Kenya Senators want law on parties’ cash changed

By MOSES NJAGIH

KENYA: A section of senators have attacked the formula set in law for the distribution of the political parties’ funds, even after the House passed a motion urging the Registrar of Political Parties to speed up the disbursement of the money, last week.

Senators have called for a review of the Political Parties Act, arguing it is unfair and places many political parties at a disadvantage.

The senators argue the formula stipulated by the law, where 80 per cent of the cash is to be distributed according to the “total number of votes secured by a party’s presidential, parliamentary and civic candidates” was erroneous and would occasion injustice to some political outfit.

“This amounts to counting one vote about six times, because the same vote that voted for a certain party for a civic seat, in most cases ends up electing all other candidates under that same party. It is a very unfair formula,” said Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe.

Kagwe (Narc) further argues the formula is unfair to parties that may wish to opt out of the presidential race and enter into a coalition where they support a candidate from another party.

“We need to have a serious re-look of this Act and address the weaknesses that are so glaring. It is my opinion it is unfair to consider the funding looking at the cumulative number of votes that a party garnered in all races, as that amounts to counting one vote four, five or even six times,” said nominated Senator Martha Wangari.

Parties in debt

Minority Whip Janet Ong’era said a balance must be struck to ensure the law does not act to negate the purpose for which it was set. She said the essence of the fund was to make sure parties, which meet the requirement for registration are funded to strengthen them.

Ong’era said, as the law is now, some parties would not access the bulk of the fund, a move that could force them to fold. “Already some of them (parties) have gone into debts and cannot pay personnel. Some are already sacking their staff and others cannot pay rents for their offices.”