Atwoli Responds to Karua’s Party Colour Controversy

The Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions-Kenya (COTU-K), Francis Atwoli, has addressed concerns over the use of the colour purple by Martha Karua’s newly launched political party, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP). Speaking on Friday, February 28, Atwoli clarified that he would not take legal action against Karua despite purple being COTU-K’s signature colour.

Atwoli explained that while COTU-K initially considered pursuing legal action over the matter, they later decided against it. He noted that political parties are temporary, while trade unions like COTU-K are much larger institutions that operate on a national and international scale.

He further revealed that the union had already initiated the legal process to challenge Karua’s use of purple but later opted for a different approach. Atwoli reasoned that taking legal action would only give Karua unnecessary media attention, making her appear more influential in Kenyan politics.

“We already have a letter on the issue, but after weighing the options, we decided that if we take this seriously, we will only be boosting Martha Karua’s profile for no reason. It would make her seem like she has significant influence over the Kenyan public, which may not be the case,” Atwoli remarked.

He emphasized that COTU-K is much bigger than any political party in Kenya and has strong representation both locally and internationally.

Karua’s Party Rebrand and Controversy Over Colours

Atwoli’s statement came just a day after Martha Karua officially launched her newly rebranded party in a grand ceremony at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi. The event was attended by several prominent political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Democratic Alliance Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa.

PLP was formed after rebranding from the National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya (NARC-K), a party Karua had led since 2009. The rebrand involved major changes, including a shift in party colours from red, white, and green to lilac, white, and purple. Additionally, the party changed its symbol from a traditional rose flower to a purple rose. The party’s slogan was also updated from “One Kenya, One Nation, One People” to “Unite, Liberate.”

Following the unveiling of the new colours, many Kenyans pointed out similarities between PLP’s branding and COTU-K’s signature purple, sparking debate on whether Karua’s party had copied the union’s identity.

COTU-K’s Stance on Colour Protection

Although there is no official public record confirming that COTU-K has legally trademarked the colour purple, the trade union has historically taken steps to protect its association with the colour.

This is not the first time COTU-K has raised concerns about a political entity using purple. In 2016, the union threatened legal action against Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua for using the colour during the launch of his Maendeleo Chap Chap movement. COTU-K’s legal representatives argued that the colour was closely linked to the trade union, and its use by a political group could mislead the public into believing there was an affiliation.

In Kenya, a trade union or any entity can legally challenge the use of a specific colour by another organization, but the success of such a case would depend on several legal factors. These include intellectual property rights, the likelihood of public confusion, and whether the complainant has exclusive rights to the colour in question.

Kenyan law, specifically the Trademarks Act, allows for trademarks to be limited to particular colours. According to Section 19(1) of the Act, a trademark can be restricted to one or more colours, which influences how distinct and recognizable it is. However, the Act does not explicitly mention colours as standalone trademarks, which has led to debates over whether a colour alone can be legally protected. For a colour to qualify as a trademark, it must be strongly associated with a specific brand, institution, or product.

Why Karua Chose to Rebrand

Explaining the decision to rebrand NARC-K into PLP, Karua stated that the move was part of a broader strategy to appeal to younger voters, particularly Generation Z (Gen Z). She highlighted that the younger generation is expected to play a critical role in the upcoming 2027 general elections, and PLP wants to establish itself as a party that resonates with their values and aspirations.

Despite the controversy, Karua has remained focused on strengthening her new party’s identity, while COTU-K has chosen to move past the dispute without escalating the matter through legal channels.

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