Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has reaffirmed his commitment to securing the Linda Mwananchi Movement name as a legal dispute over its registration continues between his faction and the Registrar of Political Parties. Speaking to young political aspirants at Ufungamano House on Tuesday, Sifuna said the group’s fight was primarily about protecting the identity and brand it had built rather than securing a political party.
The senator maintained that the movement had invested significant effort in establishing the Linda Mwananchi name and would not easily surrender it.
Sifuna Challenges Registrar’s Decision
Sifuna said his faction had moved to court because it disagreed with the Registrar of Political Parties’ decision to deny them the name. He argued that there was no sufficient reason to prevent the group from using the identity it had worked to establish.
According to Sifuna, the movement already has political parties available to it and its immediate concern is protecting the Linda Mwananchi brand. He also accused President William Ruto of being behind the registration dispute, while insisting that the group remains prepared for different political outcomes.
‘We Have Many Options’
Addressing questions about whether the movement was ready to operate as a political party, Sifuna said his side had several alternatives should efforts to secure the Linda Mwananchi name fail.
He referred to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political strategy, saying his experience had taught them to prepare multiple options rather than rely on a single plan. Sifuna maintained that the movement would therefore continue pursuing the name while keeping alternative political vehicles available.
Legal Battle Over Linda Name
The dispute has now moved into the legal arena, with the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal set to hear a case filed by the Sifuna-led faction challenging the decision blocking registration. Members of the Linda Mwananchi Movement claim the Registrar initially agreed to reserve the name before later reversing the decision.
The reversal was reportedly linked to the registration of another entity, the Liberty National Democratic Alliance, which also uses the acronym LINDA. The competing claims have created a dispute over ownership and use of the name and identity associated with LINDA.
Tribunal to Determine Competing Claims
The upcoming proceedings are expected to examine the competing claims and determine whether the Sifuna-led faction can proceed with its bid to secure the Linda Mwananchi name. For Sifuna and his allies, the dispute is about preserving a political identity they say has already gained recognition among ordinary Kenyans.
The senator has vowed to continue the fight as the legal process unfolds, while maintaining that the movement has alternative options should it fail to secure the
