Uhuru, Raila allies rush to pass the coalition Bill by end month

Sergeant At Arms carries the Senate Mess escorts Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka for the Political Parties (Amendment ) Bill 2021 at the Senate chambers in Nairobi in January 11, 2021 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Senators allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga are racing against time to have the controversial coalition Bill signed into law by end month.

The senators’ plan is to have the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed by January 27.

Uhuru and Raila are seeking to have Azimio la Umoja transformed into a coalition party ahead of the primaries -to allow fielding of joint candidates in all elective seats.

This is to prevent self-cannibalisation of parties and candidates supporting the Azimio movement, through which Raila is expected to vie for the presidency.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set April 16 to 22 for party nominations.

But allies of Deputy President William Ruto are planning to introduce amendments to frustrate the passage of the Bill.

Yesterday, the Bill was introduced in the Senate for First Reading and was subsequently committed to Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee chaired by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni.

The committee is set to receive submissions from stakeholders before conducting public hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

The committee is expected to prepare a report for tabling when the House convenes for another special sitting on January 25.

Senator Omogeni yesterday told The Standard that the committee has lined up Registrar of Political Parties, IEBC, Law Society of Kenya, Fida, Kenya National Human Rights Commission and the Political Liaison Committee to present their views.

“It is also open to the public. They are free to present their views to the committee. We want to have qualitative, meaningful public participation so that we are not accused of legislating without having input of the public,” said the committee chairperson.

“The best projection we have is two days’ sittings that include two sessions each. If everything goes according to the script it should be done by close of business January 27,” he added.

Uhuru and Raila are seeking to create a Narc-like party for the August 9 elections.

Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka assured the lawmakers that the House will ensure strict compliance with the Standing Orders in considering the Bill that has become a source of political confrontation.

“Due process including public participation will be observed in the disposal of the Political Parties Amendment Bill. I assure this House there is no intention to depart from the Constitution, the laws and Standing Orders,” said Dr Lusaka.

Special sittings by the National Assembly to consider the Bill descended into chaos that saw Sigowet-Soin MP Bernard Koros sustain an injury on the face and Minority Leader John Mbadi suspended from Parliament for five sittings.

The sittings that dragged late into the night were also characterised by shouting matches by the rival camps.

The speaker made the assurance in response to Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen’s quest that the House commits to have a robust debate on the Bill.

“I just want to ask for your assurance that, because of the importance of the Bill, Kenyans should be given opportunity for public participation,” said Murkomen.