Thursday, January 10, 2013

TNA officials want more cash for primaries


By JOB WERU and ERIC WAINAINA
Some counties in central Kenya are complaining that TNA has not given them enough money to conduct nominations.
The counties set to hold nominations on January 17 are facing logistical nightmare, with some officials conceding the exercise may fail the test of fairness.
Confusion reigned in most TNA branches in the Mt Kenya region, since they have not prepared budgets for the exercise.
TNA officials in Kiambu County claim Sh9 million that has been allocated to them to hold nominations is not sufficient. TNA county chairman William Josiah said to ensure they cover all 561 polling centres, they are required to have about Sh30 million.
possible alternatives
Yesterday, Josiah said they had petitioned the national office through their county coordinator Grace Chania requesting if they can be allocated more funds for the exercise.
He said county officials and all aspirants will meet to deliberate possible alternatives if national offices will not agree to increase the budget.
The possible alternatives, he said, would either be to reduce number of polling centres by merging some or aspirants to give out monetary support voluntarily, saying some are willing to do so.
“We have written to the national office asking for more money because the amount we have is not enough. We are expecting feedback. We will have a meeting with aspirants to deliberate on the way forward,” Josiah said yesterday.
In Nyeri and Laikipia counties, it emerged that the branches had not prepared budgets for the polls, although party officials claimed they had already printed ballot papers to be used in the exercise.
Nyeri TNA Secretary General Regina Macharia said County Nominations Advisory Board was meeting to finalise logistical requirements ahead of polls.
“We hope that after the meeting, we will come up with all that is required,” said Macharia, exuding confidence that the exercise will go on as scheduled.
“We have already printed ballot papers, which bear all aspirants’ names and photographs and serial numbers. We will notify aspirants through SMS to come and verify their details on ballot papers,” Macharia said. Mr Timothy Nguyo, Laikipia TNA coordinator noted the branch was finalising its nominations’ budget, adding that by the end of this week, they will have received all materials necessary in the exercise. “The ballot papers have already been printed and Jubilee Alliance has purchased its own ballot boxes to be used in the exercise,” said Nguyo.
Nguyo said the branch was preparing a budget, which comprises of payment for polling clerks, returning officers and other officials.
In Nyeri, Macharia, who represents Nyeri Town, Othaya, Mukurweini, Tetu and Mathira constituencies noted the branch has not prepared its members register.



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