This archive report was first published on 31 December 2021.
December 31, 2021, Nairobi — Kenyan lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over proposed changes to a law governing the conduct of political parties and the formation of coalitions ahead of the 2022 election.
Video footage showed lawmakers shouting and coming to blows as they fought over the measure, with one member of parliament seen with blood on his cheek and another suspended.
The proposed changes aim to guide political parties on how to conduct political affairs leading up to the election, allowing several parties to form a coalition and choose a presidential candidate.
Political commentator Martin Andati claimed that those behind the bill aim to use the constitution to force a political winning formula.
"The handshake team, comprising President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are trying to use a political route to find a way to get people who are not supporting them to either go on their side or Ruto's side so that they are able to draw a political strategy," Andati said.
Opponents of the bill, mostly supporting Deputy President William Ruto, see it as a plan by President Kenyatta and opposition leader Odinga to force smaller parties to merge with them to win the election.
Political expert Michael Agwanda said the proposed changes mean that lawmakers will have to be loyal to their parties.
"What it means is that you are either part of government or not part of government by instrument and you cannot cross on the other side unless you just decided to do that; but you will not be part of that government if you don't belong to the coalition that makes the government," Agwanda said.
The debate ended with members of parliament voting for eight proposed changes out of 27, with parliament set to reconvene in January to vote on the remaining amendments.
