MPs back bill to delay submission of nomination lists

Members of Parliament have backed a proposal to delay the submission of parties’ nominations lists to after elections.

The lawmakers contributing to the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua said submitting nominations lists after polls will help parties contribute in achieving the gender gap that has existed in both the Senate and the National Assembly.

They said political parties will have the opportunity to make considerations on who to nominate considering the existing gaps after elections are concluded.

At the same time, the MPs lauded the move stating it will instill party discipline by eliminating party hopping by losers.

The bill in its second reading seeks to compel political parties to submit nomination lists 21 days after Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has declared the results of the general election.

Currently, the law requires political parties to submit the names at least 45 days to the general election.

“The principle object of this bill is to amend Article 90 of the Constitution in order to align it with the proposed amendment to section 35 of the Elections Act which seeks to change the timing of party lists by political parties for persons elected under Article 90 of the Constitution from at least forty-five days from the date of the general election to within twenty-one days after the date of the general election,” Mutua’s bill reads.

Contributing to the debate, Kisumu Woman Representative Rosa Buyu welcomed the proposal, saying it has the potential of curing the tricky two-thirds gender rule.

According to Buyu, parties will be able to submit names knowing the gender gaps and in the process try to bridge the deficit.

“We know that this Parliament has grappled with the two-thirds gender rule for a long time and it has not been successful. If we do nominations after elections, we will be able to pick out the best losers to be also included in Parliament,” Buyu said.

Langata MP Nixon Korir concurred, saying submitting the list after the polls will be the only way to address the two-thirds rule as well as consider other special groups in the House.

Khwisero lawmaker Christopher Aseka said Mutua’s bill will ensure that parties have the right people in place and also block aspirants from party hopping after losing primaries.

“The amendments will stop party hopping by politicians and will enable parties to do thorough vetting,” Aseka said.

Edited by Henry Makori