Wiper Democratic Movement changes name to Wiper Patriotic Front
The latest name change appears tied to the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with a renewed focus on youth voter registration.
The Wiper Democratic Movement has officially rebranded to Wiper Patriotic Front. Photo/K24TV.
By Janet Philip
The Wiper Democratic Movement has officially rebranded to Wiper Patriotic Front, according to a notice issued by Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu.
The Registrar has provided a seven-day window for the public to submit objections to the name change, effective from the date of publication.
“In exercise of the power conferred by section 20 (1) (d) of the Political Parties Act, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) intends to change its party name to Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF),” the notice reads. “Any person with written submissions concerning the intended change by the political party shall, within seven (7) days from the date of this publication, deposit them with the Registrar of Political Parties.”
Founded in 2006 as Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya following the 2005 constitutional referendum, the party later rebranded to Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya in 2011 to differentiate itself from Raila Odinga’s ODM faction. A decade later in 2021, it dropped the “Kenya” tag to become Wiper Democratic Movement.
The latest name change appears tied to the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with a renewed focus on youth voter registration.
During a recent political rally, party leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said the renaming honors young protesters—Gen Zs—who died during recent anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Kalonzo joins other political leaders in restructuring their parties. Former Justice Minister Martha Karua renamed the National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya to People’s Liberation Party, adopting new symbols, colors (lilac, white, and purple), and a slogan: “Unite, Liberate.”
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched the Democracy for Citizens Party after being ousted from the United Democratic Alliance.
The DCP’s emblem features a neon green and white color scheme with the slogan “Skiza Wakenya” and a hand cupping an ear. Key figures in the party include former Bungoma Senator Cleophas Malala, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, and former Laikipia Senator Cate Waruguru.
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