On July 6, 2019, Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his concerns about the State Law Office's actions, accusing them of working with the National Assembly to undermine the Senate's role in law-making.
Murkomen specifically targeted the offices of the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, claiming they failed to advise the President on the constitutionality of certain Bills signed into law.
The Senate leader made these accusations after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2019 and the Insurance (Amendment) Bill of 2018, both of which were passed without Senate input.
The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill amends 11 Acts of Parliament, including those related to Merchant Shipping, Alcohol Control, Tourism, and Public Finance Management.
The Prevention of Terrorism Act was also amended, introducing new government agencies to the Counter-Terrorism Center, including the National Police Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kenya Wildlife Service.
Murkomen's comments come amid escalating tensions between the two Houses of Parliament, with the National Assembly intensifying calls to have the Senate scrapped.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Minority Leader John Mbadi have announced plans to write to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, to challenge the constitutionality of the Senate's positions.
