House Team rejects proposal to extend Senators' term
In a report presented to both the Senate and the National Assembly, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee stated that such a change would require a complete constitutional overhaul.
A joint Parliamentary committee has dismissed a proposal by the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) to extend senators' terms from five to seven years, citing constitutional concerns.
In a report presented to both the Senate and the National Assembly, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee stated that such a change would require a complete constitutional overhaul.
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"Altering the term and date of election of members of the Senate would require a complete overhaul of the constitution," the report states.
The committee, co-chaired by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei and Tharaka MP George Murugara, argued that holding Senate elections separately from other elections would be costly and difficult to implement.
Nadco had recommended amendments to Articles 101 and 102 of the Constitution, which govern the election and term of Parliament, respectively.
Under the proposal, general elections would continue to be held every five years for the presidency, National Assembly, county assemblies, and governors, while Senate elections would occur every seven years.
However, the committee noted that this arrangement would create financial strain on the economy.
"The committee observed that conducting two general elections would further escalate the cost of elections, noting that the cost of elections in Kenya was already among the highest in the world," the report states.
No sufficient justification
Additionally, the committee said Nadco had not provided sufficient justification for extending senators' terms.
"Implementation of the proposal would create significant legal, practical, and administrative challenges," the panel stated.
It further noted that Kenya’s constitution envisions a single general election, as outlined in Articles 90(3), 98(2), and 136(2), which cover the allocation of party-list seats, election of senators representing youth and persons with disabilities, and election of the President, respectively.
"The committee further observed that the proposal touched on the sovereignty of the people and would thus need to be subjected to a referendum, in accordance with Articles 255 and 256(5) of the constitution."
Nadco was established by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga following weeks of anti-government protests in 2023 that disrupted the economy.
The committee was co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa.
Besides extending senators' terms, Nadco had also proposed the creation of the office of the Prime Minister, the establishment of an official opposition office, and the constitutional recognition of various government funds.
The report suggests that the Prime Minister be nominated and appointed by the President with the National Assembly’s approval.
The proposed funds include the Senate Oversight Fund, National Government-Constituency Development Fund, and National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
Despite these proposals, the Nadco report has remained in the Senate for months without progress.
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