The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has condemned a move to reduce the political parties funding in the 2023/2024 Supplementary budget.
In a letter seen by the Star, Raila Odinga-led party has called on the Registrar of Political Parties to intervene.
The party says the move to reduce the funds will cripple the activities of the political parties.
"We wish to draw your attention to the continuous breach of Section 24(1) of the Political Parties Act, 2011 by both the National Treasury and National Assembly. The situation has been exacerbated by the recent blatant reduction set out in Supplementary Estimates 1 of FY 2023/2024 by a total of Sh867,000,000/=
"We note with concern that with the reduction of the Fund, political parties will immensely be deprived of the resources to fund programmes and activities contained in their respective work plans for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters as deposited in your office," the letter by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna reads.
Sifuna said the reduction of the fund will also interfere with the responsibilities of the ORPP.
He added that the move is also a violation of political parties' expectations and will also limit their rights under the Political Parties Act, and the Constitution of Kenya.
"This notwithstanding, a similar reduction of Sh590,000,000/= in FY 2022/2023 was not addressed and even the court award in the case of Orange Democratic Movement vs National Treasury & Others - Civil Appeal No. 15 of 2018 is yet to be honoured despite regular audits by the Auditor General have confirmed the accuracy of liabilities and debts owed to ODM."
The Orange party insisted that such decisions should not be made without consultation with political parties.
The party said the fund was created to advance democracy and promote the inclusion of the marginalised into party representation and managing administrative duties among other key activities.
