The Equitable Party (TEP) has formally appointed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as its new party leader and endorsed his ambition to contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna was unveiled as the party’s incoming leader during a ceremony held in Nairobi and attended by political leaders from different parts of the country, as well as officials and supporters associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The move gives the ODM politician a new political platform as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace, with parties and political movements across the country positioning themselves ahead of the next electoral contest.
TEP also announced plans to restructure its leadership in a move aimed at accommodating Sifuna and other like-minded leaders while retaining the party’s founding members.
Among those present at the event were TEP founder Dr Eunice Juma, who is based in the United States, and outgoing national chairman Kerry Karani.
Karani welcomed Sifuna and his team to the party, assuring them that the founding members were prepared to work with the incoming leadership.
“I’m also a founding member of the Equitable Party, and I’m the national chairman, outgoing national chairman. So we want to again invite His Excellency Edwin Sifuna to the party. We are welcoming you and the rest of the team with open arms,” Karani said.
TEP party leader Dr Gilbert Marava Shanga said the party was fully registered with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) on March 25, 2022.
He described TEP as a model political party built around the principles of inclusive governance and equitable distribution of national resources.
“We are a model party according to ORPP,” Shanga said, explaining that the party’s primary objective was to promote fairness in the distribution of resources across the country.
According to Shanga, TEP had been preparing for the 2027 General Election and had previously held discussions with several political parties and leaders as it explored possible partnerships ahead of the polls.
He said the party eventually settled on restructuring its leadership and creating room for leaders who share its political ideals.
“On our end, we have decided to restructure,” Shanga said.
The restructuring, he explained, would not erase the contribution of the party’s founders but would instead allow new leaders to join and work alongside the existing membership.
Shanga further stressed the importance of flexibility and teamwork in political leadership, saying leaders must be willing to take different roles depending on circumstances.
“A great leader is a leader who knows when to lead and when to be led. We cannot be leaders at the same time,” he said.
He subsequently announced Sifuna as the party’s incoming leader and expressed confidence in his ability to steer TEP as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Shanga also urged Sifuna to assemble a team of professionals and experts to support his political ambitions and help develop policies capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
“My brother is going to run for president. He’s going to be the next leader of the Equitable Party,” he said.
The appointment marks a significant development in Sifuna’s political journey as he weighs his options ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Sifuna, who currently serves as the Nairobi Senator, has increasingly been mentioned in discussions surrounding Kenya’s next political contest.
His new role at TEP is expected to give him a platform to build a national political network and articulate his presidential agenda beyond Nairobi.
The party’s decision also comes at a time when Kenya’s political landscape is undergoing significant realignments, with politicians and parties seeking new alliances and platforms ahead of the 2027 General Election.
TEP said its restructuring would be aimed at strengthening the party’s national presence and bringing together leaders who support equitable resource allocation, inclusive governance and broader political participation.
With Sifuna now positioned at the helm, the party is expected to embark on efforts to expand its membership and establish structures across the country as it prepares for the 2027 polls.
