Rigathi Gachagua, the Mathira MP says President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government will not handle the upcoming general elections with neutrality, and that it had picked sides in the contest.
Speaking to a local publication on Friday, the legislator alleged a plot by the state to ensure Raila Odinga succeeds President Uhuru Kenyatta next year with the recent Political Party Amendment Act.
”You can see the desperation of trying to make Raila succeed President Kenyatta. They are now planning to get everyone from spending time with their families. Kenyatta government is not neutral in this contest. The government cannot manage political parties because they can easily interfere so that they lock out strong candidates,” the Ruto ally said.
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Gachagua read mischief in the Bill, saying it was not meant to strengthen democracy but to help an individual manage his politics.
“If you look at the spirit of the Bill and the fact that it’s being sneaked in, you can see that there is mischief. The main purpose of this Bill is to rush the timelines so that the OKA principals are coerced to join Raila,” he said.
On her part, Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Shollei said President Uhuru Kenyatta was using the bill to give OKA time to negotiate with Raila Odinga.
“They were supposed to amend the Act to allow cooperation of parties so that it can allow the OKA alliance to have time to negotiate to join Raila Odinga. We cannot be passing laws as Parliament for selfish interest of a few individuals who cannot gather numbers on the ground,” she said.
The National Assembly has been recalled for another special sitting on Wednesday next week to debate the controversial Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2021. National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya and Minority Leader John Mbadi yesterday said they had settled on December 29 to debate the coalition law and possibly go through the third reading.
