Battle lines have been drawn after a formal objection was lodged against an application seeking to register “Linda Mwananchi” as a political party, with allies of the embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna warning of an attempt to hijack their reformist platform.
Sifuna's camp yesterday protested to the Registrar of political parties, demanding the rejection of the application to begin registration of Linda Mwananchi as a party, claiming ownership of the movement and distancing itself from the bid to transform it into a party.
Lawyers representing the group wrote to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), urging it to decline an application seeking to reserve and register “Linda Mwananchi” as a standalone political outfit.
The objection, filed by Henia Anzala and Associates, is made on behalf of Mr Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM co-deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, and MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Barongo Obadiah (Bomachoge Borabu).
In their letter received at the ORPP yesterday, the leaders stated that they have, over the past months, organised and headlined wananchi-centred rallies across the country under the banner “Linda Mwananchi”, positioning the slogan as a reformist platform aimed at confronting what they describe as maladministration in government.
Edwin Sifuna speaking to Linda Mwananchi Rally at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
They argue that the phrase has become publicly associated with their political activism and warn that registering it as a political party — without their involvement — risks misleading the public and creating confusion about the movement’s ownership and direction.
The objection follows reports that a Mr Charles Wanyonyi lodged an application with the ORPP to reserve and register “Linda Mwananchi” as a political party. According to the Registrar, the application is under review in line with the Political Parties Act.
In their formal protest received by the ORPP on Wednesday, the leaders raised three principal grounds.
They noted that the proposed party is not associated with any of the originators or proponents of the “Linda Mwananchi” slogan. They maintain that the brand emerged organically from their civic engagements and public rallies and has since evolved into a recognisable political identity linked to their reform agenda.
They also argue that approval of the registration could open an avenue for fraudulent conduct against members of the public.
They also warned that the proposed political party may attempt to use their names, images and goodwill “to fraudulently get financing either from members of the public or other entities.”
“In view of the foregoing, our clients urge your office to shun upon and thwart the attempt to defraud Kenyans through political conmanship, by declining the application to register “Linda Mwananchi”as a political party,” the letter states.
The group further anchors its protest on constitutional principles, citing Article 10 and Chapter Six of the Constitution on national values and integrity.
They assert that their political engagement has been grounded in transparency, accountability and fidelity to democratic ideals, and that any move likely to mislead the public would offend those principles.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations also joined the fray, raising concerns about the connotations of the name “Linda Mwananchi.”
Edwin Sifuna observes a moment of silence for Vincent Ayomo, who was shot in Kitengela Rally during the Linda Mwananchi Rally at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
Yesterday, Belgut MP Nelson Koech — who chairs the committee, argued that the phrase, loosely translated as “Protect the Citizen,” risks blurring constitutional lines regarding national security functions.
Mr Koech noted that it is the exclusive mandate of national security agencies — including the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces — to secure the citizenry and defend the nation.
He referenced Kenya’s past military campaign, Operation Linda Nchi, suggesting that political formations adopting similar language may inadvertently evoke paramilitary imagery.
Article 91 of the Constitution prohibits political parties from being founded on or associated with militia or paramilitary organisations. While no formal finding has linked the proposed party to such activity, critics argue that caution is warranted in the interpretation of politically charged language.
But supporters of the movement dismiss the security argument as exaggerated, maintaining that “Linda Mwananchi” is a metaphorical appeal to civic vigilance and social justice, not a literal claim to security authority.
Siaya Governor James Orengo (right) and ODM Edwin Sifuna address residents of Ugunja town during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction on February 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Since its emergence as a rallying call to “protect the citizen,” Linda Mwananchi has grown into a visible pressure bloc.
Its rallies in Nairobi, Western Kenya and parts of Rift Valley have drawn sizeable crowds, with youthful leaders framing it as a generational awakening within the opposition.
What began as a simple sloganeering to counter ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga’s “Linda Ground” slogan has gradually acquired the attributes of a movement — complete with coordinated messaging and a structured network of organisers.
Supporters describe it as a civic crusade to reclaim accountability in public service. Critics within ODM, however, have questioned whether it signals deeper fissures in the party.
The application to register the name as a political party has now intensified speculation about whether the movement is quietly transitioning into a formal political vehicle — or whether external actors are attempting to pre-empt such a shift.
Allies of Mr Sifuna have denied that the group has resolved to register a party, insisting that their immediate focus remains internal dialogue within ODM.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna addresses supporters in Kitengela on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group
“As a team we haven’t discussed anything of that nature because we haven’t reached that stage,” Mr Osotsi said in an earlier interview. “We are determined to resolve the issues in ODM party and that is our priority.”
Mr Amisi similarly expressed surprise when asked about the application, stating that the team had not deliberated on registering a political outfit.
Privately, however, political observers note that in Kenya’s fluid political terrain, movements often morph into parties — sometimes by design, sometimes by circumstance.
Political analyst Chris Omore says the mere existence of the application — whether by allies, opportunists or adversaries — underscores the growing political value of the Linda Mwananchi brand.
“When a movement begins to command national visibility and numbers, the question of structure inevitably arises. Registering a party can serve as a bargaining chip or an insurance policy,” he said.
Under the Political Parties Act, the Registrar is required to assess applications for reservation and registration of political party names against statutory criteria, including similarity to existing parties, compliance with constitutional principles and the absence of unlawful objectives.
The Registrar has 14 days to review a reservation application. If satisfied, a provisional certificate may be issued upon compliance with additional requirements, including submission of party constitutions, lists of officials and proof of national character.
The leaders’ objection invokes Section 5(2)(a) of the Act, which requires publication of a notice in the Kenya Gazette and in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation, inviting objections prior to registration.
Legal experts note that at the reservation stage, applicants are not required to demonstrate ideological ownership of a slogan or phrase. However, objections may influence the Registrar’s assessment, particularly where public confusion or misrepresentation is alleged.
Kenyan political history offers precedents for strategic registration of party names ahead of major realignments. In 2005, lawyer and politician Mugambi Imanyara famously registered the name Orange Democratic Movement ahead of the constitutional referendum, later negotiating its transfer amid coalition-building efforts.
Such manoeuvres underscore the commercial and strategic value of political branding in a competitive environment where ballot symbols, party names and legal recognition influence campaign financing and voter perception.
For the Sifuna camp, losing control of the Linda Mwananchi label — if indeed they intended to formalise it — could complicate future political calculations. Control of a recognisable brand can determine negotiating power within coalitions and shape narratives around reform credentials.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, Deputy Party leaders, Simba Arati and Godfrey Osotsi during the ODM@20 anniversary at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on November 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Wachira Mwangi | Nation Media Group
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of simmering tensions within Orange Democratic Movement over leadership succession and relations with President William Ruto and the ruling United Democratic Alliance.
Critics within the party have accused sections of ODM leadership of rapprochement with the Kenya Kwanza administration, while the Linda Mwananchi bloc has positioned itself as a reformist voice demanding sharper opposition credentials.
Mr Sifuna’s camp insists that their movement is not a rebellion but a democratic expression within party structures — a platform to revitalise grassroots engagement rather than fracture the party.
On Tuesday, ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga challenged the Linda Mwananchi faction to be transparent about its political direction, noting that recent rallies have distanced themselves from traditional ODM symbolism.
She said the group must clarify whether it intends to chart an independent course, especially in light of the reported application, instead of leaving supporters uncertain about its true agenda.
“They should come out clean and declare their intentions coupled with the fact that their rallies have abandoned ODM colours and they appear to be charting their own path. They should come out clear on their real intentions in light of this application to form a new political party,” Ms Wanga said.
Yesterday, Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma insisted that ODM remains united. “ODM Party is united. We don’t care about what the so-called rebels do,” he said.
Mr Kibagendi, however, insisted of a plot to hijack their Linda Mwananchi brand.
As the Registrar weighs the application and the objection, the episode highlights the delicate intersection between political activism and formal party structures.
On Tuesday, the Registrar of Political Parties, John Cox Lorionokou, declined to delve into the specifics of the application but explained the process.
“For review it is within 14 days of the application by dint of Section 4B of the Political Parties Act,” Mr Lorionokou said. “A provisional certificate shall be issued only upon compliance with Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Act which give the provisions.”
“Once applications come, they are processed. It’s true at the moment we are processing this and a communication will be made to the applicant,” the official said. “The name is looked at against Section 8 of the Political Parties Act. If it meets the parameters it’s approved; if it doesn’t meet them, it’s rejected.”
