Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu has called for the increase of political parties’ funds even as she dismissed calls to scrap it.
According to Nderitu, the fund is vital as it helps in strengthening the democratic space in the country.
“Hiyo mjadala inaendelea ya kusema pesa za vyama itolewe kwa bajeti ama ikatwe, sisi hatukubaliani nayo...tunatetea hata iongezwe kwa sababu ina umuhimu,” she said.
Speaking in Mombasa, Nderitu said any move to scrap it will not only weaken political parties but also violate the Constitution arguing in developed countries parties are allocated funds.
Under the Political Parties Act, 2011, parties are allocated 0.3 per cent of the national government revenue.
The fund is to help the parties finance their operations.
Her sentiment comes a week after a notice detailing how 48 political parties are set to receive their share to be disbursed by the national government.
President William Ruto’s ruling party has been allocated more than Sh577 million from the fund while ODM will walk away with than Sh308 million.
“The allocated funds will be disbursed on a quarterly basis upon receipt from the National Treasur. Further enquiries can be made through the Registrar’s office,” read the Gazette Notice dated September 22, 2023.
Jubilee party is the third biggest winner with over Sh135 million while Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party has been allocated Sh72.1 million, becoming the fourth party with the biggest allocation.
The small parties are reaping big from the amendments that were made to the Political Parties Act last December.
The Azimio Coalition and Uhuru's leadership pushed through the amendments during chaotic sittings in Parliament as Ruto's allies protested some clauses.
The new law weakened the criteria for sharing the exchequer party funds, handing small outfits a major reprieve to enjoy state funding.
Currently, any political party that managed to get at least one elected leader be it governor, MP, senator, or MCAs-automatically qualified unlike in the past when the threshold was higher.
Unlike in the past when the lump sum money would be allocated to coalitions for onward sharing among partners, this time round the ORPP will directly wire the money to beneficiary parties.
DAP-K associated with Eugene Wamalwa has been allocated Sh31,642,281, UDM (Sh26,897,846), ANC (Sh26,600,684), and Ford-Kenya (Sh25,863,869).