Let's de-link party leadership from Executive, Parliament

President William Ruto exits UDA headquarters after chairing the party's National Steering Committee meeting in April 2024. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

While the Constitution of Kenya provides for independent candidates for all positions in general elections, the role of political parties beyond sponsoring candidates for elections is critical. Political parties are the structures through which parliamentary work is ordered and organised. Parliamentary business and decision-making, including committee work, are managed through political party representation.

There are a few issues in Parliament that are bipartisan but the majority of decisions are made through partisan political lines. This is why you have leaders and deputies of majority and minority and several whips from both sides. Kenyan Parliament - the National Assembly and the Senate - comprises two main coalitions with affiliate political parties and few independent representatives, who appear to gravitate towards either coalition as they choose depending on the matter at hand and their interests.