hon.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the President’s Address to Parliament last week. He told us a story of how he went around the country a while back to sell his manifesto and to request Kenyans to vote for him. They voted for him and he has changed this country.

I congratulate His Excellency the President, Dr William Samoei Ruto, for what he has done for this country. I am the Member for Njoro Constituency in Nakuru County. We appreciate what His Excellency the President has done for our country. He has touched many lives through his work in different corners of this country.

Kenyans have seen how the Affordable Housing Programme is changing the lives of Kenyans. We are also happy that traders have rehabilitated markets with conducive environments for conducting businesses. My constituency is one of the beneficiaries with three rehabilitated markets.

We cannot forget the roads which are being constructed in every corner of this country. Contractors had previously run away from the road works due to lack of payment, but they are now back because the President has allocated funds to pay them. We cannot forget the employment of 100,000 teachers in the country, which is one of the success stories of His Excellency the President.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have also changed the lives of the youths in this country. Nakuru County is a beneficiary as one of the

biggest TVETs in the country was launched in July last year by the President. It has really transformed our county. About only 200 youths were previously enrolled at the institution, but we now have 2,500 youths who have been enrolled, and I am expecting 5,000 more youths to be enrolled next year. An Affordable Housing Programmed project has already been advertised in Njoro Constituency and will soon commence.

Today, 10,000 youths have been enlisted into the National Police Service (NPS). We expect security to improve with the increase in the number of police officers.

We also thank the President because farmers in the rural areas are celebrating the provision of affordable fertilisers at half price. There is now high food production in the country. I know that His Excellency the President has many plans for this country.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we have challenges with electricity and yet, we have high expectations. However, we have some ongoing programmes in our constituencies. We expect the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to look for more funds in order for the people to have electricity.

We cannot forget to appreciate our Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who do great work in different parts of this country. However, above all, what we can never forget about the President is that he has united this country. He has brought every person to be part of the Government. He is the champion of peace in this country. Therefore, we pray for him and appreciate what he has done. We cannot shy away from saying that he deserves another term. We pray for him and the nation. May God bless this country and our President?

Thank you very much.

Hon. Victor Koech, Member for Chepalungu.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the President’s Speech, which is a requirement by the Constitution.

While His Excellency the President addressed the nation on the progress we have made as a country and gave us remedies on what we can do as a country to progress, he highlighted several priorities. They are education, transport logistical issues, energy and irrigation. In order to achieve this, he clearly stated that he could not do this in his first or second year because he had to recover our economy. All Kenyans can see that the economy has improved. That is witnessed by the stability of the exchange rate of the US Dollar against the Kenya Shilling. Equally, the inflation rate in our country has come down considerably. That is a clear indication that the economy of our country is improving and moving in the right direction.

On 25th October 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum - through Kenya Power and Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) - announced a new peak demand for our power. That is a clear indication that we are doing poorly, and we should generate more power. I am happy because this House passed a recommendation two weeks ago that was brought by the Departmental Committee on Energy, to remove the moratorium that was not good. It prohibited Kenya Power from entering into an agreement with any new Independent Power Producers (IPPs) . The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was unable to issue any licence for generation of power. If we want to attract investors to our country, we should have cheap and reliable energy. The way to go is to attract more IPPs and issue more licences so that the generation of power can pick up.

Another issue that the President touched on is how to improve our food security. The way to go is to convert the semi-arid and arid areas into arable land. The President said that the plan for the current administration is to build more than 50 mega dams. This will help in converting the semi-arid and arid regions into arable land, which eventually will go a long way in improving the farm yields.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the President also stated that there are more milk coolers that have been installed in various villages in the constituencies. This will make more farmers to embrace co-operative unions, which will improve the quality of milk and prices. We only urge the Co-operatives Department in our country to intervene. The price of milk per litre is still below the Ksh50 that the President directed.

Going into health issues, we acknowledge the bravery shown by the President in shunning away the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and bringing in the Social Health Authority (SHA). As we all know, at the beginning of anything new, there are challenges. But, currently, the performance of SHA has improved greatly, and it is helping our people. There are cases I have witnessed where a person who is contributing Ksh2, 000 to SHA annually, the insurance is supposed to pay for him about Ksh200, 000 over a similar period, and that is good.

On education, the President formed a taskforce when the Kenya Kwanza Coalition took office. Through that taskforce, Junior Secondary School, which no one knew where it was going to be domiciled, was domiciled under the primary school. This will go a long way in positively impacting issues affecting our education.

On housing and markets, every Member of a constituency has been able to actually start…

Hon. Parashina.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to make my remarks on the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President.

It is good to acknowledge that the address came at the right time. Our economy requires recovery. It came at a time when the economy of our nation is under pressure, and citizens are demanding relief. It is good to stand on what His Excellency spoke about on the biggest achievements that we can see under the programme on the Ksh5 trillion National Transformation Agenda, that is focusing on infrastructure, energy and irrigation. Last year, we were able to see certain road projects re-started. Those roads connect our regions across the country, which is commendable and gives us assurance. There are projects which had stalled since 2023, but they are now ongoing.

About his proposed Ksh5 trillion infrastructure development fund, many people are asking whether it is possible. With faith and the plans that have been set, there is a clear indication that those things are going to be achieved. On the issue of energy, even rural areas have benefitted today. For example, in Kajiado South, rural areas, through the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) , are benefiting from electricity. We need to appreciate that.

In terms of infrastructure, there is a road connecting Taveta and Kajiado. The project is ongoing. The upgrading of that road to bitumen standard has been pending throughout the previous regimes but, through the resolve of the current President, the project is now ongoing.

I would also like to comment on the establishment of the State Department for Research and Innovation. In order for any economy to grow, or for a country to modernise its operations and become competitive, it must invest in research. By establishing that State Department, the President has shown that our economy is not relying only on paperwork, but also on research. It has come out clearly that fiscal discipline is key in the growth of a country. We have heard people complain that they are not seeing money circulating in the economy but, today, we are able to say that we can move without borrowing, unlike before.

The proposed enhancement of healthcare benefits, especially for cancer patients, from Ksh550, 000 to Ksh800, 000, has been received positively by Kenyans. If today a cancer patient can access Ksh800,000, then people can get their life back at stage one or stage two of the cancer. We also wish it had come out clearly during the State of the Nation Address.

We need to understand and see the boost in agriculture and irrigation as a key way to go. I do not want to mention only my constituency or the region I come from, but a lot of irrigation projects are ongoing. At the end of the day, with the challenge of unreliable rainfall and the fact that we cannot decide when it should rain, irrigation is the only way to establish and stabilise agriculture.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is now upon this House to do its oversight role. Under Article 95 of our Constitution, we are enabled to hold the Executive to account. The President has already said what he intends to do, but something needs to be done in terms of our oversight role.

The only issue I wanted to emphasise on is the issue of comparing Kenya with Asia and Singapore. What we need to know is that we might not be there today or tomorrow.

Thank you. Let us have the Member for Wajir West, Hon. Yusuf Mohammed.

In the absence of that Member, the Member for Tinderet and Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Education, Hon. Julius Melly. You may proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise this morning to contribute to the Motion on the President’s State of the Nation Address, which is a constitutional requirement that was put forward by the drafters and by Kenyans; that, each year, the Head of State shall address the nation on pertinent issues across the country and, more importantly, on the state of the nation in terms of progress made, the national security and international obligations that the Republic had entered into.

The President’s Address was one of its kind. It gave us a vision, it showed courage and gave the direction of where Kenya has come from and where we want to go. The address looked at four main issues. It reflected on Kenya before, that is during the independence period; the progress we have made and what we have done to-date. The issues that were raised by the President are very particular. When we got Independence as a Republic, our founding fathers stated that the three main ills we suffered were poverty, illness and illiteracy. Looking at it in brief, because those are still the main issues affecting us today, we have seen in the last two years a major transformation of the healthcare sector. A healthy nation is a nation that is going to prosper. When people are healthy and can access medical services for themselves, their children, their families and all of us, it means a working nation. A nation with poor medical services cannot work. Earlier, we had the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) , which covered about 6 million Kenyans. Today, through the Social Health Authority (SHA) , over 26 million Kenyans can access medical care and services through the three levels, which are the Social Health Insurance Fund, the Critical Medical Insurance and the aspects of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) .

With improved healthcare, many Kenyans will be able to fight the common ailments that affect our society today. On that front, the Kenya Kwanza Government has realised a lot.

The second issue is financial management, especially in trying to lift thousands of Kenyans out of poverty. One of the things that leaders have tried, but many have lacked, is the courage to do most of these important things. I want to point out to the Members of this House and the nation that we always keep talking about the miracle that happened in China and Southeast Asia countries like Singapore. That miracle occurred because of the courage of the leaders of those nations. For example, what Deng Xiaoping did in 1978 in trying to lift China from a third-world country to a modern nation that other countries are striving to emulate today was a matter of courage. Singapore and many of the Southeast Asian nations we keep referring to are where they are because of what their leaders did.

The President has shown he has vision and intent. So, as leaders of this nation, we need to support him through the housing and irrigation programmes that will enable us to feed our

nation. The dams that we are planning to build will ensure that we have water in our homes and in our…

Please add him one minute.

The dams will help Kenyans access clean water, and waterborne diseases will no longer affect families. A country that cannot feed itself cannot stand before a community of nations. This year, with the very good fertiliser subsidy and good agribusiness, we have realised almost 70 million bags of maize. All of this is a result of the visionary and courageous steps the Government has taken. The savings in the Infrastructure Fund will ensure we have the much-needed roads across our country. Pessimistic Kenyans will say it is all impossible. The housing problem is seen in every village.

The hostels that we have in our colleges, the programmes that we have in education from the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to the universities and the funding programme that we have in the universities are good. That was a Speech of its kind.

Thank you, I support.

Thank you very much. Hon. Samuel Atandi, Member for Alego Usonga.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to give my views on the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President. Let me begin by saying that I am in full support of the State of the Nation Address, as contained in a 30-page document that is before the House. From page 1 to page 30, the President has outlined some of the most important successes of his regime, ranging from improvements in the agricultural performance of the economy to investments in the health, energy, housing and infrastructure sectors that are delivering results.

The President outlined some of the most critical areas of our economy's performance that we fully support. I want to make a few comments on areas I consider very important.

A country cannot survive without sufficient investment in food security. If you read the Report, you will see that there were deliberate efforts to ensure the country is food-secure. Investment in fertiliser subsidies is one of the most unique strategies that have been implemented by the regime, away from what was there before. That is basic food subsidies. The previous regime spent more resources on food subsidies. This regime decided to invest in production, and the results have been positive.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, we cannot create jobs and expand the economy in the era of industrialisation if we do not invest in the energy sector. To this end, the President gave us a clear roadmap to ensure the country has sufficient energy, which, in turn, would help us industrialise quickly.

On public debt, some people are saying that the new strategies that have been employed by the Government, including new ways of raising capital for our investments such as securitisation, are illegal undertakings. I want to correct those people. For example, on the securitisation of the fuel levy, which is one of the investments that is being questioned most, that is a programme in which private investors are coming in to provide resources to the Government, with a portion of the fuel levy later being used to fund them. You cannot do that if there are insufficient legal safeguards, because a private investor is keen to recover the resources they are putting into the programme.

For some Members of Parliament to articulate that this is an illegal programme is really defeatist. This shows how narrow-minded some of our colleagues are, especially in how they approach those programmes, suggesting they are thinking tribally. They are not thinking about the impact of some of those programmes on the people of Kenya.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, many contracts had stalled for years. Some contractors went to court and were awarded substantial claims. If you look at those serious claims vis-à-vis this programme and the interests the Government will pay for the resources we are getting now, it

is not comparable. I stand here to state that the Government is not engaging in any illegal borrowing programme. Those programmes are using resources from private investors who have assessed the legal regime around them and developed confidence to invest.

Kenya is one of the largest economies in Africa. In fact, we are number six after the Republic of South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. We have neighbours such as Tanzania and Uganda, but let me point out that those are not our peers. Our peers are elsewhere. Therefore, you cannot compare Kenya's economic performance with that of our sisters in the region. For example…

Give him a minute, please.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , Kenya's economy is four times that of the Republic of Tanzania and five times that of the Republic of Uganda. The growth of our economy vis-à- vis countries in the region is not comparable. In terms of growth vis-à-vis our economy, please compare us with the Republic of South Africa, Nigeria or Egypt. We are actually doing better than our peers. I saw a Member claim that our peers are doing better than we are. Those are not our peers. Our peers are the countries I have mentioned. We are number six in Africa.

Lastly, Kenya is on the right track and making positive progress. I thank the President for being bold. Some of the programmes the President is implementing require him to be bold. If you are a coward, you will never do them.

Thank you. Your minute is over. Hon. Timothy Toroitich, Member for Marakwet West.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the President's State of the Nation Address. The President made the address pursuant to Article 132 of the Constitution. It was made in Parliament because this is the House that has elected representatives of the people. Therefore, he was speaking to Kenyans through Members of Parliament who were seated in this Chamber. In my assessment, the President’s Speech was reassuring.

I have read the Address paragraph by paragraph, from paragraph 1 to paragraph 163. Napoleon Bonaparte once said that a leader is a dealer in hope. Our President, William Ruto, is a dealer in hope. He has reassured this country that he will work hard to take it from a third- world to a first-world country. I have no doubt, as a leader in this country, that through the direction the President has taken and with the support of Parliament and the people of Kenya, this country will rise. The President has shown great confidence under pressure. The country's economy was on the verge of collapse when he took power. As we speak, our economy has grown, as evidenced by the Address that he delivered to Parliament. He summed it up under paragraph 17 by saying: “It can be done.”

As a leader, I also believe that whatever the mind perceives shall be achieved. For example, in education, this Government has employed 76,000 teachers in the last three years. We project that by next year, we shall employ another 24,000 teachers, bringing the total to 100,000. In matters of education, I am happy that the President has recognised the NG-CDF's contribution to infrastructure. In his speech, he clearly stated that NG-CDF has built 23,000 classrooms and 1,600 laboratories. The mere fact that the President recognised NG-CDF means that he has good intentions. We believe that the courts will give a favourable ruling in that matter. In his Address, the President noted that 341,000 TVET learners were enrolled in 2022. But this year, the number is 718,000, double the previous enrolment.

In so far as roads are concerned, the Rironi to Mau Summit Road, which connects Eldoret and Malava, is a major milestone for which I appreciate the President. On housing, I have been asking myself where we would get money to build houses. This Government has tried, and so far, several homes are being built in our institutions. As we speak, 27 million Kenyans have registered under SHA and are accessing its benefits. One issue that has been left

out is that the 20,000 intern teachers need to be confirmed. I believe that they will be confirmed. The Government has done a lot.

Our oversight role must be enhanced. Several projects, including housing and the markets under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), have not taken off. Some have collapsed. I have always said that the best way to assist the Government is through oversight.

Hon. Members, allow me to give Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi, Member for Westlands, an opportunity. I request the other three Members to be patient.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to the Address by the President to Parliament. Hon. William Ruto, the President of Kenya, is a man on a mission.

I say so because President William Ruto recognises that Nairobi is not self-sufficient. People always think they can do anything without support from the National Government. He took the initiative to come and check the situation in Nairobi, especially the schools. He took us, Members of Parliament, on a tour of Nairobi.

After that, he committed to helping expand the education sector in Nairobi. He contributed more than Ksh2.2 billion to the construction of classrooms and the improvement of school infrastructure through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and his personal initiative. He even offered to pay the school fees for over 200 students at one of the schools in Nairobi.

I can confirm that the projects he committed to do during our tour are almost done. He said they would be complete within three or four months. They include infrastructure that is being undertaken on his personal initiative. I know he has undertaken many other things, especially in infrastructure. He has promised to build a dual carriageway from Rironi to Malaba. I know it will be done, along with many other initiatives, including overhauling the health sector.

Many leaders would fear taking this risk, but he has. I am sure the Kenyans who have been attacking him can wait for the results. Results are not immediate when you are undertaking something new. I know that those results will come out in time, and people will see that he genuinely meant well for this country.

He has done it in the education, health and agriculture sectors. We can now see farmers reaping the benefits of the initiative the President made. This is not about talking. He is one of the leaders who is hands-on. He does things about which he will answer if you ask him. It is not because he will ask somebody else, but because he knows what is going on in the Government.

We know very well that we have been independent for more than 60 years. I am sure this country would be developed by now if our earlier leaders had taken the same kind of steps that the President has taken. I believe him when he says he is going to move Kenya from a third-world country to a first-world country. With his determination, the initiatives he has put in place will change this country and take it where he has committed it to.

I am sure Kenyans will appreciate. Let us support the President and remain with him. Government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and other senior officials, should highlight the Government’s achievements to date. That is why some people are accusing the President of lying or acting in a certain way. It is because they do not know what is going on. Information should be in the public domain so that people know what the Government has done since the President took office.

I know and believe that this country will be a first-world country. It may not be in President Ruto’s term…

Thank you. Hon. Abdul Haro, Member of Mandera South.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the State of the Nation Address.

The President promised to tell us a story of the progress that we have made. Indeed, he told us a compelling story of the progress that this country has made in the last three years, where we stand now as a nation, and a glimpse of the future roadmap. The drafters of the Constitution were a bit economical when they gave the President the task of delivering such a speech. They should have allowed him to provide more stories from the hot, dusty and fragile northern Kenya. The President has really done a lot in northern Kenya, as he has done for the rest of the country. For example, the construction of the Great Northern Highway from Isiolo to Modogashe, Wajir, Elwak and Mandera has led to a ringtone on TikTok and other social media platforms. It is a 750-kilometre road that is funded by the World Bank at US$750 million. It is currently the most significant road infrastructure project that is funded by the World Bank in Sub-Saharan Africa. The story of that road should have featured very well in the State of the Nation Address.

The President reassured the country about enhanced food security and higher incomes for farmers. This is an agricultural country, and agricultural exports have improved. The President also mentioned the progress we have made in tea, coffee, edible oils, cotton and coconut production. For the second time, the State of the Nation Address featured livestock development, which is the backbone of the economy for the people of northern Kenya, who make up 85 per cent of the country. The President told us about the livestock value chain, where leather exports have increased by 56 per cent and now stand at Kshs2.5 billion per year. Local leather shoe production has risen to about 11 million pairs per year. The President talked about our beef production, whose value now stands at Ksh12.9 billion. The value of dairy production has doubled due to various Government interventions, and it now stands at Ksh9.4 billion.

The other thing the President mentioned regarding agriculture and the future is the food production agenda, which involves expanded modern agriculture and irrigation. He said that we will not allow the clouds to determine whether our people eat or not. He mentioned that the Government is planning to build five mega dams for irrigation, particularly in ASALs. One of the dams - and I am happy to say - is the Malkamari Dam in my county. Other dams include the Barsalinga Dam in Isiolo, the Sigly Dam in Garissa and the Yatta Dam. Dams in Narok and Elgeyo Marakwet were also mentioned. I think if those dams are built, food production issues will be sorted out.

I can see the warning light is on. The other thing I thought the President should have mentioned, where the country is doing very well, is the question of security, particularly in northern Kenya and along our borders. We have a lot of peace now. Few ethnic conflicts are going on, and our borders are safer today. I thought the President should have mentioned that to the country so that we all know the progress that has been made.

Thank you. Hon. Rahim Dawood, Member for North Imenti.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. First, I wish to congratulate His Excellency the President, Dr William Ruto. What he said last week is up to date. I also appreciate Hon. Mbui. Today, he has admitted that the President is an excellent leader. I was surprised that the statement came from Hon. Mbui. Hopefully, he will come to our side in the near future.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, as a country under President Ruto, our forex reserves are at an all-time high of US$12 billion. We are only supposed to have a maximum of four months' cover, but we have exceeded that. It has never been this high. Standard & Poor's (S&P) , a rating agency that assesses us when we borrow money, has moved Kenya from a B- rating to a B rating. That is because we have not defaulted on any of the debts we have borrowed. That is a plus point for our President because his administration has, over many years, managed to raise

Kenya's profile as a good borrower, since the Infrastructure Fund and other debts that existed before the Eurobonds. We should note that it is not the Government of President William Ruto which borrowed the Eurobond funds and all that, but the previous administration.

We are currently repaying over a trillion shillings in borrowing costs - principal plus interest. We are laden with debts from the previous administration. One of our colleagues said we have borrowed so much money, but how do we expect to pay what was borrowed earlier if we do not borrow to pay our debts?

During this regime, we have received subsidised fertiliser, which has gone a long way toward improving the country's agricultural capacity and raising maize and other outputs. We have tea and coffee in my constituency, whose prices have gone up by more than 50 per cent. Similarly, bonuses have increased.

Our President dared to dream. He did not have to do many of the things that others failed to do because they were scared of the consequences. Our President dared to dream, and he is trying to make things work for this country so that we can move from where we are. I would not want to call us a third-world country, but a developing country that wants to be a developed nation. We should be in those categories because when we say third world, we mean we are at the bottom, which we are not.

This regime has also employed 76,000 teachers, more than those employed by previous governments. Let pessimists tell us what they want to do, given all the things the President has done. That is because it is of no use to criticise President Ruto without offering alternatives. Let them give us options for reviving the economy. This is because, as it is now, it is being restored and we are going to be amongst the best in Africa. I hope that, by the time we finish with President Ruto in 2032, we will be amongst the developed nations of the world.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support.

Hon. Liza Chelule, Member for Nakuru County.

Ahsante sana Mhe. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipatia nafasi pia nichangie Taarifa ya Rais wetu ambayo alitoa wiki iliyopita. Ni Taarifa ambayo ilifurahisha wananchi wote wa Kenya kulingana na kazi ambayo amefanya kwa wakati mfupi sana.

Yale mambo yote kwa Taarifa hiyo ni kazi ambayo amefanya kwa wakati mfupi sana kulingana na wakati ambao ameketi kwa ofisi. Ukiangalia kwa makini, kazi aliyofanya ni kazi ambayo Presidents wa awali hawakufanya kwa miaka 20 waliokuwa ofisini. Kwa niaba ya wananchi wa Nakuru, ningependa kuchukua nafasi hii kumpongeza Rais kwa kufikisha Taarifa yake katika Bunge. Hakuongea tu ila alituelezea yale mambo aliyoyatekeleza.

Tunamshukuru kwa sababu alihakikisha kuwa watoto wetu waliohitimu katika masomo ya ualimu wameajiriwa na Serikali, na sio kwa mfumo wa mkataba, bali kama wafanyikazi walio permanent and pensionable. Tunafurahi sana kama watendakazi katika Serikali yake.

Ningependa kuchukua nafasi hii kuwaelezea Wakenya kuwa President amefanya kazi. Hajaficha kile anachofanya bali alikuja hapa na kukitangaza. Shida iliyopo ni kuwa wale wanaotakiwa kuwaelezea wananchi kule nyumbani kile ambacho Rais amefanya hawatendi kazi yao.

Kama mmoja wa wakulima, nilifurahi sana wakati aliposhukisha bei ya fertiliser kutoka Ksh7,500 hadi Ksh2,500. Jambo hilo liliwasaidia sana wakulima wetu. Hakuna mtu nchini aliye na shida ya njaa. Pengine ni yule tu asiyependa kupanda ama kwenda kwa shamba lake. Kushukisha bei kwa fertiliser ilikuwa njia moja ya kumaliza njaa nchini. Watu wakiwa na njaa hawana amani. Kwa hivyo, leo hii, najua kuwa kila mtu ako na amani na chakula cha kutosha.

Kama kuna President ama kiongozi wa nchi aliyeunganisha Kenya nzima ni President huyu. Alipokuwa Naibu wa Rais, aliunganisha nchi yetu ya Kenya. Tunamshukuru Mungu kwa kumpatia nafasi ya kuwa Rais wetu kwa sababu ameunganisha nchi yote. Hajawahi kusema

kuwa sehemu fulani ilimpigia kura lakini sehemu nyingine haikumpatia kura, ila, ameunganisha Kenya. Kama mpenda amani, ningependa kuchukua nafasi hii kusema, “Heko Rais wetu! Umetuunganisha, umeleta amani, na umekuwa uso wa nchi yetu ya Kenya.”

Ningependa kuzungumzia mradi wa Rais wa kupanda miti. Ameweka mikakati ya kupanda miti milioni 30 katika utawala wake. Alisema atafanya kazi hiyo katika ratiba fulani. Rais ako na mipango ya kuboresha Kenya. Alisema kuwa badala ya sisi kuagiza bidhaa kutoka nchi za nje, tutauza bidhaa zetu kama chakula kwa nchi zingine. Hatutategemea chakula kutoka nje. Ningependa kuwaomba Wakenya wasimame na Rais kwa maombi na kazi. Wale wanaotegemea ukulima waende mashambani.

Rais ameboresha sekta zote za agriculture kama maziwa, chai na kahawa. Bei imeboreshwa na inawafurahisha wakulima. Wakulima ni wengi nchini. Watu wachache sana wanafanya kazi maofisini. Wacha niongee kuhusu wakulima kwa sababu wao ni idadi kubwa sana nchini.

Mheshimiwa Catherine Omanyo, ulizungumzia swala hili jana na kwa hivyo, hautalizungumzia tena. Tutaenda moja kwa moja kwa Mbunge wa Lafey, Mheshimiwa Mohamed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I rise to contribute to the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President. I want to go on record to thank Kenyans who elected His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, His Excellency the President has united Kenyans and gave us a Broad-based Government which renders services to Kenyans. He took a bold decision. If you go through all the constituencies in this country today, you will find affordable housing projects that are going on. They will not only give Kenyans decent houses, but also create jobs for them. If you do not find a housing project, you will find a modern market, an Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) , electricity or roads. Those are the promises His Excellency the President made during his campaigns. He has really delivered to Kenyans.

Kenyans are debating on which data is correct. Is it the one that is given by His Excellency the President or the one from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) ? At least, we have made progress. Kenyans are now debating the progress that has been made by His Excellency the President.

I come from a region that had been denied issuance of identity cards for a long time. We were discriminated against. I thank His Excellency the President for making a bold decision and saying Kenyans are one. There is no Region A or Region B. We are now enjoying the fruits that other Kenyans in other regions enjoy, courtesy of His Excellency the President. I thank him. When you see a single project being taken to North Eastern, Kenyans make fun of it. When His Excellency the President visited North Eastern region in February, he announced that he would tarmac the road from Isiolo to Mandera before his term ends. Kenyans made fun of it because they never believed it would happen.

There is also the issue of teachers’ employment. Where I come from, other Kenyans used to be employed. They would face insecurity issues and be recalled. We have been suffering. We thank His Excellency the President today for the decision he made on teachers’ employment which benefits us.

There is also the issue of securitisation. Despite Kenyans criticising it, it is really working. The contractors are now back on the roads.

There is also the issue of Social Health Authority (SHA) .

Thank you. Hon. Mary Emaase, Member for Teso South.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this Motion.

At the outset, I join my colleagues in thanking the President for a great Speech during the State of the Nation Address (SOTNA). I was watching him from New York, and I was like, wow, what a great Speech! That is my President!

I want to tell Kenyans that when the President says he wants to put Kenya in its rightful place on the world's map in matters of development, he is not only speaking, he is walking the talk. I will demonstrate shortly. I have listened to some of my colleagues, “the doubting thomases”, trying to demean and downplay the President’s Speech during SOTNA, and probably it is for reasons best known to them or because of where they are coming from. For some of us who come from regions that have never seen development and are now seeing changes, like tarmac roads and huge water projects in Teso South and Busia County, we are amazed. Teso South did not have a single institution of learning but, today, we are proud to see them. We are part of Kenya. Hongera Rais!

(Applause) From my little knowledge in finance and economics, I know that for one to grow a nation, one must look at human capital, which includes education and the skills of your people. You must look at physical capital - the infrastructure, including roads and technology. Additionally, one must leverage on the natural resources, not to forget a stable political environment. Our President is a symbol of unity. He is reaching for unity and trying to unite the whole country. In his Speech, he clearly stated that every part of this country must be developed.

Secondly, one must boost and support entrepreneurs. We have seen this happen. The President articulated this in his Speech, where he is supporting entrepreneurs through the NYOTA Programme, Hustler Fund and so many other interventions. One must support trade by providing legislation that encourages investors to come into the country and invest.

I want to explain how the President is doing exactly that. Allow me to look at this from the perspective of the five key pillars of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition Manifesto. When you look at human capital and people investment, which you cannot grow without, I want to show Kenyans that the President really wants to take Kenya to a higher level. He is planning to implement this through his actions and efforts, which are factored into the budgets and all the other interventions.

In matters of education, there is a massive investment in science, research and innovation. I do not want to go into details as my colleagues have spoken on the number of teachers who have been employed by this Government. Let me talk about the creation of the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation to scale up the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. That is action. We are also talking about the vision to raise funding meant for research from 0.8 per cent to 2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by mobilising public and private resources towards that course. A country cannot develop or grow without investing in research and development, so that its budget is anchored on evidence and data.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg for a few additional minutes. I need to explain more. The President is largely supporting entrepreneurship, agro-industrialisation and food security. It has been mentioned…

Please conclude so that you give others a chance.

Okay. Also, a lot is being done on the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) economy. It was mentioned here that he is supporting that space. Another great project is housing. We see the mushrooming of affordable housing across the country, including Busia County where I come from.

Additionally, there are many success stories about SHA that Kenyans can speak about today. It is transforming the health sector. Also, there is energy. One cannot grow the economy without sufficient energy.

Member for Tigania East.

Ahsante Bi Spika wa Muda. Nami pia ningependa kuchangia mjadala huu wa Hotuba ya Rais. Ilikuwa ni nzuri zaidi kwa sababu tangu miaka ya 1960, hatujawahi kuona Rais ambaye amesimama na Wakenya kama huyu. Tigania East tulimpigia Mhe. Raila Odinga kura. Sasa hivi, tungelirudia kura, sote tungelimpigia Mhe. William Ruto kwa sababu ametuunganisha. Haangalii jinsi tulivyopiga kura. Kwa mfano, Nyanza na Ukambani hawakumpigia kura, lakini anatufanyia maendeleo sisi sote. Kwetu Tigania East, ametengeneza barabara ya Mikinduri–Kunati-Gatithine. Affordable houses pia amejenga. Tunatengenezewa chuo cha Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) kule Muthara. Pia, tumepewa Huduma Centre ambayo inaendelea kutengenezwa. Kona zote Tigania East tumeona maendeleo, ilhali hatukumpigia kura.

Kazi ambayo anafanyia Wakenya ni nzuri. Yeye habagui kabila, uwe Mkamba, Mmeru, Mluhya au Mkalenjin. Ametuunganisha sote. Kuna hadithi moja ambayo kina mama wawili walienda kufanya kazi huko Industrial Area. Mmoja alikuwa na watoto kumi na mwingine alikuwa bila mtoto. Jioni ilipofika, Mhindi aliwaeleza kuwa hangewalipa siku hiyo kwa sababu hakuwa na pesa. Yule mama aliyekuwa na watoto kumi alilia sana na akakataa kuenda nyumbani kwa sababu hakuwa na chochote cha kupelekea watoto wake. Lakini aliyekuwa bila mtoto alienda nyumbani akifurahia sana. Watu wasifikirie kuwa tunamuunga Rais William Ruto mkono kwa sababu yeye ndiye aliyeshikilia kikapu cha nchi. Kama Mpuri Aburi, niko na watoto wa Tigania East mgongoni wanaotaka barabara, masomo, chuo cha KMTC na Huduma Center. Tunaunga Serikali mkono kwa sababu ina kikapu ambacho kinaweza kuinua Wakenya. Pia namuunga Rais William Ruto mkono kwa sababu ameweza kuunganisha Wakenya. Amesema kuwa hakuna mtoto wa mgongo wala wa tumboni; wote ni watoto wake.

Nikimalizia, Rais William Ruto alizungumza kuhusu mambo ya barabara. Waheshimiwa kutoka sehehmu za Moyale, Garissa na Marsabit wamesema kuwa wanataka barabara zao zitengenezwe. Kwa mfano, sehemu za uluhyani na ODM hazikumpigia kura, bali barabara zinatengezwa huko pia. Ina maana kuwa anaweza.

Wakenya waliandamana na sufuria vichwani kuhusu bei ya chakula. Kwa sasa, bei ya chakula ni nafuu. Mimi mwenyewe nilikuwa nimeudhika sana kwa sababu ya bei ya mafuta hapo awali lakini, kwa sasa, hakuna anaye lalamikia hilo. Bei ya mafuta imeimarika. Shilingi yetu ya Kenya ilikuwa Ksh140 dhidi ya dola. Sasa hivi, imeimarika. Kwa hivyo, tunasema kuwa, ukimkataa mtu, hata apakwe mafuta, huwezi mkubali. Utamtupia vumbi tu.

Mimi kama Mpuri Aburi naiunga mkono Serikali ya Rais William Samoei Ruto kwa sababu kazi yake ni nzuri na inaonekana. Wale ambao wanaipinga Serikali, hata wafanyiwe nini, hawataona uzuri wake. Wanaoipinga Serikali hii bado walikuwepo mwaka wa 1992 huko Molo, watu walipouliwa kwa mishale. Tunayo historia ya Mama Matiba mwaka wa 1994 alivyofanyiwa na District Officers (DOs) wanojulikana. Hatutaki vita! Tunataka amani nchini. Tunataka kuunganisha Wakenya kwa sababu Kenya ni moja.

Ahsante, Mhe. Sipka wa Muda.

Ahsante sana. Hon. Joshua

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute the State of the Nation Address by President William Samoei Ruto on 20th November 2025.

The President is the vision-bearer of the country. Everyone who listened to him saw that given the opportunity and space to work, the President can move this country to the next level. He can develop the country. What I see in the President is a man who has a vision within

him, and he is able to do extraordinary things. The money that is developing this country has been there since time immemorial, but things were stagnant, projects were coming, but the structures were stalling. Now, we can see things moving at a speed that we have never seen before.

Having put in place the Broad-based Government, everybody is now getting a share of what they deserve. Whether you are in the Opposition or in whichever corner of the country, you are getting a share of the cake of this country. There is goodwill in this President, and that is what we need to see and support.

We cannot miss people who criticise. We cannot miss people who do not see anything that is being done well, but we shall still live with them. As long as the President has the vision, we shall go very far. When the President took over in 2022, inflation was at 9.6 per cent as indicated in his Speech. As of October, inflation had declined to 4.6 per cent. That is a big drop, and it is able to help our people, because when inflation is very high, everyone has problems. Even purchasing power will not be there, because all the money is being consumed by the high inflation.

The President has been able to do projects even where there is Opposition. No constituency is left out. Whether you are in the Opposition or his critic, you are part of a Kenyan constituency. Therefore, all the people that live in that constituency are voters; they are Kenyans, and they have not been left out.

There is the superhighway that the President had started earlier. We can see that even in our constituency. ICT hubs are coming up and are being equipped so that our young people who cannot all fit into the available jobs, can sit there and earn a living from online jobs, be able to help themselves, and be able to do what they would otherwise have not done without a job.

The cost of fertilizer was very high but is now low. I am a beneficiary of that fertiliser. I was able to get my number and when the fertiliser comes, we are notified and we get the fertiliser at Ksh2,500 so that we can produce more.

Last but not least, is the NYOTA Programme, whereby the young people are able to get money. It was launched the other day. By the end of five years, 820,000 young people will have benefited from the money that is provided by the NYOTA initiative. Let us support the President because the vision that he has will take us very far ― to the First World ―as he has promised.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Hon. Josses Lelmengit, Member for Emgwen.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I congratulate and thank the President for his State of the Nation Address. His role as the Head of State is steering the country in the right direction. The Bible says that where there is no vision, especially in leadership, people perish. We thank God for giving us a President who has the zeal, power and strength. He is also very intelligent in driving the agenda of this country. He puts everyone in mind: The young and the old.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, the State of the Nation Address was an enhancement of the Kenya Kwanza Plan that is in place. He majored mostly on the four pillars that is food security, road infrastructure, energy, health and education. For any country to have an economic growth, we have to focus on those sectors. The greatest problem we have in this country is over-supply of human resources or unemployment. Most of the youthful generation are qualified and yet, they cannot get secure employment opportunities without the country intentionally spurring economic growth. The President emphasised on the building of several dams across the country in order to mitigate issues of food security. The two plans will solve issues of food security and create jobs for the youth to exercise their knowledge and earn a living.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, he also mentioned about road infrastructure issues. It is a thorny issue. There are bad roads across the country and road congestion especially on the Mombasa to Malaba Highway. Recently, people got stuck and spent the whole day on the road on the way from Nairobi to Eldoret. Consequently, the Nairobi-Mau Summit Road dualling project is a plus for Kenyans. We should celebrate the plans the President has for us, including the roads back home in our various constituencies. I am happy because we had waited for too long for the tarmacking of roads in Kapsabet Town in Emgwen Constituency. The delay was due to funding but, nonetheless, he has other plans across the country.

I laud the President for coming up with different funding models in different sectors. This is the only sustainable and practical way of funding those projects. He mentioned a total sum of Ksh5 trillion that is required to achieve those four priorities which I agree because apart from food security, roads infrastructure and energy, the greatest problem that we have is the high cost of production within our industries due to high cost of electricity. Therefore, the idea of reducing the cost of electricity in the long term is welcome so that industries can reduce their cost of production.

On issues of health, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has been created. More than ever before, we have a high registration of SHA members of over 25 million from the initial 5 million members. The Government has streamlined SHA issues to benefit everyone. It does not discriminate anyone whether you have little or more money. The President has restructured issues to do with SHA and it is benefitting my constituents. Kenyans are happy.

Thank you. Let us have Hon. David Mboni, Member for Kitui Rural.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. The President’s Speech was a good one despite the inconsistency in data, and I wonder who is giving him wrong data. One issue I liked about his Speech is the proposal to invest Ksh5 trillion in our infrastructure that is roads, electricity and water supply in the country, and this is good.

However, we used to have Vision 2030 which is the economic blue print. Yet, we have not adhered to it. The last regime came up with the Big Four Agenda, and in the current regime, we have the Bottom Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) . Vision 2030 was well structured and had very good proposals.

Hon. Mwalika, it is Bottom- Up. The moment you call it the bottom economic agenda, you may lose…

Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Thank you for that clarification.

Vision 2030 had very good proposals. As part of the Vision 2030 group, we proposed industrial parks, including one in Kenol, as well as the Grand Falls Dam in Tana River. Those were mega projects. Going forward, to support the President’s infrastructure proposals, we need to have an economic blueprint. That is because Vision 2030 ends in 2030. The National Treasury does not seem to have a plan for a new blueprint. A blueprint is a planning document with a long-term vision for the country such that, when this regime will not be there, the next one can follow it up. That will help our country. That is one thing I realised we require.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is very good that inflation has gone down, but the real wage bill has gone down to 12.5 per cent, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2024. This has been caused by the high rate of taxation on our salaries and income. It has really messed up our disposable income. As a country, we need to relook at taxes, both for individuals and businesses, which are crippling businesses.

Two or three weeks ago, I was with the Chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) . There is something called the Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (e-TIMS) . After you supply something and raise an invoice, KRA immediately sends you a demand to pay tax on it. If you supply to the Government and payment is delayed, they start imposing

penalties, and your tax compliance may be withdrawn. This means that you cannot do any other business using that company or invoice another company. We must look at issues of taxation and pending bills that are crippling businesses.

Yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank appeared before the Public Debt Committee and stated that we are approaching debt distress. We need to be very careful about that. Debt distress occurs when a country cannot meet its financial obligations, as seen in Ghana and Zambia. We are done if we show signs that we cannot pay our debts. I was in Zambia in 2003 when the Minister was crying because salaries had not been paid for six months. Whether as a country or an individual, it is a crisis if you show inability to pay. We need to do fiscal consolidation.

Thank you.

Let us have the Member for Dagoretti North, Hon. Beatrice Elachi.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support the President’s State of the Nation Address. I will be very brief. I thank him and appreciate that, since the time of His Excellency our third President, Kibaki, and following Vision 2030, each President has ensured that they pick up its pillars and move with them. Under the social pillar of Vision 2030, we were expected to have changed our education curriculum, which we have done, and to ensure that we have schools in semi-arid areas. We have really pushed using the NG-CDF to ensure that we have, within that social pillar, computer labs that we were asked to come up with in our constituencies. As we speak to the President, we must ask ourselves at the country level what we are doing with Vision 2030, starting with the governors. Growth is not just about the National Government. It is meant for all Kenyans. We have some functions in Vision 2030 that are supposed to be done by county governments.

I was in Turkana and felt so sad that Ksh14 billion has been spent since we started devolution and yet, the locals are still crying for water and staring at hunger. I have given the example of Turkana County because I was there. Why are governors not doing something for their people? Even if they cannot do anything, they should, at least, give their people food and water.

On the economic pillar of the Vision 2030 – and I am stating this on the basis of the President’s Address – I have heard so many people say that Vision 2030 has been neglected. Vision 2030 is within what the President addressed. We agreed that in Vision 2030, we shall have affordable housing. In fact, 200,000 houses. So, the President has tried his best to realise that by bringing it to where it is now. Therefore, we should critique by saying what has happened and what has not happened. For now, things are happening.

We have infrastructure. The President thought through it and suggested that we securitise it by having our own Fund which will support us. That is a promise we gave in Vision

corrupt and declare that they will not engage in corruption business. There was a case where somebody supplied the Government with furniture and the Auditor-General questioned it. The staff involved have since been sent home. It was a very senior person who was involved in that case and that was wrong. Anyone who does business with the Government must do it correctly without putting Government staff into challenges.

Thank you.

Hon. Members, the time being