ORPP blocks Ukombozi name, dealing blow to Sifuna, Natembeya
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s plans to use Ukombozi People’s Party as his political vehicle for the 2027 presidential contest have suffered a setback after the Registrar of Political Parties rejected the proposed name.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya face challenges in establishing the Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) as the political platform for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Registrar of Political Parties has rejected the proposed name Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) from the United Democratic Party (UDP) due to its similarity to an already reserved name, The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
This decision, made on September 8, stems from Section 8(c) of the Political Parties Act, which disallows names that closely resemble those of other registered political entities. The ruling complicates Sifuna and Natembeya's plans to unveil Ukombozi as the party through which Sifuna could run for president, following their recent preparations.
Natembeya has been a strong supporter of Ukombozi, yet divisions within Linda Mwananchi over the party for the 2027 elections have surfaced. Plans to launch Ukombozi in early October, potentially on October 3, now appear uncertain, leaving the group uncertain whether to adopt another registered party or await the tribunal's decision on the competing Ukombozi and Linda political identities.
This development adds to growing tensions within Linda Mwananchi, where factions have been debating whether to align behind Sifuna's preferred party or Natembeya’s Ukombozi. The controversy has also been influenced by internal ODM disputes, with Sifuna recently removed as the party's Secretary-General, while a tribunal case over Linda's registered name remains unresolved.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
