The five-day programme will move the Senate’s operations away from the traditional Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, giving Kilifi residents an opportunity to witness parliamentary proceedings and interact directly with lawmakers. The Senate said the initiative is intended to bring parliamentary business closer to citizens while strengthening engagement between the national legislature, county governments and the public.
In a communication to Senators on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said preparations were at an advanced stage and expressed confidence that the sittings would allow the Senate to discharge its constitutional responsibilities while strengthening its engagement with the people and institutions of Kilifi County. “Preparations are now at an advanced stage to ensure the success of these sittings,” the Speaker said.
The Senate Business Committee has considered a tentative programme that includes plenary and committee sittings, with some committees expected to undertake inspection and oversight visits to selected county and national government projects within Kilifi. The arrangement allows committees to examine projects and engage directly with county officials, national government representatives and other stakeholders on the ground.
The decision is anchored in Article 126(1) of the Constitution, which allows either House of Parliament to sit at any place within Kenya. It also reflects the Senate’s constitutional mandate under Article 96 to represent, serve and protect the interests of counties and their governments.
The Senate has previously held similar sittings outside Nairobi in Uasin Gishu in 2018, Kitui in 2019, Turkana in 2023 and Busia in 2025. The programme forms part of a Senate initiative designed to increase public awareness of the role of the Upper House, create opportunities for citizens to participate in legislative processes and strengthen partnerships between the Senate and county governments. It also provides an opportunity for county assembly members and staff to interact with Senators and parliamentary officials and exchange experiences on legislative and oversight work.
The Kilifi County Assembly has cooperated with the move. Parliamentary records show that the County Assembly suspended its own plenary and committee sittings from September 21 to 25 to facilitate the Senate’s Mashinani programme, with its normal sittings scheduled to resume on September 28.
Beyond parliamentary proceedings, Senators are expected to interact with leaders of the Kilifi County Assembly. Senate leadership is scheduled to meet the county assembly leadership as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the two levels of government.
The programme will also include activities involving members of the Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA). Among the planned activities is a visit to Mtangani Women’s Prison in Malindi, as well as school outreach activities at Gede Primary School and Gede Special School.
The week will also feature a football match pitting the Senate against the Kilifi County Assembly at Town Secondary School in Malindi. The sporting event is part of the broader activities planned around the Senate’s presence in the county and will provide another opportunity for interaction between national and county legislators.
The combination of parliamentary sittings, oversight visits and community activities is intended to make the Senate’s presence in Kilifi extend beyond the chamber.