Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has thrown his weight behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s new political party, declaring that its launch marks the beginning of the senator’s journey to national leadership and urging him to move quickly to build a formidable political machine.
In a statement congratulating Sifuna, Gachagua presented The Equitable Party as more than a new political outfit, linking its emergence to efforts to challenge President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“My cousin, Senator Edwin Sifuna, congratulations are in order on the launch of your political party today. Democracy must prevail,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua also appeared to dismiss attempts to block or frustrate the new political project, declaring that its emergence was inevitable.
“To those who thought they could stop an idea whose time had come, we are sorry. Your time is up!” he said.
Sifuna’s national ambitions
The former deputy president gave Sifuna an unusually strong political endorsement, saying the launch of his party had opened the door to a much bigger role in national politics.
“The launch of your political vehicle, The Equitable Party, marks the real beginning of your journey to national leadership,” Gachagua said.
The statement effectively casts Sifuna’s new party as a potential vehicle for national political mobilisation rather than simply a platform for the senator’s political base.
Gachagua urged Sifuna to immediately begin building that machinery by recruiting strong candidates, particularly in areas where he enjoys significant political support.
“I encourage you to move with speed to market your new party and identify strong aspirants in your stronghold,” he said.
But Gachagua’s objective was clear: he wants those candidates to challenge politicians aligned with Ruto.
He accused Ruto allies of betraying voters and called for their removal from elective positions, saying Sifuna’s party should help replace what he described as “Ruto sycophants and surrogates.”
Sixth administration plan
Gachagua then connected Sifuna’s political project to a much larger ambition, forming what he described as Kenya’s sixth administration.
“I am very encouraged that the journey to form the 6th Administration is becoming more defined,” he said.
His message suggests that the battle he envisages is not limited to the presidency. Gachagua stressed the importance of winning enough parliamentary seats to control the legislative agenda.
“We need a majority of Members of Parliament in the two Houses to prosecute our legislative agenda,” he said.
He also accused the current administration of presiding over a country facing serious challenges, describing the Ruto government as a “kleptomanic regime” and warning that Kenya needed to be rescued from what he portrayed as impending collapse.
The comments give Sifuna’s new party a potentially significant role in Gachagua’s emerging political calculations.
Rather than simply asking voters to support a presidential candidate, Gachagua is calling for the construction of a wider political network involving candidates for parliamentary and other elective positions.
He also appealed directly to Sifuna’s supporters to join the new party and support its candidates.
“I appeal to all those who support the candidature of Senator Edwin Sifuna to join his new party and back aspirants for the various positions under the party,” Gachagua said.
“WANTAM” battle begins
Gachagua’s message ended with his most combative warning yet, signalling that he expects the political contest against Ruto to become increasingly intense.
“There will be no escape route for this regime! It will be WANTAM and Round ONE!” he declared.
He added: “Things are boiling very nicely!”
The remarks place Sifuna’s Equitable Party within a rapidly shifting opposition landscape as politicians prepare for the 2027 contest.
For Gachagua, however, the significance of the party launch appears to go beyond the creation of another political vehicle.
His message frames Sifuna as an emerging national leader, urges him to recruit candidates at speed and places the new party inside a wider parliamentary strategy aimed at securing control of both Houses.
If that strategy gains traction, Sifuna’s new political vehicle could become an important component of the wider effort to deny Ruto another administration, and help shape the political forces that could form Kenya’s next government.
