Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement has begun its grassroots mobilisation tour in Kwale County, with Sifuna urging opposition leaders to unite behind one candidate to face President William Ruto in 2027. The tour, which covered Samburu Town, Kinango Town, Kombani Junction, Lunga Lunga Town, and culminated in a major public rally at the Ukunda Showground, aims to build county-level structures ahead of the 2027 General Election. Sifuna declared that he will continue to build consensus among the opposition to ensure that they are united to send Ruto home in 2027.
Addressing a rally at Masai Grounds in Ukunda town, Sifuna said Kenyans were yearning for a single, strong opposition candidate and asked other leaders not to let them down. He emphasized that divisions among opposition leaders will guarantee Ruto a second term. Sifuna also warned against schemes to elbow local leaders out of the front lines, stressing that Kwale residents and local aspirants must drive the agenda on regional issues like water shortages and mineral exploitation.
The Kwale tour marks the first public rallies after weeks without a large-scale county mobilisation exercise. It has previously held gatherings in Mombasa and Taita Taveta as part of its plan to reach all 47 counties. The tour took place on the same day the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is holding a rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi's Embakasi East constituency. This comes as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino urged Sifuna, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, and Jubilee leader Fred Matiang'i to agree on one presidential candidate.
Owino warned that time was running out, with only nine months to the General Election. He emphasized that the opposition leaders should sit down and talk to agree on one presidential challenger to President Ruto. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka also backed the call, saying it was time for opposition leaders to lock themselves in a room and emerge with a single candidate to face Mr Ruto.
However, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said Sifuna was best placed to challenge the President and asked Gachagua and Musyoka to back him. Natembeya assured that there will be no rigging of the election. Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza said Kenyans would reject Mr Ruto at the ballot for failing to honour pledges, including those on women's empowerment.
Sifuna accused President Ruto of failing to protect the Constitution and the rights of Kenyans. He claimed that the government had issued title deeds for smaller parcels than residents used to own, while land was stolen. Sifuna also alleged that the government was plotting to plunder mineral resources at Mrima Hill in Kwale and demanded that an agreement with American investors be made public.
The Linda Mwananchi movement officially opened its new Kwale County office as part of its push to build county-level structures ahead of the 2027 General Election. Despite modest crowds at the Kwale events, Sifuna remained optimistic about the movement's chances. The call for opposition unity has been backed by various leaders, including Linda Mwananchi chairman Godfrey Osotsi and Secretary General Caroli Omondi.
Key points
- Opposition leaders are urged to unite behind one candidate to face President William Ruto in 2027.
- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi movement begins grassroots mobilisation tour in Kwale County.
- Sifuna accuses President Ruto of failing to protect the Constitution and the rights of Kenyans.
