Busia County to host Senate Mashinani sittings in October
Tabling the motion, Khalwale affirmed that Busia County is fully prepared to host the Senate for the week-long session
Busia County will host the fourth session of the Senate Mashinani sittings after the Senate approved a motion by Majority Whip Boni Khalwale.
The legislators approved the motion tabled by the Kakamega Senator, which conveyed a resolution by the Senate Business Committee designating Busia County as this year’s host for sittings held outside the capital.
According to the committee, which is chaired by the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, the initiative is aimed at strengthening the linkage between the national and county governments.
“Senate Mashinani is a way of bringing the Senate closer to the counties and the general public. The House intends to hold sittings in one county each year to help Kenyans better understand its role in supporting devolution,” Kingi said.
Tabling the motion, Khalwale affirmed that Busia County is fully prepared to host the Senate for the week-long session.
The Kakamega legislator noted that the sittings would provide Senators with the opportunity to observe first-hand the challenges facing the One Stop Border Post.
“The One Stop Border Post has virtually crippled local businesses. One of the sectors that previously generated significant income—clearing and forwarding—has been severely affected. Senators will also witness the strides Kenya has made in healthcare provision, as nearly 45 per cent of patients at Busia County Hospital come from Uganda,” he said.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah said the visit would allow the Senate to experience the effects of historical marginalisation and understand the challenges facing communities in border regions.
Senate Clerk, Jeremiah Nyegenye stated that the main objective of the sessions is to promote public understanding of the Senate’s functions and enhance awareness of the broader work of Parliament.
This comes after the third sitting was held in 2023, with no sitting being held last year.
During former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, the 2018 and 2019 Senate Mashinani sittings were held in Uasin Gishu and Turkana Counties respectively, with no sittings being held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
