Politicians who own political parties and are willing to join political alliances have until April 9 to do so ahead of the August 9 presidential election.

This is according to Political Parties (Amendment) Bill of 2021 signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on January 27, 2022, which requires parties to join an alliance four months to the general election.

The new law amended the Political Parties Act of 2011 by introducing the concept of coalition political parties, outlining functions of political parties as well as changing the criteria of accessing the Political Parties Fund.

The law also empowers the Registrar of Political Parties to certify political party membership lists and nomination rules among other transformative provisions aimed at strengthening management of political parties and enhancing democracy.

Major political parties that are yet to join any alliance, should they decide to do so, include Chama Cha Kazi of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Devolution Empowerment Party (Kiraitu Murungi), The Service Party (Mwangi Kiunjuri) and Usawa Kwa Wote (Mwangi wa Iria).

Kuria on Monday said he was ready to join One Kenya Alliance (OKA) only if the outfit does not join Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja Movement.

“Whereas we share many ideals between Chama Cha Kazi and OKA, we agreed to work together as long as OKA is not joining the Azimio Coalition which is incompatible with me and the Chama Cha Kazi Party.

“We will hold a follow-up meeting on Wednesday 2nd March to agree on the way forward,” Kuria said.

He was a supporter of Deputy President William Ruto before bolting out last year and forming his CCK party.

Benefits of new law

With the enactment of the law, all political parties under a coalition party will benefit from political party funds as the law provides for sharing formula for every party that participates in a general election.

The law provides that a total of 70 per cent of the fund be distributed proportionately based on the total number of votes secured by each political party in the preceding election.

Another 15 per cent shall be distributed proportionately to political parties based on the number of candidates from special interest groups elected in the preceding general election.

10 per cent of the fund will be shared out proportionately to parties based on the total number of representatives from the political party elected in the preceding polls, while the remaining five per cent remain for the administration expenses.