Senators have issued a sharp warning to the National Treasury over chronic delays in disbursing funds to counties, pledging to summon the Cabinet Secretary at the start of every quarter, in a bid to safeguard service delivery and protect counties from financial paralysis.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Senate Liaison Committee retreat, Deputy Speaker and Committee Chair Sen. Kathuri Murungi (Meru) said the Treasury’s failure to release funds on time had left counties unable to pay salaries or deliver basic services.

“Last week, the Treasury CS appeared before the National Assembly and made commitments regarding disbursement of NG-CDF funds. Likewise, we’ll summon him to the Senate every quarter to ensure counties receive their rightful share, without delay,” said Sen. Murungi.

His comments came amid growing discontent among county governments and senators over stalled development projects and mounting wage arrears.

Sen. Murungi’s statement set the tone for a pivotal Liaison Committee retreat, where Senate committee chairpersons and the Secretariat gathered to reflect on legislative performance, induct new chairpersons and chart a more strategic path forward.

Held under the theme “Sustaining Excellence in Committee Service Delivery through Synergy, Agility and Innovation,” the retreat highlighted the Senate’s evolving oversight agenda and the need for a stronger, better-resourced committee system.

In his official remarks opening the retreat, Sen. Murungi praised the Senate’s committee structure as its “engine room,” responsible for driving legislative scrutiny, budget accountability and citizen representation. He highlighted notable achievements in the Third Session, including the successful Mediation Committee—which he co-chaired—that led to an increase in county revenue allocations from Kshs. 391.117 billion to Kshs. 400.1 billion.

“The Liaison Committee is not merely administrative—it is profoundly strategic. We determine which issues are prioritised, which reports are debated and how resources are apportioned. In doing so, we shape the Senate’s legacy as a champion of devolution,” he said.

The retreat also served as a platform to induct newly elected committee chairpersons and foster collaboration across committees. The Deputy called on committee chairs to embrace collegiality, innovation and inclusivity in fulfilling their oversight roles.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Clerk of the Senate, Deputy Clerk Eunice Gichangi welcomed participants and emphasized the Secretariat’s continued support in strengthening committee work.

“This retreat provides a valuable platform to share experiences, identify lessons learned, and explore innovative solutions. We look forward to fruitful deliberations and wish all committees great success this session,” she said.

This two-day retreat aims to evaluate Senate committee performance, identify operational gaps and strategize on the challenges of limited resources, complex legislative workloads and rising public expectations.