Sifuna said he has dedicated October to establishing grassroots structures for the Equitable Party and completing work on its headquarters, insisting that coalition talks will come only after the groundwork is done.
The senator was responding to overtures from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), which is seeking to bring opposition forces together ahead of the next general election.
“My party right now is completing the rebranding process, we have IEBC and ORPP registrations to think about. Conversations about coalitions and alliances will come later,” Sifuna said when asked about Ukombozi Alliance’s invite.
He was speaking during a Friday media roundtable with journalists in Nairobi.
He disclosed that his party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met this week and submitted all the necessary documents for the proposed change of the party’s name to Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM).
The name change, he noted, is now awaiting approval from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The move signals Sifuna’s intention to establish an independent political base as opposition leaders manoeuvre to shape alliances and settle on a common strategy for challenging President William Ruto in 2027.
The senator also used the occasion to revisit his acrimonious departure from the Orange Democratic Movement, accusing President William Ruto of engineering his exit from the party.
Sifuna claimed the President was the one calling the shots in ODM including the directive to have him removed from the SG position for his reluctance to embrace the broad-based government arrangement.
“The only person to blame (for my removal) is William Ruto. They say give a man an inch and they take a mile,” Sifuna said.
“All decisions were undertaken on the directive of Ruto.”
He, at the same time, said he has forgiven all the ODM officials who played part in his ouster saying.
“Personally, I hold not grudges. I have forgiven all those who insulted me and I wish them well,” he stated.
He also rejected suggestions that Raila had lost confidence in him towards the sunset days of the former Prime Minister, citing an incident in which Raila insisted that he remain secretary general.
Sifuna said the decision came when he wanted to contest for the deputy party leader position left vacant after some ODM leaders joined the government.
He argued that Raila’s insistence on retaining him as secretary general contradicted claims that the two had fallen out during the former party leader's final days.
The Nairobi senator also maintained that Raila would have contested the 2027 presidential election had he lived, pointing to a meeting the ODM leader held with ‘party experts’ where, according to Sifuna, he expressed his intention to return to the ballot.
“I suspect and believe Baba would run in the 2027 elections. There was a meeting he convened and the ‘experts’ were present, at the particular meeting he said this (2027) is the best opportunity for ODM,” Sifuna narrated.
Sifuna, meanwhile, ruled out resigning from the Senate following his departure from ODM, saying he would continue representing Nairobi residents despite his political realignment.
He told those calling for resignation to abandon double speak arguing that many leaders have changed parties in the past without tendering their resignation.
“When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? It is hypocrisy that the question is only being asked on Sifuna.”
"We need to prepare for the next elections. If all of us who have decided we no longer are in ODM resign, where do you think that will leave the country? It will be like mini-elections.”
On policy, Sifuna placed the fight against wasteful public expenditure at the centre of his agenda, arguing that the government could unlock in excess of Sh500 billion by eliminating wastage in public office.
He said the savings could create room for lower taxation, presenting the proposed crackdown on waste as an alternative to placing a heavier financial burden on Kenyans.
“We will work on taxation, wastage in the public space and debt. By addressing wastage, we will be able to save Sh500 billion. When you do that, you can reduce taxation,” he said.
