Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria, has warned former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his Azimio La Umoja team over a proposed bill introduced in parliament.
In a statement on his official Facebook page on Thursday, February 3, Kuria warned leaders supporting Raila's presidential bid against backing the Election (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The proposed bill, which was introduced by National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya, seeks to reintroduce the manual identification of voters and the transmission of results.
If passed, the proposal will hinder the livestreaming of election results as the media rely on electronic results posted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“Clause 21 seeks to amend Section 44A of the Act to provide for complimentary mechanism for voter identification and transmission of election results,” proposes the bill.
Kuria stated that he disagreed with his fellow Jubilee legislators in 2016 to support the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party legislators in opposing the reintroduction of manual transmission of results during the 2017 General Election.
“In 2016, I was a member of the 7-A-Side 14 members Kiraitu-Orengo bicameral team that worked to reform the IEBC and Elections Act after Machozi Monday riots. I strongly stood for electronic transmission of Presidential results and electronic voter identification that some top honchos in government and Jubilee suspected I had been brainwashed by the NASA side.
He stated that the proposed changes were a recipe for chaos adding that the Azimio team would be the biggest losers if the bill sailed through.
“I was there in 2007. I was there through Kriegler. I can say without fear of contradiction that the Amendments proposed by uprooter Amos Kimunya are a recipe for chaos. I will oppose.
“I urge Junet Mohammed to lead the Azimio team in opposing just like he did in 2016. Otherwise, you will cry in the toilet thinking you are fixing others. You will remember me,” he stated.
Additionally, leaders from both political divides also opposed the proposed changes stating that they would oppose them before the floor of the house.
On his part, Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo, a close ally of Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, stated that they would oppose the bill before the floor of the house.
"This is completely unnecessary! All results must be publicized. We will oppose," the senator stated.
Soy MP, Caleb Kositany, hit out at the government stating that the bill was infringing on the rights of media freedom.
"Who thinks for this handshake/ODM coalition? I told you, it was all about 2022. Media who will speak for you ?" he queried.
