Kivutha Kibwana’s Party Move Complicates Sifuna’s ‘Mwananchi’ Fight
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement faces a fresh political hurdle after the Muungano Party, led by former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, formally applied to rename itself The Mwananchi Party (TMP).
The move introduces a third claimant to the contested “Mwananchi” political identity, threatening to complicate ongoing legal efforts by Sifuna’s camp ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to an official Gazette Notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties under Section 20(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act, the Muungano Party has initiated statutory steps to adopt the new name.
“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 said.
Members of the public and interested stakeholders have 7 days from the publication date to lodge formal objections.
“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,” the notice said.
Politics
The timing of Kibwana’s application intersects directly with an ongoing case before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
Days earlier, the PPDT granted temporary relief to Sifuna’s faction, allowing them to reserve the name “The Mwananchi Party” pending the hearing and determination of an appeal. The tribunal simultaneously barred the Registrar of Political Parties from processing or registering “Linda Mwananchi” or any similar variation for rival entities.
At the same time, the PPDT allowed the reservation and registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance, commonly known by its acronym LINDA, to proceed, reflecting widespread competition over the brand.
Sifuna has said his faction’s legal fight centers on protecting an established political brand rather than lacking a ballot option.
“We took the registrar to court because we do not believe he has any reason to deny us the name. But I want to be clear: what we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for a brand, our name,” Sifuna said during a public address at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.
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Should the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approve Muungano Party’s transition into The Mwananchi Party (TMP), Sifuna’s camp will face a complex procedural challenge, as an already fully registered political outfit adopting the name presents a different legal framework than a new outfit seeking initial reservation.