The battle for the Mwananchi political brand has taken a new turn after former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana began the process of renaming his Muungano Party (MP) to The Mwananchi Party (TMP), just as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's team struggles to secure the Linda Mwananchi identity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kibwana's move has attracted attention because of his public support for Sifuna and the political movement he has been promoting through his social media platforms.
The development comes only weeks after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) declined to allow Sifuna and his allies to formally register the Linda Mwananchi name, forcing the group to consider other political options.
While the movement has been dealing with the setback, Kibwana has formally submitted a request to change the name of his existing party.
The proposed change was made public through a gazette notice issued by Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou on August 24, inviting anyone with objections to submit them within seven days.
"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)."
"Any person with written submissions concerning the intended change by the political party shall within seven days from the date of this publication, deposit them with the Registrar of Political Parties" a gazette notice by Registrar John Cox Lorionokou dated August 24 states.
An official at the ORPP confirmed that Kibwana's application had been received and said there was yet to be any objection submitted against the proposed change.
Kibwana, however, did not respond to questions seeking to establish why he wants to adopt the Mwananchi name or whether the move is connected to plans to work with Sifuna and other politicians associated with Linda Mwananchi.
The proposed rebranding comes against the backdrop of a dispute over the name used by Sifuna's political team.
Registrar Lorionokou recently disclosed that Liberty National Democratic Alliance Party, known as LINDA Party, and the Mwananchi Party were already going through the registration process.
The existence of the two names became a key issue when Sifuna's team attempted to formalise Linda Mwananchi as a political party.
According to the ORPP, LINDA Party had reserved its name on November 15, 2024, while an application for the Mwananchi Party name was submitted by Pius Onyango in July 2026.
The Registrar said Onyango's application remains under consideration, meaning the Mwananchi Party name is still tied to an ongoing registration process.
The ORPP has also moved to clear the air over another name that has been at the centre of political speculation.
There have been reports that the United Democratic Party (UDP), previously associated with the late Cyrus Jirongo, could change its name to Ukombozi People's Party (UPP).
Lorionokou, however, said that option is not available because the UPP name remains reserved by Allan Jayuga Akivaga.
Akivaga is reported to have applied for the name on March 13, 2025, and his application remains part of the registration process.
"UPP is a party I think applied in March of 2025 to be a political party, and it has been in the process," Mr Lorionokou said.
"In my record, UPP is a reserved name for a political party in process for registration. Unless UPP discontinues the process, then you cannot just pick up a party be-cause it's a reserved name."
For Sifuna's team, the dispute over its preferred name has not stopped preparations for the 2027 elections.
The movement is under pressure to secure a political party and comply with electoral requirements, among them the submission of members' names and signatures to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by October 15.
Its leaders maintain that they will overcome the registration challenge and have a political party ready in time for the election.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has refused to reveal the alternative names being considered, saying doing so could expose the team to state interference.
He has, however, confirmed that the group has several names from which it can choose if its attempt to retain Linda Mwananchi fails.
"Linda Mwananchi is a brand that has been marketed by us. Kenyans know we are the people behind the brand, but when we went to reserve the name it was reiected for reasons that do not make any sense," said Mr Osotsi.
"We have decided to go to the tribunal to challenge that decision. But we want to tell our people that they should not be worried because we have multiple options, said Mr Osotsi.
Osotsi said the rejection of their preferred name would not weaken the movement's political plans, arguing that its growing support is based on the people involved and the ideas they are presenting to Kenyans.
He said supporters would remain with the movement even if it is forced to operate under a different political identity.
"In the event they deny us our brand, we will proceed under a new name. It is the personalities and ideals that have made people support us. So having a party is not one of our worries at the moment."
The senator said the group would disclose its new name only when it considers the timing right, with the aim of preventing another attempt to interfere with its efforts to establish a political party.
Kibwana's application has now added another dimension to the name dispute, with the proposed Mwananchi Party coming as Sifuna's team weighs its next move and races to put in place the structures needed for the 2027 election.