President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga scored big after Senate passed the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021 with no amendments on Wednesday night.

The Bill was passed by Senators in a special sitting convened by Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka with senators allied to Uhuru and Raila celebrating the fete.

The Bill requiring a minimum support of 24 elected senators sailed through after garnering 28 votes against a disappointing three from senators allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

Ruto allied lawmakers opposed the Bill in a spirited fight that saw them propose 15 amendments, which were all shot down by the Azimio La Umoja side. 

Senate. PHOTO/COURTESY

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The senators opposed to the bill claimed that some clauses in the amendments Bill are unconstitutional and usurp the powers of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The Political Parties Amendment Bill now awaits to be gazetted and signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta into law.

If Uhuru assents to it, political party aspirants will have to adhere to the following requirements among others:

  • Once an aspirant loses in the party primaries, they will not be allowed to join other parties or run as independent candidates.
  • Coalitions will be parties on their own. Parties within the coalition will be allowed to go alone or field a common candidate.
  • Any member wishing to take part in nominations of a coalition party must be a member of a political party.