Plan to form Linda Mwananchi Party blocked by registrar
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has rejected an application seeking to register the Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya, citing similarities with already reserved political slogans and concerns over public interest.
The application had been submitted by Charles Wanyonyi, who sought to reserve the name “Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya (LMPK)” as part of the process of registering a new political outfit.
In a formal notice to the applicant, Registrar John Cox Lorionokou said the proposed name could not be approved because it closely resembles other political slogans that have already been reserved.
“Reference is made to your online application for the reservation of the following name: Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya (LMPK). Your application has been considered in accordance with the law, and the name has been rejected as it closely resembles an already reserved slogan, Linda Mkenya, Boresha Kenya, and public interest, hence against Section 8 of the Political Parties Act Cap 7D,” Lorionokou said in the notice.
He advised the applicant to submit alternative names for consideration in line with the requirements of the Political Parties Act.
The decision comes after strong opposition from members of the Linda Mwananchi faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who argued that the attempt to register the party name was unauthorised and not connected to their movement.
Through their lawyers, Henia Anzala & Associates, the faction cited media reports indicating that Wanyonyi had applied to reserve the party name and urged the Registrar to block the registration.
In a letter to the Registrar, the group warned that allowing the registration could mislead the public and create confusion within the political landscape.
“The political party is likely to use our clients’ names, images and goodwill to fraudulently get financing either from members of the public or other entities,” the lawyers said in part of their submission.
The faction also emphasised that the Registrar is legally required to publish notices in the Kenya Gazette and at least two nationwide newspapers before approving any political party registration, to allow the public to raise objections.
Members of the Linda Mwananchi faction have been critical of the ODM leadership under party leader Oburu Oginga, particularly over the party’s perceived cooperation with President William Ruto.
Prominent figures associated with the faction include James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna, Godfrey Osotsi and Richard Onyonka, alongside several MPs including Babu Owino and Caleb Amisi.
