By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
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Kenya, 30 October 2026 - Presidential hopeful and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Friday received a major boost after The Equitable Party (TEP) was rebranded as the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM), following months of push and pull.
Sifuna, the party leader of LMM, used the occasion to tell other presidential hopefuls in the United Opposition that he is the one most suited to fly the opposition flag in the 2027 presidential polls.
“Our resolve in the United Opposition is to have one candidate to square it out with President William Ruto,” Sifuna said.
He stated that if other opposition principals gave him the leeway to carry the opposition flag, Ruto would go home very early in the morning on 10 August 2027.
Party Secretary General and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said the rebrand gives the outfit a clear footing.
“We have a name, we have an identity,” Omondi said. “Now we have a vehicle, we have a party, we have a headquarters.”
Describing LMM as a party of social market democrats, Omondi said it stands for social justice and an inclusive country.
“We believe in social justice. We want a country that is inclusive,” he said.
He added that the party believes in free enterprise and will work to democratise access to trade and wealth opportunities for all Kenyans.
“We invite those who want to join our political party,” he said.
Omondi reaffirmed the party’s commitment to seek the presidency and other elective seats.
“We see with our minds and not just our eyes. If we see with our minds, we see far,” he said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who is LMM Chairperson in the new power structure, said the movement began as a rebellion within the ODM immediately after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
“We started as a rebellion within the Orange Democratic Movement. After the death of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, bad manners became part of ODM,” Osotsi said.
He said they never imagined they would reach where they are today.
“Seven months ago, we had many challenges. We must remain firm and loyal to our party leader,” he said.
Osotsi added that, as a United Opposition, leaders must come together and field a presidential candidate to send President Ruto home.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua said he was fresh from America with good news. He said he was delighted to attend the office launch and the unveiling of the Secretariat, and that he was keen to see Sifuna and LMM work with other leaders in the United Opposition.
“All the meetings here and even at Wamunyoro are meant to plan how Ruto will be a one-term president,” Gachagua said.
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He thanked Linda Mwananchi for bringing energy and vibrancy to the push to send Ruto home.
“If I know how to build, destroying will be an uphill task,” he said.
Gachagua faulted Ruto for calling Sifuna “Mr Empty”, saying the Senator understands the Constitution. He also revisited the Ol Kalou by-election, where he said his DCP candidate beat the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate against all odds.
He said Kenyans are the bosses and that leaders must answer to them.
Gachagua further claimed that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi sold his Amani National Congress (ANC) for KSh 20 million. He also criticised COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli for describing Sifuna as a young political greenhorn.
Gachagua stated that he is ready for the top seat, but if he is deemed not fit and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper is selected, he will support him unconditionally. Should Sifuna be selected, Gachagua would personally apply to be Director of Presidential Campaigns.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a former Vice President and a presidential hopeful, said the day marked an important step in Kenya’s democratic journey. He noted that Sifuna was no longer the Secretary General, but now a party leader. Sifuna was the Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
“We seek to redeem our country from iron-fist rule and restore constitutionalism,” Kalonzo said.
“Every vote counts. 50 per cent plus one vote,” Kalonzo said.
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa assured Sifuna that his party, the Wiper Patriotic Front and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) will back LMM under the United Opposition umbrella.
Among the leaders present at the launch were MPs Amos Mwago (Starehe), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Augustine Mwafrika (Roysambu), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), Kamau Munyoro (Kigumo), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Mohammed Ali Jicho Pevu (Nyali) and Kanini Kega (EALA), and Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu and Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango.
Linda Mwananchi Movement’s slogan is Linda Kenya.
Head of presidential campaigns for LMM will be Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who will be assisted by former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo.
The new party headquarters are located within walking distance of the DCP party headquarters in Nairobi.
Kalonzo said Sifuna was lucky because LMM has a neighbour in DCP, and they can borrow salt from each other and help each other in turbulent times.
Edwin Sifuna gets Opposition backing as Gachagua, Kalonzo, Eugene Wamalwa attend LMM launch.