MPs head to Nakuru for legislative retreat as 2027 elections loom

Members of the National Assembly will convene on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Nakuru County for a five-day legislative retreat as the 13th Parliament enters its Fifth Session, with the 2027 General Election fast approaching.

Running from January 26-30, the retreat comes at a critical juncture for lawmakers and will be held under the theme “Securing Parliamentary Legacy: Delivering the Fifth Session’s Agenda and Preparing for Transition.” 

It will bring together the Parliamentary Praesidium, House leadership, committee chairpersons and all Members of the National Assembly.

The forum will provide an opportunity for legislators to take stock of progress made over the past four sessions, draw lessons, and set priorities for the final stretch of the current Parliament. 

Key focus areas include the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, healthcare reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA), political party financing, electoral preparedness and strategies for economic growth.

Electoral readiness is expected to dominate discussions, with Members set to engage the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, on the status of boundary delimitation and voter registration ahead of the 2027 polls.

Attention will also turn to the Political Parties Act, with the Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionokou, briefing MPs on stricter campaign financing regulations and the administration of the Political Parties Fund.

In the education sector, lawmakers will scrutinise the rollout of the CBE curriculum, a decade after its conceptualisation. 

Persistent challenges, particularly infrastructure deficits and teacher-to-learner ratios under the 2-6-3-3 structure, are expected to feature prominently, prompting MPs to seek legislative solutions.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula noted that the Cabinet Secretary for Education last appeared before the House in November 2025 to address delayed capitation funds. 

He said the retreat will allow Members to assess current implementation challenges and identify policy and legislative interventions to strengthen the curriculum’s sustainability.

Healthcare reforms will also be under the spotlight, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale expected to address concerns surrounding service delivery under SHA and the administration of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Duale will further brief MPs on ongoing reforms and emerging challenges affecting access, quality, affordability and equity in healthcare.

Lawmakers will push for concrete strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage, including sustainable financing, workforce development, infrastructure investment, digital health solutions and improved intergovernmental coordination.

Economic issues will feature strongly, with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi set to update MPs on the state of the economy amid rising budgetary pressures, public debt and growing demand for services.

Legislators are expected to seek clarity on economic growth prospects, tax harmonisation and the settlement of pending bills, against the backdrop of a high cost of living and business closures.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will also come under review, with Managing Trustee and CEO David Koross briefing the House on the implementation of recent reforms, compliance levels, sustainability and protection of contributors’ interests.

Digital transformation and emerging technologies will form another key pillar of discussions. 

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and cyber threats, MPs will explore legislative safeguards on data protection to secure governance systems and protect citizens’ privacy.

Speaker Wetang’ula described the retreat as a constitutional and strategic moment for reflection and realignment.

“As we enter the homestretch of the 13th Parliament, our focus must remain on servant leadership. This retreat is a moment of introspection,” he said.

The Nakuru meeting is expected to culminate in a clear legislative and budgetary roadmap for the 2026/2027 financial year, setting the tone for the final full fiscal year of the current administration.