IEBC, Treasury agree on funding for mini-polls
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Isaack Hassan. The National Treasury and the electoral commission have finally agreed on funding for the December 2 by election clearing uncertainties over the fate of 12 upcoming mini-polls. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission on Tuesday confirmed it has received Sh400 million to fund the by-elections.
- The IEBC chief denied claims that printing of ballot papers for the by-elections had ran into a tendering hitch.
The National Treasury and the electoral commission have finally agreed on funding for the December 2 by election.
Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission on Tuesday confirmed it has received Sh400 million to fund the by-elections.
The agreement clears uncertainties over the fate of the 12 upcoming mini-polls.
Acting IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ms Betty Nyabuto said the commission has resumed planning for Lamu County gubernatorial and Lungalunga Constituency parliamentary elections, following the agreement.
“I want to state that everything is now on course. Our logistical arrangements for the by elections scheduled to be held on December 2 will proceed as planned. It is also important to note that there is no dispute between us and the Treasury regarding funding,” Ms Nyabuto claimed.
The IEBC chief also explained that senatorial elections in Bungoma, two parliamentary elections in Kisii and elections in seven County Assembly Wards would be held on December 19 as planned.
COMFORTABLE WITH FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
Ms Nyabuto did not reveal the amount of money approved by the Treasury to facilitate the by-elections but confirmed the commission was now comfortable with the reviewed funding arrangements.
In Lamu the commission has already cleared Mr Twaha Fahim Yassim of TNA and former governor Abdalla Timmamy of UDF to contest for the gubernatorial seat while in Lunganga Benson Mwilu (TNA), Abdallah Ngozi (KNC), Khatib Mwashetani (Ford Kenya), Omari Zonga (URP) and Saidi Mbovu of (FPK) have been cleared for the parliamentary seat.
County Assembly Wards elections would be held in Mua (Machakos County), Balambala (Garissa County), Igoji West (Meru County), Mugogondo (Laikipia County), Mogondo (Narok County), Kabisanga (Nandi County) and Bobaracho (Kisii County).
The IEBC chief denied claims that printing of ballot papers for the by-elections had ran into a tendering hitch.
“Everything is running well. Printing of ballot papers is on course and there is no hitch whatsoever,” Ms Nyabuto explained.
Last week the commission’s acting Director Finance and Procurement Jason Okoyo had circulated a memo within the commission warning over tough austerity measures proposed by the National Treasury which could have paralyzed planning for the planned by elections.
“All the elections activities are suspended until the budget is agreed between the commission and the National Treasury. This will enable the commission to avoid incurring pending bills arising from unfunded activities,” Mr Okoyo wrote.
He further warned: “The National Treasury seems to have made up their minds on these cuts”
Previously the Treasury had insisted it had no money to fund emergency airlifts, emergency vehicles, transport reimbursement and accommodation for election staff during the elections.
On Thursday, some members of the National Police Service also appealed to the IEBC to pay their allowances direct to their bank accounts complaining that previous payments made through the service is normally subjected to strange deductions.
