The Senate has resolved to postpone the planned Mashinani plenary and committee sessions to a later date, citing austerity measures in the government’s arms.

During the afternoon session on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the house had taken the decision in view of the prevailing austerity measures and the upcoming East African parliamentary games later in December.

“The senate resolves to defer its plenary and committee sittings (Senate Mashinani) until the fourth session in 2025,” Cheruiyot said.

Adding: “We understand the current financial situation that the country finds itself in. It is unfortunate that we are not going to be in Busia the way we had hoped to go and interact with the people of Busia and enjoy working in the border towns of Namanga and Busia. Our travel budget has been significantly reduced in follow-up to the resolutions that we have made outside this house.”

Cheruiyot said that the senate must take the lead in cutting down on non-essential travel as outlined by President William Ruto at the height of Gen ZS’ protests during the month of June this year.

Cheruiyot noted that since the directive was issued, the senate had centred its activities in the city, minimizing travels and activities outside of Nairobi County.

He, however, assured the people of Busia that once the austerity measures are lifted in the future, the Senate would begin their Senate Mashinani sittings in the county.

Previous Senate sessions

The first senate session held outside of Nairobi was in Uasin-Gishu in 2018 and in Kitui County in 2019.

The last Senate Mashinani session was held in Turkana County in 2023, from where it was resolved that the fourth session would be in Busia County.

Senator Cheruiyot underscored the importance of the sessions stating that senators get to know the real challenges facing devolution by going to the grassroots.

“The Senate plays the interlinkage role between the national and county levels of government; there is a need to enhance the interaction between the Senate and county governments as a means of bringing the Senate closer to the counties and the general public,” Cheruiyot said.

Before the cancellation of the senate Mashinani sittings, Busia County Governor Paul Otuoma had said on August 14, 2024, that the county was ready for the sessions.

He stated that he would take advantage of the presence of the senate leadership to discuss the dicey matter of the revenue-sharing formula for the counties.

The sessions have been postponed to a later date, as will be communicated by the Senate.