Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Friday unveiled a proposed national leadership team for the Linda Mwananchi Movement, drawing politicians from ODM, Wiper, Jubilee and other parties into the outfit as it opened its national headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The names, Sifuna said, are not final. They will be tabled before a National Delegates Convention on November 13 for consideration and endorsement, and more positions will be filled after further consultations.

Who got what

Under the proposed structure, the party will have a party leader and four deputies, with one deputy slot and one deputy chairperson seat reserved for the Coast region.

  • Party chairperson: Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, deputised by former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo
  • Deputy party leaders: former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, with a fourth slot left for the Coast
  • Secretary General: Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, deputised by Pauline Njoroge
  • Treasurer: Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, deputised by Abigael Gikonyo
  • Secretary for Political Affairs: Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale
  • Presidential campaign: George Natembeya will lead the campaign and chair the board of trustees, with Faith Odhiambo as his deputy in the campaign team

Other proposed office holders include Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka for public policy and former Narok ODM chairman Torome for minority affairs.

Offices in 47 counties

Sifuna said the movement would immediately begin a nationwide mobilisation drive, starting with a county office in Kwale, and aims to have a presence in every county within a month.

"By the end of this coming November, we want to have 47 offices in all counties and have our structures," he said.

He brushed off doubts about building a national party so quickly, claiming that county chairpersons from 38 counties, many of them formerly with ODM, had already come on board. "When we said we were leaving, they thought we were leaving alone. They will know today that we are leaving with the foundation," Sifuna said.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who is eyeing the Bungoma governorship, was also formally welcomed into the movement at the launch, People Daily reported.

A long search for a party

The senator said the group had struggled to secure a political vehicle and accused the government of frustrating its efforts. He said the team had looked at the United Democratic Party and the United Progressive Movement before settling on The Equitable Party, which is being rebranded, and thanked its leader Gilbert Shanga for providing a home.

Sifuna also thanked Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Mwangaza for standing with the movement. Kalonzo, Gachagua and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa were among the opposition principals at Friday's event.

The launch comes as ODM remains divided over its pre-election talks with President William Ruto's UDA, with Sifuna's camp positioning Linda Mwananchi as the home for those opposed to the arrangement.

Photos: Citizen Digital; People Daily (via @HonTimWanyonyi on X). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.