ODM reveals why officials from Registrar of Political Parties visited Chungwa House
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, March 12, 2026Officers of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) on Thursday, March 12, 2026, paid an ad hoc courtesy visit to the quarters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during the current interactions between the office of the registrar and the registered political parties.
Taking it to their social media handles on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the ODM party confirmed that the delegation was headed by Joan Sirma, and it was aimed at assessing the progress of operations of the party and consulting its leadership in relation to the legal requirements of political parties in Kenya.
“Officials from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties made a routine courtesy call on the party headquarters this morning to check on the progress of the party. Led by Ms Joan Sirma, the officials lauded the party for sticking to provisions of the law,” the ODM Party stated in a post.
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Mandate of the ORPP
According to the political system of governance in Kenya, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has the responsibility to govern, register and oversee political parties in order to ensure that they conduct their operations within the bounds of the law.
The office regulates the provisions of the Political Parties Act, including registration of the parties, party management structure, membership register and compliance with the internal democratic procedures.
The office of the registrar also monitors the issue of political party financing and holds the parties accountable for how they spend the public resources given to them in the Political Parties Fund.
Moreover, the office also deals with cases of disagreement among or between the political parties and is meant to achieve stability and transparency in the multi-party political system of the country.
Internal divisions in ODM
The visit comes amidst internal political tensions that the Orange Democratic Movement has been struggling with, which have torn the party apart within the top leadership of the party.
Over the recent months, the party has been spotted as being divided into two major blocks due to the different political manoeuvres and political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One of the sides is tilted towards the party leader and Siaya senator, Oburu Odinga. Oburu’s faction is advocating for the ODM Party to make a merger with the ruling side, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
One of the sides is tilted towards the party leader and Naiobi senator and ODMS secretary general Edwin Sifuna, who are opposed to the formation of a merger with UDA and the reelection of President William Ruto.