The ORPP has commenced a 4-batch sensitization of political parties’ Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs) in a bid to build their capacity to manage disputes through established Internal Dispute Mechanisms (IDRMs).
On the programme’s first batch, ORPP trained representatives of 24 political parties on 11th December 2024 at the Epashikino Resort in Gigil, Nakuru County. The training focused on the importance of establishing fully functional IDRMs within political parties to ensure disputes are managed with fairness and in adherence to Constitutional aspiration of fair administrative action practices.
Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, Ali Abdullahi, while speaking at the event, underscored of the commitment of ORPP leadership to enhance the capabilities of political party structures, including the establishment of effective IDRCs. “Parties must IDRCs that are independent of the executive arms to be capable of fostering internal party democracy and minimize litigation, which is vital for good governance practices”, Ali said. He urged the parties to adopt best practices from both continental and global counterparts to improve their Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanisms.
Director of Compliance, Daniel Kinuthia, encouraged political parties to properly establish IDRMs to effectively resolve conflicts, essential in enhancing the reputation and sustainability of party institutions. He also highlighted prevalent conflicts within political parties such as those on leadership, party loyalty, coalition-related, change of officials among others.
Assistant Director of Compliance in charge of Capacity Building, Anastacia Kaberere called on party representatives to enhance their human capacity to provide appropriate guidance on disputes within their respective parties.
A section of staff presented on various topical areas such as on common conflicts in political parties and their effect to party institutions; legal framework on IDRMs; constitution and operations thresholds for IDRCs ; avenues for Alternative Dispute Resolution Techniques, appeal options and procedures availed by PPDT among others.
The sessions were also facilitated by officials of the from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) and Court Annexed Mediation (CMA). The CMA is an outfit of Judiciary of Kenya, promoting court-fronted and private mediation as alternative dispute resolutions besides court processes.
While discussing the legal provisions surrounding IDRMs, Ms. Elizabeth Ndwiga, a legal officer, highlighted a host Constitutional and other statutes that govern IDRMs. “The legal backing of alternative ways of internally resolving conflicts within political parties that include party constitutions, helps them to efficiently execute their roles while aiming to promptly dispense justice”, she said.
Participants appreciated the insights gained, requesting ORPP to regularly capacity-build political parties and develop generic guidelines for political parties as a reference on IDRMs matters.