The battle to register the Linda Mwananchi movement as a political party has taken a new twist after a rival outfit claimed ownership of the LINDA name.
The group, known as the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party, says it started the registration process in 2024 and has already secured approval for its proposed name and other key registration documents.
The development comes barely a day after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement accused the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) of delaying the registration of their party.
The movement also claimed that some individuals were trying to register another party using a similar name and colours to derail its plans.
However, LINDA Party leader Phenasio Thuku dismissed the claims, insisting his party existed long before the Linda Mwananchi movement was unveiled.
“The LINDA Party, which stands for Liberty National Democratic Alliance, was founded back in 2024. Our name has been approved. Our manifesto and ideology have been approved. Our party constitution has also been approved, as well as our nomination rules,” Thuku said.
He maintained that the party was on course to receive full registration from the ORPP.
Thuku also rejected claims that his party was created to frustrate the registration of Sifuna’s movement.
“This is no one’s project. It is my own project,” he said.
He further distanced his party from the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“This party is not connected to any other Linda movement. We are the legitimate founders of the LINDA Party,” he added.
Thuku said the party will soon be launched officially under the slogan “Linda Kenya, Linda Maisha Kenya.” He said its agenda will focus on protecting Kenya’s sovereignty, constitutionalism, human rights, liberty and the rule of law.
The dispute now leaves the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties with the task of determining whether the two political outfits can use similar names and colours under the Political Parties Act.
The outcome is expected to shape the race by both groups to secure full registration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
