The political tectonic plates in Kenya are shifting, triggered by a sudden online revolt. Following the dramatic ouster of Edwin Sifuna as ODM Secretary General, a wave of disenchanted members is scrambling to exit the party, exposing the critical need for Kenyans to understand their rights of association—and disassociation.

This surge in interest is not merely administrative; it is a protest. Thousands of supporters, feeling alienated by the party’s recent realignments with the government, are seeking to sever ties immediately. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has become the unlikely epicenter of this digital migration, as citizens reclaim their political agency in real-time.

The Digital Exit Route

For those looking to leave, the process has been digitized for speed and transparency. The most direct method is through the eCitizen platform:

• Log in: Access the eCitizen portal and select the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) service.
• Verify Status: Check your current membership status to confirm the registration.
• Resign: Select the "Resign from Party" option. The system will process the request and notify the specific party of your departure.

Alternatively, the USSD code *509# offers a mobile-first solution. By dialing the code and following the prompts, members can check their status and initiate resignation without needing a computer. This accessibility is crucial for the grassroots support base now reconsidering their loyalty.

The Manual Option and Legal Rights

For those preferring a paper trail, the law allows for a written resignation. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-1)A member can write a letter to the political party and copy the Registrar of Political Parties. The party is legally obligated to effect this resignation within seven days. If they fail to do so, the Registrar can intervene to remove the member's name from the register.

“Your political identity is a choice, not a sentence,” an ORPP official noted during a recent sensitization drive. As the dust settles on the leadership changes at Orange House, the power of the ordinary member to vote with their feet—or their fingertips—has never been more visible.