Sifuna Linda Mwananchi Western 2027

The ongoing political realignments are slowly reshaping the political landscape in the West into a generational contest ahead of the next general election.

Cup pressure peaks as Shabana host Kenya Police in blockbuster quarter-final Football

Upper Hill coach Walgwe unperturbed despite drawing giants in Prescott Cup group phase Rugby

Recent political events point to a battle pitting the old generation of leadership that are the face of status quo on the one hand and the youthful and transformational leaders seeking new direction.

The emergence of embattled ODM secretary general and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has excited the region, only to the levels witnessed in 2002 during the Narc wave under former vice president Wamalwa Kijana that swept Kanu out of power.

The status quo axis comprises Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Central Oraganisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli.

Also in the group are governors Paul Otuoma (Busia), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega) Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma) and Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and majority of serving MPs across the region.

The youthful axis has Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, MPs Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Jack Wamboka (Bumula), Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula).

Senators Okiya Omtatah (Busia) and Bony Khalwale (Kakamega)b are also in the youthful team.

Opinion is however divided as to which formation will prevail during the high-stakes polls next year.

Political Scientist Prof Amukowa Anangwe said it is too early to decipher what the Sifuna axis portends.

“They are young people who are learning themselves and may end up being victims of their own imaginations,” he said.

However, another political scientist, Robert Watangwa, said the growing acceptance of Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi campaign in Western is testimony of the fatigue by residents in the region who are tired of the current community leadership embodied in Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Atwoli.

He said the current Luhya leadership has nothing to show for the decades they have been around, and people want to try fresh, youthful and energetic leaders who are emerging.

“Sifuna stands the highest chance of being the running mate in the United Opposition in 2027, yet in the UDA line-up, Luhyas have nothing tangible for the community other than being promised support in 2032. This will endear Western to the youthful axis," Watangwa said.

“Sifuna’s emergence is attracting youths as well as awakening the sleeping giant that is the Luhya vote to make sense in 2027. Transformation of leadership in Western is in the air,” he added.

Political analyst Martin Andati said the realignment indicates that the youthful, vibrant and energetic leadership has come of age in the region and ready to push aside the old guards.

“The vibrancy and hope being displayed by the young leaders from Western, under Sifuna, Osotsi and Natembeya, will bury the old politicians come 2027,” Andati said.

Andati said that the fatigue about Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, coupled with the fact that the two are not seeking any top elective office in 2027, gives the youthful and transformative axis of leadership more traction on the ground.

He said mishandling of the Sifuna issue and subsequent firing of Osotsi as ODM deputy party leader appeared to have reinforced resistance against UDA and the Oburu Odinga-led ODM under the broad-based government, which shifted the ground towards the Linda Wananchi faction in Western.

“People of Western feel that mistreatment of their sons is a betrayal after supporting the late Raila Odinga for over two decades. They feel Luo Nyanza should have rallied behind a Luhya after Raila’s death,” Andati said.