𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula yesterday committed the Report of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) to both the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly and the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

In his Communication before the National Assembly, Speaker Wetang’ula informed the House that he had met with his counterpart from the Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, to deliberate on ways to address the report recommendations that touched on matters that were of concern to both houses

“At meetings held on Tuesday, 27th February 2024 and Thursday, 29th February 2024, the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament and the Leaders of the Majority and Minority Parties in both the National Assembly and the Senate deliberated on modalities for implementing the recommendations contained in the Report,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.

The NADCO which was established by the National Assembly and the Senate through a resolution passed on the 16th of August 2023 and the 29th of August 2023 respectively, was formed to facilitate dialogue and consensus building and recommend appropriate constitutional, legal and policy reforms on issues of concern to the people of Kenya. The reforms were to be in line with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kenya while also respecting the functional and institutional integrity of state organs.

The Report which was tabled and adopted by the National Assembly on the 22nd of February 2024, and on the 21st of February of 2024 by the Senate suggested various recommendations among them proposals to amend the Constitution and various other statutes. Article 256 of the Constitution requires that any proposed amendments to the Constitution should be considered by both Houses of Parliament.

The NADCO report recommended that the National Assembly introduce several legislative proposals among them, The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Leader of Opposition Bill, 2024, and The National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Senate on its part will introduce; The Elections Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

 Speaker Wetang'ula directed the two Committees to conduct joint sittings so as to effectively implement the recommendations in line with the need to ensure that due process in the enactment of legislation is adhered to as provided in the law and the Standing Orders of both Houses of Parliament

 “I direct the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly to hold joint sittings with the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, in accordance with the Standing Orders. The two Committees are required to expeditiously consider the proposals to amend the Constitution and recommend to the Houses, the manner of actualizing the recommendations of the NADCO,” said Speaker Wetang’ula.

The two Committees have 45 days to undertake the assignment before submitting a joint report before both Houses.