Sifuna has won a major legal victory after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal overturned the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) decision on the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) name.
The Tribunal found that the ORPP’s decision to decline registration of the name lacked legal justification and breached provisions of the Political Parties Act.
Tribunal Sets Aside ORPP Decision On Linda Mwananchi Name
A Tribunal order has set aside the ORPP decision to decline registration of the Linda Mwananchi Movement name.
The ruling follows a challenge to the Registrar’s decision over the proposed party name.
The Tribunal also directed that the registration matter be handled under the Political Parties Act.
How the Linda Mwananchi Dispute Began
Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Movement emerged as a political movement ahead of the 2027 General Election and sought to convert its public profile into a registered political party.
The movement was associated with Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Suba South MP Michael Omondi, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, and political commentator Pauline Njoroge.
By 2026, the group had built public recognition around the “Linda Mwananchi” slogan, which means “protect the citizen”.
Also Read: Full Details of What Happened Inside the Meeting That Chose Edwin Sifuna as Leader
Sifuna’s team sought to reserve and register Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
On August 4, 2026, the Registrar met Sifuna’s team and appeared ready to approve the name. The following day, a letter from the ORPP indicated that the name had been accepted.
On August 7, the Registrar reversed the decision, citing Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LNDA), whose acronym is LINDA.
Sifuna’s Team Challenges Registrar’s Decision
Sifuna’s side argued that Linda Mwananchi Movement and Liberty National Democratic Alliance were different in their names, spelling, full titles, symbols, and political identities.
The team also argued that “LINDA” is an acronym derived from Liberty National Democratic Alliance, while “Linda Mwananchi” is a separate phrase and political brand.
Also Read: Orengo Isolated as Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino Hold Crisis Meeting
The movement maintained that blocking registration of its preferred name interfered with its political rights under Article 38 of the Constitution.
Sifuna said the movement could abandon the Linda Mwananchi name if it could not secure registration.
Reports subsequently indicated that the group had considered or reserved “The Mwananchi Party” as an alternative name.
Babu Owino later provided his account of the dispute, saying the Registrar initially accepted the Linda Mwananchi name before reversing the decision after the LNDA registration issue was raised.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
