What type of strong political parties do we need?

Ken Opalo

Kenyans want a strong party, some say, like Kanu. This is an idea prevalent within CORD and Jubilee coalitions. It is also an idea that betrays confusion over what it means to have a strong party. Was Kanu really a strong party?

Party strength is multi-dimensional. Parties can be considered strong on the basis of their membership (raw head count) and grassroots reach (number of branches and officeholders). Strength can also be measured by the extent to which rank and file party members (who are not political office holders) control the elected officials (politicians). Lastly, we can measure party strength by the extent to which its elected political leadership has control over other elected officials (party discipline).