The Equitable Party: What Sifuna’s New Political Vehicle Means for 2027
As of October 9, 2026, The Equitable Party remains the registered name shown in the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties’ public record. Sifuna’s team has announced plans to adopt the Linda Mwananchi Movement name, but reserving a name and completing a party name change are different steps.
What name reservation means
The ORPP approved reservation of “Linda Mwananchi Movement” for up to 90 days, according to a letter dated October 1 reported by The Star. Reservation gives the applicants a window to pursue the process. It does not by itself rename TEP or establish that the existing party register has been changed.
How a registered party changes its name
The ORPP says a fully registered political party that intends to change its name notifies the Registrar using Form PP10. The Political Parties Act also provides for notice of the intended change to be published in the Gazette, with publication by the party in at least two daily newspapers of nationwide circulation. The Registrar’s current party record is the practical place to check whether the change has taken effect.
That process is separate from the October 4 announcement that Sifuna would lead TEP and be its presidential candidate. On October 8, The Star reported that TEP’s National Executive Council had approved plans to start rebranding. That is evidence of an internal decision to proceed; the ORPP register still provides the official record of the registered name.
What to watch as the process continues
- Whether TEP files the required notice and the ORPP publishes a notice of intended change.
- Whether the ORPP later updates its public party register to show the new name.
- Whether the party publishes further information about its leadership, membership and 2027 organisation.
A proposed name change does not settle questions about coalition negotiations, candidate selection or the party’s eventual policy platform. Those are separate political developments and should be confirmed through later announcements.
