Editor's Review

The push and pull among legislators forced the Deputy Speaker to indefinitely suspend the debate.

A standoff ensued at the National Assembly as MPs debated the proposed Political Parties Amendment Bill, 2021.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Moses Cheboi, who was in charge of the session, had a rough time controlling the MPs who had turned the parliamentary session into a shouting match.

MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto teamed up with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi's supporters to make it hard for their colleagues, who are in support of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga's Handshake deal, to pass the bill.

Allies of the Deputy President protested the passing of the bill saying public participation was not sufficiently done.

They also cited a breach of legal procedures as another reason for the bill to be thrown out.

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JLAC Committee vice-chairperson Muturi Kigano, however, denied the allegations saying all legal procedures were followed to the latter

“We followed the procedure and the report was adopted by the committee members,” he said.

The push and pull among legislators forced the Deputy Speaker to indefinitely suspend the debate on the bill to allow MPs to build consensus.

"Honourable members, the Political Parties Bill is automatically differed to allow harmonisation of the multiple amendments proposed in the Bill," Cheboi ruled.

Allies of the DP have openly opposed the bill saying it seeks to give their competitors an edge in the 2022 presidential race.

On the other hand, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said the bill has the blessings of Raila and President Uhuru and will therefore be supported by the Handshake team.