Why is it that elections in Kenya are so much expensive even compared to other countries? Why is it that the mention of just the word is even overrated in Kenya.
IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati lamented that the commission was at the mercy of the treasury that only remits money months to elections despite many requests by his office for continuous funding.
“Treasury only releases money a few months before elections yet we need money throughout the election cycle,” said Chebukati.
He said the lack of continuous funding was also contributing to the expensive elections in Kenya saying the election materials that should have been reused in the next elections were often discarded due to lack of maintenance.
“Our elections are expensive because of the use of technology… If facilitated by treasury, we can be able to repair and maintain the infrastructure in place to be reused,” explained the chairperson responding to calls to reduce the expensive cost of voting in Kenya.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairperson William Cheptumo, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga raised concern over costly elections in Kenya noting Sh54 billion was spent in the 2017 elections.
Duale, Lusaka and Cheptumo said they will ensure that the national assembly and senate assist IEBC to access funding for its operations.
“There is lack of legal framework to establish a selection panel to recruit the vacancies of the commissioners who have left office,” said Duale.
He added, “National assembly is ready to do as required. We shall assist you in consultation with the treasury.”
It also emerged there was a poor legal framework to support the operations of the commission especially on the replacement of the four commissioners and the referendum question.
The vacant positions include those created by IEBC vice chairperson Connie Nkatha and commissioners Paul Kurgat and Margaret Mwachanya who resigned early last year. Commissioner Roselyne Akombe resigned in 2017.