MP Sponsors a Bill to Increase Counties the Number of Counties from 47 to 52

Kuria East MP Marwa Maisori has drafted a bill seeking to amend the constitution to increase the number of counties from the current 47 to 52 through a referendum.

The bill seeks to amend Article 98 of the Constitution to include five additional counties that MP Maisori says will solve the perennial ethnic antagonism and divisive elections. The five additional counties include Kuria, Teso, Mount Elgon, East Pokot, and Mwingi.

He also argues that the amendment will help minorities manage their own resources as it will ensure that the objects of devolution are realized and that the rights of minorities and the marginalized are promoted and protected.

The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2022, seeks to delimit Kuria County from the existing Migori County, Teso County from Busia County, Mount Elgon County from the existing Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, East Pokot County from Baringo and West Pokot counties, and Mwingi County from the existing Kitui County.

The MP wants the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to delimit the boundaries of the additional counties six months after approval of the bill.

“In delimiting the boundaries of the additional counties, the Commission shall— (a) consult all interested parties; (b) take into account community of interest, historical, economic and cultural ties; and (c) ensure that each additional county comprises at least two constituencies,” the bill reads in part.

The bill must receive the support of more than two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly before it is forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.

Once it sails through in the National Assembly and Senate, it will be forwarded to the 47 county assemblies where it will be required to receive a nod from at least 24 counties. It will then be subjected to a national referendum to be conducted by the election commission.