The Linda Mwananchi Movement Party leader Edwin Sifuna has moved to consolidate his place in the opposition by laying the groundwork for his 2027 presidential ambitions by unveiling a proposed national leadership team and announcing plans to establish party offices across all 47 counties in a bid to transform the outfit into a formidable political machine.
On Friday, the Nairobi Senator assembled leading opposition figures at the launch of his political vehicle in a show of political might, an event attended by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka , Democracy for the Citizens Party’s (DCP) Rigathi Gachagua , Democracy Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) boss Eugene Wamalwa, among others.
Mr Musyoka, however, had to contend with Mr Sifuna's restless supporters, who appeared unwilling to entertain the possibility of the senator shelving his presidential ambitions to become another leader's deputy.
At some point, Mr Sifuna had to intervene to persuade his supporters to allow the Wiper Party leader to finish his speech following persistent heckling.
Crowd heckles Kalonzo during Linda Mwananchi Movement party launch
Keen to underline the urgency of his bid, Mr Sifuna announced that his newly formed party would convene a National Delegates Convention (NDC) within two weeks to install him as its presidential candidate, signalling that he intends to enter the opposition succession debate as a contender rather than wait for negotiations among established political leaders.
The announcement, coupled with the unveiling of a proposed national leadership team, marks a new phase in Mr Sifuna's political journey, shifting from the street-level mobilisation that has defined the Linda Mwananchi movement to the more demanding task of building a national political organisation capable of competing for power.
His strategy focuses on establishing a foothold in all 47 counties and consolidating support in regions historically associated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), where the senator hopes to inherit part of the party's grassroots political machinery.
“We want now to go out and open offices across the 47 counties and open party offices. We will go to the rural areas and we are going to get started from the grassroots levels. We must have structures some people say that this cannot happen in such a short time. We are now getting started,” he said.
Mr Sifuna sought to dispel doubts about the movement's ability to establish a nationwide political network saying that his experience as ODM Secretary-General had given him a head start, claiming that he already had county chairpersons in 38 counties.
The new outfit, he said, would draw heavily from the grassroots structures he had helped build during his tenure at ODM.
“People forget that I was the Secretary-General of a national party. We already have 38 party chairpersons. We said we will leave with the ODM party, the doors, the windows and everything from the party,” he said.
His launch follows months of disagreements within the party over its political direction and relationship with President William Ruto's administration.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal in September upheld his removal as Secretary-General, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure in the position.
The proposed leadership structure will be headed by Mr Sifuna as party leader, with four deputy party leader positions intended to accommodate leaders from different regions.
The decision to reserve leadership positions for the Coast region also suggests an effort to ensure the outfit is not perceived as a political organisation dominated by a few regions.
Those identified for the deputy party leadership positions include former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo.
The arrangement points to an effort to bring together political figures from different parts of the country as the movement seeks to establish a national identity and broaden its regional appeal.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has been proposed as national chairperson, deputised by former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, while Suba South MP Caroli Omondi is lined up for the position of Secretary-General, with Pauline Njoroge as her deputy. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has been proposed as national treasurer, with Abigail Gikonyo as his deputy.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna (right) with DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua during the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement national secretariat in Nairobi on October 30, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The structure also appears to target Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka's political base, particularly in Lower Eastern and the Coast, where Wiper has traditionally maintained a strong presence.
The presence of Mavoko MP Makau in the proposed deputy party leadership and recognising the support of Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, both associated with Wiper, seeks to draw the politicians from the Wiper leader's political network into his new outfit.
Mr Mwashako is also listed as Wiper's Deputy Secretary-General, making his association with the emerging movement particularly significant.
The appointments could complicate Mr Musyoka's efforts to retain his political lieutenants as opposition formations position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
But perhaps the most significant appointment in the new structure is that of Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, who has been proposed to chair the Board of Trustees and lead the presidential campaign, with Ms Odhiambo serving as his deputy.
Mr Sifuna also used the launch to outline the political and economic message he intends to take to voters, anchoring it on constitutionalism, human rights, accountability and the cost of living.
He portrayed the Ruto administration as one that had reversed constitutional gains, accusing it of prioritising political interests and extravagant government expenditure over the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.
He promised that a Linda Mwananchi government would devote its first 100 days to reducing wasteful expenditure, particularly at State House, and redirecting resources towards public services.
"How come that nurses are on strike for 45 days asking for Sh1.8 billion yet State House is spending Sh12 billion on tea and mandazi?" he posed.
He said his administration would seek to cut Sh500 billion from the national budget, describing the expenditure as budgeted corruption, and use the savings to ease the financial burden on households.
He also promised to abolish the fuel levy, electricity levy and housing levy, arguing that Kenyans were being subjected to an increasingly difficult cost of living.
He repeatedly returned to the Constitution, accusing the government of failing to protect fundamental rights, particularly the right to life, and invoking the death of Rex Masai during anti-government protests in 2024.
Linda Mwananchi Movement Party leader Edwin Sifuna (second right) with DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua (right), Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka (second left), LMM deputy party leader Faith Odhiambo at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi onOctober 30, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“Under our bill of rights, Honourable William Ruto , there is a reason way the right to life is the first right in the bill of rights. Because Honourable William Ruto, once you have closed your eyes permanently, the way you close the eyes of Rex Maasai permanently, you cannot see Talanta Stadium. You can't see those shiny things of yours,” he said.
He argued that development projects and government spending could not be separated from the constitutional obligation to protect citizens.
"You cannot hide government contracts away from Kenyans. Those are national projects. When you are building a road, you are not building it on your piece of land. You are building on public land and you are using taxpayers' resources," he said.
He also promised greater transparency in public procurement and government contracts, insisting that public resources must be accounted for and that citizens should have access to information concerning projects undertaken in their name.
Both Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka indicated their willingness to support Mr Sifuna should he emerge as the opposition's presidential candidate, but maintained that the final decision would depend on consultations among opposition leaders.
Mr Gachagua, who has his own presidential ambitions, said he was prepared to support either Mr Sifuna or Mr Musyoka if one of them was selected to carry the opposition's flag.
Mr Musyoka similarly told supporters that Mr Sifuna could become Kenya's sixth president, while urging them to remain patient as the opposition works towards identifying a single candidate.
