Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s newly unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) has begun the process of changing its identity to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The party’s National Executive Council approved the proposed rebranding during a meeting on Wednesday, October 7, paving the way for the formal process of adopting the Linda Mwananchi name. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has also approved changes to the names of TEP officials, clearing an administrative hurdle in the transition.
Sifuna unveiled TEP in Nairobi on October 4 as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi Movement and was presented as the party’s leader and preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
During the unveiling, Sifuna said the movement’s principals had resolved to transform TEP into Linda Mwananchi Movement, arguing that the name had already become central to the political mobilisation of his supporters.
«“In the coming days, and as has been resolved by the principals of Linda Mwananchi, we shall be seeking to rebrand this party, The Equitable Party, to the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Sifuna said.»
The proposed rebranding follows a legal and administrative dispute over the Linda Mwananchi name. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal overturned an earlier decision by the Registrar of Political Parties rejecting the reservation of the name, allowing the movement to proceed with its plans.
The reservation of the name, however, does not by itself create a new political party. The current plan is to rename the already registered TEP, enabling the movement to retain an existing political vehicle as it prepares for the 2027 polls.
Sifuna has also cautioned that should the rebranding process face further obstacles, TEP could retain its current name and proceed to the 2027 election under The Equitable Party banner.
The development comes as political parties prepare to meet key electoral deadlines ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the proposed name change set to further define Sifuna’s political vehicle and the identity of the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
