Africa-Press – Kenya. National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula has expressed concern over the financial challenges faced by political parties across the country due to recent budget cuts.
The Speaker spoke on Wednesday when he met representatives from various political parties in his office at Parliament Buildings to discuss their concerns and seek solutions to their financial strains.
The members, representing a diverse range of political affiliations, conveyed the impact of reduced budgets on their ability to function effectively.
Many political parties, they revealed, are grappling with maintaining offices and supporting their staff, hindering their crucial role in the democratic process.
Expressing his deep concern for their plight, Wetang’ula asserted Parliament’s recognition of the pivotal role political parties play in the democratic system.
“It is disheartening to hear that many political parties are struggling to maintain their offices and support their staff due to the limitations imposed by reduced budgets,” he said.
In response to these challenges, the Speaker pledged to prioritize the concerns raised by political parties and announced plans for a budget increase in the upcoming Supplementary budget scheduled for June this year.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the law and ensuring that political parties receive the necessary resources to fulfil their vital functions.
Wetang’ula also encouraged the representatives to engage with Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu to directly address their concerns and explore collaborative solutions.
He stressed the need for open communication channels to facilitate discussions among all stakeholders in the democratic process.
The Speaker also promised to facilitate meetings between the political party representatives and the Chair of the Budget Committee, as well as the Chair of the Justice, Legal, and Affairs Committee.
These engagements he said will aim at addressing the challenges faced by political parties from multiple perspectives and finding comprehensive solutions.
The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to upholding democratic values and expressed hope that the proposed budget increase, coupled with collaborative efforts with relevant committees, will alleviate the financial constraints faced by political parties.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of working together and fostering open dialogue to strengthen the nation’s democracy for the benefit of all citizens.
The Speaker was confident that, despite the challenges, positive and lasting change can be achieved through a shared commitment to democratic principles.
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