The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has rejected the applications to reserve the names of ten proposed political parties associated with Generation Z, citing violations of constitutional requirements related to inclusivity and national character.
Registrar Ann Nderitu announced the decision, emphasizing that the applications did not align with Article 91 (1) (a) and (e) of the Constitution.
According to Chapter 91 of the Constitution, political parties must demonstrate “a national character, as prescribed by an Act of Parliament,” and “respect the right of all persons to participate in the political process, including minorities and marginalized groups.” The rejected party names include the Gen-Z Movement, Gen-Z National Movement, and Gen-Z People’s Alliance, among others.
A prominent applicant, Simon Maina Mwangi, had sought to reserve these ten names for a new political entity aimed at representing the interests of the younger generation.
However, the registrar’s ruling reflects a commitment to ensuring that all political parties are inclusive and representative of the entire populace.
In a related development, a petition has been filed with the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal to compel the ORPP to register “The Gen Z Party” as an official political body.
The petition is led by James Ogega, who claims his application to reserve and register the name was unjustly denied, despite meeting all requirements and paying the necessary fees.
Court documents reveal that Ogega was informed about the registrar’s decision three weeks after submitting his application, indicating a lack of transparency in the process.
The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by emerging political movements in Kenya, particularly those representing younger generations.
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of these decisions will be closely monitored, especially as the next general election approaches.
