Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua/FILE
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to contain growing differences among their supporters, warning that divisions could weaken the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua said he had separately spoken to Sifuna and Babu by phone from the United States and urged them to engage their supporters following exchanges between their camps.
His remarks come amid reported disagreements over the political vehicle the movement will use in the 2027 elections.
Gachagua alleged that some State operatives had infiltrated Linda Mwananchi and were seeking to divide the movement, but he did not provide evidence to support the claim.
“I know there is a small challenge within Linda Mwananchi between supporters of Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino, trading barbs and insulting each other,” Gachagua said.
“I placed a call to Sifuna, and I had a long chat with him and the same to Babu. I told them your movement is being infiltrated by some State operatives and your supporters are quickly falling for it.”
The DCP leader said he had asked the two politicians to caution their supporters against trading insults and instead focus on maintaining unity within the movement.
“They are in agreement with me that we must do whatever it takes to stop our supporters from being divided,” he said.
Gachagua also said he had asked Nyandarua Senator John Methu to join the discussions between the two leaders in an effort to ease tensions.
His intervention comes days after Linda Mwananchi held a major mobilisation in Nairobi, culminating in a rally at Jacaranda Grounds on September 13.
The event brought together Sifuna, Babu, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition figures.
The movement has since faced questions over its political structure, particularly the party that will serve as its vehicle in the 2027 elections.
Babu has promoted the Mwananchi Party, while Ukombozi People's Party has also emerged as an option for the movement.
Despite the differences, Babu on Friday reaffirmed his support for Sifuna, saying their political relationship would remain intact.
Gachagua said Linda Mwananchi would have a significant role in the opposition's efforts to build a broad political coalition ahead of the elections.
“Linda Mwananchi will play a significant role when we converge in liberating our country. We don't want that movement divided,” he said.
He also claimed that the government had been unsettled by the mobilisation of young leaders during the Nairobi rally, describing its response as one of “panic”.
