NAIROBI, Kenya- The Equitable Party’s National Delegates Conference has approved the party’s transition to the Linda Mwananchi Movement, adopting changes to its name, constitution, symbol, colours and headquarters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party said delegates also approved revised nomination and election rules, while authorising coalition-building talks with like-minded political parties.
The resolutions mark a major internal milestone for the political outfit associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as it seeks to consolidate its structures and position itself for the next election.
Delegates approve transition
According to the statement signed by Head of Communication Pauline Njoroge, the National Delegates Conference considered and ratified decisions meant to fulfil legal requirements for the party’s transition from The Equitable Party (TEP) to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
Delegates approved the proposed change of name and amendments to the party’s colours, symbol and headquarters.
They also adopted proposed amendments to the party constitution and its nomination and election rules, giving the movement a new internal framework ahead of the 2027 political contest.
“The NDC adopted the resolutions after deliberating on the agenda items,” the movement said, describing the process as a step towards formalising the transition and strengthening its organisational structure.
The party said the resolutions would guide its next phase of growth as it builds a nationwide political platform.
Green light for coalition talks
The delegates also approved coalition-building talks with like-minded parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The approval gives the Linda Mwananchi Movement room to engage other political formations as opposition parties explore possible alliances, zoning arrangements and a joint strategy against President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
However, the party did not announce a coalition agreement or name the political parties it intends to engage.
The decision comes as opposition leaders, including DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K Leader Eugene Wamalwa and other political figures, continue consultations on the shape of a possible united opposition front.
For Sifuna’s movement, the coalition resolution creates a formal pathway for the party to negotiate from its own platform once the transition is completed.
Legal and regulatory process continues
The NDC resolutions come a day after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal cleared TEP to proceed with the delegates’ conference despite legal challenges by some party members.
The tribunal allowed the meeting to go on but directed that the substantive dispute over the party’s internal processes proceed to hearing. It retains the power to review decisions made at the conference if the case establishes grounds for doing so.
Separately, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties had earlier begun the process of gazetting the proposed name change after reviewing documents submitted by TEP.
The Registrar’s public register still lists The Equitable Party as the registered political party, meaning the administrative process will need to be concluded before the new name is reflected in official records.
The movement’s NDC approval is therefore a key internal and political step, even as the rebranding process continues through the relevant legal and regulatory channels.
With its constitution, nomination rules and coalition mandate now approved by delegates, the Linda Mwananchi Movement is expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation and negotiations as the race towards 2027 gathers momentum.
