Kalonzo’s party rebrands to Wiper Patriotic Front

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s party has officially changed its name to Wiper Patriotic Front from the founding name, Wiper Democratic Movement per a Kenya Gazette notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties.

In a tour of Ukambani last week on Friday, Musyoka stated that the rebrand was essential, as it plans to give the party a new outlook by planning to incorporate the youth.

“The party now has a new face – Wiper is going national. The new name will be Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) so that our Gen Z are fully included,” Kalonzo said during a stop last Friday in Emali, Makueni County. 

He additionally urged youths to seize the opportunity to register themselves as members of the party, stating that the name reflects the spirit of patriotism demonstrated by Gen-Zs during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

At the same time, the Jubilee Party has reorganised its leadership structure that saw new faces take charge of key areas within the party.

The development closes years of internal wrangles that saw a section of the party officials allied to former president Uhuru Kenyatta head to court seeking to bar the removal of the former head of state as party leader.

But Kenyatta has retained his position as the party leader, joining a host of other leaders like Secretary-General (SG) Jeremiah Kioni, Deputy National Chairperson David Murathe and National Chair for the League of Persons with Disabilities Wanja Maina who, among other leaders escaped the axe.

Some new faces have been added to the party, namely Beatrice Gambo who is now the Deputy Party Leader (Strategy) replacing Jimmy Angwenyi who was shown the door, Joseph Manje who takes over the mantle of Deputy Party Leader (Outreach) following the removal of Naomi Shabaan who was the previous office holder.

Similarly, Yassin Noor replaced Joshua Kutuny as Deputy SG, and Pauline Njoroge took over the position of Deputy National Organizing Secretary from Mutava Musyimi.

Former Kieni legislator Kanini Kega who was the party’s National Director in charge of elections also faced the axe, with the party yet to gazette his replacement.