Senate remains weak 15 years after constitution, says Otiende Amollo
As Kenya marked 15 years since the promulgation of the Constitution, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo says Parliament has made some gains but the Senate remains weak...
✨ Key Highlights
As Kenya celebrated 15 years since the promulgation of its Constitution, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo highlighted that despite some parliamentary gains, the Senate remains weak, especially in the current 13th Parliament, due to historical and institutional challenges. Conversely, Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u pointed to significant progress in the judiciary's independence and operational capacity.
- Otiende Amollo noted the Senate's role was reduced from an "upper house" to primarily protecting devolution, creating "sibling rivalry" with the National Assembly.
- The MP attributed institutional weakness to the parliamentary system's adaptation to a presidential system, leading to majority parties labeling themselves "government" and minority parties "opposition," losing sight of their oversight role.
- Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u emphasized the judiciary's increased decisional and operational independence, with more funding, staff, and operations now across all 47 counties, improving access to justice.
Continue Reading
Read the complete article from Standard Politics
Part of the Day's Coverage
Leaders Reflect on 2010 Constitution's Legacy and Governance - August 2025
President William Ruto, while serving as Agriculture Minister, initially campaigned against the 2010 Constitution of which he is now a significant beneficiary. This has led to accusations of insincerity from critics like Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka. As Kenya celebrated 15 years since the constitution's promulgation, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo highlighted that the Senate remains weak, particularly in the 13th Parliament. Conversely, Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u noted significant progress in the judiciary's independence and capacity. Meanwhile, Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki criticized the opposition while promoting the government's job creation efforts, such as the Affordable Housing Programme, at Murang'a Technical and Training Institute.
