How to Start and Register a Political Party in Kenya

Starting a political party in Kenya is a structured process governed by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Political Parties Act of 2011. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from conceptualization to full registration. How to Register a Political Party in Kenya

Understanding the Legal Framework

Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand that political parties in Kenya must meet constitutional requirements. According to Article 91 of the Constitution, your party must have a national character, promote national unity, respect human rights, practice democracy, and ensure representation of minorities and marginalized groups.

Your party cannot be founded on religious, linguistic, racial, ethnic, gender, or regional grounds, nor can it encourage violence or maintain paramilitary forces.

The Registration Process: An Overview

Registration of a political party in Kenya is a two-stage process: provisional registration followed by full registration. The entire journey typically takes at least seven months and costs over Ksh 600,000 in application fees alone.

STEP 1: Preliminary Preparations

Organize Your Founding Members

Begin by bringing together a group of founding members who share your political vision. These individuals will form the core of your party’s leadership structure. An important requirement is that not more than two-thirds of the founding members shall be of the same gender, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to gender balance.

Your founding members must be Kenyan citizens, as non-citizens cannot be appointed to any office or be members of a political party in Kenya.

Hold Your First Official Meeting

Convene the first meeting of your founding members where you will:

• Agree on the party name and any abbreviation you wish to use
• Choose a party symbol and colors
• Draft the party’s constitution
• Select interim party officials
• Agree on the party’s ideology and manifesto
• Document all decisions in signed minutes

These minutes are critical as they must be submitted with your registration application.

Draft Your Party Constitution

Your party constitution must comply with the requirements set out in Schedule Two of the Political Parties Act. According to Section 9 of the Political Parties Act, your constitution must address all matters specified in this schedule and ensure gender balance in all party organs, with not more than two-thirds of members being of the same gender.

Your constitution should cover:

• The party’s name, symbol, and colors
• The party’s objectives and ideology
• Membership requirements and rights
• Structure of party organs and leadership
• Election procedures for party officials
• Dispute resolution mechanisms
• Financial management and accounting procedures
• Procedures for amending the constitution
• Disciplinary measures for members and officials
• Provisions for coalitions with other parties

Sign the Political Parties Code of Conduct

All founding members must sign the Political Parties Code of Conduct set out in the First Schedule of the Political Parties Act. This demonstrates your commitment to democratic principles and ethical conduct.

STEP 2: Name Search and Reservation

Conduct a Name Search

Before applying for registration, pay a fee of Ksh 500 to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to activate the name search option on the ORPP portal. This ensures your proposed party name is unique and not already in use.

Write a formal letter to the ORPP requesting a name search. The letter should be on letterhead (if available) and can be submitted in person or by registered post to:

Office of the Registrar of Political Parties
Lion Place, 1st Floor
Waiyaki Way
P.O. Box 1131-00600
Sarit Centre, Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0)204272000

The Registrar may refuse your application if your proposed name or symbol:

• Is identical to or closely resembles another registered party’s name or symbol
• Is likely to deceive or cause confusion
• Is contrary to the Constitution or any law
• Is undesirable or offensive

STEP 3: Apply for Provisional Registration

Prepare Your Application Documents

You’ll need to submit the following documents for provisional registration:

1. Form PP 1 (in duplicate, duly signed) – Application for provisional registration
2. Form PP 2 (in duplicate, duly signed and commissioned) – Declaration by founding members
3. Two copies of the party constitution complying with Schedule Two requirements
4. Signed minutes of the first meeting of founding members
5. Signed Political Parties Code of Conduct (Schedule One)
6. Statement of party ideology explaining your political philosophy and objectives
7. Party symbol registration request with clear representation of your chosen symbol
8. Undertaking to be bound by the Political Parties Act and Code of Conduct
9. Application fee of Ksh 100,000 (banker’s cheque payable to the Registrar of Political Parties)

Submit Your Application

Submit your complete application to the ORPP either in person or through registered mail. You can access the online portal through the eCitizen platform at https://orpp.ecitizen.go.ke where you can fill the application and pay fees using mobile money, cards, or online banking.

Review Period

Upon receipt of your application, the Registrar examines the submitted documents within 30 days. During this period, the Registrar will:

• Verify that all required documents are in order
• Ensure compliance with constitutional and legal requirements
• Publish a notice in the Kenya Gazette and in at least two newspapers with nationwide circulation within 14 days, inviting objections from any person or political party concerning the registration
• Consider any objections received

Receive Your Provisional Registration Certificate

If your application meets all requirements and no valid objections are raised, the Registrar will issue a certificate of provisional registration within 30 days of your association fulfilling the required conditions.

Understand the Limitations of Provisional Registration

While provisionally registered, your party has limited rights. Provisional registration does not entitle your party to organize or hold public meetings in connection with any election, or to propose or campaign for any candidate. You can, however, recruit members and build your party structures.

STEP 4: Build Your Party Infrastructure (Within 180 Days)

Critical Timeline

A political party that has been provisionally registered must apply for full registration within 180 days from the date of provisional registration. This is approximately six months, so you must work quickly and efficiently.

Recruit Members Nationwide

This is the most demanding phase. You must recruit at least 1,000 registered voters from each of more than half of Kenya’s counties. Since Kenya has 47 counties, you need membership in at least 24 counties, totaling a minimum of 24,000 members.

Member Recruitment Methods:

1. Online Registration: Members can join through the ORPP portal at https://ippms.orpp.or.ke or via eCitizen. This is a free service.
2. USSD Code: Members can dial *509# to join your party using their mobile phones. This incurs only the standard subscriber fee of about Ksh 1.
3. Manual Registration: Members fill prescribed forms and attach copies of their national ID or passport. Your party reviews applications, issues membership cards, and updates the register through the Integrated Political Parties Management Information System (IPPMS).

Important Member Requirements:

• All members must be registered voters
• Members must reflect regional and ethnic diversity, gender balance, and representation of special interest groups including minorities and marginalized groups
• You must obtain certified extracts from the voters’ register from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for all members
• The Registrar verifies each member’s details and sends consent messages as required by the Data Protection Act, 2019
• Keep your membership register continuously updated

Establish Physical Offices

You must establish a head office in Kenya with a registered postal address, plus branch offices in more than half of the counties (at least 24 branch offices).

For each office, you need:

• Physical location with a street address
• Lease agreements for all branch offices
• Sworn affidavit by a party official confirming the information is accurate

Form Your Governing Body

Establish a democratically elected governing body that reflects:

• Regional and ethnic diversity across Kenya
• Gender balance, with not more than two-thirds of members being of the same gender
• Representation of minorities and marginalized groups

All members of the governing body must meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution regarding integrity and ethics. This means they must not have been convicted of offenses involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, must not have been removed from public office for corruption or abuse of office, and must meet all other leadership and integrity standards.

Develop Your Party Website

Create a functional party website that demonstrates your digital presence and ability to communicate with members and the public. The website should include party information, leadership details, ideology, and membership recruitment mechanisms.

STEP 5: Apply for Full Registration

Prepare Your Full Registration Application

You’ll need to submit:

1. Form PP 4 (in duplicate, duly signed and commissioned) – Application for full registration
2. Signed Political Parties Code of Conduct (Schedule One)
3. Certificate of Provisional Registration
4. Complete membership list with names, addresses, and identification particulars of all members
5. Certified extracts from the voters’ register for at least 1,000 members from each of at least 24 counties
6. Details of head office location and postal address
7. Details of all branch offices in more than half of the counties with lease agreements
8. List of governing body members demonstrating diversity and gender balance
9. Evidence of integrity compliance for all governing body members
10. Application fee of Ksh 500,000 (banker’s cheque payable to the Registrar of Political Parties)

Submit Your Application

The application must be in writing and signed by an authorized official of the political party. Submit through the ORPP portal or in person at the ORPP offices.

Verification and Approval

The Registrar shall, within 30 days of an application, issue a certificate of full registration to a provisionally registered political party which has fulfilled the conditions of full registration.

The Registrar will verify:

• Membership numbers and distribution across counties
• Diversity and gender balance in membership and leadership
• Integrity compliance of governing body members
• Office locations and documentation
• All other legal and constitutional requirements

Receive Your Full Registration Certificate

Upon successful verification, you’ll receive your Certificate of Full Registration. Your party is now officially recognized and can participate fully in Kenya’s political process, including:

• Organizing public meetings and rallies
• Proposing and campaigning for candidates
• Participating in elections
• Accessing the Political Parties Fund
• Forming coalitions with other parties

Post-Registration Obligations

Maintain Compliance

As a fully registered party, you must:

1. Keep accurate records of all members, finances, and party activities
2. Submit annual audited accounts to the Registrar for publication
3. Maintain membership of at least 1,000 registered voters in more than half of the counties
4. Update the Registrar of any changes to the party constitution, leadership, or contact details within seven days
5. Ensure gender balance in all party organs remains compliant (not more than two-thirds of the same gender)
6. Comply with funding regulations including disclosure of donations and sources of income
7. File annual returns with the Registrar
8. Maintain offices in more than half of the counties

Financial Management

Your party must:

• Maintain proper accounting books and records
• Have annual accounts audited by a qualified auditor
• Submit audited accounts to the Registrar within three months of the financial year end
• Disclose all sources of funding, including donations above specified thresholds
• Not accept foreign funding except as permitted by law

Access the Political Parties Fund

Fully registered parties that meet eligibility criteria can access the Political Parties Fund, which provides public financing based on electoral performance. Parties must meet minimum thresholds of votes or seats to qualify.

Potential Reasons for Deregistration

Be aware that your party can be deregistered if it:

• Fails to comply with the Constitution or Political Parties Act
• Violates the Code of Conduct
• Fails to maintain the minimum membership requirements
• Does not participate in two consecutive general elections
• Fails to submit required annual returns and audited accounts
• Violates funding regulations
• Merges with or dissolves into another party

Before deregistration, the Registrar will notify the party in writing of the breach, the intention to deregister, and give 90 days to remedy the breach or show cause why the party should not be deregistered.

Summary of Costs

Here’s a breakdown of the direct fees payable to the ORPP:

• Name search fee: Ksh 500
• Provisional registration application fee: Ksh 100,000
• Full registration application fee: Ksh 500,000

Total direct ORPP fees: Ksh 600,500

Additional costs you should budget for include:

• Legal and consultancy fees for drafting the constitution
• Office rentals for head office and at least 24 branch offices
• Member recruitment campaigns and logistics
• Administrative costs for meetings and documentation
• Website development and maintenance
• Advertising and publicity
• Gazette and newspaper publication fees
• Travel expenses for county organizing

Realistically, you should budget at least Ksh 2-3 million for the entire registration process and initial party setup.

Timeline Summary

• Name search and reservation: 1-2 weeks
• Provisional registration processing: 30 days
• Building party infrastructure (member recruitment, offices, leadership): Up to 180 days
• Full registration processing: 30 days

Total estimated timeline: 7-8 months minimum

Helpful Resources and Contacts

Office of the Registrar of Political Parties

• Physical Address: Lion Place, 1st Floor, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
• Postal Address: P.O. Box 1131-00600, Sarit Centre, Nairobi
• Telephone: +254 (0)204272000
• Website: https://orpp.or.ke
• Online Portal: https://orpp.ecitizen.go.ke
• IPPMS Portal: https://ippms.orpp.or.ke
• Member recruitment USSD: *509#

Key Legal Documents to Review:

• Constitution of Kenya 2010 (Article 91 and 92)
• Political Parties Act No. 11 of 2011
• Political Parties (Registration) Regulations

Final Tips for Success

1. Start early: The 180-day window for full registration goes by quickly when you’re recruiting 24,000 members and establishing offices in 24 counties.
2. Build a strong team: You’ll need dedicated organizers in every county to recruit members and establish offices.
3. Focus on diversity: From day one, ensure your membership and leadership reflect Kenya’s diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, region, and special interest groups.
4. Keep meticulous records: Document everything – meeting minutes, membership applications, lease agreements, financial transactions. The Registrar will verify all your claims.
5. Stay compliant: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the Constitution, Political Parties Act, and Code of Conduct. Non-compliance can lead to deregistration.
6. Leverage technology: Use the online platforms and USSD codes for member recruitment – they’re free and more efficient than manual processes.
7. Seek legal counsel: Consider engaging lawyers experienced in political party registration to review your documents and guide you through the process.
8. Plan for sustainability: Registration is just the beginning. Plan how you’ll maintain membership, fund operations, and remain compliant long-term.
9. Network with established parties: Learn from parties that have successfully navigated the process. While you’ll compete politically, you can learn from their administrative experiences.
10. Be patient and persistent: The process is rigorous by design to ensure only serious, well-organized parties with genuine national support are registered. Stay focused on your vision.

Starting a political party in Kenya is a significant undertaking that requires substantial financial resources, dedicated human capital, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles. However, for those with a genuine vision for Kenya’s political future and the determination to see it through, it represents a powerful opportunity to shape national discourse and contribute to the country’s democratic development.

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Starting and registering a political party in Kenya is not just a legal process — it is an expression of civic responsibility and belief in participatory democracy. As the country’s political landscape continues to evolve, informed and innovative leadership will be essential to shaping policies that truly serve the people. At EyeAfrica.news, we remain committed to examining the ideas and systems that influence Kenya’s future. For readers interested in the broader forces shaping leadership and development, we recommend “The Innovation Ceiling: How Conservative Thinking Is Limiting Africa’s Leap into the Future,” an exploration of mindset barriers to progress, and “Why Kenya’s Youth Aren’t Farming: The Future of Agriculture at Risk,” which looks at generational challenges with long-term national consequences.

Good luck with your political journey!