Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has brushed aside growing questions over the political vehicle he will use in the 2027 General Election, insisting that his plans are already in place despite a tight electoral calendar set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The senator's response came after leaders from Western Kenya raised concerns that his Linda Mwananchi movement could struggle to secure a political party in time to field candidates in the next election.
The concerns followed an IEBC notice issued on Thursday setting October 15, 2026, as the deadline for political parties planning to take part in the General Election to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised officials.
The commission stated that all parties intending to participate in the election must meet the deadline.
“Each political party intending to participate in the general election shall submit the names and specimen signatures of its authorised persons on or before Thursday, October 15, 2026,” the guidelines state.
Political parties have also been given until October 30, 2026, to submit their nomination rules to the IEBC. The rules are required to be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties before they are presented to the electoral commission.
The deadlines have caused concern among leaders supporting Sifuna's political ambitions, who fear Linda Mwananchi could face difficulties if it does not have a registered party through which its candidates can seek elective positions.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala questioned how Sifuna's movement would complete the registration process within the period remaining before the IEBC deadline.
Malala accused the administration of President William Ruto of using the new requirements to frustrate Sifuna's political plans.
“Last night IEBC published election guidelines which indicate that if you want your party to participate in the next elections, take your name and signatures by October 15. I see Ruto’s government is targeting Sifuna,” Malala said.
He further argued that the senator had already faced difficulties at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, making the latest deadlines a bigger concern for the movement.
Malala said establishing a new political party would require more time than the period available and suggested that Sifuna could instead use an already existing party.
“Within 50 days, you cannot register a political party. I want to urge Khalwale that if you are truly committed to Sifuna’s presidency, then surrender your party to him [Sifuna] so that he becomes the party leader.”
His remarks were directed at Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who has publicly linked himself to a newly registered political party.
Malala argued that handing over the party to Sifuna would provide the senator with a quicker path to the 2027 ballot instead of beginning the process of creating and registering a new political outfit.
Sifuna, however, appeared unfazed by the concerns and sought to reassure supporters who may have been worried about the IEBC timetable.
The senator suggested that his political team had been preparing for the next election quietly and that the public should not assume that the movement had been caught off guard by the electoral requirements.
“A big part of what we have been able to achieve is because we are being underrated. Honestly, some people think Sifuna doesn’t have a party?” Sifuna said.
He asked his supporters to remain patient as the movement prepares to reveal its political vehicle.
“Let our supporters relax, a rose by any other name still sells.”
The exchange came during the burial of Khalwale's wife, Gloria Sekeiyan, at the family's home in Malinya, Kakamega County.
The funeral brought together a number of political figures, including DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, among other leaders.
The gathering came at a time when Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement has been building its presence in different parts of the country as the senator seeks to establish himself as one of the key figures in the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.
With the IEBC now having set clear dates for political parties to complete key election preparations, attention is likely to remain on the political vehicle Sifuna says he will unveil at the appropriate time.
For now, the senator maintains that his plans are moving ahead despite the concerns raised by his political allies over the short period available before the electoral deadlines.