Why number of MPs could be increased

The Jubilee administration has a grand scheme to increase the number of current members of parliament, in a quest to hit the two-third gender rule, if the proposed Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2018 by Majority Leader Aden Duale will be considered.

The leader of majority sponsored bill could see the current wage bill for lot swell, even as the country grapples with debt while a section of Kenyans have contemplated petitioning the national assembly to have the number of MPs reduced in a cost cutting scheme.

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

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.

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Thirdway Alliance leader Dr Ekuru Aukot who took part in the making of the 2010 constitution earlier launched a parallel push for the reduction of number of MPs. He has officially written to the Wafula Chebukati led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The Bill proposes that the number of special seats will be determined after the General Election and shall be shared out depending on the strength of political parties in Parliament.

According to the Constitution, not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender.

“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.

Huge pay

It is worth noting that the current Parliament has fallen short of the two-thirds gender rule.

In the National Assembly, there are a total of 76 women – 23 who are elected, 47 woman representatives and six nominated. This means that it falls short by 41 women to make 117, or one-third, of the 349 MPs.

In the Senate there are 21 women – three elected members and 19 nominated – bringing the shortfall to 12.

This means that if the top-up was to be done in the current Parliament, 53 more women would be nominated to Parliament.

All MPs earn a monthly salary of Sh710,000 each and are also entitled to a Sh5 million car grant, Sh5,000 committee allowance per sitting and a further Sh5,000 every time they clock into the Debating Chambers.