The Senate begins its week-long Senate Mashinani programme in Kilifi county on Monday, taking plenary and committee business outside Nairobi as part of efforts to bring Parliament closer to the people.
The sittings, running from September 21 to 25, will give residents an opportunity to follow Senate proceedings, engage legislators and raise issues affecting their communities.
Senate committees are also expected to undertake oversight visits to selected national and county government projects, allowing senators to assess projects on the ground and engage officials and residents on their implementation.
The programme follows a resolution passed by the Senate on May 5 to hold its plenary and committee sittings in Kilifi.
The decision was made under Article 126(1) of the Constitution, which allows either House of Parliament to hold a sitting at any place within Kenya.
The move also draws from the Senate’s constitutional mandate under Article 96 to represent the counties and protect their interests and those of their governments.
Preparations gathered pace in the days leading to Monday’s opening, with Senate and Kilifi County Assembly officials working together on the programme.
The county assembly also adjusted its calendar to accommodate the Senate Mashinani activities, suspending its plenary and committee sittings from September 21 to 25.
On Sunday, legislators, parliamentary staff and local residents gathered at Town Secondary School in Malindi for a friendly football match that served as a curtain-raiser to the week-long programme.
The event brought together Bunge FC, Malindi Legends and representatives of the Kilifi County Assembly.
Heavy rain and a slippery pitch failed to stop the players, while spectators braved the downpour to watch the matches.
Senators participate in a football match ahead of Senate Mashinani in Kikifi County, September 20 /SENATE
Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye praised the cooperation between the Senate and the Kilifi County Assembly, saying the preparations had set the stage for the week’s activities.
“I thank the Kilifi County Assembly Clerk, Mr Ngala, and his team for the preparations that have made this programme possible. Together with Senate staff, we are ready for the week ahead,” Nyegenye said.
He said the reception from residents had been encouraging and viewed the rain that accompanied Sunday’s activities positively.
“The welcome we have received has been tremendous. We take the rain as a blessing as we begin Senate Mashinani in Kilifi,” he said.
Nyegenye urged residents to turn up in large numbers for the sittings and other engagements planned during the week, saying the programme was an opportunity for them to understand and participate in the work of the Senate.
The week will include plenary and committee sittings as well as engagements with county leaders, residents and other stakeholders.
Some committees will leave the chamber for oversight visits to government projects and institutions within the county.
The Senate leadership is also expected to meet the leadership of the Kilifi County Assembly in Malindi.
Women senators under the Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) are scheduled to undertake outreach activities, including a visit to Mtangani Women’s Prison and engagements with pupils at Gede Primary School and Gede Special School.
On Sunday, KEWOSA and the Kilifi County Assembly women caucus visited Malindi Women’s Prison and engaged prison officials and inmates on rehabilitation and the challenges facing women in custody.
Women senators visit Malindi Women’s Prison ahead of the start of Senate Mashinani in Kilifi County, September 20 /SENATE
The women senators called for stronger support for women in custody, urging policymakers to ensure inmates have access to education, vocational training, technology and economic opportunities that can help them rebuild their lives after prison.
Kilifi becomes the latest county to host Senate proceedings under the Senate Mashinani initiative.
The Senate previously held sittings in Uasin Gishu in 2018, Kitui in 2019, Turkana in 2023 and Busia in 2025.
The initiative is intended to increase public awareness of the Senate’s role, create opportunities for citizens to engage with the legislative process and strengthen interaction between the Senate and county governments.
For Kilifi residents, the five-day programme will combine formal parliamentary business with direct public engagement, bringing Senate debates, committee work and oversight activities closer to them
