A dispute over the Ukombozi political name has intensified in Kenya, with Wiper Patriotic Front spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru demanding evidence that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna secured the name through the Registrar of Political Parties. Njiru questioned Sifuna's alleged claim to the name on Tuesday night, putting Sifuna's allies on the spot as rival political camps seek to establish their positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to records from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the name Ukombozi People's Party was approved for reservation on March 13, 2025, to an applicant identified as Allan Jayuga Akivaga. The reservation was granted for 90 days. The ORPP later linked Ukombozi People's Party to a party registration process dating back to 2025.
Njiru has challenged Sifuna's claim to the Ukombozi name, stating that he has never reserved the name with the Registrar of Political Parties. He demanded that anyone with evidence to the contrary produce it. This challenge comes after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition had adopted a new identity, The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
Kalonzo said the decision had been agreed on unanimously as part of efforts to reorganise the coalition and its political activities. The announcement has brought the Ukombozi name into sharper focus, with Kalonzo's allies defending the coalition's use of the identity while Sifuna's camp continues to pursue a political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Njiru has previously argued that Kalonzo had embraced the Ukombozi concept before it became the subject of the current political dispute. He cited the phrase "Komboa Kenya", which he said Kalonzo had adopted and promoted earlier. Njiru said records show that as early as April 2025, while Sifuna was still ODM Secretary-General, Musyoka had already adopted and promoted the term.
The claim forms part of the Wiper camp's argument in support of Kalonzo's adoption of The Ukombozi Alliance name. DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa has also said the coalition secured reservation of The Ukombozi Alliance name before UDP sought to rebrand itself as Ukombozi People's Party. Meanwhile, Sifuna's allies have maintained that their plans to create a political vehicle for Linda Mwananchi have not been abandoned.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has indicated that Sifuna's political vehicle could be drawn from an existing party or established as a new party. Osotsi said the identity of the party would be revealed within two weeks. The disagreement comes against the backdrop of continued political reorganisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Kalonzo's Ukombozi Alliance and Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement pursuing different paths.
Key points
- Njiru challenges Sifuna's claim to the Ukombozi name
- Kalonzo's Ukombozi Alliance faces competition from Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement
- Dispute over Ukombozi name intensifies ahead of 2027 General Election
