Kericho MCAs support party hopping

A section of Kericho County Assembly members have supported a move by Members of Parliament to repeal a clause in the IEBC report that sought to prevent party hopping.

On Wednesday, MPs ‘ganged up’ to amend the clause that would have prohibited aspirants from moving to other parties after losing out in nominations.

Led by the Assembly Majority Leader, Daniel Rono, the MCAs said the drafters of the report had the intention of locking out members whom they do not want to be elected, thus denying the electorates their democratic rights of electing leaders of their choice.

Rono said candidates should be left to join parties of their choice and the electorate be left to decide whom they want to represent them in different positions.

He said most of the leaders, who were behind the introduction of the clause had strong influence in their respective parties and were already assured of nomination in the posts they will be seeking in the next year’s poll.

At the same time, Kipkelion East MP, Joseph Limo, has also supported the amendment of the clause saying people should be given freedom to decide on their leaders and parties.

Report by Bernard Rotich