Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in a past meeting./FILENairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have suffered a major blow after the Registrar of Political Parties rejected their push to rename the United Democratic Party.
There has been a push for the renaming of UDP to Ukombozi Party of Kenya for use by Sifuna in the 2027 General Election.
UDP is linked to the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.
Sources within the movement said the leaders were considering at least four existing political parties as possible vehicles for the 2027 polls.
“We are looking at up to four outfits. At the appropriate time, you will get to know our new vehicle. That is all I can tell you,” a Linda Mwananchi insider told the Star.
Addressing a Forum of Young Aspirants (FOYA) at Ufungamano House on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna said they are fighting the registrar in court for a brand name.
“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,” he said.
“We are political children of Raila Odinga. Raila Odinga has plan A, B, C, D, E, F, G up to Z. Did we sleep in class? Just know we have parties. We want our brand. We have built this thing. We want the registrar to give us our brand, and we brand it in whatever party that we choose from the ones that we have.”
The registrar rejected the registration after finding that another outfit was already registered under a similar name.
During the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife on August 21, 2026, Sifuna hinted that the movement had already secured a political party.
“Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party? Let our supporters relax, a rose by any other name still sells,” Sifuna said.
Last month, the party wrote to the Registrar seeking to change the name, theme colours and symbols.
However, in a letter dated September 8, 2026, the Registrar rejected the changes.
"Reference is made to your letter dated 10th August, 2026, objecting to the public notice allegedly issued by the United Democratic Party (UDP) regarding its proposed change of name to Ukombozi People's Party (UPP)," the ORPP letter reads in part.
"Section 8(c) of the Political Parties Act, Cap.7D, provides that the Registrar may refuse an application for the registration of a political party if the name of the political party, the abbreviation of the name, the slogan or the symbol that it wishes to use for the Act so nearly resembles the name, slogan or symbol, or an abbreviation of the name of another political party registered under the Act or any other legal entity registered under any other written law.
Subsequently, this Office has not approved or authorised the use of the name "Ukombozi People's Party (UPP)" by the United Democratic Party (UDP)."
The Registrar said the name Ukombozi resembles Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
"Further note that the name resembles "The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA)" reserved by a different applicant on 20th July, 2026."
TUA is the rebranded name of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Monday announced that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has unanimously agreed to change its name to the Ukombozi Alliance, marking a new phase for the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo said the decision had been reached by the coalition’s leadership, signalling a rebranding of the political outfit.
“After today, even this podium will change because the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has this day, September 21, 2026, unanimously agreed to rebrand and change the name to Ukombozi Alliance,” Kalonzo said.
The announcement comes days after Kalonzo said Azimio was undertaking a comprehensive rebranding of its structures, policy platform and public engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition had earlier resolved to reorganise its structures and expand engagement with other opposition parties as part of preparations for the 2027 election.
The latest change places the coalition's rebranding at the centre of ongoing efforts by opposition parties to reorganise and establish broader political alliances ahead of the polls.
Kalonzo said all necessary steps arising from the decision would be undertaken expeditiously, urging Kenyans to take note of the coalition’s new direction.
He said on Tuesday key decisions would be communicated to the Ukombozi Alliance to ensure togetherness and unity.
"All necessary actions to that decision will be undertaken expeditiously, and so we want the country to note that we are on the move. The coalition chair is the 4th president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and tomorrow he is convening the Jubilee Party meeting to make necessary and important decisions and communicate to the Ukombozi alliance so that we move together and in union," Kalonzo said.
“After that, we will make arrangements for the official handover of the chairmanship of the political party,” Kalonzo said.
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 notice also requires participating parties to submit nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties to the IEBC by October 30, 2026.
The deadlines have heightened pressure on Sifuna and his allies to settle on a political vehicle and complete the statutory requirements needed to participate in the elections.
Sifuna, however, has sought to reassure his supporters, insisting that the movement is ahead of the game and will unveil its 2027 political vehicle at the appropriate time.
