Sifuna team allowed to reserve 'The Mwananchi Party' amid name registration dispute

The Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has allowed the Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi to reserve the wordings, 'The Mwananchi Party', pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.

The court has also allowed the reservation and registration of the 'Liberty National Democratic Alliance' (LINDA), pending the hearing and determination of the case that will resume on September 14, 2026.

While issuing preliminary orders through a virtual proceeding, the PPDT also barred, prohibited and restrained the Registrar of Political Parties from considering, processing, reserving or registering the name “Linda Mwananchi” or any similar variation for any other person or entity, pending the determination of the appeal.

Speaking while delivering a keynote address on youth aspirants’ involvement in politics at the Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Tuesday, Linda Mwananchi Principal Sifuna reiterated that the faction is defending its brand and identity.

“We took the Registrar to court because we do not believe he has any reason to deny us the name. But I want to be clear: what we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for a brand, our name,” Sifuna stated.

Similarly, The Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) reservation and registration has been allowed by the Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal to continue, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Party officials led by party leader Phanesio Thuku insisted that the LINDA tag is rightfully theirs.

Both parties entered into a consent allowing the reservation and registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) and ‘The Mwananchi Party' to continue pending the hearing and determination of the appeal scheduled to be heard on September 14, 2026, at 2.30pm.