MPs reject plan to fund small parties

A fresh row has erupted between MPs and senators over a proposal for the State to fund all political parties.

The MPs Wednesday dismissed a proposed law by the Senate to give all parties a share of the Sh200 million set aside by the Treasury annually, saying it was unconstitutional.

The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution also opposed a Bill, sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, arguing that it would open an avenue for small parties that were only interested in the funds.

However, Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u supported the Bill, saying the present law was unfair to smaller parties as it rewarded bigger and well established ones.

MPs said they were not ready to dilute the law passed in 2010, and dismissed the proposed changes as unconstitutional and only intended to help “briefcase” parties.

“We are not going to accept that. I don’t know what is wrong with senators; they are always involving themselves in things that are not in their mandate.

That is the work of the National Assembly. I think they are just idle,” said Suba MP John Mbadi.

He said they would throw out the Bill when it is brought to the National Assembly.

“They (senators) should not even think of bringing it to us. We do not want to see it,” Mr Mbadi said Wednesday.

He said it would encourage creation of parties that are only after money.

“There is no way we are going to fund briefcase parties. Let us have serious parties. We are on the right path. Parties such as TNA, ODM and URP have achieved the required threshold and are enough for now,” said Mr Junet Mohammed (Suna East).

Presenting the CIC’s views on the Bill to the Senate’s Legal Affairs committee yesterday, the commission’s chairman, Mr Charles Nyachae, said the proposal that a party that has a member in any of the county assemblies was eligible may be exploited by individuals only interested in the funds.

“The Constitution says parties should display a national character. There is a possibility that those parties with a single member in the county assemblies may not be of that character,” said Mr Nyachae at KICC where the committee invited constitutional commissions, including the electoral to present their views.

Ms Ndung’u said the national character of a political party was not easy to determine.

“A party may not have seats at the top but is well represented at the counties. Are we saying we can reward some parties and leave out others yet this is taxpayer’s money?” asked Ms Ndung’u.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen also said it would not be right to share funds with parties with only one member in the county assemblies.

According to the proposed law, a party with at least one member in the Senate, National Assembly or any of the 47 county assemblies would be eligible for some of the funds.