As the Senate begins its week-long Mashinani sessions in Busia County, residents are calling for unity and improved sports infrastructure, lamenting years of neglect that have left the region without proper facilities.
The Senate Mashinani initiative, which brings parliamentary sessions closer to the people, officially commenced today at the Busia County Assembly. Senators will hold plenary and committee meetings over the next five days marking Busia as the fifth county to host the programme.
However, the start of the event has exposed the county’s dire state of infrastructure. With no stadium available, organizers were forced to hold the Senate’s football tournament on a primary school field a move that drew frustration from locals.
“We don’t have a stadium in Busia. The one we had was destroyed years ago, and now we borrow fields from schools,” lamented Reagan Wesonga, a resident. “We even have national team players like Nabwire and Wanyama, yet poor leadership has failed to give them a proper place to train. I urge the government to work with players to build a stadium we can’t have the Senate playing on a murram pitch.”
Despite the concerns, leaders praised the Senate Mashinani initiative for fostering collaboration between the Senate and County Assemblies, saying it provides an opportunity to engage citizens directly and strengthen devolution.
