NAIROBI, Kenya – The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has issued interim orders barring the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) from approving or registering Azimio La Umoja Coalition under the proposed name The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) pending the hearing and determination of a dispute over the name.
In orders issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the tribunal directed the registrar not to approve, gazette, register or take further administrative steps towards formalising the name change.
The case involves a dispute over the use of the name Ukombozi, with a petitioner arguing that he had already reserved the name Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP), making it improper for the registrar to approve a similar name for Azimio.
The tribunal stated:
“That pending the inter partes hearing and determination of this Application, an interim order be issued restraining the 1st Respondent, whether by itself, its officers, servants or agents, from approving, gazetting, registering or taking further administrative steps towards the registration of the 2nd Respondent under the name ‘The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA)’.”
The orders are temporary and will remain in force as the tribunal considers the application. They do not amount to a final determination of the dispute over ownership or use of the name.
Tribunal Sets October 29 Mention Date
The tribunal certified the matter as urgent and scheduled October 29, 2026, for a mention to confirm compliance with its directives and give further directions.
The ORPP and the Wiper Patriotic Front were directed to file their responses within seven days.
The dispute places the proposed rebranding of the Azimio coalition on hold as the parties await further proceedings before the tribunal.
Kalonzo Announced Azimio Rebranding
The case comes days after Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that Azimio La Umoja would adopt the name The Ukombozi Alliance as part of efforts to accommodate additional political parties in the opposition coalition.
The proposed rebranding has, however, become entangled in competing claims over the use of the word Ukombozi.
The name has also been associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement and its leader, Edwin Sifuna, who has been linked to plans to use Ukombozi People’s Party as a political vehicle for a possible presidential bid.
ORPP Previously Rejected Ukombozi People’s Party Name
The registrar had previously rejected a proposed change of the United Democratic Party (UDP) name to Ukombozi People’s Party, citing similarities with The Ukombozi Alliance.
In a letter dated September 8, the registrar said the proposed name had not been approved or authorised. The letter also noted that another applicant had reserved The Ukombozi Alliance name on July 20, 2026.
However, sources close to Sifuna disputed that account, saying the proposal to rename UDP to Ukombozi People’s Party had been made in March 2025, before Azimio’s plans to adopt The Ukombozi Alliance name.
The competing claims are now part of the broader dispute over the proposed names and the registrar’s handling of the applications.
