The High Court has certified as urgent a case challenging a decision by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) that allowed the Linda Mwananchi Movement to proceed with its National Delegates Conference.
However, the court declined to issue interim orders stopping the planned conference at the initial stage of the proceedings.
The matter was filed by party member Emmanuel Willyngtone Khamala, who is challenging the PPDT decision delivered on November 12, 2026.
In its order, the High Court certified the application as urgent and directed that it be served on the respondents and interested party immediately.
Despite granting the application an urgent hearing, the court declined to issue the interim orders sought by Khamala without first reviewing the tribunal’s ruling.
The court noted that a copy of the contested PPDT ruling had not been presented before it.
“THAT the court further notes absence of the impugned ruling of the PPDT delivered yesterday, 12/11/2026, and subject of the motion before court,” the court noted.
The court said it could not properly examine the issues raised in the application without having the tribunal’s decision before it.
“THAT in absence of the impugned ruling, this court is unable to consider and interrogate the same at this ex parte stage,” the order stated.
The parties have been directed to return to court on November 16, 2026, for further directions and possible hearing of the application.
The proceedings will be conducted virtually before Justice Wilfrida Okwany.
Khamala filed the appeal shortly after the PPDT dismissed his complaint challenging the planned National Delegates Conference of the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The appeal names the National Executive Committee of the Equitable Party, its National Elections Board, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and the Political Parties Liaison Committee as respondents.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been listed as an interested party in the case.
Khamala argues that the PPDT, chaired by Innocent Muganda, erred in dismissing his complaint concerning the planned conference and other decisions allegedly made without adequate involvement of registered party members.
He has also challenged the tribunal’s finding that the party leadership was properly constituted to facilitate the change of the party’s name from The Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
According to Khamala, the process was undertaken without sufficient consultation or consideration of the views of party members.
He is further contesting the tribunal’s finding that nominations conducted by the Linda Mwananchi Movement on October 30, 2026, were conducted in a proper and procedural manner.
Through his lawyer, Danstan Omari, Khamala wants the High Court to allow his appeal, set aside the PPDT decision and issue interim orders stopping the planned National Delegates Conference.
The case now moves to the next stage on November 16, when the High Court is expected to consider the application and give further directions.
