Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has proposed reforms to Kenya’s party-list nomination process, calling for nominees to be selected and submitted after the General Election.
Jhanda says the proposed changes would allow Kenyans to vote first, before political parties determine and submit nominees for party-list seats based on the election results.
In a press statement dated September 23, 2026, the Nyaribari Chache MP said the current system requires political parties to submit their party lists before the General Election.
Under his proposal, parties would first participate in the General Election. After the results are declared and the number of party-list seats allocated to each party is established, the respective parties would then submit nominees for the available positions.
Jhanda said the proposal would cover party-list seats in the National Assembly, Senate and County Assemblies, while maintaining the constitutional framework governing proportional representation.
He argued that the process should be more directly connected to the actual electoral outcome, while preserving constitutional safeguards, transparency and fairness.
“Let Kenyans vote first. Let the electoral outcome determine the allocation of seats. Then let the corresponding party-list nominations follow that outcome,” Jhanda said.
The MP said the proposal is an issue that requires public and legislative debate, setting the stage for discussions on whether party-list nominations should continue being finalized before the General Election or be undertaken after voters have determined each party’s electoral strength.
