The ORPP apex leadership; Registrar and Assistant Registrars appeared before the National Assembly`s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) to present on Supplementary estimates No. 1, FY 2024/2025 on 17th July 2024 at Parliament Buildings.
The Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu CBS, leading the team, requested for the reinstatement of the budget which had been significantly reduced, noting that adequate budget allocation is critical for the Office fulfilling its mandate.
On a related matter, on 22nd July, 2024 the Office appeared before the Senate Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee (JLAHRC) to table its views and position on four (4) Senate Bills under discussions at Senate Chambers, Parliament Buildings. The Bills the Office presented on together with over 10 other stakeholder public and private entities with a focus on The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which were under public participation. Other Bills under the consideration were; The IEBC, The Election offences, The County Governments Election Laws and The Political Parties (Amendment).
In reference to Bi-partisan process as outlined in the NADCO report, The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill falls foul of fundamental issues that the Office presented during Bi-partisan sittings that intended to enhance party discipline, fidelity to parties and better governance”, submitted the Registrar Ann Nderitu, CBS as part of comprehensive memoranda on the Bills under discussion.
The Registrar reiterated and urged the Committee of the need to strengthen the ORPP, while anchoring it in the Constitution as one of the ways of preserving the gains the Office and political parties had made in promoting governance and enhance democratic ideals.
Bomet County Senator, Hillary K. Sigei, who chairs the Committee assured that it will consider the Office submissions for better representation and inclusion in political parties registration and regulation.
Stakeholder present that included Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) ,Attorney General, Political Parties Liaison Committee, National Gender and Equality Commission, NCPD, ELGIA, FIDA were in support of strengthening of ORPP. They acknowledged the ORPP`s progress under legal instruments them noting, the milestones under the Registrar`s and Assistant Registrars’ leadership.
