MPs threaten to shoot down IEBC proposals on campaign financing
Members of Parliament have threatened to reject the proposed financing regulations that will require political parties and aspirants to open specific bank accounts for campaign cash on grounds that they are time barred.
MPs issued the threats on the day the Committee on Delegated Legislation, which is expected to scrutinise them and table a report in the House is today set to hold a meeting with the electoral agency on the same.
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi yesterday confirmed that the committee will begin hearings of the regulations today.
“Mr Speaker, as a committee we have a meeting tomorrow where we will begin scrutinising these regulations so that we can be able to table a report in the House,” he said.
Scheduled meeting of the committee came even as the lawmakers had earlier appealed to Speaker Justin Muturi to rule whether the regulations were properly before the delegated committee as the polls body tabled them late.
MPs claimed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had failed in its obligations, as it did not submit the regulations within the required timelines as the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013 requires they be in place one year to the election.
Although Muturi said the House cannot be blamed should the regulation be rejected, he allowed the Delegated Legislation Committee to consider them and ensure that public participation is conducted before they table their final report.
Good practice
“It is not good practice for the Speaker to withdraw business referred to the House. That is why I would want the committee to make a decision one way or another,” he said.
He added: “It is also not fair for anybody to suggest that this House has sat on any regulations.
Should anybody feel the need to shorten the time for consideration of the regulation, they can approach the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to kick start the process.”
Muturi made the ruling as the law makers, led by Leader of Majority Amos Kimunya, his minority counterpart John Mbadi, Minority Whip Junet Mohammed, Aden Duale (Garissa Township) Makali Mulu (Kitui Central) Jared Okello (Nyando), David Sankok (Nominated) Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) said Parliament should not be blamed should the regulations be rejected.
