Senators on Wednesday passed the Political Parties Bill, without any further amendments, in its first reading.

The Senate began the debate on the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 56 of 2021) with six senators seeking to further amend the bill with 31 clauses. The senators include Elgeyo Marakwet’s Kipchumba Murkomen, Samson Cherargei of Nandi, Kitui senator Enock Wambua, Muranga’s Irungu Kang’ata and Nominated senators Petronila Were and Issac Mwaura.

“This Bill is terrible, hopeless and useless,” Murkomen as he warned his colleagues against passing the Bill.

The Bill was however supported by the majority of the Senators, who termed it as “progressive in terms of strengthening democracy in the country.”

29 Senators voted against seven to send the Bill to the next stage. During the Second Reading stage set for Thursday afternoon, the Senators shall debate the essence and principles of the Bill and give their views.

House Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio who moved the Bill rooted for its passage noting that it was timely and that it would streamline the activities of political parties in the country.

“The importance of political parties for democracy, cannot be overstated. A healthy, resilient democracy is based on inclusiveness, which political parties and representative institutions are in a key position to safeguard,” he said. 

Senators will vote on the bill during Thursday’s afternoon sitting. The Senate has convened a three-Day special sitting to debate The Political Parties Bill.

The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021 has faced major opposition from legislators allied to Deputy President’s  United Democratic Alliance party.

The Bill, which was sponsored by National Assembly majority leader Amos Kimunya seeks to amend Clause 8, which sets the timeframe for coalition formation.

The bill had proposed at least six months before the August polls but he sought to reduce it to at least four months which is seen to favour Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja movement.

The bill also seeks to allow aspirants to vie either on individual party tickets or coalitions.