NAIROBI, Kenya – The Senate has invited Kenyans to submit views on a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to elevate its role in national governance and shed the perception that it is an “idle House.”
In a notice issued on Friday, Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye called for written memoranda on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which had its first reading last week.
The Bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), was drafted by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) chair Hillary Sigei (Bomet) in collaboration with senior counsels Okongo Omogeni (Nyamira) and Tom Ojienda (Kisumu).
Speaker Amason Kingi has referred the Bill to JLAC, which will not only review public submissions but also hold hearings across all 47 counties in a bid to build grassroots support.
According to Nyegenye, the proposed law addresses “challenges of constitutional design and architecture” and seeks to strengthen devolution while fostering greater harmony between state organs.
If passed, the changes would grant the Senate sweeping new powers, including authority to vet constitutional office holders, approve the national budget, veto National Assembly decisions, originate any legislation, and take part in the removal of state officers.
It also proposes a County Assembly Fund to give ward representatives financial autonomy.
Another provision would formalize the Senate’s leadership structure, introducing defined positions of Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader.
Currently, the House’s mandate is largely confined to county matters — a limitation that has fueled perceptions of redundancy.
The reforms, which mirror elements of the U.S. Senate, have already won backing from opposition chief Raila Odinga, who in May urged senators to “give it proper powers and responsibilities” comparable to the American model.
Under the proposals, legislative authority would be shared by both Houses, with Bills able to originate in either chamber.
Appropriation Bills could start in the National Assembly while Allocation Bills could begin in the Senate, with both subject to amendment or veto by the other chamber.
The Bill’s preamble underscores its main purpose as strengthening devolution and rebalancing legislative authority between Parliament’s two Houses.
