Sifuna’s LINDA Faction Wins Temporary Court Victory in Bitter Party Identity Battle

Tribunal’s Ruling Gives Sifuna-Led Group Control of Party Name As Dispute Continues

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) faction have scored a significant legal victory after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal granted them temporary orders to use the name “Mwananchi Party” pending the final outcome of their bitter ownership dispute.

The tribunal’s decision, handed down on Tuesday, August 25, after a grueling day-long virtual hearing, represents a major turning point in the increasingly heated battle over who rightfully owns and controls the LINDA political movement. The preliminary orders essentially freeze the situation in Sifuna’s faction’s favour, at least for now, while the case continues to be heard.

As part of its ruling, the tribunal has barred the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) from processing, considering, reserving, or registering the LINDA Mwananchi name or any similar variation on behalf of any other person or entity until the matter is fully determined. This is a powerful move that protects Sifuna’s faction from losing the party identity while the legal battle continues.

Both sides in this increasingly contentious dispute have insisted that they have fully complied with all the requirements set by the Registrar of Political Parties and that they are the ones legally entitled to the LINDA identity. The arguments have gone back and forth repeatedly, with each faction convinced that the law is on their side.

However, Sifuna has taken a somewhat different approach in his defence. He has consistently argued that his faction is not actually fighting over party registration itself. Instead, he maintains that they are fighting to protect the LINDA brand name and identity, which he says belongs to his movement. “What we are fighting for is not a party. We have parties. We are fighting for our brand, our name,” Sifuna said during the proceedings.

The dispute has come at a particularly critical moment in Kenya’s political calendar. With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, political activities are heating up across the country, and Sifuna appears determined to establish LINDA Mwananchi’s identity as a serious political force. The party has already begun its registration process, and party officials say they started mobilising supporters across the country back in 2024.

Meanwhile, the opposing faction has accused Sifuna and his team of improperly using a name, symbols, and identity that they claim rightfully belongs to their political party. They have argued that this is a deliberate attempt to confuse LINDA supporters across the country and steal the party’s identity.

Despite the temporary setback, the other faction is not giving up. Their legal representatives have confirmed that they are prepared to pursue all available legal remedies to protect what they believe are their legitimate interests, should the dispute continue in their disfavour.

The tribunal’s decision to grant the orders to the Sifuna faction provides only temporary relief, however. With the case still pending full hearing and determination, the final verdict remains anyone’s guess. Both sides will continue to make their arguments, and ultimately, the tribunal will have the final say on who truly owns the LINDA identity.

For now, the Sifuna faction can move forward with its political activities under the Mwananchi Party name, but the fight is far from over.