Big Blow to Babu Owino as Sifuna Secures Linda Mwananchi Party Name
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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has secured approval for the reservation of the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) name ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Pauline Njoroge announced the development on Friday, October 2, a day after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) approved the reservation in a letter dated October 1, 2026.
“The people have fought for this, and God has been on our side. We have our name! LINDA MWANANCHI MOVEMENT (LMM),” Njoroge said in the post.
Sifuna Linda Mwananchi Party Name Approved
In the letter addressed to Bansbury Associates Advocates, LLP, the ORPP acknowledged receipt of the application submitted under Section 4B of the Political Parties Act.
“This Office acknowledges receipt of your application under Section 4B of the Political Parties Act Cap. 7D (PPA),” the letter stated.
The Registrar of Political Parties and CEO J. C. Lorionokou subsequently confirmed that the office had approved the proposed name.
“Pursuant to the judgment in PPDTA/E001/2026 Michael Caroli Omondi & Another Vs Registrar of Political Parties and Section 8 of the PPA, your application for the name Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) has been approved,” Lorionokou stated.
The decision followed the judgment in case PPDTA/E001/2026 involving Michael Caroli Omondi and another against the Registrar of Political Parties.
However, the ORPP placed a time limit on the reservation, giving the applicants 90 days from the date of the letter to proceed with the next stages.
“The reservation of the name shall be for a period of not more than ninety (90) days from the date of this letter,” Lorionokou stated.
Babu Owino Has The Mwananchi Party
Meanwhile, Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have pursued separate political vehicles within the broader Linda Mwananchi movement.
Babu’s political vehicle, The Mwananchi Party, previously operated as Muungano Party before the ORPP approved its name change on September 10, 2026.
The lawmaker has positioned The Mwananchi Party as his political vehicle, including for his anticipated bid for Nairobi governor in the 2027 General Election, while maintaining his support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
Also Read: Ruto Beats Sifuna, Kalonzo and Gachagua Combined in Latest Presidential Poll
Separate Parties Within Linda Mwananchi
Against that backdrop, the two political vehicles have featured in discussions surrounding the direction of the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 election.
Previously, leaders within the movement had discussed different options for the political vehicle they would use, with Sifuna’s camp now securing the Linda Mwananchi Movement name.
Importantly, the latest ORPP decision only reserves the Linda Mwananchi Movement name and does not confirm completion of the full registration process for a political party.
The applicants can now use the 90-day reservation period to pursue the remaining legal and administrative requirements for registration.
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A photo showing Sifuna and Babu during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Trans nzoia . Photo/ File
