Members of the Senate have been recalled for special sittings to discuss Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and four other bills.

In a Gazette notice dated January 20, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka said the sittings will happen on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.

“On Tuesday, 25th January 2022 and Wednesday, 26th January 2022, the sittings shall commence at 2.30 pm; and (b) on Thursday, 27th January 2022, the morning sitting shall commence at 10.00 am, while the afternoon sitting shall commence at 2.30 pm,” Lusaka said.

The other bills to be debated are the Heritage and Museums Bill, the County Governments (Amendment) Bill, the Intergovernmental Relations (Amendment) Bill, and the County Oversight and Accountability Bill.

“In accordance with Standing Order 30 (5) of the Senate Standing
Orders, the business specified in this notice shall be the only business
before the Senate during the special sittings,” he added.

Lusaka said the Senate sittings will, thereafter, adjourn until Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 2.30 pm.

The controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly on January 5 after Handshake-leaning MPs overpowered those allied to Deputy President William Ruto.

The bill proposes the formation of political parties coalition four months (120 days) before a general election.

Ruto allies, however, read mischief in the amendment, saying it was an avenue for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga to defeat him in the August 9 presidential election.

The bill, according to political analysts, favours Raila’s Azimio la Umoja Movement which seeks to bring parties together across the country.