Register a political party in Kenya under the Political Parties Act, 2011 (as amended) and managed by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).

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🇰🇪 Step-by-Step Process to Register a Political Party in Kenya

1. Form a Founding Team

You’ll need at least:

  • A founding committee of at least 1000 members drawn from at least 24 counties.
  • Each founding member must be a registered voter.

2. Reserve a Party Name

  • Propose three names (in order of preference).
  • Apply to the Registrar of Political Parties to reserve a name.
  • The Registrar will check if it’s unique and not similar to an existing party or offensive.
  • Once approved, the name is reserved for 90 days.

3. Apply for Provisional Registration

Submit the following to the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP):

  • Duly filled Form PPA 1 (Application for Provisional Registration)
  • The party constitution
  • Party manifesto
  • List of founding members (with names, ID numbers, voter numbers, signatures, and counties)
  • Party symbol, colours, and logo
  • Physical address, postal address, and contacts
  • Minutes of the founding meeting (showing party officials were elected)
  • Application fee (usually Ksh. 500,000)

If all is in order, the Registrar issues a Provisional Certificate of Registration, valid for 180 days (6 months).


4. Build County Structures

During the 180 days, the party must:

  • Recruit at least 1000 registered members in at least 24 counties.
  • Establish functional offices in those counties.

5. Apply for Full Registration

Submit:

  • Evidence of county presence (membership lists, office leases, photos)
  • Updated list of national and county officials
  • Audited financial statement
  • Copies of national IDs and voter cards for verification
  • Proof of compliance with the Political Parties Act and Constitution

If satisfied, the ORPP grants a Full Registration Certificate.


6. Post-Registration Requirements

Once fully registered:

  • You can nominate candidates for elections (after registering with the IEBC).
  • Must submit annual returns, financial statements, and maintain transparency.
  • Must adhere to gender, youth, and persons with disabilities inclusion.
  • Comply with Political Parties Fund (PPF) requirements for possible funding.

⚖️ Key Institutions


    📘 Tips

    • Choose a distinct ideology or value — not just tribal or regional identity.
    • Craft a clear constitution and manifesto to guide governance.
    • Maintain transparency in funding to avoid deregistration.
    • Consider youth and inclusivity to qualify for state funding and public trust.

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