New twist as Kivutha Kibwana’s Muungano Party seeks to become The Mwananchi Party
New twist as Kivutha Kibwana's Muungano Party seeks to become The Mwananchi Party
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has suffered another blow after the Muungano Party, led by former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana, announced its intentions to change its name to The Mwananchi Party (TMP).
According to a Gazette Notice dated August 24, the Registrar of Political Parties announced that Muungano Party (MP) intends to change its name to The Mwananchi Party.
“IN EXERCISE of the power conferred by section 20 (1) (d) of the Political Parties Act, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that Muungano Party (MP) intends to change its party name to The Mwananchi Party (TMP),” the Registrar stated in the notice.
According to the notice, members of the public and other interested parties have seven days to submit written objections or comments on the proposed name change.
“Any person with written submissions concerning the intended change by the political party shall within seven (7) days from the date of this publication, deposit them with the Registrar of Political Parties,” it added.
This includes those who protest the change or those claiming the name “Mwananchi”.
The development could complicate the ongoing efforts by a faction associated with Edwin Sifuna to secure the Mwananchi political party identity.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal recently allowed Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction to reserve and register the Mwananchi party name pending an appeal, while also barring the Registrar of Political Parties from registering the name Linda Mwananchi for another person pending determination of the dispute.
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In its ruling on Tuesday, August 25, the Tribunal also allowed the reservation and registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA)Party to continue pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Both parties maintained that they had complied with the requirements of the ORPP and were legally entitled to the Linda identity.
The orders offered temporary relief to the Sifuna-led faction as the dispute over ownership and identity of the Linda brand continues.
However, Muungano Party’s fresh application to adopt the Mwananchi Party name introduces another claimant to an increasingly contested political identity.
If approved, Muungano Party will cease operating under its current name and adopt The Mwananchi Party (TMP), potentially adding another layer to the political contest surrounding the Mwananchi identity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
It is unclear whether Sifuna and Kibwana have reached an agreement to change the party’s name so as to give Sifuna a political vehicle to vie in the 2027 elections. Sifuna had already hinted that their faction already had a party, but did not disclose the name or identity of the party as they maintained the Linda Mwananchi brand.
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