Kenyans have been invited to submit their views and recommendations on the proposed Referendum Bill, 2026 after the Senate officially commenced public participation on the legislation.
The process is being spearheaded by the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC), which is currently reviewing the Bill following its First Reading in the Senate on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
According to the Senate, the proposed law seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the conduct of referenda in Kenya, including how they are initiated, organised, conducted and challenged in court.
The Bill also outlines procedures for implementing referendum outcomes once results are declared.
Public Invited to Submit Memoranda
In a public notice, the Senate called on citizens, civil society organisations, institutions and stakeholders to submit written memoranda and participate in public hearings before the committee finalises its report.
“Your voice matters,” the Senate stated while urging Kenyans to actively take part in shaping the proposed legislation.
The Committee noted that public participation is being conducted in line with Article 118 of the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders, which require Parliament to involve citizens in legislative processes.
The proposed law will apply to constitutional amendment referenda, county referenda and any other public issue requiring a referendum as stipulated under the Bill.
Deadline for Submission
Members of the public have until Friday, May 29, 2026 at 5.00 p.m. to submit their memoranda.
Submissions can be sent to:
- The Clerk of the Senate, P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi
- Hand-delivered to the Office of the Clerk of the Senate at Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi
- Emailed to clerk.senate@parliament.go.ke and copied to senatejlahrc@parliament.go.ke
The Senate also encouraged Kenyans to access the full Bill and its summary digest through the Parliament website for better understanding before making submissions.
Bill Aims to Streamline Referenda Process
The Referendum Bill, 2026 is expected to provide clarity on the management of referenda in Kenya amid growing debate over constitutional reforms and governance issues.
The legislation outlines the legal processes surrounding referendum campaigns, voting procedures, dispute resolution and implementation of outcomes.
If passed, the law would establish a structured framework for future national and county-level referenda.
