Political parties fund: UDA gets lion share as Ruto allies win big

President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (right) and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during an Interdenominational church service at Amutala Stadium in Kimilili, Bungoma County. [PCS]

President William Ruto's ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA), will receive the largest share of the political parties fund, amounting to KSh480 million, disbursed quarterly upon release by the National Treasury.

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party is set to receive KSh21 million, even as his dual role as party leader and Speaker of the National Assembly continues to stir legal and political debate.

Other Kenya Kwanza-affiliated parties benefiting from the fund include:

• Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC), associated with Labour CS Alfred Mutua – KSh10.5 million
• Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), linked to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi – KSh9 million
• Tujibebe Wakenya Party, led by ICT CS William Kabogo – KSh6.3 million
• Ubuntu People’s Forum, associated with Trade CS – KSh1.6 million

On the opposition side, ODM, led by Raila Odinga, will receive KSh256.6 million, making it the second-highest beneficiary. Jubilee Party will get KSh112 million, while Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party will take home KSh60 million.

Other allocations include:

• Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K), led by Eugene Wamalwa – KSh26.3 million
• The Service Party (TSP), associated with MP Mwangi Kiunjuri – KSh8 million
• People’s Liberation Party (PLP), led by Martha Karua – KSh6 million
• Democratic Party (DP), under former AG Justin Muturi – KSh4 million
• Party of National Unity (PNU), linked to ex-CS Peter Munya – KSh3.7 million
• Narc, led by former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu – KSh4 million
• KANU, chaired by Gideon Moi – KSh20 million

Concerns over Wetang’ula’s dual role

Despite a High Court ruling in February 2024 stating that one cannot simultaneously hold the positions of party leader and National Assembly Speaker, Wetang’ula has maintained both roles. His lawyer, Benson Milimo, dismissed the court’s findings as “obiter dictum”—non-binding judicial remarks with no legal consequences.

“I want to assure the nation and the Ford Kenya fraternity that there is absolutely no cause for alarm. What the court did was make comments—what the law terms as ‘obiter dictum’—which are non-binding and have no consequential effect,” he said.

Critics argue that Wetang’ula's dual position gives him undue influence, especially as he controls both Parliamentary Affairs funds and party allocations under Ford Kenya.

Fund distribution guidelines

According to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu,  the fund was revised following budget cuts under Supplementary Estimates II of FY 2024/25. The revised allocations were published in a Gazette Notice dated June 5.

Under current regulations:

• 70% of the fund is allocated based on the number of votes received in the previous general election.
• 15% is distributed based on the number of elected candidates from Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
• 10% is allocated in proportion to elected representatives.
• 5% is retained by the Registrar’s office for administrative costs.

The money is intended to strengthen internal democracy and promote the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. Parties must also use the funds for civic education, election-related expenses, and public engagement, but no more than 30% of the funds can be used for administrative costs.