As the Senate convened for its first sitting in the Kitui County Assembly under what’s been dubbed ‘Senate Mashinani’, the Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, while presiding over the plenary, termed the initiative an innovative way of bringing the Senate closer to the people both functionally and symbolically.

Beginning Monday, and over the next four days, the various activities lined up including plenary and committee sittings, as well as public participation for a, will accord the public a special opportunity to actively  engage and participate in the Senate legislative business in line with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

“The sittings of the Senate outside its traditional seat at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi is designed as an innovative way of enhancing interaction between the national and county levels of government, which are distinct and interdependent,” said Speaker Lusaka as he read his Communication from the Chair.

The Speaker added that the House he leads believes that County Assemblies can complement good legislative practices and hold the potential of directly identifying and addressing the people’s tribulations, revitalizing hopes and aspirations, as well as deepening a democratic, consultative and participatory governance tradition.

Speaker Lusaka also thanked the leadership of the Kitui County Government led by Governor, HE Charity Ngilu and Assembly Speaker, Hon George Ndoto for facilitating the sittings.

The Senate Mashinani initiative is in line with Article 126(1) of the Constitution of Kenya that provides that “a sitting of either House may be held at any place within Kenya and may commence at any time that the House appoints.”