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{
    "id": 662950,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/662950/?format=api",
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    "content": "The third area which I would want to highlight is on the amendment to Section 19 of the Political Parties Act. It compels political parties to hold meetings of party organs at national and county levels in accordance with a party’s constitution. This has been canvassed by stakeholders of various political parties. The other amendment is to do with the party intending to hold public meetings to comply with any law relating to public meetings. Another amendment is with regard to deregistration of political parties. The Bill proposes that a fully registered political party may be deregistered if it has not presented a candidate in any elective position for two consecutive general elections. The idea here is to avoid briefcase parties where parties are registered and they are inactive. So, if you have a party and it has not presented a candidate for any elective office for 10 years, then it has no business remaining registered. They can always come again for fresh registration when they are ready. The purpose of political parties is to make sure that Kenyans participate in the elections at various levels and the democratic process of our country. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the other area of amendment is with regard to the process of appointment of the Registrar of Political Parties. Hon. Senators are aware that there are provisions already. However, there are provisions now to enhance what is provided for in the Sixth Schedule to provide for the forwarding of names of the Registrar of Political Parties and the Assistant Registrar of Political Parties to the President. The President may nominate the three names per office and Parliament will have to approve the nominations. Let me emphasize that this is an office which I think is very critical for our democracy and the holder of that office has remained active for a very long time. I think time has come to have a substantive holder of that political office and delink it form the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), as envisaged under the new political parties order. I believe those are the key amendments. I want to emphasise that those are the key amendments, especially the two-thirds gender rule which has been critical. I think it will help our country to be more democratic and inclusive. I hope we can pass the law and allow our women to participate in all party committees and bodies. There is also another important provision that I did not mention, which requires political parties to hold party meetings, not just at the national level, but also at the county level. I cannot find the provision, but I have read it in the proposed amendments. It is good to entrench democracy at all levels, so that decisions of political parties are not done in Nairobi only. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not want to say much. The Senate Minority Leader has come, but I do not know if he wants to second or supports the Bill. I had already talked to another Senator to second. If he supports the Bill, he takes precedence, in accordance with the traditions of this House. I beg to move and request Sen. Okong’o to second."
}