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.
Comments
When Raila assumes that…
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When Raila assumes that other developed nations use $1 to $2 per person for elections, he also forgets to tell us that those nations do not run a bloated 47 counties with governors on a small area like Kenya. He is not telling us that such nations have a president, prime minister with quadruplets of deputies.
Even if this BBI thing is so important to him and perhaps anyone else , why not wait for it to be inserted into the general election which is less than 2 years away? Why expend the poor country into two general elections in less than two years?
There’s no much difference in cost between people made to go on polls either to pass a referendum or a general elections.
What the country should embark on is to dwell on the most with 4 agenda proposals to make it not just a dream but a reality. And to stop forthright the delusion of trying to satisfy tribal chiefs by creation of non productive change of laws through some some expensive exercises.
The deep state has to concentrate on passing laws that are destined to help the peasants and all Kenyans through the already set up mechanisms by the act of parliament.
The REFEREDUM is for Raila…
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The REFEREDUM is for Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta.
They should pay for it.
They never consulted anyone when they did their handshake.
We still want secession.
The 14 Billions are a Joke…
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The 14 Billions are a Joke meant for RIGGING.
If RAO's figures are correct…
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If RAO's figures are correct,all he has to do is call IEBC ,and show they why his budget fits,and theirs is excessive.He at least owes that to the Public,if he truly is a servant of the people.Comparing what it costs in developed countries,just convolutes the issue.Are we not able to think Independently,and come up with our own modus operandi without waiting to see what the USA,and other so called first world does? Time to stop being copycats on every thing,from culture to spending.
This just another cow fixing…
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This just another cow fixing to get milked.
Raila won't do nothing about it because UHURU is ready to milk it.
Do what JARAMOGI did when told him to pick some land.
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