Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna receives donations from his supporters during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Butula, Busia County, on August 7, 2026.

📋 Breaking It Down

Efforts by allies of Nairobi Senator and Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna to secure the United Democratic Party (UDP) as a vehicle for his 2027 presidential bid have run into fresh resistance, with senior officials formally challenging the leadership and rebranding plans. This comes days before Mr Sifuna’s planned October 3 launch of the political party he hopes to use for the top seat.

Two objections were placed before the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) on Monday, September 28, raising questions over the legality of an emerging attempt to reshape the party following the death in December 2025 of its founder and leader, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

The latest challenge comes as Mr Sifuna’s allies, led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, prepare to unveil the political vehicle he will use in the 2027 presidential race. Linda Mwananchi has already endorsed the Nairobi senator as its presidential candidate.

📌 What You Need to Know

In one of the letters received by the Registrar, UDP vice-chairperson Adow Mohammed Abukar objects to the reported appointment of Mukasa Mwambu Muliro as interim party leader.

Mr Abukar says the reported new leadership structure was not known to the duly elected party leadership as per the February 24, 2022 meeting when the party last held its National Delegates Convention (NDC).

“The individual who has reportedly been appointed to serve as interim Party Leader is not known to the duly elected leadership structure of the Party and was not part of the duly elected Party leadership,” Mr Abukar says in the letter.

He wants the Registrar, Mr John Cox Lorionokou, to establish which party organ approved the appointment, when and where the meeting took place, who attended, whether there was quorum and where the minutes and resolution authorising the change are.

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The second objection, submitted by UDP National Executive Council (NEC) member and former Jirongo personal assistant Manasse Kuria Kweya, raises broader questions over succession, the status of existing party officials and plans to change the party's name, logo and colours.

📰 Source: Nation Africa