ORPP steps up voter education for PWDs ahead of 2027 polls

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has intensified efforts to sensitise persons with disabilities on their political rights and participation in electoral processes.

 ORPP North Rift regional coordinator Hassan Maloba said political parties and other stakeholders must ensure persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully supported and allowed to participate in all stages of the electoral process.

 “Just like other Kenyans, they have full rights to take part in elections, including contesting for any seat they may wish to vie for,” Maloba said.

 He spoke during an Electoral Preparedness Training Forum for PWDs at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret.

 The forum sensitised participants on inclusivity in electoral processes and the role of political parties in promoting the participation and representation of persons with disabilities.

 The training aims to equip PWDs with knowledge of their rights, political party processes and electoral procedures as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.

 Maloba emphasised the need for political parties to embrace inclusivity to ensure democratic and fair representation.

 “The parties are aware of the requirement to allow persons with disabilities easy participation in all activities as the electoral process gets underway,” he said.

 He noted that the ORPP is deliberately promoting the inclusion of PWDs through capacity-building programmes, legal reforms and internal compliance checks.

 Maloba said key commitments include integrating persons with disabilities into party leadership structures and enforcing a minimum inclusion framework across all registered political parties.

 He also urged political parties to uphold the Political Parties Code of Conduct, including principles of peaceful and fair campaigning, tolerance, free expressio; integrity;y and democratic practices.

 “This will help safeguard democracy by preventing electoral violence, eliminating corruption and ensuring fair competition as the country prepares for the next General Election,” he said.

 Maloba warned that violations of the code could attract sanctions ranging from public warnings and campaign restrictions to fines, candidate disqualification and deregistration of political parties.

 During the forum, Kesses constituency IndependentElectoral andd Boundaries Commission Returning Officer Mathew Chenger described the training as an important platform for educating persons with disabilities about their electoral rights.

 Chenger said voter registration remains ongoing at IEBC offices and encouraged eligible PWDs who have not yet registered as voters to do so.

 He said the commission remains committed to ensuring its services are accessible to PWDs.

 Chenger further assured participants that the IEBC would continue to conduct free, fair, transparent and verifiable elections in line with its constitutional mandate.

 Participants were also sensitised on the legal and regulatory framework governing political parties in Kenya, the electoral code of conduct and emerging threats to electoral integrity.

 The discussions highlighted challenges such as AI-generated deepfakes targeting candidates, disinformation spread through WhatsApp groups and online harassment targeting persons with disabilities.

 The training also focused on the use of technology to strengthen electoral preparedness and integrity.

 Speaking on behalf of PDWs in Uasin Gishu county Wilson Mulwa said the forum had helped participants better understand their rights, including the right to vote and the freedom to join political parties of their choice.

 He, however, noted that many PWDs still face prejudice and stereotypes from members of the public who view them as incapable of holding leadership positions.

 Mulwa said such attitudes continue to discourage some qualified persons with disabilities from seeking elective office.