Sifuna unveils TEP as Gachagua backs his 2027 presidential bid

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has formally unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as his political vehicle for the 2027 presidential election, receiving an endorsement from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as divisions persist within the opposition over the race to challenge President William Ruto.

Sifuna was presented as the party leader and preferred presidential candidate during TEP’s launch yesterday, Sunday, October 4, 2026, marking a major step in his transition from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politics to an independent presidential campaign.

He pledged to run the party with integrity, political decorum and accountability, promising to make people-centred leadership the foundation of his presidential bid.

“I want to assure you that I will not let you down,” Sifuna said.

He said TEP would champion equal opportunities, public participation and responsible governance, promising that the party would listen to citizens before making decisions and account for its actions.

“We believe in equal opportunities for everyone in this nation. We will listen before we speak, consult before we decide and explain policies and account all our actions,” he said.

Sifuna said his political project did not belong to him alone, but to Kenyans seeking an alternative to the country’s current political direction.

“I have no capacity on my own to create a movement, it belongs to all of you who have chosen the path of change,” he said.

The senator acknowledged that TEP would not offer instant solutions to Kenya’s problems, but said it would provide a democratic platform through which citizens could raise concerns and influence government policy.

“TEP does not come with a magic wand that will wipe away all our problems but we intend to provide a platform through which these concerns can be heard through democratic institutions,” he said.

Sifuna also sought to distinguish his economic agenda from what he described as “voodoo economics”, saying he had assembled experts to advise the party on governance and economic policy.

“They say that if we deal decisively with budgeted corruption it is possible to do away with Housing Levy and VAT on fuel and electricity,” he said.

“They assure me that these interventions will have an immediate impact on the cost of living and even unemployment crisis.”

His presidential bid received backing from a number of opposition figures, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Senators Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega).

“With Sifuna I have unqualified opinion that he is fit to be the President of Kenya and I will not change that position,” Orengo said.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also endorsed the senator’s new political vehicle, urging him to move quickly to establish a nationwide political network and identify candidates ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua congratulated Sifuna after the launch and described the new party as the beginning of his journey towards national leadership.

“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today. Democracy must prevail,” Gachagua said.

The former DP said attempts to derail Sifuna’s political ambitions had failed and challenged him to focus on building TEP.

“To those who thought they could stop an idea whose time had come, we are sorry. Your time is up!” he said.

Gachagua urged Sifuna to identify strong candidates in areas where he enjoys political support and encouraged his supporters to join TEP.

“I encourage you to move with speed to market your new party and identify strong aspirants in your stronghold,” he said.

“I appeal to all those who support the candidature of Senator Edwin Sifuna to join his new party and back aspirants for the various positions under the party.”

Gachagua linked the development to the wider opposition effort to unseat Ruto, saying the emergence of stronger political parties would be critical to the formation of what he termed the “sixth administration”.

“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.

TEP, however, is not a newly registered political outfit. Records at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties show that it was registered on March 25, 2022.

Party leader Gilbert Marava said the outfit had agreed to restructure its leadership to accommodate Sifuna and his supporters, effectively placing the party at the centre of the senator’s presidential campaign.

TEP’s slogan is “Tusawazishe”, while its logo carries green and yellow colours and the scales of justice. Its stated vision is to build an equitable, prosperous and modern nation in which citizens enjoy social, economic and democratic rights.

The party says its mission is to promote economic and social justice through equitable distribution of national resources while empowering individuals and communities to participate in development and nation-building.

Sifuna’s entry into TEP follows months of political uncertainty after his fallout with ODM, where he previously served as secretary-general.

In July, he signalled his intention to leave the party and seek a new political vehicle after being removed as secretary-general and stripped of his Senate leadership position. He subsequently used the Linda Mwananchi Movement to expand his national political profile and mobilise opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 election.

His supporters can join TEP by dialling *509#, using party code 100.

But even as Sifuna’s presidential machinery takes shape, questions over the wider opposition’s flag bearer remain unresolved.

Ndegwa Njiru, spokesperson for the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Party, has criticised what he considers a casual approach to selecting a single presidential candidate to face Ruto.

Njiru warned that the decision should be handled through a formal political process rather than informal consultations.

“A critical decision on the selection of the United Alternative Government’s flag bearer cannot be taken at a funeral,” Njiru said.

His remarks appeared to target discussions among opposition principals during the funeral of Martha Karua’s father in Kirinyaga, where political conversations reportedly turned towards the question of who should lead the opposition into the 2027 presidential contest.

The warning exposes a potentially significant fault line within the opposition, with several leaders positioning themselves for the presidency while simultaneously seeking to build a united front against Ruto.

Sifuna’s unveiling of TEP adds a new dimension to an already crowded succession battle, giving him a formal party structure from which to pursue his presidential ambitions while opposition leaders continue negotiations over whether and how to settle on a single flag bearer.