Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was not endorsed as Linda Mwananchi Movement’s party leader and 2027 presidential flag bearer after the movement shelved its leadership appointments agenda amid a legal dispute over the legitimacy of its internal structures and delegates.
The decision followed proceedings surrounding the November 13, 2026, National Delegates Conference (NDC), where delegates adopted four resolutions but deferred key leadership appointments, leaving Sifuna’s anticipated elevation unresolved.
The Sifuna-aligned faction reportedly agreed to shelve the leadership question following proceedings at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, allowing the conference to proceed with other business.
Instead of deciding who would lead the movement into the 2027 General Election, delegates concentrated on transforming the Equitable Party into the Linda Mwananchi Movement, amending its constitution, adopting nomination and election rules, and authorising coalition-building negotiations with like-minded political parties.
ODM Party SG Edwin Sifuna. Photo: Nation Source: X
The outcome leaves Sifuna’s proposed appointment, alongside several other senior party positions, pending another delegates’ conference.
Legal dispute overshadowed Sifuna’s endorsement
The leadership question emerged against the backdrop of a legal challenge by Emmanuel Willyngtone Khamala, a member of the Equitable Party, who questioned the procedures used to select delegates and establish the party’s leadership structures.
Khamala, represented by lawyers Danstan Omari and Timothy Kilonzo, argued that the party had failed to conduct grassroots elections required to establish legitimate branch and county structures from which national delegates should be drawn.
In his petition, Khamala stated: “Since TEP’s inception, no grassroots elections have been conducted to properly elect branch officials, county representatives, or polling station committees as required under the party constitution.”
The petitioner also questioned the exclusion of registered party members from decisions concerning the proposed leadership and major organisational changes.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal dismissed Khamala’s application seeking to stop the November 13 conference on November 12, allowing the meeting to proceed.
Nairobi Senators Edwin Sifuna speaks during a past event. PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/EdwinWSifuna
However, Khamala moved to the High Court to challenge the tribunal’s decision and obtain orders stopping the conference.
On November 13, the High Court certified his application as urgent but declined to issue immediate interim orders, noting that the tribunal ruling being challenged had not been presented. The matter was scheduled for further directions on November 16.
The leadership appointments were consequently left out of the conference resolutions as delegates proceeded with the remaining agenda.
Four resolutions adopted as leadership decision waits
In a post-conference statement, Pauline Njoroge, who has been proposed for the position of Deputy Secretary General, outlined the four resolutions adopted by delegates.
The first approved changing the party’s name from the Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement, alongside proposed changes to its colours, symbol and headquarters.
Delegates also approved amendments to the party constitution and adopted its nomination and election rules.
The fourth resolution authorised the commencement of coalition-building negotiations with like-minded political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the proposed endorsement of Sifuna as party leader and presidential flag bearer was not among the resolutions.
Other proposed appointments left pending include Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo.
The movement will therefore need another delegates’ conference to formally consider the outstanding leadership positions.
