Article 96. Role of the Senate
Official Constitutional Text
96. (1) The Senate represents the counties, and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.
(2) The Senate participates in the law-making function of Parliament by considering, debating and approving Bills concerning counties, as provided in Articles 109 to 113.
(3) The Senate determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Article 217, and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the county governments.
(4) The Senate participates in the oversight of State officers by considering and determining any resolution to remove the President or Deputy President from office in accordance with Article 145.
Plain English Explanation
This is a simplified summary to explain this article in clear language. It is not the legal text of the Constitution.
Article 96 of the Kenyan Constitution outlines the specific roles, powers, and duties of the Senate within the country's devolved system of government. It establishes that the Senate's primary purpose is to represent the 47 counties and actively protect the interests of county governments. In its lawmaking capacity, the Senate debates and votes on all bills that affect county operations, finances, and functions. Financially, it determines how the total revenue allocated to the devolved level is shared out among individual counties and exercises strict oversight over how county governments spend those public funds. Finally, the Senate serves as the ultimate jury in the impeachment process, holding the sole authority to debate, vote on, and determine whether to remove the President or Deputy President from office after the National Assembly initiates the process.