Edwin Sifuna's Party Relaunch Plan Hit with Fresh Legal Hurdle

Edwin Sifuna's plan to transform The Equitable Party into Linda Mwananchi Movement has encountered a fresh legal challenge. Two party members, Paul Kiragu Gachoka and Pamela Achieng Simwata, have asked the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to halt a National Delegates Conference (NDC) scheduled for November 13, 2026. They argue that the party has not followed its constitution in selecting delegates, approving agenda items, and preparing to amend its governing rules.

The complainants question whether the party has met the constitutional requirements for amending its governing rules and restructuring its leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election. The complaints were triggered by an October 23 public notice announcing the NDC and a proposal to change the party's symbol, headquarters, and colors. Mr. Gachoka and Ms. Simwata want the tribunal to quash the notice. Their lawyer, Eddy Otieno, told the tribunal that the party constitution limits discussion at an ordinary delegates conference to agenda items approved by the National Governing Council.

The NDC agenda includes proposed changes to the party's name, colors, symbol, and headquarters, amendments to its constitution and nomination and election rules, and possible coalition arrangements for the 2027 elections. Mr. Otieno also questioned whether the National Elections Board had been appointed and whether the delegates' conference was properly constituted under the party constitution. The tribunal, chaired by Mr. Innocent Muganda, heard that the party opposed the application, saying the complainants had failed to use its internal dispute resolution process and had not proved their membership.

The party's lawyer, Duncan Anzala, said the complainants joined the party on October 22, 2026, and objected to the proposed name change the following day. He accused them of joining the party to delay preparations for the party's 2027 elections. Mr. Anzala cited a section of the party constitution saying it required 30 per cent of eligible members present and voting for a quorum. Tribunal member Jacob Ngwele questioned whether new members enjoy the same rights as longstanding members.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties said it received the objections and forwarded them to the party. The office reviewed the party's response and found that the objections had been handled under its constitution. The registrar asked the tribunal to reject the complainant's application. In a rejoinder, Mr. Otieno said a letter dated October 28 challenging the conference notice was sent to the party but received no response.

The party maintained that the complainants had not properly pursued internal dispute resolution. A separate complaint by James Onyango Nyangor also sought to stop elections at the meeting. The party confirmed that no elections would be held on November 13, and the tribunal marked that application as compromised. The tribunal reserved its decision for Thursday, November 12, a day before the planned conference.

Mr. Sifuna unveiled The Equitable Party on October 4, 2026, and its National Executive Committee approved a proposed change of name to Linda Mwananchi Movement on October 8. The Registrar of Political Parties began the formal name-change process. Mr. Sifuna intends to vie for presidency using the rebranded outfit, following his exit from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, where he was serving as the secretary-general.

Key points

• The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal will decide on the application on November 12, 2026.
• The complainants argue that the party has not followed its constitution in selecting delegates and approving agenda items.
• The party's relaunch plans have been hit with a fresh legal hurdle, threatening to delay its preparations for the 2027 General Election.