By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 12, 2026 - The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) today presented a raft of proposed legal reforms aimed at strengthening political party governance and enhancing preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
The proposals were presented before the Senate Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee (JLAHC) during a session led by Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu's successor, J.C. Lorionokou, as part of ongoing efforts to improve Kenya's electoral and political landscape.
The ORPP used the appearance to outline its role in electoral preparedness and present consolidated amendments to the Political Parties Act following a series of technical consultations and stakeholder engagements.
Assistant Registrar CPA Florence Birya briefed senators on the office's preparations for the 2027 polls, highlighting ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening political party compliance with legal requirements, improving internal party governance, promoting inclusivity and building the capacity of political parties.
She said the office is implementing programmes focused on political education, stakeholder engagement, registration of political parties and enforcement of compliance requirements under the Political Parties Act.
Birya also outlined plans to leverage technology through ICT-driven reforms intended to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery within the political party sector.
The Head of Legal and Advisory Services at ORPP, Wafula Wakoko, presented the proposed amendments to the Political Parties Act, saying the reforms are intended to strengthen the management and accountability of political parties while enhancing democratic governance.
Among the key proposals are measures to improve transparency and accountability in party operations, strengthen compliance mechanisms, enhance dispute resolution processes and promote greater inclusion of Special Interest Groups in political party structures.
The reforms also seek to address emerging challenges within the country's political and electoral environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
During the session, Registrar Lorionokou responded to questions from senators and provided further clarification on the office's efforts to institutionalize political parties and strengthen their capacity beyond the minimum legal requirements.
Members of the Senate committee welcomed the reform proposals and emphasized the importance of collaboration among institutions involved in electoral management and democratic governance.
The meeting brought together key players in Kenya's electoral architecture, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) and the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE).
Representatives from the institutions outlined their respective mandates, preparedness measures and reform priorities aimed at enhancing the credibility, transparency and integrity of future elections.
The deliberations form part of broader national efforts to strengthen electoral preparedness, improve governance of political parties and build public confidence in Kenya's democratic processes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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