Linda Mwananchi principal Edwin Sifuna is facing new woes in his bid to register Linda Mwananchi as his official political party after an aspirant challenged the proposed name change from The Equitable Party (TEP), citing a lack of evidence of approval by party delegates.
The development comes after Chepalungu parliamentary aspirant Ruto Festus filed a formal objection with the Registrar of Political Parties on Wednesday, October 21, asking the office to establish whether the rebranding followed the party’s constitution and the law.
In his submission, Festus said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved on October 8 to pursue the name change but questioned whether the National Delegates Conference (NDC) had subsequently approved the proposal as required under 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,” Ruto wrote.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta chatting with Senators John Methu (Nyandarua) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) at the funeral service of Mwalimu Jackson Karua in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
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Methu
He cited Article 10.3.1 of TEP’s constitution, which provides for proposals affecting the party’s name, symbol, colours and constitution to be presented to the NDC for approval.
As such, he asked the Registrar to verify whether the appropriate party organ had approved the changes before treating them as final.
The objection adds to the hurdles surrounding Sifuna’s efforts to establish Linda Mwananchi as his political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The proposed rebranding would see The Equitable Party adopt the Linda Mwananchi Movement name, alongside changes to its colours, symbol and constitution.
The party’s NEC reportedly initiated the process on October 8, with the proposed change published on the party’s website.
The Registrar subsequently began the statutory gazettement process under Section 20 of the Political Parties Act.
However, the name change is not the only issue surrounding the party’s registration plans.
Sifuna’s political realignment has also drawn attention to the formal procedures required to establish Linda Mwananchi as an official party, including the use of an already registered political outfit.
The Registrar of Political Parties, John Cox Lorionokou, during an IEBC function
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IEBC