The Senate will temporarily move its parliamentary business from Nairobi to Kilifi County next week in a rare week-long sitting designed to bring lawmakers closer to citizens and strengthen oversight of county governments.
From September 21 to September 25, 2026, Senators will hold Plenary sessions, committee meetings and oversight visits across Kilifi in what Parliament says is part of a constitutional initiative to deepen devolution and public participation.
The Kilifi programme will mark the latest edition of the Senate’s annual county sittings, which rotate across different counties to give residents an opportunity to witness parliamentary proceedings and engage directly with lawmakers.
Why is the Senate sitting in Kilifi?
The week-long sittings were approved by the Senate in May 2026 under a broader resolution requiring the House to hold at least one sitting outside Nairobi every September during the Fourth Senate, except in an election year.
In a communication to Senators, Speaker Amason Kingi said preparations were at an advanced stage and described the Kilifi sittings as an opportunity for the Senate to fulfil its constitutional role while engaging directly with the people of Kilifi.
“Preparations are now at an advanced stage to ensure the success of these sittings,” the Speaker said, adding that logistical arrangements would be communicated through the Office of the Clerk.
The Senate says taking parliamentary business outside Nairobi helps citizens better understand how the House works and increases public participation in legislation and oversight.
What will happen during the Kilifi Senate sittings?
The Senate Business Committee has approved a tentative programme combining parliamentary proceedings with community engagement activities throughout the week.
Key activities include:
Plenary sittings of the Senate.
Committee meetings in Kilifi.
Inspection and oversight visits to selected county and national government projects.
A meeting between Senate leadership and the Kilifi County Assembly leadership in Malindi.
Public engagement activities involving Senators and residents.
Several Senate committees are expected to visit infrastructure and development projects as part of their oversight mandate over county governments.
KEWOSA outreach and community events
The programme also includes activities organised by the Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA), extending the Senate’s engagement beyond parliamentary proceedings.
Among the planned events are:
- A visit to Mtangani Women’s Prison in Malindi.
- School outreach programmes at Gede Primary School and Gede Special School.
- A friendly football match between the Senate and the Kilifi County Assembly at Town Secondary School in Malindi.
The activities are intended to encourage interaction between Senators, local leaders and communities across the county.
What does the Constitution say?
The Senate’s decision to sit in Kilifi is backed by the Constitution.
Article 96 gives the Senate the responsibility of representing counties and protecting the interests of county governments and the devolved system of governance.
Meanwhile, Article 126(1) provides that either House of Parliament may hold sittings anywhere within Kenya, allowing the Senate to conduct official business outside Nairobi.
The county sittings are designed to:
- Promote public awareness of the Senate’s role.
- Increase citizen participation in legislative processes.
- Strengthen collaboration between the Senate and county governments.
- Allow county assembly members and parliamentary officers to exchange best practices.
Kilifi joins growing list of host counties
Kilifi becomes the latest county to host Senate proceedings outside the capital as Parliament expands its devolution outreach programme.
Previous county sittings have been held in:
| Year | Host County |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Uasin Gishu County |
| 2019 | Kitui County |
| 2023 | Turkana County |
| 2025 | Busia County |
| 2026 | Kilifi County |
The programme has become a key feature of the Fourth Senate’s efforts to make Parliament more visible at the county level.
Why the Kilifi sittings matter
For Kilifi residents, the week offers a rare opportunity to watch Senate debates without travelling to Nairobi and to interact directly with lawmakers on issues affecting the county.
The committee visits are also expected to provide firsthand oversight of development projects and public institutions, giving Senators an opportunity to assess the implementation of county and national government programmes on the ground.
As Kenya’s devolution system enters another year of implementation, the Kilifi sittings are expected to spotlight how the Senate carries out its constitutional role of oversight, legislation and representation beyond the walls of Parliament.
