Onyonka clarifies how Babu Owino’s Mwananchi Party was registered
Onyonka clarifies how Babu Owino’s Mwananchi Party was registered
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has explained how Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino’s Mwananchi Party came into being, amid growing debate over the political vehicle to be used by the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with a local station on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Onyonka said the party was not secretly created by Babu Owino, insisting that members of the Linda Mwananchi team were aware of its registration.
Onyonka said the team initially intended to use the name Linda Mwananchi Party but discovered during discussions with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) that the name “Linda” was already unavailable.
According to Onyonka, the team then considered the remaining name, Mwananchi, after finding that “Linda” had already been taken.
He said he was among those who suggested the Mwananchi name, which was eventually registered and given its colours.
“Babu did not form Mwanainchi Party three weeks ago,” Onyonka said, adding that the party came into being about four to five days before the Linda Mwananchi rally at Nairobi’s Jacaranda Grounds.
The senator said members of the team knew the party had been registered and were waiting to use it as they continued with their political activities.
Onyonka said the team had considered having one political party that could bring together its leaders and supporters, rather than having different parties associated with individual politicians.
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He said some members had nevertheless pursued other political parties, including the Ukombozi Party, which has also featured in discussions around the movement’s political vehicle.
The senator said the idea was to have one party capable of building a strong political base while allowing different parties to work together in a broader coalition.
The debate comes after Babu outlined plans for a coalition between Mwananchi Party and Ukombozi People’s Party under Linda Mwananchi
Onyonka dismissed suggestions that Babu’s decision to register Mwananchi Party amounted to betrayal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
He said he had spoken to both Babu and Sifuna and maintained that the two leaders were not fighting.
“I’ve spoken with Honorable Babu. I’ve spoken with Honourable Sifuna. We don’t have a fight,” Onyonka said.
He added that the leaders needed to remain united despite differences over political parties and the movement’s direction.
“We know if we don’t stay together as a team, we are going to hang separately in front of William Ruto,” he said.
The comments come as Linda Mwananchi continues to grapple with questions over its political structure, party vehicles and how different leaders will work together ahead of 2027.
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