The Equitable Party (TEP), associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has announced plans to change its name to Linda Mwananchi Movement.

In a notice on Saturday, October 10, the party said the proposed changes followed a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, October 8.

"Following the National Executive Committee meeting that was held on 8th October 2026, The Equitable Party (TEP) wishes to notify its members and the general public that it intends to carry out the following changes," the notice read.

The party listed the proposed changes as a name change to Linda Mwananchi Movement, a revision of its constitution, new party colours, relocation of its headquarters and adoption of a new party symbol.

The planned rebranding would change the party’s official identity, with the proposed name placing the Linda Mwananchi Movement label at the centre of its political activities.

Elsewhere, Sifuna has defended his decision to remain a member of ODM while refusing to seek re-election on its ticket.

He argues that quitting his seat ten months before the general election would needlessly burden the country and the taxpayer.

Sifuna, while speaking to journalists from his office in Nairobi on Friday, October 9, insisted he had not resigned from the party and was only declaring that he would not run on its ticket in 2027. 

He also pointed to President William Ruto's own political journey to rebut those demanding that he step down.

 Asked why he should not vacate his seat, Sifuna turned the question back to the head of state.

"Ask William Ruto. When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? And we all understand that we have to prepare for the next election," he said.

At the same time, Sifuna argued that forcing by-elections so close to the general election would be wasteful and disruptive.

"If all of us who have decided that we will no longer seek election on ODM decided to resign our positions and go back to the people for re-election ten months to the general election, where do you think that is going to leave the country and the taxpayer? You would have a mini general election," he said.

Sifuna said the cumulative effect of such resignations would be a wave of by-elections across the country, at public expense, when the nation should be preparing for the main contest.

He also said political players already understand the need to position themselves for 2027. He reiterated that it is no longer possible to find political expression within ODM, a position he said he had made clear before.

Sifuna added that shifting loyalties are not limited to his camp. 

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According to the Senator, a number of politicians have left UDA and now back other parties, while some within ODM declared long before he did that they would support UDA in 2027.

He described the focus on his own case as unfair and selective.

"It is hypocrisy that that question is only asked to Sifuna. I've not heard any other person being asked that question," he said.

Sifuna stressed that he remains a card-carrying member of ODM and that Nairobi residents elected him on the party's ticket.

He maintained that this has not changed.

Sifuna said he regards his mandate as a five-year contract with voters. By announcing early that he will not run on ODM, he argued, he is being open with the public about his intentions.

"I'm still a member of ODM, and the people of Nairobi elected me on ODM. We have a contract for five years, but I am explaining to the public that I will not run on ODM because ODM is now in the hands of William Ruto. Where is the problem with that?" he posed.