Senate Minority Leader, Sen Stewart Madzayo has called for the nation to conduct a candid review of persistent challenges that have dogged the implementation of devolution, especially sectors that require coordinated action across both National and County Governments. 

The Senator cited the key areas as the uneven county-level implementation of Universal Health Care, systemic threats to agriculture and national food security, disparities in Early Childhood Development Education between counties and the need for more effective intergovernmental relations. 

“Our assessment must diagnose these specific gaps to guide corrective action,” he said.

He made the remarks in his opening address for the Senate Assessment and Planning Retreat for the Fifth Session, which runs from 10th February to 4th December 2026.

“This retreat is our essential strategic workshop. The end we seek is a Kenya where the principles of devolution are fully realized, where County Governments are empowered and accountable, and where every Kenyan feels the tangible benefit of the work done by the Senate,” he told the gathering that brought together all the 67 Senators led by the Senate Speaker, Rt Hon Amason Kingi.

He hailed the Senate and the Senators saying they have walked the talk in as far as their constitutional mandate on devolution goes and even taking the Senate to the people.

“The Fourth Session was one of significant activity and institutional strengthening. From the Legislative Summit in March to our historic sittings in Busia County, and from the robust debates on the Devolution Conference floor to the introduction of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, we have actively carried the mantle of devolution,” he said.

He said the 2026 agenda for the House is focused on concrete, collaborative outcomes. He mentioned the scrutiny of the Referendum Bill, ensuring it clarifies and strengthens the devolution framework within the constitution, the formulation of a joint National-County Government strategy for Agriculture and Food Security, enhancing resilience and productivity and the ratification of a clear, costed framework for implementing Universal Health Coverage, defining the distinct responsibilities of each level of government. 

Another agenda will be for the establishment of a national standard for Early Childhood Education, securing equitable funding and quality assurance across all counties.