It can be a little infuriating to discover you are a member of a political party you didn’t sign up for. Many Kenyans find themselves in this predicament, especially during election season.

Other’s simply want to switch to parties that are more aligned with their values or the visions of the leaders they support. Yes, you can legally, easily, and free of charge deregister from a political party in Kenya through the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).

If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, this post outlines all the steps required to deregister from a political party in Kenya. There are three simple ways: online via eCitizen or via the USSD code *509#. In this post, we will outline the step-by-step process for each method.

Why it matters:

Registering with a political party is every Kenyan’s democratic right – it’s also a core principle and a patriotic responsibility. Still, under Kenyan law, every eligible voter may belong to only one political party; membership in multiple parties is prohibited.

And therefore, if for some reason you suspect you might have unwillingly been registered to a political party that you are unaware of or that doesn’t align with your values or vision, the legal thing to do is to deregister from a political party.

Method 1: Deregister via eCitizen (Most Recommended)

Deregistering from a political party via the eCitizen portal is the most reliable and recommended method, as eCitizen maintains official records for every Kenyan adult, including Social Health Insurance Fund records and even passport processing. The steps are straightforward.

First, log in to your eCitizen account. If it is your first time, create an account. Next, toggle the Agencies menu and select the “Office of the Registrar of Political Parties” option. It is advisable to click the “Political Party Membership Status” option first to confirm whether you are registered with a political party.

Next, click on the “Political Party Membership Registration” option. Lastly, click on the “Deregister” option and hit “Submit.”

Note: This process typically takes a few days to take effect. Once it is done, you’ll get a pop-up that says, “You are currently not a registered member of any political party,” when you click on the “Political Membership Status” button in your eCitizen account.

Method 2: USSD Code (Fastest Option)

The USSD Code method is the fastest option, as it doesn’t require logging into your eCitizen account and only requires a few prompts via your mobile phone’s USSD functionality.

How to deregister from a political party using *509#

Deregistering from a political party in Kenya via the USSD code *509# is straightforward and requires only a few prompts on your mobile device. On your mobile phone, key in *509# USSD code from the dial pad – you’ll get a pop-up prompting you to register using “National ID Number” or “First name as on ID” – choose whichever feels suitable.

Next, you’ll get a prompt to “Check for Membership” or “Resign from Party.” As with the eCitizen method, select “Check Membership” to verify your status, then select “Resign from Party” to deregister from a political party.

Note: Follow all prompts keenly to avoid starting over each time. Also, the USSD Code option doesn’t require internet connectivity and is great for citizens who don’t own a smartphone. Based on responses from popular forums in Kenya, some users have reported instant confirmation using this method.

Method 3: Manual or Email Resignation

This method is the least used but most recommended for individuals seeking official proof of verifiable email communication upon deregistration from a political party in Kenya. For this, you’ll need to write a formal political party resignation letter.

How to Write a Political Party Resignation Letter

Writing a political party resignation letter is quite easy. However, you’ll still need to pay attention to detail to ensure the format is right and that you have included all the required information to deregister from a party. 

The letter must include: your full name (as it appears on your national ID card), the name of the party you are currently registered with, and a clear resignation statement (you don’t need to provide details on why you are deregistering from the party).

To go with the resignation letter, attach a clear copy of your Identity Card (ID) or Passport, and address the email to your political party (Copy to ORPP). The email option for the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is [email protected].

Note: The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties will remove your name or membership upon receipt.

It’s important to note that deregistering from a political party is your right, just like applying for community work through the government, and it takes only a few minutes. A rule of thumb is to regularly check your membership status – not just during the election season. Consider checking your political membership status today to avoid any election-season surprises.