Cord asks leaders to donate cash for Kethi’s campaign

Cord governors have been asked to contribute Sh500,000 each to finance the coalition’s campaign for the Makueni Senate by-election.

Senators have been requested to donate at least Sh200,000 each and MPs Sh100,000 to the campaign led by coalition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

If all the parliamentarians and governors donate, Sh31.8 million would be raised for Wiper candidate Kethi Kilonzo, who is representing Cord.

A fundraising event at the Ole Sereni Hotel on Thursday night raised Sh9 million.

On Saturday, Kitui Senator David Musila, who is also the Wiper chairman, said a lot of people had pledged support for Kethi’s campaign.

“The idea of MPs, senators and governors offering donations was merely a proposal and that was just the minimum. Some senators even gave up to Sh1 million as people want the campaign to succeed,” Mr Musila said.

Cord’s National Assembly deputy Chief Whip Chris Wamalwa confirmed that coalition members had been asked to support Kethi’s campaign.

“It is true that we asked our MPs, senators and governors to donate money because we are taking this campaign seriously. We know her opponents are being funded by the government and we do not want to take chances. We need money to make this campaign work. This was a Cord seat and we know she is a winning candidate and we are mobilising resources to run a good campaign,” Dr Wamalwa said.

“People are free to donate whatever they have. We understand the condition of our colleagues who do not have anything to contribute. We also have people who have paid up to Sh500,000 and we welcome that,” said the Kiminini MP.

However, some MPs have complained that the donations requested were too high.

They said the Sh9 million raised on Thursday was enough for a successful campaign.

“What they are asking us to donate is just too much. Furthermore, we don’t have that kind of money,” said one Cord MP.

Tigania East MP Mpuri Aburi, however, urged all Cord leaders to donate the funds requested, saying the contest was a national issue and of great importance to the coalition.

“I will pay my Sh100,000 without complaining. Most of these MPs wouldn’t be having this money and even their seats were it not for Cord. Surely, there is nothing wrong in funding the Makueni campaign as the party has requested. It is malicious for someone to complain,” he said.

On Thursday, Mr Odinga hosted a luncheon for MPs and senators at the Serena hotel where the importance of the Makueni campaign was stressed.

Though Mr Musyoka was absent, Wiper leaders including Mr Musila and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama attended.