Gachagua party to partner with Sifuna's TEP

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the launch of the Equitable Party (TEP) on October 4, 2026. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s entry into the Presidential race has triggered fresh realignments within the Opposition, with political camps exploring new alliances to adapt to the emerging political forces.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has signalled willingness to form a political coalition with a faction led by Sifuna ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Before Sifuna’s entry into the political game plan, DCP was more inclined to the United Alternative Government, which is led by Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

The party, through its Deputy Cleophas Malala, announced that it would not be joining the newly established Ukombozi Alliance, which changed its name from the Azimio La Umoja coalition party.

Malala said DCP would initially work with the Linda Mwananchi Movement and agree on a coalition arrangement.

He added that DCP and Sifuna’s Equitable Party would later negotiate with parties in the Ukombozi Alliance to establish a wider political coalition

 "We as DCP cannot join the Ukombozi Alliance. They should join together as TUA, while we in the DCP will join Sifuna. Then we will negotiate together for one coalition," Malala stated.

"We will sit down after they have come together as TUA. Then they will come and sit with us for an agreement," he added.

While announcing the Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) last month, Kalonzo said the rebranding followed talks by the wider opposition, announcing that the vehicle would include new partners, including the Linda Mwananchi Movement and DCP.

However, the remarks place DCP and Linda Mwananchi outside the current Ukombozi Alliance structure, with the parties seeking to negotiate later for a wider united opposition.

While the Sifuna-led movement has not confirmed the DCP plans, the movement has on several occasions revealed that it will go to the 2027 election as a joint coalition with other opposition figures.

Gachagua has already opened the door to an alliance with Sifuna, going as far as saying he would be willing to deputise him if political calculations favour the Nairobi Senator.

He declared that he would be willing to become Sifuna’s running mate if political numbers show that the Senator is the candidate most capable of defeating President William Ruto.

Speaking to Kenyans living in Spokane, Washington State, late last month, Gachagua said he could serve as Sifuna’s deputy if the Nairobi senator emerged as the strongest opposition candidate.

“And there is no problem even if Riggy G can deputise Sifuna; what is wrong with that?” he asked.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during the launch of the Equitable Party (TEP) on October 4, 2026. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] 

Gachagua argued that the opposition’s overriding objective should be defeating Ruto, making the candidate who commands the strongest nationwide support the logical choice for the presidential ticket.

“If we do our arithmetic and find that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will send President William Ruto home early, so be it,” he said.

The former deputy president also indicated that the same principle could apply to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He said Sifuna could deputise him, Kalonzo could deputise Sifuna, or he himself could take the number-two position.

“We will come up with a line-up and you will love it. We will blend youthful energy with experience,” Gachagua said.

On Monday, Gachagua threw his weight behind Sifuna’s new political vehicle, urging him to move quickly to build the party and recruit candidates ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He described Sifuna’s move to register a party as the beginning of the senator’s 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 in a statement.

The former deputy president told Sifuna to use the new outfit to consolidate his support base and recruit candidates in areas where he enjoys political backing.

“I encourage you to move with speed to market your new party and identify strong aspirants in your stronghold to get rid of Ruto sycophants and surrogates who have betrayed the electorate and the people of Kenya,” he said.

According to analysts, the new development where political players want to affiliate with Sifuna more compared to Kalonzo solidifies Sifuna’s bargaining power to become the Opposition’s Presidential flag bearer while at the same time weakening Kalonzo’s chances of being chosen to be the Opposition’s Presidential candidate.

According to Dr Luchetu Likaka, a researcher and consultant, more political players would be inclined to join the Linda Mwananchi coalition since Sifuna was youthful and would attract more Gen Z compared to the Ukombozi Alliance.

“Sifuna is young, he will bring in Gen Z, he is firm on the rule of law and the Constitution and he is likely to be one to carry the flag and that’s why people are joining him,” he said.

According to Likaka, Sifuna had inherited the late ODM leader Raila Odinga’s influence across the country, a move he noted gives the Senator a national appeal.

“Sifuna is the man of the moment and every wise politician is aligning with him because basically that is the direction of the political wave at the moment,’ he said.

On why the DCP party would be more inclined to partner with Sifuna, Likaka said, “Gachagua is a political genius. He has galvanised Mt Kenya and if they come together with the Luhya community, it will be a done deal; Gachagua is keen on removing Ruto.”

On his part, Gitile Naituli, professor of management and leadership at Multimedia University of Kenya, opined that the coming together of DCP and Sifuna’s party was mainly because of taking over power.

“Leadership is about followership. An individual with more followers is able to negotiate with his allies. Sifuna has established political dominance, which is good. This side also needs one to have dominance. Some are calling themselves principals yet don't have followership. People should stop misusing them,’ he said.