The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has formally issued certificates of provisional registration to two new political outfits — Vision for Development Alliance (VIDA) and Hekima Alliance Party (HAPA) — bringing the total number of provisionally registered parties in Kenya to 17 as of July 2025.
The certification was conducted at the ORPPKenya headquarters in Nairobi earlier today by Registrar Sophia Sitati, who also took the opportunity to issue a stern reminder to the new entrants: no early campaigning is allowed.
“A provisionally registered political party shall not be entitled to participate in any election, including the twenty-two (22) upcoming by-elections across the country,” Sitati stated. “Further, the law prohibits VIDA and HAPA from proposing or campaigning for any candidate. Your current rights are limited to publicizing your party to recruit members and organizing peaceful meetings under state protection.”
The Registrar emphasized that while the issuance of certificates marked a significant milestone, the two parties must now work toward full registration by meeting the legal and administrative requirements within 270 days, as stipulated by the Political Parties Act and Data Protection Act.
Assistant Registrar, CPA Florence Birya, urged the parties to build broad-based, inclusive membership. “As you recruit, focus on representing all demographics, especially youth and Special Interest Groups, and ensure your offices are accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs),” she said.
Head of Registration Department, Locha Erukudi, advised the founding members to adhere to compliance procedures, including proper records management and the establishment of governance structures aligned with each party’s constitution and ideology.
The party representatives expressed gratitude for the guidance received, acknowledging the rigorous process leading to the provisional registration. “We’ve been on this journey for over a year. The ORPP has been objective and helpful. We now shift our focus to full compliance as we pursue our ideological vision,” said one VIDA official.
With the addition of VIDA and HAPA, Kenya’s political space continues to expand—but ORPP made it clear: the law must be followed to the letter before any political activity, especially campaigning, can begin.
