On 23^rd September 2022, KEPSA CEO, Ms. Carole Kariuki joined the 4^th Senate induction to share the private sector priorities and expectations for the Senators in a Panel session themed, “Role of Development Partners in Devolution: Reflecting on ten years of devolution support, the performance of the Senate and expectations for the future”.

In the panel, Ms. Carole Kariuki was joined by Mr. David Gosney, Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr. Julius Court, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Mr. Anthony Ngororano, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ms. Maureen Oduori, Country Representative, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Ms. Caroline Gaita, Civil Society Parliamentary Engagement Network (CSPEN).

The Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, before inviting the panelists to make their contributions, noted that the Senate is happy to engage with different partners that are keen to support devolution. He recognized KEPSA as one of the Senate’s key and most reliable partners.

During the panel session, Ms. Carole Kariuki shared some of the achievements gained through the KEPSA and Senate partnership. She recalled the journey of KEPSA and Senate partnership through the Senate Speaker’s Round Table (SRT) and how KEPSA engaged in legislation pre and during the Constitution of Kenya 2010 implementation. Notably, she recalled the first Senate SRT in 2013 where all the partners were grappling with the idea of devolution; this was the first year of implementation of devolution in Kenya.  Going forward, Ms. Carole expressed her optimism in working with the 3^rd Senate, especially in progressing the laws that were not finalized by the 2^nd Senate, and on working together on the newly KEPSA proposed Private Sector Devolution Programme (PSDP). She also made a call to the Senate to convene the SRT in order to have a candid and deep conversation on the KEPSA agenda, PSDP, and the County Competitiveness Index (CCI) that KEPSA is developing in order to enhance the business environment in the counties, spur county cluster development and increase investment in the counties.

The other panelists also shared the work they have previously partnered with Senate and their expectations including the areas they strengthen going forward. Mr. David Gosney noted that USAID was keen on enhancing planning and implementation at the counties including aligning the counties' goals with the development plans, as well as enacting laws that would enhance the accountability of those plans. Mr. Julius Court noted they are keen on improving service delivery and economic strengthening in the counties. Similarly, Mr. Anthony Ngororano observed that UNDP will pursue an evidence-based approach to addressing the challenges in the counties and fostering E-governance. Ms. Maureen Oduori on the other hand noted that they will pursue addressing the capacity of county assemblies in order to enhance financial oversight. Strengthening meaningful public participation in the counties is a priority area for CSPEN.

At the end of the session, the caucus was in agreement that all the partners need to align the agenda, and KEPSA and Senate to convene SRT as soon as possible for a deeper conversation where an actionable legislative agenda for the private sector should be presented including legislation that would address the cost of doing business; reduction of fees and charges; and elevating the plight of the SMEs.

The Senate induction is a key platform for preparing the Senators for the task ahead and helps develop their understanding of critical issues affecting devolution while equipping them with information to advance their legislative agenda and protect devolution.