The funeral service of former United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo
/HANDOUT
Former MP Cyrus Jirongo’s United Democratic Party is seeking to rebrand amid talks of a planned takeover by the Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi movement.
This is even as another political party linked to the movement has emerged, deepening speculation over the vehicle the group will use to contest.
Sifuna has confirmed that Linda Mwananchi has several political parties to choose from as the movement seeks to overcome hurdles surrounding its registration as a political party.
“What we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for our brand. Our name. We have many parties. Kasongo thinks he is dealing with children,” Sifuna said.
The group is currently fighting in court to retain the Linda Mwananchi brand after the Registrar of Political Parties rejected its attempt to register the name.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has, however, given the group the go-ahead to reserve the Mwananchi party name pending the hearing and determination of the case.
According to a notice by UDP, the party is seeking to change its name to Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP).
The Star has established that UDP is among the political outfits being considered by Linda Mwananchi leaders as their vehicle for the 2027 elections.
However, former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, a senior member of the party, denied any plans to hand over the outfit to Sifuna but did not rule out the possibility of that happening.
“Not that I'm aware of. It's possible [to hand it over], but I have not been approached myself. I'm not an official. I'm just a senior member,” he said.
Yesterday, it also emerged that Alliance People’s Party, which is at the tail end of the registration process at the Registrar of Political Parties, is among the outfits under consideration.
The Sifuna group had also written to the Registrar seeking to reserve three political party names — Liberty National Democratic Alliance, Liberation Democratic Alliance and Liberal National Democratic Alliance.
The request was rejected.
“This happened a month ago. A week later, he [registrar] sent me a message saying that someone had reserved the same names in 2024. How could that be possible?” Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi told the Star.
The proposed UDP rebranding goes beyond the party’s name.
The party is seeking to change its official colours to gold, described as mustard yellow and green.
Gold is meant to symbolise wealth, opportunity and existence, while green represents growth, agriculture, prosperity and environmental conservation.
It also wants to introduce white, representing peace, integrity and unity, and navy blue, symbolising trust, stability and leadership.
The shield will remain the official party symbol, with “Ngao ya Ukombozi” (The Shield of Liberation) as the party slogan.
“The NEC wishes to notify the public of the above resolutions and invite any memoranda from the public on the topic to be submitted on or before August 10, 2026,” the notice signed by secretary general Bernard Wafukho states.
Khaniri said the proposed changes are still pending at the Registrar after some members opposed the rebranding.
“I don't think they have been approved. I think there are some members who objected. So, it's still at the Registrar of Political Parties,” he said.
Speaking during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife last week, Sifuna sought to reassure supporters that the party question had been resolved.
“Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party? Let our supporters relax, a rose by any other name still sells,” he said.
The Star established that Linda Mwananchi’s political identity was at the centre of its weekend retreat in Limuru, Kiambu county.
The retreat came as the October 15 deadline for political parties to submit details of their authorised officials and specimen signatures to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) draws closer.
The registration uncertainty has raised concerns that the movement could be locked out of the 2027 elections if it fails to secure a political party and complete the necessary requirements within the stipulated timelines.
The IEBC has already gazetted election guidelines requiring political parties intending to participate in the general election to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised persons by October 15, 2026.
“Each political party intending to participate in the general election shall submit the names and specimen signatures of its authorised persons on or before Thursday, October 15, 2026,” the guidelines state.
The participating parties will also be required to submit nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties to the IEBC by October 30, 2026.
