Senator Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Samburu) has raised alarm over the alleged collapse of renal unit services at Samburu County Teaching and Referral Hospital, citing serious challenges affecting the delivery of life saving dialysis treatment to patients in the county.

Rising pursuant to Standing Order 53(1), the Senator sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Health regarding urgent measures being taken to restore renal services at the hospital, which remains the only dialysis facility serving the entire county.

Sen. Lelegwe informed the House that the renal unit is operating under severe strain, with only five dialysis machines currently available. Of these, one machine is reserved for isolation cases, leaving only four machines to serve approximately 20 patients who require dialysis treatment twice every week.

The Senator further noted that the county has lacked a qualified nephrologist since September 2025, forcing patients to seek specialized treatment outside Samburu County. The situation has been worsened by shortages of renal supplies, delayed servicing of dialysis equipment and inadequate budgetary support all of which continue to undermine the delivery of critical renal care.

“As a result, patients have been referred outside the county for treatment, while shortages of supplies, delayed servicing of equipment, and inadequate budgetary support continue to undermine the delivery of life-saving renal care,” he stated, while calling for urgent and emergency interventions by the county government to restore full operations at the renal unit and safeguard the lives of patients who depend on dialysis for survival.

In his request for a Statement, Sen. Lelegwe asked the Committee to provide detailed information on the number, condition, age and functional status of dialysis machines at the hospital including explanations as to why some machines have exceeded their operational lifespan without replacement and the plans in place to urgently procure new equipment.

Additionally, the Senator requested the Committee to establish the status of payments owed to contractors responsible for servicing and maintaining dialysis equipment from 2023 to date and explain why the county has operated without a qualified nephrologist since September 2025, outlining steps being taken to ensure the provision of specialist renal care services.

The Committee, chaired by Sen. Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) is further required to provide an update on the supply and availability of renal consumables and related medical items including budgetary allocations for the renal unit and measures to ensure patients are not forced to bear costs that should be covered under the Social Health Insurance system. It is also expected to outline measures being implemented to strengthen renal health services in Samburu County on a sustainable basis and prevent a future collapse of the renal unit.

By Anthony Solly

Sen. Mohamed Chute (Marsabit) has called for a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding escalating security and land-related tensions in the Moyam area of Marsabit County and reports of a proposed deployment of a Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) camp in Tittu.

The senator raised concerns that historical land dispossession and continued encroachment by a neighbouring community into traditionally recognised Borana grazing areas have generated persistent tensions in Moyam.

According to Sen. Chute, despite clearly demarcated administrative and community boundaries, disputes have continued due to disregard for these boundaries, further heightening tensions in the affected region.

He noted that Moyam serves as a strategic dry-season fallback grazing area for the Borana community, making the developments particularly sensitive for pastoral livelihoods.

The lawmaker expressed concern over reports of encouragement of encroachment into the grazing lands and lobbying for the establishment of a Rapid Deployment Unit camp in Tittu under the justification of combating drug trafficking and human trafficking.

He further raised alarm over alleged unauthorised development activities in Moyam, including the drilling of a borehole by a neighbouring county government, warning that such actions could inflame tensions and undermine regional stability through loss of critical grazing land, displacement and livestock theft.

In his request, Sen. Chute asked the committee to clarify the mandate and justification for the proposed RDU camp in Tittu, including its legal basis, intended operational scope and whether consultations were undertaken with local leadership and relevant county authorities.

He also called for an explanation of the measures being taken by the national government to prevent escalation of the tensions, including steps to address political incitement, organised mobilisation, forced occupation and other actions that could trigger violence or displacement.

Additionally, the senator requested the committee to outline the mechanisms in place for early warning, rapid response and conflict prevention in the affected areas, including the coordination framework among national security agencies, county security teams and local peace structures.

By Anthony Solly

The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education chaired by Hon. Wanami Wamboka (Bumula) continued its oversight of public universities, scrutinizing financial management practices and compliance with constitutional requirements on diversity and inclusion.

Appearing before the Committee, the management of Mama Ngina University College was questioned over discrepancies linked to the joint-universities project of a construction of an administration block and lecture theatre. Initially contracted at KSh 450 million, the project drew an audit query after records indicated the final cost had risen to KSh 471 million.

Legislators also noted inconsistencies in project funding records, with Government data indicating KSh 635.8 million disbursed while handover records show the institution received KSh 395.5 million, leaving a variance requiring clarification.

The matter is further linked to an inter-institutional arrangement with Kenyatta University, where KU recorded KSh 163.1 million payable to the college while the college did not recognise the amount in its records. Both institutions will appear before the Committee on 20 March 2026 with all relevant documentation, including contract agreements and financial records.

Members also raised concern over the management of Murang’a University of Technology, noting that the institution had numerous unresolved audit queries which management struggled to adequately explain.

These included missing travel documentation such as boarding passes and incomplete records relating to the procurement of a university bus. The Vice Chancellor was further asked to explain why a personal surcharge of KSh 500,000 had not been settled.

The Committee also directed the university to resolve a pending query on long-term investments valued at over KSh 25 million tied to shares registered under trustees of the former Murang’a Technical College. They were further instructed to address land encroachment affecting 18 parcels of land oit of their total 30.95HA.

Meanwhile, Kirinyaga University was urged to address gaps in ethnic diversity within its workforce and strengthen inclusion of persons living with disabilities.

Members applauded the management of Karatina University for demonstrating strong governance and sound institutional management. The Committee commended the university for maintaining high standards and encouraged the institution to continue upholding best practices.

By Anthony Solly

Senator Julius Murgor (West Pokot) has sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism regarding the corporate social responsibility programmes undertaken by companies operating in the county.

“In recent years, several companies have established manufacturing and mining operations within West Pokot County. While these companies contribute to local economic activity, there are growing concerns that many of them have not adequately fulfilled their corporate social responsibility obligations,” submitted Sen. Murgor.

He added, “In particular, residents have raised concerns regarding Chiromo Fertilizer Ltd, which has set up a manufacturing plant in Chepareria Town.”

The Committee is expected to address the monitoring, enforcement and evaluation mechanisms put in place by national and county governments to ensure that all companies comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and the measures established to ensure that such enterprises contribute sustainably to the social and economic development of local communities.

The Committee will also address the environmental, social and public health safeguards adopted by industrial and manufacturing entities operating in Chepareria Town, including but not limited to Chiromo Fertilizer Ltd, to mitigate adverse impacts arising from their operations and their level of compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Further, the Committee is expected to outline the corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by companies operating in Chepareria Town and the wider West Pokot County since the commencement of their operations including annual investments in social programmes, priority areas of intervention, partnerships with county and community institutions and detailed employment data specifying the number and proportion of employees recruited from local communities.

By Anthony Solly

Senator John Kinyua (Laikipia) has sought a Statement regarding the deterioration of the Nyahururu–Rumuruti (A4) Road in Laikipia County.

The request, raised pursuant to Standing Order 53(1), seeks a response from the Senate Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing.

According to the Lawmaker, the Nyahururu–Rumuruti (A4) Road, a vital trunk road serving Laikipia County and the wider Mt. Kenya region has deteriorated into a risky state that endangers motorists, pedestrians and the public at large.

“Despite repeated maintenance interventions by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the road remains plagued by extensive potholes, narrowing carriageways, poor markings, blind curves and unsafe surface undulations. These defects have contributed to frequent accidents and tragic loss of lives, including a fatal incident on 21st December 2025 in which Mr. Stephen Rubuya King’au and his son, Dennis King’au Rubuya, residents of Ol Jabet in Marmanet, perished,” stated Sen. Kinyua.

In its report, the Committee is expected to address the current condition of the Nyahururu–Rumuruti (A4) Road including the extent of deterioration, safety hazards and the impact on motorists, pedestrians and the wider community.

The Committee is also required to address the scope, execution and supervision of recent maintenance works, with specific reference to the performance based contract awarded by KeNHA and whether contractual obligations were met in terms of quality, timelines and oversight.

Further, the Committee is expected to outline the immediate and long term interventions currently being undertaken to restore the road to acceptable safety standards as well as sustainable strategies to prevent further deterioration.

In addition, the Committee has been tasked to clarify the timelines for permanent repairs and accountability mechanisms, setting out when the road will be fully rehabilitated and how compliance, value for money and public safety will be assured going forward.

By Anthony Solly

The National Assembly has approved the nomination of Mr. Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya as Kenya’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark.

The approval follows vetting by the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, which conducted the nominee’s approval hearing on March 4, 2026.

In its report tabled before the House on March 10, 2026, the Committee found Mr. Kibelekenya suitable for the position, noting that he demonstrated the necessary qualifications, experience and integrity required to serve as Kenya’s envoy in Copenhagen.

Presenting the report to the House, Committee Chairperson Hon. Nelson Koech said the nominee had expressed commitment to advancing Kenya’s diplomatic and economic interests.

“Honourable Members, the Committee observed that the nominee expressed readiness to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to advance Kenya’s diplomatic and economic interests,” said Hon. Koech.

The Committee further noted that during the approval hearing, Mr. Kibelekenya highlighted key priority areas he intends to pursue in strengthening relations between Kenya and Denmark.

“In particular, the nominee emphasized the importance of promoting trade, expanding education partnerships and enhancing development cooperation between Kenya and Denmark,” Hon. Koech added.

Following the Committee’s recommendation, the House approved the nomination, paving the way for Mr. Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya to take up his diplomatic posting in Copenhagen.

By Anthony Solly

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) has demanded urgent accountability from three state agencies over staffing crises, uncollected debts, procurement irregularities and breaches of international accounting standards.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe, MP for Navakholo Constituency, today grilled officials from the SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), the Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation (NTZDC), and Sports Kenya over troubling audit queries raised in reports by the Auditor-General.

At the committee members raised concerns over a significant staffing deficit that has left the regulator operating below capacity. Despite an approved establishment of 145 staff members, the Authority currently employs only 93, leaving a 36 per cent vacancy gap.

Lawmakers warned that the shortage risks undermining effective regulation of the SACCO sector and overburdening existing staff. However, SASRA Chief Executive Officer David Sandagi defended the authority’s operations, noting that investments in technology had helped bridge the gap.

“We have implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning system and a risk-based supervision platform which have improved efficiency despite the staffing challenges,” Sandagi told the committee.

The committee members remained unconvinced, questioning how the authority measures the productivity and well-being of employees working under such pressure.

An inquiry arose over a Sh20 million bank guarantee issued by the Development Bank of Kenya to an IT consultancy firm that failed to deliver on its contract. Despite a favourable court ruling and arbitration outcome in SASRA’s favour, the guarantee has remained unpaid since 2021.

“Under the Banking Act, such commitments should be honoured upon crystallisation. This guarantee has remained a mere piece of paper for four years,” Hon.Wangwe said, directing SASRA to enforce its immediate recovery.

Auditors further flagged irregular prior-year adjustments amounting to Sh70.4 million in 2022 and Sh3.1 million in 2021, where the authority failed to disclose adjustments and restate opening balances as required under International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Management acknowledged the omissions and promised corrective measures in subsequent financial statements.

Meanwhile, at the Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation, lawmakers questioned management over outstanding debts exceeding Sh17 million owed by Emrok Tea Factory and Elgon Tea Factory.

Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Chepkwony explained that the Emrok debt resulted from emergency green leaf supplies in 2019 after farmers blocked the corporation’s factory. However, MPs expressed concern over the Sh16 million owed by the non-operational Elgon Tea Factory and the corporation’s failure to provide for doubtful debts.

The committee also heard that about 3,000 tea bushes belonging to NTZDC were uprooted in Tharaka Nithi County during the construction of the Kirach Kiamuriuki–Gitogoto road, with compensation of Sh4.2 million yet to be paid after the county government claimed the bushes were on a road reserve.

At Sports Kenya, the committee scrutinised the award of a Sh45.8 billion stadium construction contract to China Road and Bridge Corporation through direct procurement despite the project’s original approved funding being Sh35 billion.

The Committee’s Vice-Chairperson and Saboti MP Hon. Caleb Amisi dismissed the justification that urgency warranted bypassing competitive bidding.

“Kenya is not at war and there is no catastrophe to justify direct procurement,” Hon. Amisi said.

Lawmakers also questioned the transfer of Sh2 billion from Sports Kenya to the Ministry of Defence to implement the project, terming the arrangement irregular.

“I have never seen something like this,” said Ndhiwa MP Hon. Martin Owino, questioning how payments for a Sports Kenya project could be processed through another ministry.

Hon. Wangwe warned that the committee would closely monitor the projects to safeguard public funds.

“These projects are important for our youth, but they must not be completed at an exorbitant price. This committee will not allow Sports Kenya to be used as a puppet for the parent ministry,” he said.

By Anthony Solly