Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is today expected to name some members of the party’s national leadership, establish campaign structures and open up Linda Mwananchi to aspirants seeking its ticket. This will come as he unveils the political group’s national headquarters and presidential campaign command centre, in a move aimed at turning his 2027 presidential ambitions into an organised political machine. The movement has secured new offices in Lavington, Nairobi, as it completes the rebranding of The Equitable Party (TEP), the political vehicle acquired by Mr Sifuna and his allies following his fallout with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The launch will mark a new phase in the movement’s preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election with Sifuna expected to unveil a section of the party’s national leadership, establish campaign structures and open the outfit to aspirants seeking its ticket. The Daily Nation has established that the movement will announce a partial list of national officials, leaving room for the incorporation of politicians expected to join the outfit in the coming months. Sources in the movement said it is positioning itself to attract defections from established political parties as the opposition reconfigures ahead of the next election.
In September, the movement settled on Mr Sifuna as its party leader and preferred presidential candidate. He is expected to be formally unveiled in that capacity during today’s event. Among the politicians tipped for key positions are Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and Pauline Njoroge, who was recently appointed the movement’s head of communications.
The launch comes amid signs of fragmentation within the broader Linda Mwananchi camp, with some of its prominent figures opting to pursue separate political vehicles. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, both key figures in the movement, have chosen to establish their own parties. Mr Owino acquired the Muungano Party for rebranding as The Mwananchi Party, while Mr Orengo has launched the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a party formerly associated with the late opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Against this backdrop, Mr Sifuna’s team is seeking to establish a formal party structure capable of managing nominations, mobilising campaign resources and negotiating alliances with other opposition formations. The Daily Nation has learnt that the movement has scheduled its National Delegates Convention (NDC) for November 13 to complete the rebranding process and ratify changes to the party’s leadership. The convention is also expected to consider policy decisions, including possible pre-election coalition agreements with other opposition parties.
Today’s launch will include the unveiling of standing committees, among them the National Elections Board (NEB), which will oversee party primaries, and a resource mobilisation committee tasked with raising campaign funds. The movement is also preparing to open an online platform through which aspirants can apply to run on its ticket, following a model used by established parties, including the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), ODM and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo and Bumula MP Jack Wamboka confirmed some of the plans. The movement intends to establish offices across all 47 counties by December as it builds its national campaign network. The launch would be followed by a series of political activities, including a major rally in Kwale County on Saturday. The movement has also invited opposition leaders to today’s event as it seeks to demonstrate its readiness to engage other parties in the search for a joint candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
Key points
- Edwin Sifuna set to unveil Linda Mwananchi's national leadership and campaign structures
- The movement aims to attract defections from established parties ahead of the 2027 election
- Sifuna's presidential bid gains traction with 15% support in a recent survey
