Lately, there has been a lot of hullabaloo about political parties, from formation of new parties like Maendeleo Chap Chap and Mashinani Party, to formation of coalitions and dissolution of  parties to form a single party. These kind of realignments tend to happen as general elections approach. Members of the public become part of this fuss as their work towards acquiring membership of emerging political outfits depending on their preference. Just like every Kenyan citizen has the right to vote, any person to join a political party irrespective of their status, as long as they have attained the age of the majority and are registered as voters. If you are not sure whether or not to join a political party, here are 5 reasons why you actually should:

1. You get to nominate leaders to represent you

Many citizens  offer themselves up for election to different elective seats under different political parties. As such, political parties conduct nominations to determine the person who vys for an elective seat under the party ticket. Only citizens who are registered as members of political parties can participate in party nominations. When you register in a political party, you get a chance to determine who vies for elective seat in your party. This gives your candidate of choice a better chance of representing you.

2. You get a platform to voice opinions and air grievances

Political parties create avenues through which citizens voice their opinions on matters affecting. When citizens engage in political discussions or debates, they give their opinions in based on the policies and plans of their party. They get an audience that is interested in knowing what the party is doing. On the other hand, citizens can air grievances on issues affecting them and have the party leaders push them to the government of the day. This shortens the process of communication and makes it easier for citizen concerns to be addressed and changes made.

3. You get access to a party ticket to vy for an elective post

While the Constitution of Kenya allows one to vye for an elective post as an independent candidate, political parties present a better venue for vying for elective positions. Due to their widespread nature, they offer aspirants better visibility. If you are aspiring to vie for an elective post under any political party, you need to register as a member first then go through the party nomination process to get the party ticket.

4. You get access to funding as an aspirant

Political parties support candidates from their parties financially as they campaign and prepare for elections. Parties want to win as many elective seats as possible because this strengthens their voice in decision making processes at different levels. This means that it is in their best interest that candidates vying for various positions on their tickets get to win the elections. As an aspirant of an elective seat, you can only access funding from a political party by first, registering as as member of the part and second, clinching the party ticket via the party nomination process.

5. You get a sense of belonging

When you join a political party, you acquire a sense of belonging since you share in the party’s ideals and identify with it. You take pride in saying you are a member of a given party and to be associated with the issues of that given party.

Are you a member of a political party? Share your experience and other important reasons for joining a political party in the comment section below.

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