House prepares to host senators

Kenyans to be represented at two levels

• Under the new constitution, Kenya’s Parliament shall consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Role of the National Assembly

• Represent members of constituencies and special groups.
• Deliberate on and resolve issues of concern to the people.
• Determine the allocation of national revenue between the levels of government.
• Exercise oversight over national revenue and expenditure.
• Review the conduct in office of the President, the deputy president and other State officers.
• Approve declarations of war.
• Exercise oversight over state organs.

Role of the Senate

• Represent the counties and protect the interests of counties and their governments.
• Participate in the law-making function of Parliament by considering, debating and approving Bills concerning counties.
• Determine the allocation of national revenue among counties and exercise oversight over revenue allocated to the county governments.
• Participate in the oversight of State officers.

Parliament is undergoing a major facelift as changes prescribed in the new Constitution start to become reality.

The Old Chamber, which is being used by MPs as the National Assembly is expanded, will also be renovated to house the Senate. Kenya is to have 67 senators in the next Parliament, following the adoption of a bicameral system. The senators will also require staff and offices.

National Assembly Clerk Patrick Gichohi says the ongoing work at the National Assembly is expected to be complete in April to accommodate 349 MPs. Parliament will however further be required to acquire more offices for the increased number of MPs and their staff.

Speaker Kenneth Marende says a sub-committee has been formed to start working on new standing orders which are expected to be ready by October. In addition, parliamentary staff are being trained on the Constitution to know which aspects affect their work. All workers are supposed to have been trained by the end of next month.

MPs and their staff also have to be taught how bicameralism operates. The necessary changes are also being made at Parliamentary Training Institute in Karen, where staff will be trained.

In addition, a number of staff and MPs will benefit from an exchange programme organised by the US government to learn how the two chambers of Parliament can work harmoniously and effectively. After the 2012 elections, new MPs will also require orientation regarding roles and responsibilities.

On Tuesday, Parliament’s efforts to comply with new laws got a major boost when the US Government gave about Sh800 million for reforms. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger announced that the funding would be channelled through the State University of New York-Kenya (SUNY- Kenya).

More support for committees

Commending Mr Marende and the 10th Parliament for their “strong and historic leadership in Kenya’s momentous governance reform process”, Mr Ranneberger said the money would support Parliament’s work in implementing the new Constitution.

“We will intensify support for parliamentary committees, and support research and technical assistance for parliamentarians. We will build the capacity of staff and other technical units of Parliament,” Mr Ranneberger said.

He said the US Government would support Parliament’s plans and efforts to increase its institutional strength. USAid, an American aid agency, will also help strengthen watchdog and departmental committees to oversee the budget and the government’s implementation of programmes.

Parliament is expected to put in place key constitutional and legal-sector reforms necessary to prevent a recurrence of violence and other manifestations of political and social crises. SUNY is to expand assistance for committees’ legislative review through ad-hoc studies. Legislative and oversight analysis support will be coordinated with the Directorate of Committees.

For the last 10 years, the US Government and Kenyan Parliament have partnered through the Kenya Parliamentary Strengthening Programme to support crucial and important institutional reforms. Mr Marende named the establishment of the Parliament press centre, purchase of equipment for Parliament’s breakfast unit, staff education and structural reforms as some of the fruits of the collaboration.

“Now is the time to shift gears,” Mr Marende said and cited establishment of a second chamber of Parliament (Senate) and sustaining of reforms as some of the areas the collaboration should now focus on.