As members of the Senate gather for an extraordinary session, a new battle over the divisive coalitions Bill looms.
Rival political forces will clash once more in the Senate today during a special session to examine a bill that would make it easier to register a coalition party.
Senators will be debating the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, which was approved by the National Assembly last week following protracted and tumultuous processes. Senators who support Azimio La Umoja want to pass the bill without alterations, but their opponents in the camp of Deputy President William Ruto are planning to offer adjustments as part of a larger scheme to postpone the process. If any of the proposed amendments are approved, the Bill will be sent back to the National Assembly, and if there is a deadlock, a mediation committee comprised of representatives from both Houses will be formed to reach an agreement within 30 days. It’s a situation that supporters of the bill, who want it passed before the end of the month, are concerned about.
Provisions offering extensive powers to the Registrar of Political Parties in the process of party nominations are among the areas the DP’s allies want modified. Parties will be forced to get verified copies of their membership lists used for nominations if the Bill becomes law.
The bill empowers the registrar to certify party lists submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as well (IEBC).
