Rwanda not involved - Sifuna's Party Rebranding Faces Legal and Electoral Hurdles

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Movement has moved closer to formalising its transition from The Equitable Party after delegates approved changes to the party’s identity, constitution, and electoral rules. The National Delegates Conference (NDC) approved the proposed change of name, colours, symbol, and headquarters, amendments to the party constitution and nomination rules, as well as coalition-building talks with like-minded political parties.

However, questions linger over whether the outfit can meet legal and electoral deadlines ahead of the 2027 General Election. The conference, held behind closed doors and from which the media were excluded, raises questions about compliance with the legal requirements governing delegates’ meetings. The party had indicated that the conference would take place at The Luke Hotel in Nairobi, but the meeting was eventually held at a different venue.

The change adds another layer of scrutiny to a conference already facing legal challenges, with questions about whether delegates were adequately informed and whether the statutory notice requirements were met. Section 38G(1)(c) of the Political Parties Act requires a political party to specify the date and venue of its delegates’ meeting. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal dismissed an application seeking to stop the NDC but left the substantive complaint over the selection of delegates and the proposed changes to the party’s structures for a full hearing.

The tribunal’s clearance followed concessions by the Sifuna camp on the conduct of the conference. In a separate challenge brought by party member James Onyango Nyangor, who had sought to stop proposed elections at the NDC, the party assured the tribunal that no elections would be held on November 13. The application was consequently marked as compromised.

That undertaking was central to allowing the conference to proceed without the proposed polls. The delegates could consider the rebranding and other agenda items, but would not elect or ratify new party officials. The camp thus secured room to proceed with the NDC while accepting a limit on what the meeting would decide about the party’s leadership.

The dispute over the delegates themselves also remains unresolved. The tribunal dismissed an objection by party members Paul Kiragu Gachoka and Pamela Achieng Simwata, who argued that the conference was unconstitutional because the party lacked a properly constituted electoral college from which delegates could be drawn. However, it directed their substantive complaint to proceed to a full hearing.

There is also the question of whether the resolutions adopted at the conference are sufficient to complete the rebranding process or whether the party must undertake further statutory procedures before it can legally operate under the Linda Mwananchi identity. Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou has clarified that reservation of the Linda Mwananchi Movement name does not amount to registration, revealing that the movement has not obtained a provisional registration certificate.

Key points

• The party faces uncertainty on whether it can participate in the 2027 General Election under its new identity.