Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses mourners at Gilgil Stadium on June 12, 2026, during the requiem mass for the 16 Utumishi Girls Senior School students who lost their lives in a dormitory fire two weeks ago.
The fast-growing influence of the Linda Mwananchi faction and conflicting pronouncements by some of its key leaders threaten to complicate the opposition's 2027 game plan.
Initially focused on wresting control of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from President William Ruto’s loyalists, the breakaway team led by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has gained significant traction across the country.
With the growing political influence, especially among the majority youths, calls for Mr Sifuna to be on the presidential ticket appear to be gaining momentum ahead of the next presidential contest.
Many young Kenyans identify with the vocal critic of President Ruto since he is a new face with no political baggage from past regimes in a development that threaten to crash the political ambition of other opposition politicians. Other opposition favourites for the presidential ticket include those who have served in influential positions, including as Vice President and Cabinet Ministers.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua (second right) addressing a press briefing at the SKM Centre on April 15, 2026. With him are (from left) Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiangi and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.
Former Vice President and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i, DAP-K boss and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, and former Cabinet Minister Martha Karua of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) are some of the opposition figures who have declared interest in running against President Ruto.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has also declared his interest in the top seat. Jubilee Party is said to be demanding that Dr Matiang’i be on the ticket either as the candidate or a running mate.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, a member of the Linda Mwananchi camp, told the Nation they are ready for talks with like-minded opposition politicians in their mission to deny Dr Ruto a second term.
He, however, said that Mr Sifuna has to be on the presidential ballot paper.
“We will soon retreat to get views of our people on how they want us to engage going into the elections. We have already made it clear that we are open for talks with every other political player, but President Ruto,” he said.
He went on, “Our very bare minimum is that one of us has to be on the ticket. That person is Sifuna. His face and name must be on the presidential ballot.”
Speaking during the ‘State of the Nation’ address by Mr Maraga, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said in the absence of Mr Sifuna as the opposition presidential candidate, the only other person he can back is the former Chief Justice. He said the country needs new blood.
"They should all come and support people like Maraga. If Sifuna is not going to be a presidential candidate, the only person I will allow Sifuna to deputise is Maraga. We can't keep on doing the same things the same way and expect different results," he said.
Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi.
Mr Amisi has, however, been criticised for speaking from both sides of his mouth. At the weekend, Mr Amisi joined the United Opposition brigade lead by Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua in their rallies in Western Kenya.
Speaking to the Nation, Mr Amisi said the original idea of Linda Mwanachi was to front new faces for the country’s top leadership. He said his appearance at the United Opposition rally was not an endorsement.
“I only welcomed them because they came to my constituency. I still believe that they should support a new face if we must continue with the idea of change,” he said.
He alleged external interference in the running of the Linda Mwananchi, claiming that some of his colleagues were being sponsored by Mr Gachagua and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
September declaration
The faction has since lined up a series of political rallies across the country that would culminate in a major political declaration in September.
Siaya Governor James Orengo told the Nation they have a strategy meeting today to firm up their itinerary of rallies for the next couple of months.
In its grand scheme of things, the faction seeks to cover at least 24 counties before making a major 2027 declaration in September, in a political jamboree to be held in Nairobi.
Part of the major announcement to be made include its possible alliance with the United Opposition and whether to field a presidential candidate or to produce a running mate in an opposition coalition.
The United Opposition has publicly indicated their desire to team up with the Linda Mwananchi team in fronting a single presidential candidate to face off with President Ruto in the 2027 presidential race.
The faction has already conducted a total of 11 political tours, including in Nairobi’s Dagoretti North, Kitengela, Busia, Narok, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisumu, Mombasa and Machakos. Last weekend, the team led by Mr Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi made their entry to the populous Mt Kenya through a well-attended rally in Thika Town.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi addresses delegates during the People’s Delegate Convention organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party in Nairobi on March 27, 2026.
Mr Osotsi told the Nation that Linda Mwananchi has scheduled a series of more than 10 rallies in the coming months before holding the major Nairobi rally to make a 2027 declaration.
He said they have lined up a rally in Kisii on June 26 before proceeding to Trans Nzoia and Bungoma early July. The Bungoma rally will double up as Mr Sifuna's homecoming ceremony.
The team has also listed several political incursions in Mt Kenya, with a plan for rallies in Meru and Tharaka Nithi before crossing over to the Coast for rallies in Kilifi and Kwale. They also sought to storm President Ruto’s Eldoret home town in August. Other counties listed for rallies include Mr Orengo’s home county of Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay.
“The intention is to listen to the people and hear what they want us to do before we can make a declaration going into the 2027 contest,” said Mr Osotsi.
“There would be a major rally in Nairobi in September where we will tell the nation our agenda and plans to send President Ruto home,” he added. The camp has already attracted new faces, including Murang’a
Governor Irung’u Kang’ata, former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo and former Principal Secretary Irung’u Nyakera. Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has also identified with the formation.
Mr Osotsi disclosed that more politicians have indicated their plans to join the faction in the lead up to the next poll.
Talk of Linda Mwanachi teaming up with the United Opposition has in the recent past gained momentum as both camps vow to front a single candidate to face Dr Ruto.
Mr Gachagua, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, on Monday began his 45-day political conclave at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri aimed at building consensus on a single opposition presidential candidate. Mr Gachagua said he was retreating for extensive consultations to help determine who will fly the opposition flag.
Sifuna Momentum
During the Linda Mwananchi rally in Machakos County, Senator Sifuna and other leaders hinted at coalition talks between the two formations.
“If Kalonzo goes to the presidential ballot alone, he can still defeat Ruto. If Sifuna goes to the presidential ballot alone, he can still beat Ruto. However, to make the work easier, we have to unite. We want to give this person one team,” said Mr Sifuna.
Linda Mwananchi Movement leader Edwin Sifuna and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Mr Sifuna has not publicly declared whether he intends to vie for the presidency or seek re-election as Nairobi senator, but his growing influence has made him one of the most viable candidate for the top seat or running mate.
According to a poll by Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa) released last month, a Kalonzo-Sifuna ticket emerged as a strong option among opposition supporters, attracting 28 percent support, second only to the Kalonzo-Matiang’i pairing, which had 31 percent rating.
The Tifa poll also showed that the Linda Mwananchi faction is significantly more popular among party supporters than the Linda Ground – a tag that has since been dropped – faction led by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
In April, the outfit said it was looking at mapping out the country and coming up with specific policy issues that resonate with each region.
The strategy was part of a multiple-pronged grand plan designed to endear its leaders to voters in pursuit of the formation’s 2027 game plan.
Part of the grand plan also included setting up a nerve centre that will be tasked with resource-mobilisation, crafting strategies and messaging, as well as providing linkages with other players.
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