Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addressed journalists on Friday, October 9, defending his decision to stay in the Senate despite abandoning ODM's ticket for 2027. Sifuna invoked President William Ruto's own political history to rebut calls for him to vacate his seat and seek a fresh mandate. The senator recently launched The Equitable Party ahead of a presidential bid. He argued that mass resignations would trigger a costly wave of by-elections.
Sifuna pushed back against mounting pressure to vacate his seat, arguing that resigning ten months before the 2027 General Election would impose an unnecessary financial burden on the country. He drew a direct parallel with President William Ruto to make his case. Sifuna asked, "Ask William Ruto. When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? And we all understand that we have to prepare for the next election."
The senator recently unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as his political vehicle for 2027, through which he intends to contest the presidency. He is among the leading figures in the Linda Mwananchi faction, a grouping of ODM rebels who have declined to back Ruto's re-election campaign. Despite his new political direction, Sifuna maintained that he remains a card-carrying member of ODM.
Sifuna described his position as a five-year contract with Nairobi residents, one he intends to honour. "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 now is in the hands of William Ruto. Where is the problem with that?" he posed.
He added that he would formally exit ODM closer to the General Election. On the question of his Senate seat, Sifuna argued that a wave of resignations from legislators in his position would amount to a mini general election at public expense. "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?"
Sifuna also accused critics of applying a selective standard, noting that politicians from UDA had similarly crossed to other parties without facing comparable scrutiny. "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 contended that he no longer has any viable political space within ODM given the party's current alignment.
His remarks come as Kenya's political landscape shifts significantly ahead of the 2027 contest. Sifuna's decision to stay in the Senate and launch a new party has sparked debate among politicians and residents. The issue of by-elections and their costs is likely to remain a contentious topic in the coming months.
Key points
- Edwin Sifuna will not resign from his Senate seat to seek re-election on The Equitable Party ticket.
- Sifuna cites the financial burden of by-elections as a reason for not resigning.
- The senator remains a member of ODM but will not run on the party's ticket in 2027.
