Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addressing a Linda Mwananchi rally at Mazembe Grounds in Nakuru City on April 19, 2026.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is set to lead a mass exit from the ODM party as Luhya leaders allied to Linda Mwananchi resolved to front him for the 2027 presidential contest through a new outfit.
The politicians announced their intention to unveil a new political party, signalling a plan by Mr Sifuna to end the ongoing legal battle to remain as ODM secretary-general. The move threatens to cause a mass exodus from ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The resolutions were made on Sunday during a meeting hosted by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and attended by Mr Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami, among other leaders.
Mr Osotsi told the Nation that the faction was still considering the idea of registering Linda Mwananchi even after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) in March rejected its registration, citing resemblance to an existing slogan – Linda Mkenya, Boresha Kenya – and public interest.
Should they settle on the name, Mr Osotsi said, they will have no option but to challenge the decision by Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou, saying it has no legal backing.
The Vihiga senator also clarified that the new party to be unveiled would be for all politicians allied to the Linda Mwananchi camp.
The resolutions mark the beginning of major political realignments that will see top politicians ditch their current parties for new election vehicles in the run-up to next year’s elections.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna address a Linda Mwananchi politcal rally at Mazembe Grounds in Nakuru City on April 19, 2026.
Within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is the latest to quit the outfit after Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata announced he would not defend his seat on the party’s ticket. Mr Nyoro and Mr Kang’ata are just a few top politicians from Mt Kenya who have abandoned UDA amid perceived voter hostility against President William Ruto’s administration.
Linda Mwananchi has lined up two major rallies in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma on July 25 and 26, respectively, to roll out its election plan, which includes public endorsement of Mr Sifuna and a launch of grassroots campaigns in all the 38 constituencies in the region.
Mr Sifuna is expected to be installed as the region’s kingpin and blessed by elders to seek the presidency in 2027 during the Bungoma rally that will double up as his homecoming.
The leaders named Mr Natembeya as the Western region’s spokesperson in coordinating Mr Sifuna’s presidential campaigns.
“Our resolution is that Mr Sifuna will contest the presidency in 2027. Soon, we shall announce the party we will use to seek the presidency,” said Mr Natembeya.
“We are going to launch vigorous grassroots campaigns in all 38 constituencies in Western Kenya to mobilise our people to register as voters and support our political agenda,” added the governor.
Mr Osotsi said the Western region has in the past been divided for the benefit of external forces, declaring that “the time has come for us to fight for our political space, especially the presidency”.
Linda Mwananchi also has Siaya Governor James Orengo and MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba). Others are Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Kaiti MP Joshua Kimili.
Mr Natembeya told the Nation he remains the go-to person for both the Linda Mwananchi and the United Opposition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the region. But Mr Osotsi said the governor would be formally joining Linda Mwananchi on July 25.
“Linda Mwananchi haven’t held their rallies in Trans Nzoia, and that is why I will play host to them because I’m the pointman of both United Opposition and Linda Mwananchi camps here in Western,” said Mr Natembeya.
He added: “We have decided to seek leadership of this country even as we look for one candidate from both the opposition and Linda Mwananchi to face President Ruto next year.”
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo (ODM) said that in the event they are unable to register a new party within the remaining period, they will acquire an already registered outfit.
He said their decision to trigger a mass exodus from ODM is because of their differences with the Dr Oburu Oginga-led camp. Dr Oginga and his allies have declared support for President Ruto’s bid for a second term.
“As we speak now, Linda Mwananchi is not a political party, and it may be impossible to have it registered as such because of time,” said Mr Oundo. “We are unanimous as Western that we want our votes as a community in one basket.”
While it remains unclear which existing outfit the camp may opt for in the event it fails to register a new party, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale recently confirmed his links to the newly registered United Patriotic Movement (UPM).
According to the ORPP, the new outfit has met all the requirements and is awaiting full registration.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga (centre), Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (right) and other opposition leaders acknowledge greetings from members of the public during a women empowerment program in Mosocho, Kisii County on July 3, 2026.
“UPM is a national party and will have the who-is-who in the political space in this country who is advancing the one-term agenda. Exciting times are coming, and this is the party of the future, not only in Western, but nationally. That is why I can confirm I’m associated with it,” said Dr Khalwale.
On whether it would be the new home for Linda Mwananchi leaders, Dr Khalwale said: “The official communication on this will be clear in the coming weeks, but our aspirations fall within the roadmap and timeline set out by the IEBC.”
Kenya has in the past witnessed major defections ahead of elections, with leaders shifting to new parties due to the fluid nature of politics. In the 2022 elections, Dr Ruto swept to power by winning the backing of the populous Mt Kenya. But that has since changed. Several leaders from the region have announced they will not run on his party’s ticket.
“The UDA party has abandoned Kenyans, and that is the reason all of us moved away from the governing party. All of us have left the party,” said Mr Nyoro at the weekend.
In the run-up to the 2022 contest, Mr Nyoro was one of the names Dr Ruto floated as a possible running mate. The MP, who served as the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee chairperson before falling out with Dr Ruto, has since become one of the fiercest critics of the administration.
“There is no more person on top of a wheelbarrow or taking a wheelbarrow anywhere, here in our place, even across the country,” he said, referring to the UDA party’s symbol.
He said the question being asked in the region is not about whether to back UDA in 2027, but about charting a new political path with the people.
“So, the decision we are making is not about whether to support a wheelbarrow or not or where. That decision was made a long time ago. A leader must never make such an important decision because they are being pushed. Kenyans must be at the centre of every political decision we make,” said the MP.
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Additional reporting by Cecil Odongo
