By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, May 21, 2026 - A fresh political storm is brewing after the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) dragged President William Ruto’s administration to court over what it termed the “continued unlawful underfunding” of political parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms on Thursday, CMD-Kenya announced that it had moved to the High Court under a certificate of urgency seeking to stop Parliament from tabling, debating and passing the Appropriations Bill, 2026.
The organisation argues that the proposed allocation to the Political Parties Fund falls below the minimum amount guaranteed by law.
“The case seeks to stop Parliament from tabling, debating, and passing the Appropriations Bill, 2026 which purports to allocate to the Political Parties Fund less than the minimum amount guaranteed by law of 0.3 per cent of the National Government Revenue,” the statement read.
The suit was filed by lawyer Frank Walukwe of J.W. & Frank Advocates LLP on behalf of former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, who is suing in his capacity as chairman of CMD-Kenya.
The respondents in the case are the National Treasury, the National Assembly and the Registrar of Political Parties.
In a major blow to the government, High Court Judge William Musyoka certified the matter as urgent on Thursday and allowed full judicial review proceedings to proceed.
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“The Court is expected to hear the matter on 9 June 2026, where parties will address the issue of whether Parliament should be prohibited from debating and passing the Appropriations Bill, 2026, on grounds that the proposed allocation contravenes the Political Parties Act,” CMD-Kenya said.
The lobby warned that the persistent underfunding of political parties risks crippling Kenya’s democratic system and weakening party structures barely a year before the country heads into another fiercely contested election cycle.
“CMD-Kenya contends that the persistent underfunding of the Fund undermines constitutional democracy, weakens political party institutionalization, and limits the ability of political parties to effectively discharge their democratic mandate including preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election,” the statement added.
The organization further argued that adequate funding is necessary for “strengthening Kenya’s multiparty democracy, promoting inclusive political participation, and safeguarding constitutional governance.”
The court battle now sets the stage for a fresh confrontation between the government and political actors over public financing, with opposition figures expected to pile pressure on the Kenya Kwanza administration over alleged attempts to weaken parties through budgetary cuts.