President William Ruto met leaders from Kakamega County at State House ahead of and anticipated weekend showdown between him and the Linda Mwananchi brigade linked to Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Linda Mwananchi, the anti-Ruto team, will be have their third public engagement rally in Kakamega Town on Saturday while the Head of State will be attending a service at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Bulimbo, Matungu Constituency.
The leaders who met President Ruto at State House include Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda, MPs Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Johnson Naiccas (Mumias West), Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu) and Tindi Mwale (Butere).
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Missing from the meeting were Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, his Deputy Ayub Savula, Malava MP David Ndakwa and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, though strangely enough, his predecessor Benjamin Washiali was present.
According to Dr Ruto, the meeting took stock of development programmes in the county and emphasised the government’s commitment to working with leaders beyond party lines.
The meeting is seen by some observers as a sign that State House is closely watching Senator Sifuna's moves following his recent ouster as ODM Secretary-General.
Dr Martin Oloo, a political pundit, reckons the pro-Ruto team will attempt to counter the Sifuna team. He cautions that this could backfire since it may make their rivals even more popular.
“The ODM brigade are likely to invoke violence which is very unfortunate because it is against freedom of movement and expression. This will likely to spur more opposition towards government,” he said while refencing the recent violent disruption of the Kitengela rally.
Siaya Governor James Orengo (right) and ODM Edwin Sifuna address residents of Ugunja town during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction on February 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
For Senator Sifuna, it will be an opportunity to show his might and influence in Mulembe nation.
Should the pro-Ruto leaders, should they fail to marshal support from their backyard, they will have to rethink their strategy in order to convince the president that they have any influence in the vote-rich region.
Coupled with the onslaught from Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya's Tawe movement and the United Opposition, President Ruto risks his Western region fortunes dwindle before his eyes.
“Sifuna being harassed within ODM is already angering the Western region...slowly, the ODM Luhya constituency is fading,” adds Dr Oloo.
