The preparedness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in handling the 2027 General Elections, and challenges facing implementation of the Competency-Based Education system, form the key agenda as MPs retreat to Naivasha from tomorrow.
All members of the National Assembly will converge in Naivasha for its annual retreat, which will also discuss the future of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) ahead of the reopening of the House on February 10, 2026.
Apart from issues of elections and transition to senior school, Kenya’s inaugural Grade 10 and pioneer CBE class, lawmakers will also meet with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Health counterpart, Aden Duale, to discuss the state of the economy and healthcare service delivery in the country.
“As the country prepares for the next General Election, the regulatory and financing framework governing political parties deserves renewed parliamentary focus to safeguard electoral credibility, fairness, and political stability,” reads a document that will guide the retreat.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Dr Erastus Edung Ethekon in Kisumu on November 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon is expected to appear before the lawmakers on Tuesday to apprise them on the preparedness of the commission's preparedness to deliver a credible election next year.
“The meeting will provide members with an opportunity to interrogate the readiness of the IEBC and other responsible institutions, with particular emphasis on the status of boundary delimitation, voter registration and education, electoral technology, and the sufficiency of the legal and policy framework,” Parliament says.
On implementation of the CBE system, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba will appear before the lawmakers on Wednesday to brief them on concerns among education stakeholders, regarding school infrastructure, teacher preparedness, financing, and tutor–student ratios as learners transition across grades.
Mr Ogamba will speak on the topic of ‘Transition from Junior to Senior Secondary, Financing, School Infrastructure Development, and Teacher Preparedness’.
“This session will provide members with an opportunity to assess the current status of CBE implementation and examine the preparedness of government institutions to address these challenges, with a view to identifying policy and legislative interventions to strengthen the effective and sustainable delivery of the curriculum,” Parliament says.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi speaks during treasury market update in Nairobi on December 4, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
On the state of the economy, Mr Mbadi will apprise the lawmakers on prevailing economic conditions against the backdrop of rising budgetary pressures and increasing public demand for services.
Taking place at a critical juncture in the life of the current Parliament, the event will also provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made to date and to consider any legislative or policy interventions necessary to support the National Treasury.
Further, the engagement between MPs and Mr Mbadi will inform the development of budgetary and fiscal reforms aimed at addressing implementation challenges and strengthening outcomes in the 2026/2027 fiscal period.
During the session, the lawmakers will also review implementation of the 2025/2026 Budget, identify emerging challenges and lessons, and use the insights to inform and develop a clear roadmap for the preparation and consideration of the 2026/2027 Budget.
On the Social Health Authority (SHA), Mr Duale will face MPs over the current state of the healthcare sector in the country, with particular focus on service delivery under SHA in the administration of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Health CS Aden Duale at a past event.
Photo credit: File
Mr Duale is expected to give the lawmakers an update on the status of key health sector reforms being undertaken by the Ministry of Health and assess emerging challenges affecting access, quality, affordability, and equity in healthcare services.
“The discussion will identify critical service delivery gaps, institutional and financing constraints, and capacity challenges within the Ministry of Health, with a view to proposing targeted legislative and policy interventions to strengthen oversight, accountability, and system performance,” Parliament says.
The lawmakers will also meet the CEO of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionokou, to examine the regulatory and legal framework governing political parties, with emphasis on party financing.
The session will assess the adequacy of existing laws in promoting internal party democracy, fairness in competition, transparency, and accountability, while fostering a more inclusive democratic space that supports institutional development across the political spectrum.
The lawmakers will interrogate emerging challenges in political party regulation and financing, including administration of the Political Parties Fund, disclosure and oversight of campaign financing, and enforcement of compliance requirements.
On NG-CDF, the lawmakers will explore all legal options as Parliament awaits the outcome of a ruling by the Court of Appeal on the legality of the fund.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo is expected to apprise the lawmakers on possible next steps, including legislative, policy, and administrative options to safeguard development gains, ensure constitutional compliance, strengthen accountability, and provide clarity on the future framework for constituency-based development initiatives.
