The rebranding of Narc Kenya to the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) is a strategic move by Martha Karua to connect with the Gen Z demographic, a key group expected to play a pivotal role in the 2027 general elections.
This transformation aims to align the party with the aspirations of young Kenyans and strengthen its appeal ahead of the polls.
On Friday, the Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, formally presented the legal documents approving the name change to Karua at the ORPP’s Lion Place offices.
Nderitu praised Narc Kenya for adhering to the procedures outlined in Section 20 of the Political Parties Act, 2011, and urged the party to champion nationalism and uphold political rights.
The name change is one of four major updates the party has introduced to boost its public image. Alongside the new name, Narc Kenya has also revamped its party symbol, official colors, and slogan.
The previous luminous red and white colors have been replaced with lilac, white, and purple, while the rose flower symbol has been updated to a purple rose. The party’s new slogan, “Unite” and “Liberate”, replaces the former “One Kenya, One Nation, One People”.
This rebranding follows recent signals of collaboration between Karua and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is also preparing to launch his own political party.
Both leaders have expressed admiration for Gen Zs, urging young people to register as voters and actively participate in shaping Kenya’s future.
Karua emphasized that the name change reflects a generational shift in leadership, aligning the party with the aspirations of young Kenyans.
Over the past year, youth-led movements have significantly challenged the Kenya Kwanza administration, highlighting the growing influence of this demographic.
In a bold move, Karua revealed that PLP plans to introduce term limits for top party leadership, a first in Kenyan politics.
During a November announcement, she stated,
“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.”
Last week, Karua reiterated her commitment to working with Gachagua, stating, “I have led Narc Kenya, but we have rebranded. We will officially launch the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) next month.”
She also clarified that the rebranding process began in May 2023, with the legal formalities only recently finalized.
The rebranding intensifies the competition for Gen Z voters, a demographic that is expected to be a decisive force in the 2027 elections.
According to the 2019 census, 75.1% of Kenya’s population is under the age of 35, translating to 35.7 million people. This group, which advocates for political and economic liberation, represents a significant portion of the electorate.
As political leaders and parties increasingly align themselves with the aspirations of young Kenyans, the race to secure this crucial voting bloc is set to become highly competitive in the lead-up to 2027.
Karua’s rebranding strategy underscores her commitment to inclusivity, generational change, and progressive governance, positioning PLP as a formidable contender in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
