Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is under immense political pressure as he races against time to secure a party through which he can mount his 2027 presidential bid, while navigating competing ambitions within the Linda Mwananchi movement and the broader opposition.
His immediate challenge is to secure an election vehicle for the August 10, 2027 General Election and turn the popularity and visibility of Linda Mwananchi into a formal political outfit.
But the party question has become complicated by legal disputes over the movement’s popular brand, rival political interests and a growing power struggle within his camp.
Mr Sifuna’s team is currently before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), seeking to reclaim the popular “Linda” brand after it was reserved by another applicant.
At the same time, some opposition forces are pushing for him to deputise Wiper Patriotic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka in a challenge to President William Ruto.
Within Linda Mwananchi, however, Mr Sifuna has been forced to confront competing political ambitions that threaten to fracture the movement before it settles on its 2027 strategy.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, a key player in the movement, has registered The Mwananchi Party (TMP) for his governorship bid. His decision to have his own party has been linked to political mistrust within the camp, where leaders are also divided over who should wield ultimate authority in the movement.
Malala: Registrar of Political Parties is frustrating Sifuna bid to register party
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has also left the camp and subsequently formed the People’s Renaissance Movement (PM).
The fragmentation risks complicating the movement’s efforts to present a united front in coalition talks with other opposition partners as it seeks to build a broader political force ahead of 2027.
Mr Sifuna has also found himself in a dispute with Mr Musyoka after the latter unveiled The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA), having successfully reserved the name with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
The ORPP has since rejected Mr Sifuna’s camp’s request to rebrand the United Democratic Party (UDP) as the Ukombozi People’s Party (UPP), arguing that the proposed name resembles The Ukombozi Alliance.
The Linda Mwananchi team has indicated that it could challenge the decision in court, a move likely to further strain relations between Mr Sifuna and Mr Musyoka.
Wiper Patriotic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Photo credit: Nation
Despite the setbacks, Mr Sifuna’s allies insist they have settled on an alternative party that will be unveiled on October 3.
Multiple interviews with his allies indicate that the party will have its headquarters in Westlands, Nairobi County.
The movement is racing against a series of electoral timelines set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), including an October 15 deadline for parties intending to participate in the 2027 election to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised officials.
The commission has also set October 30 as the deadline for certification of party nomination rules, with the certified rules due at IEBC by November 6.
But Linda Mwananchi leaders have played down the October 15 deadline, arguing that the critical statutory requirement is for a candidate to belong to a political party at least six months before the election.
“This issue about the party is one of the narratives being generated by this government. When they talk about timeframes, who told you that you must have a party by October 15? It is not in law,” claimed Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.
He described the October requirement as a normal process between political parties and the Registrar of Political Parties, saying it had no direct implication on the election.
“It is not tied to owning a party or belonging to a party. The most crucial date is February 2027, which is a statutory date that you must belong to a party, at least six months to the elections,” he said.
“I have said it clearly that within two weeks, Sifuna is going to make it public to Kenyans which party he is going to run. It could be among those being mentioned, or a totally new one,” he said.
The party is scheduled to be officially launched on October 3, with further details expected to be revealed before Monday.
Sifuna to unveil new party in October
On Wednesday, Nation learnt that Mr Sifuna’s allies led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya held a five-hour meeting in Kitale during which they reportedly agreed on a party to be used for the senator’s presidential campaign.
The meeting brought together, among others, Mr Natembeya, Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga.
The leaders are said to have agreed to abandon plans involving the Ukombozi People’s Party, whose registration and rebranding they said had been frustrated by the Registrar of Political Parties.
“We have been frustrated but that is not the end of the road. The launch of our party remains on course and we have settled on a party which will shock even our competitors. If they think they can use the issue of the party to frustrate Sifuna, then they are wrong. We have already settled on a party and it will be launched as planned,” Mr Natembeya said.
Mr Sifuna’s outspoken and combative style has helped him gain national prominence, particularly among younger voters, even as he positions himself as one of the most vocal opponents of the broad-based government arrangement.
Trans-Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
His hardline opposition to the political deal between President Ruto and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga helped propel the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has become the vehicle for his growing political ambitions.
A July Trends and Insights For Africa (Tifa) survey indicated that Mr Sifuna’s support stood at 15 per cent among respondents when asked about a possible presidential race, compared with 24 per cent for President Ruto.
The survey also found that 74 per cent of ODM supporters identified with the Linda Mwananchi grouping, compared with 20 per cent who aligned with Linda Ground.
His allies have interpreted his growing profile as evidence of an emerging presidential campaign and accused unnamed forces of trying to frustrate his bid.
“As it stands today Sifuna’s ranking is above William Ruto. Kalonzo doesn’t merit to be Sifuna’s deputy. The only person we are going to discuss with is Gachagua and his team. We are going to get Sifuna’s running mate from Mount Kenya,” said Mr Kalasinga.
He also accused Mr Musyoka of attempting to frustrate Mr Sifuna’s presidential ambitions over the Ukombozi party dispute.
Apart from the Ukombozi People’s Party, the United Patriotic Movement (UPM), associated with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has also featured prominently in political circles as one of the possible parties Mr Sifuna could contest on.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (right) and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during a past rally Nairobi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
According to records from the ORPP, UPM obtained full registration on June 25, 2026.
Mr Natembeya, however, dismissed the reports, saying the team had settled on an outfit with a national outlook to propel Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid.
“That is not an option for us, but let it be known that we applied for the registration of the Ukombozi People’s Party way back in March and the Registrar of Political Parties is just playing games. We know who is involved, but you can’t use a party to curtail Mr Sifuna’s bid,” he said.
The governor also criticised Siaya Governor James Orengo and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who are associated with the Linda Mwananchi camp but have also been leaning towards the Azimio camp, which secured the Ukombozi name.
“Why would you be in Azimio and at the same time be Linda Mwananchi? We have not joined Azimio, and even ODM had left Azimio, so on what grounds are they still associating with the coalition? I think there are some people who are not with us, but we want to tell them Sifuna will not give in on his bid,” he said.
Mr Natembeya has himself been at the centre of controversy within Linda Mwananchi, with critics accusing him of creating a wedge between leaders in the movement. He has dismissed the allegations.
“When we plan our issues as a community to give Mr Sifuna solid backing, we are questioned and told that we want to make him a tribal leader. When others rally in their regions, nobody says anything. As people from this region, we shall ensure we are united and support Sifuna up to the ballot,” he said.
With the Mwananchi Party and Ukombozi options off the table, Mr Natembeya urged supporters to wait for the official launch.
Mr Wamboka said the movement would hold a presidential launch at the party’s new headquarters in Westlands on October 3.
“We will be putting in structures ahead of the launch because we are sure of the candidate who is Sifuna.Those claiming Sifuna will deputise Kalonzo are joking. It is a narrative being peddled by those who fear competition. Let Kalonzo concentrate on his campaigns,” he added.
Mr Wamboka also revealed that talks were ongoing with the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a possible alliance ahead of the election.
“Kalonzo has sat by himself, listened to himself and imagined Sifuna can be his deputy. That is his problem and we have no agreement with him,” he said.
Funyula MP Oundo Midenyo said attempts to derail Mr Sifuna’s presidential bid would not succeed and that the movement would have a party by Monday next week.
“We have lost the Ukombozi Party but even if your child dies you continue living and that is what we are going to do. There are very many parties so we are not worried. I want to assure our supporters that the new party will still have a Linda Mwananchi logo and also its colours. We have not given up at all,” Mr Oundo said.
The legislator also said the appearance of Mr Orengo and Mr Omondi at the Azimio meeting where the Ukombozi Coalition was launched did not concern them.
“Linda Mwananchi will never be part of Azimio and Edwin Sifuna remains our presidential candidate. There will be no nomination for Orengo because we have decided our candidate is Sifuna,” he said.
“Orengo can take whatever role in Azimio but in Linda Mwananchi we discuss matters first before making them public. So when Caroli and Orengo attended the Azimio meeting, what happened there is not part of Linda Mwananchi and we are not part of Azimio,” he added.
