ORPP Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone Sign Landmark MoU to Establish Continental Political Party Regulatory Body
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 29 – The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) Kenya In a significant move toward enhancing democratic governance across the continent spearheaded a landmark collaboration in Nairobi, hosting counterparts from Malawi and Sierra Leone to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the African Association of Political Party Regulatory Authorities (AAPPRA).
The event hosted by the Registrar J.C. Lorinokou and team was graced by the Registrar Emeritus, Ann Nderitu and a high-level delegation from the Registrars from Malawi and Sierra Leone, their staff, as well as supporting partners.
The African Political Parties Regulatory Authorities (AAPPRA) stands as a premier continental network, fostering essential dialogue between political party regulators and key stakeholders to strengthen democratic governance.
Established in 2003 the platform has evolved from a nascent initiative into a robust hub for regional cooperation, providing a vital space for members to harmonize regulatory standards, exchange peer-to-peer expertise and collectively address the complex challenges facing political party management across the African continent.
The Registrar J.C. Lorionokou while officiating the session celebrated the thought leaders for mooting the Association led by Commissioner Ann Nderitu, CBS and her counterparts in Malawi and Sierra Leone.
“The Registrar observed that the Association will progress based on a well-evaluated legal and operational framework of the three founding countries, aimed at confronting challenges that befall the political parties’ democracy.”
“We must keep plugging each other to address the setback areas and grow together a better democratic Africa, We look forward to witnessing and taking part in realizing this dream “, stated J.C. Lorionokou.
Commissioner Ann Nderitu in her keynote address hailed the support of founding partners, as part of the history, while recollecting on the journey and passion of partners, Malawi and Sierra Leone.
Ms Nderitu noted that the idea of meeting regulators across Africa is an idea whose time has come, It is a platform to manage the unique dispositions in the management of political parties and growth of democratic space in Africa.
“The AAPPRA is a way of customizing our uniqueness as African authorities as we seek to grow other countries. We must confront the menace that bedevils Africa, such as exclusion through the standardisation of our continental approaches”, said Nderitu.
“We shall step through critical policies, information sharing, and best practices, APPRA is the vehicle to reapproach”.
The Commissioner thanked her successor and the staff of ORPPKenya for moving the vision of APPRA that was premised on bringing perspectives from different corners of the African continent.
Stakeholders lauded the initiative as “historical” to collectively expand and redefine the management of political parties and democracy.
The MoU signed was preceded by a two-day APPRA conference held on 27th and 28th April bringing together Registrars of Political Parties in Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone.
