This archive report was first published on 1 January 2022.
Deputy President William Ruto has warned that MPs supporting the Party Politics Bill will continue to reject it, despite a special sitting scheduled by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to discuss the bill from January 5 to 7, 2022.
The move is seen as an attempt to undermine the Bukhungu II meeting where ODM leader Raila Odinga was endorsed by some Western Kenya leaders, including COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.
According to Ruto, Kenyans should be allowed to choose their leaders freely, rather than being dictated by a few individuals who meet in secret.
He emphasized that his team will continue to participate in the bill's passage process, despite his reservations about the bill.
Ruto also downplayed the number of MPs supporting Azimio la Umoja, led by Odinga, claiming that his team has more than 134 MPs who are ready to confront the bill's proponents.
“Those who are opposing us tried to intimidate us by taking us to Parliament, we took 134 MPs and their agenda failed, the bill will be rejected, we will sit and participate again when they continue to scheme,” Ruto said.
He also highlighted the provision in the bill that requires One Kenya Alliance (OKA) members to disclose their political strategies by the end of January 2022.
