Sifuna’s faction challenges Linda Mwananchi party registration
By Kenneth Mwenda, March 4, 2026ODM’s Linda Mwananchi faction has formally challenged the registration of a political party named Linda Mwananchi, arguing that it is not associated with them and could mislead the public.
Law firm Henia Anzala and Associates wrote to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties on March 4, 2026, on behalf of leaders including James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, Caleb Hamisi, Godfrey Osotsi, Richard Onyonka, Anthony Kibagendi, Majimbo Kalasinga, Caroli Omondi, and Barongo Obadiah. The letter expressed their opposition to the registration application filed by Charles Wanyonyi.
The letter states that the leaders have popularised the Linda Mwananchi slogan at public rallies across Kenya, promoting solutions to issues affecting ordinary citizens.
“Our clients, with a view to bringing to fore the maladministration by government officials, government bodies and public authorities; have organized and held wananchi centred rallies across Kenya, christened “Linda Mwananchi”. It is at these rallies where they propose wananchi centered solutions to the issues affecting Kenyans. This slogan has been popularized and is associated with our clients,” the letter reads in part.
“It has however come to our clients’ attention through a newspaper of March 4, 2026, that one Charles Wanyonyi has lodged an application with your office seeking to register “Linda Mwananchi” as a political party.”
“According to the Newspaper report, the application is under review, pending registration. Our clients are alive to the fact that your office is bound by the provisions of Sec. 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act, to publish a Notice in the Kenya Gazette and at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation, inviting objections to the registration.”
It warns that approving the registration could allow the party to use the names, images, and goodwill of these leaders to secure funding or political support.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, and out of abundance of caution, our clients have taken the liberty to express and register their opposition to the application for registration of “Linda Mwananchi” as a political party on the following grounds: the intended political party is not associated with any of the proponents of the slogan “Linda Mwananchi”, the registration, if approved, will provide an avenue for fraudulent connivance against members of the public; and the political party is likely to use members of our clients’ names, images and goodwill to fraudulently get political financing either from members of the public or other entities,” the letter added.
The letter added that the registration could open avenues for fraudulent activity, urging the Registrar to reject the application.
“Our clients urge your office to shun upon and thwart the attempt to defraud Kenyans through political connivance by declining the application to register ‘Linda Mwananchi’ as a political party,” it stated.
Amisi denies party link
Earlier, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, one of the leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, publicly denied any connection to the new party.
In a post on X on March 4, Amisi said, “Linda Mwananchi party is not associated with us i.e @edwinsifuna, @HEBabuOwino, @Honcalebamisi, @orengo_james, @SenatorOsotsi, @CaroliOmondi, @KibagendiToni, @joshuakkimilu, @CliveGisairo nor @ObadiahBarongo.”
He added that the registration appears designed to mislead the public.
“It is normal ploy by government state operatives to confuse the public. Ignore it!” he said.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). On March 3, 2026, ODM held a parliamentary group meeting at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to address internal divisions. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, part of the dissenting wing, said the party must reconsider its strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I challenged the party to think boldly about its future as we must seriously consider fielding a presidential candidate instead of positioning ourselves for the lesser role of Deputy President,” Osotsi said in a Facebook post after the meeting. He also criticised the 10-point agenda ODM signed with UDA in March 2025, claiming it has not been implemented in good faith.
“It is evident that our counterparts are not keen on implementing the agreement in good faith and reminded members that the implementation deadline is this Saturday, March 7, 2026,” he said.
Osotsi also defended Sifuna, who faces removal as ODM Secretary General.
“Equally troubling is the move to remove Edwin W. Sifuna as Secretary General… Such actions only deepen divisions within the party. I therefore called for an urgent review of the decision to remove Sifuna,” he said.