NAIROBI, Kenya – A heated political showdown is brewing between Kenya’s Senate and National Assembly over a proposed constitutional amendment that could dramatically shift the balance of power within Parliament.
The Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill, 2025, sponsored by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, seeks to dismantle the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and grant the Senate greater independence while reducing the National Assembly’s dominance.
The proposed law aims to establish separate service commissions for the two Houses of Parliament.
Each commission would independently manage its staffing and resources.
“A Service Commission shall consist of the Speaker of the relevant House, who shall be the chairperson,” the Bill states, while also including representatives from political parties and public affairs experts.
If passed, the Bill would significantly enhance the Senate’s influence by giving it the authority to vet and approve high-ranking government officials.
These would include the Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Auditor General, Controller of Budget, and members of constitutional commissions such as the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
Currently, the National Assembly holds exclusive authority over most of these appointments, and the proposed shift has triggered strong resistance from MPs loyal to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula.
The Bill also proposes a radical overhaul of Kenya’s budget-making process.
It suggests that the Senate should review and amend budget estimates approved by the National Assembly.
Any Senate amendments would require a two-thirds majority in the House, and overturning them would demand 233 votes in the National Assembly—a difficult threshold to achieve.
“The Senate may amend the approved estimates in a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of the county delegations,” the Bill reads, signaling a direct challenge to the National Assembly’s control over fiscal matters.
The Bill seeks to replace the National Assembly Speaker with the Senate Speaker as the chairperson of tribunals handling the removal of judges.
It also requires the Kenya Defence Forces to report to the Senate whenever troops are deployed to restore order in any part of the country, enhancing the Senate’s oversight role in national security matters.
Supporters of the Bill, led by Omogeni, argue that the proposed changes would create a more balanced and effective bicameral legislature, clarifying the roles of both Houses and reducing the power struggles that have characterized Kenya’s Parliament.
“The roles of both Houses should be defined,” the Bill asserts.
However, critics view the proposal as an attack on the National Assembly’s authority.
Information from insiders reveals that Wetang’ula has warned National Assembly members against supporting legislation that he believes undermines their influence.
Skeptics also question the feasibility of the proposed changes, noting the high thresholds required for constitutional amendments.
Additionally, the Bill has raised fears of further division between the two Houses, which are already grappling with partisan rivalries and competing interests.
If adopted, the Bill could significantly reshape Kenya’s governance structure, enhancing the Senate’s autonomy while curbing the National Assembly’s dominance.
However, it also risks intensifying inter-House tensions and further complicating legislative processes in the country.
The proposed amendments come at a time when both Houses are navigating delicate political alliances and growing public scrutiny over their effectiveness in representing citizens’ interests.
