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{
    "id": 390454,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/390454/?format=api",
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    "content": "external philosophies, and so on, that we are trying to prevent. Parties are, therefore, confined to relying largely on public funds from the Consolidated Fund in particular. Madam Temporary Speaker, by causing delays in releasing these funds to the political parties, wananchi out there are beginning to ask questions. What is the motive of delaying the release of these funds? Could there be some secret maneuver or some ulterior motives somewhere? Does somebody want to cripple, weaken or even kill political parties so that we are driven back to the dark days of yesteryears? Madam Temporary Speaker, a majority of our political parties are now – as you have heard before from those who know better, Sen. Janet Ong’era and others – facing serious financial constraints because of the delay in the release of these funds. This, of course, could lead to temptations on the part of those officers leading political parties and officials to seek bail outs from other sources; maybe some of those sources could be fraudulent and criminal such as drug barons or unscrupulous business people. If this happens, it could seriously compromise the quality and integrity of our political parties, and that is something we must avoid. We must take every measure to ensure that this is avoided. The political parties in this country that we are talking about have obligations to fulfill. They have employed staff in their own secretariats; and these staff also have their individual personal family obligations, and so on. They have offices and they have branches scattered all over the country. They have entered into contracts, including lease agreements, and so on; and they have an obligation to honor those contracts. Madam Temporary Speaker, by failing or delaying in providing funds to political parties, we are easily undermining these parties; parties which stand out to contribute to the good of society as a whole. I, therefore, want to appeal to the Registrar of Political Parties in particular, because the law places this responsibility squarely on her shoulders, and to appeal to the national Treasury and, of course, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). I would like to urge them to ensure that this money is paid out in accordance with what the law requires. It should be paid out at the beginning of every financial year; but it is now several months down the line. The Consolidated Fund should be empowered to promptly distribute the money to political parties when it is due, and it was due immediately after the beginning of this financial year. Madam Temporary Speaker, in concluding my brief remarks, I want to, once again, thank the Senator for Kisumu and urge all those who are concerned to ensure that we support political parties in this country so that they can perform and discharge the critical mandate that they are charged with. Madam Temporary Speaker, I beg to support."
}