- The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has rejected Charles Wanyonyi’s request to retain the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya
- Registrar John Cox Lorionokou decided that the proposed party name was too similar to the slogan Linda Mkenya, Boresha Kenya
- The conflict over the slogan increased after politicians who support ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna opposed the move
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has rejected Charles Wanyonyi’s request to retain the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya.
Source: Facebook
The decision temporarily halts plans to establish a proposed political party and deepens the row over a growing slogan associated with the opposition.
In an official communication to Wanyonyi, Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou said the proposed name cannot be adopted.
Why was the name of Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya rejected?
He said that it is very similar to another slogan that has already been preserved and raises concerns related to public interest under the law.
“Reference is made to your online request to reserve the following name: Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya (LMPK). Your request has been legally considered and the name has been rejected as it is too similar to the already reserved slogan, Linda Mwananchi, Boresha Kenya, and the public interest, thus contrary to Section 8 of the Political Parties Act Chapter 7D. Please resubmit other names for review,” ORPP said as reported by the Nation.
Lorionokou’s decision of Friday, March 13 shows that broad legal considerations influenced his conclusions on the matter.
Under Section 8 of the Law on Political Parties, the registrar may reject a proposed party name if it resembles an existing party or slogan, is obscene, is prohibited under the law, or is considered contrary to public interest.
He pointed out that the similarity between the proposed party name and other existing slogans, as well as public interest issues, made the request inadmissible under the law.
Why did ODM’s allied leaders oppose the name of Linda Mwananchi’s party?
The dispute about the phrase “Protect the Citizen” has been going on for several weeks after Wanyonyi wanted to keep the name of the party.
It immediately caused objections from a group of politicians who support the general secretary of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Edwin Sifuna.
They said that the slogan had already gained a strong political identity through their citizen mobilization activities across the country.
Among those who supported the objection were the governor of Siaya James OrengoVihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Saboti’s colleague Caleb Amisi.
Through the law firm of Henia Anzala and Associates, the leaders filed a complaint with the ORPP, saying that the slogan had been turned into a reform-oriented mobilizing platform in line with their political message.
They emphasized that registering a political party using a slogan without their participation could mislead the public and cause confusion among supporters.
The lawyers further warned that allowing registration could create opportunities for individuals to exploit the slogan’s popularity for political or financial gain.
“In view of the foregoing, our clients urge your office to avoid and prevent the attempt to deceive Kenyans through political deception by rejecting the application,” the lawyers said.
How did Wanyonyi defend his request?
Before the registrar issued a final decision, Wanyonyi had contested the objections, signaling the possibility of a lengthy legal dispute over the matter.
Through his lawyers, Wanzau, Odhiambo and Wikili Wasihari, he said that the objections had no legal basis under the Political Parties Act.
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The lawyers said Wanyonyi had used his constitutional right as a Kenyan citizen to request the registration of a political party and emphasized that he was not acting on behalf of any politician.
“We want to state that our client is not related to any of the people mentioned in the letter of Henia Anzala and Associates. Our client submitted the application in his capacity as a Kenyan citizen and in exercise of his constitutionally guaranteed civil and political rights,” the lawyers wrote.
They also emphasized that the phrase “Linda Mwananchi” had not previously been registered as the name of a political party by any person or organization.
Wanyonyi’s team further explained what they described as a “first come, first served” principle in party name reservations, saying the registrar should process applications in the order they are received.
How does Sifuna measure the popularity of Linda Mwananch?
Elsewhere, Sifuna wanted to formalize the Linda Mwananchi movement and make it a political body before the 2027 elections.
The plan came from a rebel group within ODM, which was divided over whether to support or oppose the President. William Ruto and his plans for re-election.
The group opposed the leadership of the party led by Oburu Oginga, which had expressed its willingness to cooperate with the president.
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