Lawmakers argue that nomination disputes should be handled by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to protect the autonomy of political parties.
Members of Parliament are pushing for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to stay out of political party primaries, arguing that parties should be allowed to manage their internal candidate selection processes independently.
The legislators are opposing the commission’s involvement in conducting party primaries and handling complaints arising from the nomination exercises, saying its participation could interfere with the internal affairs of political parties.
According to a report dated October 8, 2026, the MPs want disputes arising from party nominations referred to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), which they propose should take the lead in resolving disagreements over the selection of candidates.
Those backing the proposal maintain that political parties have established procedures and regulations governing their nomination exercises and should be given the freedom to implement them in line with the law and their respective party constitutions.
The push could reignite debate over the respective roles of the IEBC and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal in managing disputes arising from political party nominations, particularly as parties prepare for future electoral contests.
The proposal seeks to draw a clearer distinction between the internal administration of political parties and the commission’s role in overseeing electoral processes.
However, any changes to the existing framework would need to comply with Kenya’s electoral laws and the legal provisions governing political party nominations and dispute resolution.
