NAIROBI, Kenya — Senators have unveiled a rival Constitutional Amendment Bill that seeks to significantly expand the Senate’s legislative authority, setting up a potential showdown with the National Assembly and reshaping Kenya’s parliamentary power structure.
The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, aims to elevate the Senate to a true upper House with veto powers on key national decisions, including budget-making and public finance legislation.
The move directly challenges the National Assembly’s ongoing constitutional reform drive being channeled through the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
While the NADCO-backed proposal seeks to reintroduce a Prime Minister’s post and formalize the Office of the Opposition Leader, the Senate’s version focuses squarely on enhancing its own legislative clout.
The draft was unveiled Thursday during a closed-door meeting chaired by Speaker Amason Kingi, and crafted by a legal team led by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chair Hillary Sigei (Bomet).
Contributors included Senators Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), and nominated Senator Catherine Mumma.
Veto Power and Budget Influence
The Bill seeks to amend constitutional provisions that currently bar the Senate from dealing with money bills — legislation that touches on taxation, borrowing, or public expenditure.
If passed, the reforms would give the Senate veto power over such laws, as well as a greater role in fiscal planning and the vetting of Cabinet Secretaries.
Senators say the current setup leaves them as a toothless watchdog over crucial national matters.
Raila’s Support and Political Implications
The Senate’s push received a major political boost after opposition leader Raila Odinga met with senators earlier this week and expressed strong support for their proposals.
“We would like to see our Senate work like that of the US — give it proper powers and responsibilities,” Raila said, adding to the momentum behind the draft Bill.
If published and debated, the Bill could radically shift Kenya’s legislative dynamics by requiring bicameral approval for key laws — a fundamental change from the current structure, where the National Assembly holds dominance in budgetary matters.
A Brewing Institutional Rivalry
The Senate’s initiative now places two competing constitutional reform processes on a collision course.
While the NADCO proposals focus on political inclusivity and institutionalizing new offices, the Senate’s Bill zeroes in on power redistribution within Parliament itself.
This rivalry is expected to reignite the longstanding debate over the Senate’s role in Kenya’s devolved governance structure — and could test the limits of legislative cooperation between the two Houses.
