Busia residents elated as senators begin week-long sessions in county

Busia residents have expressed excitement and optimism as senators begin their week-long sessions in the county, with businesses booming in what locals describe as an economic blessing.

Senate Mashinani kicked off on Sunday with a packed schedule that includes plenary and committee meetings, public engagements, and visits to key development projects.

The senators, led by Speaker Amason Kingi, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, and clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye, arrived in the border county on Sunday for the marathon sittings.

“The Senate Mashinani is meant to bring the Senate closer to the people. The House intends to hold its sittings in one county every year so that Kenyans can better understand its role in supporting devolution,” Speaker Kingi said.

In random interviews with the Star, residents expressed delight, saying the sessions had already boosted local businesses.

“Our hotel is fully booked. We have never seen this before. We are grateful to the senators for coming to our county,” said Tom Juma, a hotel manager.

“We hope they will help solve some of the problems we face. Some county projects have stalled for years. Maybe their presence will help unlock them,” Lucas Wafula, a trader in Busia town, said.

On Sunday afternoon, the senator’s curtain-raiser for the event was a friendly football match against members of the Busia county assembly.

During the week, they are expected to visit the One Stop Border Posts in Busia and Malaba, the County Aggregated Industrial Park, and ECDE centres.

According to the Senate programme, House committees will conduct sittings across the county, allowing residents to participate in legislative business.

The activities will include oversight visits to local projects, inspection of government programmes, and public forums where citizens, civil society, and local officials will interact directly with senators.

The County Public Accounts Committee has lined up sessions with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and the county assembly leadership to review their financial statements for the 2023-24 financial year.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will hold public participation on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, while the Education Committee will assess the implementation of Early Childhood Development Education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes in the county.

Nyegenye noted that previous Senate Mashinani sittings — held in Uasin Gishu (2018), Kitui (2019), and Turkana (2023) — had achieved significant success.

The sittings were suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The objective is to promote public understanding of the Senate’s work, highlight opportunities for civic engagement, and strengthen partnerships with county governments,”  Nyegenye said.

Last year’s planned session in Busia was postponed due to funding constraints following recommendations by the Senate Business Committee.

Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the Senate hopes to leave a lasting legacy by resolving long-standing issues affecting residents.

“Ultimately, the initiative aims to deepen appreciation of the Senate’s role, improve service delivery, and strengthen collaboration between county and national governments. It’s a chance for leaders to reconnect with the people they serve,” he said.

Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale assured colleagues that Busia was well-prepared to host the Senate, noting the county’s strategic location and unique challenges.

“The One Stop Border Post has affected businesses that once thrived in clearing and forwarding. Senators will also see how advanced the county’s health system is — about 45 per cent of patients at Busia county hospital come from Uganda,” he said.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah said the experience would help senators understand the effects of marginalisation and appreciate the region’s cultural and historical heritage.

“Busia has unique sites like the prehistoric cave paintings in Kakapel, and a historic border crossing point at Malaba. This visit allows senators to see the real impact of national policies on our people,” Omtatah said.

Senate Minority Whip Ledama Olekina emphasised that the Senate Mashinani sittings are official parliamentary business, not political tours.

“Whenever we sit outside Parliament, we continue with the day’s legislative agenda. It’s not just about meeting MCAs or engaging citizens — it’s about deepening legislative work,” he said.

Ledama also reminded Kenyans that Busia hosts part of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in East Africa, and plays a crucial role in regional integration efforts under the East African Community.