It is the first round of victory for Jubilee as 144 MPs allied to the party on Thursday voted for publication of the Bill on amendments to Elections Laws from 14 days to one.
Essentially, the reduction of time means the bill will take less time in Parliament before it is passed and assented to by the President
As soon as tomorrow [Friday], a committee of the House can embark on public participation regarding the raft of amendments and table the report in Parliament.
An ad hoc committee will be formed by the end of Thursday and members will be required to steer the process and table a report on October 10.
However, this has not sat very well with opposition MPs. Only 53 from NASA brigade voted against the reduction of time from 14 days to one day.
Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang termed it as “foolish”.
“The work done today is foolish. It shows us very clearly that they have clamped on freedom of expression,” he said as the Star reports.
He added a fight just started and they are not turning back.
“We have started this but there is no turning back. They will push us around but we are not going to be pressed. Watch this space; the majority of this country will win.”
Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa noted the reduction should be a preserve in the event of an emergency only.
“They want to hurry up this thing because they are trying to change the rule of law midway,” said he.
He noted that 14 days will allow for public cohesive and well structured public participation.
ODM Director of elections and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said it the hurry in which the reduction was passed by Jubilee MPs is an indication they were defeat in bungled August 8 polls.
“If the president won, then the rules should remain the same. You don’t have to change unless the president was defeated. Duale is confirming that the president lost,” charged Junet.
But in defense of Jubilee, Leader of Majority Aden Duale explained the bill is focused on how elections will be conducted and not the Supreme Court.
“There is nothing mischievous.. this bill is not talking about the supreme court or the independence of the Court. This is a cleanup… this bill is good,” maintained Duale.
The Bill has been sponsored by Baringo North MP William Cheptumo.
The raft of amendments to IEBC Act, the Election Act and the Elections Offences Act will among other things, give more backing to manual transmission of results than electronic transmission.
In case of any discrepancy in electronic and manually transmitted results; manual transmission will carry the day.
Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi lambasted opposition telling them to stop complaining since they are the ones who moved to court.
“I support this bill for the sake of this country. I am surprised that Junet and Wamalwa are opposing it yet they are the ones who went to court,” he said.
By Pharis Kinyua. He’s an online Journalist and an author for Jamhuri News.