Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will use the United Democratic Party (UDP) as his political vehicle as he vies for the opposition ticket for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking on a radio show on Thursday, September 24, Natembeya said UDP would be used as a nationwide vehicle and not just in the region. Senator Edwin Sifuna will vie for the presidency on a party ticket different from that of his running mate.  Mr. Natembeya said Sifuna would be in the negotiation round for the presidential aspirant as a consensus candidate for the opposition parties.

‘We have a party. And it’s called the United Democratic Party (UDP). It is the party Sifuna will use,’ he said.

The governor said a deal would see Sifuna take part in the negotiations between the various opposition parties in the same way former Prime Minister Raila Odinga did not take part in the negotiations for the 2022 presidential election but contested on the Azimio coalition ticket and not ODM.

‘When we get to the negotiating table to decide who the presidential candidate will be, I believe it will be Edwin Sifuna,’ he said.

Mr Natembeya said he does not believe in a deal that would see Sifuna participate as a running mate, asking the various opposition parties to negotiate around one presidential candidate while keeping the individual political brand.

‘When we said that we shall be united as the opposition, everyone has to be in their own house. It is something we are working on. We shall make sure that we have one presidential candidate,’ he said.

The remarks come as various opposition leaders maneuver to clinch political alliances and set up their political parties for the 2027 presidential election.

Governor Natembeya’s revelation comes as the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties shot down a request to rename the UDP chapter into The Ukombozi People’s Party. The Registrar said the proposed name was similar to The Ukombozi Alliance whose application for registration had been approved. This move has courted strong criticism from Edwin Sifuna’s aides and supporters who have been in the limelight over their inability to align with other opposition parties.

According to reports, Sifuna’s allies have been in talks of other political parties to use except Ukombozi in preparation for the party launch. However, Governor Natembeya, on the contrary, revealed that they have agreed on a political vehicle which he said will be unveiled shortly. With these developments, Mr. Natembeya’s remarks do not mean a nominations battle within the ranks of the opposition but rather a power wrangle between the Edwin Sifuna and the Azimio alliance. The final presidential ticket and the opposition’s coalition will most likely be tested ahead of the 2027 General Election.