Showdown looms in House over contested Political Parties law
Debate on the controversial Political Parties Amendment Bill was deferred to this afternoon to give members time to read the report.
National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya said members had not gone through the report and asked for more time to peruse before they engage in the debate.
Earlier, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie had sought to have the debate deferred, arguing that Kenyans had not been given time to air their views.
“Mr Speaker, this morning I came across an advertisement in the media inviting Kenyans for a public participation on the Bill before the House.
My concern therefore is, have Kenyans given their views in just over the last four hours to allow us the debate on the Bill?” posed Kiarie.
It was then that Kimunya told temporary Speaker Patrick Mariru that the report on the Bill had not been given to members and sought for more time to allow them peruse when it is tabled this morning.
Party officials
A showdown is expected after the United Democratic Movement said it will be rallying its members to shoot down the Bill.
UDA has expressed reservations with the move to recall Parliament, terming it “fishy” as it is aimed at ensuring the Political Parties Amendment Bill sails through.
Speaking at the headquarters yesterday, party officials claimed the proposed Bill is meant to benefit both President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, excluding Kenyans who have divergent views.
The Bill, which comes for the Second Reading, seeks to among other aspects, provide for the formation of a coalition political party.
The new arrangement will allow dual membership of both political parties and individual membership and allow candidates to run on either coalition party tickets or individual parties, which is lacking under the current laws.
“They want to bring in parties to come together to form Azimio la Umoja. What has that got to do with other parties outside the formation,” posed UDA Secretary-General Veronica Maina.
Simple majority
“As a party, we are opposed to this Bill. That is why we are asking why they have to call for a sitting days to Christmas.
Why couldn’t they wait until next year when everyone is back”? she asked.
President Uhuru’s Jubilee party, Raila’s ODM and other friendly outfits have signaled intentions to form a coalition, which the former Prime Minister will use as his presidential vehicle in next year’s election.
Although the Bill requires a simple majority to go through, it might face serious hurdles should the UDA team gang up with those from parties outside the “Azimio team” including Amani National Congress, Wiper Party and Ford Kenya.
Bill seeks to replace political party with coalition political party,” the Bill, which also is for direct nomination of candidates as opposed to current party primaries’ process (indirect party nomination).
It provides that in case of a coalition political party, the coalition agreement must be submitted at least six months to election.
