Jubilee disputes UDA’s use of wording in President William Ruto’s new political slogan.
Jubilee says it registered the phrase and wants the Registrar of Political Parties to halt UDA’s use pending a decision on its complaint.
Jubilee Party has asked the Registrar of Political Parties to stop UDA from using the Mbele Pamoja slogan. The party says the phrase already forms part of its registered political identity.
The complaint, dated November 5, challenges UDA’s adoption of ‘Usawa ni Sawa – Mbele Pamoja’. President William Ruto has adopted the message as he shapes his campaign messaging ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta signed the complaint seeking the Registrar’s intervention. The party wants UDA to stop using the phrase pending a determination of the dispute.
Jubilee asserts rights to Mbele Pamoja slogan
In its letter, Jubilee asks the Registrar to verify its registration of the phrase. It also seeks a notice directing UDA to cease using those words in its official slogan.
The party argues that identical slogans could confuse the public, party supporters and voters. It further warns that the shared wording could weaken Jubilee’s identity and suggest a misleading association with UDA.
To support its complaint, Jubilee cites Section 20(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act. The party says this provision recognises a slogan among a political party’s formally recorded particulars.
Jubilee also argues that the provision requires fully registered parties to notify the Registrar when changing their slogans. Its request therefore places the registration of the phrase at the centre of the dispute.
Ruto builds message ahead of 2027 election
Ruto’s new slogan translates to ‘Equality is Fair, Forward Together’. He first used the phrase at a public rally in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 7.
The rally followed his presiding over the handover of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s mausoleum. During his address, Ruto said Kenyans would vote for equity and equality in 2027.
He also called for an end to discrimination, hatred, jealousy and tribalism. Later, at Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium, he expanded on the message.
There, Ruto challenged opponents to offer alternative policies and development plans rather than focus on criticism and ethnic politics.
By comparison, Ruto and UDA promoted ‘Kazi ni Kazi’ during the 2022 election campaign. That slogan loosely means all work matters, regardless of its nature, and accompanied their Hustler economic empowerment message.
