Kalonzo plots opposition ticket grab, wants Sifuna as 2027 running mate
Kenyan opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka has announced the rebranding of the Azimio la Umoja coalition to the Ukombozi Alliance. The move has sparked a legal dispute over the naming rights, with other political actors claiming prior registration attempts for the same identity.
Why it matters
This highlights the volatile nature of political coalition building and administrative disputes over party branding in Kenya ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opposition leaders led by Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka at a press conference on Monday /HANDOUT
At the centre of the row is the United Democratic Party (UDP), initially linked to politician Cyrus Jirongo (deceased), and now being reworked by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and his allies.
It is widely believed Sifuna was planning to use the rebranded party to contest next year’s presidential election.
But documents seen by the Star show the Ukombozi People’s Party name had a history of its own, dating back to March 2025.
It is emerging that on March 13, 2025, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties reserved the name Ukombozi People’s Party for Allan Jayuga Akivaga.
A letter from the ORPP gave Akivaga 90 days to complete the process. The process was not completed within that period, allowing the reservation to lapse.
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