The governors affiliated to Cord were asked to contribute Sh500,000, not Sh1 million, each for the Homa Bay and Kajiado Central by-elections, ODM has clarified.
The Star, in an article today, said that Cord directed the governors to contribute the Sh1 million for Homa Bay senator candidate Moses Kajwang’s campaign.
“During yesterday’s Cord PG meeting held at Orange House and which was chaired by Minority Whip in the Senate Hon. Johnston Muthama suggested that all the Governors affiliated to the coalition contribute Ksh. 500,000 per county towards the campaigns in Homabay County and Kajiado Central,” ODM Communications Director Philip Etale said.
“This amount will not come from the Counties coffers but from the Governor (individually) and Members of County Assemblies under their jurisdiction. Just like Members of Parliament (Senate & NA) have been tasked to make personal contribution towards the two by-elections, so are the Governors and MCAs.”
Etale accused the Star of misleading the public, saying the story was “malicious” and aimed at tainting ODM and Cord’s reputations.
The Star received the information in confidence from a governor who said he is not authorised to speak for the party.
“It is true that each of the county governments under Cord has been asked to contribute a million shillings,” the county chief said.
“We don’t view it as an attempt to bully us because… it must be clear that we are politicians elected on party tickets and therefore we have the obligation to facilitate party activities.”
Etale said leaders wishing to contribute higher amounts are allowed to do so.
He reported that Sh10 million, for the Homa Bay senator by-election campaign, was contributed at a fundraiser held at Panafric Hotel on Thursday night.
ODM is expected to spend close to Sh40 million in a race to maintain its popularity in the country.
