Sifuna: We Use Our Own Cars and Fuel for Rallies

(NAIROBI, KENYA) – ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has denied claims that he is being politically bankrolled by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to weaken President William Ruto’s administration as the 2027 general election approaches.

The Nairobi Senator, who has emerged as the leader of the Linda Mwananchi faction within ODM, dismissed the claims as political propaganda. He insisted that the group’s political activities are funded by ordinary Kenyans and his supporters, not political heavyweights.

“I am not funded by Uhuru. I am funded by citizens. We have a public website and I am ready to show M-Pesa statements showing how we pay our DJ and stage costs,” Mr Sifuna said during an interview with Egesa FM on Wednesday, ahead of a Linda Mwananchi political rally planned for the Gusii region today.

He added that leaders of the group use their own personal resources to make their meetings happen.

“We have our own cars and we are elected leaders whom God has blessed. I may not be rich, but I will not lack fuel to reach Kisii,” he said.

Mr Sifuna was responding to claims made by some leaders who support the broad based government, particularly ODM members who back Senator Oburu Oginga. They claim Linda Mwananchi activities are funded by Mr Kenyatta to cause divisions within ODM and disrupt President Ruto’s efforts to defend his seat in 2027.

The Senator, however, stressed that they do not depend on political financiers. He said his critics show how accustomed they are to the politics of funding and dishing out money to followers.

“Bribery politics is what makes campaigns expensive. We do not give out money, nor political T-shirts and caps,” he said.

He added that politicians used to funding their rallies by distributing cash assume every political group operates the same way.

“As a senator, I have the capacity to put fuel in my car and attend political rallies anywhere in the country, just like other Linda Mwananchi leaders,” he said.

Mr Sifuna is expected to lead the movement’s first political rally in the Gusii region on Friday. A rally planned for last week was postponed to allow supporters to mourn victims of the 25 June Gen Z protests.

The rally is part of a national Linda Mwananchi campaign aiming to hold meetings in at least 24 counties before making a major political announcement ahead of the 2027 general election.

Among the issues to be discussed is whether the movement will formally join the emerging opposition coalition, and whether it will field its own presidential candidate or negotiate a running mate position within that coalition.

Opposition coalition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have already stated publicly that they are ready to work with Linda Mwananchi to field a single opposition candidate against President Ruto in the 2027 election.

Since its formation, Linda Mwananchi has held political rallies in Dagoretti North, Kitengela, Busia, Narok, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisumu, Mombasa and Machakos.

The movement also plans to hold meetings in the Mount Kenya region, including Meru and Tharaka Nithi, before heading to the Coast in Kilifi and Kwale counties.

Its schedule also includes political rallies in Eldoret, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay, as it aims to expand its influence nationwide before the next general election.