- TEP's legal team said no formal communication from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties had been received regarding any objection to the name change
- The ORPP gazetted TEP's notice to change its name to Linda Mwananchi Movement on October 16, 2026, opening a seven-day window for public objections
- A rival party, LINDA, filed a formal submission on October 18 opposing the name change, citing two unresolved cases before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal
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The Equitable Party's legal team has moved to calm anxieties over the proposed rebranding of the outfit to Linda Mwananchi Movement, insisting the process remains on track despite reports of emerging obstacles.
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Advocate Oliver Makhanu, who leads the party's legal team, said as of the time of his statement, no formal communication from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) had been received regarding any objection to the name change process.
Gazette Notice and Objection Window
Makhanu noted that the ORPP published a gazette notice on October 16, 2026, under Gazette Notice No. 16427, formally announcing The Equitable Party's intention to change its name from The Equitable Party (TEP) to Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
The notice, signed by Registrar of Political Parties J. C. Lorionokou, gave members of the public seven days to file written submissions with the registrar if they opposed the change.
"Kindly note that ORPP Gazetted TEP's Notice of Change of Name to Linda Mwananchi Movement on 16.10.26, thus the Seven(7) days Period shall Lapse on 23.10.26 at 11.59 pm," Makhanu said.
He added that the legal team would communicate with members and supporters immediately upon receiving any formal objection, and would advise on the appropriate course of action at that point.
"Kindly therefore do not panic, the name change process is firmly under our grasp and control. Mbele iko sawa," Makhanu said, urging backers of Edwin Sifuna and the broader Linda Mwananchi Movement to remain focused and undistracted.
LINDA Files Formal Objection
Two days after the gazette notice was published, on October 18, LINDA founder and treasurer Ndanu submitted a formal objection to the registrar, contesting the proposed name change.
In her submission, Ndanu argued that adopting the name "Linda Mwananchi Movement" should not be permitted while two active cases remain unresolved before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT). The cases in question, identified as PPDTC/E020/2026 and PPDTA/E001/2026, are both pending hearing and determination.
LINDA's position is that allowing the name change to proceed before those cases are concluded would undermine the course of justice.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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