The Registrar of Political Parties has rejected a request to rename the United Democratic Party (UDP) to Ukombozi People's Party (UPP). According to the Registrar, the proposed name resembles that of the Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), which was registered on July 20, 2026. This decision is a blow to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who had been pushing for the rebranding of UDP for use in the 2027 General Election.
The UDP is linked to the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. Sifuna and Natembeya had been considering using the party as a vehicle for the 2027 polls. Sources within the movement said they were looking at up to four existing political parties as possible vehicles. Sifuna has since 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.
Sifuna addressed a Forum of Young Aspirants (FOYA) at Ufungamano House on August 25, 2026, where he stated that they are fighting for their brand name. He claimed that they have many parties and are not fighting for a specific party. Sifuna also hinted that the movement had already secured a political party during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale's wife on August 21, 2026.
The Registrar's decision was communicated in a letter dated September 8, 2026. The letter stated that 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.
The rejection of the name change comes as the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance has unanimously agreed to change its name to the Ukombozi Alliance. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced the decision on September 21, 2026, marking a new phase for the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election. 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 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has 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. Participating parties are also required to submit nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties to the IEBC by October 30, 2026. These 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 has announced that he will unveil his own party on October 1. The party will be used as a vehicle for the 2027 General Election. With the rejection of the name change and the looming deadlines, Sifuna and his allies will have to move quickly to secure a political party and complete the necessary requirements.
Key points
- The Registrar of Political Parties rejected the UDP's name change to Ukombozi due to similarity with Ukombozi Alliance.
- Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance has changed its name to Ukombozi Alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- Sifuna and his allies face pressure to settle on a political vehicle and complete statutory requirements ahead of the 2027 elections.
