Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been unveiled as the leader and presidential candidate of The Equitable Party (TEP), giving his 2027 presidential ambitions a formal political vehicle as opposition leaders continue to position themselves ahead of the General Election.

Sifuna was unveiled on Sunday, October 4, at a political gathering in Nairobi attended by leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

TEP is not a newly registered party

Despite being described publicly as Sifuna's new political vehicle, The Equitable Party is an existing registered political party.

Records maintained by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) show that TEP was registered on March 25, 2022, under certificate serial number 100.

The party was previously associated with economist Gilbert Marava Shanga, who said during Sunday's unveiling that the party had agreed to restructure its leadership to accommodate Sifuna and members of his political network.

The development therefore represents a restructuring of an existing party rather than the registration of an entirely new political party.

Sifuna's presidential bid

At the unveiling, Sifuna said the party would pursue what he described as people-centred leadership, equal opportunity and greater accountability in government.

He said TEP would provide a political platform through which citizens could raise concerns and participate in democratic processes. Sifuna also said the party's approach would be based on consultation and accountability.

The senator's presidential bid has received public backing from several politicians within the Linda Mwananchi camp. Among them is Siaya Governor James Orengo, who endorsed Sifuna during the party's unveiling.

The party's branding features green and yellow, with scales of justice as its central symbol.

Planned Linda Mwananchi rebranding

The choice of TEP comes against the backdrop of Sifuna's efforts to establish Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) as a political party.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved reservation of the Linda Mwananchi name for up to 90 days following a ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal. The tribunal had directed the Registrar to reconsider an earlier decision that had prevented the movement from reserving the name.

Sifuna has subsequently said that his team intends to seek the rebranding of TEP to Linda Mwananchi Movement. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has also said the party is expected to take on the Linda Mwananchi identity.

However, reservation of the Linda Mwananchi name does not by itself amount to full registration of a new political party. The movement would still have to complete the applicable registration process.

Another formation in the 2027 opposition landscape

Sifuna's adoption of TEP adds another political formation to an opposition landscape in which several leaders are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

The launch has brought together politicians from different parts of the country, but it also comes as opposition figures continue discussions over possible cooperation and the prospect of rallying behind a single presidential candidate.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka told The Eastleigh Voice that the establishment of Sifuna's political vehicle could accelerate discussions within the opposition on selecting a presidential candidate.

For now, TEP remains the registered party through which Sifuna has been unveiled as a presidential candidate, while his political team pursues the proposed Linda Mwananchi rebranding.

The development marks a significant step in Sifuna's transition from opposition politics within established parties to a direct presidential campaign of his own ahead of the 2027 General Election

Edwin Sifuna addressing a crowd | Photo: X/@edwinsifuna