The Communist Party of Kenya (CPK) will convene its 2nd National Congress on the 16th and 17th of November 2024, marking a decisive chapter in the Party’s ongoing struggle for a genuinely free and independent Kenya. This Congress arrives at a critical juncture, amidst intensified political repression, class struggle, and efforts to thwart our revolutionary mission. Our leadership and members continue to face physical and digital surveillance, state-backed attacks, and betrayal from opportunistic factions that have partnered with the reactionary regime of President William Ruto—a comprador puppet of U.S. imperialism.
The Congress is convened by the CPK Majority under the guidance of Kinuthia Ndung’u, the Interim National Chairperson of the Majority faction, following the successful conclusion of our rectification program. This program has reaffirmed our Party’s vanguard role for the Kenyan working class. Unlike the minority faction, led by Mwandawiro Mganga and Benedict Wachira, which has chosen collusion with imperialist-backed forces, our movement remains firmly committed to the principles of Marxism-Leninism and to leading Kenya’s National Democratic Revolution (NDR).
Over the two-day Congress, 126 accredited delegates from all 47 counties will gather alongside 54 representatives of international communist and workers’ organizations, bringing our total participation to 180. Together, we shall reaffirm our historical mission: to complete Kenya’s independence by dismantling the neo-colonial order and establishing a socialist foundation.
The Congress will focus on the following key areas:
• Affirming the Struggle for Independence and Socialism: Delegates will reaffirm the Party’s analysis that Kenya remains a capitalist and semi-feudal society, with the comprador ruling class serving imperialist interests. We shall map the next phase of the NDR, outlining a path to liberation and socialist transformation.
• Rebuilding the Party’s Ideological Foundations: We will launch the Party’s ideological school, drawing lessons from Pio Gama Pinto’s Patrice Lumumba Institute. By fortifying our educational arm, we ensure unity of thought and revolutionary discipline.
• Strengthening Party Structures and Mass Organizations: The Congress will review and reinvigorate the Revolutionary Women’s League, Young Communist League, Young Pioneers, and other mass organizations to deepen engagement with the masses. This reflects our commitment to the mass-line as a vital strategy for mobilization.
• Cultural and Historical Renewal: The Congress will adopt the official Swahili translation of the Internationale and unveil the “CPK Songs of Struggle” albums. These cultural milestones symbolize our enduring revolutionary spirit and dedication to the Kenyan people’s liberation.
• Defeating Counter-Revolutionary Forces: This Congress represents a decisive break with counter-revolutionary factions and the “Gang of Two.” By upholding unity through ideological clarity and confronting opportunism, we pave the way for a stronger, more unified Party.
• Tactical and Strategic Approaches to the Struggle: While discussing bourgeois legality, coalition politics, and the potential for a popular front, the Congress will underscore our readiness to lead the people’s fight through varied, adaptive tactics, ultimately aimed at seizing power for the working masses.
The Congress is not merely an event but a process—a powerful step in solidifying our position as the vanguard of Kenya’s working class. It serves as a reminder that our revolution is both immediate and enduring, fuelled by the sacrifices and unwavering commitment of our comrades. Together, we will confront imperialism, build alliances with revolutionary forces across Africa, and continue our march toward a free and socialist Kenya.
Signed,
Booker Omole
Convener, Working Committee of the 2nd National Congress and
National Vice Chairperson, Communist Party of Kenya