LINDA Officials Warn Sifuna Faction Over Disputed Party Name

Officials of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance Party (LINDA) have warned an Edwin Sifuna-led political faction against using the party's name and identity, insisting that they are the legitimate members of the outfit.

The dispute has emerged as rival groups lay competing claims to the LINDA identity, with the Sifuna-led faction challenging a decision that blocked its attempt to register Linda Mwananchi as a political party.

LINDA Officials Claim Legal Ownership

Speaking at the party's headquarters in Kiambu, LINDA party leader Phanesio Thuku said the organization was registered in November 2024 and has members across the country.

Thuku, however, said the party is yet to receive a formal registration certificate from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

He accused the Sifuna-led faction of infringing on LINDA's identity and warned that the party would pursue legal action if its name, symbols or other identifiers continued to be used.

"We cannot allow anybody to infringe on our rights or use our identity," Thuku said.

According to the LINDA officials, the party's name and associated symbols are legally protected and cannot be adopted by another political organization.

Party Distances Itself From Linda Mwananchi Activities

LINDA officials also sought to distance their organization from political activities and incidents of violence associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

They said their party should not be held responsible for activities linked to the movement, emphasizing that LINDA is a separate political organization.

The clarification comes amid growing attention around the Linda Mwananchi name as political actors seek to formalize the movement into a registered party.

Dispute Heads to Tribunal

The disagreement is now moving into the legal arena, with the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal preparing to hear a case filed by the Sifuna-led faction.

The faction is challenging the decision that blocked its application to register Linda Mwananchi as a political party.

The tribunal's proceedings are expected to examine the competing claims surrounding the LINDA name and identity and determine the legal issues raised by the registration dispute.

The case could have wider implications for the political groups seeking to organize under the Linda Mwananchi banner, particularly if the tribunal is required to determine whether the proposed party name conflicts with the existing LINDA organization.

Political Identity at the Centre of Dispute

The controversy highlights the importance of party registration and the legal protection afforded to political parties' names, symbols and identifying features.

For LINDA officials, protecting the organization's identity is now a priority as the Sifuna-led faction pursues its own political ambitions.

With the tribunal set to consider the matter, the competing groups will have an opportunity to present their claims before the dispute is resolved through the legal process.

Until then, both sides remain locked in a contest over the LINDA name, setting the stage for a closely watched political and legal battle.