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Kenya: MPs Fast-Track Consideration of Three Election-Related Laws

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4 years ago

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Nairobi — With only 139 days left before Kenyans go to the polls on August 9, National Assembly members began fast-tracking the deliberation of at least three proposed laws which are crucial to streamlining the management of the electoral process.

The legislators took the tune House Speaker Justin Muturi had set by rearranging the order appearing on Tuesday’s Order Paper to facilitate MPs to conclude debate on The Election (Amendment) Bill and The Election Campaign Financing (Amendment) Bill which are both sponsored by Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee Chairperson Jeremiah Kioni.

Leader of the Majority Amos Kimunya requested for debate on his version of the Elections (Amendment) Bill to be differed to Wednesday to allow the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on submitting its report and recommendations after conducting public hearings on the Bill.

During the debate on The Election Campaign Financing (Amendment) Bill, MPs unanimously opposed Kioni’s bid which seeks to compel aspirants to disclose the amount and source of contributions received for campaigns.

While others such as Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), and Funyula MP Wilberforce Oudo said a law should not be used to stifle the election process and disadvantage the less privileged.

Kimunya took the lone stand that the new Bill was timely.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo termed the Kioni law as ambitious and unenforceable by the Office of the Auditor-General which is already overwhelmed with auditing expenditures at the national government and the 47 county governments.