ODM to champion for “parliament’s dissolution” over Bills

The Orange Democratic Movement has vowed to reject a proposal to extend constitutional deadline in Parliament for 28 Bills that should be enacted by 27^th of this month. ODM MPs and Governors alongside party leader Raila Odinga resolved this after a two day retreat where they accused the government of laxity and lack of interest to enact the laws.

If ODM makes good their threat, then Parliament could be dissolved for failing in its constitutional mandate.

While the Jubilee side of the house is moving for extension of the deadline for one year, the orange party is of a different opinion.

“We will not assist them for their failure, the decision to extend the deadline was reached unilaterally without consulting important stakeholders, we are a major stakeholder in this,” said Odinga.

Parliament requires a two-third majority to extend the deadline, Jubilee coalition alone cannot raise the 233 number required, if the ODM MPs and by extension CORD coalition sticks to their rejection, then Parliament risks dissolution. Would they be ready for that?

To avert Parliamentary dissolution Jubilee coalition would require at least 17 MPs from the opposition to defy the ODM position. Jubilee’s infamous tyranny of numbers can only rest assured of 216 members.

Some of the Bills that should be passed by next week include the Community Land Bill 2015, the Eviction and Resettlement Bill 2015, a Bill on historical land injustices, maximum and the provision on minimum and maximum acreage among others.

In the two day gathering the ODM leaders further agreed to back a Bill on two-third gender rule set to be tabled by Majority Leader Aden Duale that seeks to increase the nomination slots for women.

In the proposed law, women contestants who lose parliamentary elections but with a significant number of votes would be nominated until the proportion of a third is attained.

“The meeting fully supported the implementation of the two third gender rule without further delays,” said Paul Otuoma.

Currently a parallel Bill sponsored by the Legal Affairs Committee is in its second reading stage with committee chair, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga refusing pressure to withdraw it in preference for Duale’s.

The Bill has been criticized for its proposal to have the gender rule implemented progressively.

Report by Sam Gituku