Law Proposed to Bar Governors From Running for Senate & MCA Seats in 2027 Elections
On Monday, April 15, Senators and Governors convened to deliberate on a proposed legislation that, if passed, would prohibit governors serving two terms from running for certain elective positions in the upcoming 2027 general election.
The proposed Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023, if approved, would prevent incumbent governors and past governors from running for positions as Members of the County Assembly (MCA) and Senate.
This objective will be accomplished by modifying both the Kenyan Constitution and the Elections Act, ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has an equitable opportunity to contest elective positions.
“The amendments seek to bar sitting Governors and former Governors from vying for Senate or County Assemblies for the first 5 years after serving as Governors,” Senators and Governors remarked after the meeting.
At the meeting, Senators pledged to review inputs from all involved parties and prepare a report to be considered by the House.
Nominated Senator Chimera Raphael, during the drafting of the Bill, highlighted the necessity for county governors to justify their financial and administrative choices to both the county assemblies and the Senate.
This involves, among other things, addressing issues raised by the Office of the Auditor General while preparing annual audits.
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“Barring former county governors from vying for elections will allow for any ongoing accountability processes related to administration and financial management affairs of the county to be completed, as these would have a bearing on the suitability of the former county governor to hold any other elective position,” the Bill reads in part.
Senator Chimera contends that former governors serving in both the Senate and county assemblies would create a conflict of interest and disrupt the decision-making process, as these bodies are directly responsible for overseeing county governments through scrutinizing audit reports and ensuring governors are held accountable for their actions.
The Bill aims to enable County Assemblies and the Senate to investigate any issues stemming from the tenure of a former county governor without being hindered by the ex-governor’s interference.
Moreover, this will guarantee that voters possess a basis for making a well-informed decision regarding the candidate’s appropriateness for another elective position, as all accountability procedures would have concluded.
Some of the governors who will be affected by this law if it comes into effect include; Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Issa Timamy (Lamu), Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado), and Julius Malombe (Kitui).
Law Proposed to Bar Governors From Running for Senate & MCA Seats in 2027 Elections
