Quick Answer
Political parties are the vehicles through which most candidates seek office in Kenya. They are registered and regulated by the Registrar of Political Parties, must have a national character, and can receive public funding and form coalitions.
Key facts
- Parties are registered and regulated by the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
- The Constitution requires parties to have a national, not ethnic, character.
- Qualifying parties receive money from the Political Parties Fund.
- Parties can join together in registered coalitions.
What political parties do
Parties select and sponsor candidates, organise around policy platforms, mobilise voters, and form the government or the opposition. For most candidates, a party ticket is the route onto the ballot.
The rules parties must follow
Article 91 requires every party to have a national character — not to be founded on ethnicity, religion, region or gender — and to have a democratically elected governing body. Parties are registered and supervised by the Registrar of Political Parties.
Funding and coalitions
Qualifying parties receive public money from the Political Parties Fund, and parties may join forces in registered coalitions to contest or form government.
Both are explained in the guides below.
Why this matters to you
Parties shape your real choices — who appears on your ballot, and what they stand for. Understanding how they work helps you see past personalities to the structures behind them.
Frequently asked questions
Who registers political parties?
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Can a party be based on one ethnic group?
No — the Constitution requires parties to have a national character.
Do parties get public money?
Yes — qualifying parties receive funds from the Political Parties Fund.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 91–92 — klrc.go.ke
- Political Parties Act, 2011 — kenyalaw.org