By Vitalis Kimutai
Members of United Republican Party (URP) have described as prohibitive the proposed nomination fees set by the party secretariat for those interested in contesting various elective posts in the General Election.
Aspirants from the 47 counties demanded during a meeting with party officials on Wednesday that the fees be revised so that youth, women and the poor could afford it. A presidential candidate will pay Sh1 million while upon being confirmed, a running mate will be expected to pay Sh500,000.
Nomination fees for one seeking the gubernatorial and senate positions is Sh200,000, those seeking nomination for parliamentary and women representative posts will remit Sh100,000.
On the other hand, those seeking county representative will be charged Sh50,000, according to the election and nomination rules.
Talented leaders
“We want to know the timelines for the payment and if the party will allow aspirants to pay in instalments. This is a serious issue as it has the potential of locking out others,” said Mr Paul Bii, the Bomet Kenya National Union of Teachers branch executive secretary, during the meeting at Nyayo Stadium.
Mr Francis Kaparo, the party chairman and Eldoret North MP William Ruto sought to assure the aspirants that the matter would be addressed by the secretariat.
“If indeed the fees proposed are prohibitive, then the matter will be addressed. I am happy the matter has come from the floor and it further proves that this meeting was not in vain,” Kaparo said.
Mr Ruto said no one would be barred on the basis that they lacked nomination fees as there was a provision that allowed for a waiver.
“We are alive to the fact there are talented good leaders who cannot afford the nomination fees. We have made the rules and there are exceptions to every rule,” Ruto reiterated.
The party has also categorised membership with different recruitment fees with the highest being platinum whose fees is Sh500,000, gold Sh100,000, silver Sh50,000, bronze Sh20,000, ivory Sh1,000 while prestige membership is free.
