Why Sifuna Wants Nominated MCAs Limited to Two Terms

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has proposed limiting the tenure of nominated Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to a maximum of two terms.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 29, the Senator argued that continued nomination should be tied to performance and service.

Sifuna said a second nomination should therefore not be treated as an entitlement, stating that nominees should demonstrate that they have effectively served during their initial term before being considered for another opportunity.

"On the issue of limiting the tenure of nominated Members of County Assemblies, I propose a two-term limit.

"However, the second term should not be automatic. It must be earned through demonstrated performance, commitment and effective service," he said.

Sifuna's proposal comes amid a wider debate over the purpose and tenure of nominated positions in county assemblies.

Under Article 177 of the Constitution, county assemblies include special-seat members and representatives of marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and the youth, who are nominated by political parties in proportion to seats won in county assembly elections.

This comes weeks after Sifuna called for measures to ensure police and other security officers deployed during elections are able to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, August 5, Sifuna sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights and Foreign Relations regarding the voting rights of serving security officers who are often deployed away from their registered polling stations during elections.

The senator noted that Article 38 of the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan citizen the right to vote by secret ballot. 

However, he argued that thousands of police and security officers assigned election duties across the country are effectively denied the opportunity to cast their votes because of their deployment obligations.

Sifuna said advancements in electoral technology and the existence of voting arrangements for Kenyans living abroad demonstrate that mechanisms can be developed to allow serving officers to participate in elections without disrupting security operations.

In his request to the committee, the senator asked for details on the legal, policy and administrative measures being pursued by the State Law Office in collaboration with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to facilitate voting by security officers.

He also sought assurances that any voting system established for officers would protect the secrecy of the ballot and allow them to vote freely without intimidation, coercion or influence from their command structures.

Additionally, Sifuna asked the committee to clarify whether officers who may need to travel to vote would receive adequate logistical support, including transport and sufficient time off duty, while ensuring election security is not compromised.

The senator maintained that no Kenyan citizen should be disenfranchised because of national service responsibilities, highlighting the need for practical solutions that would allow security personnel to participate fully in the democratic process.