The National Assembly is set to consider the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill and the Statutory Instruments (Amendments) Bill following proposals for amendment by the Senate.
The IEBC amendment Bill, co-sponsored by the Leader of Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) and the Leader of the Minority Party Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) seeks to make consequential amendments to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Act of 2011.
Specifically, the Bill seeks to align the Act to the judgments of the Supreme Court in the aftermath of the recently disputed General Elections.
The Court in its ruling held that certain provisions of the Act were unconstitutional hence warranting a new Act to remedy the wrongs of the Elections
Additionally, the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2023 sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party seeks to introduce amendments to the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013, by establishing timelines for the making of regulations to ensure efficient implementation of parliamentary laws.
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While communicating the message originating from the Senate, Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula said the Senate had concluded their part in passing the Bills.
“Members, pursuant to the Provisions of Standing Order 41(4) I wish to report to the House that I have received five messages from the Senate regarding the passage of five Senate Bills and two National Assembly Bills,” Wetang’ula said.
Speaker Wetang’ula added that on June 11, 2024, the Senate considered and passed the Statutory Instruments (Amendments) Bill (National Assembly Bill no 2 of 2023) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendments) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 10 of 2024) with amendments.
The two Bills were then committed to the Committee on Delegated Legislation and the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee respectively for consideration.
“Aware of the Nature of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendments) Bill, I direct that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee should expedite the process and table its report on Thursday, June 20, 2024 during the morning sitting,” the Speaker directed.
