Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, a Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant, has advised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to keep both the presidency and deputy presidency as possible options in the 2027 General Election. Speaking on Radio Generation, Wanjiru stated that Sifuna has great ambitions and can rise to the highest office in the country. She emphasized the importance of surrounding himself with mature and trustworthy allies who can guide his growth as a national leader.
Wanjiru, who referred to Sifuna as "my son and my friend," warned that the people around him could play a crucial role in shaping his political journey. She advised Sifuna to be cautious about the people he places his confidence in, as political colleagues may have ambitions that do not necessarily match his own. Wanjiru linked her advice to her own experiences in politics, including what she described as betrayal during the Nairobi gubernatorial contest.
According to Wanjiru, having both the presidency and deputy presidency as options would give Sifuna room to respond to the political arrangements that may emerge from negotiations, rather than committing himself to one position too early. She stated that if everything else and everybody else says this is the president, then they are saying he is the deputy. If they are saying he is the president, then he is given a deputy.
Wanjiru also recalled an incident following the 2022 General Election when she said she helped Sifuna secure his election certificate amid confusion at Tamburi Park. She described Sifuna as a good guy and a great leader. Sifuna has in recent months increased his political activities through the Linda Mwananchi movement as he considers a possible presidential run in the 2027 General Election.
On September 13, the Nairobi senator used a Linda Mwananchi rally in Nairobi to signal his interest in taking on a bigger national political role. Movement spokesperson Caroli Omondi later said the group planned to nominate Sifuna as its presidential flagbearer before opening talks with other opposition formations. Sifuna's political plans come at a time when opposition leaders are consulting on possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Discussions on whether opposition leaders can agree on a joint presidential candidate are still ongoing. Wanjiru's advice to Sifuna comes as she reflects on her own experiences in politics, including her loss of the UDA Nairobi Governor ticket in 2022. She emphasized the importance of trust, but not to an unreasonable extent, in a leader's relationships with their allies.
Wanjiru's comments were made during an interview on Radio Generation on September 22, 2026. Her statement highlights the complexities of Kenyan politics and the considerations that leaders must take into account as they navigate their roles and alliances.
Key points
- Bishop Margaret Wanjiru advises Edwin Sifuna to keep both presidency and deputy presidency options open.
- Wanjiru warns Sifuna against political betrayal and emphasizes the importance of trustworthy allies.
- Sifuna considers a possible presidential run in the 2027 General Election through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
