Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has formally adopted The Equitable Party as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi Movement, launching the new chapter in Nairobi on October 4, 2026. Sifuna framed the launch as a response to what he described as the seizure of ODM by regressive forces following the death of former party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025. He said efforts to persuade former comrades from within had failed, leaving the movement with no option but to find a new home.
Sifuna cited the capture of ODM by forces of 'impunity and regression' as the reason the movement had to seek a new party. He announced plans to rebrand The Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM), crediting the founders of the party, Dr. Shanga and Dr. Eunice Juma, as well as outgoing chairperson Kari Karani, for making the vehicle available. Sifuna expressed gratitude to the founders and the party's members for their efforts in building the brand.
The senator warned that if fresh obstacles were placed in the path of the rebranding process, the party would contest the 2027 General Election under its current name. He emphasized that The Equitable Party does not claim to have a magic solution to Kenya's problems but intends to provide a platform for concerns to be heard and addressed through democratic institutions and within the law. Sifuna outlined his vision for a Kenya where leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege.
Kenyans wishing to register with the party were directed to dial *509# and select party code 100. The party had reportedly registered 600,000 members within two hours before the Registrar of Political Parties allegedly halted the process. Sifuna extended gratitude to several political figures who worked behind the scenes to make the launch possible, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya.
Sifuna outlined the policy direction the movement intends to take into the 2027 election, citing figures from a team of experts preparing the party's platform. He claimed that between KSh 500 billion and KSh 1.8 trillion constitutes "budgeted corruption," money set aside to enrich those in power. Eliminating this wastage could enable the government to scrap the housing levy, VAT on fuel, and electricity levies while achieving a balanced budget within 15 months.
The senator cited KSh 2 billion lost to corruption daily, a KSh 1.1 trillion budget deficit, and approximately KSh 13 trillion in public debt as evidence of systemic failure under the current administration. He described these numbers as representing the pain and suffering of ordinary Kenyans masked in greed, indifference, and leadership failure. Sifuna emphasized that his generation must put a stop to this.
In related news, Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale advised Sifuna to seek alliances with veteran politicians in the opposition as he pursues a 2027 presidential bid. Khalwale acknowledged that despite Sifuna's brilliance, he cannot walk to the poll alone and win. The senator also claimed opposition figures registered decoy parties to mislead President William Ruto, who reportedly attempted to block the registration process.
Key points
- Edwin Sifuna adopts The Equitable Party as the Linda Mwananchi Movement's vehicle.
- Sifuna cites ODM's capture by regressive forces as the reason for seeking a new party.
- The party aims to provide a platform for concerns to be heard and addressed through democratic institutions.
