ORPP as part of Uwiano Platform for Peace issued a joint statement on the State of Peace and Political Decency in the run up to the 2022 General Elections. Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, outlined contributions by the Office towards peaceful 2022 General Elections. They included: ORPP Peace engagement fora, media sensitisation events, staging of Peace Caravan, monitoring of electoral campaigns across the country, engagement programs for various target groups, reviewed Political Parties’ Agents Training Manual and scheduled national and county level Agents training between 23rd to 31st July 2022.
Registrar of Political Parties together with other Uwiano principals at a joint presser at Serena Hotel Nairobi on 26th July 2022, Nairobi
On his part, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairperson Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, urged political leaders and their followers to exercise tolerance in the last stretch of campaigns, respect the integrity of Institutions mandated to conduct elections and a section of political analysts desist from posting inciteful messages on social media.
Key stakeholders during the presser underscored the importance of a peaceful environment that promotes thriving of economic, social and political development. Kenyans were encouraged to embrace a violence free elections and turn out to vote as their democratic right.
ORPP was part of elections duty-bearing stakeholders' roundtable discussions to deliberate on ways to mitigate electoral conflict before and after the elections.
Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, who was among the lead speakers, highlighted various strides ORPP has taken to promote peace. Some of recent ones she enumerated included, a stakeholder partnership culminating in signing of Decency Charters to signify their commitment to uphold peace in elections; targeted capacity building; staged countrywide peace caravan; deployment of Monitors in all counties and constituencies to monitor political campaigns and other political activities; recent unveiling of Kenya's Political Education Sourcebook, as a training/reference information tool for political parties, agents, candidates among others.
Registrar with some of the officials for African Union Election Observation mission on 21st July
The Registrar also informed of ORPP scheduled political parties' Chief Agents training conducted from 23rd July to 30th July at national level and subsequent second level training to be conducted across clustered counties.
Most of the speakers present, urged for the public to accord trust and support to institutions managing or aligned to electoral process in the country for a credible 9th August,2022 general election.
Chief observer and European Member of Parliament Mr. Ivan Stefanec and other members of European Union Election Observation Mission paid a courtesy call to the Registrar on 15th July. Discussions were on a wide range of ORPP's milestones towards election preparedness. They included; support and engagement of political parties participating in 2022 election; undertaken countrywide targeted capacity building programmes; actualized amendments to Political Parties Act, 2011; planned parties' /candidates chief agents training among others.
The visit by the European Union Observer Mission to ORPP and other institutions was a build-up to its mission ahead of 9th August,2022 General election, to which it was to be part of the International election observation.
Political parties provide apt structures for women to earn, contribute and shape the country's political leadership. Speaking in Nairobi on 12th July at a Badili Grassroot Women engagement forum, Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, outlined measures ORPP prides itself in empowering women in political parties and politics.
Championing for amendments in the Political Parties Act, 2011 responsive to women issues; undertaking series of capacity building programmes for women interested in politics; convening sessions for women engagement amongst themselves are some major milestones ORPP had set out have enhanced inclusivity in political processes.
Registrar of Political Party addresses participants during Badili grassroot women forum at Radisson blue hotel, Nairobi
"All the women here have a personal responsibility of supporting women candidates in the upcoming polls," said the Registrar.
Other speakers lauded the forum, which provided technical know-how to the participants' better involvement in the electoral processes. Badili Africa is an organization that empowers youths and women and promotes their active participation in civic, political and democratic processes.
The Office of the Registrar on invitation of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), joined in sensitization fora for local based journalists in Siaya and Kisii Siaya counties held on 14th May and 19th May,2022 respectively. Participants that included media practitioners in the region, deliberated on a raft of obligations for responsible journalism ahead of the August 2022 general election.
Some of areas presented for the Office related to; mandate and functions; role of ORPP and political parties at different stages in electoral cycle; provisions as contained in the amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2011 among other topical matters.
A journalist is obliged to conduct proper research on issues and consult relevant electoral players before reporting especially at this critical time where a mere statement may elicit chaos among the electorates” noted Lucy Kemunto, who represented the Office in the forums.
Lucy Kemunto, ORPP Kisumu County Coordinator making a presentation during theMCK Journalists training forum in Siaya
Journalists and media practitioners were also guided on other topics pertaining to; ethical reporting; hate speech and conflict sensitive reporting during elections; debunking misinformation; covering of electoral opinion polls and journalists role and skill in moderating live broadcasts.
Institutions that complemented MCK and its accredited trainers in the sensitizations were; Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
A section of participants listen in during the Hotel in Siaya County. Participants in a group photo after the forum at
Candela journalist training forum at Ufanisi Holtel in Kisii County