New Bill By Gov't Seeks to Increase Number of MPs from the Current 349

Kenya's high wage bill could shoot up if the proposed constitutional amendment to increase the number of Members of Parliament sails through.

A new bill sponsored by Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Dualee proposes creation of special seats for women to ensure the bicameral Parliament complies with the two-thirds gender rule.

“The Bill seeks to give effect to the two-thirds gender principle through the creation of special seats,” it reads.

“That will ensure that the gender principle is realised in Parliament over a period of twenty years from the next general election,” the Bill states.

This comes even as Thirdway Alliance presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot last week issued a notice of referendum to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), seeking to reduce the number of elective posts in the country.

Ekuru argues that the number of elective posts is too high and should be slashed in order to save taxpayers' the huge wage bill burden.

Duale's bill states that the number of special seats will be determined after the General Elections and shall be shared among political parties based on their strength in Parliament.

The Constitution provides that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender. The 12th Parliament has, however, fallen short of the two-thirds gender principle, which renders it unconstitutionally formed.

"The State shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender,” reads part of the constitution of Kenya, 2010.

The current Parliament, which has 349 MPs, requires an additional 53 women MPs for it to attain the two-thirds gender rule.