Dear Comrades,
The Communist Party of Kenya (C.P.K) came into being on the 5th of January 2019, after the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) resolved in its 5th Party congress to change its name. The Social Democratic Party of Kenya, in spite of its name, has always been a Communist Party with regards to its ideology, constitution, character and methods of operation.
However, it had maintained this name because of the dictatorial political environment that historically existed in Kenya and was politically defeated in 2003, and legally removed from reality in 2010 with the promulgation of a highly progressive National Constitution (the Constitution itself was a result of protracted struggles for multi-party democracy, political rights, social justice, human rights and the struggle for a better future of the Kenyan people of which the Party was instrumental in formulating it).
It is with regard to this new environment and the growth of the Party that the Party resolved to change its name from Social Democratic Party of Kenya to the Communist Party of Kenya.
However, the Government of Kenya has refused to gazette/register the new name, claiming that Kenya is a neo-liberal capitalist State, and it therefore cannot allow socialist/communist parties.
This type of thinking is some hang-over from the dictatorship that was politically defeated in 2003. This decision by the Registrar of Political Parties has no legal basis whatsoever, and the Party has vowed to fight for its name and its ideology.
The Party has, since Monday 4th of February 2019 received overwhelming support from Kenyans many of whom do not subscribe to Socialist ideas, but are nevertheless in support of our constitutional right to follow the political beliefs of our choice.
The Party has planned a series of legal and political actions to counter such reactionary ideas.
It is in this regard that we also request for solidarity from revolutionary parties and organizations across the world since anti-communism in Kenya is anti-communism across the planet.
We request that the messages of solidarity be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Copied to the Secretary General, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and where possible, to the registrar of Political Parties in Kenya This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Long Live the Struggle for Socialism!
Long Live the Communist Party of Kenya!
Down with Capitalism Down!
Benedict WACHIRA Secretary General - Communist Party of Kenya