Kongamano La Mapinduzi (KLM) national spokesperson and 2027 presidential aspirant Sungu Oyoo has raised alarm over what he describes as attempts to deregister the party, saying such moves could weaken political pluralism and limit youth engagement in Kenya.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Oyoo accused authorities of singling out smaller parties, urging young Kenyans to register and vote to avoid allowing the current political order to remain unchallenged.
“We are still firmly within the party, but we've also had our tribulations on that front,” Oyoo said, referring to ongoing challenges with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), which has questioned KLM’s compliance with legal requirements.
He added that the party is contesting the matter at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
The registrar has cited multiple reasons for potential deregistration, including alleged lack of operational offices in the required number of counties, insufficient membership, and similarities between KLM’s colours and those of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“The ORPP has issued a number of grounds, the party has complied with operationalizing offices across the country,” Oyoo insisted, affirming that KLM has structures and members across Kenya. Officials maintain that their offices exist and that the party adheres to the Political Parties Act.
The case was mentioned earlier this week at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal and is expected to return for hearing later this month at Nairobi’s Milimani Law Courts.
Oyoo argued that the dispute reflects deeper tensions in Kenya’s political landscape, particularly as younger voters seek alternative platforms. “One of the threats that small parties pose at this particular juncture, is that a lot of people are unsure where a majority of these young people will go,” he said.
He warned that if KLM is deregistered, it could set a precedent affecting other small parties. “The attack on KLM party is just the beginning,” he said, cautioning that several political outfits could face removal, reducing choices for voters.
Beyond the legal battle, Oyoo emphasized the importance of youth political engagement, noting that widespread dissatisfaction has yet to translate into electoral participation. “Not enough young people have registered to vote,” he said. “Over 8 million Kenyans did not vote in the last election.” He added that failure to participate undermines the influence of younger generations, even though they form a large part of the electorate.
“We can shout it all we want, but when people actually do not actualize it through the ballot, then it will remain just that, a chant,” Oyoo said.
Reflecting on the 2024 youth-led protests that gained global attention, he described them as a turning point in political discourse. “In June of 2024 we saw decades happening right before our eyes,” he said, noting that the demonstrations initially opposed tax increases before expanding to broader political demands.
He described the early protests as peaceful and well-organized, calling them “a festival of freedom” driven by young people seeking economic dignity and opportunity. However, the movement turned violent after the killing of protester Rex Masai, which he said marked a pivotal moment. “On the day Rex Masai lay dead, he was the first martyr of this political process,” Oyoo said.
Oyoo also noted that disruptions in protests have become more organized. “The introduction of goons has now become almost a permanent phenomenon, they are now institutionalized,” he said, explaining that many young disruptors are themselves victims of economic hardship. “They are victims of economic violence,” he added, pointing to unemployment and poverty as factors that make young people vulnerable to being hired to undermine protests.
Despite these obstacles, Oyoo stressed that lasting change comes from organization and civic engagement rather than spontaneous protest alone. “The easiest way to unite is behind an idea or an organization,” he said, urging youth to register, vote, and protect their ballots.
“Register as voters, but most importantly safeguard the votes,” Oyoo said, concluding that meaningful political change requires sustained civic education and unity among young people to prevent the status quo from persisting.
