The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

CORD warns electoral body over Okoa Kenya initiative

Politics

By Rawlings Otieno | Jan 25, 2016

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has warned of dire consequences should the electoral body fail to verify the names of voters who signed up for the ‘Okoa Kenya’ initiative in time.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) insists that there’s no money to perform the exercise and unless the National Treasury allocates funds, their hands are tied.

Commission CEO Ezra Chiloba explained that under the Public Finance Management Act (PFM), they cannot spend money unless such is allocated under printed estimates by Parliament. Yesterday, Chiloba said that by the time IEBC received the signatures, it had already gotten its 2015-16 allocation.

“We have requested for additional funding for the exercise and we are in discussion with the National Treasury over the same.

“If they are in agreement with us, which I believe they are, the provision will be approved by the National Assembly via supplementary budget,” he said.

Keep Reading

Peoples’ will

But CORD argued that failure to comply with the law is a violation and disregard of peoples’ will, which has both political and legal consequences.

Head of the CORD Secretariat Norman Magaya said that it is not the responsibility of the Opposition to ensure that there are funds to run an independent body whose duties are enshrined in the Constitution.

Mr Magaya reminded IEBC that its mandate is to verify whether those who signed in support of Okoa Kenya are registered voters.

“It’s not our business whether IEBC has money or not. They are an independent body with a clear mandate under the Constitution. Failure to comply with the Constitution has consequences,” said Magaya.

Magaya explained that IEBC had not shared its views with CORD regarding the lack of funds. “We have not heard any communication from IEBC,” said Magaya.

The law requires the commission to submit the bill, once the signatures have been verified, to the county assemblies which shall then debate the bill within three months.

The bill must be endorsed by at least 24 county assemblies before it is taken to Parliament and if Parliament does not to pass it or the issue relates to Article 255 (1), then a referendum will take place.

CORD leaders Senator Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Daniel Maanzo (Makueni) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) said that the referendum is unstoppable and that any attempt by IEBC or anybody to scuttle the process may have disastrous consequences.