The People’s Empowerment Party (PEP), a little-known political outfit that once enjoyed national attention through Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, has returned to the spotlight amid growing speculation linking Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and digital strategist Pauline Njoroge to the party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The renewed interest has thrust PEP into public discussion despite the party having largely operated away from the national political limelight in recent years.
While neither Sifuna nor Pauline has publicly declared interest in using the party as a political vehicle, online discussions and internal political conversations have increasingly drawn attention to PEP as a possible platform for future political realignments.
History of the Party
PEP traces its origins to 2012 and is a registered political party under the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
The party presents itself as a grassroots movement focused on citizen empowerment, equitable distribution of resources, participatory governance, and people-centred development.
According to its official ideology, the party seeks to combine elements of both capitalist and socialist thinking in pursuit of economic growth and social justice.
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It describes itself as a movement built around empowering ordinary citizens and promoting inclusive development across the country.
For years, however, the party remained largely unknown outside political circles and struggled to gain a significant national profile.
The Moses Kuria Effect
PEP’s biggest breakthrough came in 2021 when then Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria adopted the party during his fallout with former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.
Kuria transformed the little-known outfit into a national political talking point as he sought to challenge Jubilee’s dominance in the Mt Kenya region. The party gained widespread attention during the Juja parliamentary by-election, where its candidate, George Koimburi, secured a surprise victory.
The win marked one of the most significant by-election upsets of the period and briefly elevated PEP into the national political conversation. At the time, Kuria used the party as a platform to test his influence outside Jubilee and position himself as an alternative political force in the region.
The momentum was short-lived. Kuria later abandoned PEP and launched his own Chama Cha Kazi party, leaving PEP without the high-profile figure who had driven its sudden rise.
PEP After Kuria
Unlike many small political parties that disappear after losing influential sponsors, PEP survived Kuria’s departure and retained its registration, officials and organisational structures.
The party continued operating quietly while focusing on grassroots mobilisation and recruitment.
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Though it ceased attracting national headlines, it maintained a presence in local politics and continued fielding candidates in various parts of the country.
Its current leadership includes Secretary General Joyce Lulu Mwambingu, Chairman Simiyu Watson, First Vice Chairman Suleiman Said Mranja and Treasurer Justine Kambale.
The party remains headquartered in Nairobi and has continued membership recruitment campaigns while promoting its empowerment agenda.
Its most visible elected representative is Taita Taveta MCA Isaac Matolo.
Sifuna’s Party Launch
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is expected to unveil his new political party in early October after months of efforts by the Linda Mwananchi movement to secure a political vehicle for his 2027 presidential bid.
The launch will mark the movement’s formal entry into electoral politics and comes after Sifuna was endorsed as its leader and presidential candidate.
The unveiling could take place on October 1 or October 3 in Nairobi, with Linda Mwananchi describing the party as the platform on which Sifuna intends to challenge for the presidency.
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