Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the launch of The Equitable Party (TEP) on October 4 / HANDOUTFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has backed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s new political party, urging him to move quickly to build the outfit and identify candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gachagua congratulated Sifuna after he unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) on Sunday and was formally presented as its leader and preferred presidential candidate.
In a message following the launch, Gachagua described Sifuna’s new party as the beginning of his journey towards national leadership and encouraged his supporters to rally behind the new outfit.
“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today. Democracy must prevail,” Gachagua said.
The former DP said those who had attempted to stop Sifuna’s political ambitions had failed, adding that the senator should now concentrate on building the party.
“To those who thought they could stop an idea whose time had come, we are sorry. Your time is up!” he said.
Gachagua urged Sifuna to identify candidates in areas where he has support.
“I encourage you to move with speed to market your new party and identify strong aspirants in your stronghold,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua further linked Sifuna’s political project to the broader opposition effort to challenge President William Ruto’s administration in the 2027 elections.
“I appeal to all those who support the candidature of Senator Edwin Sifuna to join his new party and back aspirants for the various positions under the party,” he said.
Gachagua said the formation of strong political parties would be important in shaping the country’s democratic future.
He also said the emergence of Sifuna’s party had given greater definition to efforts to form what he described as the “sixth administration”, arguing that the political project would require a majority in both Houses of Parliament to implement its legislative agenda.
“I am very encouraged that the journey to form the 6th Administration is becoming more defined, as we need a majority of Members of Parliament in the two Houses to prosecute our legislative agenda,” Gachagua said.
His endorsement came hours after Sifuna formally unveiled TEP as his political vehicle for the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s launch marked a new phase in Sifuna’s political journey after months of uncertainty over the vehicle he would use to pursue his presidential ambitions.
TEP party leader Gilbert Marava said the party had agreed to restructure its leadership to accommodate Sifuna and his supporters, with Sifuna set to take over as party leader and seek the presidency on its ticket.
The party was registered in March 2022 and has the slogan “Tusawazishe”. Its leadership has now agreed to restructure the outfit around Sifuna’s political project.
Sifuna’s move follows a prolonged fallout with the Orange Democratic Movement, where he previously served as secretary-general.
In July, he signalled his intention to leave ODM and seek a new political vehicle for his 2027 ambitions after being removed as secretary-general and stripped of his Senate leadership position.
He subsequently built his national profile through the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has brought together several opposition leaders and politicians.
Sifuna’s new party now gives him a formal political platform as he seeks to build a national campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
The development also adds another political vehicle to an opposition landscape already marked by several leaders positioning themselves for the next presidential contest.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for Citizens Party, has meanwhile been involved in efforts to bring opposition leaders together, including through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Gachagua said there would be no “escape route” for the Ruto administration, describing the coming political contest as “WANTAM and Round ONE”.
