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Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi claims the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) lacks independence, alleging it is operating at the State House's behest in a dispute surrounding the political identity of the Linda Mwananchi movement. The issue has intensified into a legal battle, with the movement contesting the Registrar's decision in the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.

Osotsi states that the Registrar's office is not impartial and is following orders from the State House. The conflict arose after the Linda Mwananchi movement applied to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Party of Kenya, which the Registrar refused due to similarity with existing names and public interest concerns. The movement sought a review of the decision after meeting with Registrar John Cox Lorionokou on August 4, 2026, who promised to reconsider.

However, complications emerged when the Registrar referenced another entity using the LINDA identity, prompting an objection from the Liberty National Democratic Alliance. The Linda Mwananchi side disputes this, with Osotsi stating they requested information about the party allegedly thwarting their name registration. Despite previously securing a name, Osotsi accuses the Registrar of improper actions.

The dispute escalated to the Tribunal, where the Linda Mwananchi camp was granted preliminary orders to reserve and register "The Mwananchi Party" while the legal dispute is resolved. The Tribunal also barred the Registrar from processing or registering "Linda Mwananchi" or similar variations for another entity until the dispute's outcome.

This ruling grants the movement the opportunity to pursue the Mwananchi identity while continuing its legal challenge over the Linda name, as the process for the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) remains unaffected pending the tribunal's final decision. The case has heightened concerns about the ORPP's independence, especially as the legal dispute approaches the 2027 general elections.

Osotsi questions the connection between the movement's current ideology and the position held by individuals in November 2024, emphasizing the distinction between the two groups. For Sifuna's faction, the fight is not solely about registering a party; it's about safeguarding the identity they've cultivated through extensive nationwide mobilization.

As the Tribunal allows the movement to proceed with "The Mwananchi Party" while freezing attempts to use the Linda Mwananchi identity, the legal battle over the Linda name persists, further complicating the political landscape heading into the 2027 General Election.