The Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu has declined the application to register a rival ODM Party, citing a failure to meet the requirements of Section 8 of the Political Parties Act.
The application was made by ex-Kisumu Chief Executive Committee Member Thomas Ondijo Owitti, who proposed three names for the party: ODM Asili, ODM Mpya, and ODM Kamili.
In a letter to the ODM Secretary-General, Nderitu explained that her office had declined the request to reserve the names because they did not meet the requirements of the Political Parties Act.
“Reference to your letter received on 23rd March 2023 objecting to the application for the reservation of name received in this office on 13th March 2023,” Nderitu said in her letter dated March 28.
“The application was reviewed in line with the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2011. This Office subsequently declined the application for reservation of the proposed names because they did not meet the requirements of Section 8 of the PPA.”
Sections 8(b) and (c) of the Political Parties Act prohibit the registration of parties that are an abbreviation of another political outfit or closely resemble the name or symbol of another political outfit.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and National Chairman John Mbadi both wrote to the Registrar’s office, calling the action “offensive” and questioning its motivation.
They claimed that the application for name reservation not only violated Section 8 of the Political Parties Act, but also had a “sinister motive geared towards confusing our membership and the general public on the proper functioning of our Party.”
Meanwhile, Owiti stated that he was applying for a Political Party Name Reservation in order to be registered as a political party once the required processes/procedures and conditions were met. The Registrar’s office, however, denied his application.
It remains to be seen whether Owiti will pursue his application further or whether the matter will be closed.
