Sifuna team allowed to reserve ‘The Mwananchi Party’
The Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has allowed the Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi to reserve the wordings, ‘The Mwananchi Party’, pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The court has also allowed the reservation and registration of the ‘Liberty National Democratic Alliance’ (LINDA), pending the hearing and determination of the case that will resume on September 14, 2026.
While issuing preliminary orders through a virtual proceeding, the PPDT also barred, prohibited and restrained the Registrar of Political Parties from considering, processing, reserving or registering the name “Linda Mwananchi” or any similar variation for any other person or entity, pending the determination of the appeal.
Speaking while delivering a keynote address on youth aspirants’ involvement in politics at the Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Tuesday, Linda Mwananchi Principal Sifuna reiterated that the faction is defending its brand and identity.
“We took the Registrar to court because we do not believe he has any reason to deny us the name. But I want to be clear, what we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for a brand, our name,” Sifuna stated.
Similarly, The Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) reservation and registration has been allowed by the Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal to continue, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
Party officials led by party leader Phanesio Thuku insisted that the LINDA tag is rightfully theirs.
Both parties entered into a consent allowing the reservation and registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) and ‘The Mwananchi Party’ to continue pending the hearing and determination of the appeal scheduled to be heard on September 14, 2026, at 2.30pm.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) certified as urgent the dispute challenging the Registrar of Political Parties’ rejection of the proposed Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
The complaint was filed by Suba South MP Michael Caroli Omondi, former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, and Pauline Njoki Njoroge, who accuse the Registrar of issuing contradictory decisions over the reservation of the party name.â¨â¨According to court documents, the applicants first applied to reserve the name on June 4, under Section 48(1) of the Political Parties Act.
The Registrar declined the request, citing public interest grounds without disclosing whether the name had already been reserved.â¨â¨The applicants say the matter appeared resolved during a meeting on August 4, when the Registrar acknowledged the earlier reasons were vague and allowed the reservation of the name.
However, they allege the decision was reversed on August 7 after the Registrar stated that Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) had already been registered.
In their pleadings, the three argue that the reversal is unlawful, irrational and infringes their constitutional rights under Article 38, which guarantees every citizen the freedom to participate in political activities and to form or join a political party.â¨â¨They further claim that the Linda Mwananchi Movement has already built a significant nationwide following through its digital platform, attracting 55,592 self-subscribed members and 13,232 registered volunteers as of August 13.â¨â¨They argue that denying the reservation would cause irreparable prejudice to thousands of supporters seeking to associate under the proposed political movement.â¨â¨The matter came before PPDT Chairperson Innocent Muganda, who certified the application as urgent and directed that it be heard ex parte in the first instance.
The Tribunal ordered the applicants to serve the complaint and Notice of Motion on the Registrar, while directing the Registrar to file and serve its response by August 24.â¨â¨The applicants, represented by Bansbury Associates Advocates LLP, are seeking interim orders restraining the Registrar from processing or reserving the name LINDA, Linda Mwananchi, or any similar variation in favour of any other person or entity pending the determination of the appeal.