Naivasha, Kenya – The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has successfully concluded its third cohort of training for Internal Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs), marking another milestone in its ongoing mission to strengthen the institutional capacity of political parties in Kenya.
The two-day training, held on 28th and 29th October 2025 in Naivasha, brought together representatives from 20 political parties, reinforcing ORPP’s commitment to promoting internal democracy and effective conflict management. To date, over 60 political parties have benefited from the IDRC training program since its inception in 2024.
Registrar of Political Parties Mr. John Cox Lorionokou lauded the participants for their active engagement, reaffirming ORPP’s dedication to building resilient and transparent governance structures within political parties.
“We aim to enhance parties’ ability to independently and fairly resolve internal disputes to foster trust among stakeholders, including their members and the general citizens,” said Lorionokou. He urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained to other organs within their respective parties.
Assistant Registrar, Regulation and Compliance, Mr. Ali Abdullahi, emphasized the pivotal role of functional IDRCs in promoting internal democracy and preventing disputes from escalating.
“This training strengthens parties’ capacity to manage disputes through internal mechanisms and the established appellate avenues such as the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) or the courts,” he noted.
Assistant Registrar, Finance, PPF and Strategy, CS Agatha Wahome, encouraged parties to embrace dialogue and mediation to maintain harmony among members and uphold democratic principles.
“Political parties must prioritize amicable dispute resolution to safeguard unity, credibility, and public confidence,” she stated.
Director of Compliance Mr. D. Kinuthia highlighted the need for political parties to institutionalize sustainable and proactive dispute resolution frameworks.
“Parties should continuously review their constitutions to include progressive provisions that effectively manage disputes when they arise,” Kinuthia advised.
The training, organized by Deputy Director of the Political Parties Capacity Building Department, Ms. Anastacia Kaberere, covered a range of thematic areas, including:
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Common disputes within political parties;
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The impact of unresolved disputes on party unity and public perception;
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Legal frameworks governing dispute resolution in Kenya;
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Establishment and operational procedures of IDRMs; and
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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques.
The cohort-based training initiative is part of ORPP Kenya’s strategic effort to ensure political parties have the tools and knowledge to handle internal conflicts effectively, transparently, and independently. It is informed by continuous training needs assessments and aligns with the office’s broader goal of fostering accountability, inclusivity, and good governance within political institutions.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) is mandated under the Political Parties Act to regulate, register, and supervise political parties in Kenya. Its core functions include ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards, promoting transparency and internal democracy, managing the Political Parties Fund, and maintaining the national register of political parties. Through such initiatives, ORPP continues to play a vital role in strengthening Kenya’s democratic processes and political stability.
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