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Senator Cheruiyot calls for balanced lawmaking approach

Senator Cheruiyot calls for balanced lawmaking approach
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.PHOTO/@Aaroncheruiyot/X

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has called on Kenyan lawmakers to move away from emotional and partisan-driven decision-making, urging a shift toward balanced and evidence-based legislation.

Speaking during a Senate debate on the Gambling Control Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 70 of 2023), Cheruiyot warned that the country risks enacting laws that do not address the real issues affecting citizens if leaders rely solely on personal experiences and political leanings.

“I worry that we pass laws based on what we know, what we like, and what we are comfortable with, while ignoring what we don’t. As a lawmaker, I have a responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people I represent,” Cheruiyot said.

His remarks came as the Senate considered the report of the Mediation Committee on the controversial Gambling Control Bill, a proposal that has sparked heated national debate due to its potential social and economic impacts.

Cheruiyot said his position was informed by recent engagements on data-driven policy, including a conference he attended that he says reshaped his legislative philosophy. While acknowledging concerns raised by colleagues over the gambling industry’s risks, he cautioned that some proposed solutions may fall short.

A past session in the Senate. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen
A past session in the Senate. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen

“I rise to support this motion. I have listened to my colleagues, and while I agree with many of the concerns they have raised about gambling, I’m afraid that what is being proposed as a solution may not truly serve us,” he noted.

His comments echo findings from a 2023 University of Nairobi study, which revealed that up to 60% of Kenya’s legislation lacks adequate empirical backing—a trend experts warn could derail long-term development goals.

Cheruiyot’s advocacy aligns with global shifts toward data-backed governance, reflected in Kenya’s 2020 Mediation Bill and recent updates to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which placed tighter scrutiny on gambling operations.

With the Financial Action Task Force’s 2024 guidelines adding further pressure on governments to regulate gambling more effectively, the Kenyan Senate now finds itself at a crossroads.

As Majority Leader since 2022, Cheruiyot is in a key position to influence the outcome of the Gambling Control Bill and steer broader legislative reforms. His call signals a potential shift in how Parliament handles complex national issues, with a focus on research, consultation, and long-term public interest.

The Senate is expected to continue deliberations on the bill in the coming days.

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