ODM has threatened to suspend all 2027 talks with the government over outstanding debt owed to the party by the National Treasury.
Speaking in Mombasa on Monday during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) retreat, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati accused President William Ruto’s administration of withholding funds due to the party under the Political Parties Fund.
Arati warned that unless the government releases the money, ODM would not engage in any negotiations with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We are saying one thing here — the money that the government owes us should be given to our party. We will not have any talks with the UDA. MPs, you are here, you are the people who make the National Budget. The government has our money, and that cash is what we want to be given. We need that cash to run our party as we move forward; we will not talk about anything else,” Arati said.
The high-level retreat, held at Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa, brought together over 70 ODM leaders, including Members of Parliament, governors, cabinet secretaries, and members of the party’s National Executive Council.
The meeting is part of the party’s efforts to strategize its political direction ahead of the 2027 polls.
ODM claims the government owes it approximately Sh12 billion in unpaid allocations from the Political Parties Fund, an amount the party says has accumulated over several years.
Party officials argue that the delays have severely constrained their operations, particularly at the grassroots level, where mobilisation and party activities require consistent funding.
The Political Parties Fund, established under the Political Parties Act of 2011, mandates that 0.3 per cent of the national government’s annual revenue be allocated to eligible political parties based on their parliamentary representation and votes garnered in the previous general election.
ODM leaders have accused the Treasury of selectively disbursing the funds, claiming that the delays are politically motivated.
The party insists that the release of the funds is a constitutional obligation and not a favour from the government.
The dispute threatens to strain the already fragile relations between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
