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{
    "id": 35320,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/35320/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 335,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Githae",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 159,
        "legal_name": "Robinson Njeru Githae",
        "slug": "robinson-githae"
    },
    "content": "On mergers, and I have discussed this issue with the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, we must take care of the political orphans. Suppose two parties merge, but you do not agree with the merger, what happens to you? This is not in abstract. We had a merger between KANU and the NDP sometimes ago and some Members did not agree with the merger and they became political orphans. I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs that we need to find a soft landing for even the Members of Parliament who may not agree with a merger of two political parties. We need to give them a soft landing because it is not clear under this Bill. It is silent as to what happens to them. They do not belong to the old party or the merged party. Where do they belong? I think we need to state clearly what happens when two parties merge and you do not agree with the merger. We need to provide for that. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also very clear that when we pass this Bill, the issue of business as usual for political parties will be over. The issue of hopping from one political party to another will be over. The highest hopping was in 1997 where a person within one week moved to five political parties. In fact, in the last political party, he asked for the party which had no candidate and joined it. Wonders never cease; the fellow was elected on the fifth party by a landslide. Under Clause 13, you must give a 30- day notice of your decision to resign from your political party. That is the way it is."
}