The Senate will conduct its sittings in Busia County from 6th to 10th October 2025, following the approval of a Motion moved by Senate Majority Whip and Kakamega County Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale on Thursday, 24th July 2025.

While presenting the Motion on the Senate floor, Sen. Khalwale emphasised the critical role the Senate plays in fostering the interconnection between the national and county levels of government. He emphasised the importance of enhancing interaction between the Senate and county governments to bring the institution closer to devolved units and the public at large.

Dr. Khalwale made reference to the Senate’s previous successful sittings outside Nairobi, which were held in Uasin Gishu (2018), Kitui (2019) and Turkana (2023), noting that they had significantly contributed to public awareness and engagement.

The decision to hold the sittings in Busia aligns with a Senate resolution passed on 8th March 2023, which stipulated that the Senate would convene its plenary and committee sessions in a different county each September during the life of the Fourth Senate except in an election year.

The primary objective of the devolved sittings is to promote the Senate’s role, foster greater public understanding of parliamentary business and strengthen collaboration between the Senate and county governments. The sittings are also intended to provide an avenue for members and staff of county assemblies to exchange best practices with Senators and parliamentary officers.

During the debate, several Senators voiced their support for the Motion, highlighting its significance to devolution and to improving the lives of ordinary Kenyans. They noted that such sessions offer a platform for the Senate to evaluate how devolution is being implemented and to identify emerging challenges.

Sen. Okiya Omtatah (Busia) who seconded the Motion, remarked, “This will be a good opportunity for the Senators to see that the county is not performing very well in terms of service delivery. The Senate sitting in Busia will help us audit and ferret out some of the issues that are leading to underdevelopment.”

He added, “This concept of the Senate choosing to sit in counties is absolutely important as it gives that county or the people of Kenya, the opportunity to understand that we are one country, we are one nation. We just have regions and what you have, but we are one people, one nation.”

The Senate sittings in Busia are expected to stimulate civic engagement and draw public participation in the legislative process, reinforcing the Senate’s role as a defender of devolution and a champion for county interests.