Report on The Consideration Of The Impeachment Procedure Bill (Senate Bill No 15 Of 2018)

Abstract

The Impeachment Procedure Bill (Senate Bill No. 15 of 2018) underwent First Reading in the National Assembly on 26th June, 2019 and was immediately committed to the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs for review and report to the House pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 127(1) of the National Assembly Standing Orders..

The Bill seeks to provide a general legal framework for the procedure for the removal from office, by impeachment, of the President, the Deputy President, a Cabinet Secretary, a Governor, a Deputy Governor, and a member of a county executive committee. The Bill further seeks to give effect to the constitutional principles of democracy and participation of the people in impeachment proceedings as set out in Articles of 145, 150,152 and 181 of the Constitution and section 33 of the County Governments Act, No. 17 of 2012.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and Standing Order 127 (3) the Committee through an advertisement in the local daily newspapers of Wednesday March 11, 2020 invited the public to make representations on the Bill and further resolved to seek the views of the following institutions; Office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice, Kenya Law Reform Commission, Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Council of Governors and the County Assemblies Forum. The Committee received submissions from the Council of Governors and the County Assemblies Forum.

May I take this opportunity to commend the Committee Members for their devotion and commitment to duty which made the consideration of the Bill successful. May I also express gratitude to the Offices of Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly for providing direction and the Committee secretariat for providing technical and logistical support.

On behalf of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 199 (6), it is my pleasant privilege and duty to present to the House the report of the Committee on the Impeachment Procedure Bill (Senate Bill No. 15 of 2018).