Second chambers and intrastate federalism: perspectives from Kenya and Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT In countries that have adopted a federal or quasi-federal system of government, second chambers could be designed to serve as an important mechanism of intrastate federalism, channelling subnational interests within the institutions of the national government. Focusing both on constitutional and extra-constitutional factors that shape the functioning of second chambers, this article examines the intrastate federalism role of second chambers in Kenya and Nigeria. The outcome of the survey of the structure, powers and practice of second chambers in the two African federations reveals that the latter are not serving as the ‘voice of subnational units’. Intrastate federalism is almost non-existent, confirming the experience elsewhere that second chambers rarely serve as an effective mechanism of intrastate federalism.