Sifuna electrifies Bungoma with mega rallie, unveils grassroots funding model

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Sunday electrified Bungoma town as he led a series of grand rallies that brought the county to a standstill, stepping up his 2027 presidential bid.

 Sifuna’s convoy attracted thousands of jubilant supporters, with residents lining the roads to welcome him to his birth county and show support for his Linda Mwananchi movement.

 The campaign team began the day with a church service at St Immaculate Cathedral in Kitale before embarking on a whirlwind tour of Bungoma, addressing at least six roadside rallies along the way.

 The huge convoy made stopovers at Kiminini, Sikhendu, Kamukuywa, Kimilili, Chwele and Kanduyi, where Sifuna and his supporters embarked on a 4.6-kilometre procession to Posta Grounds.

 The rallies provided Sifuna with another platform to promote his emerging campaign strategy, which seeks to change how presidential campaigns are financed by putting Kenyans at the centre of fundraising.

 Sifuna is seeking to redefine how political campaigns are financed, turning to direct contributions from Kenyans as he builds support for his 2027 presidential ambitions.

 Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement have been promoting a small-money contribution model in which supporters can contribute amounts as little as Sh10.

 The new model sharply contradicts the traditional practice of relying on a handful of wealthy financiers to bankroll major political campaigns.

 Yesterday, thousands of Linda Mwananchi supporters donated amounts ranging from Sh20 coins to Sh50 notes and other small denominations as they thronged Sifuna's convoy in a show of support for his political movement.

 Jubilant residents were captured making their way through the crowd to reach Sifuna's vehicle, with many handing over the little money they had to support the movement's activities.

 "They said one cannot be president in this country without money. I would rather be indebted to the people giving me as little as Sh10 than be indebted to one person who will give me Sh10 million," Sifuna told supporters.

 He argued that reliance on a handful of wealthy financiers often compromises leaders once they assume office.

 "Those people will give you Sh10 million and then follow us when we take over the leadership of the country and demand to be given huge contracts," he said.

 "If you give them the job, they will not do it. They will not build any road for you."

 The Sifuna led movement is running the fundraising drive both online and physically, with supporters being encouraged to chip in during rallies and mobilisation events as the movement expands its footprint across the country.

 The movement’s online platform raised Sh2,210,836.82, when it was unveiled to supporters.

 Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi Osotsi told Kenyans they should not allow campaign handouts to determine their political choices, telling them to share portion of the money being distributed to support Sifuna’s candidature.

 “Take the money when they bring it, but spare some for our paybill,” Osotsi told supporters.

 The fundraising initiative comes days after Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli questioned whether Sifuna had the financial muscle to mount a successful national campaign.

 "I have seen one of our sons announcing to become President, but you cannot be a President with an individual's money or borrowed money; you need friends," Atwoli said at a church fundraiser in Lurambi, Kakamega county.

 The Nairobi senator also sought guarantee of support from his Western backyard as he weighs bid for the presidency in 2027 during twin rallies in the region over the weekend.

 Sifuna’s mobilisation across Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties was loud with plea from the Nairobi senator establishing whether the region is ready to rally behind his national political ambitions.

 Addressing several roadside rallies in Bungoma county, the opposition chief urged residents to unite behind his political journey as he hints challenging President Ruto in the next year’s elections

 "I do not want to turn around and find you are not behind me. Remain behind me as I move forward," Sifuna told supporters.

 “I want to assure you that we will not let you down in this journey.”

 Western Kenya is particularly crucial to Sifuna because of its large voter population and its traditional role as a swing bloc in presidential contests.

 Securing the region would significantly strengthen his bargaining position as opposition leaders negotiate a joint strategy for 2027.

 The Nairobi senator has sought to present his Linda Mwananchi movement as a vehicle for giving Kenyans a greater say in the country’s political direction.

 His challenge, however, is to translate the growing enthusiasm around his rallies into a dependable electoral coalition.

 Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said Sifuna’s presidential chances hinge on whether he secures firm backing from Western Kenya which he noted will determine whether other regions embrace him.

 Speaking as they traversed Bungoma counties, Natembeya argued that the political mood in Western would send a strong signal to other parts of the country on whether to rally behind the Nairobi senator.

 “These leaders (who have come here) have come to confirm if we are united as a community and whether we will divide our votes,” Natembeya said.

 The governor’s remarks add weight to Sifuna’s growing push to consolidate support in Western, a region with significant electoral numbers and a history of influencing presidential contests.

 For Sifuna, the task is not only to mobilise crowds but demonstrate that he can turn the region into a dependable political base before building a nationwide support.

 Addressing Bungoma resident, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino urged residents of Western region to rally behind Sifuna whom he noted stands a better chance of winning presidency next year.

 “We have brought back your son so that you can give him your blessings so that he goes up there,” Babu said.

 Siaya Governor James Orengo also acknowledged Sifuna’s rise saying it will take a miracle for Ruto win a re-election next year.

 ‘’There is no way Ruto will win this election, it will be a miracle if he manages 15 per cent of the vote,” Orengo said.

 Sifuna also dismissed claims by Kenya Kwanza leaders that the growing popularity of the Linda Mwananchi Movement would be short-lived.

 "Our momentum is not like a newspaper fire that dies out fast as some have said. We will go to the very end," he said.

 His remarks appeared to respond to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who, during engagements in Vihiga county on Saturday, dismissed the opposition's recent political activities as disorganised and likened their momentum to a "newspaper fire" that burns briefly before quickly dying out.

 The two-day Western rally brought together several opposition leaders, including former minster Musikari Kombo, former governors Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma) and  Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale amongst others.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

 Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement have been promoting a small-money contribution model in which supporters can contribute amounts as little as Sh10. The new model sharply contradicts the traditional practice of relying on a handful of wealthy financiers to bankroll major political campaigns.