Corporate Communication Unit.
Lion Place Nairobi, Kenya; December 1st,2020.
The first ever special journal for political players to showcase and education stakeholders on their roles and milestones has been mooted. It premieres in the Standard newspaper, tentative date set for 4th December, 2020. The publication is focused on the status of political parties and political players in promotion of democracy in the country in line with the project’s theme- custodians of democracy, human rights, good governance and political participation
Some of its objectives are to provide an avenue for participating players to bring forth their initiatives as key players in democratic processes as well as give citizens a platform to engage and voice out their contributions towards building a cohesive and progressive society.
The initiative, which commenced in October, was borne out of ORPP’s commitment to support political parties and other stakeholders in governance and outreach programmes. “The Political Parties Act, 2011 was enacted pursuant to the aspirations of Articles 91 and 92 of the Constitution of Kenya, which envisages well-managed political parties that champion and live to the principles of good governance”, reads the project concept in part.
Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu underscored the import of such engagements that not only to cement ORPP’s media relations but also acts as a sensitization avenue on wide matters of interest to a larger audience across all parts of the country. “ORPP is an institution that is careful to support and implement noble partnerships such as this for the good of the citizens we serve. We will continue to look out for more partnerships of this nature”, noted the Registrar.
A promo published in the Standard newspaper of the 26th November, 2020 outlining the journal’s objective and coordinating team.
“We are happy to be part of this as we play our role as a media outfit to educate and engage with stakeholders in the political space”, said Julius Mokaya, the Special Projects Editor at the Standard Media Group during an inception meeting at the Registrar’s Office.
A fortnight after its commencement, a sizable number of political parties and partners have committed to participate in the pull-out. “We have received positive feedback and commitments from a number of target institutions. Indeed, most of the ones we have approached have acknowledged the kind gesture for ORPP’s acceptable to oversee the project”, noted Florence Maswache, one of the project coordinators from the Standard Group in a progress brief to ORPP’s Communication Unit, coordinating the project.
The publication’s anticipated overall outcome is to create a heightened citizenry political awareness and rejuvenate the necessary nexus between political players and other stakeholders for cordial engagement including with members of the public.