Gachagua Backs Sifuna’s New Party, Calls for Push Against Ruto Allies

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has backed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna after he was unveiled as the leader and preferred presidential candidate of The Equitable Party (TEP). Gachagua congratulated Sifuna following Sunday’s launch and urged him to move quickly to build the party, recruit candidates and strengthen its presence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua tells Sifuna to build the party quickly

In a message posted after the launch, Gachagua referred to Sifuna as his cousin and described the formation of the new political vehicle as the beginning of the senator’s journey towards national leadership.

“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today.”

Gachagua then called on Sifuna to move quickly to popularise TEP and identify strong candidates in areas where the senator has political support.

He said the party should be used to challenge politicians he accused of being aligned with President William Ruto’s administration.

Gachagua’s comments were independently reported by The Star, Capital FM and Pulse Kenya after his social media post.

He wants a stronger opposition presence in Parliament

Gachagua also linked Sifuna’s new party to the wider opposition effort ahead of the 2027 election.

He said supporters of Sifuna should join the party and back its candidates for different elective positions.

The former deputy president argued that the opposition would need strong numbers in both the National Assembly and Senate to push its legislative agenda.

He also used his message to attack the Ruto administration, describing it in highly critical terms and declaring that there would be “no escape route” for the government.

Those descriptions are Gachagua’s political characterisations and are not presented as established facts.

Sifuna’s new political home

Sifuna unveiled The Equitable Party in Nairobi on Sunday, October 4, taking over its leadership as he prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.

Party leader Gilbert Marava said the outfit had restructured its leadership to accommodate Sifuna and his supporters. Sifuna was subsequently presented as the party’s preferred presidential candidate.

Several opposition figures attended the launch, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

The Equitable Party is not a newly registered party. It was registered in 2022 and is now being used as the political vehicle for Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Party could soon get a new name

There is another important detail surrounding Sifuna’s new political vehicle.

Sifuna and his allies have announced plans to rename The Equitable Party Linda Mwananchi Movement.

The move follows a legal dispute over the Linda Mwananchi name. The Registrar of Political Parties approved reservation of the name on October 1 after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal overturned an earlier decision that had blocked the reservation.

Sifuna said the party would seek the name change in the coming days, although he indicated that TEP could retain its current name if the rebranding process faced further obstacles.

So, for now, The Equitable Party remains the formal political vehicle, while the proposed Linda Mwananchi rebrand is still being pursued.

Gachagua and Sifuna have been getting closer

Gachagua’s latest message is also consistent with his recent public support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.

In September, Gachagua said he was even willing to deputise Sifuna if opposition leaders eventually agreed that the senator should lead their ticket. He also said the opposition should be prepared to set aside individual ambitions if necessary to unite behind one candidate.

For now, however, Sifuna has his own political vehicle and has been formally presented as its presidential candidate.

The bigger question is how TEP will fit into the wider opposition arrangements as different leaders and parties position themselves for the 2027 election. The Star reported that the launch adds another political party to an opposition field already made up of several competing formations.

Sifuna now has a formal party through which he can organise his 2027 presidential campaign, while Gachagua’s public endorsement adds another significant voice to his growing political coalition. But with several opposition leaders still pursuing their own political vehicles and ambitions, how they eventually organise themselves remains unsettled.