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The Kenyan Senate has commenced a week-long oversight visit to Busia County, focusing on the efficiency of cross-border trade, regional integration, and the status of stalled infrastructure projects. The initiative, dubbed 'Senate Mashinani', began on Monday, October 6, 2025, with senators from the Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration engaging with officials at the Malaba and Busia One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).

Meetings were held with representatives from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Immigration Department to assess progress in trade facilitation and integration measures under the East African Community (EAC) framework. The Senate's visit aims to foster stronger collaboration between Kenyan and Ugandan border agencies and tackle persistent challenges hindering the smooth flow of goods and people.

Context

Busia County, strategically located at the border with Uganda, serves as a critical gateway for trade within the EAC. However, the region has long grappled with issues such as inefficient border operations, corruption, and a multitude of stalled development projects. These challenges have hampered economic growth and negatively impacted the livelihoods of residents.

The Senate's role, as outlined in Article 96 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, includes representing counties, protecting their interests, participating in law-making concerning counties, determining national revenue allocation among counties, and exercising oversight over national revenue allocated to county governments. This oversight visit aligns with the Senate's mandate to ensure devolution is entrenched and that county governments are accountable for public funds and development initiatives.

Law/Policy

The Senate's oversight function is enshrined in the Constitution, particularly concerning national revenue allocated to county governments. The County Oversight and Accountability Bill, 2024, further empowers individual senators to exercise oversight over their respective counties, establish oversight offices, and facilitate public participation in budget processes. This legal framework provides the basis for the current scrutiny of Busia's development and resource management.

Stakeholders

• Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration: Leading the oversight mission.
• Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah: Highlighted the issue of stalled projects and their economic impact.
• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Immigration Department: Key agencies involved in border operations.
• Busia County Government: Responsible for implementing development projects and managing local resources.
• Local residents and traders: Directly affected by border efficiency and stalled projects.
• Ugandan Border Agencies: Collaborating partners in cross-border trade facilitation.

Evidence/Data

• Busia's idle trailer park infrastructure, including the Mundika and Malaba trailer parks, remains unutilised despite its potential to generate up to KSh 720 million annually and alleviate border congestion.
• A 200-acre parcel of public land at Ngelechom, between Busia and Malaba, suitable for a regional logistics hub, remains undeveloped.
• Previous reports indicate that the conversion of the Busia One Stop Border Post-Korinda road into a dual carriageway has been stalled for over a decade.
• The Busia County government has previously been criticised for stalled projects, including the KSh 24 million Changara Dam project, which a Senate committee noted did not match the funds reportedly spent.
• Challenges at the Busia border include corruption, inadequate infrastructure, smuggling, and policy discrepancies, as identified in a research article examining cross-border security.

Risks/Implications

The continued stalling of projects in Busia County poses significant risks, including economic stagnation, loss of potential revenue, and erosion of public trust in government institutions. Inefficient border operations can hinder regional trade, increase costs for businesses, and create opportunities for illicit activities. The Senate's intervention, while crucial, must be followed by concrete actions and accountability to ensure these issues are resolved. Failure to address these challenges could further marginalise the border county and impede Kenya's broader regional integration agenda.

Unknowns

The specific timelines for the completion of stalled projects and the implementation of proposed solutions for border efficiency remain unclear. The financial implications of reviving these projects and the mechanisms for ensuring accountability for past delays are also yet to be fully detailed.

Timeline

• October 6, 2025: Senate Mashinani initiative commences in Busia County.
• This week: Plenary and committee sittings will be held in Busia County.
• Ongoing: Engagement with KRA and Immigration Department officials at Malaba and Busia OSBPs.

What to Watch

Key areas to monitor include the specific recommendations made by the Senate committee following their engagements, any commitments from the Busia County Government and national agencies to address the identified issues, and the establishment of clear timelines for project completion and border operational improvements. The response from stakeholders regarding the Senate's findings and proposed solutions will also be critical.

Related

Similar Senate oversight initiatives have been conducted in other counties, addressing stalled projects and financial accountability. For instance, the Senate's Public Accounts Committee recently raised concerns over stalled projects in Uasin Gishu County totalling over KSh 5 billion. The Interior Cabinet Secretary has also previously vowed to streamline border operations at Busia and Malaba to combat corruption.