Sifuna Rejects Calls to Resign, Cites Cost of By-Election Ahead of 2027 Polls

Edwin Sifuna has rejected growing calls for him to resign from his Senate seat, arguing that stepping down just ten months before the 2027 General Election would place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.

Speaking to journalists at his Nairobi office on Friday, October 9, 2026, Sifuna defended his decision to remain in office despite charting a new political path outside ODM.

The senator drew comparisons with President William Ruto, questioning why he was being pressured to resign when other politicians had changed political parties without vacating their seats.

“Ask William Ruto. When did William Ruto resign to join UDA? And we all understand that we have to prepare for the next election,” Sifuna said.

Sifuna Unveils New Political Party

Sifuna recently unveiled The Equitable Party (TEP) as his political vehicle for the 2027 General Election, signalling his intention to contest the presidency.

He is among the prominent figures in the Linda Mwananchi faction, a group of ODM politicians opposed to backing Ruto’s re-election bid.

Despite his new political direction, Sifuna maintained that he remains a card-carrying ODM member and was elected to the Senate on the party’s ticket.

He described his election as a five-year contract with Nairobi residents, which he intends to honour rather than terminate prematurely.

“I’m still a member of ODM and the people of Nairobi elected me on ODM. We have a contract for five years, but I am explaining to the public that I will not run on ODM because ODM now is in the hands of William Ruto. Where is the problem with that?” he posed.

Sifuna added that he would formally leave ODM closer to the next General Election.

Sifuna Warns Against Costly By-Elections

The senator argued that requiring politicians who no longer intend to seek re-election on ODM tickets to resign would trigger unnecessary by-elections across the country.

He said such a move would effectively force taxpayers to finance a mini general election just months before the scheduled national polls.

“If all of us who have decided that we will no longer seek election on ODM decided to resign our positions and go back to the people for re-election ten months to the general election, where do you think that is going to leave the country and the taxpayer? You would have a mini general election,” he said.

Sifuna maintained that politicians should be allowed to complete their elected terms even when they decide to pursue their next political ambitions under different parties.

Sifuna Accuses Critics of Double Standards

The Nairobi senator also accused his critics of applying double standards, arguing that he had faced disproportionate scrutiny over his decision to seek another party’s ticket.

He pointed to politicians who had left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for other political parties, saying they had not faced similar demands to resign from their elected positions.

“It is hypocrisy that that question is only asked to Sifuna. I’ve not heard any other person being asked that question,” he said.

Sifuna further argued that ODM’s current political alignment had left him with no viable space to pursue his ambitions within the party.