Kiminini Member of Parliament Chris Wamalwa at a past event. [Photo/ werutv.co.ke]
A NASA MP has vowed to mobilise his colleagues to support a Bill seeking to change the date for holding national general elections from August to December.Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa in the draft Constitution of Kenya (amendment) Bill 2017, proposes the elections moved from the second Tuesday of August every fifth year to the third Monday in December every fifth year.The draft Bill which has already been approved by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, seeks to amend Articles 136 on the presidential election, 101 on the election of MPs, 180 of county governors, 98 on membership of the Senate and 177 that deals with MCAs.The Bill will be considered by the MPs when they resume sittings on November 29.To sail through, the Bill requires the support of at least 233 (two-third) out of the 349 MPs.Wamalwa said he wants the general elections held on a date 'that would be more favourable to Kenya's circumstances.'"The amendment is to ensure that the date of elections reflects the unique circumstances and traditions of Kenya," said Wamalwa.However, experts have poured cold water on the move, saying it is doomed to fail."He has missed the point. He should have focused on the election system because that is the elephant in the room," constitutional and governance expert Barasa Nyukuri told the Sunday Nation.On the other hand, University of Nairobi lecturer Herman Manyora argues that only a referendum will suffice."Only Kenyans can extend the term of the president. Not MPs," Manyora noted.