Nyong'o: Withdraw bill limiting ex-governors' Senate ambitions

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has asked the Senate to withdraw the Constitution of Kenya Ammendment Bill 2023 currently before it.

The Bill seeks to ammend Article 99 (2) and 193(2) of the Constitution to bar ex-governors from vying for parliamentary seats in the Senate or members of county assemblies within the first five years immediately after serving leaving office.

Nyong’o opposed the Bill saying its unconstitutional.

"I oppose the same as it seeks to bar current and former governors from exercising their political rights under Article 38 of the Constitution without reasonable justifications," he said.

Nyong'o said the Bill seeks to infringe on the fundamental rights of governors and undo the gains of democracy enriched under the Constitution.

As a former senator, Nyong’o urged the Senate to instead develop legislation that strengthens devolution.

He was speaking during the official opening of a consultative meeting for city and municipal chairpersons in his capacity as the chairperson of the Lands, Housing and Urban Development Committee in the Council of Governors.

Nyong'o noted that the importance of city and municipal chairpersons cannot be overstated.

He said they are the architects of urban transformation responsible for creating environments where citizens can thrive, businesses can flourish and communities can prosper.

Nyong'o said the Municipal chairpersons play a pivital role in driving better urban governance and development.

He noted that they commit to prepare, approve and implement local physical and land use development plans that present all encompassing solutions to the complex urban challenges including floods.

Nyong’o added that they also commit to champion for establishment of the national urban fund.

"We resolve to commit to better governance by receiving the composition of the Urban boards and to delineate our urban areas boundaries based on service jurisdiction areas without comprising agricultural areas," he said.

The Kisumu governor further added that they commit to pursue better remuneration of City and Municipal boards and harmonising their terms of service.

"Let us seize this opportunity to build stronger, resilient and inclusive liveable cities and urban entities in Kenya together," he said.