40:
689:
1029:
899:, pushed for a renewed constitutional review process. The National Dialogue and Reconciliation process led to an agreement between the parties in February 2008, including the formation of a government of national unity and other reforms. Agenda item 4 in the agreement focused on "Long-Term Issues", including constitutional and institutional reform.
907:
on
Constitutional Reform to gather views from the public, deliberate on contentious issues and come up with a draft of the new constitution. A Constitution of Kenya Review Act 2008 governs the review process and enters into force in December 2008. The Committee held extensive public consultations and
873:
Post-2005 Minimal
Constitution Reform option – proposed by Prof. Yash Pal Ghai after the failed referendum. His proposal suggested that for political and practical reasons, the best way to achieve constitutional change would be to do it in small phases as opposed to immediate and complete overhaul of
18:
Since Kenya gained independence in 1963, the constitution has been altered many times. During the early years of Kenya's existence, the constitution was abused by the president and the ruling party to gain and consolidate power. This was achieved through the creation of a single-party state, the
858:
2004 Bomas Draft (named after the location of the constitutional reform conference that adopted it) – Proposed transferring most of the powers of the office of the
President elected by the people to the Prime Minister that would be elected by Parliament. In addition, there would have been checks on
862:
2005 Wako Draft (named after the
Attorney General, Amos Wako) – Put forward unilaterally by the government instead of the Bomas Draft, which it rejected. A modified version of the 1969 constitution but got rid of 25% requirement in general elections that requires the winner in the presidential
22:
More recently, Kenya's constitution has become more democratic. The additions of a Prime
Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers, and the abolition of section 2A of the constitution (which had prevented Kenya from being a multi-party state) have all contributed to this reform.
803:
1991 – President Moi in
December 1991 at a KANU delegates meeting at Kasarani Stadium, repealed Section 2A of the constitution, thereby making Kenya a multi-party state. The change enabled the introduction of term limits to the
817:
2008 – In March 2008, the
National Assembly of Kenya passed the Nation and Reconciliation Accord Act that introduced a temporary change to the constitution introducing the position of Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime
962:
October 2010 – On 5 October, parliament establishes the
Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), which is mandated to oversee the entire implementation process of the reforms required by the new
821:
2009 – Parliament prioritises constitution reform through Agenda No. 4. Deliberations on how this reforms will be tackled will be discussed in the second session of the 10th
Parliament that began in April
784:
1976 – Constitutional amendment enabling president to pardon politicians barred from contesting elections over electoral malpractices. Opposition to amendment the leads to the arrest and imprisonment of
859:
executive appointments. The PM would nominate MPs to become
Cabinet ministers, the President would then appoint them. All appointments would require up and down votes by a members of the Senate.
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at least 12 times by 2010, and was widely agreed to require a major overhaul to create a more democratic framework with greater oversight of the executive by parliament. The constitution gave
744:
Constitutional reform in Kenya has been a major issue since Kenya gained independence. The highlights of the evolution of Kenya's constitution can be highlighted by the following events:
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1065:
786:
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November 2009 – The harmonised draft constitution written and proposed by the Committee of Experts was released on 17 November 2009 and had the following highlights:
920:
Prime Minister will be the Head of Government and will be the head of the party/coalition with a majority in Parliament – He will nominate ministers to the Cabinet.
854:
The constitutional reform process that began in 2000 led to the adoption of several competing drafts, and a deadlock between government and opposition, until 2008.
1048:
303:
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that broke out after the controversial December 2007 elections in which the renewed mandate of President Mwai Kibaki was alleged to be stolen, a
372:
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election to have 25% in at least 5 provinces. The winner would also have to get more than 50% of the vote, else an instant re-run would occur.
959:
August 2010 – The draft constitution text is approved by a 67% margin in a national referendum. The constitution is promulgated on 27 August.
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465:
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The 8 regions/provinces will be subdivided into counties – There will be a total of 70 counties and will each be headed by executives.
513:
389:
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1966 – Provincial assemblies scrapped. Senate dissolved and its members combined with those of the House of Representatives into a
155:
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Transfer of executive authority from the President to the Prime Minister position who will be the Head of Government.
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323:
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abolition of secret ballots, and increasing the power and prestige that comes with the presidential position.
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March 2008 – The parties agree on the principles for a constitutional review process, and Parliament establishes a
439:
410:
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will become a region and have a popularly elected Mayor as opposed to having the city councillors elect the Mayor.
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An upper house, a Senate, will be introduced to represent the regions – the total number of Senators will be 113.
840:
719:
675:
581:
566:
340:
99:
814:
2005 – In November 2005, a constitutional referendum defeats government's proposed new constitution (see below).
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as the ruling party. This was followed by the mlolongo system where secret-ballots were no longer used.
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May 2010 – On 6 May, the final text of the constitution is published, for approval by referendum.
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Devolution to the provincial level – current 8 provinces will be now referred to as regions.
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8:
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February 2010 – Following further consultation and amendment a revised text is published.
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was installed as its chairman to spearhead Kenya's first major constitutional reform.
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2000 – Commission for Constitutional Reform of Kenya was set up by President Moi and
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134:
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Constitutional drafts and processes leading up to the adoption of the 2010 text
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becomes Kenya's first President, with the position of Prime Minister scrapped.
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wide-ranging powers, provided for no prime minister, and was ill-suited to
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1982 – Multi-partyism is abolished making Kenya a single party state with
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President will be the Head of State and maintain a more ceremonial role.
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767:
847:, despite the 1991 repeal of a 1982 amendment that had formalised the
808:
1032:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
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Half of the ministers in cabinet can be nominated from non-MPs.
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defeated the proposed constitution supported by the government.
895:, proposed by President Kufuor of Ghana, then chair of the
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The total number of MPs will be increased from 222 to 295.
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adopted, consolidating amendments already made to the
827:
Previous Proposed Constitution Drafts and processes
752:provides for a multi-party parliamentary system.
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781:, and further strengthening presidential powers.
756:is installed as Kenya's first Prime Minister.
720:
727:
713:
831:The 1969 Constitution which replaced the
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994:Kenyan constitutional referendum, 2010
989:Kenyan constitutional referendum, 2005
948:as it is in the current constitution.
1026:(June 2007). Accessed 23 July 2010.
908:received many dozens of submissions.
759:1964 – Kenya becomes a republic and
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390:National Commission on Human Rights
386:National Human Rights and Equality
13:
1066:"New Kenyan Constitution Ratified"
1046:"Kenya unveils draft Constitution"
14:
1123:
1006:
1027:
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38:
1072:. 6 August 2010. Archived from
676:Kenya Economic Stimulus Program
156:Director of Public Prosecutions
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1055:, Capital FM, 17 November 2009
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833:1963 independence constitution
779:1963 independence constitution
750:1963 independence constitution
1:
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587:Kenya African National Union
7:
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868:A constitutional referendum
612:Ministry of Foreign Affairs
311:Judicial Service Commission
10:
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572:Orange Democratic Movement
378:Ethics and Anti-Corruption
1024:Federal Research Division
577:Wiper Democratic Movement
416:Salaries and Remuneration
1051:18 November 2009 at the
787:Philomena Chelagat Mutai
406:National Land Commission
373:Electoral and Boundaries
324:Administrative divisions
984:2007–2008 Kenyan crisis
592:Kenya National Congress
582:Party of National Unity
567:United Republican Party
130:Prime Cabinet Secretary
1013:Country Profile: Kenya
979:10th Kenyan Parliament
885:post-election violence
631:Diplomatic missions of
395:Administrative Justice
974:Constitution of Kenya
562:The National Alliance
905:Committee of Experts
466:Controller of Budget
257:Deputy Chief Justice
1021:Library of Congress
874:the current system.
845:multiparty politics
425:Service Commissions
54:National Government
946:Kadhi court system
809:Prof Yash Pal Ghai
770:National Assembly.
411:Revenue Allocation
289:Magistrates Courts
284:Subordinate courts
1102:Politics of Kenya
1076:on 27 August 2010
889:team of mediators
835:had already been
740:History of reform
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648:Visa requirements
605:Foreign relations
555:Political parties
183:National Assembly
31:Politics of Kenya
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1070:Voice of America
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775:New constitution
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135:Musalia Mudavadi
118:Rigathi Gachagua
113:Deputy President
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1107:Law of Kenya
1078:. Retrieved
1074:the original
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336:Sub-Counties
294:Kadhi Courts
250:Martha Koome
218:Amason Kingi
160:
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106:William Ruto
71:Human rights
61:Constitution
21:
17:
15:
804:Presidency.
671:Vision 2030
653:Visa policy
621:Monica Juma
357:Commissions
176:Legislature
76:LGBT rights
1096:Categories
1000:References
893:Kofi Annan
818:Ministers.
768:unicameral
514:2017 (Oct)
279:High Court
490:General:
481:elections
304:Tribunals
238:Judiciary
96:President
89:Executive
1080:6 August
1049:Archived
968:See also
643:Passport
635:in Kenya
617:Minister
450:Teachers
429:Judicial
331:Counties
891:led by
837:amended
773:1969 –
527:Local:
479:Recent
457:Offices
362:Offices
214:Speaker
188:Speaker
125:Cabinet
66:History
445:Public
209:Senate
161:vacant
149:vacant
866:2005
822:2009.
1082:2010
798:KANU
789:and
539:2017
534:2013
529:2007
517:2022
502:2022
497:2017
492:2013
100:list
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1017:PDF
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