The Senate has formally drafted a constitutional amendment bill in its latest push to assert more power and end what senators see as long-standing marginalisation by the National Assembly.

The proposed bill, which is yet to be submitted for official publication, seeks to expand the Senate’s authority, particularly in the law-making process, the national budget, and oversight of key government appointments.

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, the bill is a direct response to an ongoing rivalry between the two Houses of Parliament.

The draft has been developed by a team of legal experts led by Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee Chair Hillary Sigei, with senior counsels Tom Ojienda and Okong’o Omogeni, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and nominated Senator Catherine Mumma also part of the team.

“We have drafted the bill and presented it to senators. What we want is enhanced legislative powers,” a team member said.

The bill was unveiled during an informal Senate meeting chaired by Speaker Amason Kingi on Thursday. Its key proposals include turning the Senate into a true upper House with veto powers on legislation and full participation in the budget process.

Currently, the Constitution blocks the Senate from dealing with money bills, a restriction that senators have long decried as a major limitation.

Under the current setup, only the National Assembly can introduce and process financial legislation, which includes matters of taxation, public borrowing, and expenditure.

Senators argue this has undermined their role and silenced their voice in national financial decisions.

“They terminate your bill and days later reintroduce the same content with a different sponsor,” one senator claimed, expressing frustration over National Assembly tactics.

The amendment seeks to give the Senate a voice in shaping the national government budget and approving it.

It also aims to give the Senate a role in vetting senior state officers, such as Cabinet Secretaries, and in guiding the country’s fiscal direction.

The renewed drive follows recent backing from opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said: “We would like to see our Senate work like that of the US – give it proper powers and responsibilities.”

The Senate’s proposal now runs parallel to a separate amendment process led by the National Dialogue Committee, known as Nadco, which has the backing of both Raila and President William Ruto.

The Nadco Bill proposes a major overhaul of the country’s political structure, including the creation of a Prime Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers, and an Official Opposition Leader.

It also plans to anchor funds like the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund in law.