Dire Need for Inclusive, Free and Fair Party Primaries

Democracy is a means through which inclusion can be achieved in political participation and representation at all levels of government. In Kenya’s democracy, political parties act as key institutions that citizens use to delegate leadership and have their freely expressed will exercised.

Parties represent views, values and perspectives held by its membership who can then actualize their vision if elected to office. They also serve as the line through which citizens emerge as elected representatives and key political decision makers.

Inequality in the participation of women, youth, persons living with disabilities and other marginalized groups is still evident in Kenya especially among major political outfits. A quick glance at most political parties’ leadership structures shows that these groups are yet to achieve effective representation which presents a risk of non-prioritization of their issues and interests. With the minimal representation and amplification of the interests of special interests groups, it’s difficult for their issues to be prominent in party manifestos and agendas even as the election campaigns gain momentum. If the party’s agenda and objective is unclear going into an election, the chances of members, once elected to office, championing special interest groups would be slim.

It is, therefore, key that issues of gender imbalances and exclusion of minorities are objectively looked into even as the 9^th August 2022 general election draws closer. The approaching party primaries will greatly influence the calibre of leaders who’ll be driving the legislative agenda in Parliament. The influence a political party commands and its popularity in different regions in the country almost guarantee victory for any candidate who gets to fly their ticket. If political parties, as institutions, are truly committed to the betterment of the lives of Kenyans then inclusion should be a priority in their agenda.

To ensure inclusion, there must be effort to guarantee openness, transparency and fairness in the party primaries. Minorities have long been disadvantaged owing to factors such as lack of networks and lack of financial muscle to influence decisions and gain visibility compared to their more seasoned opponents. The high party membership costs also need to be reconsidered to ensure that women, youth and persons living with disabilities have a fair opportunity to hold a position in a political party and compete fairly.

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You won't peruse the register, IEBC tells voters

Kenyans will not have a chance to scrutinise the voters register after it emerged that IEBC has run out of time to hire a company for the exercise. The commission’s acting chief executive Hussein Marjan on Monday told the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee that the process was complicated after the American firm initially tasked with the work, Smartmatics, failed to deliver, forcing a fresh tendering process.
Marjan, who appeared before the committee, said the commission requires Sh1.3 billion for voter verification exercise.

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Bills before the National Assembly

First Reading

THE DIVISION OF REVENUE BILL

- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 8 OF 2022