Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mong’are Okong’o has accused the joint Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms of sneaking in some clauses in the final report.
He said this might force MPs to reject the report when it is tabled in Parliament tomorrow because some of the clauses were not part of the discussions. Okong’o cited the clause on party hopping which he claimed the select committee co-chaired by Senators Kiraitu Murungi and James Orengo sneaked in the last minute.
“The clause on party hopping was not discussed at all. I know MPs are not happy about it, I have read the report and I know what it means when I say it will not see the light of day in Parliament,” he said.
Mong’are added that a similar clause on the Election Act was removed by MPs some years back hence it will be the same once it is tabled in Parliament tomorrow. He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to relook at the report before it is adopted.
“The way things are being handled means that we are going back to old days, we should focus as Kenyans on what we need to do, let us be watchful and prayerful,” he added. On IEBC conducting party nominations, he said the commission is an independent body and that is not its mandate.
Meanwhile, aspirants for various seats from Gusii region have expressed dissatisfaction over some of the proposed reforms in the electoral system. Led by former Kanu treasurer Dr Erneo Nyakiba, they urged the National Assembly and the Senate to exercise caution on the clause that intends to bar politicians from changing parties after nominations.
They said aspirants who will fail to secure party nominations will be disadvantaged if the clause is effected especially if the primaries will not be free and free and fair.
Dr Nyakiba, who has announced his intentions to vie for the Nyamira governor seat in the 2017 General Election said there should be a provision that will allow those who would wish to change affiliations after party primaries to do so freely.
“We appreciate what the team which spearheaded the reforms did, but the clause which bars politicians from switching parties after nominations is misinformed and is lacking because there should be an exit for disgruntled party members,” said Dr Nyakiba.
According to the politicians, the proposal to lock out party hoppers is a major limitation in exercising of fundamental rights of those seeking elective posts, but encounter challenges during nominations.
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