A number of political parties are set to increase their nomination fees to raise more funds and reduce the number of aspirants at nominations ahead of the 2017 elections.
The review of nomination fees is one of the strategies most parties might use to increase their strength in elections. Majority will be waiting to cash in on defectors whom shall have fallen out with the big parties after nominations.
Among the parties that are likely to increase their fee include; the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which has come out to indicate it would introduce new rates for aspirants seeking the party's ticket in the upcoming elections.
Even though the party has not publicly published their revised fees, ODM chairman John Mbadi made the suggestions in a meeting with newly elected party officials representing Kisumu West branch.
“We need money to fund nominations and therefore we should increase nomination fees for governors to up to a million shillings, MPs up to Sh300,000 and MCAs by a considerable amount too,” the Suba MP was quoted by the Standard.
The Wiper party has also expressed plans to review the rates but the decision is yet to be made. Mombasa Senator Omar Hassan, who is also the Party's Secretary General, assured that even as the party reviewed the fees, it would make ensure affordable rates for people willing to take up party nominations.
Currently, Wiper charges Sh1 Million to run against party leader Kalonzo Musyoka; with governors and senators paying Sh300,000, while MPs and MCAs part away with Sh200,000 and Sh10,000 respectively.
On the other hand, both The Natioinal Alliance (TNA) and United Republican Party (URP) have still retained their nomination fees though the future of the two parties is unclear following formation of the Jubilee Party.
A good number of political parties are yet to convene their National Executive Committees (NECs) that decide on how much candidates should pay, but rates drawn from the 2013 elections show it could cost more to secure elective seats this time round.
