UDA among 37 parties operating illegally for lack of offices

UDA members pose for a picture in front of the party offices /FILE

The ruling United Democratic Alliance is among 37 political parties failing to establish the minimum 24 county branch offices, thus, all are operating illegally.

By law, a party must have branch offices in at least 24 counties.

A fresh audit shows only eight parties—including Raila Odinga’s ODM—met the threshold.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s report on parties covers the period to June 30, 2024. It flagged the breach, noting that some parties had as few as one to five county offices. Others could not produce lease agreements, staff lists or activity reports to verify their existence.

“This was contrary to Section 7(2)(f)(iii) of the Political Parties Act, 2011, which requires a political party to have branch offices in more than half of the counties as a condition for full registration,” Gathungu said.

At the time of audit, UDA had 21 offices, three short of the legal minimum. Following its merger with Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC, which had nine offices, UDA could potentially use ANC branches in counties where it has no presence.

Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper had 14 offices, while the Green Thinking Action Party had 11. Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi and Mwangi Kiunjuri’s The Service Party each had nine.

Once-mighty Kanu had only five branches, as did United Progressive Alliance linked to former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.

Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi’s Devolution Empowerment Party, Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya, and the Kenya National Congress each had four. Narc Kenya, now People’s Liberation Party, had three.

Parties with only one office included Chama Cha Uzalendo, Safina Muungano, People’s Empowerment, Justice and Freedom and PICK.

Parties have long blamed cash flow challenges for the poor presence on the ground, citing dwindling member subscriptions and government funding cuts. Political parties rely heavily on taxpayer funding through the Political Parties Fund.

Gathungu warned that the model is unsustainable. During the review year, parties received Sh671.5 million from the Parties Fund—62 per cent of their Sh1.08 billion total revenue. The rest came from member contributions (Sh393 million) and other sources (Sh5.6 million).

Budget cuts have worsened the situation. The Fund allocation was reduced by Sh1.4 billion, compared to the Sh4 billion budgeted in 2023.

“Continuous decrease of revenue may result in non-sustainability of political parties’ activities and objectives,” Gathungu cautioned.

She advised parties to recruit more members, enforce contributions from elected leaders, and explore lawful revenue sources to remain viable.

Whether parties can meet these demands—and comply with the law—remains to be seen.