Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna/FILESifuna said he had not spent any of the money and was keeping it in a bucket in his office. He said he wanted to carry the collection to State House and place it on his desk.
“When I saw these mamas bringing me those 50 bob, you know that is when reality dawned on me that there can be no going back,” he said.
The senator said the donations had an emotional impact on him because of the effort it takes ordinary traders to earn the money.
“And then you go and joke around, and think that I don't have money for Johnny Walker. I have money for Johnny Walker, but those mamas giving you money, it was such an emotional moment for me, I almost shed tears,” Sifuna said.
He said he had deliberately preserved the money to remind himself of the people behind his political ambitions.
“I have kept all of it, and there's a reason I've kept it. I have kept it to remind myself who I am doing this for,” he said.
“I have never used any of those 50 bobs,” he added.
Sifuna said the collection had grown so large that he might need one of the water-storage containers commonly used in Nairobi to accommodate it.
The remarks come amid debate over politicians collecting money from supporters during public rallies and market visits.
The reference to Johnnie Walker has featured in political exchanges over Sifuna's fundraising, with critics questioning whether the money collected from ordinary Kenyans was intended to fund his personal spending.
"...he thinks that I don't have money for Johnny Walker. I have money for Johnny Walker..."
Linda Mwananchi has encouraged Kenyans to contribute small amounts towards the movement's activities. In July, Sifuna announced M-Pesa Paybill number 3033049, asking supporters to send contributions as low as Sh10.
The account was registered under his official name because Linda Mwananchi had not yet been established as a political party.
At rallies, supporters have also handed Sifuna cash directly, including Sh20 coins and Sh50 notes, which he has collected in a bucket.
The fundraising drive has coincided with efforts to formalise the movement politically. Sifuna unveiled The Equitable Party on October 4 as a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The party's executive later approved plans to adopt the Linda Mwananchi name, signalling a move towards giving the movement a formal party identity.
