Billow Kerrow

Sen. Billow Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the House, today, Wednesday, 6th August, 2014:- The Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget on the Cash Disbursement Schedule for County Governments for the Fiscal Year 2014/2015. (Sen. Billow...

Sen. Billow Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to give notice of the following Motion:- August 6, 2014 SENATE DEBATES Sen. BillowCommerce and Budget on the Cash Disbursement Schedule for county governments for the Fiscal Year 2014/2015.

Sen. Billow[The Speaker (Hon. Ethuro) left the Chair]

Order, Senators. Sen. Billow, you are taking us back on an issue I had already ruled on. I thought you are in a nice comfort of the neighbourhood of Sen. Elachi, whom I reconfirm is not the Chairperson of the Education Committee and neither are you. My recommendation was to...

Mr. Speaker, Sir, you said the committee should deal with this matter. Given that we will be away on recess and by the time we come the TSC will have posted the teachers, it would be a matter of urgency to discuss this matter at the committee level. We should...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to thank the Chairman of this Committee and the Mediation Committee which discussed and reached a compromise regarding the funding of Level 5 hospitals. As Senators, we have to say that despite those negotiations, we are not satisfied because there is gross...

I cannot force anybody to pay attention. I think he is coming to talk to you. Sen. Billow Mr. Chairman, Sir, he is not coming to me. He seems to be consulting his lawyer in the middle of the debate. (Laughter) Sen. Billow Mr. Chairman, Sir, I want to express...

Mr. Chairman, Sir, whereas I support the amendment which has been sought, I think that we want to consider the seriousness of the underfunding of our institutions, especially the hospitals as they are. I just want to give a scenario that I experienced this morning when I went to see...

Sen. Billow Mr. Chairman, Sir, a point of order can always be sought under the Standing Orders because we have to also be very careful that even in giving our views and opinions on a particular Motion, we do not mislead. Mr. Chairman, Sir, in this House, just a couple...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Chairman, Sir, I also stand to support this amendment. I am doing this because each and every time we have always agitated for more funds to be allocated to the counties for the purpose of development. There must be a format of how to utilize these funds...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billowand what delegations are present. DIVISION ELECTRONIC VOTING August 5, 2014 SENATE DEBATES Sen. Billow (Prof.) Kindiki, Tharaka-Nithi County; Sen. (Prof.) Lesan, Bomet County; Sen. (Dr.) Machage, Migori County; Sen. Madzayo, Kilifi County; Sen. Mositet, Kajiado County; Sen. (Eng.) Muriuki, Nyandarua County; Sen. Murkomen, Elgeyo Marakwet County; Sen. Murungi,...

Order, Senators! The results of the Division are as follows:-The “Ayes” who voted electronically are 28, plus the three who voted manually. So, the total for the “Ayes” is 31.

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the respect I give some of my colleagues when they are contributing is tremendous. There is no law under the Constitution or in our Standing Orders, that says when a Senator is contributing, he must please a colleague. The only thing that is demanded...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. BillowMr. Speaker, Sir, I will take a different tangent. I am one of the people who were opposed to the formation of a Committee. Part of the reason I initially thought that we should not form a Committee is because it was my feeling that most deputy governors have...

NYERI WEST POKOT TRANS-NZOIA UASIN-GISHU ELGEYO-MARAKWET August 5, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise on a point of order under this Order on Papers to seek your guidance. Once we dispose of the County Allocation of Revenue Bill which is on the Order Paper, we are required under the Public Finance Management...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table of the House today, Thursday, 17th July, 2014. The Report on the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2014. (Sen. Billow laid the document on the Table) STATEMENTS

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow[The Deputy Speaker (Sen. Kembi-Gitura) left the Chair] [The Temporary Speaker (Sen. (Dr.) Machage) took the Chair] Sen. Billow Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. In the past one year, we have had an opportunity to see how the county governments operate and funds have been transferred literally on...

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to second the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. I am also a Member of this Committee. Most of the issues that have been raised by the Chairperson are issues that we agreed on with almost 100 per cent majority. Therefore, I will...

kind of nonsense.Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we would like this to be very clear so that all MCAs can hear. There is nothing like the WDF. I want to be amongst the few Senators who are prepared to take the political risk of telling Members of the National Assembly that...

taxes that they pay. This can only happen if we move away from the consumer mentality.Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, I second that the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2014, be read a Second Time.

Thank you Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support this Bill. However, my support is with a fairly heavy heart because we have been called to divide money. Looking back at the Division of Revenue Bill that we passed sometime back, there was an indication that some negotiation had...

same as they were before devolution. It is our responsibility as the Senate to ensure that they get enough resources so that devolution can be a success story in this country.Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this year has gone and we have to accept it. However, my proposal is that we...

July 30, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

July 30, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

appropriate leadership to see how that amount of money can be refunded to Busia County. I hope that the national Government can also support us on that because the mistake is not of the Busia County people; it is a mistake which lies elsewhere. That is what I had to...

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I rise to support this Bill. First of all, allocation of revenue is a very important process. The Senate plays a final role. We are like in the summit of the structure of the entities that play a role in allocation of revenue. There...

County. More people might have left Migori County or some people might leave Homa Bay County to Migori County. Yet you are wasting about ten years assuming that the population is still the same. Therefore, the money continues being allocated to a particular county using a stale statistical figure that...

Committee, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale being our Chair. For the few Governors, we have heard, the stories that come from county governments, coming from the Auditor-General’s report are scaring. They are scaring because today we even listened to one county where payments are made to a contractor before the contractor can...

communities? How many contracts have been given to the marginalized communities and groups so that we can ensure equity in the county?Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when it comes to development, most of the counties are not prioritizing long term development, for example, roads, attracting investors and building factories. The counties...

Sen. Musila, I can see your intervention.

I beg your pardon, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I pressed the wrong button, when I meant to speak.

Okay. Do not repeat that again. Proceed.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would be shocked if anyone intervened on such a very serious submission, especially if it is the Chairman of the Wiper Party, which wipes all corruption across the counties.

Order! You are now inviting interventions.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was concluding. It is on a light note. July 30, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

On a point of order, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I remember earlier on Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale stood on a point of order and asked the distinguished Senator to respect the other Senators. I do not think the statement that he has just made is in good spirit. Would I be...

Very well. That was the second polite request today. I hope that you have heard.

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the microphone is on now. Yes, the statement is lengthy but I will only read out the highlights because the Member has all the details on the issue.

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will go to the second part of the attachment that says “the National Treasury is required to provide a statement on financing agreements signed between the Government of Kenya and the People’s Republic of China.” In particular provide information on:- July 23, 2014...

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to lay on the Table of the Senate the following Paper:- The Report of the Mediation Committee on the Division of Revenue Bill, National Assembly Bill, No.15 of 2014. (Sen. Billow laid the document on the Table) REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE...

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, I beg to give Notice of the following Motion:- THAT, the Senate approves the Report of the Mediation Committee on the Division of Revenue Bill, Nation Assembly Bill No.15 of 2014, laid on the Table of the Senate on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2014.

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, yes, when we come to the Motions.

Sen. Billow But I have given the Notice of Motion.

Sen. Billow Sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. (The Deputy Speaker consulted the Clerk-at-the-Table)

Sen. Billow Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I just want to briefly make a point. First is to congratulate the Mediation Committee for doing a good job and particularly our representatives in the Committee, Sen. Billow, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe and Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I...

July 22, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

July 22, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

be easy. However, I want to conclude by saying that the national Government still has the mandate, as a Government, to ensure that those hospitals are not closed. Over and above whatever is being allocated for them, they have a mandate because the Constitution is very clear that for every...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to lay the following papers on the Table of the Senate, today, Wednesday, 16th July, 2014:- REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILL NO.31 OF 2013 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE PUBLIC...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Chairman, this is a debating Chamber and Members are at liberty to interrogate any Statement to whichever extent. Until and unless they are satisfied, you have a responsibility. Whether it was contained in the first Statement or not, there is no way we can have a question of...

Thank you Madam Temporary Speaker. First of all, wildlife is our national heritage. It is being alleged that the KWS is involved in killing wildlife. What action has the Ministry taken to bring to book these selfish greedy officers? In several parks, you will find rhinos and elephants being killed....

Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to join my colleagues in seeking certain clarifications. For example, I think whenever we have talked about wildlife; it has always been the case that money does not follow the action. It is so said. I wish to ask the Chairman to clarify, for instance,...

Madam Temporary Speaker, I would like to seek further clarifications. On two occasions this year, live on our television, we saw security officers working for the KWS shedding tears and crying next to dead elephants. Could the Chairman clarify what scenario was being shown to Kenyans? Officers who are supposed...

I am not seeing further clarifications unless someone has a faulty card. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, please, respond. July 16, 2014 SENATE DEBATES

Thank you Madam Temporary Speaker. I stand to clarify some of the issues that have been raised. With regard to the point raised by Sen. (Prof.) Lesan about Olsogoi where ten rhinos were killed, apparently, it is not possible to change statements every day. This statement was sought before that...

included in my Report where I gave figures of all the elephants and rhinos killed. That would touch on all the elephants killed before 25th June when this Report was made.Sen. Billow said that most poaching is done in private parks and that we should find a way of either...

not trying to qualify why they cried because I did not interrogate that particular matter in my answer, but I do not think that it is a good idea when something happens and people cover it; it is better when it is exposed. Even if those wardens had guns and...

Sen. Kivuti, in your opening remarks, you made an observation that you might have to bring a more comprehensive response in view of the matters that have been raised since your last statement which was still being contributed to and I support that. You have now reiterated that even in...

Sen. Billow On a point of order, Madam Temporary Speaker. Order, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale. I am granting a point of order to Sen. Kagwe.

Sen. Billow Madam Temporary Speaker, I am not and I do not have a history of misinforming anyone, including this Senate. I advised the hon. Senator earlier on in the afternoon that the schedules attached – not the main statement – have been revised and there is a set of...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to give a statement on the escalating bank interest rates that was sought by the Senator for Murang’a County. If I may proceed?

Sen. Billow The statement sought was on three areas; one, the Senator wanted to know the relationship between the high interest rates charged by banks and the very high profit after tax being made by the banks in this country. Secondly, he wanted to know the impact of the high...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. BillowThe rates are invariably different wherever you go. That is not just a matter of the CBK to decide so that we lend at the same rates for both currencies.The one for Sen. Wamatangi and the issue by Sen. Kembi-Gitura were about these rates not being acceptable and being...

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow

Sen. Billow Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, The Public Procurement and Disposal (Amendment) Bill) (National Assembly Bill No.31 of 2013) is a Bill that is aimed at guaranteeing, for the first time in the history of our country, access to opportunities for young people, women and persons with disability to do...

July 15, 2014 SENATE DEBATES Sen. BillowAs soon as they get that data, they are supposed to report to Parliament. For the avoidance of doubt, it is expected, therefore, that the reports about procurement will be coming to the Senate and the National Assembly, including those by the national Government...

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Public Procurement and Disposal (Amendment) Bill) (National Assembly Bill No.31 of 2013) be read a Second Time. (Loud consultations)