The Senate has started public consultations on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes sweeping changes to its mandate in a bid to shed the “idle House” label.

In a notice issued on Friday, Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye urged Kenyans to submit written memoranda on the Bill, which had its first reading in the House last week.

The draft law is sponsored by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot of Kericho and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo of Kilifi, and was prepared by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chair Hillary Sigei of Bomet together with senior counsels Okongo Omogeni of Nyamira and Tom Ojienda of Kisumu.

Speaker Amason Kingi has directed the Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee (JLAC) to lead the public participation process.

JLAC is also expected to hold hearings in all 47 counties to secure national backing, with senators saying the proposed reforms are designed to elevate the chamber to the level of a true upper house.

Nyegenye explained that the Bill addresses “challenges of constitutional design and architecture” that must be reviewed to reinforce devolution and create “greater harmony of the constitutional dispensation.”

The Bill proposes granting the Senate authority to approve the national budget, vet constitutional office holders, veto decisions of the National Assembly, and originate any form of legislation.

It also seeks to give senators a role in removing state officers from office and to establish a County Assembly Fund that would grant county assemblies financial independence.

“The principal object of the Bill is to strengthen and secure devolution. The draft Bill seeks to provide a framework to achieve this purpose by reviewing the mandate of the Senate and the National Assembly,” it states.

Another key proposal is the establishment of a formal leadership structure for the Senate, providing for the offices of speaker, majority leader and minority leader.

Currently, the chamber’s role is restricted mainly to county matters, which has fueled the view that it lacks sufficient authority.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has publicly supported the initiative, telling senators in May, “We would like to see our Senate work like that of the US – give it proper powers and responsibilities,” a statement that drew applause from members.

If adopted, the Bill would allow legislative authority to be exercised jointly by the Senate and National Assembly, with Bills originating in either chamber.

Allocation Bills could start in the Senate, while appropriation Bills could originate in the National Assembly, with both subject to amendment and possible veto by the chamber that initiated them.

The Bill’s preamble affirms its purpose as to “strengthen and secure devolution.”