By Samuel Ouma
A new spat in the opposition, National Super Alliance (Nasa) coalition over the affiliates political parties’ funds contribution has emerged.
FORD-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, one of the coalition’s principals has threatened to sue Raila’s ODM party for sidelining its three political partners in sharing money allocated for the opposition.
Speaking on Sunday, the Bungoma Senator castigated ODM for denying his partners for denying its partners what lawfully belongs to them.
“ODM is appropriating all the political parties funds being paid from the exchequer to the exclusion of ANC, Wiper and Ford Kenya,” said Wetangula.
In rejoinder, ODM party led by its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the party owes no one money adding that it has right to control the bigger share of the money owing to its large membership.
The ODM claimed it contributed highest number of votes to the coalition during last year’s polls unlike its partners. They refuted claims by Wetangula that he contributed much to the presidential vote saying the same vote was nullified by the Supreme Court while October 26 repeat poll they boycotted.
“The Ford Kenya has no locus standi. The money belongs to ODM and it is the party which will decide what to do with it. There is nowhere it is agreed we share money with anybody,” Said Edwin Sifuna.
ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire reiterated Ford Kenya has no authority to demand funds advanced to the Orange party. He maintained that funding from the treasury is a constitutional right after meeting the criteria set by the political parties Act, 2011.
The act states that a political party must secure at least 3 per cent of the total number of votes at the previous general elections to qualify for the funding.
The party must also have 20 elected legislators, 3 Senators, 3 Governors and at least members of the county assemblies. The two-thirds of its registered office bearers must not be of the same gender.
Among its partners ODM is the only party qualified to receive funds. The Raila led party has 73 elected Members of Parliament, 20 Senators. Ford Kenya has 12 legislators and one Senator, Wiper has 21 Members of Parliament and three Senators while ANC 13 legislators and 3 senators.
Bosire reminded Wetangula his “messy and noisy divorce” remarks after the coalition stripped him off the minority Senate post. He accused him of making baseless demands even when he is aware that his party does not qualify for public funding.
“I have tremendous respect for Wetangula who appears to be an authority in law. But this time he has gotten it very wrong and wants to pursue the messy situation he promised,” said Bosire.
The Nasa affiliate parties have in the recent past been fueding over sharing of funds. They want a share of money allocated to political parties and keep monthly contributions from their legislators.
Frequent rows have marred the opposition since the famous handshake, threatening to tear it apart. Wetangula had labeled the outfit a moribund organization while ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi insisted it is alive and active.
