ORPP Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone Sign MoU to Form Continental Political Party Regulatory Body

Kenya’s Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with counterparts from Malawi and Sierra Leone to formally establish the African Association of Political Party Regulatory Authorities (AAPPRA).

The signing took place in Nairobi on April 29 and was hosted by Registrar J.C. Lorinokou. The event was attended by Registrar Emeritus Ann Nderitu, delegations from the political party regulatory offices of Malawi and Sierra Leone, and supporting partners.

AAPPRA is designed to serve as a continental platform for harmonising regulatory standards, sharing expertise and addressing common challenges in the management of political parties across Africa. The association traces its origins to 2003 and has developed over two decades into a framework for structured regional cooperation.

Speaking at the signing, Lorinokou said the association would be built on a legal and operational framework drawn from the founding countries’ collective experience. He called on member states to remain engaged on areas of weakness and to pursue a shared vision of stronger democratic governance.

“We must keep plugging each other to address the setback areas and grow together a better democratic Africa,” Lorinokou said.

Nderitu, who was central to the initiative during her tenure as Registrar, said the establishment of AAPPRA reflects a long-standing need for African regulatory authorities to engage one another on the specific challenges of managing political parties on the continent.

“The AAPPRA is a way of customising 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,” she said.

She also acknowledged the ORPP Kenya staff for advancing the vision beyond her tenure.

The MoU signing followed a two-day AAPPRA conference held on April 27 and 28, which brought together the registrars of political parties from all three founding countries.