In Kenya, joining a political party of your choice is optional. However, it is also important to note that resigning from the party has been simplified. The Office of the Register of Political Parties (ORPP) introduced a mobile phone-based process for resigning from political parties. Whether you are a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), KANU, Wiper, DAP-K, or FORD Kenya, the steps are simple.
According to ORPP, a member of the public can use the established mobile platform to resign from the political party he is registered with if he feels the need to do so, using the USSD code, which can be accessed by dialing *509#.
This is a free service, and the user is not required to pay any additional fee besides the normal subscriber fee of one shilling.
A person can exit through the Government digital portal, eCitizen. Accessing the service through this channel is free, and users do not incur any additional fees beyond the normal internet charge.
Steps on How to Exit ODM, UDA, or Any Kenyan Political Party
Here are ways to deregister or exit from ODM, or UDA, using your phone;
Register or Log In: A first-time user will be prompted to register using their National ID number and first name as it appears on their ID, and later receive a PIN via SMS.
Also Read: How to Join UDA Party, Membership Requirements, and Charges
Access Menu: Dial *509# again, then enter the PIN you received.
Thereafter, an individual will select the membership option, usually option 1
An individual will then select the “Resign” option 3, and a confirmation message will show the current membership party.
They will select the resignation option and receive a confirmation message confirming the resignation.
Also Read: How to Join ODM Party, Membership Requirements, and Charges
To deregister via the eCitizen website, an individual must sign in using their email, ID number, and password.
He or she will access the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties portal and click on the Political Party Membership Status to confirm the party.
They will select the Political Parties Membership Resignation and follow the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their phone.
While the resignation process is immediate, it may take 12 to 36 hours for it to be fully processed and reflected in the system. Therefore, it is recommended to confirm the status after a few days to ensure the process is complete.
Reasons For Exiting Political Parties in Kenya
A member will resign if :
- Join another political party or participate in its activities.
- The party deviates from its core principles, such as failing to uphold the rule of law or condoning corruption.
- There is a lack of democracy within party structures; members seek a more open political environment, prompting them to exit the party.
- A party’s nomination process is unfair or not credible.
- Want to improve their chances of re-election and gain access to government resources.
- The partnership no longer serves their interests, or when the agreement is broken.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
