The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has made a special appeal to Kenyans over the planned increase of political term limits in the country.
In a statement on Monday, October 21, 2024, KUCO urged Kenyans to make sure their voices are heard before the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill (no. 2) is tabled in the Senate.
The Bill, among other things, seeks to alter the election cycle in Kenya from five to seven years, which would automatically increase the term limits for the president, MPs, senators, woman representatives, MCAs and governors.
“Send an email to the clerk of senate regarding the proposal to increase the term of office from 5 to 7 years for president, governor, senators, MPs and MCAs to [email protected]. Also, don’t forget to propose to them priority motions/business you think the Senate should dedicate its time to, for the betterment of livelihoods and economic growth like annual employment of health workers and streamlining internships in the health sector,” KUCO stated
The bill was read a first read in the Senate on Thursday, September 26, 2024, and thereafter stood committed to the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights for consideration.
The Committee is required, under Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation in the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report to the Senate.
The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the involvement of both the National Assembly and the Senate in the approval of an extension of a state of emergency.
Term limits
In a notice on the dailies on Sunday, October 20, 2024, the Senate said the bill will provide further clarity on the role of the Senate in exercising its oversight mandate over revenue allocated to, raised by, or otherwise received by the county governments and its expenditure.
“The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to extend the term of office of a Member of Parliament from five years to seven years, provide for the leadership and the order of precedence in the Senate (and) provide for the origination of any Bill in either House of Parliament, save for a money Bill which may originate only in the National Assembly,” the Senate stated.
“The bill will also provide for the procedure for the consideration of a Division of Revenue Bill and a County Allocation of Revenue Bill by both Houses of Parliament, provide for the procedure for the consideration and approval of an Appropriation Bill and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill by both Houses of Parliament (and) provide clarity regarding the definition of a Money Bill.”
The bill, if it sails through, will create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President from amongst the members of parliament.
It will also assign the responsibility of appointment and removal from office of various state officers to the National Assembly and the Senate.
The bill is also seeking to enhance the percentage of the allocation of resources to county governments from 15 per cent to 40 per cent.
If passed, the bill will require the approval of both Houses of Parliament before the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in any part of Kenya.
“In accordance with the provisions of Articles 118 and 256 of the Constitution and standing order 145 (5) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights now invites interested members of the public to submit any representations that they may have on the Bill by way of written memoranda,” the Senate added.
The Senate committee handling the bill will hold a public hearing on the Bill on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 9.00 am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.