Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has thrown his political weight behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna following the unveiling of The Equitable Party, urging the new outfit to move quickly and build a formidable political force ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua congratulated Sifuna after the party was unveiled in Nairobi on Sunday, October 4, describing the development as an important step in the senator’s journey toward national leadership.
In a message directed at Sifuna, whom he referred to as his cousin, Gachagua said:
“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today. Democracy must prevail.”
The former deputy president went further, encouraging Sifuna to use the new political vehicle to strengthen his support base and recruit candidates capable of competing for elective positions across the country.
Gachagua wants major parliamentary shake-up
Gachagua’s backing comes with less than a year to Kenya’s 2027 General Election, as opposition figures seek to reorganise themselves following significant changes within the country’s political landscape.
According to Gachagua, the immediate task should be to build enough political strength to secure a majority in both the National Assembly and Senate.
He urged Sifuna and his allies to identify and support candidates who can challenge politicians aligned with President William Ruto’s administration.
The former DP accused government-aligned legislators of failing to represent the interests of their voters and called for them to be replaced at the ballot.
Gachagua’s intervention gives Sifuna’s new political vehicle an additional boost as it seeks to transform the growing Linda Mwananchi movement into a nationwide electoral machine.
Sifuna settles on Equitable Party
Sifuna’s political vehicle has emerged after months of uncertainty over which party would carry his 2027 presidential ambitions.
On Sunday, the Nairobi senator formally adopted The Equitable Party as the political vehicle for the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
He explained that the decision followed difficulties within the political establishment he had previously been associated with, arguing that the movement had been forced to seek a new political home.
Sifuna also announced plans to eventually rename The Equitable Party to Linda Mwananchi Movement, saying the movement’s supporters had built its identity and brand over time.
“We launched this new vessel today only because the house in which Baba left us was captured by the forces of impunity and regression,” Sifuna said.
The senator’s remarks were made against the backdrop of continuing political realignments following the death of former ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025.
Linda Mwananchi gets legal breakthrough
Sifuna’s camp had faced a major hurdle after its initial attempt to secure the Linda Mwananchi name encountered resistance from the Registrar of Political Parties.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal later overturned the registrar’s earlier decision, paving the way for the name to be reserved.
The Registrar subsequently approved the reservation of Linda Mwananchi Movement for 90 days, although the reservation itself did not automatically mean that the movement had become a fully registered political party.
The development allowed Sifuna’s allies to proceed with their political plans while using an existing party as their immediate electoral vehicle.
Sifuna named 2027 presidential candidate
The political movement had already settled on Sifuna as its presidential candidate following a leadership retreat in September.
Leaders including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale agreed that Sifuna would lead the movement and be its presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
The agreement also included plans to build alliances with like-minded political parties.
Babu has since publicly reaffirmed his support for Sifuna, declaring that he backs his presidential bid and urging supporters to remain united.
Gachagua’s opposition strategy
Gachagua’s endorsement adds another significant political voice to Sifuna’s emerging campaign.
Since leaving government, the former deputy president has increasingly positioned himself as part of the opposition’s broader effort to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration in 2027.
His latest message to Sifuna suggests that the battle will not only be about the presidency but also about controlling Parliament.
With the next election expected to produce intense competition for parliamentary seats, Gachagua wants the new political outfit to recruit strong candidates capable of competing in constituencies and counties where the opposition believes it has an advantage.
The former DP’s message therefore places Sifuna’s party at the centre of a wider effort to reorganise Kenya’s opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
For Sifuna, however, the immediate challenge remains turning the popularity of Linda Mwananchi into a functioning nationwide political organisation capable of competing effectively once Kenyans head to the ballot.
The emerging alliance will also have to navigate competing presidential ambitions and negotiations with other opposition formations as the 2027 political contest gathers momentum.
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