NAIROBI, Kenya — A Bill seeking to formalise how citizens engage in Kenya’s law-making process is now before the National Assembly, with a week-long series of public hearings scheduled across 24 counties beginning March 23, 2026.
The proposed Public Participation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 44 of 2025) aims to anchor clear principles, structures, and guidelines to ensure citizen involvement in legislative and policy processes is structured, inclusive, and legally binding.
In a notice issued by Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, Parliament said the exercise is grounded in Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Standing Order 127(3). Both provisions require Parliament and its committees to facilitate public participation in legislative business.
“Whereas, Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution requires Parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its Committees, and Standing Order 127(3) of the National Assembly Standing Orders requires House Committees considering Bills to facilitate public participation,” the notice states.
The Bill, co-sponsored by Otiende Amollo and Samuel Chepkonga, was read for the First Time on November 4, 2025, and referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration and reporting to the House.
It seeks to operationalise the constitutional principle of public participation by defining guiding principles, designating responsible officers within public entities, and setting general and sector-specific guidelines for conducting public engagement.
“It is notified that the Public Participation Bill… seeks to give effect to the constitutional principle of public participation by providing for the principles of public participation; designating the person responsible for conducting public participation in various entities; setting the general guidelines… and providing for the development of specific guidelines,” the notice adds.
The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will hold physical hearings from Monday, March 23, to Saturday, March 28, 2026, in counties including Nakuru, Makueni, Tana River, Kericho, Machakos, Nyamira, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, Nyeri, Mombasa, Laikipia, Vihiga, Kakamega, Isiolo, Kwale, Busia, Meru, Bungoma, Embu, Nairobi, Kiambu and Uasin Gishu.
The Nairobi session will take place at the Mini Chamber, County Hall, on Parliament Road on March 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Members of the public may attend, make oral submissions, or file written memoranda. Submissions can be delivered to the Clerk of the National Assembly, hand-delivered to Parliament Buildings or constituency offices, or emailed to cna@parliament.go.ke by 5:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026.
The move comes amid increasing judicial scrutiny of public participation processes, with Kenyan courts frequently nullifying laws and executive actions for failure to meet constitutional thresholds. By codifying procedures, lawmakers say the Bill aims to reduce litigation, enhance transparency, and strengthen democratic accountability.
A copy of the Bill is available on the parliamentary website as the House seeks to broaden civic input before the measure proceeds to Second Reading.
