The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its key ally, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), are set to take home the biggest chunk of the Political Parties Fund in the 2025/2026 financial year, with the two parties collectively receiving over Sh1.2 billion.
According to a gazette notice published on September 12, 2025, the United Democratic Alliance will receive a staggering Sh789 million, the largest allocation in the 2025/2026 financial year, as ODM is set to receive more than Sh421 million.
The announcement was made by Acting Registrar of Political Parties, Sophia Sitati, who confirmed that only 47 political parties met the legal criteria to access the fund during the current financial year.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 23, 25 and 34 (b) of the Political Parties Act, and Regulation 6 (1)(c) of the Political Parties (Funding) Regulations, 2019, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that 47 political parties are eligible to receive funds from the Political Parties Fund (PPF) for the Financial Year 2025/2026,” the notice read in part.
The Jubilee Party will be the only other outfit to cross the Sh100 million mark, receiving over Sh184 million of the political Parties' Fund Allocation. Wiper Patriotic Front of Kalonzo Musyoka follows with Sh98 million.
Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) will receive Sh43 million, while FORD-Kenya, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, has an allocation of Sh35 million.
However, the majority of smaller parties will scramble for much smaller portions of the fund, with the United Democratic Movement (UDM) receiving Sh36 million, and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) bagging Sh32 million.
The funding model has triggered protests from minor parties, terming the current funding formula as unfair, preventing them from preparing adequately for the 2027 general elections.
On September 10, 2025, a coalition of smaller parties filed a petition to Parliament seeking amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2011.
National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Augustus Muli criticised the structure, saying that it locks out nearly half of the registered parties from government funding.
He said that out of 91 registered political parties, only 47 are funded, crippling their ability to operate offices and organise campaigns.
The Political Parties Fund is meant to strengthen democracy by supporting party activities such as policy development, public outreach, and election preparedness.
However, critics say the disproportionate allocations favour larger, well-established parties, leaving the rest in the cold.
