Members of Parliament are gearing up for a crucial debate this afternoon on bills aimed at securing the future of over 27 constituencies facing the specter of abolition due to failing population thresholds.
The impending boundary review, mandated by the Constitution, looms large, raising concerns about potential losses in representation and resources for affected communities.
The constituencies at risk, including Voi, Wundanyi, Mwatate, and others, are those that fell short of the required population count in the 2019 census, setting them on a collision course with constitutional requirements.
These constituencies had been shielded from abolition during the 2009 boundary review, adding complexity to the current debate. Recent legislative proposals have underscored the urgency with which lawmakers are addressing this issue.
Mandera North MP Abdullahi Bashir Sheikh's bill, the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Act 2023, aimed at amending Article 88 of the Constitution, seeks to empower the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) secretariat to hold by-elections without commissioners in office.
Simultaneously, a bill fronted by Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a's targets Article 89 of the Constitution, seeking to protect constituencies facing potential merger or abolition during the impending boundary review.
The proposed amendment aims to extend protection to these constituencies for a further minimum of eight years, allowing them time to bridge the population gap.
"The constituencies have significant cultural and developmental value for their inhabitants," reads Ng'ang'a's bill, emphasizing the attachment of residents to their electoral units as centers for resource allocation and community representation.
The urgency behind these proposals is heightened by revelations that up to 40 constituencies could face abolition in the forthcoming boundary review. This revelation stems from an analysis of the 2019 census results, which exposed the failure of these constituencies to meet the population quotas mandated by the Constitution.
Beyond concerns of representation and resource allocation, the proposed amendments also address potential discord among counties. Merging constituencies within one county could necessitate boundary adjustments in others, risking inter-county grievances and conflicts.
The financial implications of abolishing or merging constituencies also loom large. It's estimated that the country could save up to Ksh 341 million annually and Ksh 1.363 billion in four years if the at-risk constituencies are abolished or merged.
This potential saving could be directed to alternative uses for the redirected funds, including addressing pressing health crises or servicing looming Eurobond loans.
As the deadline for the boundary review approaches, MPs find themselves in a race against time to protect constituencies vital to their constituents' interests and identities.
The proposed amendments aim to strike a delicate balance between constitutional obligations and the preservation of local representation and autonomy.
