Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political faction faces a fresh hurdle after the Muungano Party, associated with former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, formally announced its intention to rebrand as The Mwananchi Party (TMP).
According to a Gazette Notice issued by the Registrar of Political Parties, the Muungano Party submitted an official application to alter its name under section 20 (1) (d) of the Political Parties Act. The Registrar gave members of the public and interested stakeholders a seven-day window to submit any written objections or competing claims regarding the proposed name change.
The rebranding move directly impacts the ongoing dispute over the “Mwananchi” identity, which Sifuna and his political allies have been working to secure as their official platform.
The announcement comes shortly after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued interim orders allowing Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction to reserve and register the Mwananchi party name pending the determination of an appeal. The tribunal also barred the Registrar from assigning the Linda Mwananchi identity to rival claimants while allowing the parallel reservation of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party to proceed.
The Muungano Party’s application introduces another legal claimant to the highly sought-after brand ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While Sifuna previously hinted that his faction had already secured a political party vehicle without publicly disclosing its name, it remains unconfirmed whether Kibwana’s move is part of a negotiated deal with Sifuna’s camp or an independent bid to claim the political identity. If approved by the Registrar, the transition from Muungano Party to The Mwananchi Party will add further complexity to the legal and political battles surrounding the brand.
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