UDA, ODM to pocket over Sh1.2 billion from Political Parties Fund
UDA will walk away with the highest allocation at over Sh789 million as ODM secures more than Sh421 million, leaving other parties to scramble for the rest.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will pocket the largest share of the Political Parties Fund in the 2025/26 financial year, taking home more than Sh1.2 billion combined.
Acting Registrar of Political Parties Sophia Sitati announced that only 47 political parties are eligible for funding.
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UDA will walk away with the highest allocation at over Sh789 million as ODM secures more than Sh421 million, leaving other parties to scramble for the rest.
The Jubilee Party, once the ruling outfit, is the only other beneficiary to cross the Sh100 million mark, with an allocation of Sh184 million. Wiper Party, under the leadership of Kalonzo Musyoka, follows closely with Sh98 million.
Other parties have been allocated significantly less. Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) will receive Sh43 million, while FORD-Kenya, headed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, will get Sh35 million.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is set for Sh36 million, and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) has been allocated Sh32 million. The majority of smaller political outfits will share minimal allocations.
The funding imbalance has triggered protests from minor parties. On September 10, 2025, a coalition of smaller parties filed a petition to Parliament demanding amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2011. They argued that the current funding formula is skewed in favour of dominant parties and undermines their ability to prepare adequately for the 2027 General Election.
National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Augustus Muli criticised the arrangement, saying it has crippled operations.
“Out of 91 registered political parties, only 47 are funded. This has crippled our ability to operate offices and organise campaigns,” he said.
While UDA and ODM consolidate their stronghold ahead of the 2027 elections, smaller parties warn that unless the law is revised to allow equitable funding, Kenya’s multiparty democracy risks being dominated by only a few well-financed players.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that official campaigns for the upcoming by-elections will begin on October 8 and end on November 24, 2025, just 48 hours before polling day on November 27.
“The campaign time will run from 7 am until 6 pm, during the campaign period,” IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said.
On the submission of agents, the chairperson directed independent candidates to present the names of their agents at least 14 days before the by-election. He explained that the requirement will provide enough time for the processing of details and training of agents to ensure their smooth participation in the electoral process.
The by-elections will cover a total of 23 seats, six in the National Assembly, one in the Senate, and 16 ward representative positions. The vacancies, the commission said, arose from causes such as deaths and appointments of sitting members to other offices.
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