Political parties in Kenya recruit members using Party Membership Verification Forms specified by the party. Every member of the political party should fill out and duly sign these forms. Once a person’s name enters the membership register of a political party, the person becomes a member of the political party.
How To Join A Political Party In Kenya
It is an offence to register a person as a member of a political party in Kenya without their consent.
To become a member of a political party in Kenya, there are guidelines to follow.
The details required by the Party Membership Verification Form include the:
- name of the county;
- name of the member;
- age, sex and occupation of the member;
- residence of the member (Constituency, Ward);
- postal address and telephone number;
- Village or Ward or another local leader (recommendation?);
- the number of the party membership card, the date it was issued and the place it was issued;
- ID or Passport number of the member;
- the subscription or membership fee;
- membership acknowledgement;
- name of the member and their signature and the name of the recruiter and their signature.
The membership card for a political party also carries the above details except those relating to the party recruiter.
Political coalitions do not have their members but individual parties in the coalition have their members.
A person who is a Kenyan citizen and at least 18 years is qualified to be a member of a political party.
Recruitment Process For Membership Of A Party
In recruiting members, the recruitment process for the political party should include the following elements:
- the party constitution must spell out the requirements for membership recruitment;
- the party must introduce a membership card of a specific standard;
- the party and the member must complete the member verification form;
- the party must keep and continuously update a membership list;
- the party must keep and update a list of membership dues paid following the party constitution.
When the party and the member complete the member verification form:
- the party forwards details of the member through the Integrated Political Parties Management System (IPPMS)
- the Registrar of Political Parties verifies and validates the uploaded membership in the IPPMS.
- once a person has been verified into the membership register of a political party, the person becomes a member of that party.
A person can also register as a member of a political party in Kenya online through the e-Citizen portal. Create an account or sign in to the portal and then look for and select the “Office Of The Registrar Of Political Parties” option under “National Services”. Follow the prompts and under the “Our Services” section, choose the “Political Party Membership Registration” option and follow the other steps provided.