MPs extend time for passing Bills tied to August 27

MPs on Tuesday evening voted to extend time for passing six Bills tied to August 27 constitutional deadline for a further nine months.

They also passed amendments to the Constitution so that the Equalisation Fund is channelled through constituencies instead of the 14 poor counties.

Without extending the deadlines, any Kenyan could sue to compel the House to pass the laws or risk dissolution of Parliament. Of the 261 MPs present, 248 voted for extension while 18 voted against.

The Bills are the Public Service (Values and Principles), the Persons Deprived of Liberty Bill and the Environment Management and Co-ordination (Amendment) Bill 2014.

“If Parliament fails to enact legislation in accordance with an order under…the Chief Justice shall advise the President to dissolve Parliament,” states Article 261.