ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that the Linda Mwananchi movement is being financed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to undermine President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview,Sifuna described the allegations as political propaganda aimed at misleading the public about the movement’s activities.
“I am not funded by Uhuru. I am funded by ordinary Kenyans. We have a public website, and I am ready to produce M-Pesa statements showing how we pay our DJ and meet the costs of organizing our public meetings,” Sifuna said.
He added that the movement’s leaders use their personal resources together with contributions from supporters to organize political events across the country.
His remarks come amid accusations from some leaders supporting the broad-based government, particularly allies of Senator Oburu Oginga, who claim that Uhuru Kenyatta is financing Linda Mwananchi to create divisions within ODM and derail President Ruto’s re-election plans in 2027.
Sifuna, however, argued that his critics are accustomed to politics driven by wealthy sponsors and cash handouts to supporters, leading them to believe that every political movement must have a powerful financier.
The senator is expected to lead the movement’s first political rally in the Gusii region after last week’s meeting was postponed to allow supporters to mourn victims of the June 25 Gen Z protests.
Linda Mwananchi says it plans to hold public meetings in at least 24 counties before unveiling its political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among the issues under discussion is whether the movement will formally join the emerging opposition coalition and whether it will field its own presidential candidate or support a joint opposition ticket.
Opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have already expressed willingness to work with the movement in presenting a united opposition candidate against President Ruto.
