DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa says Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will use the United Democratic Party as his political vehicle for the 2027 election, as opposition leaders seek to settle on a common strategy.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is emerging as the political vehicle for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna after plans to rename it the Ukombozi People’s Party were rejected.
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa said on Friday that the setback over the proposed name change had not fractured the opposition.
Speaking on Sulwe FM, Wamalwa said leaders remained focused on building a united political front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The opposition is united and there is no war among us,” Wamalwa said.
Ukombozi name dispute
The dispute began after Sifuna’s allies sought to rename UDP as the Ukombozi People’s Party.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties rejected the proposed name, saying it was too similar to The Ukombozi Alliance, which had already been reserved by another applicant.
Kalonzo Musyoka subsequently announced on September 21 that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition had adopted the name Ukombozi Alliance.
A separate political group linked to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has also challenged the use of the Ukombozi name. The group says it had reserved the name earlier and has asked the Registrar to reconsider the matter.
Wamalwa said the dispute should not be viewed as evidence of a split within the opposition.
“We in the opposition are not fighting over a party name,” he said.
Sifuna has other options
Wamalwa said UDP remained available to Sifuna despite the failed rebranding attempt.
He also said DAP-K could provide another option if Sifuna chose to join the party.
“Apart from UDP, even DAP-K is also available for Sifuna,” Wamalwa said.
His remarks come a day after Natembeya said Sifuna would use UDP and was expected to be formally unveiled as the party’s presidential aspirant in early October.
The move would end weeks of uncertainty over which party Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement would use in the 2027 election.
Opposition leaders seek common ground
Wamalwa also said he would be prepared to support Sifuna if opposition leaders eventually settled on him as their presidential candidate.
He pointed to his decision in 2013 to withdraw from the presidential race in favour of former Vice-President Musalia Mudavadi as an example of putting a coalition’s interests ahead of an individual bid.
The DAP-K leader called on opposition figures to avoid personal attacks and work towards a broader coalition.
He mentioned Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as among the leaders whose participation could help build a nationwide opposition alliance.
Wamalwa also urged opposition figures to avoid attacking Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, saying the movement would need support across different regions.
“Let us not abuse Babu Owino because we need the Nyanza bloc,” he said.
He argued that opposition parties would need to rely on organisation and cooperation rather than compete with President William Ruto on financial resources.
“We cannot beat him with money. If we cannot come together and come up with strategies, it will be very hard to defeat him,” Wamalwa said.
Sifuna awaits next steps
The dispute over the Ukombozi name has added another layer of uncertainty to Sifuna’s plans.
His allies had been pursuing the name as they looked for a political home following changes within the opposition. With the proposed rebranding blocked, UDP is now being presented as the alternative.
Sifuna’s political camp is also facing other legal and organisational questions, with opposition groups awaiting decisions that could affect their plans ahead of the 2027 election.
Wamalwa said the immediate task was to agree on Sifuna’s political vehicle before turning to the wider question of the opposition’s presidential ticket.
He also urged eligible Kenyans who have not registered as voters to do so as political parties prepare for the next election.
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