Kenya may undergo significant changes in its election processes if a bill set to be tabled in the Senate is passed.
Preliminary information on the Bill suggests an amendment to increase the Presidential term from five years to seven. Additionally, Members of Parliament, Governors, and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) will also enjoy an extended term period of 7 years if the bill passes.
Furthermore, the bill proposes to legally establish the Office of the Prime Minister in the constitution. Currently, Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi serves as the country’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, but the 2010 constitution does not provide for this post. The bill, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, also proposes that the Senate should have a role in vetting Cabinet Secretaries, the Attorney General, and the Auditor General.
Cherargei also wants the Senate to be granted powers to vet the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, and judges. If the legislation is passed, counties could benefit as the bill proposes to increase the share of national revenue allocated to devolved units from 15 percent to 40 percent as equitable share.
Another significant aspect of the bill is the requirement for both the National Assembly and the Senate to approve the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to foreign nations.
Samson Cherargei, expected to table the bill, has also proposed that impeachment cases filed against governors and deputy governors should be challenged at the Supreme Court only.
The bill emerges against the backdrop of recommendations made by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
