Kenya’s political parties are characterized by the use of violence to intimidate opponents, lack of internal democracy and marshalling for support along ethnic lines.
However, this may be a thing of the past following the formation of the United Green Movement Party.
UGM aims to bring about change in the political arena through the 10-anchored Principles and Values which include Grass root democracy, Ecological wisdom, Social Justice and Equal Opportunity, Community based Economics, Non-Violence, Feminism and Respect for Diversity.
The new party also wants to ensure there is decentralization, sustainability, personal and global responsibility.
Addressing the media in Nakuru, UGM Party leader and coordinator in Nakuru County, Erick Otieno Ogada says the party will work with like-minded people to ensure there is sanity in the political arena by fostering democracy at the grassroot level.
Ogada who in August 2017 contested the Nakuru Town West parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket but lost in what he termed unfair primaries says political parties have no democracy.
While noting that political parties in the country have had a bad image especially when it comes to party primaries, Ogada noted there is a need to address such.
“We have had problems in our political parties and that is why we came up with UGM to try and treat some of the problems,” said Ogada.
The party unlike other political parties will not be fielding Presidential candidate in any of the general elections.
According to Ogada, people rallying behind a presidential candidate have led to divisions in the country, therefore, to ensure unity, every member of UGM will be at liberty to vote for any presidential candidate of choice.
“What divides Kenyans is the issue of political parties supporting this or that presidential candidate and, therefore, as a party we shall not be fielding candidates for the presidency,” he added.
He added that this was borrowed from a sister party in Europe that ensures grassroot democracy.
UGM currently has offices in 40 counties.
It hopes to open an office in every county in a bid to change the political scene.