Inside Politics

Raila, Kalonzo contribute Ksh1M each in Embakasi church fundraiser presided over by Uhuru

Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 21:23 | By
ODM Leader Raila. PHOTO/File

ODM leader Raila Odinga is among several senior dignitaries who took part in a fundraiser for building an AIC church in Pipeline, Embakasi South constituency.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who presided over the contribution, revealed that the ODM chief together with his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka contributed Ksh1 million each towards the building of the church.

The president made pledges on behalf of the two leaders who were absent from the function. He said that the two could not attend the function since they were attending another function in Lodwar.

"Today I would have come here with my two other colleagues; Hon Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka but they had a journey to Turkana County where they were to attend another church function in Lodwar but because they wished to be part of us today, they have sent me here to pass their greetings. I told them that I would deliver their greetings but since I was not coming for a political event but a church-building function, I told them to contribute towards the same. They all agreed to my plea and they both gave me Ksh 1 million to bring here," President Uhuru said.

The Head of State also asked other leaders including Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Education CS George Magoha, Governor Ann Kananu and Police Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai among others who were present at the function to make their contributions toward the building of the church.

The leaders' contribution comes months after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) banned political aspirants from taking part in fundraisers.

IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced that aspirants would not be allowed to participate either by contribution or attendance in a fundraiser after December 9, 2021.

According to Chebukati, politicians conducting Harambees after the said date will be found guilty of committing an electoral offence therefore they will be barred from vying in this year's elections.

"On the issue of harambees, after December 9, it becomes an election offence," Chebukati said.

“A person who directly or indirectly participates in any manner in public fundraising within 8 months preceding a general election or during the election period will be disqualified from contesting in the election held during the election year,” he added.

Following the announcement by IEBC, it now remains a question whether the commission will take action against Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka for taking part in the fundraiser since they have both declared their interest to run for a political seat in the August elections.

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