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"content": "that Section 24 of the same Act states the sources of the Fund as not being less than zero point three percent of the revenue collected by the national government, as may be provided by Parliament as well as contributions and donations to the Fund from any other lawful source; cognizant of the fact that Section 25 of the Act requires the Registrar to distribute the fund on a percentage basis, 95 per cent of which is to be distributed proportionately by reference to the total number of votes secured by each political party in the preceding general election; the Senate calls upon the Registrar of Political Parties to immediately release funds to political parties in accordance with the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2011. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you will recall that there were general and presidential elections held in the Republic of Kenya on 4th March, 2013. As we stand here today on 19th September, 2013, six months down the line since the elections were held, you will also note that in a democratic political system as, indeed, the Constitution recognizes, political parties are major players, not only in representation, but in the constitution of governments. You will also note that in the present Constitution, it states that, there is established in this Republic two levels of government; one at the national level and the second one at the county level. In the end we are counting 48 governments in this nation which are constituted by individuals selected by political parties to represent them in such government and, therefore, must have means to communicate with those who represent them or who elected them through the vehicle and structure of political parties. It is in that spirit that in the wisdom of the writers of this Constitution, political parties were provided for in terms of resources given by the national government due to the importance of political parties in the institutionalization of democracy. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, if I may remind the House, Article 91 of the Constitution states very clearly the basic requirements for political parties; one, that every political party shall have a national character as prescribed by an Act of Parliament, have a democratically elected governing body, promote and uphold national unity, abide by the democratic principles of good governance, promote and practice democracy, do regular free and fair elections within the party, respect the rights of all persons to participate in the political process, including minorities and marginalized groups, respect and promote human rights, fundamental freedoms, gender equality and equity, promote the objects and principles of the Constitution, the rule of law and subscribe to and observe the code of conduct for political parties. Therefore, political parties are given onerous tasks in the Constitution. One constitutional obligation is for the Executive, in preparing a budget, to do it according to the Constitution which means among other things to provide not less than 0.3 per cent of the revenue collected at the national Government as may be provided by Parliament. Parliament has already provided the national Government with a budget with which to meet its obligation in accordance with the Constitution. So, if several months down the line; with a budget in hand, a Constitution in hand and Acts of Parliament in hand the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}