The ODM splinter team, Linda Mwananchi Movement, is steadily
expanding its reach across the country, with vote-rich Mt Kenya now its focus.
This comes even as opposition realignments gather momentum
ahead of next year’s General Election.
In recent weeks, the group has intensified its nationwide
mobilisation campaign, holding rallies aimed at consolidating grassroots
support.
Curiously, however, allies of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka
are now part of the movement’s political direction.
“As Linda Mwananchi, our focus is to grow this movement into
a big movement and have as many people as possible,” Vihiga Senator Godfrey
Osotsi told the Star on Tuesday.
For a long time, Kalonzo’s two MPs, Mavoko’s Patrick Makau
and Kaiti’s Joshua Kimilu, have been part of the group led by embattled ODM
secretary general Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
However, at a Sunday rally in Machakos, two more of
Kalonzo’s allies joined, signalling efforts to build a wider coalition capable
of challenging President William Ruto.
The rally was attended by Joyce Kamene (Machakos MP) and
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo.
Maanzo told the Star they had Kalonzo’s blessing.
None of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allies
have attended, but Jubilee’s Pauline Njoroge is part of the team.
“We had the blessings of Kalonzo. Two of our members,
Patrick Makau and Joshua Kimilu, have been part of the team, so we came to back
them up,” Maanzo told the Star.
“You know Orengo and Sifuna are still part of ODM. They are
still in ODM. This is the original Azimio.”
The team is now heading to Mt Kenya, with a rally planned in
Kiambu County, marking its first major charm offensive in an area considered
crucial in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential contest.
The team will hold a rally in Thika and Gatundu South on June
14.
According to the plan, the day will begin with a church
service at Africa Inland Church, Thika.
“We will be in Thika on June 14 for a big rally, which is
part of our countrywide engagements,” Sifuna confirmed to the Star.
The movement has also planned another Mt Kenya offensive in
Meru.
“After Thika, we may go to Meru, though the date is not yet
confirmed,” Osotsi said.
“Similarly, we have plans to go to Eldoret and even Northern
Kenya — Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo and all those areas. So we are not just
concentrating on the traditional ODM areas.”
“We are also venturing into new areas because we want a
movement that will bring together all the ODM supporters, the people who
believe in Baba’s philosophy and other Kenyans as well,” Osotsi said.
The team has held major rallies in Nairobi, Busia, Kakamega,
Kajiado, Kisumu and Mombasa counties.
On Sunday, the team held twin rallies in Machakos and
Mlolongo towns.
The expansion comes amid heightened speculation that the
Linda Mwananchi faction could eventually join forces with Kalonzo’s united opposition
team.
While no formal agreement has been announced, increasing
interactions between leaders associated with the two camps have fuelled merger
talk.
However, Osotsi downplayed speculation that the movement is
forging political alliances, insisting that the outfit’s immediate priority is
consolidating support across the country.
The senator said the movement has deliberately ventured into
regions traditionally considered politically unfriendly in a bid to popularise
its agenda and build a national network of supporters.
He noted that the team’s ongoing countrywide engagements are
aimed at strengthening grassroots structures and listening to wananchi’s
concerns rather than negotiating coalition arrangements with other political
formations.
“We want to create new energy among Kenyans. It is not about
heightening stakes, but we have a bigger mission and the bigger mission is to
create a new Kenya for all Kenyans. The starting point is to have a movement
that will resonate with that aspiration,” Osotsi said.
“We are not talking about joining anyone at this point in
time. We are talking about how to mobilise Kenyans of similar thinking into a
big movement called Linda Mwananchi. That is why we are even going to areas
that are not traditionally ODM strongholds.”
Political observers note that the movement can no longer be dismissed
as a fringe faction.
According to university don Prof Gitile Naituli, the Linda
Mwananchi Movement has grown into a formidable political force that can no
longer be ignored.
The political analyst observed that the movement has
steadily expanded its influence beyond its traditional support bases and is
increasingly attracting attention from voters across different regions.
“You cannot ignore Linda Mwananchi unless you are not very
clever,” Prof Naituli told the Star.
“Kenyans are very desperate and, if people are desperate,
they want something that is completely untested.”
He predicted that if the current momentum is maintained,
Linda Mwananchi could emerge as the main challenger to incumbent President Ruto
in next year’s presidential contest.
Already, there are murmurs within political circles about
the possibility of Sifuna emerging as a presidential contender.
Although the senator is yet to make public his presidential
ambitions, conversations around his national appeal and political prospects are
becoming increasingly common among supporters and analysts alike.
This comes even as leaders allied to the ODM leader Oburu Oginga’s
camp dare the Linda Mwananchi brigade to resign and seek a fresh mandate under
their new outfit.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi on Monday challenged
the Orengo group to resign and face ODM at the ballot if they are “men enough”.
“If you think you are men enough, leave ODM, form your
party, come back with it and run against ODM,” Wandayi said.
With coalition talks continuing and opposition leaders
seeking common ground, the coming months are expected to reveal whether the
growing alliance-building efforts will translate into a formidable political
force ahead of the next electoral cycle.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Linda Mwananchi is moving beyond ODM’s traditional support
bases. The movement is also attracting allies of other opposition heavyweights,
especially Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. In this way, the movement is testing
its ability to cut across party and regional lines. The strategy reflects an
understanding that defeating President William Ruto will require broad-based
national mobilisation, not just reliance on opposition strongholds. However,
its long-term survival will depend on whether it builds a clear political
identity, strong leadership and effective electoral structures beyond
anti-government rhetoric and internal ODM grievances.