UDF moves to beat listing deadline

The United Democratic Forum on Tuesday became the seventh political party to formally apply for registration ahead of the General Election.

Party officials presented their papers to acting Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u at her Anniversary Towers offices in Nairobi.

The Political Parties Act sets the conditions which the parties have to meet before they are formally recognised as vehicles to seek political power. (READ: Parties rush to beat listing date)

Among the requirements are presentation of a list of at least 1,000 registered members from at least each of any 24 counties, a party code of conduct, the physical address of the organisation’s headquarters and branches, names of officials, party constitution and contact persons.

Other conditions stipulate that the party constitution must spell out the organisation’s name, slogan, colours, symbol and objectives.
The party should also have no more than two thirds of officials belonging to the same gender.

Ms Ndung’u confirmed that the UDF had presented all the preliminary requirements but said her office would scrutinise the papers before granting it a certificate.

“We will verify these documents in the next month before we give them the certificate,” she said.

She said the party had 55 per cent male and 45 per cent female officials, meaning it met the gender requirement. The party also presented its list of members, constitution and code of conduct.

The registrar will now advertise the application for the next seven days asking those with any objections to come forward.

“UDF realises that complying with the Political Parties Act is just but the beginning of our march to State House and forming the next government,” said secretary-general Abraham Limo.

MPs calling themselves “Friends of UDF” who included Jeremiah Kioni, Kabando wa Kabando, Maison Leshomo and Ndiritu Mureithi accompanied the party officials.

The 51 parties in Kenya have until April 30 to register and so far only seven, Narc-Kenya, Patriotic Party of Kenya, Labour Party of Kenya, National Vision Party, National Congress, Government of National Unity and United Democratic Forum have forwarded their papers.