Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has cast doubt on United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) assertion that it owns land worth nearly Sh2 billion. In her audit of political parties’ accounts for the year ending June 2024, Gathungu noted that the party recorded land assets valued at Sh1.953 billion, yet could not provide evidence of ownership or valuation.
“Review of asset ownership records for the political parties revealed weaknesses in the documentation and verification of property rights…UDA reported land assets worth Sh1.95 billion without supporting title deeds or valuation reports,” the report states.
The Political Parties Act obliges parties receiving funds from the Political Parties Fund (PPF) to keep accurate records, submit annual financial statements, and ensure all assets acquired with public money are traceable and verifiable.
Since the 2022 General Election, UDA has been the biggest recipient of the PPF, drawing hundreds of millions annually based on its dominance in the National Assembly and Senate.
For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the party received Sh316.1 million, the highest allocation from the fund, followed by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which received Sh168.8 million.
The PPF is managed by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to support transparency, inclusion, and development of political institutions.
Gathungu’s report also highlighted ongoing governance challenges in political parties. Many, including UDA, lack robust internal controls, proper asset registers, and fail to follow public procurement rules. Some have previously struggled to account for grants and donations.
In the latest findings, UDA was among 36 parties that failed to meet the legal requirement of establishing offices in at least 24 counties, with only 21 offices set up by the end of the assessment period.
According to the report by Gathungu covering the period up to June 30, 2024, only eight political parties, including the late Raila Odinga’s ODM, have complied with the law. The findings expose widespread non-compliance, with several parties either lacking proper branch networks or being unable to prove that their offices exist.
“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.
The audit revealed that some political outfits had as few as one to five county offices. Others were unable to provide key documentation such as lease agreements, staff lists, or activity reports to confirm the presence of their offices.
The United Democratic Alliance, which leads the current administration, was found to have 21 operational county offices — three short of the legal minimum. However, the report notes that following its merger with Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress, which had nine offices, UDA could rely on ANC’s existing branches in regions where it lacks presence to bridge the gap.
Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement was recorded as having 14 offices, while the Green Thinking Action Party had 11. Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi and Mwangi Kiunjuri’s The Service Party each managed nine county branches.
The once-dominant Kanu party had only five offices across the country, matching the United Progressive Alliance associated with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi’s Devolution Empowerment Party, Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya, and the Kenya National Congress each operated just four branches. Narc Kenya, which has since rebranded to the People’s Liberation Party, was listed with three offices.
The audit also identified several fringe parties operating with only one office, among them Chama Cha Uzalendo, Safina Muungano, People’s Empowerment, Justice and Freedom, and PICK.
The revelations now raise questions about the legality of many political parties ahead of the next general election, with the Registrar of Political Parties expected to enforce compliance measures or take action against defaulters.
