A party must have an organizational structure at national and county level with all relevant and elected party bodies and organs. The governing body must reflect regional and ethnic diversity and representation of minorities and marginalized groups. Not more than two-third of the members of the governing body are of the same gender. The party must demonstrate that members of the governing body meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and the laws relating to ethics.

It is therefore a requirement that every political party in Kenya must have a:

• National character.
• NHave democratically elected governing body.
• NPromote and uphold national unity.
• NAbide by the democratic principles of good governance, promote and practice democracy through regular, fair and free elections within the party.
• NRespect the rights of all persons to participate in the political process, including minorities and marginalized groups.
• NRespect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• NRespect and promote gender equality and equity.

The party must have a clear management structure including roles and responsibilities and the procedures to be followed. To address potential conflicts in the party, it must have permanent dispute and conflict resolution mechanism. Among the documents required for a political party are:

Political party documents are fundamental for party institutionalizing, inclusive participation, education of party members and the public at large, accountability and transparency and responsible representation.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties may request copies of documents to be furnished upon request. Any person who interferes, damages or destroys any record or fails to furnish any document required commits an offence. A member of a political party may, during working hours and on payment of the prescribed fee, inspect and obtain copies of the records maintained at its head office or county office.

Therefore all political parties must have accurate and authentic records including:

• Party constitution
• Party nomination rules and internal election rules
• Party manifesto and other policy documents including policy
• Reporting document
• Party strategic plan
• Names and contact details of party officials and party elected representatives to public offices
• Party budget, particulars of contributions including membership dues paid, latest audited accounts as well as particulars of properties.

For a party to be registered, it is required to open party county offices in at least half of the counties. More importantly, the office should be functional. Party county offices are there to provide the services of the party to its members and the public at large.

Among the many functions a party county office may provide are:

• The members of the party and the public to have access to the party.
• Party outreach activities and purposes.
• For internal activities and the running of the party affairs.
• For keeping of records in accordance with sec.17 of the Act.
• For membership recruitment and membership list updating.
• For keeping records of all party officials and all party elected representatives.
• For keeping the particulars of the office including the person in Charge Being the prime point of contact with IEBC and the representatives of the Registrar at the county office, the county Political
• Party Liaison Committee (PPLC), Government agencies, IEBC Peace Committees and other relevant actors.
• Liaise with the party members in the County Assembly.
• Prepare regular reports to the party head office.

According to the Act, the minimum requirements are that the office is functioning, keeps the records and is available for party members and the public including providing copies of records upon request.