Registrar of Political Parties asked to verify TEP’s compliance in Linda Mwananchi rebrand

A Bomet County parliamentary aspirant has asked the Registrar of Political Parties to verify whether The Equitable Party (TEP) followed its constitution in approving its proposed change of name to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).

In written submissions dated October 21, 2026, Ruto Festus asked the Registrar to establish whether the party complied with its internal procedures and the Political Parties Act before finalising the rebranding.

Festus clarified that he was not opposed to the proposed name but wanted the party to demonstrate that the process followed the requirements of its registered constitution.

"I wish to clarify at the outset that this objection is not directed at the proposed name," he wrote.

The submission was filed under Section 20 of the Political Parties Act and Gazette Notice No. 16427, within the 14-day period set aside for members of the public to raise concerns over the proposed change.

At the centre of his objection is Article 10.3 of TEP's constitution, which outlines the procedure for amending the party's governing documents.

Festus argues that the provision distinguishes between the National Executive Committee's (NEC) authority to propose amendments and the National Delegates Conference's (NDC) mandate to approve them.

According to his submission, Article 10.3.1 requires proposals affecting the party's name, symbol, colours, constitution and rules to be submitted to the NDC for approval.

Articles 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 prescribe additional requirements relating to the quorum and a two-thirds voting threshold.

TEP's NEC met on October 8 and resolved to pursue the name change. However, Festus argues that the decision only initiated the amendment process and did not, on its own, constitute final approval.

He said he had not identified any publicly available notice, report or resolution indicating that the NDC had subsequently convened to approve the changes as of October 20.

Festus stopped short of claiming that no such meeting had taken place, instead asking the Registrar to verify the matter using the party's official records.

He wants the Registrar to require documentary evidence demonstrating compliance with Article 10.3 before registering the change of name.

He has also asked the office to confirm whether a properly constituted NDC approved the proposed changes to the party's name, constitution, colours and symbol.

Where such a resolution exists, Festus wants the Registrar to verify the meeting's notice, composition of delegates, quorum and voting outcome.

The proposed rebranding follows a series of administrative and political developments that began in August.

On August 7, the Registrar declined to reserve the Linda Mwananchi Movement name. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal subsequently overturned that decision, paving the way for the name to be reserved on October 1.

Three days later, on October 4, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna unveiled TEP as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi movement and announced plans to rebrand the party.

In a letter dated October 13, Registrar John Lorionokou said his office had reviewed documents submitted by TEP and initiated the gazettement process.

The documents included the NEC meeting notice and attendance list, the resolution authorising the proposed change, statutory Form PP.10 and proof of publication in the Daily Nation on October 10.

The Registrar directed the party to submit a report after the expiry of the 14-day public participation period, detailing any representations received and how they had been addressed.

Festus's submission now places the spotlight on whether the NEC's resolution was followed by the delegates' approval required under the party's constitution before the rebranding can be completed.