With only 139 days left before Kenyans go to the polls on August 9, National Assembly members have begun to expedite the deliberation of at least three proposed laws crucial to the management of the electoral process.
According to the Order Paper, the legislators rearranged the order to facilitate MPs to conclude debate on The Election (Amendment) Bill and The Election Campaign Financing (Amendment) Bill, both sponsored by Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee Chairperson Jeremiah Kioni.
Leader of the Majority Amos Kimunya requested for debate on his version of the Elections (Amendment) Bill to be differed to Wednesday to allow the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to submit its report and recommendations after conducting public hearings on the Bill.
During the debate on The Election Campaign Financing (Amendment) Bill, MPs unanimously opposed Kioni's bid to compel aspirants to disclose the amount and source of contributions received for campaigns.
MPs such as Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), and Funyula MP Wilberforce Oudo argued that a law should not be used to stifle the election process and disadvantage the less privileged.
Kimunya took the lone stand that the new Bill was timely, while Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo termed the Kioni law as ambitious and unenforceable by the Office of the Auditor-General.
