Referendum Bill launched at Bomas of Kenya

A Bill to amend the Constitution, popularly referred to as the Okoa Kenya Bill has been launched at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader Raila Odinga is currently addressing participants at the launch.

Mr Odinga said: "The new Constitution is working well, but it needs some improvement."

His co-principals, Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Moses Wetang’ula, are present at the function.

Others present are senators Johnson Muthama (Machakos), Omar Hassan (Mombasa) and Elizabeth Ongoro (nominated).

In the Bill, officially called the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2015, Cord wants a plebiscite on five issues, which it argues have not been tackled by the Constitution.

Speaking at the event, Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang' Nyong'o said county governments had not been given enough funds from budgetary allocations to carter for devolved functions.

MAJOR BILL HIGHLIGHTS

1. Clause 4 grants exclusivity to the National Land Commission (NLC). Defines the specific roles of National Government and the NLC in managing land registries, processes and dispositions.
2. Clause 5 gives rights to communities where natural resources are extracted. They should get a share in the income.
3. Clause 7 wants parties to ascertain contents of elections register and allow omitted individuals to seek redress. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to maintain one single register.
4. Clause 12 IEBC commissioners be nominated and appointed by political parties based on numerical strength of parties in parliament in previous election results.
5. Clause 13 wants county governments to file quarterly reports with Senate to show expenditure.
6. Clause 16 outlines procedures for elections dispute resolution.
7. Clause 17 outlines procedure for appointing Chief Justice (CJ) and deputy by Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Powers taken away from president and executive.
8. Clause 19 wants judges to be appointed without executive involvement. This is to maintain JSC independence.
9. Clause 20 wants minimum allocation of funds to counties enhanced from 15 per cent to 45 per cent.
10. Clause 23 wants no more than 15 per cent public service appointments to be from one ethnic community. This is to ensure effective ethnic representation.