Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has called for an end to the culture of holding party National Delegates Conferences (NDCs) for only a few hours, insisting that such crucial meetings should instead span at least two to three days.

Speaking during his party’s NDC at Ufungamano House on Wednesday, January 28, 2025, the former Attorney General criticised the growing trend among political parties of conducting NDCs, the highest decision-making organs, within just two or three hours before abruptly concluding them.

 He argued that critical issues affecting parties, which require in-depth discussion, are often brushed aside, with delegates merely agreeing in unison to proposals without proper scrutiny or debate.

Muturi noted that the same culture existed during the era of the late former President Daniel Moi, recalling how party delegates would gather in large numbers at Kasarani, unanimously approve decisions, and leave without genuinely engaging with the proposals presented to them.

“Hii tabia ya kufanya mkutano kwa masaa mawili ama matatu alafu tunaita National Delegates Convention (NDC) inafaa iishe. Hii ni mambo ilianza wakati wa KANU; watu wanaitwa 10,000 pale Kasarani, wanakubali, alafu wanaenda nyumbani. We can’t run a party in the 21st century in that mode. We must change; we must change,” he said.

Lengthy NDCs

Muturi emphasised that a proper NDC should run for at least two to three days to allow delegates enough time to thoroughly review proposals, engage in meaningful deliberations, and contribute constructively instead of rushing through critical party matters.

He stated that the Democratic Party would lead by example by holding longer NDCs designed to ensure that the views of delegates from all regions of the country are heard, respected, and considered in decision-making processes.

“This party is going to lead the change that we need in this country, and we are going to lead by example. We will be sitting for two or three days talking about party issues, na tunahakikisha tunapata hisia kutoka pande zote za nchi. We will teach the country how 21st-century political parties are supposed to be run,” he said.

Consequences of brief NDC’s

He further argued that the tradition of short NDCs has contributed to the collapse of many political parties since the advent of multipartism, turning them into empty political vehicles incapable of delivering meaningful change due to superficial meetings where delegates simply agree on proposals as a chorus.

“Hatutaki tukiita mkutano watu wanakuja masaa mawili ama tatu, wanaokota marupurupu alafu wanaenda nyumbani. Mmezungumza na nini? Tutaweza kubadilisha hii. This is what has made political parties look like vehicles,” he added.

The remarks were made during the DP party’s NDC, where tens of delegates had converged for the high-level party meeting.