The Senate is set to hold a crucial planning retreat from Wednesday, February 5 to Friday, February 7, 2025 in Naivasha, Nakuru County. The retreat, themed "Shaping the Senate’s Legacy: Reflections, Strategies and the Path Forward," will bring together Senators and key stakeholders to evaluate the Senate’s performance over the past three sessions and strategize for the upcoming fourth session, which officially begins on February 11, 2025.

The Speaker of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH, will officially open the retreat which will feature participation from major governance and legislative bodies. These include among others the Senators, the National Government, the County Assemblies Forum, the Council of Governors and the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

A major focus of the retreat will be the review of House business and key legislative matters. Senators will analyze the performance of the Senate in plenary sessions over the first three legislative sessions, highlighting achievements, challenges and areas for improvement. Additionally, the retreat will assess the effectiveness of Senate Committees identifying both successes and obstacles they have encountered giving suggestions on encountering the challenges.

As the institution tasked with protecting Devolution, the Senate will also deliberate on pressing issues affecting Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. Discussions will revolve around priority areas for Senate intervention to strengthen County Governance and Service delivery.

A critical component of the retreat will be evaluating the Senate’s oversight function. Lawmakers will discuss the implementation of the Senate’s oversight role and consider proposed Constitutional amendments aimed at entrenching oversight funds into the Constitution. These funds are expected to enhance the Senate’s ability to monitor and ensure accountability in County Governments.

The retreat will also provide an opportunity for Senators to be briefed on the proposed Fourth Basis for Revenue Sharing Among County Governments for the financial years 2025/2026 to 2029/2030. The proposal has already sparked divergent views among Senators and Governors with a section of them opposing the proposal. The Commission on Revenue Allocation led by Chairperson CPA Mary Wanyonyi will be present to offer insights and respond to concerns.

On Thursday, February 6, the discussions will shift to accountability and oversight of public resources. This session will draw from experiences of the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC) and the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Senators Moses Kajwang’ (Homabay) and Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) respectively.

The Auditor General, FCPA Nancy Gathungu and the Controller of Budget, FCPA Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o will participate in these discussions. They are expected to share their perspectives on the state of financial accountability in County governments and explore ways to enhance the Senate’s oversight function.

The retreat will also tackle critical issues in the health sector, a matter of great national concern at the moment. Senators will engage in an in-depth discussion on the implementation of health laws, examining successes, challenges and areas requiring urgent intervention. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa is scheduled to brief the lawmakers on the state of the health sector and engage in discussions on necessary reforms.

This three-day retreat is expected to play an essential role in shaping the legislative and oversight agenda of the Senate for the fourth session. By reflecting on past achievements and challenges while setting clear strategies for the future, Senators aim to strengthen their role in safeguarding Devolution, enhancing governance and improving service delivery across Counties.