Two conflicting letters purporting to reserve the ‘Ukombozi’ name for two different formations have placed the Registrar of Political Parties at the centre of the latest fight pitting Wiper Patriotic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Mr Sifuna's allies on Tuesday alleged mischief after Mr Musyoka unveiled The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), having successfully reserved the name with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Mr Musyoka and his opposition principals have rebranded Azimio la Umoja One Coalition as TUA as they prepare for the 2027 presidential race.
A letter by Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou dated September 8, 2026 rejected Mr Sifuna’s camp request to rebrand United Democratic Party (UDP) as ‘Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP), arguing that it resembles ‘The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
Malala: Registrar of Political Parties is frustrating Sifuna bid to register party
Mr Lorionokou said TUA was reserved on July 20, 2026.
However, the Linda Mwananchi movement has since made public another letter by the ORPP that purportedly approved the reservation of the name by a Mr Allan Akivanga.
“Your application has been considered by law and the name Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP) has been approved. The reservation of the name shall be for a period not more than 90 days from the date of this letter,” ORPP said in a letter dated March 13, 2025.
In a recent interview with the Nation , Mr Lorionokou had confirmed that UPP’s reservation was by Mr Akivaga.
"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," Mr Lorionokou said.
Funyula MP Oundo Midenyo said ‘diversionary tactics being used by the government’ will not scuttle Mr Sifuna’s bid. He said the team will have a party by next Monday.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during a past rally Nairobi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“We have lost the Ukombozi Party but even if your child dies, you continue living and that is what we are going to do. There are very many parties so we are not worried. I want to assure our supporters that the new party will still have a Linda Mwananchi logo and also its colours, we have not given up at all,” said Mr Oundo.
But Wiper Spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru defended Mr Musyoka against claims of scheming against Mr Sifuna. He said Mr Musyoka has been using the phrase ‘Komboa Kenya’ since 2025.
“Records show that as early as April 2025, while Sifuna was still ODM Secretary-General, Musyoka had already adopted and promoted the term. The word Ukomboa has given birth to Ukombozi,” said Mr Njiru.
Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa also told the Nation that Azimio reserved the name way before Mr Natembea started rebranding UDP.
“The name has already been approved by the Registrar of Political Parties. We made the request to reserve The Ukombozi Alliance, way before the plan to rebrand Jirong’s party to Ukombozi People’s Party,” Mr Wamalwa said.
The presence of Siaya Governor James Orengo and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi during the unveiling of the new alliance has also come under sharp scrutiny by some of the allies of Mr Sifuna.
Both Governor Orengo and Mr Omondi are members of the Linda Mwananchi. Mr Caroli, however, doubles up as Azimio coalition (now TUA) Secretary-General.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre) addresses journalists, flanked by DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa (right), Siaya Governor James Orengo and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, among other leaders, at the SKM Command Centre in Nairobi on September 21, 2026. Kalonzo announced the rebranding of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition to Ukombozi Alliance.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
The Nation has since established plans to have Mr Orengo replace former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the coalition’s chairperson. Mr Kenyatta on Tuesday formally resigned as Jubilee Party leader. He is also set to resign as the coalition’s chairperson for pave the way for further restructuring.
“Linda Mwananchi will never be part of Azimio and Edwin Sifuna remains our presidential candidate. There will be no nomination for Orengo because we have decided our candidate is Sifuna,” said Mr Oundo.
“Orengo can take whatever role in Azimio but in Linda Mwananchi we discuss matters first before making them public. So when Caroli and Orengo attended the Azimio meeting, what happened there is not part of Linda Mwananchi and we are not part of Azimio,” said the MP.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala also accused the ORPP of allegedly frustrating Linda Mwananchi’s bid to register a party.
“The Registrar of Political Parties has been trying to bring confusion every time Sifuna tries to register a political party. His intention is to cause conflict within the parties in the Azimio coalition,” Mr Malala said.
While addressing the DCP youth and women forum in Nairobi, Mr Malala urged the opposition to stay focused and not succumb to threats from the government seeking to divide them.
“Sifuna is now stranded because he does not have a party. But we want to urge him, because he is a young leader like us, take any party. Give it any name you must not have Ukombozi. We shall view you through the lens of good leadership. Leadership that is not compromised.”
According to Mr Malala, the best combination to deliver the next election would be a team consisting of the DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Senator Sifuna.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
He also stated that the Mt Kenya and Western Region votes would be crucial in determining the next president, adding that the other opposition leaders should back the two to lead the team.
“I’m pushing every day for Mt Kenya and Western to be in the ballot as one team, this will be done. We are starting a formation of MM for Mt Kenya and Mulembe nation and it will be over for Ruto.”
People’s Renaissance Movement (PM) leader and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said he can only work with The Ukombozi Alliance if Mr Sifuna is the presidential candidate. Mr Saboti asked Mr Sifuna to join his party, saying the outfit carries the aspirations of the youth.
