NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s political landscape continues to expand, with the number of registered political parties rising to 92, according to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu made the announcement during the People Dialogue Festival at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Wednesday, March 3, 2025.
She noted that this marks an increase of two parties since the last general election in 2022, with more applications still under review.
“We have 92 political parties in the country. This is an additional two from the last general election. Of course, there are many other Kenyans who are in the process of registering more political parties,” said Nderitu.
With Kenya marking 32 years of multi-party democracy, Nderitu underscored the crucial role of political parties in shaping public discourse, mobilizing voters, and preparing candidates for elections.
She emphasized that political parties serve as key pillars of democracy, often playing a more active role in civic engagement than civil society groups, electoral bodies, or lobby organizations.
“Political parties play a significant role in facilitating democracy by sharpening citizens and civil societies to see different opinions out there. They mobilize people towards elections and serve as platforms for generating ideas and policies,” she said.
For democracy to thrive, Nderitu stressed the importance of supporting and strengthening political parties as institutions that lay the foundation for democratic governance.
“They need to be strengthened as the bases where democracy is built before it is spread to the rest of society,” she added.
Beyond party registration, the registrar urged political outfits to prioritize dialogue and inclusivity, stressing that public participation is essential for a functioning democracy.
“Dialogue should be as inclusive as possible. Leaders can have discussions, but it is just as important to bring ordinary citizens into the conversation. The place of public participation remains critical to achieving meaningful democratic progress,” she noted.
The ORPP is tasked with maintaining a register of political parties and their symbols under the Political Parties Act, 2011.
As the number of registered parties continues to grow, the focus now shifts to ensuring they remain functional, accountable, and truly representative of the people.
