Edwin Sifuna is the proposed leader of the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Delegates will consider the party’s name change and proposed leadership after a tribunal dismissed a petition seeking to stop the conference.
The Linda Mwananchi NDC will take place behind closed doors on Friday, November 13, without media coverage. Delegates will consider the political outfit’s transition from The Equitable Party (TEP) to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
Head of Communication Pauline Njoroge confirmed that journalists would not cover the proceedings. Meanwhile, the movement has told supporters that only designated delegates from eligible TEP members will participate.
Linda Mwananchi NDC to consider name change
The movement described the conference as a statutory meeting needed to meet legal requirements for its establishment and transition. Delegates are expected to approve the proposed name change and ratify other decisions supporting the transition.
Participation is restricted to designated delegates drawn from members registered under TEP when the conference notice appeared. Each county also has a specific delegate allocation based on its registered membership.
In its notice to supporters, the movement urged strict adherence to those allocations. It also asked members to cooperate as delegates consider the decisions needed to formalise the change.
Proposed leadership appointments will be among the matters before the conference. At the movement’s October 30 launch, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerged as its proposed party leader.
The proposed deputies are former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi is the proposed chairperson, while Suba South MP Caroli Omondi is the proposed secretary-general. Njoroge would deputise Omondi, while Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya would lead the movement’s presidential campaign.
Tribunal dismissal clears path for conference
The conference follows legal challenges at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal over leadership appointments and delegate selection. However, the tribunal dismissed a petition seeking to block the meeting, allowing preparations to proceed.
Party member Emmanuel Willyngtone Khamala challenged how the leadership took shape. He alleged that officials secured appointments without elections or adequate participation by registered members.
Khamala also disputed the legitimacy of the expected delegates. He argued that the party had not held grassroots elections to establish branch and county structures for selecting them.
His complaint further questioned the process positioning Sifuna and other officials for party roles. He sought to suspend the November 13 conference until the tribunal heard and determined his complaint.
The disputes raised questions about compliance with the party constitution and the Political Parties Act. Meanwhile, Sifuna and his allies are seeking to consolidate their platform ahead of the 2027 General Election.
