Senate faults MPs over IEBC law delay
The proposed law, which seeks to replace the term “National Assembly” with “Parliament” in the IEBC Act, has remained pending for years.
Senators have faulted the National Assembly for what they termed as deliberate delays in passing a key amendment that would allow both Houses to take part in vetting members of the electoral commission.
The proposed law, which seeks to replace the term “National Assembly” with “Parliament” in the IEBC Act, has remained pending for years.
During a tense session in the Senate, lawmakers expressed frustration that the National Assembly had shelved the Bill, despite repeated efforts by the Senate to fast-track its passage.
They said the delay had created an imbalance in constitutional roles and was being used to sideline the Senate in major national processes.
"Indeed, this is one of the Bills that the National Assembly has kept on its shelves far longer than is acceptable," said Hillary Sigei, chairperson of the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.
The amendment was introduced to correct changes made in 2012 when the law was adjusted to name only the National Assembly as the body responsible for vetting nominees to the IEBC.
At the time, the Senate had not yet been established, and the change was meant to apply only during the transition period following the 2010 Constitution.
"This amendment, which replaced the word ‘Parliament’ with ‘National Assembly,’ was meant to apply only to the transitional phase. Since then, the National Assembly has consistently frustrated our efforts to restore the term ‘Parliament’ in the law," Sigei added.
Senators argued that without the amendment, the Senate’s role continues to be overlooked in matters of national importance, including electoral reforms.
They now want the Bill prioritised and brought to a vote.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called on the Speaker to push for urgent consideration of the amendment.
"The law must reflect the current structure of Parliament. Both Houses must have a say in key decisions like the reconstitution of IEBC," he said.
The delay in passing the Bill, according to senators, has contributed to the current standoff over the IEBC vetting process and risks setting a dangerous precedent for future appointments
