The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has overturned the Registrar of Political Parties’ decision to reject the reservation of the Linda Mwananchi name, declaring the move unlawful and unconstitutional.
In a virtual ruling delivered on Wednesday, September 30, the tribunal directed the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to reconsider its decision and issue a fresh determination within seven days.
The ruling provides a major boost to the movement associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which had challenged the registrar’s decision to block the reservation of the proposed party name.
The tribunal found that the ORPP lacked a legal basis for rejecting the reservation and had breached provisions of the Political Parties Act in the process.
The dispute began after the registrar rejected an application by the movement to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi.
The ORPP had specifically blocked the reservation of LINDA, arguing that another political party with the same initials was already registered. The registrar, however, allowed the movement to reserve the name Mwananchi.
The decision prompted the movement to lodge a complaint before the PPDT, challenging the refusal to reserve the full name.
Tribunal Ruling on LINDA Name
In its Wednesday ruling, the tribunal determined that the name Linda was no longer reserved and was available for use by another entity.
The PPDT noted that the statutory 90-day period for which a party name could remain reserved had already expired.
The tribunal further found that the name LINDA had become publicly available, meaning the registrar could not rely on its previous reservation to reject the proposed Linda Mwananchi party.
The registrar has consequently been directed to reconsider the application and communicate a fresh decision within seven days.
Sifuna Presidential Bid
The ruling comes just three days before Sifuna is expected to unveil the political party he plans to use in his bid for the presidency on October 3.
On Sunday, September 27, the Linda Mwananchi Movement formally named Sifuna as its leader and presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The development comes amid efforts by the movement's principals to consolidate various political parties and organisations ahead of the August 2027 elections.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has already registered The Mwananchi Party (TMP) after the movement's principals reached an agreement on the political arrangement. Babu has also affirmed his support for Sifuna's presidential bid.
Sifuna, Babu and other officials drawn from different political parties are now seeking to have Linda Mwananchi registered as a coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
