Political parties across the country are facing growing financial pressure following delays by the National Treasury to release funds meant for their operations.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has confirmed that only the first-quarter allocations have been issued, with subsequent disbursements held up due to the Treasury’s ongoing cash flow challenges.
Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorlionokou said the delay has affected the smooth running of political parties, adding that the ORPP is in constant communication with the Treasury to secure the pending allocations.
“So far, only the first-quarter funding has been disbursed, and political parties will have to wait for further release of funds once additional resources become available,” Lorlionokou said.
He made the remarks in Naivasha during a capacity-building workshop for more than 90 registered political parties focusing on internal conflict resolution and compliance with the law. Lorlionokou encouraged the parties to innovate and seek new ways of generating income to keep their structures functional.
“Due to insufficient funding from the exchequer, we have only managed to support political parties for the first quarter. It is now up to them to look for other mobilisation strategies to bridge the gap,” he added.
He urged political leaders to adopt peaceful dialogue and mediation in resolving disputes rather than resorting to prolonged court battles, saying it would foster cohesion and enhance their public image.
Under the Political Parties Act, the distribution of the Political Parties Fund is based on representation in elective positions, giving larger parties such as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Jubilee, and Wiper the lion’s share. Smaller parties without representation often struggle to access any allocation.
ODM has voiced concern over the delayed disbursements, warning that the prolonged funding gap could disrupt its ongoing activities and preparations for by-elections in key areas.
The registrar also noted that the ORPP continues to enforce regulations requiring new parties to meet gender balance and inclusivity standards during registration. He said the Naivasha training is part of the broader efforts to strengthen party structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Labour Party’s Internal Dispute Resolutions Committee Secretary, Michael Ager, said the cash crunch has affected their day-to-day operations.
“The lack of funding from the exchequer has affected our operations,” Ager said, adding that his party supports the use of mediation instead of the costly and lengthy court processes.
The ORPP assured political parties that it is actively engaging the Treasury to ensure pending allocations are released as soon as possible to cushion them from further financial strain.
