Members of the National Assembly are scheduled to convene in Nakuru County for a five-day legislative retreat, commencing on Monday, January 26, and concluding on January 30. This critical gathering marks the 13th Parliament's entry into its fifth session, bringing together the Parliamentary Service Commission Presidium, House leadership, committee chairpersons, and all Members of Parliament.

According to Speaker Moses Wetangula, the primary objective of this forum is to meticulously review the progress achieved over the past four parliamentary sessions. More importantly, the retreat aims to strategically align legislative priorities for the remainder of the parliamentary term, particularly in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Speaker Wetang’ula underscored the retreat's significance as a constitutional imperative, offering Parliament a crucial moment for introspection as it approaches the final phase of its tenure, emphasizing a steadfast focus on servant leadership.

A diverse range of critical national issues will form the core focus areas for discussion and policy formulation. Electoral preparedness will feature prominently, with Members of Parliament scheduled to engage the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, to assess the current status of boundary delimitation and voter registration efforts ahead of the 2027 polls. Concurrently, the Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionokou, will brief lawmakers on the ongoing implementation of the Political Parties Act, including vital campaign financing regulations and the administration of the Political Parties Fund.

Significant attention will also be directed towards education and health sector reforms. Legislators are expected to thoroughly interrogate the rollout of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, addressing the inherent challenges within the sector. Speaker Wetang’ula highlighted the opportunity for members to assess CBE implementation and identify policy and legislative interventions necessary for its effective and sustainable delivery. In the health sector, reforms will undergo rigorous scrutiny, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale slated to respond to concerns regarding service delivery under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the administration of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF. Duale will also provide updates on the progress of health sector reforms and discuss emerging challenges impacting access, quality, affordability, and equity of healthcare services.

Economic growth and stability will also be key agenda items. National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is expected to brief MPs on the current state of the economy, future growth prospects, strategies for tax harmonization, and the progress in settling pending bills. Furthermore, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will come under review, with Chief Executive Officer David Koross scheduled to provide an update on recent reforms, compliance levels, and measures for protecting contributors’ interests. Digital transformation is also listed as a pivotal focus area.

The intensive retreat is expected to culminate in the development of a comprehensive legislative roadmap for the 2026/2027 Budget. This roadmap will be instrumental in setting the stage for the final full fiscal year of the current administration, ensuring that legislative actions are aligned with the nation's developmental goals and pre-election priorities.