Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna/ HANDOUTA highly guarded two-day strategy retreat of the Linda Mwananchi movement has resolved that the group moves to court to compel the registration of its political party.
“Everyone knows we have painfully marketed Linda Mwananchi for several months. It is our brand. We should be allowed to register it,” Brian Weke, a member of the movement, said.
“Early this week, we are moving to court. That is the decision,” Weke said.
Weke affirmed the sentiments of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who had on Friday confirmed they would sue over the matter.
“We are going to court because the registrar has refused to register LINDA on grounds that another person has registered a party with the same name, which is not true,” Osotsi said.
He accused the registrar of acting “mischievously” despite the name having been reserved in advance.
“We want to expose the mischief in that office. We have written to him to give us the particulars of the party he claims is registered as Linda, but he has refused,” Osotsi stated.
The decision comes as the Linda Mwananchi Movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna hinted at exploring other options should their court bid fail.
“Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party? Let our supporters relax, a rose by any other name still sells,” Sifuna said during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife on Friday.
The retreat, which ended on Sunday evening, was initially scheduled for Stoni Athi Hotel in Machakos but was moved to a hotel in Limuru.
The leaders received a detailed progress report from a technical team of experts working behind the scenes on various policy themes and sectors.
“Yes, we received the report. It is a big team comprising experts in different fields,” an MP linked to the group confirmed.
The technical team identified key problems facing Kenyans, including high taxation, the rising cost of living and police excesses. It also developed proposed solutions.
“The group not only identified them, but it also came up with measures to resolve them. Going forward, Kenyans are going to see different messaging. Ruto has been telling us we don’t have an agenda. He will be shocked,” he added.
Sessions focused on assessing the movement’s performance so far, mapping future rallies and refining tactics in response to recent attacks at public events.
Leaders discussed the frequent disruptions at their gatherings, agreed on countermeasures and planned upcoming campaigns.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka had earlier highlighted the importance of reviewing the Homa Bay incident.
“Where did we succeed? Where did we fail? What are the issues? Obviously, on top of the list is our discussion of the issues that happened in Homa Bay. How are we going to react to it? What is going to happen?” he told the Star last week.
Osotsi said the retreat gave leaders space to reflect and prepare for the next phase of public engagements.
“We will receive an update on the progress of the technical team. We will hear where they have reached so far with their work,” he had said.
Linda Mwananchi has already toured at least 16 counties.
The campaign began in Busia on February 8 and has traversed Kajiado, Kakamega, Narok, Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Vihiga, Kisumu, Machakos, Kiambu, Kisii, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma.
The most recent rally was held in Homa Bay on August 16, where Sifuna and his allies encountered chaos and disruptions.
The movement is scheduled to hold a rally in Meru next weekend. Before that, it plans a series of meetings across Nairobi constituencies to deepen its presence in the capital.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Linda Mwananchi’s strategy centres on formalising as a political party through court action while building grassroots presence. A technical team has identified key public grievances—taxation, cost of living and police excesses—and developed responses to counter claims of lacking an agenda. Leaders are refining messaging, mapping future rallies (next in Meru) and adopting countermeasures against disruptions. After touring 16 counties, the movement prioritises Nairobi consolidation and legal registration of the “LINDA” brand, signalling a shift from pure mobilisation to structured opposition politics.
