Kalonzo faults IEBC over policy on campaign spending

Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the Independent and Electoral Commission (IEBC) for proposing a policy to regulate campaign funding and expenditure.

The Wiper Leader said the commissioners have already agreed to exit their offices and thus they do not have any mandate to propose such a policy, which he noted will have far reaching implications as far as the 2017 elections are concerned.

Kalonzo said the proposed spending limits only discourage the common wananchi from vying in their desired positions, while limiting politics to millionaires and billionaires of the country.

“It is really improper, almost disheartening, incredible the commissioners who have themselves accepted that they are going home and now beginning to formulate policies that are anti-the-Kenyan dream” Kalonzo said.

“How on earth can you say if you want to be the president of the republic of Kenya, you are allowed to spend up to 5.2 billion shillings, what are you telling the country?” Kalonzo posed.

The Wiper Leader said the policy negates the Kenyan dream of equality and fairness while opening floodgates for spending during campaigns and creating an environment for corruption to thrive.

He urged the church to speak up against the proposal, which he says will be detrimental to the gains already achieved in the electoral process.

The CORD co-principal also challenged the church to emulate their predecessors the likes Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki, late Bishop Gitari and other who stood against bad governance in the country.

The Wiper Leader was speaking in Kikoko Village, Kilungu in Kaiti Constituency during the burial of the Late Mama Cecilia Musaki, Mother to Wiper NEC member Hellen Ndeti on Saturday.

Leaders who accompanied the Wiper leader included Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and his Makueni counterpart Daniel Maanzo.

Under the IEBC proposal, each party allowed to spend a maximum of Sh15 billion while a presidential contender will be allowed to spend up a maximum of Sh5.2 billion.

Those aspiring for the gubernatorial, senatorial and county woman representative will be allowed an expenditure not exceeding Sh423 million while parliamentary aspirants will be allowed to spend a maximum of Sh33 million.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has also opposed the proposal claiming it only serves to sanction looting of state resources.

Mr Odinga, in a statement on Friday, said colossal ceilings such as 5 billion shillings proposed for presidential contenders and 400 million for gubernatorial aspirants will limit the country’s leadership to moneyed elite plundering the nation

@benjaminwafula