Senators oppose scraping of senate, say move will kill devolution

Senators have vowed to oppose a fresh push to scrap their House saying doing so would eventually lead to the death of devolution.

They said those pushing for the dissolution of the Senate were enemies of the new system of governance who were eager to return the country to the old system.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has begun a referendum push under the banner, Punguza Mzigo, which aims at cutting the number of representatives in Parliament.

It has gained popularity among Kenyans on social media and so far a post about his intentions on his Facebook page has attracted more than 8,000 comments, most in support.

According to him, Kenyans are overrepresented in both Houses and also in the 47 county assemblies necessitating a cut to ensure effective and cheaper service.

Senators, however, said it was unfair to target the House without considering the critical role it plays in protecting devolution.

“If you get rid of the Senate you must get rid of devolution. That means we go back to the unitary system of government. The push is appealing but if you have to do away with it then be ready to do away with the devolved system of governance,” said Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe said the first Senate was removed under five years of independence opening a floodgate of other constitutional changes that eventually led to the mutilation of the supreme law.

He said those pushing the idea did not know the importance of a bicameral House.

"There was a Senate before it was scrapped. The drafters of the new Constitution had a reason to bring it back. After the scrapping of the Senate in 1967, there was the scrapping of the multi-party system. If we start it again then we will end up in a similar situation," Mr Kagwe told the Nation on Tuesday.

Nominated Senator Martha Wangari said the Senate ought to be made stronger instead of the clamour to remove it which she said was unacceptable.

According to Mr Kuria, the functions of the Senate could easily be performed by the National Assembly although he is yet to say how that would be done.

On Tuesday, he said he was pushing on with the referendum.

“We are collecting the signatures now then we will make booklets to inform Kenyans on what we are pursuing,” he told the Nation.

Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mong’are dared him to press on with the plebiscite saying Kenyans would make the right decision.

“Let him bring on the referendum to remove the Senate. In the same vain he should include a clause for Kenyans to choose between the Senate and the National Assembly. I am sure Kenyans are knowledgeable enough to know the National Assembly is not doing its work well unlike us,” he said.

The lawmakers further added that the National Assembly needed to be checked so that it did not misuse its powers.

"We need the Senate to check on the excesses of the National Assembly. It is not only the Executive that can become dictatorial, the Legislature can also become dictatorial that is why there is need for a checking system. That is the work of the Senate," said Mr Kagwe.

Mr Kilonzo Jr said it would be difficult to get another method to reduce the number of counties from 47 to 16 as proposed by the MP.

“What other formula would you use to reduce the number of counties? A historical formula was used to establish the 47 counties. What would you now tell the people of Makueni to agree to go back to Machakos? This will bring a lot of problems,” added the senator.