The party leaders in the National Assembly in Kenya plays a vital role in the House. The National Assembly is one of the legislative arms of the national government. It deals with legislation (making and amending laws) and also oversees the national government.
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The party leaders in the National Assembly in Kenya
The party leaders in the National Assembly in Kenya are as follows:
- The Speaker (and Deputy Speaker),
- Majority Leader (and Deputy Majority Leader),
- Minority Leader (and Deputy Minority Leader),
- Majority Chief Whip (and Deputy Majority Chief Whip), and
- Minority Chief Whip (and Deputy Minority Chief Whip).
Now, let’s explore further the role of the party leaders in the National Assembly in Kenya.
The National Assembly Speaker
Article 106 of the Kenyan Constitution provides for the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly Speaker presides over the sittings of the National Assembly. In their absence, the Deputy Speaker (an MP elected by the National Assembly) shall preside over the sittings of the Assembly.
In the order of precedence of the party leaders in the National Assembly in Kenya, the National Assembly Speaker is at the top. Next in line is the Majority Leader and then the Minority Leader.
The Majority Party Leader
The leader of the majority party is the person who is the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly.
He or she is the lead speaker for the majority party during floor debates.
The office of the Leader of Majority Party (and deputy Majority Party Leader) is under Article 108 of the Kenyan Constitution.
The members of the largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly elect, from among themselves, the Leader of Majority Party.
The Majority Party Leader spearheads the legislative agenda of the largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly.
The Leader of Majority is also the link between the national Executive and the National Assembly.
The Deputy Majority Leader performs the functions of the Majority Leader in their absence. The party or coalition of parties with majority members in the National Assembly elects, from among themselves, the Deputy Majority Leader.
The Minority Party Leader
The office of the Leader of Minority Party (and deputy Minority Party Leader) is under Article 108 of the Kenyan Constitution.
The leader of the minority party leads the second-largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly.
He or she is the lead speaker for the minority party during floor debates.
The members of the second-largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly elect, from among themselves, the Leader of Minority Party.
The Minority Party Leader spearheads the legislative agenda of the second-largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly.
The party or coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the National Assembly elects, from among themselves, the Deputy Minority Leader. He or she performs the functions of the Minority Leader in their absence.
Majority Chief Whip
The National Assembly’s Standing Orders may provide for the office of the Majority Party Whip (and Deputy Majority Party Whip).
The permanent written rules under which the National Assembly regulates its proceedings are the Standing Orders. They are perpetual and remain in effect until the National Assembly decides to suspend, change or repeal them.
The members of the largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly elect the Majority Party Whip from among themselves.
He or she performs the functions of the office of the Leader of the Majority Party in the absence of both the Leader of the Majority Party and the Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
They also:
- Assist in floor debates,
- Ensure members’ attendance, count votes, generally communicate to members positions of their respective parties.
The Deputy Majority Chief Whip performs the functions of the Majority Chief Whip in their absence. The party or coalition of parties with majority members in the National Assembly elects the Deputy Majority Chief Whip from among themselves.
Minority Chief Whip
The National Assembly’s Standing Orders may provide for the office of the Minority Party Whip (and Deputy Minority Party Whip).
The members from the second largest party or coalition of parties in the National Assembly elect the Minority Party Whip from among themselves.
He or she performs the functions of the office of the Leader of the Minority Party in the absence of both the Leader of the Minority Party and the Deputy Leader of the Minority Party.
The Deputy Minority Chief Whip performs the functions of the Minority Chief Whip in their absence. The party or coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the National Assembly elects the Deputy Minority Chief Whip from among its members.