Blow to Sifuna as Linda Mwananchi Party Registration Faces Setback
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UPDATE: The bid to register the Linda Mwananchi Movement as a political party has suffered a setback after the Registrar of Political Parties declined its application to reserve the party name, citing public interest concerns.
The development comes as a blow to the movement, which has been associated with a group of leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who are seeking to establish the outfit as a political party.
Speaking after meeting the Registrar of Political Parties on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Omondi said the movement had sought clarification over the decision, arguing that there was no legal basis to reject the proposed name.
“As principals and members of Linda Mwananchi, we came here this morning to engage with the Registrar of Political Parties regarding the reservation and registration of our name, Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Omondi said.
He explained that the movement had previously applied to reserve the name but received a letter declining the request on grounds of public interest.
According to Omondi, the discussions focused on the interpretation of Section 8 of the Political Parties Act, which governs the registration of political parties.
“We must say that the Registrar received us very well and we have had very cordial and extensive discussions with him. There is no reason to refuse the registration of the name Linda Mwananchi Movement,” he said.
The Suba South MP added that the Registrar had agreed to review the earlier decision following the meeting.
“We have agreed that he will now review his decision and before the end of the week he will get back to us with his final decision on the matter,” Omondi stated
Earlier, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino had moved to register ‘Linda Mwananchi’ as a political party in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
In a statement on August 4, 2026, Babu Owino said they went to the Registrar of Political Parties to have Linda Mwananchi registered as a political party.
“Today we have been there at the Registrar of Political Parties. We want Linda Mwananchi to be registered quickly to become a Coalition Party,” Babu said on Facebook.
Linda Mwananchi has been holding rallies in different parts of the country with many supporters, but they were not yet registered as a political party.
Registration As A Party
Registration as a political party will allow the Linda Mwananchi to have candidates in the upcoming general elections once it is gazetted by Registrar of Political Parties.
Various opinion polls have placed the Linda Mwananchi on top several times as they continue holding their rallies to talk about accountability and many other things.
Also Read: Aisha Jumwa Joins Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Team After Leaving UDA
If the Registrar of Political Parties approves the application, Linda Mwananchi will join the list of registered political parties eligible to have candidates and also participate in coalitions in accordance with the Political Parties Act.
Under the Political Parties Act a political association that is seeking to become a political party must obtain provisional registration and meet conditions to be a party.
Linda Mwananchi Rallies
The conditions are maintaining national character, having governing organs, submitting membership records and complying with the law.
Registration of Linda Mwananchi has sparked debate on whether they are going to join other opposition parties or if they will operate independently.
Rallies of the Linda Mwananchi involved many Kenyans giving Sifuna money that is intended for campaign, he also has a paybill for the same matter.
The growing popularity of Linda Mwananchi has fueled speculation among Kenyans that it will be one of the major political players come 2027 general elections.
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Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino during a rally PHOTO/Nation
