The Mwananchi Party has issued a formal public clarification regarding its recent name change from Muungano Party, urging the public to rely on official records held by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to understand the transition’s exact chronology.
In a official statement released on Thursday, September 24, party officials detailed the sequence of administrative steps that led to the approval of its new political identity. The clarification follows intense political debate and public questioning over whether the party’s rebranding conflicted with or preempted registration efforts by the broader Linda Mwananchi movement.
According to the official release, principals associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement visited the ORPP on August 4, 2026, to seek clarity regarding the status and availability of the “Linda Mwananchi” name. Following initial consultations, a proposed name change from Muungano Party to The Mwananchi Party was formally gazetted on August 28, 2026, under Gazette Notice No. 13935. Although a public objection was filed on August 30, the petitioner formally withdrew the challenge on September 8 after resolving outstanding issues.
“The official change of name to The Mwananchi Party was subsequently effected on 10th September 2026, as reflected in the correspondence issued by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties,” [the party stated in its public notice]. “It is therefore important that the events surrounding the matter are understood within their proper chronology.”
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who is associated with the political vehicle, shared the ORPP documentation publicly, emphasizing that citizens have every right to demand transparency regarding public-driven political entities. The disclosure comes as opposition leaders navigate tight electoral timelines established by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We respect the right of Kenyans to ask questions and seek clarity on matters of public interest,” [the party added]. “Our position is simply that the discussion should be guided by the official record and the documented chronology. The record speaks for itself.”
The party confirmed that the official correspondence has been placed in the public domain for independent verification.