Court temporarily stops law barring party-hoping

The High Court sitting in Nairobi has stopped the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from implementing the anti-party hoping law until a case filed by the Council of Governors challenging the law is heard and determined.

In the case, CoG wants the court to allow party hoping arguing that the law limits freedom of persons from making political choices contrary to the constitution.

CoG argues that the clause limits the freedom of association of Kenyans as provided for under the constitution.

Parliament passed the Elections Laws Amendment Act 2017 which commenced on January 30 this year.

Under the new laws, independent candidates are expected to submit their nomination forms to IEBC at least 60 days before polls meaning aspirants who will lose at the primaries will not have a chance to move to another party.

Justice John Mativo said the case will be heard on March 9.