Lesotho Delegation Taps Kenya’s Constitutional Experience in High-Level Nairobi Meeting

 

A visiting delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho on Tuesday held consultative talks with two Kenyan lawmakers who were instrumental in the drafting and implementation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, as part of Lesotho’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance and constitutional reform agenda.

Meeting at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, Rarieda MP Hon. Otiende Amollo—a former member of the Committee of Experts that drafted the 2010 Constitution—and Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, who served in the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, shared key insights from Kenya’s transformative constitutional journey.

The delegation from the Lesotho National Reforms Office, led by Minister for Law and Justice Hon. Richard Ramoeletsi, is in Kenya on a fact-finding mission aimed at enriching Lesotho’s reform process as the country seeks to build a politically stable future anchored in strong, accountable, and synergistic democratic institutions.

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Learning From Kenya’s Constitutional Transition

Hon. Amollo recounted the complexities surrounding the conceptualisation of the Kenyan Constitution, noting the importance of separating the drafting process from direct political influence.

“One crucial decision we had to make was the enactment of an Act of Parliament to guide the implementation process so that we shielded the document from political actors who had diverse interests,” he said.

“We reckoned that if the document was good, the people would approve it—and if not, they would shoot it down at the referendum.”

He emphasized that lessons from Kenya’s past unsuccessful reform attempts—particularly the failed 2005 referendum—shaped the eventual success of the 2010 Constitution.

Senator Mumma, on her part, elaborated on devolution and the dynamics between the two houses of Parliament under Kenya’s bicameral system. She highlighted that county governments retain flexibility in shaping policies informed by their unique needs.

“Our concept of devolution is such that the National Government can craft the policy, but it does not have to be a cut-and-paste affair for all county governments,” she noted.

“Counties may align with national policy, but their priorities differ based on local realities.”

Lesotho’s Reform Aspirations

Lesotho, a constitutional monarchy, is undertaking comprehensive legal reforms intended to reinforce governance structures and ensure greater collaboration among the three arms of government. The visiting team aims to draw lessons from Kenya’s experience to strengthen its own systems and safeguard democratic accountability.

On Monday, the delegation held a separate meeting with National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula and senior parliamentary officials led by Clerk Mr. Samuel Njoroge.

Other members of the Lesotho delegation include:

• Mr. Lira Bennedict Ralebese, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice

• Mr. Ntebaleng Morojele, Chief Executive Officer

• Mr. Mzimkhuli Sithetho, Special Advisor on Media Reforms

• Ms. Mabahlakoana Ramoeletsi, Reforms Clerk

The engagements are expected to inform Lesotho’s ongoing pursuit of a more stable, accountable, and well-coordinated system of governance.