Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has accused the government of slashing Political parties Ksh1.5 billion for the past two years.
The legislator who is also Nairobi Senator called out Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ngungu and National Assembly Chair of Budget and Appropriations Ndindi Nyoro.
Sifuna in his letter dated November 29, stated that the government has cut close to Ksh 900 million in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
According to Sifuna, the government’s decision to cut political parties funds every financial year was unconstitutional.
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“We wish to draw your attention to the continuous breach of Section 24 (1) (a) of the Political Parties Act, 2011 by both the National Treasury and National Assembly,” read the Letter.
Furthermore, the vocal lawmaker stated that the Political Parties Fund has been deducted continuously in every financial year for the last two years hence limiting parties’ operations.
“We note with concern that with the reduction of the Fund, political parties will immensely be deprived of the resources to fund programs and activities contained in their respective work plans for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters as deposited in your office,” read the letter.
Sifuna Defends Political Parties
Additionally, the legislator insisted that the political parties’ constitutional activities will be disrupted.
“Similarly, the reduction will interfere with the mandate of your office as provided for under Section 34 of the Political Parties Act, 2011 to inter alia register, regulate, monitor, investigate and supervise political parties,” stated Sifuna.
On the other hand, Sifuna insisted that earlier reductions of Ksh 590 million shillings were not addressed further stating that the act by the government is a violation of political parties.
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Azimio Demands on Scrapping ORPP
According to Sifuna, the ORPP has been silent even as President William Ruto’s administration continues to reduce the budgetary allocations set aside for Political Parties in the country.
“Even when he waxes lyrical about democracy he is intent on crippling operations of parties most of them in the opposition. All this while the ORPP Kenya is silent. Which is why we support the proposal by NADCO to scrap that office,” Sifuna said.
