Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka struggled to finish his speech at Edwin Sifuna's party launch in Nairobi on October 30. Supporters chanted "Sifuna, Sifuna" and booed him after he questioned Sifuna's status as a presidential candidate, Pulse Live Kenya reported.
At the event, Sifuna rebranded The Equitable Party as the Linda Mwananchi Party Movement and unveiled his team. Citizen Digital reported that Osotsi was named party chair. The Star reported that the party opened offices in Lavington, Nairobi. DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and DAP-Kenya's Eugene Wamalwa also attended.
Trouble started when Kalonzo said Wamalwa had "jumped the gun" by declaring Sifuna a presidential candidate. According to Pulse Live Kenya, he said Sifuna had to wait until November 13 for endorsement by party delegates. He added that "the man you see here is still just a party leader". The crowd began jeering. Kalonzo asked whether they wanted him to speak or stop.
Sifuna stepped in to calm his supporters. He told them it was wrong to treat guests that way and asked them to let Kalonzo finish. Kalonzo then explained that Wiper named him its presidential candidate in October last year. He urged Sifuna's camp to follow proper procedure.
Kalonzo warned that the opposition push would fail if such behaviour continued, a remark that drew more boos. Still, he said he would back Sifuna if Sifuna becomes the opposition flag bearer. He said his only ambition was to send home what he called the misrule of the "so-called broad-based administration". He added that Sifuna could "very much end up being the sixth President".
Who leads the opposition remains an open question. The Star reported that Gachagua has vowed to unite the opposition behind one 2027 presidential candidate. The Nation reported that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has urged opposition leaders to rally behind a single candidate. The Nation also reported that Linda Mwananchi aims to build a presence in all 47 counties and has begun courting support at the Coast.