Sifuna Faces Objection Over Linda Mwananchi Party Name

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s plans to rebrand The Equitable Party (TEP) as Linda Mwananchi Movement have encountered a fresh challenge. A parliamentary aspirant has asked the Registrar of Political Parties to verify whether party delegates approved the proposed changes.

Chepalungu parliamentary aspirant Ruto Festus filed a formal objection on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He wants the registrar to establish whether the rebranding followed the party’s constitution and relevant legal requirements.

In his submission, Festus said TEP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved on October 8 to pursue the proposed name change. However, he questioned whether the National Delegates Conference (NDC) subsequently approved the decision as required by the party’s rules.

“I do not assert that no such meeting or approval exists; rather, I respectfully ask the Registrar to verify the position from the party’s official records,” Festus wrote.

The objection does not conclusively establish that the party failed to obtain the required approval. Instead, it asks the registrar to examine the official records before treating the proposed changes as final.

Party Constitution at the Centre of Dispute

Festus cited Article 10.3.1 of TEP’s constitution, which addresses proposals affecting the party’s name, symbol, colours and constitution. The provision requires such changes to be presented to the National Delegates Conference for approval.

He has therefore asked the Registrar of Political Parties to confirm whether the appropriate party organ endorsed the rebranding. The verification could determine whether the process satisfies the party’s internal requirements.

The objection introduces another procedural hurdle for Sifuna as he prepares his political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election. It also places the party’s internal decision-making process under scrutiny.

Linda Mwananchi Rebranding Process

The proposed changes would see The Equitable Party adopt the name Linda Mwananchi Movement. The rebranding also involves changes to the party’s colours, symbol and constitution.

TEP’s NEC reportedly initiated the process on October 8, with details of the proposal published on the party’s website. The Registrar of Political Parties subsequently began the statutory gazettement process under Section 20 of the Political Parties Act.

The gazettement process forms part of the official procedure for proposed changes to a political party’s registered details. However, the latest objection raises questions about whether the necessary internal approvals were secured before the process advances.

Sifuna’s Political Plans Face Scrutiny

Sifuna’s efforts to establish Linda Mwananchi as his political vehicle have attracted attention as political realignments gather pace ahead of the next election. Using an already registered party offers a route that requires compliance with established registration and amendment procedures.

The latest objection focuses specifically on whether TEP followed its constitution when proposing the name change. It does not, on its own, establish that the registrar will reject the rebranding or that the party has breached the law.

The Registrar of Political Parties’ verification of the relevant records will be important in determining the next steps. Until the outstanding questions are addressed, the proposed transformation into Linda Mwananchi Movement remains subject to the applicable procedures.