MPs mull referendum as they begin considering NADCO report proposals

A joint sitting of the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) together with the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights is presently considering the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) on proposed amendments to the Constitution and various other statutes.

Addressing the media on Thursday, the sitting chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara and Nominated Senator Veronica Maina said Kenyans may face a referendum if the two Houses agree on some of the NADCO report proposals.

“We have actually not considered the proposals, today we will be considering them in detail as we move on. Let us not pre-empt as we consider what our options are going to be. But we confirm that the two options are available, the Parliamentary process and the referendum,” said Murugara.

"Kenyans must be ready for constitutional amendment through either referendum or Parliamentary to change some of the proposals in the NADCO report."

MP Murugara said that since Thursday was the preliminary sitting, there was no need for media coverage, adding that the press will be addressed when they’re done considering the proposals.

"Today was preliminary and we have just worked on what we are going to do after this…we have settled on Wednesday next week when we will start working on this. If we need more time we will speak to the National Assembly," he said.

He added that the joint committee of both the Senate and National Assembly have agreed on timelines for their preliminary sessions and they will submit the report to both Houses within 45 days for debate and adoption.

“The JLAC of National Assembly and JLAC of the Senate are up to the task. Within 45 days we will be able to deliver to Parliament what we have been able to do," Murugara stated.

"We have agreed on the framework for how to discuss the NADCO report and so there are a number of statutes and as we speak, 8 of them have been referred to this joint committee to be published by both Houses."

The legislator said they have eight Bills so far, four from the Senate and the other four from the National Assembly.