Why Party Hoppers Should Not Worry Anymore

High Court Makes Important Changes To The New Electoral Law Allowing Politicians To Hop From One Party To Another

It’s now clear that politicians can freely hop from one party to another. This move comes after the High Court adjourned the implementation which prevented politicians from party hoping ahead of the coming general election. Recently, large parties have experienced defections to other parties due to fear of lack of transparency in the primaries.

The most affected party is Jubilee where some of its defectors have joined the opposition and other upcoming parties such as Chama Cha Mashinani led by Isaac Ruto and Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap.

The new electoral law had been challenged by the council of governors who moved to court to block it. The council of elders made allegations that the new law contained many problematic unconstitutional sections which needed to be reviewed.Specifically, they wanted the section which bars politicians from party hoping 120 days before elections changed. The order to suspend section 28 of the new electoral law was issued by Justice John Mativo.

While making the judgment, he said that legislative seats in the country are not usually given to the persons who deserves them but rather the highest bidders. This is because it is the party leaders and well-connected individuals within the party who typically gets the party tickets.