Edwin Sifuna moment: Opposition fires opening salvo in quest to unseat Ruto

It is now all systems go for Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Movement (LLM), which was officially launched in Nairobi amid excitement and high expectations.

Sifuna also unveiled a list of interim officials, many of whom are serving Members of Parliament affiliated with other parties, including ODM and DAP-K.

“We are going to quickly move the country to open offices in all the 47 counties. No area will be left behind even as we work on opposition unity for us to produce one opposition candidate,” said Sifuna.

Leaders from the United Opposition who attended the launch predicted that the 2027 General Election would mirror the 2002 polls, when opposition leaders rallied behind one candidate to end KANU’s rule. They vowed to unite behind a single presidential candidate to prevent President William Ruto from securing a second term.

Sifuna also announced that the party would hold a National Delegates Conference on November 13, when its proposed leadership line-up is expected to be ratified.

Speaking during the unveiling of the Linda Mwananchi party headquarters and secretariat in Lavington, Nairobi, Sifuna, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, among others, pledged to remain united and front a single candidate against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The leaders likened the current push for political change to the events of 2002, when opposition leaders united behind one candidate to end KANU’s rule.

“What we are experiencing now is akin to the 2002 moment when Raila led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of KANU and joined forces with the National Alliance of Kenya to form the National Alliance Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which eventually got into power... when Raila died, another great leader emerged whose name is Edwin Sifuna. In one year, he has grown and outgrown friend and foe alike and I urge Kenyans to support him in this endeavor,” said Wamalwa.

Governor Natembeya urged Kenyans to rally behind the opposition to ensure a repeat of the 2002 political realignment.

“We are saying that we are experiencing a 2002 moment ahead of the 2027 election but as the opposition principals, are we ready to make the necessary sacrifices so that we can win this election?” posed Natembeya.

“I urge that our supporters endorse Sifuna in this endeavor because if you remember when Barack Obama was vying for Presidency, it is his party that gave him all the support,” he added.

Sifuna, who accused President Ruto of rolling back gains made under the 2010 Constitution, said the opposition’s agenda was centred on implementing the supreme law and presenting a united front in the 2027 elections.

“ We will do whatever it takes to present one candidate to face Ruto in the next elections. It doesn’t matter what sacrifices we have to make. If you give me that mandate, I will execute it and ensure he is home early. If we say it is Kalonzo or Gachagua, then we will all rally we behind them,’’ said the party leader.

“In our first 100 days in office, we will cut wastage in State House. It can’t be that billions are spent on tea and Mandazi yet lecturers and doctors are out on the streets demanding millions in pay...We also want to reduce Sh500 billion in the national budget because it is budgeted corruption. We will also do away with the Housing levy because Kenyans are suffering,” added Sifuna.

Gachagua, while noting that the Linda Mwananchi movement had injected fresh energy into efforts to remove President Ruto from office, said he was ready to support whoever the opposition settled on as its presidential candidate.

“ I am going to persuade the other principals to endorse me for flag bearer but if they say that is anyone else, I and my supporters will back them...If they settle on Sifuna, I will personally take up the responsibility of leading his presidential campaign,” stated Gachagua.

The former Deputy President also shed light on political meetings at his Wamunyoro residence, where he recently hosted Sifuna, Kalonzo, Wamalwa and several aspirants seeking various seats in the 2027 elections.

“Today we are here for one agenda and that is to craft how President Ruto will go home. Even the meetings that you have been seeing in Wamunyoro, they are not to talk about weddings but to ensure that Ruto is confined to being a one-term President,” added Gachagua.

Gachagua challenged Sifuna’s supporters to reject overtures from leaders allied to UDA and those supporting the broad-based government in Western Kenya, urging them to rally firmly behind the Linda Mwananchi leader.

“We want to see some seriousness back home in the Western region. You must not allow your leader Sifuna to be the subject of Ruto’s insults and when the President visits the region, ask him why he is attacking Sifuna. We in the Mt Kenya are done with him,” he said.

He also took a swipe at Western Kenya leaders opposed to Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, urging them to read the country’s political mood.

“Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi cannot lecture us about formation of a political party whereas he sold his party for Sh20 million under the instructions of the President. The Speaker of the National Assembly and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula has also been unable to make sure that the post-2022 agreement they had with Ruto is implemented. Before they tell us anything, they must make sure that there are roads in Western,” remarked Gachagua.

Kalonzo was categorical about the need to remove the current administration and elect a government committed to the rule of law and purposeful leadership.

However, he briefly found himself on the receiving end of jeers from the crowd after he discouraged Wamalwa from endorsing Sifuna as the opposition’s presidential candidate, insisting that negotiations were still ongoing.

“We must demonstrate maturity and allow for the dialogue process before Sifuna is declared the presidential candidate,” said Kalonzo.

His remarks sparked chants of “Sifuna” from the crowd, forcing the Nairobi Senator to intervene and calm the gathering.

“... If I am not the candidate, my ambition will be to make sure the misrule by broad-based goes home with Ruto. I will also rally my supporters behind Sifuna. We must strive to get the 50+1 votes percentage. If it is Gachagua, I will also support him," Kalonzo ultimately admitted.

Meanwhile, Sifuna unveiled a proposed leadership line-up that will steer the Linda Mwananchi party as it seeks to establish structures across all 47 counties.

Under the proposed arrangement, Sifuna will serve as party leader, deputised by four officials. Those named include former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Patrick Makau and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo. The fourth position will be reserved for a representative from the Coast region, with consultations on the appointment expected to begin soon.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was named as the proposed party chairperson. He will be deputised by two officials, one of whom will be former Makadara MP Rueben Ndolo, while the other position will be reserved for a representative from the Coast region.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi is set to become the party’s secretary-general, with Pauline Njoroge as his deputy. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has been proposed for the position of national treasurer.

Kari Karani will serve as organising secretary, deputised by Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo.

Caroline Mayunzu has been proposed as chairperson of the party’s women’s league, while Fridah Onduso will head the youth league.

The party will also establish a board of trustees to oversee its assets. Natembeya has been proposed as the board’s chairperson. He will also lead the presidential campaign, with Faith Odhiambo as his deputy.