The Linda Mwananchi movement has threatened daily protests outside the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties unless its registration bid is resolved by Monday.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi issued the ultimatum during the movement’s Meet the People tour in Busia County on Friday, claiming rivals linked to President William Ruto are trying to steal the Linda Mwananchi brand.
“Ruto ametuma wakora kule kwa ofisi ya msajili wa vyama ati wanajaribu kunyakua hii jina yetu,” Osotsi told supporters.
“Mimi nataka kuambia William Ruto, Article 38 inaruhusu mkenya yeyote kutengeneza chama. Na tunaambia huyu registrar kama hutapatiana hiyo jina jumatatu, tutaandaa mikutano ya kila siku kwa hiyo ofisi ya Office of Registrar of Political Parties.”
The threat comes after the ORPP reportedly approved registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party, triggering a fresh political row that has complicated Linda Mwananchi’s plans to transform from grassroots movement into fully fledged party ahead of 2027 elections.
The newly registered LINDA Party is associated with a separate group that had also sought to secure political identity using the “Linda” name. The rival outfit is now challenging Linda Mwananchi’s claim to the brand.
The claims have raised questions over which group holds legal rights to names and branding associated with “Linda”, a Swahili word meaning “protect” that has become politically potent as opposition forces seek to build a united platform against Ruto.
Linda Mwananchi leaders argue their movement had already built substantial political identity around the name before the rival registration was approved.
The group, which includes Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna among its prominent backers, has been organizing county tours and rallies under the Linda Mwananchi banner for months.
The dispute has placed the Registrar under pressure from both sides, with each camp insisting it has prior claim to the contested name.
