President William Ruto appears to have taken note of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as a possible challenger in the 2027 polls.
This comes as the popularity of the former ODM secretary general soars.
On Thursday, Ruto for the first time directly responded to Sifuna, rubbishing his policy views on his affordable housing programme.
Ruto's response came just a day before a Trends and Insights For Africa (Tifa) poll showed that Sifuna was now the strongest opposition candidate.
Sifuna polled 15 per cent, nine per centage point behind the President.
On Thursday, Ruto hit back at Sifuna over comments the senator made about the government's Affordable Housing Programme.
Analyst say the direct response is a recognition that Sifuna had become a consequential player whose criticism could no longer be ignored.
“They have built 12-storey affordable housing units in Funyula. We Luhyas can't live in a place where our chickens can't. Tell me, boss, how will your chicken get to the 12th floor?” Sifuna jokingly said during an interview with Luhya FM stations on
On Thursday, Ruto dismissed the comments aiming at Sifuna with a hard-hitting rejoinder.
“There are people telling us that Kenyans should continue living in slums simply because a chicken cannot be taken to the 15th floor. Do these people really have any sense?” Ruto said.
Previously, Ruto has aimed his artillery mostly at Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang'i.
This was the first time the President was publicly responding to the Linda Mwananchi boss who is being touted as one of the potential united opposition’s candidates.
Until recently, Sifuna's attacks on the government had largely been countered by Cabinet Secretaries, UDA officials and government-allied leaders.
Ruto's direct response suggests the head of state now considers the Nairobi senator a serious political challenger within the emerging united opposition.
Former Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire told the Star that Sifuna getting attention of the whole government is a big political statement.
“The Kenyan people have noted. The whole government has set sometime to manage him, those are big statement,” he told the Star in a phone interview.
“Kenyans have sired children in whom they have hope for the future, that their interest can be served. Among the children, Sifuna is one of them.”
“He is resilient, that is how people navigate to victory. That is why I said his future is bright. The young man has a bright future.”
The exchange comes as Sifuna continues to gain national visibility following recent opinion polls that placed him among the country's fastest-rising opposition figures.
Tifa research released on Friday showed the first-term senator steadily improving his standing.
The poll giving Ruto a 24 per cent win placed Sifuna second with a countrywide approval of 15 per cent.
From the study Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka came third with 13 per cent, Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i (14 per cent), Rigathi Gachagua (7 per cent) and Babu Owino (2 per cent).
“Although opposition support remains fragmented, Sifuna has recorded the fastest rise among opposition figures, increasing from virtually no support in 2025 to 15 per cent in June 2026, positioning him among the leading opposition contenders,” Tifa explained in a statement.
Sifuna has also been capitalising on the momentum generated by the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has staged rallies across parts of the country while calling for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement's latest target is Western Kenya, where preparations are in top gear for twin homecoming rallies in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties this weekend.
The events are expected to serve as a political show of strength for Sifuna in his home region and test the movement's ability to convert growing public enthusiasm into a formidable political machine.
Organisers say a host of influential political leaders, former legislators, professionals and opinion shapers from the region have confirmed attendance, signalling the widening appeal of the Linda Mwananchi campaign beyond traditional opposition strongholds.
Vihiga Senator Godffrey Osotsi told the Star that they had extended invitation to all the opposition principals with some indicating they will send their representative.
“We invited Matiang’i and other principals to come to Bungoma as member of the opposition. They may not come in person but they will send their representative which is a good thing.
“Bungoma and Trans Nzoia rallies are going to show the world where Western region is heading to.”
The rallies come amid reports of a steady stream of endorsements from leaders associated with Ford Kenya, DAP-K and other regional political formations, reinforcing claims that Sifuna is emerging as Western Kenya's most influential opposition figure.
Beyond the political symbolism, Sifuna's allies have also embarked on efforts to build a financial war chest to sustain the movement's nationwide activities.
Veteran politician Fred Gumo disclosed, in an interview with West TV, that lawyers from Western Kenya had begun mobilising resources to support Sifuna’s presidential bid, saying professionals from the region had volunteered to bankroll the senator's growing political campaign.
Gumo also said community leaders would complement the lawyers' initiative by organising additional fundraising drives to ensure Sifuna has adequate resources to popularise his agenda across the country.
“I am happy that lawyers from western have come up with paybill to support Sifuna. As a community, we will also do our contribution to bankroll him.”
“Sifuna only needs fuel and transport logistics, his supporters don’t need facilitation. They only need him to reach them where they are. Obama (Former US President Barack Obama) ran without serious financial war chest.”
Gumo, along time ally of late Raila Odinga, also disclosed that former Busia senator and Attorney General Amos Wako is also backing Sifuna.
Wako is one of the ODM party trustees.
“Today, I spoke to Wako – he is away in Geneva – he told me he is supporting Sifuna,” Gumo said.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who is among organisers on the ground for the two rallies, said everything was in place ahead of the rallies.
“The growing enthusiasm and commitment from our people reaffirm that when leaders unite around the aspirations of wananchi, a stronger, more inclusive and prosperous future becomes possible,” he said.
“Energised by the overwhelming support from the great people of Bungoma ahead of the long awaited weekend homecoming of Edwin W. Sifuna and our Linda Mwananchi the journey has begun and together we shall win.”
As part of the preparations, Sifuna was due to address all region stations broad-casting in Luhya dialect as he pitch his agenda to the region which boast of a combined five million votes.
