ODM Demands Ksh12 Billion From State As Political Parties Fund Arrears

By Harrison Kivisu

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Orange Democratic Movement wants the National Treasury to remit its Ksh12 billion saying it was unpaid allocation from the Political Parties Fund that has crippled its operations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Its acting secretary general (SG) Catherine Omanyo said the debt had accumulated over multiple financial years, and must be cleared immediately to enable them to fund its grassroots mobilization, nominations, and day-to-day activities.

“We want government to pay all pending party debts to ensure we don’t suffer cash crunch. The Ksh12 billion shillings is the money ODM demands to be paid,” she said while reading resolutions after a two-day Parliamentary Group retreat in Mombasa County.

Under the Political Parties Act, 2011, at least 0.3% of national revenue is set aside annually for the Political Parties Fund.

The money is shared based on the total votes garnered by each party and the number of elected leaders in elective positions.

The party argues that disbursements have lagged since 2022, despite the party’s 94 MPs, 20 senators, 13 governors, and hundreds of MCAs demography in share after the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

According to treasury data only Ksh3.1 billion was allocated to all parties in FY2024/25, against an expected Ksh12.8 billion based on revenue collections.

The Registrar of Political Parties has previously flagged arrears of over Ksh15 billion owed to parties since 2018 with ODM’s portion estimated at Sh12 billion.

The retreat resolved that ODM will either form the next government or be part of it with the SG indicating that the party will “pursue change and reforms from inside government.”

“We agreed to be at the table where decisions are being made. We are committed to making ODM bigger and likable,” she said.

To strengthen internal structures, the party tasked its secretariat to identify all 2027 aspirants, mandate the NEC Elections Board to run free and fair nominations, and order a revamp of women leagues at the grassroots.

The lowest party ranks will now be involved in managing affairs, including deployment of agents. It also demanded compensation for victims of police brutality.

National chairperson Gladys Wanga said the Mombasa meeting featured “robust conversations for the three days on unity and strength of the party ahead of 2027.”

Deputy party leader Simba Arati confirmed the party leader Dr Oburu Odinga did not attend, but sent a message.

“He is with us and he is okay,” he disclosed adding that the party was wooing back defectors.

“We are not a party that sends any member away. We are asking those who went away to come back and build a stronger party,” he said.

Cabinet secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi, and Hassan Ali Joho used the retreat to dismiss defection rumors and set the records rights about their party affiliations.

“We are ODM party leaders and we can’t decamp. Our presence in the Mombasa meeting wants to cement our support and ensure whatever comes out is represented in the Cabinet,” Joho said.

Oparanya said the CSs would continue supporting the party “through all means and through the party’s structures.”

The Treasury is yet to respond to ODM’s demand although the CS was present during the retreat.