Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has rejected an application to reserve the name “Linda Mwananchi” as a political party, dealing a blow to a bid linked to a movement associated with several opposition leaders.
Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou ruled that the proposed name could not be reserved because it closely resembles existing political slogans and identifiers already in use.
The application had been linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement, a political faction associated with leaders such as Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo and Babu Owino.
However, the leaders had earlier distanced themselves from attempts to register the movement as a political party, warning that the move could mislead the public and exploit their political brand.
Through their lawyers, the leaders wrote to the registrar urging the office to block the application, arguing that the proposed party was not associated with them and could use their names, images and popularity to attract political funding or support fraudulently.
The controversy has also exposed growing tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement, where the Linda Mwananchi faction has been rallying supporters around what it describes as a people-centred political agenda.
The faction, which includes several senators and MPs, has been holding rallies and mobilising support across the country as it pushes for reforms and a stronger opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The registrar’s decision means the name “Linda Mwananchi” cannot currently be reserved for a political party, leaving the future of the movement’s political direction uncertain.
