Sifuna team test national appeal as Kalonzo’s footprint emerges

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.