Sifuna's political camp has spent weeks weighing different options as it seeks a vehicle through which the Nairobi senator will contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
The uncertainty over the party name has persisted despite Sifuna's allies previously indicating that a political vehicle would be unveiled in early October.
On September 26, the Linda Mwananchi Movement formally endorsed Sifuna as its presidential candidate and announced that he would lead the unveiling of the party on whose ticket he would seek the presidency.
“H.E Edwin Watenya Sifuna is our leader and Presidential Candidate,” the movement said.
The group added that Sifuna would lead the unveiling of the party “in early October.”
Party name remains a closely guarded secret
Despite the announcement, the actual name of the party has not been officially revealed.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said on September 28 that Sifuna's allies had discussed several political parties but had not settled on one.
“After all those parties were discussed, we did not settle on a party.”
Khalwale said the group subsequently gave Sifuna the final say on the political vehicle he would use.
“The final resolution was that we gave our leader the final say.”
He added that Sifuna could select one of the parties already discussed or introduce another option.
That statement leaves the identity of Sifuna's eventual party open ahead of the expected unveiling.
Linda Mwananchi name gets approval
The development comes shortly after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved the reservation of the name Linda Mwananchi Movement for up to 90 days.
The approval followed a ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which directed the Registrar to reconsider an earlier decision rejecting the reservation.
The Registrar subsequently approved the reservation in a letter dated October 1, 2026.
However, the reservation of the name does not by itself establish that Sifuna's new political party will ultimately bear that name.
Indeed, Sifuna himself has previously distinguished between the Linda Mwananchi political brand and the party vehicle.
In August, he said the political battle was about protecting the movement's identity rather than necessarily creating another party.
“What we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for a brand, our name.”
Sifuna said the movement had several political parties from which it could choose.
UDP was among the options
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has also featured prominently in discussions about Sifuna's political vehicle.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya previously said Sifuna would use UDP after an attempt to change its name to Ukombozi People's Party ran into difficulties.
However, UDP officials later raised objections over efforts to change the party's leadership and structure, creating further uncertainty around the arrangement.
The developments have left Sifuna with several possible routes as his camp prepares for the party unveiling.
Sifuna endorsed for the presidency
The party question comes after Linda Mwananchi leaders formally settled on Sifuna as their presidential candidate.
The movement said its leadership had agreed to move forward behind Sifuna and pursue cooperation with other political formations ahead of the 2027 election.
“We will seek to build a coalition with like-minded parties that share our commitment to the people of Kenya.”
The movement said it remained united and focused on the political work ahead.
The endorsement has increased attention on the party Sifuna will eventually choose, particularly as political formations prepare for the statutory deadlines ahead of the 2027 election.
October deadlines add pressure
The party unveiling comes against a tight electoral timetable.
Political parties intending to participate in the 2027 General Election face requirements relating to their authorised officials, specimen signatures, nomination rules and other compliance matters.
The Registrar of Political Parties has set October deadlines for some of these submissions, while the IEBC has also issued timelines that parties must observe.
The Linda Mwananchi name reservation is therefore an important development for Sifuna's camp, but it does not amount to full registration of a political party. Only parties that meet the applicable legal and compliance requirements can participate in the election.
What to expect from Sifuna's announcement
Sifuna's upcoming announcement is expected to settle several questions that have dominated discussions within his political camp.
The first is the name of the party.
The second is whether Sifuna will use a completely new political vehicle or an existing registered party.
The third is how the chosen party will relate to the Linda Mwananchi movement and other political parties that have expressed interest in working together ahead of 2027.
For now, the only confirmed position is that Sifuna has been endorsed as the presidential candidate of Linda Mwananchi and has been given the responsibility of unveiling the political vehicle through which he intends to pursue the presidency.
The name of that party remains undisclosed until Sifuna makes the formal announcement.
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