Proposal to amend the constitution on nomination of MPs
2 min readNational Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula reveals plans to amend the constitution regarding the nomination of members of parliament (MPs).
Speaker Wetangula communicated this on Tuesday, February 27 after receiving a report from President William Ruto’s multi-sectoral working group that had been mandated to formulate a framework towards the realization of the two-thirds gender principle.
The report which was presented by Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa sought to amend Article 97 of the constitution to entrust gender top-ups to political parties.
“I have had a chance to peruse the report and I have observed that the report recommends constitutional amendments to provide for gender top-up through party lists,” Wetangula told the House.
The National Assembly must have 12 nominated MPs, chosen by political parties based on their numerical strength, as per Article 97 of the Constitution.
They must do this in a way that best serves their particular interests, which include those of workers, youth, and those with impairments.
The article will now be changed in the new plan to match Article 177’s description of County Assembly member nominations.
“A county assembly consists of a number of special seat members necessary to ensure that no more than two-thirds of the membership of the assembly are of the same gender,” the article reads in part.
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With the report now being tabled to the National Assembly and Senate for consideration, Wetangula remarked that there was already a plan in progress to ensure the recommendations are implemented.
“Last week the leadership of both houses of Parliament held a meeting with the CS for Gender and the multi-sectoral working group and during the meeting, the commitment of Parliament towards ensuring the implementation of the two-thirds gender principle was reiterated and reaffirmed,” Wetangula said MPs.
Wetangula remarked that upon tabling the report, it would be referred to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for consideration.
In that regard, the Speaker advised the House Business Committee to prioritize the consideration of the report.
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