Three arms of State move to grassroots

The new law will retain the three arms of government: the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary but in a devolved system.

The Legislature will comprise the National Assembly and the Senate at the national level, and County Assemblies and the Municipal Councils at the County level.

The National Assembly will have a Speaker, a Deputy Speaker, MPs and leaders of two leading parties.

The structure will be the same for the Senate which will have a Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Senators and leaders of the two leading parties.

The County Assembly will have Speaker, a Deputy and delegates (councillors) elected from the wards in the county.

The Municipal Council will be composed of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and councillors elected within the municipality.

The Executive at the national level will be made up of the President, Deputy President, Attorney General and Cabinet secretaries (ministers).

The County Government will be headed by the County Governor, his deputy and the executive committee, which will comprise members appointed by the county governor, with the approval of the County Assembly.

The Municipality Government will have a mayor, deputy mayor and executive committee.

The Judiciary will have the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court under the Chief Justice and deputy CJ. There will also be County Courts and Municipal courts.

Six representatives will be picked at every General Election. Previously, voters picked the President, MP and councillor. The electorate will now also vote for a senator, a governor and a women’s representative.

The National Assembly will have 350 members, including 290 elected MPs, 47 women, one from each county, 12 nominated MPs who shall represent special interests including the youth, persons with disabilities and workers; and the Speaker, who is an ex-officio member.

The Senate will have 68 members delegated by each of the 47 counties; 16 women nominated by political parties according to their strength in the Senate; two members (male and female) representing the youth; two members (man and woman) for the disabled and an ex-officio Speaker.