The Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu has declined the application to register three rival ODM Parties saying the application by former Kisumu County Chief Executive Committee Member Thomas Ondijo Owitti did not meet the requirement of Section 8 of the Political Parties Act.
In a letter to Edwin Sifuna, the ODM Secretary General, Ms. Nderitu said her office declined the request to reserve the names ODM Asili, ODM Mpya, and ODM Kamili.
Sifuna, also the Nairobi Senator wrote to the Office of the Registrar protesting attempts by Thomas Ondijo Owitti to have the names reserved.
“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.
“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,” the Registrar of Political Parties said in her letter dated March 28.
Section 8 (b), (c) of the Political Parties Act prohibits registration of parties with an abbreviation of another political outfit or nearly resembles the name or symbol.
