Kuna Dawa, a reform-focused civic movement, today launched a proposed constitutional amendment under Article 257 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
The initiative advances a comprehensive package of governance reforms intended to strength en institutional oversight, improve economic coordination, deepen devolution, and enhance accountability across national and county governments. The movement calls for broad public engagement and national dialogue on the proposals.
Restructuring of Parliament: The Bill proposes a streamlined bicameral Parliament reduced from 421 to 235 members. The National Parliament (lower house) would comprise 188 elected members and 12 nominated members.
The senate 47 nominated senators, with special seats reserved for youth under 35.
The Upper House—renamed the House of Independence—shall have 47 elected senators with final legislative authority on matters affecting county governments and the National Executive Council.
The reform aims to improve legislative efficiency and reduce public expenditure.
Safeguarding Electoral Integrity: To protect electoral independence and public confidence, the Bill proposes a temporary transfer of executive authority by the incumbent president to the Chief Justice for the duration of the election period. This measure is designed to insulate the electoral process from undue executive influence and ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.
Formation of the National Economic Council (NEC): The Bill establishes a National Economic Council to coordinate intergovernmental economic policy and national development planning.
The council will take over roles currently performed by the National Treasury. Deputy Prime Minister will be the council’s principal accounting officer.
Chaired by the President, the NEC would include the Deputy President, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, 16 Executive Economic Block Coordinators, the Principal Secretary of the National Treasury, and the Attorney General.
The NEC will administer a restructured National Development Budget allocating 20% to flagship national projects and 80% to County Economic Blocks for regional infrastructure and investment.
County Economic Blocks: To promote regional integration and coordinated development, the Bill creates County Economic Blocks, each comprising three contiguous counties. Blocks will coordinate trade, infrastructure, and joint investment initiatives.
Each block will elect an Executive Economic Block Coordinator to convene governors and deputy governors, represent the block in national economic discussions, and oversee regional project implementation.
Introduction of a Ward Development Fund: The Bill replaces the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) with a Ward Development Fund to channel resources directly to wards. The change is intended to bring development closer to communities, strengthen local decision-making, and improve responsiveness to grassroots needs.
Creation of the Offices of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: The Bill establishes the offices of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to enhance coordination between the Executive and Parliament. The President would appoint both officials immediately after being sworn in.
The Prime Minister will lead government business in Parliament and coordinate legislative priorities. The Deputy Prime Minister will oversee the National Treasury and economic planning under the NEC, consolidating roles currently held by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury.
Establishment of the Office of the Leader of Opposition: To institutionalize structured opposition and strengthen democratic accountability, the Bill creates the Office of the Leader of Opposition and the Deputy Leader of Opposition. These offices will be held by the presidential runner-up and deputy runner-up, respectively, providing constitutionally recognized leadership for the opposition.
Protected Counties: The Bill designates Narok and Kajiado as protected counties to safeguard indigenous representation in response to demographic pressures. Gubernatorial and senatorial positions in these counties would be reserved for local communities to protect indigenous political rights and cultural integrity.
Restructuring of Nairobi County: Acknowledging Nairobi’s administrative complexity, the Bill proposes restructuring Nairobi into two semi-autonomous regions—Nairobi North and Nairobi South—each overseen by a deputy governor. The two will run alongside the governor during election. The measure seeks to improve service delivery, administrative efficiency, and infrastructure planning in the capital.
Mechanism to Address Executive Deadlocks: To prevent governance paralysis, the Bill introduces provisions for the dissolution of the Executive in cases of irreconcilable political deadlock between a President and Deputy President or between a Governor and Deputy Governor.
This mechanism is intended to preserve continuity and stability when political disputes critically impair executive functions.
Reconstitution of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission: The Bill proposes a unified constitutional commission by merging the Kenya National Human Rights Commission with the Commission on Administrative Justice and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
The reform aims to eliminate overlapping mandates, improve institutional efficiency, and strengthen the promotion of human rights, administrative justice, and national cohesion.
Unified Oversight Authority to Strengthen the Fight Against Corruption A central proposal creates a Unified Oversight Authority that merges the Office of the Auditor-General and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission into a single independent constitutional body.
The Authority would combine investigative, auditing, prosecutorial, and asset recovery functions to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and strengthen enforcement against economic crimes and misuse of public resources.
Devolution of County Security Structures: The Bill devolves certain security coordination functions to county governments, placing county security structures under governors’ leadership.
The Office of the County Commissioner would no longer exercise supervisory or coordinating roles over county governments, reinforcing the principles of devolution.
Kuna Dawa emphasizes that these proposals aim to modernize Kenya’s governance architecture to deliver stronger institutions, better service delivery, and inclusive development.
The movement invites citizens, civil society, professional bodies, political leaders, and other stakeholders to
participate constructively in the Article 257 popular initiative process and national consultations.
“The proposed changes aim to modernize Kenya’s governance architecture while ensuring stronger institutions, improved service delivery, and inclusive national development,” said Charles Gichuru, Executive Director, Kuna Dawa.