NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 21 – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has signalled that the Linda Mwananchi movement could abandon the name and move to a different political party as efforts to register the movement ahead of the 2027 General Election faces persistent hurdles.Sifuna said the name of the political vehicle was not important and that his supporters would follow their leaders regardless of the identity adopted, suggesting that the movement is prepared to proceed under an alternative party if the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) blocks the Linda Mwananchi name.“If they close all doors, we will come here and say ‘Tent Party of Kenya’ or ‘Maua Party’ or ‘Grass Party’, but you will follow your leaders,” Sifuna told supporters.He said the focus should be on credible leadership rather than the name of the political outfit, invoking a popular expression that a rose would retain its fragrance regardless of the name given to it.“It doesn’t matter which name we give it. What Kenyans are looking for is credible leadership. A name is just a name,” he said.Sifuna’s remarks come amid a protracted dispute over the registration of Linda Mwananchi as a political party, with his camp accusing the Registrar of Political Parties of frustrating efforts to formalise the movement.The ORPP initially rejected an application to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya (LMPK), citing its resemblance to already reserved slogans and public-interest concerns under the Political Parties Act.The dispute has since escalated, with Sifuna and his allies holding talks with the Registrar, John Cox Lorionokou, in an attempt to secure the name ahead of the 2027 polls. The Registrar subsequently agreed to reconsider the earlier decision, according to leaders of the movement.Confusion erupted over the LINDA political brand after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved the registration of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party, triggering a fresh dispute involving Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.The development comes just days after leaders allied to Sifuna appeared before the Registrar seeking the reservation and registration of the Linda Mwananchi political outfit following their decision to part ways with ODM.However, the approval of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) Party has reignited the contest over the use of the “Linda” political identity, with Sifuna’s allies distancing themselves from the newly registered party and insisting it has no connection to the Linda Mwananchi movement.The controversy has been further complicated after a third claimant emerged, asserting that he was the first person to seek registration of the Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya and accusing the Registrar of Political Parties of reviewing the matter without his participation.In a demand letter dated August 5, 2026, Charles Wanyonyi, through Wanzau, Odhiambo & Associates Advocates, claimed he lodged an application to reserve the Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya name on February 24, 2026.According to the lawyers, the Registrar rejected the application on March 4, citing similarities between the proposed name and already reserved slogans, including Linda Mkenya and Boresha Kenya, and finding it contrary to the public interest under the Political Parties Act.The advocates argue that the ongoing review initiated after representations by politicians allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement directly concerns Wanyonyi’s original application and cannot lawfully proceed without his involvement.‘They have underestimated us’Sifuna, who is the ODM Secretary-General, said his political camp had made significant progress precisely because rivals had underestimated its strength.He urged supporters not to be distracted by what he described as efforts to intimidate the Registrar into denying the movement official recognition.“I want all of you to understand that where we have reached, a big percentage of what we have achieved is because people have underestimated us,” he said.He said opponents had dismissed the group as inexperienced politicians who did not understand how to build a political movement.“They are saying that these are young people who are kids in politics and don’t know what they are doing. In your mind, you sit and think that Sifuna has no party,” he said.Sifuna said his political experience had been shaped by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he described as the “engineer of politics”.“Even if you have underestimated us, this politics we have been taught by the engineer of politics himself, the late Raila Odinga,” he said.The dispute over the Linda Mwananchi political vehicle comes as parties face critical compliance deadlines ahead of the 2027 General Election.IEBC DeadlineUnder the IEBC election preparations schedule, political parties are required to submit the names of their authorised persons and specimen signatures to the electoral commission by October 15, 2026.Parties will also be required to have their nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, and submit the certified rules to IEBC by November 6, 2026. The deadlines could increase pressure on Sifuna and his allies to settle the fate of their political vehicle and establish a compliant party structure well before the 2027 nomination period.The electoral roadmap further requires political parties to submit their membership lists to IEBC by March 16, 2027. On the same date, parties must submit the names of candidates who will participate in their respective primaries, together with the dates and venues of the exercises.All party primaries and any resulting internal disputes must be concluded by May 8, 2027, setting the stage for the formal nomination of candidates ahead of the August 2027 General Election.The October and November deadlines therefore give Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi camp a relatively narrow window to secure a recognised political vehicle, put in place the necessary party structures and comply with electoral requirements.