LINDA files objection over The Equitable Party’s bid to rebrand as Linda Mwananchi Movement

LINDA files objection over The Equitable Party’s bid to rebrand as Linda Mwananchi Movement - Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (centre) during the unveiling of The Equitable Party in Nairobi on October 4, 2026 as his political vehicle for the presidency. (Photo: X/Linda Mwananchi)

The objection, reportedly filed on October 18, 2026, was submitted by LINDA Founder and Treasurer Purity Ndanu, who argued that proceeding with the rebranding while the cases remain pending would be premature and legally contested.

The Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) has reportedly lodged a formal objection with the Registrar of Political Parties against The Equitable Party’s proposed name change to Linda Mwananchi Movement, citing two unresolved cases before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.

The objection, reportedly filed on October 18, 2026, was submitted by LINDA Founder and Treasurer Purity Ndanu, who argued that proceeding with the rebranding while the cases remain pending would be premature and legally contested.

The party cited Case Number PPDTC/E020/2026 and Case Number PPDTA/E001/2026, which it says are awaiting hearing and determination before the tribunal.

The Equitable Party was launched on October 4, 2026, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna unveiled as its party leader and presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.

During the launch, Sifuna said the movement intended to rebrand as Linda Mwananchi Movement but would retain TEP’s existing identity if further obstacles frustrated the process.

“I want to make it clear that if more obstacles are put in the path of rebranding this party called The Equitable Party. As we have experienced in the past, the Party will continue with its present identity until the ballots are cast in 2027,” said Sifuna.

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The development comes after the Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionokou, confirmed in a letter dated October 13 that the office had reviewed documents supporting the proposed name change and commenced the gazettement process under Section 20(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act.

In a separate development, Chepalungu parliamentary aspirant Ruto Festus has asked the Registrar of Political Parties to verify whether The Equitable Party complied with its registered constitution in approving the proposed name change.

In a submission dated October 21, 2026, Festus questioned whether the party’s National Delegates Conference had approved the rebranding, arguing that the National Executive Committee’s resolution of October 8 may have only initiated the process.

He clarified that his objection was not directed at the proposed name but at whether the required procedures had been followed.