The opposition has suffered a setback after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued orders preventing the Azimio La Umoja Coalition from adopting the name The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
Court documents seen by Vantage Ke show that the tribunal issued interim orders directing the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to halt further steps towards registering TUA amid a dispute involving the Wiper Patriotic Front and another petitioner claiming rights to the name.
The petitioner argued that he had already reserved the name Ukombozi Peoples Party (UPP), making it improper for the ORPP to approve the use of the name Ukombozi by the Azimio coalition.
In its ruling on Tuesday, October 13, the tribunal barred the ORPP from approving, gazetting, registering or taking any further administrative steps towards registering the coalition under the proposed name or changing its existing name to The Ukombozi Alliance until the case is heard and determined.
"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 Tribunal ruled.
The tribunal certified the matter as urgent and scheduled October 29 for a mention to establish whether the ORPP had complied with the orders and issue further directions.
The registrar's office and the Wiper party were also directed to file their responses and submit their appeal within seven days.
The ruling 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 seeking to join the coalition.
However, the proposed name has also been associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement, particularly its leader, Edwin Sifuna, who was reported to have settled on Ukombozi Peoples Party as the vehicle through which he would pursue the presidency.
The dispute intensified after the ORPP rejected a proposal to rename the United Democratic Party (UDP) to Ukombozi People's Party (UPP), citing similarities with The Ukombozi Alliance.
In a letter dated September 8, the Registrar stated that the proposed name had neither been approved nor authorised. The office further indicated that another applicant had reserved the name Ukombozi Alliance on July 20, 2026.
However, sources close to Sifuna disputed the account, maintaining that their proposal to rename UDP to Ukombozi had been made in March 2025, well before Azimio announced its plans to adopt the name.
The latest tribunal ruling adds to the growing disagreements within the opposition as political leaders navigate competing interests over party identities and coalition arrangements.
Despite the disputes, opposition leaders have maintained that they remain united in their efforts to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
