ODM and UDA to Share Sh1.2 Billion from Political Parties Fund, Smaller Parties Cry Foul

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 15 – The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are set to pocket the lion’s share of the Political Parties Fund in the 2025/26 financial year, raising fresh concerns over the widening financial gap between Kenya’s dominant and smaller political outfits.

Acting Registrar of Political Parties Sophia Sitati announced on Monday that UDA will walk away with the single largest allocation at more than Sh789 million, while ODM will secure over Sh421 million.

Together, the two parties will control more than Sh1.2 billion of the fund, leaving 45 other eligible parties to scramble for the remainder.

The Jubilee Party, once Kenya’s ruling outfit, has been allocated Sh184 million, making it the only other party to cross the Sh100 million mark.

Wiper Democratic Movement, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, follows with Sh98 million.

Other allocations include Sh43 million for Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K), Sh36 million for United Democratic Movement (UDM), Sh35 million for FORD-Kenya, and Sh32 million for KANU.

The bulk of Kenya’s smaller parties will receive far less, with some set to operate on allocations too low to sustain countrywide offices.

The funding imbalance has triggered disquiet among minor outfits. On September 10, a coalition of smaller parties petitioned Parliament to amend the Political Parties Act, 2011, arguing that the formula heavily favours dominant parties, stifling political competition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Out of 91 registered political parties, only 47 are funded. This has crippled our ability to operate offices and organise campaigns,” said Augustus Muli, leader of the National Liberal Party (NLP).

Analysts warn that unless the law is revised to distribute funds more equitably, Kenya’s multiparty democracy risks being reduced to a two-horse race dominated by UDA and ODM.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced campaign timelines for upcoming by-elections slated for November 27, 2025.

Campaigns will officially begin on October 8 and close on November 24, just 48 hours before polling.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon further directed independent candidates to submit the names of their polling agents at least two weeks before election day, citing the need for vetting and training.

The by-elections will fill 23 seats left vacant by deaths and appointments, including six National Assembly constituencies, one Senate seat, and 16 ward representative positions.