Senate bid for more powers gathers pace

A committee will soon table a report on the possibility of amending the Constitution to strengthen the Senate and county assemblies.

The Senate has tasked the team led by Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet, URP) to convince Kenyans to support a referendum to enhance its powers.

While briefing the law makers led by their Speaker Ekwee Ethuro on the progress on Thursday, the team announced it will table its report in the Senate in a few months.

Mr Murkomen did not delve into details of the discussions but said the special committee was only consulting the senators on areas they want captured in the report.

“Right now, we are still preparing the report,” he said.

Another senator who did not wish to be named for fear of being accused of reneging on a promise not to divulge on the deliberations at this stage, however said they are united to ensure the role of the Senate is clearly defined to address differences with the National Assembly.

“The committee presented a report on the loopholes in the Constitution that have been causing the problems and appropriate interventions to cure them, which were largely adopted,” he said.

He said the committee would engage stakeholders in the next few days before a draft bill is tabled in the House for adoption.

However, the Nation learnt the senators want their functions enhanced to make the Senate the Upper House that would serve as a final arbiter as it is the case elsewhere.

They also want clauses that spell out how the Senate and the National Assembly should relate reviewed to clear doubts that have led to differences between the two Houses.

But Suba MP John Mbadi (ODM) told senators to champion amendments to upgrade their mandate instead of demanding for more powers through the back door.

“The Senate that exists in Kenya is nowhere in the world. It’s the weakest.”