- The Liberty National Democratic Alliance filed a formal objection to Edwin Sifuna's party adopting the Linda Mwananchi Movement name
- LINDA cited two unresolved cases pending before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal as grounds for the objection
- The Equitable Party had already begun the gazettement process for the name change after Sifuna was unveiled as party leader
Amos Khaemba is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Khaemba has over four years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2022.
Nairobi - The effort by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's political vehicle to rebrand as the Linda Mwananchi Movement has hit a legal roadblock after a rival party moved to block the name change at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
Source: Facebook
The Liberty National Democratic Alliance, known by its acronym LINDA, filed a formal objection with the Registrar on October 18, 2026, contesting The Equitable Party's (TEP) attempt to adopt the name "Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM)."
Background to the dispute
TEP was launched on October 4, 2026, with Sifuna unveiled as its party leader and presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Shortly after the launch, TEP initiated a name change to Linda Mwananchi Movement, prompting the ORPP to commence the gazettement process.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou confirmed that the office had reviewed the submitted documents and had begun the gazettement process under Section 20(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act.
LINDA's objection to the name change
In a submission to the Registrar, LINDA Founder and Treasurer Ndanu argued that the proposed name change should not proceed while two active legal matters remain unresolved before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT).
Ndanu identified the two pending cases as Case Number PPDTC/E020/2026 and Case Number PPDTA/E001/2026, both of which are yet to be heard and determined.
LINDA's position is that proceeding with any identity or name changes while these tribunal matters are still live would be premature and legally contestable.
The party contends that finalising such a rebranding ahead of a tribunal ruling could prejudice the outcome of the pending cases.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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