Linda Mwananchi leaders are preparing to take their battle over political party registration to court, after the movement’s bid to secure its preferred name ran into objections from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The decision followed a two-day strategy retreat held by the movement’s leaders, who say they have built Linda Mwananchi into a recognizable political brand over several months.
“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,” he added.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi had earlier confirmed that the group was considering legal action. He said the registrar had declined the registration because another political party had already secured a similar name.
“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.
Dispute over the LINDA name
The dispute has been developing for several weeks.
In early August, the Registrar of Political Parties agreed to reconsider an earlier decision rejecting an application to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya. The registrar’s office had cited concerns over similarities with other reserved names and slogans.
The controversy intensified after the Liberty National Democratic Alliance, also known as LINDA, moved forward with its own registration process. The development created a direct clash over the use of the “Linda” identity.
Osotsi has questioned the registrar’s position and said the movement had asked for details of the party whose registration was being cited as a reason for rejecting its application.
The registrar’s office has not publicly endorsed the movement’s interpretation of the dispute.
Preparing for the next phase
Despite the registration setback, the movement is pressing ahead with its political program.
During the retreat, leaders received a report from a team of experts working on policy issues. The team examined concerns including taxation, the cost of living and policing, according to an MP linked to the group.
The movement says the work is intended to give it a clearer policy platform as it expands its campaign.
President William Ruto and his allies have repeatedly questioned whether the opposition movement has a coherent agenda. Linda Mwananchi leaders now say they intend to respond with detailed policy proposals.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has also indicated that the group is considering alternatives if its preferred party name cannot be secured.
“Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party? Let our supporters relax, a rose by any other name still sells,” Sifuna said at the burial of the wife of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
Campaign continues
The movement has already taken its campaign to several parts of the country.
Its rallies have covered counties including Busia, Kajiado, Kakamega, Narok, Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Vihiga, Kisumu, Machakos, Kiambu, Kisii, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma.
Its latest rally in Homa Bay on August 16 was disrupted by clashes and disorder, prompting leaders to review security and campaign tactics.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the movement needed to examine what happened and determine how to respond to similar incidents.
The group is expected to hold its next major rally in Meru, while also planning meetings in Nairobi constituencies.
For now, the movement faces two parallel tasks: strengthening its grassroots campaign and resolving the legal dispute over the name under which it hopes to contest the 2027 political contest.
The court battle, if filed as announced, could determine whether Linda Mwananchi moves into the next phase of its campaign under the name that has defined its mobilization so far.
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