Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s The Equitable Party (TEP) is moving towards a new identity after its National Executive Council approved plans to rebrand the party as the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
The decision was reached on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, setting the stage for the party to begin the formal process of adopting the Linda Mwananchi name. The Registrar of Political Parties has also approved changes to the names of TEP officials, clearing an administrative hurdle ahead of the proposed transition. (Nation)
The planned rebranding comes days after Sifuna unveiled TEP in Nairobi as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi Movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna confirms plans to change TEP name
During the TEP unveiling on Sunday, October 4, Sifuna said the party was not intended to remain the movement’s permanent identity.
He said the principals of Linda Mwananchi had agreed to pursue the name change and would seek to transform TEP into the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
“In the coming days, and as resolved by the principals of Linda Mwananchi, we shall be seeking to rebrand the party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna, however, warned that TEP could retain its current name if further obstacles were placed in the way of the rebranding process.
He said the party would continue under the TEP identity and contest the 2027 election under that name if the proposed change could not be completed. (Kenyans)
Linda Mwananchi name cleared after legal dispute
The rebranding plans follow a dispute over the reservation of the Linda Mwananchi Movement name.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal overturned an earlier decision by the Registrar of Political Parties not to reserve the name. The Registrar subsequently approved its reservation for up to 90 days, giving the promoters time to complete the necessary steps. (The Standard)
The reservation of the name does not by itself mean that a new political party has been registered under the LMM name. Instead, it provides a window for the movement to pursue the proposed change to TEP. (The Standard)
TEP faces October 15 deadline
The proposed transition comes at a crucial point in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Political parties intending to participate in the election are required to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised officials to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission by October 15.
The timing therefore leaves the party with a limited window to complete the administrative steps associated with its planned rebranding. (Nation)
Sifuna was formally unveiled as TEP leader during Sunday’s event, with the party serving as the immediate political vehicle for his wider Linda Mwananchi project. (The Star)
