Nairobi Senator and Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) leader Edwin Sifuna has been handed The Equitable Party (TEP) as the political vehicle he will use to pursue his presidential ambitions in the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna formally unveiled TEP on Sunday, October 4, in Nairobi, signalling a fresh step in his efforts to consolidate his bid and position himself within the emerging opposition political landscape.
TEP party leader Gilbert Marava confirmed that the party would undergo restructuring to accommodate Sifuna and other leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
Marava said Sifuna would take over the leadership of TEP and seek the presidency on the party's ticket. "On our end, we have decided to restructure, and in the process, those who registered will stay, and we will bring in our brothers," Marava stated.
"Sifuna is going to run for president, and he will be the next leader of The Equittable Party (TEP)," he added.
TEP was officially registered as a political party in March 2022 and has its headquarters along Mtito Andei Road, off Lenana Road, Nairobi.
The party's colours are gold and emerald, while its symbol is a weighing scale — a representation of its stated focus on fairness, equality and social justice. Its slogan, Tusawazishe, translates to "let us make it equal" or "let us balance."
TEP will form part of the parties operating under the Linda Mwananchi Movement, an emerging coalition seeking to bring together opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes days after the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties approved the reservation of the Linda Mwananchi Movement name and its abbreviation, LMM, following a ruling by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
The coalition is expected to bring together several political parties, including TEP under Sifuna, the Mwananchi Party (TMP) led by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and the United Democratic Party (UDP) led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
Siaya Governor James Orengo is also expected to unveil another political party that could join the movement.
Sifuna's unveiling comes against the backdrop of intensified efforts by opposition leaders to forge a united political front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The emerging coalition is seeking to consolidate opposition support and negotiate with other political formations over the possibility of settling on a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
Once the Linda Mwananchi Movement is formally registered as a coalition, it is expected to use Sifuna's candidacy as its starting point in negotiations with other opposition alliances, including the Ukombozi Alliance (TUA).
The talks could ultimately determine whether the opposition fields one presidential candidate or enters the 2027 contest divided, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for State House on August 10, 2027.
