Quick Answer
To operate, a political party must be registered by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and meet constitutional standards — including a national character and an open, democratic structure.
Key facts
- The Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) registers and regulates parties.
- Parties must have a national, not ethnic or religious, character.
- They must have a democratically elected governing body.
- Membership must be spread across the country.
The Registrar of Political Parties
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) registers parties, maintains the register, administers party funding, and helps resolve party disputes. A party that is not registered cannot field candidates.
The constitutional requirements
Article 91 sets the standards every party must meet:
- A national character — not founded on ethnicity, religion, region, gender or similar lines;
- A democratically elected governing body;
- Respect for the right of citizens to participate, and for human rights and gender equality;
- Internal democracy and proper record-keeping.
What registration requires
In practice, registration requires demonstrating membership spread across many counties, submitting proper constitutive documents, and maintaining ongoing compliance — parties can be deregistered for serious breaches.
Why this matters to you
The rules exist to stop parties from becoming ethnic or personal vehicles. Knowing them helps you judge whether a party genuinely meets the national standard the Constitution demands.
Frequently asked questions
Can any group call itself a party?
Only registered parties that meet the constitutional standards can field candidates.
Can a party be ethnic or regional?
No — parties must have a national character.
Who oversees parties?
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Article 91 — klrc.go.ke
- Political Parties Act, 2011 — kenyalaw.org