Raft of Changes in New Kenya

BY ANTHONY MWANGI

WEDNESDAY, 13 MARCH, 2013

Under the new dispensation, the senate will be referred to as the upper house while the national assembly will be the lower house whose roles and functions will be to legislate matters on the counties and those of the national government respectively.

The senate, unlike the national Assembly will have powers to impeach the President and deputy President. But the national assembly will review the conduct in office of the President, the deputy President and other state officers and initiate the process of removing them from office and exercise oversight of state organs.

Resolution The senate on the other hand, will participate in the oversight of state officers by considering and determining any resolution to remove the President or deputy President from office.

The senate core function will be to represent the counties, and will serve to protect the interests of the counties and their governments. It will be the mandate of the national assembly to approve declarations of war and extensions of states of emergency.

These powers were initially bestowed on the Head of State who could send troops to war without necessarily seeking approval from anybody. While the senate will be mandated to address the devolved governments, Parliament will be tasked with legislation, amending the Constitution and can also alter county boundaries.