Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi allies are racing against time to secure a political vehicle for the 2027 General Election, with their preferred party name entangled in a registration dispute even as the legislator on Friday hinted at unveiling the party under a new name.
On Friday, during the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife, Gloria Sekeiyan, a section of Western leaders endorsed Mr Sifuna for the presidency even as DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala called on Dr Khalwale to relinquish party leadership to Mr Sifuna.
Dr Khalwale has identified himself with the United Patriotic Movement (UPM) Party which he says will provide a safe haven for rebels from various political party.
However, the clock is ticking on the Linda Mwananchi brigade to establish a political vehicle they are going to use in the next election.
At the funeral, Mr Malala offered a solution to Mr Sifuna, asking Dr Khalwale to offer him, his UPM Party.
“Boni was the mastermind behind Sifuna's presidential journey when everybody else couldn't fathom him becoming president. You only have one job remaining: to help Sifuna become the next president. Boni Khalwale, you have a political party. If you love Sifuna, relinquish your position as the political leader and give it to Sifuna. Let him be the party leader and use the party to campaign with,” said Mr Malala.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala during the burial of Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale in Malinya, Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, on August 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
Mr Malala asked his brothers not to get offended when they see him in DCP, since he is helping the Nairobi Senator get seven million votes.
He pointed out that the IEBC put out guidelines for the upcoming elections which appear tight and therefore stated that Dr Khalwale should be the game changer in this situation to help Linda Mwananchi.
“So, we only have at most 50 days remaining. The government of President Ruto is frustrating Edwin Sifuna. We know you can't register a political party in less than 50 days. Our son can't be frustrated searching for a party when you already have one,” said Mr Malala.
But when Mr Sifuna rose to speak, he assured his supporters that he has everything well planned.
“Where we have reached, a big part of the success we have achieved is because people look down on us. So, according to you Malala, you think Sifuna doesn't have a political party? We have learnt in the school of professor of politics, Raila Odinga. I want to ask our people to relax. They are out there trying to deny us our brand, because the truth is we marketed Linda Mwananchi. But as they say in English, a rose, by any other name, will still smell as nice. Should they close all the doors, we shall look for an outfit even if it's the Tent party of Kenya, Grass or Flower party of Kenya,” said Mr Sifuna.
“Malala, just relax. I don't know why you're so bothered about matters concerning Linda Mwananchi, yet you're the DCP Deputy Party Leader. I'm requesting you, Omwami, to focus on matters concerning DCP as we focus on those of Linda Mwananchi,” Mr Sifuna said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the burial of the late Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, wife of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, in Malinya, Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County, on August 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
Dr Khalwale, on the other hand, said anyone giving Mr Sifuna conditions for their support, should not be considered.
“Why don't you express these sentiments you're making here while in Mount Kenya? Malala, we are not joking. You have a habit of jumping from political parties, just as you did from ANC to UDA and now to DCP,” said Dr Khalwale.
The Linda Mwananchi group has traversed several counties, attracted political heavyweights and increasingly positioned Linda Mwananchi as an alternative to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following Mr Sifuna’s removal as ODM Secretary-General and his increasingly open presidential ambitions.
Siaya Governor James Orengo has publicly declared that Linda Mwananchi will become a political party.
“I want to give my vow before you that Linda Mwananchi is going to transition into a political party. We know the election timelines and I want to tell you we are not going to let you down,” Mr Orengo said.
However, efforts to formalize the movement have been complicated by a dispute over the proposed name. The group held consultations with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) earlier this month after the Registrar rejected the reservation of the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya (LMPK), citing similarity with an already reserved slogan and public-interest considerations.
The movement has sought reconsideration of the decision. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said an August 4 meeting with the Registrar was aimed at resolving the dispute, but days later he threatened daily protests outside the ORPP if the matter was not settled.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale with leaders including Linda Mwanachi's Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the burial of the late Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, in Malinya, Ikolomani, Kakamega County.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
The dispute has been further complicated by the registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party, which has occupied the broader Linda political space.
Advocate Chris Omore said abandoning the Linda Mwananchi name would mean surrendering a political identity that has already gained national recognition, while retaining it could trigger a prolonged legal and administrative battle with the election clock ticking.
The urgency has been heightened by Mr Sifuna’s presidential ambitions. His allies have already begun positioning him for the top job, with Mr Osotsi announcing a major political gathering in Kakamega on December 26, 2026, which he described as the “real” meeting to crown Mr Sifuna.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has also said Mr Sifuna will contest the presidency and that the party to be used by the movement would soon be announced.
“Our resolution is that Mr Sifuna will contest the presidency in 2027. Soon, we shall announce the party we will use to seek the presidency,” Mr Natembeya said.
There are also questions over whether all members of the movement would support a party led by Mr Sifuna. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has already declared that “Baba Raila Odinga was my last Party leader”, suggesting he is unwilling to cede political ground to another leader.
Mr Sifuna, however, could still run for president without necessarily becoming party leader.
The movement has several options if the name dispute persists. It could continue fighting for Linda Mwananchi, adopt an alternative name, join or acquire an existing registered party, or negotiate a coalition with an established opposition formation.
Mr Omore said registering a new party was not simply a matter of announcing a name. Under the Political Parties Act, a proposed party must secure reservation of its name, symbol and slogan before seeking provisional registration. The reservation lasts 90 days.
A party seeking full registration must also meet extensive organizational requirements, including recruiting at least 1,000 registered voters from each of more than half of Kenya’s counties, demonstrating regional and ethnic diversity, gender balance and representation of special-interest groups, and establishing offices in more than half of the counties.
This means that even if the name dispute is resolved, Mr Sifuna’s camp would still face significant organizational work before the 2027 election.
The movement is already pushing ahead with nationwide mobilization, with Mr Sifuna taking Linda Mwananchi to Western Kenya, including Busia and Kakamega, as its leaders seek to expand beyond its original political base.
