President William Ruto (right) welcomes Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, at a previous funeral event in Nyandarua on Saturday, May 13, 2023. (PHOTO|COURTESY)
In Summary:
- Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot advocates for extending senators’ term length from five to ten years, aiming to address disparities in responsibilities and compensation between senators and MPs.
- The proposal, presented through the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, seeks to provide fair compensation for senators and reshape Kenya’s political landscape.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday, February 20, Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot proposed extending senators’ term length from the standard five years to ten.
He emphasized the necessity for fairness and equality within Parliament, arguing that senators shoulder more responsibilities compared to Members of Parliament (MPs).
Cheruiyot raised concerns about the current salary structure, where senators and MPs receive equal compensation despite differing job descriptions.
He highlighted that senators represent larger populations and bear exclusive responsibilities, warranting appropriate compensation proportional to their duties.
He stated, “A senator earns as much as an MP although geographically, you represent a higher population than an MP. There are more responsibilities that we have and are exclusive to the senate as opposed to the MPs.”
The proposal aims to rectify this imbalance by extending senators’ term lengths, aligning with international practices where senators serve longer terms than lower house members. Currently, both senators and MPs receive a monthly salary of Ksh710,000, as per data from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The NADCO report, unveiled last year, emerged from discussions led by bipartisan teams representing various political interests. While the report addresses several critical issues, including the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), boundary delimitation, and constitutional matters like the two-thirds gender rule, it failed to reach consensus on controversial topics such as the removal of the 16% Value Added Tax on fuel and the Housing Levy.
Cheruiyot emphasized that the report encompasses various statutory instruments and policy propositions, underscoring the need for thorough parliamentary deliberations.
The outcomes of these discussions hold significant potential to reshape Kenya’s political dynamics and governance framework.
Parliament is poised to engage in debates surrounding the NADCO report, setting the stage for potential reforms and adjustments to the country’s political landscape.