Nairobi: Political parties which have been grappling with delayed funding by government affecting their operations, have been urged to seek alternative resources to bridge the shrinking funding from the exchequer. The call comes after protests by a section of major political parties that are yet to receive their full allocations from the Political Parties Fund as per the current disbursement timelines, as the government continues to grapple with a biting financial crisis.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) stated that only funds for the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year have been disbursed so far. The National Treasury has yet to release additional tranches, citing ongoing fiscal constraints. The delay has sparked concerns among several political formations, including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which has protested the prolonged wait.
Party officials warn that the financial shortfall could derail preparations for upcoming by-elections and other party activities. Under the Political Parties Act, allocations from the fund are distributed proportionally, with parties holding the highest number of elected representatives receiving the largest share. Smaller parties without parliamentary or county assembly representation often miss out entirely.
Based on current representation, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), ODM, Jubilee Party, and Wiper Democratic Movement remain the biggest beneficiaries of the fund. Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou acknowledged the challenges during a press briefing held on the sidelines of an ongoing training workshop on internal dispute resolution mechanisms, attended by representatives from more than 90 political parties.
'Due to inadequate funding from the Exchequer, we have only released allocations for the first quarter,' Lorionokou said. 'We urge political parties to explore alternative resource mobilisation strategies to support their operations while remaining committed to democratic principles and transparency.' He added that the ORPP continues to emphasise compliance with requirements on gender balance and equitable representation.
The ongoing training, he said, aims to strengthen parties' capacity to manage internal disputes ahead of the 2027 General Election. Michael Ager, Secretary to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee of the Labour Party, echoed Lorionokou's remarks, noting that reduced funding has hindered political engagement.
'The lack of regular disbursements from the Exchequer affects our ability to participate fully in political processes,' Ager said. 'We're working to increase our representation in elective positions to ensure better access to public funding.' Ager further welcomed the ORPP's push for internal dispute resolution frameworks, arguing that they offer a faster and less costly alternative to lengthy court battles.
Major political parties which have for years been dependent on state funding for civic engagement, are now being urged to pursue more sustainable models, including membership subscriptions, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives to address the shrinking funding.