Nairobi — The number of MPs will increase from 222 to 396 if the draft constitution becomes law.
The draft, unveiled on Tuesday, also proposes to set up regional parliaments with a total of 278 members countrywide and county assemblies with about 5,000 members.
The document, which has been described by many as a milestone in efforts to transform governance in Kenya, proposes that Parliament should have two chambers: The Senate and National Assembly.
Through the Senate, devolved governments will be given the opportunity to take part in the formulation and enactment of national laws. Every county will be represented by one elected senator.
In total, the draft constitution recognises 74 counties countrywide with Rift Valley having 19, Eastern 13, Nyanza 12, Western eight, Coast and Central seven each with North Eastern and Nairobi having four each.
Under the proposed laws, the eight provinces will be turned into regions. The Senate will also have two women and a person with disability elected by each region.
The National Assembly will have one member elected from each constituency, one woman representative from each county and seven representatives of persons with disabilities and a similar number from marginalised communities.
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Currently, there are 210 constituencies but these could be increased when the Interim Boundaries Review Commission finishes its work.
Under the draft, every regional assembly will have three delegates elected from each of its counties. The assemblies are to have powers to pass any laws to be effective in that region.
Below the regional assemblies will be county assemblies with one member drawn from each ward. Currently, there are 2,498 civic wards in the country.
Political parties nominate a third of the number of the councillors. However, under the new law, the number of special seats will be equal to the number of elected officials.
Each party will nominate members in proportion to votes received in an election while ensuring "that no more than two thirds of the members of the assembly are of the same gender."
Each political party will also have a chance to nominate members from marginalised groups according to the number of votes that the party receives in a general election.
Governors and deputy governors from each region will be elected by that region's assembly from among its members.
In Coast, the proposed counties are Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River and Malindi. Those for Eastern are Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi, Meru Central, Meru South, Meru North, Tharaka, Mbeere, Embu, Isiolo, Marsabit and Moyale.
North Eastern has Garissa, Ijara, Mandera and Wajir while Nairobi will have Westlands, Kasarani, Lang'ata and Embakasi.
Rift Valley will have Kajiado, Narok, Trans Mara, Turkana, West Pokot, Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Keiyo, Uasin Gishu, Nandi North and Nandi South.
Others are Kericho, Bureti, Bomet, Baringo, Koibatek, Nakuru, Samburu and Laikipia.
Nyanza will have Bondo, Nyando, Siaya, Suba, Kuria, Rachuonyo, Kisii Central, Gucha, Nyamira, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori.
Western will have Busia, Bungoma, Teso, Mt Elgon, Lugari, Kakamega, Vihiga and Butere-Mumias.
Central Province will have Kiambu, Thika, Murang'a, Maragua, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Kirinyaga.
The high number of political representatives proposed by the new draft comes against the backdrop of protests over high salaries enjoyed by the 222 MPs and the demand by councillors to be paid from the Consolidated Fund rather than by their respective local authorities.
There has further been spirited calls for the review of electoral boundaries to ensure fair representation. This means the number of MPs proposed under the draft constitution could exceed 396 if the Interim Boundaries Review Commission increases the number of constituencies.
President Kibaki has in the past created numerous districts, which has brought the number of the administrative units to 255.
On Tuesday, Committee of Experts chairman Nzamba Kitonga said the new districts were not viable and proposed the dissolution of provincial administration to prevent them from overlapping with the counties.
The harmonised draft proposes that the boundaries review commission should be reviewing the number, names and boundaries of constituencies and wards at intervals of not less than eight and not more than 12 years.
Population and geographical features are among the criteria to be used in determining the electoral areas.
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we can barely afford the onez we already hav wat makes them think we can afford more not to mention they r so bad at there job,if its i must we integrate more mpz then their allowance be reduced and taxed!!!!!!