Members of Linda Mwananchi at a past functionEdwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement has run into yet another political headwind with internal contest over the presidential flagbearer now threatening to test the unity of its leaders.
This comes after an attempt to reserve its name as a political party was rejected.
The movement, which has been seeking to position itself as a formidable political force ahead of next year's elections, had already suffered a setback after the Registrar of Political Parties declined to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi.
Barely weeks after the name controversy, the movement is now confronting another challenge following Siaya Governor James Orengo’s declaration that he will contest the presidency.
“From today, know that I am the presidential candidate. A serious presidential candidate,” Orengo declared last month during the burial of Steven Onyango, the son of Linda Mwananchi advocate Newton Ogada, in Homa Bay County.
The governor has since admitted during an interview with Citizen TV that his new position has rattled some members of the Linda Mwananchi team.
He disclosed that the movement’s meeting in Limuru, Kiambu County, deliberated on the matter and some members were unhappy.
"The issue of a presidential candidate was brought as an agenda, but I said it was inappropriate at that time and that it needed more consultation," he said. "Some people were unhappy about that."
But the veteran politician has maintained that the fledgling outfit must be ready to allow internal competition.
"In 2007 there was what was called the Pentagon within ODM. The five people who constituted the Pentagon were all presidential candidates," he told Citizen TV.
Tellingly, Orengo has not attended Linda Mwananchi’s public function since his surprise declaration.
He was a no-show during the Meru Linda Mwananchi tour that was attended by all the movement’s leading lights.
He, however, attended Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s party launch that was skipped by a number of Linda Mwananchi chiefs.
The developments have raised questions about whether Linda Mwananchi could be headed for a bruising internal contest even before it settles its political identity and establishes a formal vehicle for the 2027 elections.
But Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi downplayed talk of a rift in Linda Mwananchi, saying it is a constitutional right of anyone to vie for any position.
He dismissed talks of a looming fallout, insisting that no individual can be denied the constitutional right to seek any elective position.
“I don’t think it is an issue; it is not bad for anyone to declare interest for any seat. Orengo is an important player in Linda Mwnanchi, and he has a right to declare interest in any position,” Osotsi told the Star on the phone.
“We will come up with a formula that would accommodate everybody.”
Orengo’s entry into the race has sparked unease among some of Sifuna’s allies, who have accused the veteran politician of causing unnecessary confusion within the movement.
Linda Mwananchi is widely believed to have long settled on Sifuna as its candidate.
Some of Sifuna’s supporters argue that the movement needs to remain focused on building a united front and expanding its support across the country instead of opening up an early battle over its presidential ticket.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga warned against bringing ‘confusion’ to Linda Mwnananchi over the presidential candidate ticket.
“From today, we don’t want any confusion. Our presidential candidate remains Edwin Sifuna,” Majimbo said.
Social media strategist Pauline Njoroge, weighing in on the matter, urged supporters to remain focused on strengthening the movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
“In Linda Mwananchi, we have a presidential candidate, and he is here,” Njoroge said during the Meru rally.
Speaking at the same event, Embakasai East MP Babu Owino warned opposition leaders against creating divisions within the movement and made clear his preference for Sifuna.
He argued that opposition leaders needed to remain united, saying no single political formation could successfully capture the presidency on its own.
“I’m with you 100 per cent,” Babu said, in reference to the movement’s preferred candidate.
Osotsi however noted that Linda Mwananchi would eventually agree on a single candidate to carry the movement's presidential hopes into the 2027 contest.
He argued that the current declarations should be viewed as part of the democratic process, adding that political ambitions would be accommodated through consultations and an agreed mechanism for selecting the eventual flag bearer.
The Vihiga senator has also dismissed members of the team who are against Orengo’s candidature, saying it is their personal opinion and not Linda Mwananchi’s position.
“Anyone who has made a statement, that is not the collective position of Linda Mwananchi. We want to be as accommodating as possible,” he said.
The developments nevertheless present a major test for Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi leadership as they seek to transform the movement from a rallying platform into a national political force.
Political analysts and other political players have also weighed in on Orengo’s candidature, with some questioning the viability of his ambitions.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Linda Mwananchi will now have to navigate both the uncertainty surrounding its political identity and the growing ambitions of leaders seeking to occupy the top slot. How Sifuna and his allies manage the emerging contest could determine whether Linda Mwananchi emerges as a united force capable of mounting a serious challenge in the next election or becomes another political outfit weakened by internal rivalry before the race even begins.
