The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has approved the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) name.
The approval comes after months of disagreements over the group’s registration and political future.
Registrar approves Linda Mwananchi name
Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionkou confirmed the approval in a letter dated Thursday, October 1.
The decision came after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) ordered the Registrar to reserve the name within seven days.
The reservation will remain valid for 90 days. During this period, the group must complete the provisional and formal registration process.
Lorionkou said the Registrar approved the application in line with the Tribunal’s judgment in case PPDTA/E001/2026, involving Michael Caroli Omondi and another applicant.
The letter confirmed that the applicants could use the name Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) during the reservation period.
Sifuna reacts to the approval
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has emerged as a key figure in the movement, shared the approval letter on social media.
He accompanied the letter with a short caption, “wametii.”
The movement has backed Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election. He is expected to announce his political plans formally in the coming days.
Tribunal overturns Registrar’s decision
The Tribunal previously ruled against the Registrar’s decision to reject the name reservation.
The Tribunal said the Registrar had no legal basis for rejecting the application.
It also said the decision denied the applicants their right to form or participate in forming a political party.
The Tribunal therefore set aside the Registrar’s earlier decision and directed the office to reserve the Linda Mwananchi name.
The Tribunal also ruled that Linda Mwananchi differed from the rival Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA).
It found that LINDA’s earlier name reservation had already expired under the law.
Babu Owino explains Mwananchi Party registration
The dispute also drew attention to The Mwananchi Party (TMP), linked to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Critics had questioned the party’s registration timeline and its name in relation to the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Babu Owino later explained that he started pursuing his own political platform after deciding to contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on February 10, 2025.
He said his political outfit existed before the Linda Mwananchi Movement faction emerged.
