The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is expressing concern over what it perceives as the withholding of political party funds by the Kenya Kwanza government.
ODM claims that the government owes the party over Ksh.10 billion, intended for managing the party’s affairs from the grassroots to the national level.
According to the party’s Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, the government is intentionally undermining opposition parties by reducing their budget allocations and delaying the release of funds to hinder their ability to scrutinize the administration. Speaking on Thursday in Diani, Kwale County, during a popularization and recruitment drive, Senator Sifuna revealed that operations at the grassroots level have come to a standstill due to the lack of funds.
Senator Sifuna accused Deputy President William Ruto of aiming to weaken political parties, especially ODM, asserting that the party’s plans to establish offices at the county, constituency, and ward levels have been hindered.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, who led the exercise, expressed the party’s commitment to strengthening itself despite the challenges faced. He called on party leaders nationwide to focus on enrolling new members and revitalizing the party.
“We want to register new members because it is now five years since we did the membership recruitment,” said Mr. Odinga.
The opposition leader warned party leaders against collaborating with President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza, emphasizing the need to prioritize the agenda of ODM and the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party. He accepted the apologies of Kwale Senator Issa Boy and Women Representative Fatuma Masito, who had been seen as working closely with Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, aligned with the ruling alliance.
