Source: http://ustawi.info.ke/index.php/47-national-assembly/national-assembly-under-the-new-constitution
Timestamp: 2018-07-16 16:25:26
Document Index: 60253181

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 4']

The National Assembly is a constitutional organ and forms one part of Parliament. Excerpts from Chapter 8 - The legislature, Part 1 - Establishment and Role of Parliament, Article 93:
As an organ within Parliament, the National Assembly, along with the Senate, exercises the people's supreme legislative authority in Kenya for and on behalf of the people.
Parliament is therefore the only body in Kenya that has the people's express authority to make laws or change the laws that govern them. It must be guided by the Constitution and the will of the people when making those laws:
For ease of governance, it may at times be prudent and expedient for Parliament (or a County Assembly) to delegate some of its authority to another body, office or person. If and when this happens, full accountability and unambiguity must be maintained:
The powers of National legislation are extensively vested in the National Assembly. It therefore follows that the Assembly has the constitutional authority to originate any Bill, and to go ahead and pass it for enactment without reference to the Senate, if such a Bill does not concern the Counties. Chapter 8 - The Legislature, Part 4 - Procedures for Enacting Legislation:
109. (2) Any Bill may originate in the National Assembly.
(3) A Bill not concerning county government is considered only in the National Assembly, and passed in accordance with ........ and the Standing Orders of the Assembly.
The National Assembly also has veto powers over a special Bill from the Senate concerning Counties:
The provisions of Article 111. (2) appear to emasculate the Senate and are likely to generate widespread protestations from both the Senate and the public. Indeed, when the National Assembly disregarded the amendments of the Senate on the Division of Revenue Bill 2013/2014, the Senators rose with one voice to protest what they saw as an unfriendly (House) peer out to frustrate devolution; perhaps with the foresight that their counterparts may 'interfere' with the subsequent County Allocation of Revenue Bill that must originate from the Senate, but must be considered by the National Assembly. As it is, a special Bill touches on the very heart of the affairs of the Counties (and hence devolution):
110. (2) A Bill concerning county governments is–– (a) a special Bill, ........, if it–– (i) relates to the election of members of a county assembly or a county executive; or (ii) is the annual County Allocation of Revenue Bill ........
The Members of the National Assembly are not under any gag orders that sometimes face the public. They can, and should boldly articulate the issues and interests of the people of Kenya without fear or favour. Article 117 of Part 5 - Parliament's General Procedures and Rules, excerpts:
117. (1) There shall be freedom of speech and debate in Parliament.
Having been assigned the legislative authority of the Republic, the National Assembly, along with the Senate, is empowered to consider and pass amendments to the Constitution of Kenya 2010. This is a most sacred duty and must not be abused - rather, Parliament must at all times remain guided by the Constitution, defend it, and promote its ideals:
93. (2) The National Assembly and the Senate shall perform their respective functions in accordance with this Constitution.
The National Assembly is empowered by the New Constitution to set its own calendar and can legally meet and transact its business from anywhere in the country. Under the Old Constitution, the President determined and set the parliamentary calendar, and oftentimes would use that privilege to manipulate and frustrate the business of the House. Now, within 30 days after the Assembly is constituted, the President is required in writing, to choose the date of the Assembly's first sitting. From Chapter 8 - The Legislature, Part 6 - Miscellaneous:
(2) Whenever a new House is elected, the President, by notice in the Gazette, shall appoint the place and date for the first sitting of the new House, which shall be not more than thirty days after the election.
The National Assembly has been vested with the authority to approve a declaration of war or to extend a state of emergency declared by the President. It must consider, debate and vote on any such declarations by the President.
95. (6) The National Assembly approves declarations of war and extensions of states of emergency.
58. (2) A declaration of a state of emergency, and any legislation enacted or other action taken in consequence of the declaration, shall be effective only— (b) for not longer than fourteen days from the date of the declaration, unless the National Assembly resolves to extend the declaration.
(3) The National Assembly may extend a declaration of a state of emergency— (a) by resolution adopted— (i) following a public debate in the National Assembly; and and (ii) by the majorities specified in clause (4); and (b) for not longer than two months at a time.
This is a good provision given that many countries the world over, have been known to go to war at the whims of one person. This authority of the Assembly means that a state of emergency must have the popular backing of the rest of the people (through their elected representatives).
The agenda of the National Assembly is solely guided by the needs of the people and must seek to fulfill those needs and interests:
95. (1) The National Assembly represents the people of the constituencies and special interests in the National Assembly.
(2) The National Assembly deliberates on and resolves issues of concern to the people.
To do this, the National Assembly's primary role is to make laws that are designed to improve the welfare of the people:
(3) The National Assembly enacts legislation ........
Put another way, the National Assembly is expected to operationalise the people's document i.e., the Constitution. Chapter 18 - Transitional and Consequential Provisions, Article 261, excerpts:
As the people's representatives, the members of the National Assembly have been entrusted with the stewardship of Public Funds. The sharing and distribution of these funds has been a sensitive social-political concern in the past and the people of Kenya will be looking up to the National Assembly to address the issue fairly and equitably. In line with the New Constitution, the Assembly will regularly determine the amounts of funds to allocate to governments, make arrangements for the allocation and transfer of those funds to State offices and organs that are entitled to the funds, and oversee how those funds have been utilised:
(4) The National Assembly–– (a) determines the allocation of national revenue between the levels of government, as provided in Part 4 of Chapter Twelve; (b) appropriates funds for expenditure by the national government and other national State organs; and (c) exercises oversight over national revenue and its expenditure.
One of the key roles that the Assembly performed upon the presentation of the budget estimates by the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, was to pass an Appropriation Bill to authorise the Treasury make withdrawals from National Funds to be used by the National Government, its organs and agencies for the July 2013/ June 2014 financial year. This was effected upon the enactment of the Appropriation Act of 2013 assented to on June 28, 2013 .
Clause 4 (c) above speaks volumes because it not only mandates the National Assembly to exercise high level scrutiny over Public Funds, it also empowers the House to amend, if need be, budgetary proposals that been approved by Constitutional bodies established to control and administer Public Funds such as the Director of Budget, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Finance, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, the Commission for Revenue Allocation, etc. A case in point is the budget estimates by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury whose allocations were further amended by the Assembly soon after being tabled in the House. This last point is well summarised by Article 226 in Chapter 12- Public Finance. Excerpts:
226. (2) The accounting officer of a national public entity is accountable to the National Assembly for its financial management, ........
Thus the Assembly must also scrutinize the reports of the Auditor General detailing how Public Funds have been spent within the three arms of government. A detailed review on Public Funds and their management is covered under the link on Public Finance.
To ensure that there are checks and balances across the arms of government, the people of Kenya have entrusted the National Assembly to fairly and firmly, appraise the conduct and decisions of the executive i.e., the Cabinet:
132. (1) The President shall—........(c) once every year— (i) report, in an address to the nation, on all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realisation of the national values, referred to in Article 10; (ii) publish in the Gazette the details of the measures and progress under sub-paragraph (i); and (iii) submit a report for debate to the National Assembly on the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the Republic.
In fact, this appraisal of the President by the National Assembly could well form the basis of impeachment proceedings against the President should Parliament not be happy with the President's annual report to the Nation. Excerpts of Article 145 in Chapter 9, Part 2- The President and Deputy President:
145. (1) A member of the National Assembly, supported by at least a third of all the members, may move a motion for the impeachment of the President— (a) on the ground of a gross violation of a provision of this Constitution or of any other law; (b) where there are serious reasons for believing that the President has committed a crime under national or international law; or (c) for gross misconduct.
95. (5) The National Assembly— (a) reviews the conduct in office of the President, the Deputy President ........
For example, it is the responsibility of the National Assembly to consider, debate and approve such critical decisions of the Cabinet like a state of emergency or war that may be declared by the President:
58. (2) A declaration of a state of emergency, and any legislation enacted or other action taken in consequence of the declaration, shall be effective only— (a) prospectively; and (b) for not longer than fourteen days from the date of the declaration, unless the National Assembly resolves to extend the declaration.
Indeed, every internal deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces by the President must be approved by the National Assembly. Chapter 14 - National Security, Part 2 - The Kenya Defence Forces, excepts:
241. (3) The Defence Forces—(c) may be deployed to restore peace in any part of Kenya affected by unrest or instability only with the approval of the National Assembly.
On the 5th of December 2013, the approval of the Assembly to deploy the KDF to the Counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Marsabit, was indeed sought by the President to bring an end to inter-ethnic fighting that threatened to degenerate into anarchy. This is a good provision: by requiring the President to seek the approval of the people's representatives, it makes it very difficult for anyone with ulterior motives to succeed in politicising the President's decision.
The National Assembly's roles of checks and balances extends to vetting key appointments to (and dismissals from) State Organs such as the Cabinet, Commissions and Independent Offices, Justices, ambassadors, etc. Excerpts from Chapter 9 - The Executive, Part 2 - The President and Deputy President:
132. (2) The President shall nominate and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint, and may dismiss— (a) the Cabinet Secretaries, ....... (b) the Attorney-General, ....... (c) the Secretary to the Cabinet ........ (d) Principal Secretaries ....... (e) high commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic and consular representatives; and (f) in accordance with this Constitution, any other State or public officer whom this Constitution requires or empowers the President to appoint or dismiss.
When in September 2013 the President directly appointed a Chair to a national body - the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse NACADA, - the National Assembly protested the legality of the appointment, and the President was forced to revoke it and instead, to first present the NACADA nominee for vetting by the Assembly.
The National Assembly also has oversight roles over the conduct in office of Presidential and other public body appointees and over the State Organs they preside over.
95. (5) The National Assembly— (a) reviews the conduct in office of ........ State officers and initiates the process of removing them from office; and (b) exercises oversight of State organs.
Finally, the New Constitution has gone to great lengths to demarcate the roles of the Senate from those of the National Assembly. The discussion on the Senate of the Republic of Kenya can be found under its link.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for an expanded list of 349 Members of the National Assembly and a Speaker after the next General Elections. This larger number of Members is designed to allow for better and more equitable representation of populations and to cater for and give voice to an expanded gamut of interests, as well as guarantee the rights and liberties that are protected by the New Constitution. Detailed discussion on the case for an enlarged Assembly with respect to representation can be found under the Representation link.
The Assembly will have 290 Members elected directly by the people of the constituencies at the General Elections. Chapter 7 - Representation of the People, Part 2 - Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, excerpts:
This provision is confirmed in Chapter 8 - The Legislature, Part 2 - Composition and Membership of Parliament, Article 97, excerpts:
97. (1) The National Assembly consists of— (a) two hundred and ninety members, each elected by the registered voters of single member constituencies;
One of the key highlights of the New Constitution is its positive affirmation of marginalised groups, key among whom are the women of Kenya. Consequently, there are 47 Women Members of the National Assembly elected directly by the people of every County:
97. (1) The National Assembly consists of— (b) forty-seven women, each elected by the registered voters of the counties, each county constituting a single member constituency;
Other groups of the marginalised that include the youth, persons with disability and workers have not been overlooked either; they will be represented by Members nominated by political parties via political party lists:
(1) The National Assembly consists of— (c) twelve members nominated by parliamentary political parties according to their proportion of members of the National Assembly ......, to represent special interests including the youth, persons with disabilities and workers;
The National Assembly thus has a total membership of 350 including the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. Unlike in previous Assemblies, the Speaker will no longer be elected from among the elected members of the National Assembly; however, the deputy Speaker will be elected from among the Members and will retain both his/her parliamentary seat and vote in the Assembly. Excerpts from Part 3 - Offices of Parliament:
Justin Muturi Speaker of the National Assembly
106. (1) There shall be— (a) a Speaker for each House of Parliament, who shall be elected by that House in accordance with the Standing Orders, from among persons who are qualified to be elected as members of Parliament but are not such members; and (b) a Deputy Speaker for each House of Parliament, who shall be elected by that House in accordance with the Standing Orders, from among the members of that House.
Below is a summary of the Constitutional membership of the new-look National Assembly after the 2013 General Elections. Every one of the 349 Members in the House has a vote of one at all times on all matters.
Table 1. Composition of the National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya
Elected Member of the Constituency
Elected Woman Member of the County
Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya
Our discussion on Politics and Elections, examines the gender-balance requirements of the New Constitution with respect to electoral seats in the composition of the National Assembly.
Members of the 1st National Assembly of Kenya Under the New Constitution
The following tables are to aid the reader in understanding the details of the different memberships that are in the National Assembly....
Table 2.1 - Party: NARC - Kenya
Table 2.2 - Party: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
Rashid Bedzimba
Mwalimu Masud
Mvita Abdul S Nasir Male
Msambweni Suleiman Dori Male
Matuga Hassan Mohamed Mwanyoha Male
Kilifi North Mung'aro Gideon^1 Male
Kilifi South Mustafa Salim Male
Rabai William Kamoti Male
10. Malindi Daniel Kazungu Male
Willy Mtengo^4 Male
Wundanyi Thomas Mwadeghu^2 Male
Mwatate Andrew Mwadime Male
Voi Johnes Mlolwa Male
Balambala Abdikadir Aden Male
Dadaab Mohammed Duale Male
Wajir North Ibrahim Abdi Saney Male
Wajir West Abdikadir Ore Ahmed Male
Tarbaj Mohammed Elmi Male
20. Eldas Adan Keynan Wehliye Male
Wajir South Diriye Abdullahi Mohamed Male
North Horr Francis Chachu Male
Laisamis Joseph Lekuton Male
Igembe Central Cyprian Kubai Iringo Male
Tigania East Mpuru Aburi Male
Loima Protus Ewesit Akuja Male
Laikipia North Mathew Lempurkel Male
Nakuru Town West Samuel Arama Male
Kajiado Central Joseph Nkaissery^3 Male
Elijah Memusi Male
30. Lukuyani Enock Wamalwa Kibunguchy Male
Lurambi Raphael Milikau Otaalo Male
Mumias West Johnstone Naicca Male
Butere Andrew Anyanga Male
Khwisero Benjamin Andayi Male
Shinyalu Silvestre Lisamula Anami Male
Luanda Christopher Omulele Male
Emuhaya Wilbur Ottichilo Male
Sirisia John Waluke Koyi Male
Matayos Geoffrey Odanga Male
40. Funyula Paul Otuoma Male
Budalangi Ababu Namwamba Male
Ugenya David Ouma Male
Ugunja James Wandayi Male
Gem Jakoyo Midiwo^^ Male
Bondo Gideon Ochanda Male
Rarieda Nicholas Gumbo Male
Kisumu East Shakeel Shabbir Male
Kisumu Central Ken Obura Male
Seme James Nyikal Male
50. Nyando Fred Outa Male
Nyakach Owuor Aduma Male
Kasipul Joseph Magwanga Male
Kabondo Kasipul Sylvian Osele Male
Karachuonyo James Rege Male
Rangwe George Ogalo Male
Homa Bay Town Martin Ogindo Male
Ndhiwa Agostinho Neto Male
Mbita Millie Odhiambo Female
Suba John Mbadi Male
Rongo Dalmas Otieno Male
Suna East Junet Nuh Male
Suna West Joseph Ndiege Male
Uriri John Owuor Male
Nyatike Peter Anyanga Male
South Mugirango Manson Nyamweya Male
Bomachoge Chache Simon Ogari Male
67. !Nyaribari Chache !Chris Bichage Male
Kitutu Chache South Richard Momoima Onyonka Male
Kitutu Masaba Timothy Moseti Male
West Mugirango James Gesami Male
70. North Mugirango Charles Geni Male
Westlands Timothy Wanyonyi Male
Dagoretti North Paul Arati Male
Langata Joash Olum Male
Kibra Kenneth Okoth Male
Ruaraka Tom Kajwang Male
Mathare!! Stephen Kariuki!! Male
Embakasi South Irshad Sumra Male
Embakasi East John Omondi Male
Women of Mombasa County Mishi Juma Khamisi* Female
Women of Kwale County Zainab Kalekye Chidzuga* Female
Women of Kilifi County Aisha Jumwa Katana* Female
Women of Taita Taveta County Joyce Wanjalah Lay* Female
Women of Wajir County Fatuma Ibrahim Ali* Female
Women of Marsabit County Nasra Ibrahim Ibren* Female
Women of Kakamega County Rachael Amesso Amolo* Female
Women of Vihiga County Dorcas Luvalitsa Kedogo* Female
Women of Busia County Florence Mwikali Mutua* Female
Women of Siaya County Christine Oduor Ombaka* Female
Women of Kisumu County Rose Auma Ogendo* Female
90. Women of Homa Bay County Gladys Atieno Nyasuna* Female
Women of Migori County Dennitah Ghati* Female
Women of Kisii County Mary Sally Keraa* Female
Women of Nyamira County Alice Nyanchoka Chae* Female
Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Oburu Odinga** Male
Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Zulekha Hassan Juma** Female
96. Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Isaac Mwaura** Male
^1,2 Minority Chief Whip (Parliamentary Standing Order No. 2). Served until the 23rd of July 2014, whereupon he was replaced by Thomas Mwadeghu of Wundanyi.
^^ Deputy Minority Leader (Article 108.)
* Elected Woman Member for the County (Article 97.(1))
** Nominated Member of the National Assembly (Article 97.(1)(c))
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Nyaribari Chache nullified by the High Court on the 7 October 2013, (the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the lower Court) due to malpractices in the exercise. A by-election on the 30th December was won by Richard Tongi of Ford People Party.
!! ODM captured the seat from former MP TNA's George Wanjohi in a by-election held on the 11th August 2014.
^3 Nkaissery ceased to be the MP for Kajiado Central when he resigned his membership in ODM on the 24th of December 2014 (Article 103. (1) (e) (i)). He did so in order to take up a Cabinet Secretary position (Article 152. (3)). He was replaced by Memusi Kanchory who won the by-election of 16th March 2015.
^4 Kazungu ceased to be the MP for Malindi when he resigned his membership in the National Assembly on the 16th of December 2015 (Article 103. (1) (d) ). He did so in order to take up a Cabinet Secretary position (Article 152. (3)). He was replaced by Willy Mtengo who won the by-election of 7th March 2016.
Table 2.3 - Party: The National Alliance (TNA)
Naomi Shaaban^
Franklin Mithika Linturi Male
Joseph M'Eruaki M'Ethari Male
David Karithi Male
Kathuri Murungi Male
Kareke Mbiuki Male
John Nyaga Male
Cecily Mbarire Female
Mutava Musyimi Male
Stephen Mburu Male
David Njuguna Male
Ol Jorok
John Muriithi Waiganjo Male
Francis Waweru Male
James Ndung'u Male
James Kanini Male
!!Othaya
!!Mary Wambui Female
Kabando Wa Kabando Male
Esther Murugi Female
Peter Njuguna Gitau Male
Ejidius Njogu Barua Male
Stephen Ngare Male
Joseph Gitari Male
Tyrus Ngahu Male
Clement Muchiri Wambugu Male
Irungu Kang'ata Male
Jamleck Kamau Male
Peter Mwangi Male
Gatundu South&
Joseph Nyumu& Male
Moses Kuria Male
Francis Njenga Male
Francis Waititu Male
Alice N Wambui Female
Esther Nyambura Gathogo Female
Peter Njoroge Baiya Male
Jude L Kang'ethe Njomo Male
Paul Koinange Male
~Kabete
George Muchai~ Male
Anthony Kimani Ichung'wa Male
John Kiragu Chege Male
Joseph Kahangara Male
James Lomenen Ekomwa Male
Aloise Musa Lentoimaga Male
Raphael Lakalei Letimalo Male
Stephen Karani Male
Anthony Kimaru Male
Jacob Macharia Male
Joseph Kiuna Male
John Kihagi Male
Samuel Ndiritu Male
Nelson Gaicuhie Male
Onesmus Ngunjiri Male
David Gikaria Male
Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta Male
Joseph Manje Male
Peris Tobiko Female
Kajiado West Moses Ole Sakuda Male
Katoo Ole Metito^^ Male
!Bomachoge Borabu
!Joel Onyancha Male
Jimmy Angwenyi Male
Dennis Kariuki Waweru Male
Isaac Waihenya Ndirangu Male
John N Chege Male
James Mwangi Male
John Ndirangu Male
George Theuri Male
Benson Mutura Male
Kamukunji Yusuf Hassan Male
70. Starehe Maina Kamanda Male
!!!Mathare !!!George Wanjohi Male
Women of Isiolo County Tiyah Galgalo Ali* Female
Women of Meru County Florence Kajuju* Female
Women of Tharaka-Nithi County
Beatrice Nkatha Nyaga* Female
Women of Embu County Rose Rwamba Mitaru* Female
Women of Nyandarua County Wanjiku Muhia* Female
Women of Nyeri County Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua* Female
Women of Kirinyaga County Winnie Karimi Njuguna* Female
Women of Murang'a County Sabina Wanjiru Chege* Female
Women of Kiambu County
Annah Nyokabi Gathecha* Female
80. Women of Samburu County
Maison Leshoomo* Female
Women of Laikipia County Jane Agnes Wanjira Machira* Female
Women of Nakuru County Mary Njoki Mbugua* Female
Women of Kajiado County Mary Yiane Seneta* Female
Women of Nairobi County Rachael Wambui Shebesh* Female
Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Amina Abdalla** Female
Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Johnson Arthur Sakaja** Male
87. Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Janet Marania Teiyaa** Female
**Nominated Member of the National Assembly (Article 97.(1)(c))
^Deputy Leader of the Majority Party (Parliamentary Standing Order No. 2)
^^ Majority Chief Whip (Parliamentary Standing Order No. 2)
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Bomachoge Borabu nullified by the High Court on the 7 October 2013, due to malpractices in the exercise. The incumbent retained his seat in the by-election of December 19.
!! A successful appeal saw the election results for Othaya nullified by the Appeals Court sitting in Nyeri on the 13th Feb 2014. However, on the 5th of May, the Supreme Court found that the Appeals Court ruling was null and void given that the original appeal at the High Court in 2013 was filed out of time.
!!! A successful appeal saw the election results for Mathare nullified by the Appeals Court sitting in Nairobi on the 17th March 2014. George Wanjohi lost in the by-election held on the 11th of August 2014 to ODM's Stephen Kariuki.
& Joseph Nyumu passed away on the 21st of May 2014. The IEBC cancelled the scheduled by-election as there was only one candidate, Moses Kuria who was thus elected unopposed on the 7th of August, 2014.
~ George Muchai was shot dead in the early morning of 7th February 2014 in Nairobi. The resultant by-election of 4th May 2015, was won by Jubilee Alliance Party's Ferdinand Waititu. (See Table 2.22 below).
Table 2.4 - Party: United Democratic Forum (UDF)
Roba Sharu Duba
Benjamin Jomo Washiali^
Bernard Masaka Shinali
Alfred Agoyi Masadia
Alfred Wekesa Sambu
Sakwa John Bunyasi
Hassan Aden Osman*
^ Majority Deputy Chief Whip (Parliamentary Standing Order No. 2)
* Nominated Member of the National Assembly (Article 97.(1)(c))
Table 2.5 - Party: Wiper Democratic Movement - Kenya (WDM-Kenya)
Munuve Mati
Francis Mwanzia Nyenze^
Benson Mulu
Marcus Mutua
10. !Matungulu
!Stephen Mule
Michael Kisoi
Richard Makenga
Jessica Mbalu
George Washington Mallan Omondi
20. Women of Tana River County
Halima Ware Duri*
Women of Lamu County
Shakila Abdalla Mohamed*
Women of Garissa County
Shukran Hussein Gure*
Women of Kitui County
Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa*
Women of Machakos County
Susan Mbinya Musyoka*
Women of Makueni County Rose Museo Mumo* Female
26. Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Bishop Robert Mutemi Mutua** Male
^ Leader of the Minority (Article 108.)
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Matungulu nullified by the High Court on the 30 July 2013, due to irregularities in the exercise. Mr Mule recaptured the seat in the by-election of 17 October 2013.
Table 2.6 - Party: United Republican Party (URP)
Harisson Garama Kombe
Garissa Township^^
Abbas Sheikh Mohamed
Joseph Lomwa
Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticha
Alex Mburi
Christopher Doye Nakulei
John Nakala
Sigor Philip Lotiolo Ruto Rotino Male
20. Kacheliba Mark Lomunokol Male
David Pkosing Losiakou
Elisha Busienei
Samuel Kiprono
David Kangogo Bowen
Alexander Kosgey
Stephen Bitok
Asman Kamama Abongotum
Moses Lesonet
Zakayo Cheruiyot Male
Gideon Konchella
Lemanken Aramat Male
Narok South Korei Ole Lemein Male
Narok West Patrick Ole Ntutu Male
Kipkelion East Kirui Limo Male
Kipkelion West Eric Jackson Kipkorir Rop Male
Ainamoi Benjamin Langat Male
Bureti Leonard Sang Male
Sigowet/Soin Kipsang Kemei Male
Sotik Joyce Laboso^ Female
Chepalungu Paul Bii Male
Bomet East Bernard Kipkirui Bett Male
Bomet Central Richard Tonui Male
Sammy Koech Male
Arthur Odera Male
Mary Emaase Otuch Female
Matheas Robi Male
Women of Mandera County
Mahbub Fathia* Female
Women of Turkana County
Joyce Akai Emanikor* Female
Women of West Pokot County
Regina Nyeris Changorok* Female
Women of Uasin Gishu County
Eusilah Jepkosgei Ngeny* Female
Women of Elgeyo Marakwet County
Susan Kipketer Chebet* Female
Women of Nandi County
Zipporah Jesang Kurgat Kering* Female
Women of Baringo County
Grace Jemutai Kiptui* Female
Women of Narok County
Roselinda Soipan Tuya* Female
Women of Kericho County
Hellen Chelangat Chepkwony* Female
Women of Bomet County
Cecilia Chelangat Ngetich* Female
Korere Sara Paulata** Female
Abdi Noor Mohammed Ali** Male
Sunjeev Kour Birdi** Female
^Elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (Article 106.(1)(b))
^^Nominated as the Leader of the Majority Party (Article 108.)
Table 2.7 - Party: Forum for the Restoration of Democracy -Kenya (FORD-Kenya)
1. !Lunga Lunga !Khatibu Mwashetani Male
3. Kwanza Ferdinard Kevin Wanyonyi Male
4. Kiminini Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu* Male
5. Kabuchai James Lusweti Mukwe Male
6. Kanduyi Athanas M Wafula Wamunyinyi Male
7. Kimilili Suleiman Murunga Kasuti Male
8. Tongaren David Eseli Simiyu Male
9. Kisumu West John Olago Aluoch Male
10. Awendo Jared Odhiambo Opiyo Male
11. Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Workers of Kenya Patrick Wangamati** Male
* Minority Deputy Chief Whip (Parliamentary Standing Order No. 2)
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Lung Lunga nullified. The High Court in Mombasa ruled on the 26 Sept 2013 that the election was marred by irregularities. However, the ruling was overturned on the 27 November by the Court of Appeal sitting in Malindi.
Table 2.8 - Party: Kenya African Democratic Union Asili (KADU-A)
Table 2.9 - Party: Federal Party of Kenya FPK
Charles Gumini Gimose Male
Table 2.10 - Party: Alliance Party of Kenya (APK)
Gideon Mwiti Irea Male
Chuka/Igambang'ombe
Onesmus Muthomi Njuki Male
Charles Muriuki Njagagua Male
Samuel Kamunye Gichigi Male
Table 2.11 - Party: Maendeleo Democratic Party (MDP)
Table 2.12 - Party: Kenya African National Union (KANU)
Samuel Moroto Male
Hellen Jepkemoi Sambili
Raymond Kipruto Moi
Table 2.13 - Party: Forum for the Restoration of Democracy - People (FORD-People)
!Bonchari
!Zebedeo Opore
!!John Oroo Oyioka
!!!Zebedeo Opore
Stephen Kengere Manoti Male
Richard Nyagaka Tongi* Male
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Bonchari overturned in favour of the petitioner John Oroo Oyioka by the High Court in Kisii ruling on the 20 Sept 2013 that the IEBC did not properly tally the votes. The IEBC had found only a 5 vote difference between the winner and Mr John Oroo Oyioka.
!!However, on the 13th of March 2014, the Appeals Court sitting in Kisumu overturned the ruling of the lower court, declaring that the winning margin of just 4 votes that John Oroo Oyioka had over Zebedeo Opore was too small to be conclusive.
!!!In a court-ordered by-election held on the 23rd of June, Zebedeo Opore recaptured the seat this time with more than 4,000 votes over John Oroo Oyioka.
*He won in a court-ordered by-election held on the 30th of December 2013 after the nullification of the election of Dr Chris Bichage of the ODM Party.
Table 2.14 - Party: Kenya National Congress
Johana Ng'eno Kipyegon Male
Table 2.15 - Party: National Rainbow Coalition (NARC)
Kitui South Rachael Kaki Nyamai Female
Peter Weru Kinyua Male
Humphrey Kimani Njuguna Male
Table 2.16 - Party: New-FORD-Kenya
David Wafula Wekesa Male
Otsiula, Bonface Okhiya
Women of Trans Nzoia County
Janet Nangabo Wanyama*
Women of Bungoma County
Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi*
Table 2.17 - Party: Muungano Party (MP)
Yatta Francis Mwangangi Kilonzo
Table 2.18 - Party: The Independent Party (TIP)
Kangundo Maweu Kyengo Katatha Male
Table 2.19 - Party: Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU)
Machakos Town Victor Kioko Munyaka
Mwala Vincent Musyoka Musau
Table 2.20 - Party: People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Muhoroni James Onyango Oyoo
Table 2.21 - Independent Candidates
!Kibwezi West
!Patrick Mweu Musimba
Wesley Kipchumba Korir Male
John Bomett Serut
! A successful election petition saw the election results for Kibwezi West nullified by the High Court on the 15 August 2013, due to irregularities in the exercise. Mr Musimba recaptured the seat in the subsequent by-election on the 17 October 2013.
Table 2.22 - Party: Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP)
Ferdinand Waititu*
* Waititu, elected in a by-election of May 4 2015, is the first MP to be elected under the JAP, a new party formed in early 2015.
To be legally constituted, a sitting of the National Assembly must have a quorum of one-seventh of all the members, equivalent to 50 members. This number will be sufficient to transact most of the business of the Assembly that includes debating and voting. Part 5- Parliament's General Procedures and Rules, Articles 121, 122, excerpts:
121. The quorum of Parliament shall be–– (a) fifty members, in the case of the National Assembly; ........
This (apparently) small number of fifty members is often cited as being unreasonably and undemocratically low by stakeholders whenever a Bill they are opposed to is passed in the House. For example, in October 2013, the Assembly passed the Kenya Information and Communication Bill 2013, and many media industry players were quick to negatively highlight the low number of 60 legislators present during the voting of the Bill - never mind that the Assembly numbers did not contravene Article 121 when voting for the Bill:
122. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, any question proposed for decision in either House of Parliament shall be determined by a majority of the members in that House, present and voting.
There is a mild hierarchical order within the National Assembly that recognises Majority and Minority Party Leaders. Excerpts from Part 3 - Offices of Parliament:
108. (1) There shall be a leader of the majority party and a leader of the minority party.
(2) The leader of the majority party shall be the person who is the leader in the National Assembly of the largest party or coalition of parties.
(3) The leader of the minority party shall be the person who is the leader in the National Assembly of the second largest party or coalition of parties.
(4) The following order of precedence shall be observed in the National Assembly–– (a) the Speaker of the National Assembly; (b) the leader of the majority party; and (c) the leader of the minority party.
The life cycle of the National Assembly is tied to the holding of a general election:
However, the constitution allows for limited extensions under the exceptional circumstances of war:
(2) When Kenya is at war, Parliament may, by resolution supported in each House by at least two-thirds of all the members of the House, from time to time extend the term of Parliament by not more than six months at a time.
The New Constitution has sought to revitalize Committees of Parliament. Committees of the House serve to expedite parliamentary business by allowing for small representative units of Parliamentarians to invite public input and participation in Bills preparation, conduct studies, investigations, and vet public appointments, evaluate estimates and budgetary requests etc., after which the committees table their reports in the House.
In general, the recommendations of these committees are often adopted by the plenary. Occassionally, these reports are rejected. For example, on the 19th of November 2013, the recommendation of the Administration and National Security Committee (Departmental) rejecting the Presidential nominee for the Chair of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse NACADA was overturned by the House.
In March 2014, the House again rejected another report jointly prepared by the same Administration and National Security Committee and the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee (Departmental) on grounds of incompetence, shoddiness, and a waste of public funds. The two Committees had attempted to investigated the terror attack that took place in September 2013 at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.
Perhaps what such rejections of Committee reports did, was to amplify calls for the enactment of more clear regulations that define the terms and jurisdiction of parliamentary investigations, as traditionally, criminal investigations are really the preserve of statutory and better equipped government agencies, such as the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police Service, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission EACC, and Constitutional Commissions.
Furthermore, Parliament lacks the wherewithal to see out such investigations through the court system. "We have become a country where pseudo-organs with amorphous roles take up tasks that they have no capacity to accomplish." (Vitalis Musebe, 2014). Indeed, some of the Committees have had the audacity to go ahead and launch own investigations on matters that are pending before the Courts, contrary to the law.
It is hoped that with the separation of powers - whereby Cabinet Secretaries will no longer be drawn from Members of Parliament, Committees of the House will function with more freedom and independence. Excerpts from Article 124 of Chapter 8 - The Legislature, Part 5 - Parliament's General Procedures and Rules:
However, old habits die hard. In 2014, the National Assembly overstepped its oversight mandate when it formed a curiously-named 'Committee of the Whole House' ostensibly to compel Cabinet Secretaries to appear before its Tuesday plenary sessions as would happen under the old constitution. The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution CIC termed the move by the NA as illegal. Soon after, the CSs were ordered by the Presidency not to appear before this particular Committee.
Committees of the National Assembly fall under four broad categories: Committees of the Whole House aka House Keeping (four); Standing Committees (seven); Ad hoc Select Committees; and Departmental Committees (8); The first Committee to be constituted soon after the 4th President was sworn in April of 2013, was the House Business Committee. This Committee of 28 members is a Committee of the Whole House, and will serve for 3 years.
1) House Business Committee
This Committee, which is a Committee of the whole House is mandated to manage the Parliamentary Calendar - scheduling or programming of the business - issue directives and guidelines to prioritize or postpone any business of the House. Its membership is given below:
Table 3.1 - House Business Committee (Whole House)
1 (Speaker) Justin Muturi
2 (Leader of Majority) Aden Duale
Male URP Garissa Township Garissa
3 (Leader of Minority) Francis Nyenze
Male Wiper Kitui West Kitui
4 (Deputy Leader of Majority) Naomi Shaaban Female TNA Taveta Taita Taveta
5 (Deputy Leader of Minority) Jakoyo Midiwo Male ODM Gem Siaya
27 Other Members
2) Committee on Appointments
This is a Standing Committee in place for 3 years. It considers, for approval by the House, appointments under Articles 152. (2) (Cabinet secretaries). It approved 15 of 16 Cabinet Secretary nominees but the whole House unanimously approved all 16 of them on the 14 May 2013. The quorum of the Committee on Appointments is one half of the Members of the Committee.
Table 3.2 - Committee on Appointments (Standing)
1 (Speaker) Justin Muturi (Chair) Male N/A N/A N/A
4 (Deputy Speaker) Joyce Laboso Female URP Sotik Bomet
5 (Deputy Leader of Majority) Naomi Shabaan Female TNA Taveta Taita Taveta
6 (Deputy Leader of Minority) Jakoyo Midiwo Male ODM Gem Siaya
3) Public Accounts Committee PAC
This is a 27-member Standing Committee responsible for the examination of the accounts showing the appropriations of the sum voted by the House to meet the public expenditure and of such other accounts. It serves for 3 years after which it is reconstituted.
Table 3.4 - Public Accounts Committee PAC (Standing)
1 Ababu Namwamba (Chair)
Male ODM Budalangi Busia
1 Nicholas Gumbo (Chair) Male ODM Rarieda Siaya
2 Cecily Mbarire (V/Chair)
Female TNA Runyenjes Embu
2 Jackson Rop (V/Chair) Male URP Kipkelion West Kericho
However, the first PAC (led by Namwamba and Mbarire) following the March 2013 General Elections did not complete its 3 year term after it was disbanded in April of 2015 by the House following reports of corruption within its ranks based on investigations by the House's own Privileges Committee. For purposes of continuity, 6 out of 27 members of the old Committee would be retained in the new, despite the fact that 5 of those who served in the old committee were barred from being reelected to serve in the new.
4) Administration and National Security Committee (Departmental)
This Committee did, in May 2013, vet and approve, the nominee for Secretary to the Cabinet.
5) Other Committees of the National Assembly
Committee on Selections (House Keeping)
Public Investments Committee (Standing)
Defence and Foreign Relations Committee (Departmental)
Procedure and House Rules Committee (House Keeping)
Liaison Committee (House Keeping)
Committee on Implementation (Standing)
Committee on Delegated Legislation (Standing)
Committee on Regional Integration (Standing)
Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Committee (Departmental)
Environment and Natural Resources Committee (Departmental)
Education, Research and Technology Committee (Departmental)
Energy, Communication and Information Committee (Departmental)
Finance, Planning and Trade Committee (Departmental)
Health Committee (Departmental)
Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (Departmental)
Labour and Social Welfare Committee (Departmental)
Lands Committee (Departmental)
Transport, Public Works and Housing Committee (Departmental)
Catering and Health Club Committee (House Keeping)
Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity (Joint)
Committee on Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library (Joint)
In order to facilitate their full and functional autonomy, the Constitution has granted Parliament powers to legislate for the effective and unhindered operation of parliamentary committees:
117. (2) Parliament may, for the purpose of the orderly and effective discharge of the business of Parliament, provide for the powers, privileges and immunities of ...... its committees, ........ the chairpersons of committees and members.
To assist these Committees to perform their oversight roles effectively, the constitution has granted them powers equivalent to those of a High Court to summon witnesses, to compel persons or other legal entities to provide information that may assist the Committees' investigations. Excerpts from Article 125:
These powers are, however, of a quasi-judicial as opposed to being of a legislative nature and as such, are "....... subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court." (PETITION NO. 518 OF 2013). This distinction was made clear when the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the House found itself with egg in the face in November 2013 when it summoned the Commissioners of the Judicial Service Commission JSC to appear before it to explain the suspension of the Chief Registrar. The Commissioners defied the summons and went to Court instead to rule on the legality of the summons. The High Court ruled that the actions of the Committee were unconstitutional. The JSC had insisted that the removal of the Chief Registrar was an internal matter.
This matter did not end with the Court ruling. In fact, the Committee went on to table the petition recommending the removal of six Commissioners from the JSC for a vote before the House. The National Assembly approved the petition on the 7th of November, and its Speaker sent it to the President to establish a Tribunal to investigate the six Commissioners.
All proceedings and debates that take place in the Chambers of Parliament must be in the open, on record, and published in the Hansard reports. In other words, the business of the House and those conducted by Committees must allow for the full participation and input of the public and facilitate public broadcast except in very exceptional circumstances and to which a reason must be given:
Click on the following link in Parliament's official website for more on the Parliamentary Hansards of the current (eleventh) Parliament.
These are proposals made by a member of the House in the debating chamber seeking the adoption of a decision. Motions can be initiated by a member's own initiative or by way of a petition made by a member of the public:
119. (1) Every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matter within its authority, including to enact, amend or repeal any legislation.
Indeed, on the 22nd of April 2015, a member of the public, Geoffrey Oriaro, had his petition complete a successful conclusion when the National Assembly adopted a report of its Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to remove the Chair and Vice-Chair of the constitutional Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, EACC.
(2) Parliament shall make provision for the procedure for the exercise of this right.
This provision is facilitated by the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act 2012 enacted in August 2012.
Click on the following link for more on the available Parliamentary Motions as listed on current (eleventh) Parliament's official website.
Sessional Papers are oftentimes what the Government uses to develop policy frameworks for implementation. Numerous Sessional Papers spanning the over 90 years of parliamentary legislation in Kenya have been drafted, tabled, and adopted. Click on the following link for more on the available Sessional Papers at the official website of the current (eleventh) Parliament.
The 10th Parliament and its successor - the first National Assembly under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, were assigned the important task of considering (debating) and enacting numerous important legislation designed to bring to effect and operationalise the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Some of the key legislations seek to repeal respective sections of the law whose force and legality has been overtaken by the enactment of the New Constitution. Other legislation aim to establish State Organs that have been created by the New Constitution, and yet others are designed to establish and actualise the new system of devolution. Other Bills include those that will rationalise land, land use and ownership. Bills can be initiated by a Member, a Committee or a member of the public:
Let us revisit Article 95. (1) The National Assembly represents the people of the constituencies and special interests in the National Assembly.
(2) The National Assembly deliberates on and resolves issues of concern to the people. Therefore, being the House that 'represents the people of the constituencies and special interests', the National Assembly is best equipped to address and protect each and every voter's rights and liberties. Thus, unlike the Senate, the Assembly faces no restrictions on the type of Bills it is permitted to originate. Part 4 - Procedures for enacting legislation, excerpts:
Further to that, a Bill that originates from the Senate must be referred to the National Assembly before it can be enacted; and the National Assembly can veto such a Bill, even if it concerns Counties only. Simply put, the National Assembly has the final say on all Bills.
Click on the following link for more on the Bills and Acts of Parliament that have a direct bearing on the new constitutional dispensation already underway in Kenya. Most of these legislation have clear and specific time-lines as set out in the New Constitution. Below in Table 2, are excerpts from the Fifth Schedule containing time specifications for legislation that must be enacted by the 11th National Assembly that will be constituted after the General Elections of 2013.
2. Constitution of Kenya Revised Edition 2008 (2001). National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
3. The Kenya Gazette Volume CXV - No.45, of March 13, 2013. Government of Kenya.
4. The Kenya Gazette Volume CXV - No.50, of March 20, 2013. Government of Kenya.
5. Website of the Parliament of Kenya. The National Assembly. Retrieved May 2013.
6. RICHARD KALEMBE NDILE & another v PATRICK MUSIMBA MWEU & 2 others [2013] eKLR. Election Petition 1 & 7 of 2013. High Court at Machakos. National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
7. THOMAS MALINDA MUSAU & 2 others v INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL & BOUNDARIES COMMISSION & 2 others [2013] eKLR. Election Petition 2 of 2013. High Court at Machakos. National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
8. Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act 2012. National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
9. JOHN OROO OYIOKA & ANOTHER V INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION & 2 OTHERS[2013]eKLR. High Court of Kisii. Election Petition 2 & 4 of 2013. National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
10. Judicial Service Commission v Speaker of the National Assembly & another [2013] eKLR. PETITION NO. 518 OF 2013. National Council for Law Reporting. The Attorney General.
11. "Kenyan MPs pass Draconian Media Law". Daily Nation Online Article of 31 October 2013. Retrieved November 2013.
12. Petition to compel the President to appoint a Tribunal to investigate six Commissioners of the JSC. Website of the Parliament of Kenya. Retrieved November 2013.
13. "MPs clear soldiers to stop clan fights in Marsabit, Samburu, West Pokot and Turkana". Daily Nation Online Article of 6 December 2013. Retrieved December 2013.
14. Hansard Report 5th December, 2013 Afternoon. Website of The National Assembly. Accessed December 2013.
15. "Supreme Court reinstates Mary Wambui as Othaya MP". Daily Nation Online Article of 05 May 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
16. Mzalendo.com, "Eye on Kenyan Parliament." Retrieved 2014.
17. Vitalis Musebe, 2014. "Define Role of Parliamentary Committees". Daily Nation Online Article of 10 November 2014.
18. "You are violating the Constitution, CIC tells National Assembly, Senate." Website of the CIC. Accessed November 2014.
19. Alleged breach of privilege and/or code of conduct by the membership of Public Accounts Committee. Website of the Parliament of Kenya. The National Assembly. Retrieved May 2015.
20. "Ababu Namwamba and Public Accounts team sent home over graft claim." Daily Nation Online Article of 14 April 2015. Retrieved May 2015.
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