Senators trash proposal to lock them out of race

Mombasa Senator Omar Hassan (left) and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen have trashed a proposal by MPs to bar senators from contesting for governors’ seats. (PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/ STANDARD)

Senators have reacted angrily to a recommendation by a National Assembly committee that seeks to bar them from contesting for governorship in the next General Election.

They described the proposal in a report tabled in the House by the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), as one made out of ignorance. For the senators to be blocked from vying for the post in a subsequent election, as recommended by the committee, they said, it would require a constitutional amendment.