Parties in rush to meet tough rules

Political parties will not be given additional time if they fail to meet stringent requirements for registration after the expiry of the deadline in April.

Acting Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u warned that her office will deregister parties that fail to register members and hold elections by May 1.

“Beginning May 1, I will have the files to examine and tell which party has met all the requirements of the law,” Ms Ndung’u said.

According to the Political Parties Act, which came into effect in November last year, all parties have 180 days to comply with its requirements.

Delegates conference

A number of parties have set in motion events to comply with the law. Kanu, for example, will hold a national delegates conference on February 14 to validate its new constitution. Party chairman Uhuru Kenyatta has also instructed branch officials to collect from the headquarters the new membership cards approved by the national executive council and start recruitment.

Other parties involved in heightened political activities include the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Party of National Unity (PNU), United Republican Party (URP), Narc Kenya, PNU Alliance and the Kenya National Congress.

ODM, which has already conducted grassroots and branch elections, will hold national elections in April.

The party’s deputy leader, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, will challenge his boss, Mr Raila Odinga, for the presidential ticket.