Assistant Professor, University of York in the UK, Dr, Thalia Gerzso says the resurgence of African upper parliamentary houses is puzzling and goes against a worldwide trend.

This is as 40% of the 44 sub-Saharan African states that hold regular elections have added a legislative chamber to their parliament in the name of improving the state of democracy.

These countries include Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Professor Gerzso's research has found that the adoption of two houses of parliament does not always boost democracy.