The Evolvement of Political Parties Since Independence
To win an election, political parties unite people with similar opinions on political matters or activities. Political parties build governments all over the world.
This explains why, in the run-up to any election, parties become extremely active in electorate mobilization and self-promotion. Political parties should ideally draw supporters and encourage individuals to become members to advance their goals.
They should be sympathetic to citizens’ worries and serve as a unifying force or mediator amongst citizens with different interests.
Political parties have undergone numerous changes since Kenya gained its independence. These modifications are much the same as what we are seeing right now. Political parties have changed over time as follows:Â
1. KANU takes Power
Jomo Kenyatta was the first president of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) after it gained independence in 1963. To effectively express Kenyans’ complaints about the colonial authority at the time, KANU was created in 1944.
The Kenya African Union (KAU), the Kenya Independence Movement (KIM), and the National People’s Convention Party came together to form KANU. To counter KANU, the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU) was established in 1960. However, in 1964, with independence, KADU disbanded and freely joined KANU.
2. Ban of Opposition Parties
Nevertheless, the Kenya People’s Union (KPU), a tiny party founded in 1966, emerged as the opposition. After political instability, the party was later outlawed and its head was taken into custody.
Following 1969, there was just one political party, KANU, as no opposing party was registered. Daniel Moi, a former member of the Kenyatta African Democratic Union (KADU), succeeded President Kenyatta as acting president following his death in 1978.
After winning the election to lead KANU, he took office as president in October 1978.
3. The Single-Party State
Kenya became a one-party state in June 1982 when the National Assembly amended section 2A of the constitution.
As a result, KANU became the only political party in the nation, and the 1988 elections served to solidify the one-party system even more.
4. Return of Multiparty Democracy
In 1991, the National Assembly eliminated provision 2A of the constitution, allowing for the establishment of more political parties. The first multiparty elections were held in December 1992 after multiple parties had formed by then.
The opposition parties received the remaining parliamentary seats, leaving KANU with 55% of the total. Kenya’s democratic space was increased by the 1997 parliamentary reforms, which saw an increase in the number of registered political parties from 11 to 26.
In the intervening period, more than 160 political parties have registered, including Ford Kenya, Ford Asili, and DP, which were established during the Moi administration, and Narc, Ford People, SDP, Sisi kwa Sisi, Safina, and others in the lead-up to the 2002 general election.
5. Regulation of Political Parties
The Political Parties Act of 2011 established controls on political parties following the adoption of the Kenyan Constitution in 2010.
To prevent dishonest leaders from founding political parties for financial benefit and to prevent the emergence of groups loyal to certain persons, the Act establishes guidelines for the formation, management, and regulation of political parties.
The Act created the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to carry out and uphold the legislation.
The Evolvement of Political Parties Since Independence