A dispute over the use of the name “LINDA” has emerged after two political groups laid claim to the identity, setting the stage for a legal and administrative battle before the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
The latest entrant, the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party, says it has the legitimate claim to the name, arguing that it began the registration process in 2024 and has already secured approval for its proposed name, party constitution, manifesto, ideology and nomination rules.
Speaking outside the ORPP headquarters in Nairobi after submitting the party’s registration documents, founder and party leader Phenasio Thuku said the party was in the final stages of obtaining full registration.
“Our name has been approved. Our manifesto, ideology, party constitution and nomination rules have all been approved. We are on the right path to being fully registered as Kenya’s newest political party,” Thuku said.
He announced that the party would soon be officially launched under the slogan “Protect Kenya, Protect Kenyan Lives” (Linda Kenya, Linda Maisha Kenya), adding that its agenda would focus on defending Kenya’s sovereignty, constitutionalism, human rights, liberty and the rule of law.
Thuku dismissed claims that the party had been formed to frustrate the registration of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“This is no one’s project. It is my own project,” he said.
He further insisted that the LINDA Party has no connection with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“We are the legitimate founders of the LINDA Party,” he added.
The dispute comes as the Linda Mwananchi movement, associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other opposition leaders, continues its push to transition into a fully registered political party.
A day before the LINDA Party’s announcement, leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement visited the ORPP offices, accusing unnamed individuals of attempting to register a political party using a similar name and colours. They argued that such a move could confuse supporters and undermine the movement’s political identity.
Under the Political Parties Act, the ORPP is required to assess proposed party names, symbols, constitutions and other registration documents before granting provisional registration. The law also allows objections where similarities between parties are likely to cause public confusion.
The emerging dispute now places the registrar at the centre of determining which political outfit, if any, will ultimately secure the right to use the “LINDA” identity.
