Why Murkomen is not happy with Kalonzo’s new party name

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has written to the Registrar of Political Parties objecting against Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s plans to re-brand his party to One Kenya Movement (OKM).

Murkomen claims that if Musyoka is allowed to change his party’s name to OKM, he will suffer financial and personal loss.

In the letter to the registrar, Murkomen says ‘OKM’, representing his full name – Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen – is his trademark which he has used since 2010 to brand his political career.

“We believe that the intention of Wiper Democratic Movement to rebrand to One Kenya Movement and further use the abbreviation OKM, is mischievous, and aimed at exploiting our clients well-known political brand,” reads part of the letter drawn by Sing’oei Murkomen & Sigei advocates.

“Our client will suffer great financial and personal loss by the continued usage of OKM by Wiper Democratic Movement in their political activities.”

The Senate Majority leader says he has been using ‘OKM’ for philanthropic support towards education, entertainment, sports and cultural activities.

“The mark is popularly associated with our client by millions of people in Kenya given our clients prominence in society and as leader of the Majority Party in the Senate,” says Murkomen.

Kalonzo announced on Monday that Wiper is set to re-brand to One Kenya Movement (OKM), saying he had been “thinking and dreaming” of fashioning the party into a national outfit that could unite the country.

“We are going to re-brand and I propose that because we have brought closure to the 2017 election cycle, we now rebrand and I will be calling a delegates conference where we now look at Wiper. Our clarion will now be One Kenya Movement. This is what I have been thinking and dreaming of,” said Kalonzo.

He was addressing a convention of leaders from the Kamba community in Machakos.

The Wiper leader said he would be traversing the country as he seeks to reach out to all Kenyans and have them be part of the One Kenya Movement.