The Standing Committees shall be as set out in the Second Schedule of the Standing Orders. Standing Order 208 provides for the establishment of Standing Committees whose members are appointed by the Rules and Business Committee in consultation with parliamentary parties/ coalitions at the commencement of every Parliament. A Senator appointed to a Standing Committee at the commencement of a Parliament or at any other time during the term of that Parliament shall, unless the Senate otherwise resolve, serve for the term of that Parliament.

Historical perspective

Prior to the commencement of Legislation by Parliament in Kenya, legislation had wholly been done in the United Kingdom (UK) and conveyed in form of royal instructions commonly termed Orders-in-Council

Role of the Senate.

1. The Senate represents the counties, and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.
2. The Senate participates in the law-making function of Parliament by considering, debating and approving Bills concerning counties, as provided in Articles 109 to 113.
3. The Senate determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Article 217, and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the county governments.
4. The Senate participates in the oversight of State officers