Raila Slams IEBC over Sh14 Billion Referendum Budget, Says Exercise Should Not Cost More Than Sh2 Billion

ODM leader Raila Odinga has dismissed reports that the looming constitutional referendum will cost at least Sh14 billion.

The figure was revealed on Wednesday by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) acting CEO Hussein Marjan.

Marjan told MPs that the commission met and discussed a working budget based on the 19.6 million voters in the current register.

“We have already sat down and asked ourselves what is required for a referendum. Our budget was coming to Sh14 billion though we are still fine-tuning it,” he said.

But in a statement on Thursday, Odinga said the exercise should not consume more than Sh2 billion, accusing IEBC officials of a plot to loot public funds.

He further noted that the inflated estimation is a clear indication that the electoral commission must be overhauled.

“A statement attributed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that the upcoming referendum will cost up to Ksh.14 billion is the latest indication that the electoral body and the entire election management in Kenya must be overhauled and streamlined,” said Raila.

“Elections have become one of the major avenues for ripping off the country through various schemes that are never meant to save costs or yield credible results but to line pockets of individuals. Those schemes are evident in the IEBC’s latest reasoning.”

He added: “The upcoming referendum is intended to bring sanity to our election processes including aligning the costs to the global trends.”

Odinga explained that the average cost per voter in countries that hold regular elections ranges from $1 to $2 and questioned why Kenyans pay more.

“In a country with government institutions including police stations, schools, national and county government offices, and government vehicles in every corner in addition to a fairly well-developed transport infrastructure, we should be able to conduct a one ballot referendum at no more than Ksh.2 billion for 20 million voters,” he said.

“The Ksh.14 billion the IEBC is talking about is not only outrageous but also a manifestation of the institution’s insensitivity to the changes Kenyans are crying for in the management of public affairs,” he added.

He promised to send a team to meet with IEBC officials and itemize what will lead to a cost-effective referendum exercise and elections.