Political parties have until March 26 to submit names of their members for the nominations process.
The timeline is likely to trigger havoc in the strongholds of both Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja movement and Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Previously, parties were open to anyone who was a registered voter in a particular constituency.
However, opponents of this provision argue that it gives party leaders an advantage in handing over certificates to close allies because they control the party lists.
While approximately 22.1 million Kenyans are registered to vote in the August elections, only a few are listed as political party members.
Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu released a breakdown of key timelines that parties must adhere to following the passage of the Political Parties (Amendment) Act.
The registrar is delegated to certify member registration lists that would be used in the primaries.
Non-party members were previously allowed to vote in party primaries as long as they were registered voters.
This is now prohibited by a new law requiring that only members on a list certified as such by the registrar participate in nominations.
“April 22 is the end date for the primaries as per timelines of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The nominations therefore begin anytime from today but have to be concluded as per the stated date,” Nderitu said.
The law also allows parties to hand direct tickets through the delegates system.
Parties have to write to the registrar of their intention to conduct primaries at least 21 days before the date of nominations. This means they have until April 1.
Within seven days, the registrar must provide the party with a certified copy of the register of its members. Parties should ensure that the register is open to all members.
This is intended to avoid confusion about the location and to alleviate last-minute disappointments, such as when a delegate believes his name is on the party list only to be turned away at the polling station.
Parties will also ensure that each aspirant submits the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012 self-declaration form. They must fulfill the requirements outlined in the constitution.
Disputes over nominations must be resolved within 30 days. Those who are dissatisfied with the outcome will have until May 22 to seek redress before the IEBC receives the final list of candidates.
The IEBC had opposed these proposals saying parties should be left to have a free hand in determining how the primaries are conducted, in line with their rules.