Political parties are central to Kenya’s democracy. They bring together people with similar political views and field candidates for elections. Understanding Kenya’s party system helps you make informed choices during elections.
What is a Political Party?
A political party is an organized group that:
- Seeks to influence government policy
- Fields candidates for elections
- Mobilizes voters around common ideologies
- Forms government or opposition after elections
In Kenya, political parties must register with the Registrar of Political Parties and meet certain requirements.
Major Political Parties in Kenya
As of 2026, Kenya has several major political parties:
United Democratic Alliance (UDA)
UDA is currently the dominant party in government. It was formed in 2020 and gained prominence in the 2022 elections when its presidential candidate won.
Ideology: Describes itself as a “bottom-up” economic party focused on empowering ordinary citizens through initiatives like the hustler fund and affordable housing.
Strongholds: Rift Valley, parts of Central Kenya
Key Leaders: President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and various Cabinet Secretaries
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
ODM has been a major force in Kenyan politics since 2007. It has been both in government (through coalition) and in opposition.
Ideology: Social democracy with focus on devolution, social justice, and equitable resource distribution
Strongholds: Nyanza region, Coast region, parts of Western Kenya
Key Leaders: Raila Odinga (party leader), governors, MPs, and senators from various regions
Jubilee Party
Jubilee was formed in 2016 through a merger of several parties. It was the ruling party from 2017-2022 but has faced internal divisions.
Ideology: Economic transformation through infrastructure development, universal healthcare, and food security
Strongholds: Parts of Central Kenya, though support has declined
Key Leaders: Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (party leader), several MPs and governors
Wiper Democratic Movement
Wiper has been an important party especially in Eastern Kenya. It often forms coalitions with larger parties.
Ideology: Focuses on empowerment, devolution, and inclusive governance
Strongholds: Parts of Eastern Kenya (Ukambani region)
Key Leaders: Kalonzo Musyoka (party leader), MPs, and senators from the region
Other Significant Parties
- Amani National Congress (ANC): Led by Musalia Mudavadi, strong in Western Kenya
- FORD Kenya: Historic party, still influential in Western Kenya
- DAP-K: Democratic Action Party of Kenya, led by Eugene Wamalwa
- Narc Kenya: Led by Martha Karua
- Party of Democratic Unity (PDU): And many others
How Political Parties Work in Kenya
Registration
To operate legally, a political party must:
- Have at least 1,000 members
- Have members from at least 24 counties
- Submit a constitution to the Registrar
- Pay registration fees
- Be verified by the Registrar of Political Parties
As of 2026, Kenya has over 70 registered political parties, though only a handful are truly active nationwide.
Funding
Political parties get funding from two sources:
Public Funding: Parties that get more than 5% of votes in either presidential or parliamentary elections receive money from the Political Parties Fund. The amount depends on the proportion of votes received.
Private Funding: Parties can receive donations from members and supporters, but these must be declared. Foreign funding for parties is prohibited.
Party Leadership
Each party has:
- A party leader (usually the most prominent member)
- A national executive committee
- County and constituency structures
- Party delegates who make major decisions
- An annual general meeting
Party Coalitions in Kenya
Kenyan parties often form coalitions for elections:
Pre-Election Coalitions
Before elections, parties with similar ideologies or interests form coalitions to:
- Field a joint presidential candidate
- Share parliamentary and other seats
- Pool resources and support
Recent examples:
- Azimio la Umoja (2022): Coalition of ODM, Jubilee, and others supporting Raila Odinga
- Kenya Kwanza (2022): Coalition of UDA, ANC, FORD Kenya, and others supporting William Ruto
Post-Election Coalitions
After elections, parties may form coalitions to:
- Form government with enough parliamentary seats
- Create a united opposition
- Work together on specific issues
Party Nominations and Primaries
Before general elections, parties nominate their candidates through:
Direct Nominations
Party officials select candidates based on criteria like loyalty, popularity, or ability to win.
Party Primaries
Members vote to choose candidates. This is more democratic but can be chaotic. Common issues in Kenya’s primaries include:
- Lack of transparency
- Violence and intimidation
- Rigging allegations
- Multiple candidates claiming victory
Recent electoral laws require parties to conduct democratic primaries, but implementation remains challenging.
Ideology vs. Ethnicity in Kenyan Politics
A major challenge in Kenya’s party system is the dominance of ethnic considerations over ideology:
Ethnic-Based Politics
Many parties are associated with specific ethnic communities or regions. Parties often gain or lose support based on their leader’s ethnicity rather than their policies.
Consequences:
- Weak party loyalty (people switch parties frequently)
- Coalition politics based on ethnic arithmetic
- Limited policy debate during campaigns
- Predictable voting patterns by region
Attempts at Ideological Politics
Some efforts to move beyond ethnicity include:
- Youth-led movements focusing on issues
- Independent candidates
- Issue-based campaigns on social media
- Civil society advocacy for policy-based voting
Progress has been slow, but younger voters increasingly prioritize issues over ethnicity.
Party Hopping
Kenyan politicians frequently move between parties, especially before elections. This happens because:
- Personal ambition often outweighs party loyalty
- Parties are weak institutional structures
- The anti-defection law has loopholes
- Ethnic alliances shift
The law says MPs who change parties lose their seats, but this only applies if they switch after elections, not before.
Your Rights as a Party Member
If you join a political party, you have rights:
- To participate in party activities
- To vote in party primaries
- To seek party nomination for elections
- To access party financial records
- To fair treatment according to party constitution
Parties must respect members’ rights and resolve disputes through their internal mechanisms or the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
How to Join a Political Party
Joining a party is simple:
- Choose a party whose policies align with your beliefs
- Get a membership form from the party office or online
- Fill the form with your details
- Submit it to the party
- Receive a membership card
Membership is usually free or requires a small fee. You can only be a member of one party at a time.
Independent Candidates
You do not have to belong to a party to run for office. The Constitution allows independent candidates for all elective positions except nominated positions.
Independent candidates must:
- Collect support signatures (1,000 for MPs, 2,000 for governors, etc.)
- Pay filing fees
- Meet the same qualifications as party candidates
Some successful independent candidates later join parties or form new ones.
Future of Party Politics in Kenya
The party system in Kenya is evolving:
Emerging Trends
- Increased use of social media for party mobilization
- Youth involvement in party leadership
- Focus on issues like unemployment and cost of living
- Women and minorities demanding more representation
- Calls for stronger parties with clear ideologies
Challenges Ahead
- Reducing ethnic-based politics
- Strengthening party institutions
- Improving primary elections
- Ensuring fair public funding
- Encouraging party loyalty and discipline
Choosing a Political Party
When deciding which party to support, consider:
- The party’s manifesto and policies
- The party leader’s track record
- How the party treats its members
- The party’s stance on issues you care about
- The party’s financial transparency
- Whether the party represents your values
Do not choose based solely on ethnicity or temporary benefits. Think about what is best for Kenya’s future.
Conclusion
Political parties are essential to democracy, but Kenya’s party system has room for improvement. Understanding how parties work helps you participate more effectively in politics.
Whether you join a party, vote as an independent thinker, or remain non-partisan, stay informed about party politics. Elections are won and lost through parties, and parties shape the policies that affect your life.
Demand better from political parties. Support parties that are democratic, transparent, and focused on issues rather than personalities or ethnicity. Your participation can help transform Kenya’s political landscape for the better.