Karua's Narc Kenya rebrands to People's Liberation Party ahead of 2027 elections
The name change is part of a broader strategy by Karua and PLP to resonate more with young voters, particularly the Gen Z demographic.
Narc Kenya has officially rebranded to the People's Liberation Party (PLP) in a bid to appeal to Kenya's youthful generation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The name change was formalised on Friday when the Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, presented the legal document to the party leader, Martha Karua, at the ORPP's offices in Nairobi.
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Nderitu praised Narc Kenya for following due process in the name change, in accordance with the Political Parties Act, 2011.
"I urge the party to promote nationalism and uphold the realisation of political rights," Nderitu said.
The name change is part of a broader strategy by Karua and PLP to resonate more with young voters, particularly the Gen Z demographic, which is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming elections.
Karua, who has been actively seeking to strengthen her political influence, believes the rebranding reflects a generational shift in leadership.
In addition to the new name, PLP has made significant changes to its identity. The party has adopted new colours, replacing its previous red and white with lilac, white, and purple.
The symbol has also changed from a rose flower to a purple rose.
The party's slogan has been updated to "Unite" and "Liberate," replacing the old one, "One Kenya, One Nation, One People."
These changes come just days after Karua and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua signalled their willingness to work together.
The two have been vocal in their appeal to Gen Z voters, urging them to register and participate in the upcoming elections.
Karua has stressed that the rebranding effort is intended to align the party's vision with the hopes and dreams of Kenya's youth.
The announcement of the rebranding also comes on the heels of Karua's pledge to introduce radical constitutional amendments.
She revealed that PLP intends to set term limits for its top leadership.
Martha Karua receives a change of name certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties boss Anne Nderitu on January 31, 2025. (Photo: Registrar of Political Parties)
"The party delegates have authorized us to amend our constitution. We want to be the first party in Kenya to have term limits for our top leadership. This means that in the next party elections, I will not be eligible to contest," Karua announced last November.
While the rebranding marks a new chapter for PLP, it also intensifies the competition for Gen Z voters, a group that has proven to be increasingly active in shaping Kenya's political landscape.
According to the 2019 census, 75.1 per cent of Kenya's population is under the age of 35, translating to over 35 million people.
With many young Kenyans advocating for political and economic change, they are expected to be a decisive force in the 2027 elections.
Karua, who previously led Narc Kenya, is determined to position PLP as a political party that champions youth rights and greater inclusivity.
"I have led Narc Kenya, but we have rebranded. We will officially launch the People's Liberation Party next month," she said on January 25.
She further noted that the process of changing the party's name began last May, and its finalization marks a major step in her political journey.
As the country gears up for the 2027 elections, the battle for the youth vote is expected to be fiercely contested, with both old and new political figures trying to capture the attention of Kenya's young electorate.
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