Introduction
Kenya has just experienced massive by-elections, and the consequences are starting to sit in. This then brings in the question of party/political discipline!

What does this entail? And  what does it speak to legislation and ultimately democracy?

In any functioning democracy, political parties serve as the institutions through which citizens’ interests are aggregated, debated, and ultimately represented in legislation. For legislation to be developed for posterity—long-term national good—rather than expediency, political actors must demonstrate discipline, ideological commitment, and institutional loyalty.

In Kenya, however, persistent party-hopping has undermined these ideals, weakening not only party discipline but also the evolution of a coherent and stable multiparty democracy. As I write today, Bonny Khalwale has become the first casualty of party-hopping yet he isn’t the first to do so! What does this point to? Several things… let’s look at some of this context.

1. Political or Party Discipline: A Foundation for Long-Term Legislation

Party discipline refers to the ability of a political party to ensure that its elected representatives uphold party values, decisions, and policy positions. Strong discipline enables:

• Consistency in legislative priorities

• Long-term policy planning rather than short-term interests

• Strong internal governance structures

• Public trust in parties as stable vehicles of governance

Where party discipline is weak, lawmakers tend to pursue personal, ethnic, or short-term political gains. This disrupts long-term policy agendas and fuels erratic legislative behavior. This views were highly held by the former Prime Minister and Leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the late Raila Amollo Odinga and other opposition leaders but the then government side opposed the move to discipline errand members. UDA becomes the first, in government, to effect this.

2. The Concept of Party-Hopping in Kenya

Party-hopping is the practice of politicians shifting from one political party to another, often close to elections, to secure nominations or align with likely winners. Kenya’s history of party-hopping is rooted in:

• Weak party ideology – Most parties are personality-based rather than policy-based.

• Ethnicized politics – Politicians shift to parties representing dominant ethnic coalitions.

• Nomination disputes – Candidates dissatisfied with party primaries defect to smaller or newly created parties.

• Opportunism and expediency – Politicians align themselves with perceived winning coalitions, not ideologies.

Although legal reforms, particularly the Elections Act (2011) and recent amendment, attempted to restrict party-hopping by setting strict deadlines for party membership, the practice continues in subtler ways. This practice continues because it is applied selectively, depending on the situation and political side!

3. How Party-Hopping Weakens Multiparty Democracy in Kenya

a) Erosion of Party Ideologies and Identity

Frequent defection prevents parties from developing ideological clarity. A party becomes a temporary “vehicle” rather than an institution with principles. This:

• Makes it difficult for citizens to distinguish parties

• Discourages policy-based competition

• Weakens political accountability

b) Weakening of Party Discipline

Leaders cannot enforce discipline when members treat parties as temporary platforms. This leads to:

• Indiscipline in parliamentary voting

• Fragmentation of party positions

• Legislative inconsistency

Without discipline, delivering coherent long-term legislation becomes difficult.

c) Proliferation of Briefcase Parties

Party-hopping fuels the creation of small, short-lived parties formed primarily as personal vehicles. These parties:

• Lack structures and membership

• Do not invest in research, policy formulation, or grassroots democracy

• Create unnecessary political fragmentation

This undermines the development of strong, institutionalized parties necessary for a stable multiparty environment.

d) Electoral Unpredictability and Policy Discontinuity

When politicians shift allegiance frequently, it destabilizes electoral coalitions and policy continuity. Governments formed through opportunistic alliances tend to focus on short-term survival rather than long-term planning.

e) Undermining Public Trust

Citizens lose trust in parties and politicians when defections appear self-serving. This weakens democratic participation, voter turnout, and belief in electoral processes.

f) Weak Legislative Output Focused on Expediency

When MPs owe loyalty to personalities rather than parties, legislation:

• Reflects short-term political bargains

• Prioritizes coalition arithmetic

• Avoids bold reforms that might threaten alliances

This results in expedient laws rather than laws crafted for future national development.

4. Why Strong Party Discipline Matters for Legislation for Posterity

A disciplined party system:

• Encourages evidence-based policy making

• Promotes consistent long-term agendas (e.g., on health, education, economic reform)

• Shields national policy from short-term political pressure

• Ensures accountability among elected members

Countries with institutionalized parties, like South Africa (ANC), the UK, or Germany, tend to have predictable legislative environments driven by ideology rather than personal ambition. Kenya’s instability stems largely from the opposite trend.

5. Towards Strengthening Kenya’s Multiparty Democracy

To curb party-hopping and promote disciplined, ideology-based parties, Kenya can:

• Enhance internal democracy in parties, ensuring transparent nominations.

• Strengthen enforcement of party membership deadlines and discourage shifting through independent candidacy loopholes.

• Promote civic education to encourage ideology-based voting.

• Invest in party-based policy research and manifestos.

• Introduce incentives for long-term party loyalty—e.g., structured career progression within parties.

Conclusion

The relationship between political discipline and long-term legislation is direct and profound. Without disciplined, stable, and ideologically grounded political parties, legislative development becomes reactive, short-term, and driven by political expediency. Kenya’s persistent culture of party-hopping significantly undermines the institutionalization of political parties, weakening the very foundations of multiparty democracy.

To safeguard legislation made for posterity—and not for expediency—Kenya must reform its political culture, strengthen party institutions, and discourage opportunistic defections. A strong multiparty democracy requires strong parties, and strong parties require loyalty, discipline, and clear ideological vision.

By Dr. John Chegenye, Ph.D.; CHRP-K
Educator, Researcher, and Human Resource Management Specialist.