Electoral reforms can only succeed if political parties are compelled to operate within the law, leaders say. (Pictured: Former Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott).Ford-Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo told the conference indiscipline among parties was the major undoing.
“Without discipline in political parties, desire for real democracy and meaningful reforms will remain mere talk,” he said.
The nominated MP chided politicians for breaking laws governing membership and leadership even as they called for a new-electoral order.
Clear policy
He said it was saddening that while the law was clear on party membership, some politicians defected from one party to another at will.
“Taking the Shinyalu example where losers in a certain partys nomination resulted into defections to another party, it tells you party discipline is still a dream,” said the former Webuye MP
At the weekend, a Shinyalu ODM nomination loser claimed he and four others had joined Kaddu and would campaign for the partys candidate. Two have since denied this.
Interim Independent Electoral Commission warned defectors they risked legal action.
Give notice
A politician has to retain membership of a party but give sufficient notice in case he or she decides to quit.
Kombo said political parties were key players in any democracy and must comply with the code of conduct.
Former Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott echoed Kombo concerns saying parties were slowing the pace of reforms.
He said there was need for stiffer penalties against those who went against political parties code of conduct.
Biwott added there was need for laws cautioning leaders against campaigning on a tribal platform.
“We must be required to campaign strictly on issue-oriented platforms,” said Biwott.
Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo said there was need for the Registrar of Political Parties to fully implement the law as a means of averting political thuggery.
Other speakers expressed concern that differences among parties was a the panacea of political tensions.
The leaders resolved that in future, parties should have a common agreement within the confines of the law to avoid incitement and divisive politics.
Biwott said the conference should also identify mechanisms to be used in implementing reforms.
Other speakers said genuine reforms could only be achieved if the political class supported it.
The Standard
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