MPs set to start debate on referendum bill today
By Mercy Mwai, June 2, 2020
MPs are set to begin debate on the referendum law hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta said the country is ready for constitutional change.
The law known as the Referendum Bill, sponsored by Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee Chairperson Jeremiah Kioni, if enacted into law will help regulate the process of amending the Constitution by a popular initiative.
The Bill provides for initiation of a referendum, notice of holding referendum, referendum committees, cost of referendum committees, procedure for conduct of referendum, voting threshhold and general powers of the commission.
Article 251 (1) of the Constitution says that the Constitution can be amended by a popular initiative in the form of a general suggestion or a formulated draft Bill signed by at least 1 million registered voters.
The Bill is set to be tabled for the first reading today, June 2.