Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political outfit attracted more than one million members within hours of its official unveiling, signalling what supporters describe as growing momentum ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election. The figure, however, had not been independently verified at the time of the claim.
Highlights
- Boni Khalwale claimed The Equitable Party registered 1,084,736 members in under 10 hours.
- Edwin Sifuna was unveiled as the party’s leader and presidential flagbearer.
- The party plans to rebrand as the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
- Suba South MP Caroli Omondi declared Sifuna the movement’s presidential candidate.
- Sifuna says the movement will focus on accountable and people-centred leadership.
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Khalwale Makes Membership Claim
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that The Equitable Party (TEP), now associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political movement, recorded more than one million new members shortly after its unveiling.
In a post on X, Khalwale said the party had attracted 1,084,736 members in less than 10 hours.
The senator described the reported registration figures as evidence of the enthusiasm surrounding the new political formation.
However, the membership figure had not been independently verified at the time Khalwale made the claim.
Sifuna Takes Over Political Outfit
The reported surge came shortly after Sifuna was formally unveiled as the leader and presidential flagbearer of the party during a ceremony held in Nairobi on Sunday, October 4.
The Nairobi senator has positioned the movement as a vehicle for political change ahead of the 2027 elections.
The formation is also seeking to change its identity from The Equitable Party to the Linda Mwananchi Movement, a name that has already become closely associated with Sifuna and his supporters.
Name Change Could Face Hurdles
Sifuna said the proposed rebranding had been agreed upon by the movement’s principals and supporters who had been involved in building its political identity.
He, however, indicated that the party could retain its current name if the rebranding process encounters further obstacles.
In that case, Sifuna said the political outfit would proceed to the 2027 General Election under the TEP name.
Sifuna Declared Presidential Candidate
The Nairobi senator’s unveiling also formally placed him in the race for the presidency.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi declared Sifuna the presidential candidate of the new formation, saying the movement would rally behind one candidate as it seeks to build a united political platform.
Omondi said the group intends to remain united behind Sifuna as it campaigns for political change.
The declaration marks a significant step for Sifuna, who has previously served as the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement before increasingly positioning himself as an independent political voice.
Sifuna Promises People-Centred Leadership
In his address, Sifuna pledged to lead with integrity and maintain political decorum.
He said the movement would focus on equal opportunities, consultation and accountability in government.
The senator also promised a leadership style in which citizens would be listened to before major decisions are made and government policies would be clearly explained to the public.
For Sifuna and his supporters, the movement is being presented as an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 contest.
2027 Political Race Takes Shape
The launch comes as political activity intensifies ahead of Kenya’s next General Election.
With Sifuna now formally positioned as a presidential contender, the new political formation could become part of the wider realignment expected to shape the 2027 race.
Whether the claimed membership numbers translate into a strong grassroots political base remains to be seen.
For now, the movement’s next challenge will be turning the momentum generated by its launch into an organised nationwide campaign.
With 2027 drawing closer, Sifuna’s new political vehicle now faces its biggest test: turning an attention-grabbing launch into a nationwide movement capable of winning at the ballot.
