political parties forum

ERIC SINDABI
8/11/2010
A consultative forum among political parties in the country organized by the Registrar of Political Parties and other stakeholders has resolved that political parties will abide by new regulations provided in the new constitution under the Political Parties Act.

The forum was held at Cathy Hotel in Nakuru town from 4th to 6th November and attended by representatives from all the 47 registered political parties in the country.Other stake holders included the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and the National Democratic Institute(NDI) officials.Invited guest speakers to the retreat included political and electoral experts from Ghana and Mozambique who delivered speeches on inter party dialogue and electoral matters.

IIEC commissioner Mrs. Hamara Ibrahim told NCC that the retreat was aimed at having a consultative dialogue among the stake holders to forge the way forward a head of the next general elections.She said that the three day meet had come up with resolutions that will guide the political parties hence forth.She noted that there was no such dialogue and mutual agreement among political parties during the 2007 elections where a political impasse was witnessed after the elections.

She hinted that a National Political Parties Liaison Commitee (NPPLC) that was formed recently will always address parties matters in relation to elections in the country.The commissioner added that the retreat had come up with possible amendments to the Political Parties Act and the Interim Independent Electoral Commission Act that will be presented to parliament for debate by the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

According to the Registrar of Political Parties Mrs.Lucy Ndungu the forum had agreed on a number of amendments over the parties operations as provided for in the new constitution.The solutions dabbed;"Nakuru Resolution" provide for accountability and transparency,honesty,orderly conduct,patriotism,fairness, mutual respect and tolerance,Gender balance and exclusivity and the spirit of consultation.
Ndungu also said that the political parties forum had resolved to advocate and champion for a free,fair and peaceful elections and to eliminate mistrust and suspicion among political parties.
"Political parties representatives to the forum will be nominated in writing and approved by the Electoral Management Board.Only one representative from each political party will attend meetings at any level of the forum".She said in a statement to the press.

The Registrar of Poplitical Parties also said that the National Democratic Institute had resolved to continue sponsoring consultative and dialogue activities of registered political parties in the country.
Leading political party leaders who attended the retreat included former Local Government Minister Mr.Musikari Kombo of Ford Kenya,Prof.Julia Ajiambo of the Labor Party of Kenya,former Magarini MP Mr. David Kombe of KADDU and former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile among others.

Recently the IIEC chairman Mr.Ahmed Isaak Hassan asked the Registrar of Political Parties to audit and De-register those that do not comply with the Political Parties Act provisions.If implemented the directive will affect major political parties in the country who so far have loop holes that do not conform to the new constitution's Political Parties Act.

These include;The Orannge Democratic Movement (ODM) that is led by Prime Minister Raila Odinga,President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU),Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka's Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya (ODM-K) and the Kenya African National Unity (KANU) led by the Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.According to the Registrar of Political parties, the parties have not held elections and remitted their returns.The new constitution also prohibits civil servants and cabinet ministers from holding political party leadership positions.