Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has reignited debate within the Linda Mwananchi movement after announcing that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will use the United Democratic Party (UDP) to pursue his presidential ambitions in the 2027 General Election.
Natembeya made the announcement through his official Facebook page, where he shared a photo of himself together with Sifuna.
The governor accompanied the photograph with a brief but significant caption:
“Sifuna will use United Democratic Party (UDP) to vie for presidency”
The statement comes at a time when Linda Mwananchi leaders have been publicly divided over the political vehicle that Sifuna should use if he proceeds with his presidential bid.
Natembeya’s announcement
Natembeya’s post appears to reinforce his long-standing position that UDP, which has been associated with plans to become the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi camp, should be used by Sifuna.
The development is significant because the movement has not publicly settled the issue, with different leaders appearing to back different political parties.
Recent reports have linked Natembeya and other leaders to efforts to position Sifuna for the presidency through a party associated with the movement.
A section of my the Kenyan media earlier reported that Natembeya had maintained that Sifuna would seek the presidency through the Ukombozi political vehicle, while Embakasi East MP Babu Owino had pushed for Sifuna to use his newly established Mwananchi Party.
Babu Owino and Sifuna party question
The disagreement over the political vehicle has become one of the major issues facing Linda Mwananchi as its leaders prepare for the 2027 elections.
Babu Owino has previously argued that Sifuna should use the Mwananchi Party, while sections of the movement have supported the Ukombozi/UDP option.
The Star reported that Babu had pointed to an earlier understanding concerning the use of his party, while Natembeya maintained that Ukombozi should remain the vehicle for the movement’s presidential plans.
It had also been reported that competing political ambitions had emerged within Linda Mwananchi, with different camps divided over the party Sifuna should use for his presidential bid.
UDP faces uncertainty over leadership
Natembeya’s latest statement also comes amid questions surrounding the future leadership of UDP.
On September 17, a UDP member, through his lawyers, sought clarification from the party over reports linking Sifuna and Natembeya to possible changes in the party’s leadership.
The member requested written confirmation on whether there were plans to alter UDP officials and whether Sifuna or Natembeya had been involved in discussions concerning the party’s leadership.
The development illustrates the uncertainty surrounding the party as political actors linked to Linda Mwananchi explore options ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ukombozi name hits a roadblock
The political calculations were further complicated after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties rejected UDP’s attempt to adopt the name Ukombozi People’s Party.
The Registrar said the proposed name was similar to The Ukombozi Alliance, which had already been reserved by another applicant.
The decision was contained in a September 8, 2026 letter.
The setback has left the Linda Mwananchi camp facing questions about which registered political vehicle it will ultimately use.
The dispute over the Ukombozi name has become part of wider disagreements involving Sifuna’s allies and the political camp associated with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Linda Mwananchi’s 2027 plans
Linda Mwananchi has been positioning itself as a political movement ahead of the 2027 General Election, bringing together several prominent opposition figures.
Sifuna has emerged as one of the central figures associated with the movement, while Natembeya, Babu Owino and other leaders have played visible roles in its political activities.
However, the disagreement over the party vehicle has exposed competing approaches within the movement.
Natembeya’s latest Facebook post could therefore add fresh pressure on the leadership to settle the question of Sifuna’s political vehicle.
For now, the governor has publicly stated that Sifuna will use UDP to vie for the presidency, but the wider political arrangement remains subject to the party registration process and decisions by the relevant political parties and electoral authorities.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the choice of party will be closely watched as Linda Mwananchi seeks to turn its growing political activities into a formal electoral structure.
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