Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has released an official letter from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) detailing how Muungano Party became The Mwananchi Party, seeking to clear the air amid ongoing debate over the political vehicle linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Highlights
- Babu Owino released an ORPP letter dated September 10, 2026.
- The document confirms the change from Muungano Party to The Mwananchi Party.
- An objection filed against the proposed name change was later withdrawn.
- The Registrar subsequently confirmed that the change had taken effect.
- The Mwananchi Party continues to attract members ahead of the 2027 elections.
Main Story
Babu Owino Releases Official Party Documents
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has shared an official document from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties in an effort to clarify the circumstances surrounding the creation of The Mwananchi Party.
The lawmaker shared the letter on Facebook on Thursday, September 24, amid ongoing discussions about the Linda Mwananchi movement and which political party could serve as its electoral vehicle.
Owino said the document provides an official record of the steps that led to the party’s name change.
From Muungano Party to The Mwananchi Party
The ORPP letter, dated September 10, 2026, was addressed to the Secretary General of The Mwananchi Party.
It confirms that the party was not newly registered under its current name but instead underwent a formal name-change process from Muungano Party (MP) to The Mwananchi Party (TMP).
According to the Registrar, the proposed change had been subjected to the required public notice process.
A previous communication had confirmed that no public representations had been received concerning the proposed change following publication of the relevant Gazette Notice.
Objection Was Later Withdrawn
The process, however, faced an objection from Lawrence Nzunga, who filed his complaint on August 30 against the proposed change of name.
The objection was later withdrawn through a letter dated September 8.
The Registrar said the withdrawal followed confirmation from Nzunga that his concerns had been addressed.
Following the withdrawal, the Registrar formally notified the party that the name change had taken effect in accordance with the Political Parties Act.
Why the Timeline Matters
The chronology has become significant as political figures associated with Linda Mwananchi continue discussions about the movement’s future ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Owino has previously maintained that he had already secured a political party before the Linda Mwananchi movement took shape.
The lawmaker has also indicated that retaining The Mwananchi Party does not necessarily prevent him from backing political ambitions associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Party Membership Drive Underway
The Mwananchi Party is also seeking to expand its membership base.
Owino recently claimed that the party had registered 98,365 members within three days of launching its recruitment campaign.
Prospective members have been directed to register through a USSD platform, with the party listed under code 050 in the registration instructions shared by the MP.
The figures have not been independently verified.
Linda Mwananchi Political Vehicle Remains Unclear
While the ORPP has now formally confirmed the name change, questions remain over which party will ultimately serve as the broader Linda Mwananchi movement’s political vehicle.
The ongoing discussions are expected to become more significant as political parties and movements position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, the ORPP record provides clarity on the administrative process: Muungano Party formally changed its name to The Mwananchi Party after an objection to the proposed change was withdrawn.
With the paperwork now on record, the name change may be settled but the bigger political question remains: which vehicle will ultimately carry the Linda Mwananchi movement into 2027?
