News

Another showdown looms as Speaker summons MPs

Friday, December 24th, 2021 10:00 | By
Deputy President William Ruto when he joined the family, staff and friends of his late Chief of Staff Ken Osinde in Ngata, Nakuru county, yesterday. Photo/PD/RAPHAEL MUNGE

The stage is set for another showdown between pro-Handshake MPs and Deputy President William Ruto’s allies after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi called a special session of the House on Wednesday next week to debate and vote on the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill.

The notice that is posted on the National Assembly’s twitter account listed the day’s agenda as the tabling and consideration of the amendments to the Bill, followed by its Third reading.

“The Speaker of the National Assembly has issued a notification to all members of the National Assembly and the general public that there shall be special sittings of the House on Wednesday December 29, 2021, at 10am and 2pm,” reads the notice.

It outlines the agenda as the “tabling of the addendum report by the departmental committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the harmonisation of proposed amendments to the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill and the consideration in Committee of the Whole House and the Third reading of the Bill”.

On Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi called off debate on the controversial Bill sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya after a stormy four-hour session to give MPs time to familiarise themselves with its contents and the suggested amendments.

Cheboi’s move was taken as a victory for the MPs allied to the Deputy President who had openly voiced their opposition to the Bill, saying it was a ploy by the pro-Handshake leaders to amend the law for their own selfish interests.  

The pro-Ruto group had earlier in the day attempted to prolong debate on the Bill but they were out-voted by their opponents 113 to 68 votes.

Yesterday, MPs allied to Ruto celebrated the scuttling of the Bill during the burial of former Chief of Staff at the DP’s office, the late Ken Osinde at his Ngata farm in Nakuru county.

Speaking at the funeral in the DP’s presence, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika praised her colleagues for stopping what she termed as a bid to subvert the Constitution.

She accused the proponents of the Bill of failing to follow the laid down legal processes, saying the amendment was “rushed” because of short-term political interests of a few people.

“I also want to congratulate my colleagues from the National Assembly for the great job that you did yesterday (Wednesday) because when we move around we say we are for the people and you showed that by action,” said Kihika.

She added that they read ulterior motives by the speed at which the Bill was being pushed in Parliament, likening it to the stalled Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Amendment Bill which was rendered illegal, null and void by the courts.

“They wanted to pass it in one sitting. We have seen this scenario before particularly in the BBI… my friends continue like that because you’re the last defence for Kenyans and we cannot be a country that passes laws to suit the interests of a few and without following the right procedures,” she added.

South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro described the events in Parliament on Wednesaday as victory for Kenyans, saying the Bill was an affront on democracy and constitutionalism.

“The media are saying that Ruto won round one against Raila and Uhuru, that is okay but they should add by saying Kenyans have scored because we are not competing against personalities but ideas,” said Osoro.

Avoided debate

He said the Bill gives the Registrar of Political Parties immense powers that if unchecked can stifle democracy.

“What we did was to kill plans to have an imperial Registrar of Political Parties with powers to add or remove you from a party,” the legislator said.

However, when he rose to speak, Ruto avoided politics, opting to eulogise Osinde –the most senior officer in his office –describing him as a truthful, honest and outstanding person who conducted his duties with utmost dedication.

During the stormy debate on the Bill on Wednesday, the pro-Ruto MPs tabled a record 17 amendments in what they later said was a tactic to delay debate and voting as it would have required the House to debate and vote on each of the amendments.

The move forced Cheboi to adjourn the session to allow the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to go through the amendments before debate.

Before the adjournment, however, the House was treated to all manner of theatrics as the opposing camps engaged in supremacy battles with each side seeking to control the proceedings.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES News


ADVERTISEMENT