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The proposed county revenue sharing formula, devolution, intergovernmental relations challenges and the implementation of Taifa Care will be at the centre of discussion as senators converge in Nakuru for an evaluation retreat.
The Senators are convening in Naivasha, Nakuru County for the 2025 Mid-Term Assessment and Planning Retreat ahead of the commencement of the fourth session.
The retreat will take place from Tuesday, February 4 to February 7.
Speaker Amason Kingi, Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and his Minority counterpart Stewart Madzayo, clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye and chairpersons of all committees and members will attend.
Top state officers including Cabinet Secretaries the leadership of the Council of Governors and chairpersons of relevant constitutional commissions will appraise the lawmakers on devolution-specific issues.
With the theme “Shaping the Senate’s Legacy: Reflections, Strategies, and the Path Forward”, the retreat will review the performance and output of the Senate both in plenary and committees during the first three sessions.
“The retreat will review the performance and output of the Senate in Committee during the first three Sessions – output, challenges and opportunities,” the programme reads.
Further, the lawmakers will discuss priority legislation, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and evaluate the effectiveness of parliamentary committees in fulfilling their mandates.
The retreat will also provide an opportunity for the legislators to discuss House business and senators’ welfare.
According to the Retreat’s programme seen by the Star, the senators will discuss key issues, including challenges facing devolution and intergovernmental relations.
Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, Senate Devolution committee chairman Mohamed Abass, County Assemblies Forum Secretary General Mwaura Chege, Devolution PS Teresia Mbaika and IGRTC chairperson Kithinji Kiragu will articulate the devolution issues.
The focus will be on how the Senate can intervene to resolve the challenges facing devolution and intergovernmental relations.
In what could likely be a stormy session, the senators will discuss the contentious fourth county revenue allocation formula proposed by the Commission on Revenue (CRA).
CRA chairperson Mary Chebukati will present the proposal to the lawmakers which could elicit mixed reactions among the lawmakers.
In the fourth-generation formula, the Commission has given more weight to the population despite a spirited fight by leaders from less populous counties.
According to the formula which will determine how counties share revenue from 2025-26, CRA has assigned the population the biggest weight at 42 per cent.
In the current formula, the population weighs 18 per cent.
In the second-generation formula, the population was weighted at 45 per cent while in the first framework, the population was weighted at 45 per cent.
Geographical size has been given a weight of nine per cent from the current eight.
Equal share has been given a weight of 22 per cent from the current 20 while the weight for the poverty index has been retained at 14 per cent.
In yet another session that could be interesting, Health Debora Mulongo will discuss the status of implementation of health laws including the successes, challenges and interventions.
The laws include the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 which established the controversial Social Health Authority (SHA) that replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
While SHA aims to enhance healthcare access, Kenyans have raised concerns over the quality of care, citing issues like long wait times, inadequate staff, and substandard treatment.
The lawmakers will discuss the status of the implementation of Senate oversight function as well the proposed constructional amendment to entrench Senate oversight fund.
The retreat will also discuss members’ welfare including the Post-Service Medical Scheme and Pension Scheme and services and facilities for Members of Parliament.
Cheruiyot and Madzayo will lead a discussion on key legislative business and priorities for the Fourth Session which begins on Tuesday next week.
