The Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, has called for legal reforms to compel political parties to uphold inclusivity and equal representation in both national and county assemblies. She emphasized the need for reserved nominative positions for People Living with Disabilities (PWDs) to guarantee their participation in governance.
Speaking at the launch of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) Trans Nzoia Regional Office, Nderitu highlighted that 21 county assemblies, including Trans Nzoia, currently lack representatives for PWDs. She stressed that without legal provisions, the ongoing exclusion of PWDs would persist, undermining the principles of inclusivity and fair representation in governance.
Nderitu also noted that Kenya currently has 92 legally registered political parties. While the law does not impose a limit on the number of political parties, it grants every Kenyan the freedom to join a political party of their choice without coercion. She urged political parties to prioritize transparency and accountability to mitigate disputes as the country gears up for the 2027 General Election.
“As we prepare for the 2027 election exercise, we urge all political players to exercise patience, understanding, and maturity in their engagements to ensure peace before, during, and after the election. Let all politicians put the interests of the country at heart,” Nderitu stated.
ORPP Assistant Registrar for Registration and Coordination of Field Services, Florence Birya, revealed that plans are underway to decentralize services further by expanding the number of ORPP regional offices beyond the current 12. She reiterated the office’s commitment to empowering PWDs, ensuring they have a level playing ground in politics.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi underscored the importance of political sanity and adherence to the rule of law in maintaining peace ahead of the elections. He assured the public of the government’s dedication to fostering a peaceful electoral process.
Representing Governor George Natembeya, Chief Officer for Public Service Management Philip Kapten called for strengthened collaboration between the national and county governments to enhance service delivery.
The newly launched regional office will serve residents of Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, and Turkana counties, reducing the need to travel to Nairobi for services. The event also saw the attendance of ORPP officials, including Assistant Registrar for Regulation and Compliance Ali Abdullahi Surraw and Trans Nzoia ORPP Regional Coordinator Serah Wachira.
