President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, January 27 signed the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021 into law.
The President appended his signature o the controversial bill just a day after the Senate unanimously voted in favour of the bill on Wednesday, January 26.
The bill had been initially passed by the National Assembly in a chaotic and violent manner that saw the house adjourn on multiple occasions.
The new law amends the Political Parties Act of 2011 by introducing the concept of coalition political parties, outlining functions of political parties as well as changing the criteria of accessing the Political Parties Fund.
Uhuru was presented with the bill for signature at a brief ceremony attended by Attorney General Paul Kihara, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, his National Assembly counterpart Justin Muturi as well as House Majority Leaders Samuel Poghisio (Senate) and Amos Kimunya (National Assembly).
Also present were Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, State House Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi as well as House Clerks Jeremiah Nyegenye (Senate) and Michael Sialai (National Assembly).
Initially, politicians allied to Deputy President, William Ruto, initially opposed the bill, and promised to challenge it in court.
However, during a parliamentary group meeting on January 24, they declared support for the bill, likening it to hangman’s noose.
Speaking during an interview with KTN on January 26, Muturi questioned the manner in which the bill was quickly passed by senate.
“What happened in the Senate was very interesting in that it claimed to even do public participation but nevertheless, nothing came from the public that was found to be worth noting and therefore the Bill was passed without any amendments.
“That is not very common between two houses. Usually in many bi-cameral parliaments, it is a very rare thing,” he stated.
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