Nairobi, Kenya | September 30, 2026

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has set aside the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties' decision to decline the reservation of the Linda Mwananchi Movement name, directing the Registrar to proceed with the reservation within seven days.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the Tribunal found that the Registrar's decision lacked legal justification and amounted to a denial of the applicants' right to form or participate in the formation of a political party.

The case was brought by Suba South MP Michael Caroli Omondi, political activist Pauline Njoroge and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, who identify themselves as founders of the proposed Linda Mwananchi Movement.

The applicants had challenged the Registrar's refusal to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Movement, arguing that the decision interfered with their constitutional right to participate in the formation of a political party.

The dispute centred largely on the similarity between Linda Mwananchi Movement and Liberty National Democratic Alliance, commonly known as LINDA. The Registrar had cited concerns surrounding the competing names and public interest when declining the application.

The Tribunal, however, found that the earlier reservation of the LINDA name had lapsed by operation of law and could not be relied upon as a basis for blocking the Linda Mwananchi application.

The Tribunal also found that LINDA was not a fully registered political party and therefore lacked the legal capacity to participate in the proceedings in its own name. It consequently struck out pleadings filed by LINDA as an interested party.

The ruling comes as Linda Mwananchi prepares to formalise its political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election. Following a leadership retreat on September 26, the movement said its leaders had resolved to move forward together and endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as its presidential candidate.

The movement said Sifuna would lead the unveiling of the political party through which he intends to contest the presidency, with the launch expected in early October. It also said it would seek to build a coalition with political parties and groups that share its stated objectives.

The Linda Mwananchi movement has in recent months expanded its political network through rallies and grassroots activities in different parts of the country, with its leaders presenting the movement as a platform focused on governance and citizen participation.

The dispute over the name had complicated efforts to formalise the movement's political identity. The Tribunal's decision now removes one legal obstacle by directing the Registrar to reserve the name, although the ruling does not amount to full registration of a political party.

The promoters will still be required to meet the remaining legal and administrative requirements under Kenya's political parties framework before the proposed party can operate as a fully registered political party.

The decision comes as Sifuna and his allies prepare to unveil their political vehicle and pursue broader political cooperation ahead of the 2027 General Election.