• Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has recalled the lawmakers for a special sitting to debate the bill that seeks to create coalition parties.
• Lusaka said he is expecting a sober debate in the senate devoid of chaos and violence witnessed in the sister house.
Senators will sit on Tuesday next week to discuss the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has recalled the lawmakers for a special sitting to debate the bill that seeks to create coalition parties.
In a gazette notice published on Friday, Lusaka said the sitting shall commence at 10 am and end at 12.30 pm for the morning session, while the afternoon sitting will commence at 2.30 pm.
"The sittings shall be held at the Senate chamber, main parliament buildings," the notice reads in part.
The senators will also consider eight other Bills during the sittings. They are; the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (amendment) Bill, The County Hall of Fames Bill, the Heritage and Museums Bill, and the Kenya Sign Language Bill among others.
The sitting follows a petition by Majority leader Samuel Poghisio and his minority counterpart James Orengo.
“I have received a request both from the Leader of Majority and Leader of Minority to convene a special sitting on Tuesday next week, which I have approved, and I will be gazetting the siting,” Lusaka said.
The controversial bill was passed by the National Assembly in a chaotic session on Wednesday night.
Allies of Deputy President William Ruto employed all manner of tactics, including several amendments in an apparent attempt to frustrate and defeat the bill that seeks to anchor ODM Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja as a coalition party.
But their attempts were repulsed by Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s troops.
Often, the sessions degenerated into chaos with members exchanging blows.
Shouting matches, name-calling and verbal attacks characterised the sitting.
But Lusaka said he is expecting a sober debate in the senate devoid of chaos and violence witnessed in the sister house.
“I expect senators as is the norm to debate soberly, with decorum and reason,” the speaker said.
If Senators approve the bill as passed by the National Assembly, it would be sent to the President for assent and subsequent implementation.
Should Senators amend the legislation, it will have to be taken back to the National Assembly for consideration.
In the event Senators introduce drastic amendments to the bill, it will be subject to mediation in a committee comprising members of the Senate and National Assembly.
Edited by D Tarus