The democratic space in Kenya since independence in 1963 has expanded, grown and blossomed to levels of envy across the East African Community and beyond.
From single party rule to multiparty to free speech in the political arena, there is a lot to write home about political advancement in the country.
For one to ascend to political power, they must be a registered member of a political party of their choice.
Political party competition in the country is on another level with politicians wrestling each other for membership in a bid to amass political influence with an eye on political leadership, top prize being the presidency.
At the moment, there are 101 registered parties, according to data provided by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Of these, most have gone digital in order to win the younger digital savvy generations and to offer quick access.
In this article, we take a look at some of the parties with beautiful, well designed websites and those that are, for lack of a good word, ugly and don’t fit the party’s stature.
Best Websites:
- Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) – Party leader Raila Odinga
The ODM, besides being one of the largest and popular party in the country, comes out as one with one of the best designed websites.
The Website has all the information anyone would like to have as concerns the Raila Odinga led party including its manifesto. The manifesto can be downloaded.
The website has many features that are easy to access and the colours make it even beautiful. Besides just having a vibrant website, ODM boasts of active social media activities through its YouTuBe TBV channel, Facebook and X pages among others.
- Amani National Congress (ANC) – Musalia Mudavadi
Coming in second is the Amani National Congress (ANC) founded by now prime Cabinet and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
ANC, has grown so fast unlike any other newly found parties gaining support across the country.
With a click on your mobile phone or computer, ANC’s website is sleek, blends well with its theme colours and easy to navigate.
The website has simple, clear and easy to find sections which have been well updated and blend well on the phone. It is lite and opens faster than most websites.
For those who may be interacting with the party for the first time or seeking more information about the party, the website is designed in a way that it is easier to get info about its foundation, leadership and even elected leaders from MCAs to Governor.
This makes it easy for one to know the structure, faces and the foundation on which the party stands on.
- The Jubilee Party – Uhuru Kenyatta
The Jubilee Party, whose leader is former President Uhuru Kenyatta, comes in at the third position.
Like ANC and ODM, the Jubilee Party’s website has well packaged information.
Having been in power for 10 years, the website made use of the achievements, programmes, and projects of the then administration to populate information.
It has highlighted the agenda, manifesto and has the Jubilee Party’s footprints archived for all.
4. Kenya African National Union (KANU) – Gideon Moi
At position four comes Kenya African National Union (KANU) led by former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
It is the oldest political party in the country having been in power since independence until it was kicked out of power in 2002 by a combined force of opposition parties.
The party has swiftly transformed from an analogue one to a more digital and youthful party with one of the best online presence.
Going through its websites, one notices that it has invested in its website, pumping in lots of information.
From introductory message from the party leader, the website also boasts of an academy where it offers different courses. No other party has this feature. However, we could not confirm how the courses are conducted and how students graduate.
4. Ford Kenya – Moses Wetang’ula
The Forum for Restoration of Democracy – Kenya (FORD_K), led by House Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, being one of the oldest parties in the country, one would expect to mine so much data for instance a chronology of its foundation, struggles, fights, leadership, and current achievements, and all this has been provided.
FORD-K has the history of the country and no political history can be written without mentioning it and, the website, as a proper channel to archive these important details has done well.
Worst Websites
- United Democratic Alliance (UDA) – William Ruto
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President William Ruto falls under those with bad websites especially after he and his team fashioned themselves as tech savvy.
The website does not reflect the image its leader showcases to the public and what some of his lieutenants preach to the masses.
Most of the website’s sections are static and so many grey areas taking too much colour that blinds the eye.
One would have expected that being a ruling party and having gone big on the internet, sections showing its top issues would be active and offer detailed information but this, is not what one gets. Pathetic.
2. Roots Party of Kenya – George Wajackoyah
The Roots Party of Kenya led by law scholar Professor George Wajackoyah is the most pathetic website you will find.
The party, having sponsored a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections, showcases how disorganised and shambolic the party is.
The website seems to be those from free template providers like WordPress. Even a primary school pupil can build a better website than Wajackoya’s website. The less said the better.
3. Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) – Kalonzo Musyoka
Another badly built website is that of Wiper Democratic Movement of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Just like UDA’s, the website looks lazy and doesn’t inspire any confidence. Anyone seeking information about the party will definitely feel more frustrated then they were before.
4. Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC)
The Maendeleo Chap Chap Party was founded by Tourism CS Alfred Mutua when he was serving as Machakos Governor.
It rose so fast across the country as it sought to regiser as many members as possible and having been formed by a youthful, tech savvy leader, most people would have expected it’s website to be among the best.
The website is lazy, dull and inspires no confidence. The fonts and styles of text used makes it even worse. It does not open the lid and answer questions of someone who would love to learn more about the party.