Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Gachagua’s ouster case

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s case is set to resume on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 9:00 am.

The court will continue under the three-judge bench that Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu empaneled.

The case failed to kick off on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, after Gachagua’s legal team led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite raised questions on how the bench was constituted.

Gachagua’s team argued before the court that DCJ Mwilu lacked the power to constitute the bench.

Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Dr. Freda Mugambi, however, dismissed the application with costs. The court rejected an assertion by Gachagua’s lawyers that Mwilu lacks the constitutional authority to constitute benches under Article 165(4) of the Constitution, a function they argued is exclusively reserved for the Chief Justice.

“It is, therefore, our finding that the constitutional function of the CJ to assign benches, being an administrative function, can be performed by the DCJ when the CJ, for good reason, is unable to perform,” the bench held.

Views on Cherargei’s bill

Kenyans have one more day to submit their views on the proposed extension of the current five-year term limit across all elective seats to seven years.

The increase has been proposed via the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, also seeks to create the office of Prime Minister, who will be appointed by the President from among members of the party or coalition of majority parties in Parliament and will serve at the pleasure of the President, and is currently undergoing public participation.

The Prime Minister will be the head of government, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government and accountable to Parliament.

The bill was first read in the Senate on September 26, 2024, before being referred to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for consideration.

“The Bill proposes to amend Article 136 of the Constitution, which provides for the election of the President, to increase the term of office of the President from five years to seven years,” the Bill states.

The bill also seeks to amend sections 101, 177, and 180 of the Constitution to extend the terms of MPs, Senators, MCAs, and Governors to seven years.

Kenyans have until Friday, October 25, 2024, to submit their views on the proposed amendment.