The Senate has confirmed that its mail system has crashed after Kenyans sent over 200,000 emails commenting on the proposal to increase term limits for elective seats in Kenya.

Through the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill (no. 2), Senator Samson Cherargei is seeking to alter the election cycle in Kenya from five to seven years, which would automatically increase the term limits for the president, MPs, senators, woman representatives, MCAs and governors.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Senate announced that its systems had been overwhelmed by emails being sent by Kenyans in regard to the bill.

“Thank you for the overwhelming response on The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No 2) Bill ,2024. Due to high volumes of submissions, our email system has temporarily experienced issues,” the Senate announced.

“The Senate received over 200,000 submissions, reaching the maximum capacity of the allocated email addresses. Alternatively, you may send your submissions to; [email protected] We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

As a result, the Senate has extended the deadline for Kenyans to submit their views to Saturday, October 26, 2024.

“Please be informed that the submission deadline has been extended to tomorrow, the 26th,October 2024, at 5 pm. Send your submissions to; [email protected] [email protected] and [email protected],” the Senate added.

The bill was read a first read in the Senate on Thursday, September 26, 2024, and thereafter stood committed to the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights for consideration.

The Committee is required, under Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation in the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report to the Senate.

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the involvement of both the National Assembly and the Senate in the approval of an extension of a state of emergency.

Term limits

In a notice on the dailies on Sunday, October 20, 2024, the Senate said the bill will provide further clarity on the role of the Senate in exercising its oversight mandate over revenue allocated to, raised by, or otherwise received by the county governments and its expenditure.

“The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to extend the term of office of a Member of Parliament from five years to seven years, provide for the leadership and the order of precedence in the Senate (and) provide for the origination of any Bill in either House of Parliament, save for a money Bill which may originate only in the National Assembly,” the Senate stated.

“The bill will also provide for the procedure for the consideration of a Division of Revenue Bill and a County Allocation of Revenue Bill by both Houses of Parliament, provide for the procedure for the consideration and approval of an Appropriation Bill and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill by both Houses of Parliament (and) provide clarity regarding the definition of a Money Bill.”

The bill, if it sails through, will create the office of the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President from amongst the members of parliament.

It will also assign the responsibility of appointment and removal from office of various state officers to the National Assembly and the Senate.

The bill is also seeking to enhance the percentage of the allocation of resources to county governments from 15 per cent to 40 per cent.

If passed, the bill will require the approval of both Houses of Parliament before the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces in any part of Kenya.

“In accordance with the provisions of Articles 118 and 256 of the Constitution and standing order 145 (5) of the Senate Standing Orders, the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights now invites interested members of the public to submit any representations that they may have on the Bill by way of written memoranda,” the Senate added.