Machakos: The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the regional office for the Lower Eastern regions of Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni, has been officially opened at the Mutonguni building in Machakos town to enhance access to services that promote accountable political parties and inclusive democratic participation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionkou, who was the Chief guest during the launch, emphasized the importance of decentralizing their services to counties. He stated that the initiative aims to enhance accessibility, compliance, and democratic processes at the grassroots level in the Lower Eastern region. Lorionkou highlighted that the Machakos office is the 12th county office to be launched, with plans to expand to all 47 counties, aligning with the Constitution’s devolution principles.
Lorionkou noted that this new regional office serves as a hub that is closer to the people, facilitating easier access to channel concerns and complaints. Political parties in the three counties now have a more accessible office compared to the one in Nairobi. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders such as the ORPP, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), political party leaders, and other entities in managing the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Lorionkou commended the IEBC for their cooperation and mentioned that both organizations are actively collaborating to clear candidates for elections, whether they are party members or independent candidates. He emphasized the development of integrated systems to facilitate the validation process for party membership.
The Registrar also praised the introduction and utilization of ICT, which has been integral in their work by assisting in record management, registration, and membership verification. This has improved data accuracy and enhanced service delivery. Additionally, the ORPP’s presence on E-citizen provides critical and convenient access for Kenyans to manage their political party affiliations.
Lorionkou affirmed the adherence to the Data Protection Act by securing sensitive and personal data for party members, enforcing consent and confidentiality, and reducing the risk of fraud. He explained that the registration process now requires direct consent from individuals, preventing parties from listing individuals without their approval.
Moreover, he disclosed that there are 90 registered political parties, with two parties in the process of exiting and 32 on the waiting list to be fully registered.
