A dispute over the ownership and registration of the Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya is threatening to spill into a protracted legal battle after the promoter who reserved the name challenged objections filed by a group of leaders seeking to block its registration.
In a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), Wanzau, Odhiambo and Associates Advocates said their client had exercised his constitutional right as a Kenyan citizen to apply for the registration of the political party and was not acting on behalf of any political leader.
“We wish to state that our client is not associated with any of the persons mentioned in the letter by Henia Anzala and Associates,” the lawyers wrote. “Our client lodged the application in his capacity as a Kenyan citizen and in exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed civic and political rights.”
The response marks the first formal rebuttal to a protest filed earlier by a group of opposition politicians allied to Mr Sifuna who argue that the slogan “Linda Mwananchi” is closely associated with their ongoing political mobilisation and should not be appropriated by external actors.
The objection — lodged through Henia Anzala and Associates — was filed on behalf of Mr Sifuna and several prominent leaders including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.
Also backing the protest are 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).
ODM Edwin Sifuna during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Busia Stadium in Busia County on February 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
In their letter to the Registrar of Political Parties, the leaders argued that the phrase “Linda Mwananchi” has over the past months become synonymous with their civic mobilisation and political messaging.
They said they have organised rallies across the country under the banner, positioning it as a reformist movement intended to confront what they describe as maladministration in government.
According to the leaders, registering the slogan as a political party without their involvement could mislead the public and create confusion about the movement’s ownership and direction.
They also warned that individuals behind the proposed party might exploit their names and political goodwill to solicit funds from 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,” the lawyers wrote.
But Mr Wanyonyi’s legal team has now strongly rejected those claims, arguing that the objection lacks any legal basis under the Political Parties Act.
The lawyers said the name “Linda Mwananchi” has never been registered by any person or organisation as a political party and therefore cannot be claimed exclusively by the politicians opposing the application.
“As far as our client is aware, the name ‘Linda Mwananchi’ has not previously been registered by any person as a political party,” the letter states.
“Consequently, until the name is registered by your office, no person, including the persons mentioned in the letter by Henia Anzala and Associates, has any legal claim to or monopoly over the name.”
The lawyers further argued that Section 8 of the Political Parties Act outlines the only grounds under which the Registrar can reject the proposed name of a political party.
Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses a Linda Mwananchi political rally at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
These grounds include where the name is obscene, resembles that of another registered party or entity, is a proscribed name, or is contrary to public interest.
They insisted that the reasons advanced by the Sifuna camp do not fall under any of these statutory criteria.
“None of the so-called grounds raised constitutes a permissible ground for disallowing an application within the meaning of Section 8 of the Political Parties Act,” the letter states.
Mr Wanyonyi’s lawyers also invoked what they described as the “first-come, first-served” principle governing party name reservations.
According to them, applications must be processed in the order in which they are received by the Registrar.
“As far as our client is aware, he is the only person who has so far lodged an application to register ‘Linda Mwananchi’ as a political party,” the lawyers said.
The dispute has now placed the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, headed by John Cox Lorionokou, at the centre of a politically charged decision.
Under the Political Parties Act, the Registrar has 14 days to review an application for reservation of a political party name and determine whether it complies with the law.
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
Beyond the legal contest, the controversy has also attracted attention within Parliament.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech raised concerns about the potential implications of the name “Linda Mwananchi.”
Mr Koech, who chairs the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, argued that the phrase — loosely translated as “Protect the Citizen” — could blur constitutional lines regarding national security.
He noted that protecting citizens and defending the country is the constitutional mandate of state security agencies such as the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces.
The MP also referenced the military campaign Operation Linda Nchi, suggesting that political formations using similar language might inadvertently evoke paramilitary imagery.
Article 91 of the Constitution prohibits political parties from being founded on or associated with militia or paramilitary organisations.
Although no evidence has been presented linking the proposed party to such activities, Mr Koech said caution is necessary when interpreting politically charged language.
The dispute comes as the “Linda Mwananchi” slogan has gained traction as a rallying cry among sections of the opposition.
Originally used as a call to “protect the citizen,” the phrase has increasingly been adopted by youthful leaders seeking to position themselves as a reformist voice within the opposition.
Rallies organised under the banner in Nairobi, Western Kenya and parts of Rift Valley have drawn sizeable crowds, with organisers framing the initiative as a generational awakening aimed at revitalising political accountability.
Some political observers believe the movement reflects deeper tensions within Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over leadership direction and 2027 plan.
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
Critics within the party have accused sections of the leadership of warming up to President William Ruto and the ruling United Democratic Alliance.
But the Linda Mwananchi faction has positioned itself as a pressure bloc demanding stronger opposition credentials.
She questioned whether the group intends to remain within ODM or chart an independent political path.
“They should come out clean and declare their intentions,” Ms Wanga said, noting that recent rallies organised under the banner have abandoned traditional ODM colours.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, however, dismissed suggestions of internal divisions, insisting that the party remains united.
“ODM Party is united. We don’t care about what the so-called rebels do,” he said.
Political analysts say the controversy highlights the growing strategic value of political branding in Kenya’s competitive electoral environment.
Political commentator Chris Omore notes that once a slogan begins to command national recognition, questions of ownership and organisational structure inevitably arise.
“When a movement gains visibility and numbers, the issue of structure comes up. Registering a political party can serve as a bargaining chip or even an insurance policy,” he said.
During the run-up to the 2005 constitutional referendum, lawyer and politician Mugambi Imanyara famously registered the name Orange Democratic Movement before it was later acquired from him by the late Raila Odinga.
At the moment, the fate of the proposed “Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya” rests with the Registrar of Political Parties.
If the name reservation is approved, the applicant would then be required to fulfil additional conditions before obtaining a provisional certificate.
These include submitting a party constitution, a list of officials, proof of national representation and compliance with constitutional principles governing political parties.
