Senate probing Political Parties Amendment Bill

Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee is set to conduct a fourteen-day public participation exercise on the divisive Political Parties Amendment Bill.

This is after it was formally tabled before the house for the first reading where Minority Leader James Orengo assured of a comprehensive debate before a vote is taken.

Speaker Ken Lusaka stated that under his leadership, the House will follow due process in considering the Bill.

The Committee Chaired by Senator Okong’o Mogeni is expected to table its report on January 25, 2022, before the House.

The Bill will then proceed to its second reading where members will have the opportunity to ventilate on it.
House Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio gave assurances that nothing will go wrong during the entirety of the debate on the Bill.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen urged his colleagues to rise to the occasion and offer leadership during the debate on the Bill.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey while also giving his assurances that the debate will be conducted soberly cautioned his colleagues against being used as conveyer belts.

He revealed that he will be among some of the members who will be tabling amendment to the Bill.

The Senate is required to pass the Bill without any amendment to avoid any delays for its implementation as envisioned by its proponents.

Any amendment of the Bill by the Senate will result in the formation of a mediation committee comprising of the members from the bicameral House which in turn would pose another dilemma for President Kenyatta and Odinga who are keen to have the Bill passed to clear the way for a coalition political party.