ORPP among Global Delegates in Africities Summit as Kenya Showcases her Finesse

The 9th edition of the Africities Summit was held in Kisumu on 17^th to the 21^st May 2022 at the Mamboleo Show Grounds at which Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) was participated as represented Ms. Lucy Kemunto, the Kisumu County Coordinator. Kenya was at its best in the summit, earning accolades in some of globally-acknowledged milestones such as devolution model, youth in leadership and technology. The summit aimed at strengthening the role of local and regional governments in the development of the continent and to help build the integration and unity of Africa from its territories.

Running under theme, “The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063.”, delegates interrogated varied topics of interest. Some of the topics for discussion included industrialization in African intermediary cities; role of pension funds in advancing infrastructure development in Africa; The devolution journey as per Kenyan experience; Young leadership and inclusive safe sustainable intermediary cities among others.

A panel discussion session underway during the summit

These discussions were premised upon Sustainable development goal no. 11 – sustainable cities and communities, which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and the need to address challenges that hamper the realization of UN’s 2063 Agenda.

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the forum. In his remarks, he called on the delegates and leaders to unanimously push to develop an African blueprint to guide growth in urban cities.

The Africities summit was termed some of the demonstrable means that continued to place Kenya on the world map as a country with a lot of investment opportunities. “ The fruitful deliberations that have been are important to discuss strategies that will go a long way in revitalizing sustainable growth of intermediary cities. You can all attest that Kisumu and other cities and towns have the best investment opportunities in this part of Africa,” noted Kisumu County Governor, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Africities is the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) of Africa’s flagship pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa. It is a platform for dialogue on decentralization and local governance that brings together every three years, African ministers; mayors, leaders and elected officials of local and regional governments; civil society organizations; traditional Authorities; representatives of the African Diaspora; economic actors; experts, researchers and academics; financial institutions; and development partners.

This year’s hosted in the country, attended by high profile delegates and African leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles and various Royal Majesties representing the traditional authorities of Africa.

Article originated by Lucy Kemunto

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Coalitions agreements deposited for scrutiny

Three pre- election coalitions agreements deposited for scrutiny

Ukombozi wa Majimbo Coalition presented its coalition agreement on 7^th May followed by Kenya Kwanza Alliance Coalition and Eagles National Alliance who deposited their coalition agreement to the Registrar of Political Parties on 8^th May. The Coalitions will be evaluated to meet threshold of Section 10 of Political Parties Act, 2011 and if confirmed, “upon issuing the letter of a coalition under sub regulation (2), the Registrar shall publish a notice in at least two newspapers with national circulation stating the name of the coalition and the political parties that are members of the coalition”.

 Left: officials of Ukombozi wa Majimbo Coalition, Right: Kenya Kwanza Alliance Coalition and Below: Eagles National Alliance present their coalition agreements to ORPP.

Badilisha Coalition Party Submits coalition agreement.

The Badilisha Coalition party deposited a coalition agreement to the Office of the Registrar of Political Party on 9^th April. "We will review the coalition to ascertain compliance with Section 10 of Political Parties Act, 2011 and Regulations thereof and give feedback to the applicants", guided the Registrar.

Badilisha Coalition Party officials present documents to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu (middle),Assistant Registrar, CPA Florence Birya( 2^nd left )and Manager Registration Locha Erukudi (left) at ORPP Headquaters, 4^th floor boardroom.

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ORPP, IEBC Team up in a Country-Wide Registration of Candidates

The Office dispersed its teams across the country to join the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for a joint registration of candidates of various elective positions from 29th  May to 3rd  June,2022.

Lesuuda Naisula receives registration certificate from IEBC officials in one of the registration centres.

Staff members were grouped in over 15 clusters for different to supervise and oversee the ORPP County and Constituency Monitors whose presence was in all constituencies. A section of staff were also stationed at the Bomas of Kenya , the designated centre for the registration of presidential candidates. The exercise was part of IEBC role in Article 88 (4f) of the Constitution, where the Commission is responsible for registration of candidates for election. Teams involved were briefed and taken through exercise’s tool and expectations in a virtual meeting prior to the exercise on 27 May 2022.  In the briefing, Assistant Registrar CPA Florence Birya termed the participation of ORPP in the exercise, critical stage at this phase of electoral period while calling for thoroughness and cooperation between ORPP staff, monitors and stakeholders involved.

“We expect you to facilitate the registration process and be present at county and constituency IEBC Centres since have a collaborative and consultative working arrangement with IEBC to achieve a successful electoral process. You are expected to facilitate the Returning Officer in verifying the membership status of political party and independent aspirants together with their proposers and seconders in your areas of jurisdiction,” said CPA Florence Birya in a virtual meeting.

Preceding the exercise, ICT department also undertook hand-on training for each of the region’s, monitors on the use of to the online web-based system (IPPMS), publicly available on website; https://ippms.orpp.or.ke besides the USSD mobile code, (*509#).

Monitors were reminded of ORPP scope of work during the exercise. “The ORPP’s mandate is to confirm the membership status of the candidates, proposers and seconders as anchored in section 34  (f) of the Political Parties Act, 2011 that empowers the Office to ensure and verify that no person is a member of more than one political party and notify the Commission of its findings”, guided Locha Erukudi, Manager, Registration in the pre-exercise briefing.

Registrar, Ann Nderitu (right) follow proceedings of registration process at the Bomas of Kenya

A call centre already established at ORPP headquarters to the election period to complement existing Office telephone lines, was activated in the period as a reporting centre for inquiries and source of prompt  interventions including challenges that teams may have encountered. The centre was operated through the period.

On registration, it sets off official campaign period that runs from 30th May to 6th August, 2022. Calls have been prevalent for promotion of peace and harmony amongst party and independent candidates. “I call on  political parties to hold their candidates responsible as well as those running as independent candidates to ensure peace at the homestretch to the general election”, Registrar of Parties, Ann Nderitu urged during a National Cohesion and Integration Commission  electoral violence hotspot report launch on June. The parties and candidates are required to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct, Political Parties Code of Conduct and other stipulated laws. Timelines issued by IEBC for registration had been delineated to various elective positions between 29th May 2022 and 7 June 2022 at the close of the exercise of candidates namely; David Mwaure Waihiga (Agano party), Prof. George Wajackoyah (Roots party), Raila Odinga (Azimio Coalition Political Party) and William Ruto (United Democratic Alliance-UDA).

Article originated by Silas Ketter

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First coalition political party registered in new law

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party is now a fully registered political party comprising of 26 fully registered political parties according to its coalition agreement deposited and evaluated. The party was issued by the Registrar of Political Parties a certificate of full registration signed by the Registrar on 21^st April, 2022.This follows ORPP’s assessment of its deposited coalition agreement and found compliant with provisions of section 10 of Political Parties Act, 2011 and Political Parties (Registration) Regulations, 2019.“ Upon receiving of the coalition agreement and documents specified…, the Registrar shall scrutinize the documents deposited and if satisfied that the coalition agreement is in accordance with the PPA and the party constitutions or rules, issue a letter confirming that the coalition has complied with the Act..” reads section 21 (2) of the Parties’ Registration Regulations.

Designated coalition officials deposited the coalition agreement within the timeline of 1^st of April, 2022 during which the Registrar offered the requisite preliminary guidance in line with a pre-coalition checklist developed by ORPP and validated by political parties. The certification to the coalition grants the coalition party rights of a fully registered political parties including nomination of candidates for election under its name.

“The requirements for a coalition agreement are provided under the Third Schedule to the Political Parties Act, 2011. These include dispute resolution mechanisms, amendment of the coalition agreement and parameters of exiting or joining a coalition”, Registrar, Ann Nderitu on 7^th May, 2022 guided the parties on the overall subject of making of coalition agreements.

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