In 2022, CPK split into the majority faction and the CPK Kenya Kwanza faction.[7] for the members who joined the Kenya Kwanza coalition under Mwandawiro Mghanga and Benedict Wachira: General Secretary, CPK Kenya Kwanza [3]
The Communist Party of Kenya (CPK),[8] formerly known as the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is a prominent political organisation in Kenya. Founded in 1992, the political party has undergone substantial transformations in its name, ideological orientation from social democracy to communism and political positioning. Throughout its history, the Communist Party of Kenya has faced distinct challenges and played a notable role in Kenya's political evolution.[9]
The party was founded in 1992 as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by Johnstone Makau.[10] In its initial years, the SDP faced challenges gaining traction in national elections, receiving 177 votes in the National Assembly during the December 1992 general elections. However, it emerged as a prominent player in Kenyan politics during the 1997 general elections, where its presidential candidate, Charity Ngilu, secured a notable 5th position with 7.9% of the national votes.[11] The party also won 15 seats in the National Assembly.
In 2001, Ngilu left the party after the elections, and she was succeeded by James Orengo, who took over as the party's chairman. Orengo stood as the party's presidential candidate in the 2002 elections, but received just 0.4% of the vote; the party also lost all 15 seats in the National Assembly. Its vote share was reduced to 0.4% in the 2007 general elections, in which it fielded 24 candidates. It also failed to win seats in the 2013 elections, receiving only 0.15% of the vote with seven candidates.
Transition to Communism (2008–2019)
After encountering setbacks in the general elections of 2002, 2007, and 2013, the party underwent a transformative phase in 2011.
Members of the Young Socialist Leaders, including future leaders Booker Ngesa and Benedict Wachira, led a shift towards embracing a fully socialist ideology grounded in Marxism-Leninism[12] in 2013.The SDP leadership of the time, Mutahi Kagwe and Njeri Ndwiga, was replaced. Mwandawiro Mghanga[13] assumed the role of National Chairman,[14] with Booker Ngesa and Benedict Wachira assuming the key positions of National Vice Chairperson and Secretary General, respectively.[15]
In 2019, the party officially changed its name to the Communist Party of Kenya,[16] solidifying its commitment to socialist principles after obtaining full registration as a Communist Party.[17] As a registered socialist political party, CPK took its place in history as the first socialist party in Kenya since the literal 1965 constitutional ban by the government of Kenya under sessional paper number 10.[18]
Internal crisis of 2022
In April 2022, senior party leaders Benedict Wachira and Mwandawiro Mghanga joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance,[19] leading to an internal crisis.[20] The Kenya Kwanza faction[21] resolved to expel Booker Omole, the national vice chairman and organising secretary as he was the most prominent of the senior leaders who questioned and opposed the decision to join the coalition.[22] The national vice chairman appealed the duo's unilateral decision with the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal,[23] and the court blocked it.
The youth league also took the matter to the Political Parties Tribunal, citing Mwandawiro's illegitimacy as chairman.[24] Mwandawiro's chairmanship was in question since he was a government employee in the County Government of Taita Taveta at the time of taking the party to join the Kenya Kwanza Coalition. The youth presented that he could not be the chairman as it was contrary to the Constitution of Kenya, which forbids state officials from holding political office.[25] The Youth League wanted the Tribunal to nullify his position, which would then nulifyhis authority to sign up the party into the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.[26] The matter, which remains unresolved, resulted in the effective splintering of the party.[27][28]
Majority Faction: Acknowledging the split as against party policy going into the 2022 elections and citing the ex-chairman's alleged illegitimacy of Mghanga, the central committee reconstituted in September 2022, electing new leaders.[29] The majority reconstituted, and Kinuthia Ndung’u was elected as the national chairman; Booker Ngesa was reinsted as the national vice chairman[23] and organising secretary; and Sefu Sani as the Secretary Geseral.
Mggenga Faction: The Kenya Kwanza-aligned members led by Mghanga and Wachira were declared the minority faction by the majority faction. The faction, unable to take control of the Party instruments, created its own website and constituted its own party leadership.[30]
Political participation
The CPK has actively participated in national elections, strategically engaging in the democratic process. Despite criticism for participating in a system that is fully capitalistic,[31] the party justifies its involvement as a means to actively engage with the masses, promote socialist ideas, and critique the existing capitalist system.[12]
This participation is perceived as a strategic manoeuvre to access crucial financial resources for the party's growth and organisational development. The party continues to unveil societal contradictions, encourage democratic participation, and work towards achieving political power.[14] The ultimate goal is to achieve political power and establish a socialist state in Kenya.[32]
1992 and 1997 general elections
Following its formation in 1992, the party did not nominate a presidential candidate[10] and received only 177 votes in the National Assembly elections during the 1992 general elections.[33]
The party experienced a notable moment during the 1997 general elections when Charity Ngilu was nominated as the presidential candidate. Ngilu finished 5th among the presidential candidates with 7.9% of the national votes, and the party won 15 seats in the National Assembly.
Subsequent elections
The party's performance in subsequent elections, under James Orengo in the 2002 general elections and subsequent elections, was poor.[34] Challenges with party recognition in national elections and fluctuations in performance in local elections led to several decisions.[33] The first was the decision by the youth wing and revolutionaries within the party to adopt socialist ideology in 2013 and the decision to ultimately change from SDP to CPK in 2019, fully embracing communism inside out.[17]
2022 electoral decision
In 2022, the central committee made a significant decision not to field a presidential candidate or support any coalition leaders in the 2022 presidential race.[35] The party cited ideological conflict and declared both leading coalitions anti-people.
Current Status
The party has undergone significant developments and internal challenges from 1997 to the present. These developments reflect the party's internal struggles, ideological conflicts, and leadership changes, which impacted the party's structure and dynamics within the party’s first twenty-five years.[36]
Ideological struggle
Rooted in Marxist-Leninist ideology, CPK advocates for a classless society, social equality, and the abolition of private property.[37] While adapting to the changing political landscape, the party remains committed to socialist principles.[16] The party aims to address economic disparities, fight against corruption, and empower the working class.[38]
CPK, which posits itself as a vanguard movement, engages actively in ideological struggle and is committed to building a stronger organisation that stands firmly on the Marxist-Leninist line. In recognising the martyrs who have given their lives for the struggle, the party also acknowledges its youth wing,[39] which played a crucial role in transitioning from social democracy to communism. The party's continuous participation in global leftist movements[40] reflects a commitment to challenging neocolonialism,[41] imperialism, and capitalism.[42]
Towards a socialist Kenya
The party envisions a democratic and sovereign government embodying values such as human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, and non-discrimination.[43] The CPK advocates for a shift from the present capitalist system to socialism, deeming it crucial for Kenya's liberation and progress.[44]
Party propaganda and publications
The party publishes "Itikadi: Socialism, Theory, and Practice," its official magazine, which articulates the CPK's ideological perspective on various social, economic, political, and cultural issues. The magazine aims to advance progressive and revolutionary ideals while challenging capitalist narratives.[45] During the 23rd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) in Ismir, Turkey, CPK joined SolidNet,[46] a leftist editorial archive. The aim was for the CPK to amplify its unyielding dedication to dismantling imperialist strongholds and solidify its role as a staunch defender of the majority against the minority.[47]
Political activism
CPK has been actively involved in various social and political movements, championing the rights of workers, peasants, and marginalised communities.[48] Vocal on issues such as land reform, anti-imperialism, corruption, and the struggle against neocolonialism, CPK maintains a distinctive voice in the Kenyan political landscape.
Challenges and achievements
Despite challenges such as government suppression, internal divisions, and limited electoral success, the CPK has made significant contributions to the discourse on social justice and socialism in Kenya.[31] The Communist Party of Kenya, with its rich history, ideological evolution, political engagement, and internal challenges, remains a distinctive force in the socio-political fabric of Kenya.[49] The ongoing commitment to socialist principles and active participation in global leftist movements reinforce CPK's unique position in the Kenyan political landscape.[50]
