Duale who read the resolutions said the MPs resolved to support the recommendations including stopping post-nomination party hopping that had earlier been deleted from the report/DPPS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Jubilee MPs on Wednesday unanimously resolved to support the report by the Joint Select Committee on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reform agenda without amendments.
During a Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen office, the MPs discussed IEBC reforms and the imminent launch of the Jubilee Party.
“We discussed various issues of national interest ranging from forthcoming parliamentary business, matters relating to the IEBC reforms and an update on the launch and unveiling of the new Jubilee Party,” said Aden Duale, the National Assembly Majority Leader.
Duale who read the resolutions said the MPs resolved to support the recommendations including stopping post-nomination party hopping that had earlier been deleted from the report.
“What is now clear is that the next nomination process will be free, fair and credible. We have now resolved to support the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee that also proposes stop on party hopping after nominations,” said Duale who was accompanied by hundreds of MPs.
In the course of the deliberations, Duale said the MPs supported the need to professionalise and institutionalise political parties to foster a vibrant democratic environment that supports ideology based politics.
“The MPs agreed to support the proposals relating to “Party Nominations” and “Party Primaries” which are aimed at institutionalizing our political parties and enhance the realization of Political Rights as enshrined under Article 38 of the Constitution,” said Duale.
“As MPs we have unanimously agreed to stop party-hopping as the only way to strengthen the new Jubilee Party after nominations,” added Duale.
MPs had last week amended a report of the select committee on electoral reform, throwing out a provision that curbs party hopping.
However, the Jubilee MPs said they would now pass the report by the joint select committee without proposing changes including re-introducing the clause on party hopping that had been deleted.
Earlier, the Deputy President took the MPs through the recommendations and the importance of supporting them without proposing amendments.
“We are not opposed to party hopping but what we want is a situation where we can decide to be members of certain political parties based on their ideologies before the parties’ nominations are held,” said Ruto.
Ruto said MPs should join parties they feel comfortable with because that was their democratic right.
Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire said after the meeting, MPs were now convinced that firm measures have been put in place to ensure free and fair nominations will be carried out.
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