Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1592431,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1592431/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 788,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet West, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Timothy Kipchumba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for giving me an opportunity to speak to this very important Bill before this House, which is the Political Parties (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bill No. 26 of 2024). At the outset, I wish to associate myself partly, with the sentiments of Hon. Caroli Omondi in so far as matters with independent Members of Parliament are concerned. But looking at the spirit of this Bill, I am in support of having a commission for the reason that commissions established pursuant to Chapter 15 of the Constitution. Independent Offices have proved over time that they perform their functions without being arm-twisted by the Executive. Therefore, I support that the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties be scrapped and, in its place, we establish a Commission. This is to ensure that we do away with arm twisting by the Executive or certain individuals with vested interests in political parties. We must appreciate that this is a consequence of the NADCO Report. During the protests in the country, political leaders sat down and came up with the NADCO Report. This is one of its products. So, when Hon. Kaluma says that he does not support this Report, does he mean that he does not support NADCO Report, because this is one of its products? We are implementing a recommendation of the NADCO Report. Political parties are funded by taxpayers’ money. Therefore, the money should not only benefit political parties but also, independent candidates. I am an Independent Member of Parliament. Were it not for the provision under the Constitution that provides for election of Independent candidates, I would not be here today. I am a victim of injustice and electoral fraud during party nominations. Were it not for the avenue under the Constitution for Independent candidates, I would not be here. Twelve Members in this House are elected on Independent tickets. Were it not for that avenue, we would not be in this House. I have also looked at the membership of the Commission. I appreciate that Hon. Murugara is here. Clause 33(b) says that the Commission shall comprise five members nominated in accordance to sub-section (2) and appointed by the President, with the approval of Parliament. Clause 33(b)(3) further says that members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. That goes against the spirit of Article 250 on nomination of commissioners and chairperson of commissions. Article 250 of the Constitution talks about a chairperson and members of a commission. But this Bill says that the commissioners shall appoint their own chairperson. We can compare it with other commissions like the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Under the IEBC Act, the Chairperson of the Commission is nominated differently from members. If you say that the chairperson of the commission shall be elected by the nominated members, then there is bound to be corruption and there is a likelihood of compromise. So, my proposal would be that we adopt the spirit of Article 250 of the Constitution which separates the nomination of the chairperson from that of members to a commission."
}