MPs Plan to Change Election Date From August to December

Kenyans might fail to vote in August 2022 if a plan by Member of Parliament succeeds.

The National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Wednesday began public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bills which will push the election date.

According to the legislators, the move is seeking to establish the two-thirds gender rule and move the election date from August to December.

The committee divided itself into sub-committees which will conduct simultaneous sittings in Nairobi, Kisumu and Nakuru on Wednesday.

[caption caption="A man casting his vote"][/caption]

Another team will pitch camp in Machakos, Kakamega and Nyeri on Thursday and the third team will be in Mombasa, Eldoret and Isiolo on Friday.

The committee is expected to finalize its public hearings next week Monday with sittings in Wajir and Lodwar. 

According to the Constitution, voters are supposed to head to the polls every second Tuesday of August after five years.

However, the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2018 sponsored by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa seeks to change the election date to the third Monday of December every fifth year.

“The amendment seeks to restore the tourism high season and the aspirations of a section of Kenyans who are not able to get the time out of their busy schedules to take part in the General Election at their places of preference,” the bill read.

Those against the August date argued that it was disruptive and the December date, which Kenya had for a long time, was best suited for the country’s system.

[caption caption="Voters queuing "][/caption]

Notably, the committee further sought views on another bill that seeks to extend the period to achieve the two-thirds gender rule to 20 years.