Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Linda Mwananchi movement brought parts of the capital to a standstill with a show of strength aimed at positioning him in the post-Raila Odinga opposition.
From All Saints Cathedral to Marikiti and Gikomba markets and finally Jacaranda Grounds, Mr Sifuna and his allies drew large crowds. Anti-government songs and chants dominated the day as the movement sought to demonstrate that it can mobilise the capital’s voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The rally was also significant because Nairobi was one of Raila’s most important political strongholds, and control of the capital could become a critical battleground between the rival opposition camps seeking to inherit his support base.
Unlike previous Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay and Kisumu, where chaos was reported, Sunday’s Nairobi event remained largely peaceful, with hundreds of police officers deployed at strategic points across the city.
Led by Mr Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Siaya Governor James Orengo, the leaders attended a church service at All Saints Cathedral before embarking on a procession through the city to Jacaranda Grounds.
At Gikomba Market, the leaders urged residents to vote President William Ruto out in 2027, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of being oppressive and out of touch with the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other Linda Mwananchi leaders arrive at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, for a public rally, on Sunday 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis onsongo | Nation Media Group
The large crowds accompanying the convoy provided an early indication of the movement’s ability to mobilise supporters in the capital, while its leaders sought to rally support for Mr Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
But Mr Sifuna repeatedly stressed that defeating President Ruto would require a broader opposition alliance rather than an individual candidate.
He named Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua , Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i among the opposition figures whose support would be necessary to mount a credible challenge against President Ruto.
“People in other parts of the country want to take me to a certain job. Do you also want me to take that job? It will not be easy. We must walk together with Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua and all other leaders in the opposition,” said Mr Sifuna.
With 17 constituencies, 85 wards and more than 2.7 million registered voters, Nairobi is a crucial prize for any national political formation. The number of registered voters is projected to rise to about 3.1 million by the time of the 2027 election.
The capital was for decades one of the strongest pillars of Raila’s political machinery, giving the emerging contest over his support base national significance.
Raila’s appeal in Nairobi extended beyond ethnicity, drawing support from young people, those living in informal settlements, the middle class and migrant communities across the city’s diverse neighbourhoods.
On one side is Linda Mwananchi, which is seeking to establish itself as part of the post-Raila opposition and position Mr Sifuna as a national political player. On the other is ODM, now under the leadership of Dr Oburu Odinga, whose leadership has declared its intention to support President Ruto’s re-election.
Mr Sifuna used yesterday’s rally to explain his fallout with Dr Oburu. Accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of making life increasingly expensive for ordinary Kenyans, he said this was why he could not support President Ruto.
A Linda Mwananchi supporters during a rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on September 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
His camp has accused the Dr Oburu-led ODM of abandoning Raila’s political legacy by working with President Ruto, and insisted that Linda Mwananchi can carry forward the former opposition chief’s support base.
The emerging contest could therefore determine whether Nairobi remains a key opposition stronghold or becomes part of President Ruto’s broader effort to redraw Kenya’s traditional political map.
Mr Sifuna said the reception in Nairobi was a message that residents were unhappy with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Ruto has not understood our message. Slums in Nairobi are not housing problems but income problems. Building houses will not bring to an end the issue of slums. SHA is not working, and that is why even the president is still donating money in fundraisers, something he had promised during campaigns to bring to an end,” Mr Sifuna said.
He asked Nairobi residents to back his presidential ambitions while emphasising that his bid would have to be part of a wider opposition effort.
The senator also warned against electoral manipulation, saying the movement would challenge the results in the Supreme Court if the 2027 election was rigged.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya claimed the Supreme Court had previously been used to deny Raila victory.The then ODM leader challenged his presidential poll losses in 2013, 2017 and 2022. In 2017, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice David Maraga, nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election and ordered a fresh poll.
Leaders of Kenyan opposition movement Linda Mwananchi Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo and Babu Owino ride on a caravan ahead of a rally in preparation for 2027 General Elections in Nairobi, Kenya September 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Thomas Mukoya | Reuters
The Jacaranda rally also became a platform for Mr Sifuna’s allies to rally support for Mr Owino’s bid for the Nairobi governor’s seat.
The opposition leaders accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of failing to deliver services to residents despite Nairobi receiving the country’s highest allocation from the national coffers.
Linda Mwananchi supporters gather at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi ahead of a rally by movement leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on September 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Mr Owino said Mr Sakaja had been overwhelmed by the demands of running the capital, citing the Sh80 billion deal with the national government as evidence of the governor’s failure.
He promised to make the county’s school feeding programme free for all schoolgoing children, saying parents should no longer pay the current Sh5 contribution for the subsidised meals.
“Nairobi people wake up every day to a filthy city because Sakaja is unable to clean the city. That will be a thing of the past under my leadership,” Mr Owino said, adding that bursaries would be issued without discrimination.
The Embakasi East MP accused the county administration of failing to address unemployment, garbage collection, water shortages and problems in public health facilities. He pledged to address water shortages, ensure public hospitals were adequately supplied with drugs and improve the welfare of health workers and other county employees.
Other leaders who attended the rally included Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Senator Crystal Asige, former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo.
Dr Khalwale said he regretted supporting President Ruto in the last election, blaming the administration for the high cost of living, unemployment and what he described as tribalism in government appointments.
“Our country is in trouble because of bad leadership. Unemployment and tribalism have gone up, and that is why we’re saying Ruto has to go,” he said.
