Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Saturday took his Linda Mwananchi movement to Kakamega County, stepping up his grassroots mobilisation efforts in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna, accompanied by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, made several stops across the county, including Butere, Sabatia, Isulu and Shinyalu, before winding up the day with a major engagement in Kakamega town.
A key moment of the tour came at Sabatia Market, where Sifuna directly appealed to former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to support his political ambitions.
“Oparanya, I respect you greatly, but today I have come to Sabatia to ask for your vote,” Sifuna said, asking the former governor for his blessing even if he disagreed with his political decision.
Sifuna described Oparanya as a political father who helped nurture him during his years in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), but said he was now seeking his support for a new political journey.
Khalwale backs Sifuna
Khalwale, who has emerged as one of Sifuna’s key allies in Western Kenya, used the Butere stop to publicly endorse the senator’s presidential ambitions.
He linked Sifuna’s bid to the longstanding aspirations of prominent Luhya leaders such as Martin Shikuku, Michael Kijana Wamalwa and Masinde Muliro to see a leader from the community rise to the presidency.
Khalwale said he would personally work to build momentum behind Sifuna’s ambitions in the region, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive contest for political influence in Western Kenya.
Sifuna takes aim at Barasa
The Kakamega tour also saw Sifuna renew his criticism of Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Sifuna claimed that he had campaigned for Barasa during the 2022 gubernatorial election after being sent to Kakamega by then ODM leader Raila Odinga, but alleged that the governor later turned against him.
He accused Barasa of treating him as an adversary after assuming office and warned that the political differences could have consequences ahead of the 2027 elections.
Criticises Ruto over Kakamega Forest
Sifuna also used the tour to attack President William Ruto’s administration over environmental issues, alleging that there were plans affecting Kakamega Forest.
The remarks formed part of Sifuna’s broader criticism of the Ruto administration as Linda Mwananchi seeks to establish itself as a grassroots political force ahead of the 2027 polls.
Warm reception from supporters
The campaign also received a colourful reception from residents in several parts of the county.
In Sabatia, supporters presented Sifuna with chickens and a wooden chair, gestures he acknowledged while thanking residents for turning out in large numbers.
The Kakamega tour followed Linda Mwananchi’s mobilisation activities in Busia on Friday and is part of a wider effort by Sifuna and his allies to expand the movement’s presence beyond Nairobi.
The campaign is expected to continue on Sunday as the team seeks to consolidate support across Western Kenya.
