Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has congratulated Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on launching The Equitable Party (TEP), while urging him to move quickly to build the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sifuna was formally presented as TEP’s leader and preferred presidential candidate during the party’s launch on Sunday, marking a new stage in his bid for the presidency.
In a message after the launch, Gachagua encouraged Sifuna to focus on expanding the party and recruiting candidates in areas where he has political support.
“I encourage you to move with speed to market your new party and identify strong aspirants in your stronghold,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua backs Sifuna’s political bid
Gachagua described the launch as an important step in Sifuna’s political journey and urged his supporters to join the new party.
“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today. Democracy must prevail,” he said.
He also suggested that attempts to derail Sifuna’s presidential ambitions had failed.
“To those who thought they could stop an idea whose time had come, we are sorry. Your time is up!” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president linked Sifuna’s political project to wider opposition efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
He called on Sifuna’s supporters to join TEP and support its candidates for different elective positions.
Sifuna takes over TEP
TEP party leader Gilbert Marava said the party had agreed to restructure its leadership to accommodate Sifuna and his supporters.
The party, which was registered in March 2022, uses the slogan “Tusawazishe”. Its leadership has now agreed to reorganise the party around Sifuna’s political ambitions.
Sifuna’s move follows months of political tension within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where he previously served as secretary-general.
In July, he indicated that he would seek a new political vehicle after losing his position as ODM secretary-general and being removed from his Senate leadership role.
He later built the Linda Mwananchi movement, bringing together several opposition figures as he sought to broaden his political base.
Gachagua calls for parliamentary majority
Gachagua said the emergence of TEP had given greater definition to efforts to build what he called the “sixth administration”.
He argued that any political alliance seeking to form the next government would need a majority in both the National Assembly and Senate to advance its legislative programme.
“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,” he said.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for Citizens Party, has also been involved in efforts to bring opposition leaders together through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
With Sifuna now having a formal party platform, the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 election is gaining another political vehicle as several leaders position themselves for the presidential contest.
About the Author
