A section of Jubilee lawmakers have complained of being 'forced' to withdraw their support from party hopping.
They allege that when they met Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen residence, he warned MPs supporting party hopping that the party may resolve to issue direct nomination in their areas.
During the meeting, Ruto dared MPs keen on last-minute defections to leave the ruling coalition early rather than frustrate the ideals of Jubilee Party, set to be launched next week.
The lawmakers resolved to support a change to the existing electoral laws to bar contestants from changing parties after losing nominations.
They also agreed that Jubilee not to accommodate MPs, senators, governors or other contestants who will go against the agreed position.
Runyenyes MP Cecily Mbarire, who is reported to have made a case for party hopping, is said to have changed tune after listening to the DP.
"I had supported party hopping, but the Deputy President has made it clear on this matter. We will support the report the way it is without proposing any changes,” said Mbarire.
Two Jubilee MPs who spoke to the Standard in confidence seemed to have been intimidated during the meeting going by their sentiments after the meeting.
“No party hopping. We have been ordered to pass the two Bills in their current form without amendments. Going by the DP’s body language, this thing is a live wire. You joke, you get fried,” stated an MP from Central Kenya.
Another from Rift Valley added: “Going by the current mood, the President and DP are not taking this matter lightly. When you are asked to play ball or ship out, where does it leave you? Politics is a profession and we must have some standards set.”