Polls bill goes to committee even as UDA protests
By Anthony.Mwangi, February 16, 2022The controversial Elections (Amendment) bill faces fresh headwinds after MPs allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) questioned its constitutionality.
While raising concerns about the constitutionality of the bill, MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto’s party, also questioned the effectiveness of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee tasked with processing the bill.
Speaker Justin Muturi has, however, committed the bill to the Muturi Kigano led committee awaiting ruling on its constitutionality.
A fortnight ago, MPs allied to Ruto managed to shoot down a proposal by the leader of majority Amos Kimunya to reduce the publication period of the bill from two weeks to five days.
Eventually the bill was read for the first time yesterday.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale proposed the formation of a special committee to consider the bill instead of the Kigano committee.
Political divide
“Mr Speaker, I urge you not to commit the bill to JLAC but allow us to consult the leadership, political divide and professions. I propose a special committee to consider the bill, do broad based public participation and report to the House,” Duale said, adding that the Standing orders allow formation of a special committee to consider the bill.
Duale said elections were an emotive issue and so extensive public participation was necessary. “We need a bi-partisan committee bringing together members from the political divide and the independents,” he added.
But Kigano accused Duale of imputing improper motives on his committee. “His statement appears to impute some incapacity or incompetence on a committee composed and approved by the House,” said Kigano.
He said the fact that legislation is due does not mean committees are incapable.
Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi wondered whether a parliamentary committee can be stopped from doing its work without a special motion to disband it. “How do we disband a committee without a special motion? Let us not cast aspersions on the ability of any MP,” Angwenyi said.