Tribunal Blocks Azimio’s Ukombozi Alliance Registration Over Name Dispute

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has temporarily stopped the registration of The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), delaying plans by the Azimio La Umoja coalition to adopt the new political identity.

The tribunal issued interim orders directing the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to suspend all administrative processes relating to the proposed registration. The decision followed a petition challenging the use of the name Ukombozi, which the petitioner claims is already reserved for another political party.

The petitioner maintains that he had secured rights to the name Ukombozi Peoples Party (UPP) and argues that the registrar should not have entertained a separate application involving the same name. Pending a full hearing, the tribunal ordered the ORPP to halt any approval, gazettement or registration connected to the proposed transition from Azimio La Umoja to The Ukombozi Alliance.

The orders have put the coalition's rebranding plans on hold. Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka recently unveiled The Ukombozi Alliance as part of efforts to establish a broader political platform that could bring more parties and political figures together ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The tribunal certified the case as urgent, indicating that the competing claims over the name require a prompt resolution. The matter is scheduled to return before the tribunal later this month for a review of compliance with the interim orders and further directions. The ORPP and the Wiper party have also been directed to file their responses within the prescribed period.

The dispute reflects competing efforts by political groups to secure the Ukombozi name ahead of the next election. The term, which broadly means liberation, has become associated with several political initiatives seeking to present themselves as alternatives to the current political establishment.

The name has also been linked to initiatives associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi Movement. Supporters of that camp have expressed interest in using the Ukombozi Peoples Party identity, arguing that their plans predate the recent rebranding initiative by Azimio-aligned leaders.

The disagreement has raised questions about which group first sought to secure the name and whether the competing applications comply with political party registration requirements. The registrar had previously declined a proposal to rename the United Democratic Party as Ukombozi Peoples Party, citing similarities with the already-reserved Ukombozi Alliance name. 

However, Sifuna's allies maintain that their efforts to adopt the Ukombozi identity began well before the coalition announced its plans.