By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 16 June 2026 — Kenya's election preparedness efforts gathered momentum this week as political party officials in Uasin Gishu County underwent training on electoral laws, party governance and compliance requirements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The training, organised by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), brought together party officials from across the county to strengthen their understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing political parties and elections.
Speaking during the session at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret, North Rift Regional Coordinator Hassan Maloba said the programme was designed to equip political actors with the knowledge needed to effectively manage party affairs and comply with electoral laws.
"The objective is to ensure political party officials understand the entire lifecycle of a political party, from registration and governance to compliance and nomination processes," Maloba said.
He said participants were taken through procedures governing party registration, internal elections, nominations and requirements for accessing the Political Parties Fund, a key source of public financing for qualifying political parties.
Maloba stressed that compliance remains a critical aspect of party operations, noting that political organisations are expected to uphold transparency, accountability and inclusivity in their structures.
He particularly underscored the importance of ensuring adequate representation of women, youth and persons with disabilities within party leadership and decision-making organs.
"Inclusivity is not optional. Political parties are required to reflect the diversity of Kenyan society and provide opportunities for all groups to participate in leadership and governance," he said.
The training forms part of a nationwide civic education programme being conducted across 13 regions as institutions begin laying the groundwork for the next election cycle.
The week-long initiative targets different stakeholder groups, including political party officials, women leaders, youth representatives, persons with disabilities and civil society organisations.
Officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) also used the forum to encourage voter registration and public participation in electoral processes.
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Mathew Kipchenger, the IEBC Returning Officer for Kesses Constituency, said the training provided an important platform for engaging political actors on electoral laws and voter mobilisation efforts.
He noted that the commission is preparing for another phase of Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration later this year as it seeks to increase the number of registered voters ahead of 2027.
"We continue to encourage eligible Kenyans, particularly young people, to obtain national identification documents and register as voters early," Kipchenger said.
According to the IEBC, the commission is targeting approximately 3.8 million new voter registrations before the next general election, a figure considered crucial in maintaining broad electoral participation.
Kipchenger called on political parties, civil society groups and community leaders to support voter education campaigns and help disseminate information on registration requirements.
The training was officially opened by Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale, who urged political actors to embrace peaceful engagement and issue-based politics as the country begins a gradual transition towards the next electoral season.
Nyale said political parties remain central to Kenya's democratic process and have a responsibility to promote credible, inclusive and peaceful elections.
The exercise comes as electoral institutions seek to strengthen public confidence in Kenya's democratic processes following years of intense political competition and recurring debates over electoral reforms.
With less than two years before the next general election, government agencies and electoral stakeholders are increasingly shifting focus towards voter education, institutional preparedness and political compliance in an effort to minimise disputes and enhance the credibility of the 2027 polls.