LAWI SULTAN
Africa-Press – Kenya. I strongly disagree with the prevailing school of thought in Kenya that the purpose of a political party is to capture power. Instead, I submit that the purpose of political parties is to interpret the general will of the people, which is indivisible and inalienable, while ensuring those that exercise delegated sovereign power stay true to the social contract, that is, the constitution.
This “capture power” mantra, echoed openly by politicians like ODM leader Oburu Odinga and broad-based government hawks such as Peter Kaluma, reduces democracy to a brutal contest for dominance. Senator Oburu has stated that “all political parties are formed to capture power,” framing it as the essence of outfits like the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Kaluma insists parties exist “to seek and capture power, not to preach morality.”
Such rhetoric goes unchallenged in public discourse, fostering a free-for-all where might prevails over rationality. But this mindset is beyond pragmatic cynicism; it is a direct assault on Kenya’s constitutional foundations.
Article 1 of the 2010 constitution vests all sovereign power in the people, to be exercised only in accordance with its provisions. Power is delegated, not seized. When parties speak of capturing it, they evoke coups or usurpation, bypassing the people’s indivisible will.
In Kenya’s patronage-driven political discourse, this leads to elite pacts that alienate citizens, perpetuating cycles of corruption, ethnic division and institutional decay. Kenya has 92 fully registered political parties, with none boasting membership from a majority of our 55 million population.
UDA and ODM both claim over 8 million members each, but even that is a fraction, highlighting how these entities are often niche vehicles for personal ambition, not broad interpreters of the general will.
Worse, many parties flout their own constitutions by skipping internal elections, a clear sign of undemocratic tepidity that foreshadows how they would handle sovereign power. The Political Parties Act (2011) mandates internal democracy, yet reports from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and civil society reveal widespread non-compliance.
Over 60 parties have undergone ORPP training on dispute resolution in 2024-2025, implying systemic weaknesses in leadership renewal. The Katiba Institute highlights lack of internal democracy as a systemic failure, where parties prioritise tribal mobilisation over constitutional adherence.
If a party cannot democratically elect its leaders, how can it be trusted to uphold the national social contract? This hypocrisy erodes public trust. The 2025 by-elections, marred by violence and interference, exemplify how power-centric politics devolves into chaos.
Reports by civil society note Kenya’s competitive elections but flag pervasive corruption and brutality by the security services as threats to democracy.
We must reorient parties toward the ideal: as stewards discerning the general will through public participation, not factional grabs. This means persuading voters of their worthiness for delegation rooted in constitutional values—Article 10’s principles of accountability, equity and inclusion.
Political parties as guardians should interpret collective aspirations on issues like corruption, debt, unemployment and Executive overreach, while holding leaders accountable. This vision honors the constitution’s transformative spirit, turning politics from a battlefield into a bridge for the expression of the general will.
Kenya deserves better than power-hungry syndicates. By embracing parties as interpreters of the people’s will, we safeguard our sovereignty and build a truly democratic future.
The time to challenge the capture narrative is now—before it usurps our shared destiny. The purpose of political parties is to persuade the people to delegate sovereign power to them.
Social impact adviser, social consciousness theorist, trainer and speaker, agronomist consultant for golf courses and sportsfields and author of ‘The Gigantomachy of Samaismela’ and ‘The Trouble with Kenya: McKenzian Blueprint’
Source: The Star
