Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has termed claims that he is a 2027 project for a top political player propaganda.
The vocal ODM’s Linda Mwananchi faction leader said he is his own man in the political matrix.
Pro-broad-based government politicians, especially ODM members allied to Senator Oburu Oginga, have linked Mr Sifuna to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Dr Oginga-led faction has publicly claimed that Mr Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi are being funded by Mr Kenyatta to rock the Orange party from within as well as to frustrate President William Ruto’s re-election. Mr Sifuna has, however, repeatedly dismissed the claims.
Mr Sifuna said the activities of the movement are funded by ordinary citizens and supporters of the cause.
He was speaking on the local Ekegusii radio station Egesa FM on Wednesday ahead of Linda Mwananchi’s visit to Gusii on Friday, July 3.
“I am not being funded by Uhuru. I am funded by the people. We have a public website, and I can show you our M-Pesa statements that we use to pay our DJ and cater for our podium.
“We have our own vehicles and are elected leaders blessed by God. While I am not rich, I will not lack fuel to get to Kisii,” he said.
He argued that tokenism politics would place an unbearable burden on the Linda Mwananchi movement given the large crowds that attend its rallies.
Mr Sifuna maintained that claims linking the movement to Mr Kenyatta arise from leaders who are accustomed to receiving and dispensing handouts.
As a senator, he said, he can comfortably fuel his vehicle and attend political rallies anywhere in the country, just as other leaders within the Linda Mwananchi movement can.
“Tokenism is what makes politics expensive. We are not giving out handouts, let alone branded T-shirts or caps,” he said.
Mr Sifuna further contended that critics assume the movement is being sponsored because they themselves depend on benefactors to sustain a culture of political patronage.
The Nairobi senator is expected in Gusii this Friday for the movement’s first rally in the region, following the postponement of a similar event last week to allow supporters to honour victims of the Gen Z demonstrations.
The fast-rising Linda Mwananchi faction has lined up a series of political rallies across the country that would culminate in a major political declaration in Nairobi ahead of the 2027 battle. In its grand scheme of things, the team seeks to cover at least 24 counties before the declaration.
Part of the major announcement to be made includes its possible alliance with the United Opposition and whether to field a presidential candidate or to produce a running mate in an opposition coalition.
The United Opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have publicly indicated their desire to team up with the Linda Mwananchi team in fronting a single presidential candidate to face off with President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential race.
The faction has already conducted a total of 11 political tours, including in Nairobi’s Dagoretti North, Kitengela, Busia, Narok, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisumu, Mombasa and Machakos.
The team has also listed several political incursions in Mt Kenya, with a plan for rallies in Meru and Tharaka Nithi before crossing over to the Coast for rallies in Kilifi and Kwale.
They also seek to storm President Ruto’s Eldoret home town in August. Other counties listed for rallies include Mr Orengo’s home county of Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay.
