UNFAIR

The Sh541 million that Treasury plans to give to the ‘Yes’ team to campaign for the proposed constitution should be used to help Kenyans affected by floods, according to the Special Programmes minister.

With 90 people killed, 18,200 made homeless, and 2,500 homes destroyed by floods in 34 districts, the funds would come in handy in assisting those affected, said Dr Naomi Shaban said.

“Politicians who want to involve themselves in the campaigns for or against the proposed constitution should do so from their own pockets,” the minister said at a news conference in Nairobi on Friday.

“It is unfair that the ‘Yes’ team will utilise these funds while Kenyans suffer. This money should instead be diverted to my ministry,” she said.

“Taxpayers’ funds should not be wasted on such issues. The Committee of Experts should be left to do its work of civic education...politicians should not be involved at all.”

Dr Shaban said the heavy rains had also destroyed 247 primary and 28 secondary schools.

Major roads, including the Kapenguria-Lodwar, Moyale-Marsabit, Lodwar-Kakuma, and Samburu roads, had been cut off.

“Livestock has drowned and crops have been destroyed,” she said.

But faced with this destruction, the ministry was short of funds to help those affected.

She said besides catering for those affected by the rains, her ministry still had to contend with internally displaced people.

“We need at least Sh3.3 billion for IDPs and another Sh1 billion for those affected by the floods,” she said.

“We have written to Treasury and been blatantly told there is no money. We wonder why money is being diverted to the ‘Yes’ camp, yet we need it,” she said.

Separately, Treasury is trying to figure out how to raise the funds required for the ‘Yes’ campaign.

Normally, the money would come from the Justice and Constitutional Affairs ministry but it was not in the budget.

Sources said the money could come from the contingency fund, which is nearly exhausted, or a vote will be created.

Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, a co-convener of the ‘Yes’ campaign team, said on Friday: “The government would be irresponsible not to support the campaign. The new constitution is part of Agenda Four”.

MPs in the ‘No’ team have criticised the bid to use taxpayers’ funds, with Charles Keter, Kiema Kilonzo, Cyrus Jirongo, Julius Kones, and Benjamin Langat saying it would be illegal as the funds had not been approved by Parliament.

Ironically, they saw nothing wrong with the ‘No’ team getting a share should the government decide to use the funds for the campaigns.

Narc Kenya chairperson Martha Karua has said the government should not use taxpayers’ money to fund one side.

On Saturday, the ‘Yes’ team holds a rally in Kayole, Nairobi to be attended by President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.