NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna says The Equitable Party (TEP) will seek a new name, Linda Mwananchi Movement, as he and his allies work to establish a political identity for their 2027 campaign.
Speaking at TEP’s unveiling in Nairobi on Sunday, October 4, Sifuna said the party’s principals had agreed to pursue the rebrand.
He warned, however, that TEP would keep its current name through the 2027 election if further obstacles blocked the change.
“In the coming days, we shall be seeking to rebrand The Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Sifuna said.
The proposed change has not yet taken effect.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties lists TEP as a fully registered party, while its guidance says a party seeking to change its name must apply to the Registrar.
Linda Mwananchi name has faced legal hurdles
The move follows a dispute over the Linda Mwananchi name.
In August, the Registrar rejected an application to reserve the name.
On September 30, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal overturned that decision, finding it lacked legal justification.
The Registrar then approved reservation of the name for up to 90 days.
That reservation is not itself a completed name change or full registration of a political party.
Sifuna said TEP would continue under its existing identity until the 2027 polls if the rebranding process was obstructed.
He also accused the Registrar of Political Parties of facilitating “political fraud”, without presenting evidence for the allegation during his remarks.
Allies frame party launch as a 2027 push
TEP leader Gilbert Marava said the party would restructure to accommodate Sifuna and his supporters. Sifuna was named party leader and presidential candidate at the event.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said 600,000 people had registered with the party and that 35 branches from ODM had joined TEP.
Those figures were claims made at the event and have not been independently verified.
Other speakers cast the party’s launch as part of a wider opposition campaign.
Siaya Governor James Orengo said he had not seen a president as unpopular as William Ruto, while Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said Kenyans had given the opposition its candidate.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also called for voters to send several political opponents, including MPs Peter Kaluma and TJ Kajwang and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, home at the ballot box.
