Embakasi East MP Babu Owino will not contest the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on the Linda Mwananchi ticket.
The outspoken legislator is expected to join former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s National Economic Development Party (NEDP), a move that signals growing frustration within the Linda Mwananchi camp over bureaucratic obstacles blocking their path to the 2027 General Election.
The Linda Mwananchi group, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has encountered major difficulties in registering their new political outfit, with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) rejecting their application to reserve the name “Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya” (LMPK).
The rejection cited similarities with existing political party names and slogans, as well as public interest concerns, effectively stalling the movement’s plans to field candidates under its own banner in 2027.
The setback has left Linda Mwananch members scrambling for alternatives.
In a development that has fueled suspicions of political interference, the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party registration was approved by the ORPP on Tuesday.
The timing of LINDA Party’s approval, coming just as Linda Mwananchi faces rejection, has sparked widespread speculation on potential strategic blocking tactics designed to frustrate the movement’s registration.
The similar “Linda” branding has not gone unnoticed, with Linda Mwananchi members openly alleging foul play and suggesting that rival political forces may be working to undermine their registration efforts.
“This cannot be a coincidence. We are seeing deliberate attempts to block our party while a similarly named outfit sails through the registration process,” a source within the Linda Mwananchi movement told reporters.
Owino had been viewed as a potential candidate to challenge for the gubernatorial ticket on the Linda Mwananchi party.
Sonko, who was impeached as Nairobi Governor in 2020, has been rebuilding his political machinery and positioning NEDP as a player in 2027.
The ORPP has not publicly commented on the allegations of political interference in the party registration process.
