Senate to receive more views on elections bill

Two key senators and the Attorney General will today give their views on the contentious amendments to the Electoral laws.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo, who are the joint parliamentary select committee co-chairs, will make their presentations to the Legal Affairs committee ahead of the reconvening of Senate on Thursday.

Religious leaders, constitutional commissions, independent officers and the Council of Governors are also expected to make presentations.

The House committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights is receiving views from the public on the 34 clauses acrimoniously passed by the National Assembly last month.

The Standard has reliably learnt that the committee has also received a memorandum through mail from individuals also expressing their concerns with the bill.

But as the committee grapples with the new proposals, regulations on the elections law are already before the Senate and the National Assembly.

But the bill proposes a complementary system in Section 44 (a), which is different from the integrated system in law.

"We have so far received many emails from individuals stating their reservations. We will give the public as much time as possible," said Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

He continued: "We have already received views from Mkenya Daima, Kenya Law Society, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru. Tomorrow (today) is the last day and therefore the remaining people will have their day."

Committee Chairman Senator Amos Wako (Busia), when contacted, admitted that the job was not easy but he had prevailed upon members to address the matter with an open mind.

"The matter is contentious and I have asked the committee members to remain professional and not approach the matter with a fixed mind. They should not bring issues of parties they belong to. These are senior and brilliant lawyers and I believe the committee report will restore the people's confidence in the coming polls," Mr Wako said.

He said the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and other civil rights organisations will appear.