Linda Mwananchi, leader, and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna./FILE
The Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has allowed the Linda Mwananchi faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to reserve the name “The Mwananchi Party” as it pursues an appeal over the registration of the political outfit.
The tribunal has also permitted the reservation and registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) to proceed pending the hearing and determination of the dispute.
The matter is scheduled to return before the tribunal on September 14, 2026.
The preliminary orders were issued during a virtual proceeding in which the PPDT also directed the Registrar of Political Parties not to consider, process, reserve or register the name “Linda Mwananchi” or any similar variation for another individual or entity until the appeal is determined.
The dispute centres on the use and registration of the names associated with the two political formations.
Speaking at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Tuesday during a keynote address on the involvement of young aspirants in politics, Sifuna said his side was seeking to protect its identity rather than establish another political party.
Sifuna said they are fighting the registrar in court for a brand name.
“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 said.
“We are political children of Raila Odinga. Raila Odinga has plans A, B, C, D, E, F, G up to Z. Did we sleep in class? Just know we have parties. We want our brand. We have built this thing. We want the registrar to give us our brand, and we brand it in whatever party that we choose from the ones that we have.”
Sifuna has previously maintained that Linda Mwananchi's identity should not be taken away as the political movement prepares for increased activity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
On the other side, officials of LINDA, led by party leader Phanesio Thuku, maintained that the name Liberty National Democratic Alliance belongs to their organisation.
The two sides subsequently entered into a consent allowing the reservation and registration of “The Mwananchi Party” and LINDA to continue while the legal dispute is pending.
The consent will remain in force until the tribunal hears and determines the appeal.
The case will be heard on September 14, 2026, at 2.30pm.
During the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife last week, Sifuna hinted that the movement had already secured a political party.
“Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party? Let our supporters relax; a rose by any other name still sells,” Sifuna said.
The Star established that the movement’s political identity was at the centre of its weekend retreat in Limuru, Kiambu County.
The retreat came as the October 15 deadline for political parties to submit details of their authorised officials and specimen signatures to the IEBC draws closer.
Some leaders have raised concerns that the movement could be locked out of the 2027 elections because of the registration hurdles and the tight timelines set by the IEBC.
IEBC has already gazetted election guidelines requiring political parties intending to participate in the General Election to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised persons by October 15, 2026.
“Each political party intending to participate in the general election shall submit the names and specimen signatures of its authorised persons on or before Thursday, October 15, 2026,” the guidelines state.
The notice also requires participating parties to submit nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties to the IEBC by October 30, 2026.
The deadlines have heightened pressure on Sifuna and his allies to settle on a political vehicle and complete the statutory requirements needed to participate in the elections.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala said the remaining period was too short for the movement to register a new political party and complete all the requirements.
Malala urged Khalwale to consider surrendering his existing party to Sifuna, arguing that this would provide a faster route to the ballot.
“Within 50 days, you cannot register a political party. I want to urge Khalwale that if you are truly committed to Sifuna’s presidency, then surrender your party to him [Sifuna] so that he becomes the party leader.”
Khalwale has publicly associated himself with a newly registered political party.
Sifuna, however, has sought to reassure his supporters, insisting that the movement is ahead of the game and will unveil its 2027 political vehicle at the appropriate time.
