Big Win for Sifuna as High Court Makes Final Decision on Linda Mwananchi Meeting

Mwananchi Movement’s National Delegates Conference (NDC). The ruling cleared the final judicial hurdle for delegates of The Equitable Party (TEP) to convene in Nairobi and formalize the party’s rebrand.

Petitioner Emmanuel Khamala, acting through lawyer Danstan Omari, had rushed to the High Court seeking urgent orders to suspend the November 13 delegates meeting. He wanted the court to overturn a Thursday, November 12 decision by Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) Chairperson Innocent Muganda, who had earlier dismissed his bid to block the convention.

In his court filings, Khamala argued that registered party members had been locked out of major decisions touching on the outfit’s leadership and political direction. He claimed that allowing the conference to go ahead would violate members’ democratic rights and cause irreparable prejudice.

Delivering directions on Friday morning, Justice Janet Mulwa declined to grant the interim orders sought to halt the gathering. The judge pointed out that the citation on the applicant’s motion was erroneous and directed the appellant to correct the paperwork for future reference.

Justice Mulwa also noted that the High Court could not properly review the challenge without first being furnished with the full ruling delivered by the tribunal on Thursday. While certifying the application as urgent, the court ordered that the documents be served on all respondents and interested parties ahead of a mention for further directions on November 16, 2026.

The petition named the party’s National Executive Committee, the National Elections Board, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Registrar of Political Parties, and the Political Parties Liaison Committee as respondents. Sifuna was listed in the suit as an interested party.

With no court injunction standing in their way, delegates from across the country proceeded with the closed-door conference in Nairobi. During the session, they ratified the official change of name from The Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM), alongside updates to the party’s constitution, colours, symbol, and headquarters.

Delegates also approved revised nomination rules and authorized party leaders to begin coalition talks with other political formations ahead of the 2027 General Election. The case returns to the High Court on Monday, November 16, for directions on the main appeal.

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