Nominated Member of Parliament Jackson Kosgei has disclosed that leaders from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are seriously considering amending Kenya’s constitution.
Kosgei, who represents Persons With Disabilities and Special Interest Groups, made these remarks during a radio interview on Tuesday.
According to the MP, several conversations are happening behind the scenes between the two major political parties, and these talks are likely to result in major changes to the Constitution, particularly in how the executive branch of government is structured.
During the radio show, the presenter asked him whether Kenyans should prepare for constitutional amendments once the ongoing talks between the UDA and ODM conclude.
The MP responded confidently, saying, “Absolutely yes, we are looking at such changes; we are looking at referendums and such processes.”
Kosgei explained that discussions around constitutional reform are not new in Kenya, as similar talks have happened in previous parliaments. He said the main issue is the structure of the country’s leadership system.
Using examples similar to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), he said that leaders are now asking themselves whether Kenya should expand the executive, change from a purely presidential system to a parliamentary system, or include other forms of power-sharing.
He further revealed that the talks also involve looking at laws on devolution. Leaders are questioning whether laws should be changed to strengthen county governments or whether some powers should be reduced.
He emphasized that counties need sufficient funding from the national budget, and any constitutional changes will address such concerns.
On Monday, MPs from both ODM and UDA held a joint meeting for the first time, where they agreed to fast-track the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report and the 10-point agenda they signed earlier this year.
The meeting marked a strong sign of political cooperation and a shared commitment to reforms between the two parties.
Allies of President William Ruto have, for a while, shown strong interest in changing the constitution. Some leaders, led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, have even suggested extending the presidential term limit—and this idea has received support from several UDA politicians.
It is not the first time Kenya has seen such attempts. In 2020, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga tried to introduce constitutional reforms through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
The BBI aimed to expand the executive, create new constituencies, and reform the judiciary. However, the courts later declared the process unconstitutional.
As the discussions between UDA and ODM continue, many Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether a referendum or another major constitutional change is coming.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
