Kenyan Senate will fight to remain relevant

Senators have warned of dire consequences if the contentious Mining Bill, 2014 becomes law.

They said that the proposed legislation among several hurdles threatening the Senate’s legislative agenda.

The Bill is the last straw, according to Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki and Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula, who cautioned of penalties if it is signed without the Senate's input.

“This Bill is the greatest test of relevance. If there is a case between the Senate and the National Assembly and national Executive, then this is the case,” said Mr Wetang'ula.

"This precedent should not be allowed to take route. Certainly the role of the Senate is irreducible and the National Assembly too, and therefore, if this Bill is signed into law, it will confirm that nobody appreciates that there is a Senate in this country,” he added.

Under threat

 The leaders regretted that the authority of the Senate is under threat and as result and said that the time for diplomacy is gone and they would fight for their space fearlessly.

The senators faulted The Presidency, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, the Judiciary, governors and the Members of the Country Assemblies for ignoring the Senate.

At the start of the retreat dubbed, "the place of Senate in driving the devolution agenda for Kenya", the leaders said that they must remain united and tackle issues in a bi-partisan manner to get results.

 “The Senate is here to stay and carry out its legislative role to ensure devolution succeeds. Those who want to take us back to the centralised system of government must be dreaming,” said Mr Ethuro.

 “Many institutions are taking advantage of the gaps in the Constitution to hamper the work of the Senate,” said Prof Kindiki.