Kalonzo promises a more robust, national Wiper after party’s name change

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to reinvent his Wiper party into a more formidable, nationally rooted political machine following Registrar of Political Parties’ formal approval of its name change.

Wiper Democratic Movement has rebranded to Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF).

Kalonzo was at the Office Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) on Friday to receive the certificate approving the change of name.

Speaking moments after receiving the certificate, a visibly upbeat Kalonzo declared the new identity signals the dawn of a bold political era for Wiper — one that will cut across ethnic, regional and generational boundaries.

The party will begin a nationwide rollout of its rebrand immediately after the official launch.

“We are happy to announce that our new name is Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF), we will soon be announcing the new step including convening the National Delegates Conference (NDC),” Kalonzo told waiting journalists.

The party, historically rooted in the Lower Eastern region, is aiming to shed its regional tag and establish itself as a broad-based political outfit capable of seeking power at the national level.

Kalonzo said the name change was part of an internal rebranding strategy aimed at realigning the party's structures, policies and message to the aspirations of Kenyans from all walks of life.

“Political parties cannot be static, we decided to take more aggressive approach to safeguard our nationhood,” he said.

The move comes amid growing calls within the opposition for consolidation and renewal as the country inches closer to the 2027 general election.

Kalonzo, who has declared interest in the presidency, hinted that the party's revamped identity would also reflect in its leadership, coalition-building approach and policy agenda.

He lauded acting Registrar of Political Parties Sophia Sitati for expediting the name change process, which he said was being frustrated by unnamed forces.

Flanked by top Wiper officials and a host of loyal MPs, Kalonzo alleged there was unexplained delay on the legal processing of the party's request to rename itself.

He hinted at possible sabotage, alleging that unnamed state operatives were keen to frustrate the party’s evolution by tying it down in bureaucratic red tape.

“We were suspecting the usual things, that is why we came for it [certificate]. We thank the acting registrar for moving with speed, she is indeed a professional,” Kalonzo said.

The former VP was accompanied by party secretary general and nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla, Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Dan Maanzo (Makueni) and a host of MCAs and party leaders.

The party has also moved to increase the number of deputy party leader positions from two to four, to enhance regional representation and accommodate special interest groups, including youth, women and minorities.

The party has also assembled a team of policy and strategy experts, dubbed the "presidential team", tasked with developing a comprehensive campaign master plan.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

In past elections, Kalonzo shelved his presidential ambitions to back Raila Odinga—serving as his running mate in 2013 and 2017. In 2022, he stepped aside to allow Martha Karua (PLP) to become Raila’s running mate in a bid to secure the Mt Kenya vote. In all three contests, Kalonzo delivered his Upper Eastern vote bloc to Raila, solidifying his role as a key opposition power broker—although the coalition ultimately fell short in each election.