Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana is seeking to rebrand his Muungano Party as The Mwananchi Party, complicating Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s efforts to register his popular Linda Mwananchi movement. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties published the notice on August 24, amid an escalating identity battle ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political machine has hit another roadblock in its quest for a formal political vehicle. While trying to establish a brand that has captured national attention, the movement has faced institutional hurdles at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. Now, a fresh development from Kivutha Kibwana has introduced an unexpected complication into the race for the 2027 General Election.
Kivutha Kibwana’s Muungano Party Seeks Name Change to The Mwananchi Party
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has initiated formal steps to rebrand the Muungano Party as The Mwananchi Party. Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou issued a gazette notice on August 24, detailing the intended shift.
“IN EXERCISE of the power conferred by section 20 (1) (d) of the Political Parties Act, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that Muungano Party (MP) intends to change its party name to The Mwananchi Party (TMP).”
Registrar of Political Parties, Gazette Notice
The notice grants members of the public a seven-day window to deposit written submissions or objections concerning the rebrand. A source at the ORPP confirmed that the office received the request and noted that no formal objections had been lodged as of the filing period. Prof Kibwana has previously used his social media platforms to rally support for Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement, though he did not respond to inquiries regarding whether the rebrand is intended to form a partnership with Sifuna’s faction.
The Roadblock Facing Edwin Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi
The push by Kibwana arrives while Sifuna and his allies are locked in legal and administrative battles over their political identity. Sifuna’s team suffered setbacks when the ORPP blocked their attempts to formally register the Linda Mwananchi brand. According to the Registrar, the office denied the registration because other entities had already reserved similar names. The Liberty National Democratic Alliance Party, known as the Linda Party, reserved its name on November 15, 2024. Meanwhile, an application to reserve the name Mwananchi Party was lodged by Pius Onyango in July 2026 and remains under consideration.
To counter these setbacks, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued a ruling allowing Sifuna’s faction to reserve and register the Mwananchi party name pending an appeal. The Tribunal also barred the Registrar from registering the Linda Mwananchi name for another party during the dispute and permitted the registration of the Linda Party to continue.
“Linda Mwananchi is a brand that has been marketed by us. Kenyans know we are the people behind the brand, but when we went to reserve the name, it was rejected for reasons that do not make any sense.”
Godfrey Osotsi, Vihiga Senator
Speaking on the legal hurdles, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi expressed confidence that the movement would overcome the resistance.
“We have decided to go to the tribunal to challenge that decision. But we want to tell our people that they should not be worried because we have multiple options.”
Godfrey Osotsi, Vihiga Senator
Clarifying the Status of the Ukombozi People’s Party
Amid the confusion surrounding party rebrands, the ORPP also addressed reports regarding the United Democratic Party, which was associated with the late Cyrus Jirongo. Rumors suggested a planned rebrand from UDP to the Ukombozi People’s Party. However, Registrar Lorionokou clarified that UPP is an active reservation held by Allan Jayuga Akivaga, who submitted the request on March 13, 2025.
“UPP is a party I think applied in March of 2025 to be a political party, and it has been in process. In my record, UPP is a reserved name for a political party in process for registration. Unless UPP discontinues the process, then you cannot just pick up a party because it’s a reserved name.”
John Cox Lorionokou, Registrar of Political Parties
Electoral Timelines and the 2027 Contest
Political factions are racing against strict deadlines imposed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Parties must submit verified membership lists and signatures by October 15 to remain eligible for the 2027 General Election. While Sifuna’s camp has maintained that they have multiple vehicles under consideration to avoid state interference, the entry of Kibwana’s application introduces a new variable into an already crowded landscape.
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