Lobby group calls for sustained push to gender parity, ORPP puts its position

Corporate Affairs
Lion Place Nairobi, Kenya; July,31,2019.

An advocacy group, Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN) Trust has called on women to re-energize the agitation for full implementation of the two-third gender principle as it is currently fashioned in the Constitution of Kenya. The many years of the past struggle characterized, by polarity among key players involved in different stages was cited key reason not to relent. This formed part of the deliberations of the Trust’s organized National Consultative Forum among different players in the electoral process held on the 31 st July 2019 in Nairobi.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) being a key player, made its position known on the matter. A raft of legislative and alternative measures that the Office had progressively realized was outlined. Speaking a key panelist during the forum, the Registrar Ms. Ann Nderitu called for a continued concerted effort from all parties including the electorates to realize the thorny rule. “Cognizant of the socio-cultural dynamics of this principle, it is time for all players in the electoral space to explore other alternativesto complement the legislation efforts made. For instance, we need support mechanisms including financial, for women who had courage venture into murky field of politics but were unsuccessfully in elective positions, map out and bring them back on board”, the Registrar advised. She further noted the ORPP’s strive in ensuring there are women in the National Executive Councils of political parties as one of its deliberate effort to marshal up the required women numbers. Further, urging on women to play their part in building their own capacity to competitively qualify for the positions, citing soft attributes such as negotiating skills a critical one.

Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu (left) makes her submission as a lead panelist during the meeting at the
Crowne Plaza, Nairobi. Other panel members were: Ms. Daisy Amdany (middle), Executive Director CRAWN Trust and
Ms. Emmaculate Kassait, Director Voter Education, Partnerships and Communication at IEBC

Participants were of the consenting view for women to support one another and consolidate working strategies, formulate grassroots advocacy campaigns with a view of arriving at a common ground to push the agenda forward. The debate of whether or not the gender rule be a question for plebiscite amendment also played out in the animated discussions, with most proposing stay of the status quo. “Our mark in this space is to make sure there is a political cost whenever we are sidelined, since at the ‘political table’ is where far and binding decisions for the entire country are made. Special interest groups should be represented on this table”, passionately implored Ms. Daisy Amdany, the CRAWN Executive Director. A call, corroborated by her colleague Stella Agara, noting of the need for a women friendly pieces of legislation, sensitive to issues of
women, key to delivering the representation agenda. Ms. Brenda Isabel of the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), a continental agency supporting the forum, further noting for the need for a strategic civic education to create awareness on the subject.

Participants follow proceedings during the National Consultative Forum

A joint position paper to be presented to the Building the Bridges Initiative (BBI) was developed as part of the outcome of the day’s deliberations. Participating institutions included Independent Electoral and boundaries Commission (IEBC), National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEK), Federation of Wowen Lawyers (FIDA), Katiba Institute and various women support outfits from various parts of the country.

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Inclusion to enhance enriched systems in the country

By Nandwa Hope

Lion Place Nairobi, Kenya; March, 6, 2019.

Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) will be participating in the People’s Dialogue Festival slated from the 7th-9th March 2019 at the National Museum. The workshop dubbed PDF  is an initiative between the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) and Political Parties.The three day workshop is meant to provide opportunity for actors to broaden platforms for dialogue between voting citizens, political and opinion leaders, unpack and reflect on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and build consensus around fundamental reforms in Kenya.

In addition, focus will also be to strengthen linkages between leaders and the led to collectively foster Kenya's democratic culture as well as bring together youthful engagement in various levels. The Dialogue will comprise key actors from political and civic actors, religious leaders, trade unions, professional bodies, media, academia, students, youth organizations, women movement, CMD-Kenya partners, diplomatic community, private sector, and ordinary citizens.

At the end, the workshop is aimed at promoting public participation in national development, social cohesion, and enabling prosperity: appreciation for national dialogue processes. Increased awareness of the importance to balance the use of political competition and cooperation for sustainable democratic development and for providing meaningful choices to citizens defined roadmap among political leaders on key reforms for stabilizing Kenya's political landscape.

The workshop brings together stakeholders from: Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD),Danish Liberal Democracy Programme (DLSP),Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) ,Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) ,Siasa Place (SP),Kenya Young Parliamentarian Association (KYPA),Youth Agenda,Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, National Youth Council, Kenya National Debate Council, Bunge La Mwananchi,Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and National Assembly representatives.

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"Tell your own experience on past Political Party Primaries", Public Urged

By Nandwa Hope
Nairobi Kenya, Monday March 18, 2019

A Taskforce on Review of Political Party Primaries will hold public engagements on the 20th March 2019 with members of the public to collect views and information relevant to reform  Political Party Primaries in Kenya. The forums will take place in Mombasa, Nakuru, Isiolo, Nyeri, Kisumu and Kitui counties.

Registrar of Political Parties, Ms. Ann Nderitu confirmed the taskforce has membership from National Assembly, Senate, Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, Kenya Law Reform Commission, Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, National Gender and Equality Commission, Political Parties Dispute Tribunal and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

She added that the objectives of the forum are to obtain the experiences of Kenyans at the grass root level from their involvement in Party Primaries.

“The Taskforce will identify issues for reform of the primaries process and receive input into the draft policy framework on the conduct of Party Primaries with recommendations and possible areas for legal reforms” she added.

The PPA 2011 provides for the Code of Conduct of Political parties which affirms the need for them to uphold and promote democratic practices through free, fair and credible nominations. Code of Conduct regulates the behavior of members and office holders of political parties, aspiring candidates, candidates and their supporters with a view of promoting good governance.

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Newly appointed Registrar of Political Parties official introduction to Political Parties Secretary Generals & Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC)

By Lucy Kemunto

Lions Place Nairobi, Kenya; August,27,2018.

The Out-going Registrar of Political Parties Ms Lucy Ndungu, now member of the Commission of Administrative Justice, called for a meeting with all the Secretary Generals of Political Parties and the Political Parties Liaison Committee in order to introduce the newly appointed Registrar of Political Parties, Ms Ann Njeri Nderitu.

The meeting was held at Silver Springs Hotel on 27^th August 2018. Ms Lucy Ndungu gave a brief history of The Office of The Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and how the office came to be independent.

Click link to read more on the history of ORPP

“ORPPs history cannot be overlooked, let’s keep the history and value the fact that Kenyans are resilient, and we can make it, no matter how difficult the situation is.” – Ms Lucy Ndungu

Thereafter, Ms Ann Nderitu gave a brief history of her professional experience and her agenda which is to strengthen political parties and promote an inclusive and viable democratic multi-party system in Kenya.

“Regardless of the situation, I will work with commitment, diligence, and passion. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is looked unto by many stakeholders to shape the politics of the country. It is only prudent that we work with energy and passion to shape that view so that people can look unto us and and what we are doing to come up with a situation where democracy continually grows and facilitate the process of democracy” – Ms Ann Nderitu

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