Speaker Amason Kingi’s alleged bias, mistreatment of senators, and budget reductions dominated discussions at the Senate’s midterm retreat. The meeting, held in Naivasha, Nakuru County, aimed to assess progress and plan ahead of the fourth session. Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo and his deputy Enoch Wambua led the charge with strong criticisms, exposing internal struggles within the Senate.
Shortly after opening speeches, senators held a closed-door session to address their concerns, barring even parliamentary staff from attending. Insiders revealed frustrations over mistreatment and severe budget cuts that have disrupted committee operations. Wambua directly accused Kingi of failing to be objective in handling House matters, citing cases of senators being left stranded abroad without facilitation. He highlighted an incident where senators were transported to Dodoma, Tanzania, for an official engagement, only to be abandoned without transport back.
Madzayo echoed these concerns, lamenting the lack of funds for committee work. He expressed dismay that senators were now forced to pay for travel out of pocket and seek reimbursement later, a practice he noted was unprecedented in previous Senate terms. Meanwhile, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot avoided the controversy, instead urging senators to focus on their role in defending devolution. Kingi acknowledged the challenges and called for unity, urging senators to propose solutions to guide the House forward. He admitted that budgetary constraints have significantly affected committee work, making it a critical issue for resolution.
