ODM party has conceded to the request by other NASA co-principals to share out the Political Parties’ Fund in a last-minute effort to entice back his estranged partners in the opposition coalition.
This comes barely weeks after the National Treasury disbursed KSh 165 million to the ODM party as part of its Political Parties’ Fund for the year 2019/20.
On Monday, July 26, the ODM leader Raila Odinga wrote to other NASA co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), and Issac Ruto of Chama cha Mashinani agreeing to share funds attributed to Members of Parliament.
He expressed hope that the decision would bring to closure the unhealthy exchange of words that have been attended to the matter.
“…consequent, thereto, our party has deliberated internally and resolved that, without prejudice, we share with coalition partners ODM’s share of monies from political parties fund attributable (and excluding presidential gubernatorial and County assemblies) votes for the financial years 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20,” read the letter in part.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka welcomed the move saying there are some extremists within the ODM party including Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna who have been misleading the former Prime Minister.
“I have received a letter signed by Raila, and ODM has now agreed to share the political parties funding with the partner parties,
“I always knew there were extremists that always misled him. He had not seen salient clauses of the agreement that we signed on revenue sharing,” Kalonzo said at a press briefing in Nairobi.
In his latest media interview, the former prime minister insisted that he does not owe his coalition partners even a penny.
He insisted that ODM is receiving money based on the number of the MPs in both Houses who were sponsored by the party, and not through the coalition.
“If we were receiving money based on the presidential elections, that would have been fine to share with our colleagues. There are those who are spreading rumors that ODM is denying other affiliates money,” Raila said.
Despite the move, Wiper Party’s top decision-making organ, the National Executive committee unanimously voted to exit NASA and forge a new coalition ahead of the 2022 General Election.
