Taking Parliament
To The Grassroots
Devolution In Action
Senate Mashinani relocates the sovereign plenary and committees sittings to host County Assemblies. Interrogating devolution expenditure, receiving citizen petitions, and conducting live oversight where Kenyans live and work.
47
Counties Represented
4
Historic Sittings
100%
Binding Hansard Power
Kilifi County Assembly
Blue Economy, Salt Mining Royalties & Land Rights
Demystifying Parliament for All Kenyans
Senate Mashinani is Kenya's celebrated democratic innovation, globally recognized for dismantling the geographic distance between national legislators and grassroots citizens.
The Constitutional Anchor
Under Article 126(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, sittings of either House of Parliament may be held at any place within Kenya as the House determines. Together with Article 96, which obligates the Senate to protect county interests and county governments, Senate Mashinani translates constitutional theory into living practice.
Instead of requiring citizens to travel hundreds of kilometers to Nairobi, the Speaker of the Senate, the ceremonial Mace, all 67 Senators, the Clerk of the Senate, Hansard reporters, and standing committees relocate to a host County Assembly for a full working week.
The 4 Core Pillars of Senate Mashinani
Codified by the Parliament of Kenya and recognized in international legislative governance forums as best practice for public accountability.
Promote Senate Mandate
Educating citizens on the Senate's distinct constitutional mission: safeguarding revenue allocations, passing devolution laws, and conducting national oversight.
Public Participation
Highlighting direct channels under Article 118 for local residents, fisherfolk, farmers, women, and youth to petition standing committees in person.
Intergovernmental Synergy
Deepening functional collaboration between national legislators, County Governors, County Executives, and regional socio-economic development blocs.
County Assembly Capacity
Empowering Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), Hansard reporters, and legal drafters through peer benchmarking and parliamentary masterclasses.
Host County Sittings
Verified records of all Senate Mashinani sittings held in accordance with Article 126(1) and the Senate Resolution of March 8, 2023.
Kilifi County
Coast RegionHost: Sen. Stewart Madzayo, EGH, MP (Senate Minority Leader)
Approved by Senate Motion on May 6, 2026. Convening to address Coast blue economy financing, salt mining royalties to indigenous host communities, and historical land injustice title adjudications.
Busia County
Western KenyaHost: Sen. Okiya Omtatah Okoiti
Convened pursuant to a motion moved by Majority Leader Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot, E.G.H., member for Kericho County. Addressed border congestion at Malaba/Busia OSBPs, Lake Victoria blue economy protection, and on-site CPAC audit hearings.
Turkana County
North Rift / Arid FrontierHost: Sen. James Lomenen Ekomwa
Convened concurrently with the Tobong’u Lore Cultural Festival. Hosted by Speaker Rt. Hon. Christopher Nakuleu and Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi; interrogated oil revenue sharing and dryland water access.
Kitui County
Eastern KenyaHost: Sen. Enoch Kiio Wambua
Heard critical citizen petitions on Mui Basin coal exploration land rights, evaluated local manufacturing at KICOTEC, and initiated the nationwide Mung Beans (Ndengu) Bill.
Uasin Gishu County
North Rift BreadbasketHost: Prof. Margaret Jepkoech Kamar
The historic trailblazer. The first time in Kenya’s history that Parliament sat outside Nairobi under Article 126(1), directly tackling the national maize payment crisis and athlete welfare.
Devolution Bills & Petitions Tracker
Explore key statutes and legislative petitions born directly from citizen barazas and committee inquiries in host counties.
| Bill / Legislative Measure | Origin Sitting | Responsible Committee | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mung Beans (Ndengu) BillFramework for regulation, grading, pricing, and export promotion of pulses | Kitui County | Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries | Passed by Senate / Referred to NA | |
| County Allocation of Revenue Bill (CARA)Equitable share allocation to border, arid, and agricultural counties | All 47 Counties | Standing Committee on Finance & Budget | Annual Statutory Enactment | |
| Lake Victoria Fisheries & Maritime Protection PetitionSafeguarding artisanal fisherfolk and cross-border fish landing sites | Busia County | Agriculture & National Cohesion | Committee Report Tabled | |
| Petroleum Exploration & Local Royalties OversightEnforcing the 20% county & 5% local community royalty share in extractives | Turkana County | Energy & Natural Resources | Cabinet Secretary Inquiries | |
| Maize Pricing & Subsidized Fertilizer DirectivesSecuring prompt payments for grain deliveries and subsidized agricultural inputs | Uasin Gishu County | Agriculture & Trade Committee | Executive Directives Enacted |
Kilifi County Assembly Plenary & Committee Timetable
Full 5-day official itinerary (September 21–25, 2026) in Malindi, Magarini, and Watamu pursuant to Article 126(1) and the Senate Resolution of May 6, 2026.
Verified Kilifi Order Paper
Kilifi County Assembly Chambers, Malindi & Grassroots Venues
Arrival of Senate Mace & Ceremonial Reception
Official reception of the Senate Mace and the Speaker’s procession, formally establishing the host assembly as the sovereign precinct of the Senate.
Sitting No. 01: Official Inaugural Addresses
Special inaugural addresses on the state of devolution in the Coast Region, intergovernmental relations, and the official opening of the 5th Mashinani.
Coastal Blue Economy & Maritime Safety Corridors Motion
Debate on a motion seeking the allocation of funds for cold storage facilities at landing sites and strict demarcation of artisanal fisherfolk corridors.
Salt Mining Royalties & Aquifer Protection Hearings
On-site public hearings into environmental degradation, freshwater aquifer contamination, and unpaid community royalties by large-scale salt harvesting firms.
CPAC Audit of Devolved Healthcare
Direct interrogation of the County Executive regarding stalled infrastructure projects, pending bills, and the Auditor General’s report on health expenditure.
Sauti ya Mashinani: Open-Air Citizen Baraza
Mass public participation forum allowing coastal residents, community-based organizations, and fisherfolk to pose unscripted questions directly to all 67 Senators and the Governor.
Adoption of Kilifi Resolutions & Adjournment
Tabling of committee reports from the week’s inquiries, adoption of the final Kilifi Communiqué, and formal motion of adjournment sine die for the Senate Mashinani sitting.
The Hon. Senators brings House to Kilifi to deliberate on our shared coastal heritage.
Senate Plenary Mashinani
Broadcasting live from Kilifi County Assembly Chambers
Kilifi Sitting Landmark
On June 9, 2026, the County Assembly of Kilifi resolved to suspend its own plenary sittings from September 21–25, 2026, handing over its chamber to host the 5th Senate Mashinani pursuant to Article 126(1) of the Constitution!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Senate Mashinani is an initiative by the Parliament of Kenya that relocates the entire Senate—including its plenary and committee sittings—from the traditional Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to one of the 47 counties for a week-long grassroots engagement.