In a country where personality cults drive national politics, the signing of a new law allowing defectors to change parties without seeking fresh mandate from voters has simply signalled the end of political entities in Kenya.
Ideal democracy demands that one makes conscious and well-thought-out choices. A decision to join and seek power on a party ticket should be guided by certain principles. Such a decision is binding to the extent that one remains in the sponsoring party.
When an individual finds the ideals and principles of sponsoring party are no longer tenable, the best thing is to resign and seek fresh mandate from the electorate. This is no more after the enactment of the new law.
Kenya is now headed for a chaotic regime of political parties.
Just like the watering down of the leadership and integrity law in the Constitution, Kenyans will regret the enactment of defectors law. There will be no stable political parties in our country.
READ MORE
Odinga hits out at MPs over 'power grab'
Climate finance: Who is being asked to pay what at COP29?
Defectors law is bad for Kenya’s infant democracy.
