A legal battle over the political identity of the Linda Mwananchi movement has taken a new turn after the Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) allowed the group associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to reserve the name “The Mwananchi Party” as the dispute over its registration continues.
The tribunal also gave the green light for the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) to continue with its name reservation and registration while the appeal remains before it.
The orders were issued during a virtual session and will remain in force until the dispute is heard and determined.
As part of the interim orders, the PPDT directed the Registrar of Political Parties not to entertain any request to consider, process, reserve or register “Linda Mwananchi”, or a name resembling it, for another individual or organisation.
The dispute has brought the names linked to the two political formations into sharp focus, with both sides seeking to establish their right to use their preferred political identities.
The tribunal has fixed September 14, 2026, at 2.30pm for the hearing of the appeal.
Sifuna, speaking at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Tuesday, said his faction was not looking to create another political party but was determined to retain the identity it had built.
The Nairobi Senator said the legal action against the Registrar of Political Parties was specifically aimed at securing the 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.
He further said the movement had several political options available and only needed to preserve the identity associated with its supporters.
“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 insisted that the Linda Mwananchi name should remain with the movement as it prepares for a more active political role ahead of the 2027 General Election.
LINDA officials, however, have taken a different position.
The party, led by Phanesio Thuku, maintains that Liberty National Democratic Alliance is its legitimate name and has defended its right to proceed with the registration process.
The two sides eventually agreed to a consent allowing both The Mwananchi Party and LINDA to continue with reservation and registration while the tribunal determines the dispute.
The arrangement will remain effective until the appeal is heard and decided.
Sifuna had also hinted at the movement’s political plans during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife last week, where he sought to calm supporters questioning whether the movement had secured a 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 movement’s choice of political identity was also a key issue during its weekend retreat in Limuru, Kiambu County.
The retreat took place against the backdrop of approaching electoral deadlines that could affect the movement’s plans for 2027.
IEBC guidelines require political parties planning to participate in the General Election to submit details of their authorised officials and specimen signatures 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 commission has further set October 30, 2026, as the deadline for parties to submit nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties.
The timelines have increased the urgency for Sifuna and his allies to settle on the political vehicle they will use and complete the requirements necessary to participate in the polls.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala has warned that registering a fresh political party within the available period would be difficult.
Malala has therefore called on Khalwale to hand over his existing party to Sifuna, arguing that such a move would provide a quicker option.
“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 already publicly linked himself to a newly registered political party.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the name dispute, Sifuna has maintained that his side is prepared and will announce the political vehicle it intends to use in the 2027 elections when the time is right.