Former IEBC chief executive James Oswago has called for tougher enforcement of political party laws before the 2027 General Election. He emphasized that early checks on party structures, membership, and finances could help prevent voter bribery and other electoral offences. Oswago made these remarks during an interview on Radio Generation on September 29, 2026.
Oswago stated that Kenya already has laws governing the formation, management, and financing of political parties, but their effectiveness depends on enforcement. He stressed that political parties must comply with constitutional and legal requirements covering membership, governance, financing, and conduct. Enforcement, he added, should begin well before campaign-related offences are reported.
The Political Parties Act requires parties to be committed to the realization of the Constitution, while the Election Finance Act sets out spending limits and requires campaign-related financial reporting. However, Oswago noted that the Election Finance Act is not comprehensive and can be difficult to enforce. He also emphasized that responsibility for ensuring party compliance should not rest solely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Under the Political Parties Act, parties seeking full registration must recruit at least 1,000 registered voters from each of more than half of Kenya's counties, with membership reflecting regional and ethnic diversity, gender balance, and representation of minorities and marginalized groups. Parties must also have branch offices in more than half of the counties. Oswago suggested that these requirements should be checked in practice to ensure parties have functioning structures across the country.
Oswago expressed concerns that some parties list branches in counties where offices may exist only nominally, operating from small premises or bars that are rarely used. He advocated for checks on whether such branches exist and are active, as part of efforts to enforce party regulations. This issue is significant in Kenya's political system, with 90 political parties registered for the 2022 General Election.
A key aspect of stronger party regulation, according to Oswago, is controlling campaign money. Authorities should establish how parties raise and use funds before elections, rather than waiting for allegations of voter bribery to emerge. The Election Campaign Financing Act provides for the regulation of campaign funds, but Oswago emphasized the need for effective enforcement.
Oswago also highlighted the importance of examining possible gaps in existing laws and regulations before the 2027 campaigns intensify. He pointed to the Political Parties Fund, which is administered by the Registrar of Political Parties, as an area where compliance and accountability are crucial. Stronger enforcement, he argued, would help prevent electoral offences and define the roles of parties, regulators, and the electoral commission in protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Key points
- Former IEBC CEO James Oswago calls for tougher enforcement of political party laws ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election.
- Oswago emphasizes the need for early checks on party structures, membership, and finances to prevent voter bribery and electoral offences.
- Stronger party regulation is crucial for controlling campaign money and ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.
