By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
June 19, 2026 - The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties on Friday concluded five days of electoral preparedness training in Garissa, bringing together religious leaders, civil society representatives, youth, women and other stakeholders.
During the forum, participants strongly voiced concerns over the practice of negotiated democracy, arguing that it undermines citizens' constitutional right to freely elect leaders and limits political competition. The stakeholders called for greater civic education, inclusive political processes and adherence to democratic principles to ensure credible and peaceful elections.
Addressing journalists, Garissa coordinator for the Registrar of Political Parties Ifrah Isaak Ibrahim said that over the five days they engaged youths, women, persons living with disabilities and concluded with faith-based organisations and civil societies.
Ifrah noted that negotiated democracy featured prominently in discussions on how everyone, including persons living with disabilities and women, should be given a chance.
"The negotiated democracy is deeply rooted within the society and the communities but I would appeal that it should be inclusive and gives everybody a chance at the table," she said.
In the devolution era, local elders have been involved in endorsing individuals for certain political seats while prevailing upon others to step down in what has been referred to as negotiated democracy.
Sheikh Hassan Abdi of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims called for councils of elders to give a chance to anybody who wants to vie for a political seat, noting that by limiting some people they could be preventing persons with good leadership skills.
"We understand that ours is a clan-based politics but my appeal is that as we do that, let's pick people with the best leadership qualities who have the interest of the people at heart," he said.
Related articles
The cleric noted that there is a need for more voter education specifically at the sub-county level, adding that some people do not even know how to vote.
Sheikh Hassan hailed the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, saying the capacity building for various actors came at the right time since 80% of people in the region do not know the electoral processes.
Senior Electoral Officer Abdi Yunis took the stakeholders through the electoral processes, including pre-election, election and post-election phases. He allayed fears of rigging, saying rumours of ballot stuffing are nearly impossible as immediately voting is over, counting of the votes commences and the result at the polling station is final.
The senior election officer also raised concerns over early campaigns by politicians that are disguised as community awareness.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is an independent office established under section 33 of the Political Parties Act, 2011. It is headed by the Registrar of Political Parties and deputised by assistant registrars.