Busia hosts Senators for weeklong ‘Mashinani Parliamentary Sessions’
The program which started yesterday is expected to continue to Friday
Busia County will this week be hosting Senators from across the country for the Mashinani initiative, which brings parliamentary business closer to citizens and fosters understanding of the devolved system.
The program which started yesterday is expected to continue to Friday.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has described the initiative as a bridge between the Senate and local communities, ensuring that residents across the 47 counties gain insight into the Senate’s role.
“The Senate Mashinani is a way of bridging the gap between the county and the general public whereby the Senate intends to hold its sittings in one of the 47 counties every year to enable Kenyans to better understand the role of the assembly in fostering devolution,” Kingi said.
The week-long sessions will include several key legislative activities, most notably public hearings on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
In addition, the County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, will review Busia County’s 2023/2024 financial statements, with the county leadership and Governor Paul Otuoma presenting their accounts.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot encouraged residents of Busia and neighbouring areas to actively engage in the proceedings, noting that the programme is an opportunity for citizens to influence governance and for leaders to reconnect with the public they serve.
“It is a chance for the public to step into the heart of governance and for leaders to be reminded who they truly serve,” he said.
Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale highlighted that senators will use the visit to observe firsthand the challenges faced at the One Stop Border Post.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah added that by moving into both urban and rural areas of Busia, legislators will better appreciate the impact of political marginalization on local communities.
This comes after In July, the Senate agreed to have the fourth session of the ‘Senate Mashinani’ sittings in the border county.
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.
