ODM to take common stand on boundaries

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By Mutinda Mwanzia

ODM will present a common party position to the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC), Chairman Henry Kosgey has said.

He said the party’s National Executive Committee had already set up a team led by lawyer Mutakha Kangu to put together the party position on the boundaries review.

"The party position will then be presented to the Andrew Ligale-led team," said Mr Kosgey.

ODM’s main partner in the Coalition Government PNU has rooted for population density to be the guiding principle in reviewing boundaries.

The PNU coalition, whose partners include Kanu and ODM-Kenya, met last week to take a common stand on boundary review.

PNU Secretary General Kiraitu Murungi said IIBRC should look at certain variations when they are reviewing the boundaries.

Mr Kiraitu, however, said the case of sparsely populated areas should be considered when creating new constituencies.

The boundaries review has sparked heated debate with MPs from Central Kenya pushing to have more constituencies based on population density.

The move has sparked outrage from their North Eastern counterparts who have said vastness of constituencies should also be considered.

Delayed funds

Yesterday, Kosgey who addressed a news conference after the party NEC meeting said the views of party members and leaders would form the basis of the party presentation to IIBRC.

Party leader Raila Odinga, Deputy leader Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto, Secretary General Anyang Nyong’o, Ministers Joe Nyagah, Assistant Ministers Joseph Nkaissery, Aden Dualle, Elizabeth Ongoro and Ramadhan Kajembe were also present.

Yesterday, Kosgey also said the party leadership would meet the Registrar of Political Parties to express their concern over delay in disbursing funds to political parties.

"We have met all the requirements but are not happy with the delay in disbursing the money," said Kosgey.