Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s shadow loomed large when Linda Mwananchi, a faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), camped in Machakos County yesterday.
The team led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino characterised Mr Musyoka as a patriot who deserves a payback for leading the Ukambani voting bloc to support the late ODM leader Raila Odinga’s three failed presidential bids.
“Kalonzo is a true patriot who has the interests of this country at heart,” Siaya Governor James Orengo said at AIC Kyanda where the leaders had converged for Sunday service before addressing roadside rallies at Mutituni, Machakos and Mlolongo townships.
Mr Orengo and Wiper Organising Secretary Robert Mbui revealed that plans were underway for a coalition between Linda Mwananchi and the United Opposition group, whose principals include Mr Musyoka, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i ahead of next year’s General Election.
Azimio Secretary-General Caroli Omondi said the proposed coalition between Linda Mwananchi and the United Opposition had the blessings of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Matiang’i.
“We thank the people of the Ukambani region for supporting Mr Odinga’s three presidential bids. We are truly grateful. We know you are our friends. We shall work with you going forward. We shall find a way to work with you,” Mr Omondi said as Kisii Senator Richard OnyonKa openly endorsed Mr Musyoka’s presidential dream while calling for opposition unity.
Speakers took turns to position Mr Sifuna as a possible running mate to Mr Musyoka. They framed the outspoken senator as the face of Linda Mwananchi and an inspiration to young voters. Aware of the possible backlash that his project may cause in the opposition coalition, Mr Sifuna was quick to allay fears that his ambition was out to disadvantage some voting blocs.
“If Kalonzo goes to the presidential ballot alone he can still defeat (President) 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,” Mr Sifuna explained.
Mr Musyoka’s allies Joyce Kamene (Machakos woman representative), Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), Julius Mawathe (Embakasi South) and Stephen Mule (Matungulu) were among the members of the Linda Mwananchi and the United Opposition groups who took turns to criticize President Ruto’s administration over the planned setting up of an Ebola isolation facility for American citizens in Laikipia County and the 2026 Finance Bill.
Mr Sifuna said President Ruto had squandered an opportunity to convince the United States to empower the Democratic Republic of Congo to contain the Ebola epidemic within its borders by giving a greenlight to the proposed makeshift Ebola hospital in Laikipia County as Mr Osotsi and Mr Mule called on the youth and opposition lawmakers in both the Linda Mwananchi and the United Opposition groups to come together in rejecting the 2026 Finance Bill.
“This is the time Kenyans need us most. The 2026 Finance Bill has proposed to introduce a 16 per cent tax on any money transfers. This will hit the church hard and make life unbearable for the common man. That is why we must reject the 2026 Finance Bill in totality,” Mr Mule said.
“All Linda Mwananchi MPs should vote NO to the 2026 Finance Bill. Otherwise, we shall expel any MP who will vote YES to the bill. At the same time, we are calling on Gen Z to take a keen interest in the manner in which MPs will vote when the bill will be tabled in Parliament. We shall ask you to occupy the premises of any MP who will vote YES to the bill,” said Mr Osotsi. Ezekiel Kyama, a young man who was among the protestors who stormed parliament two years ago to protest the 2024 Finance Bill, vowed to rally the youth to reject the bill.
The fear of intimidation and infiltration in the opposition group cast a long shadow as the opposition leaders took turns to hit out at President William Ruto whom they accused of overseeing the deterioration of the economy. “We shall not be intimidated,” Mr Kimilu said as Mr Osotsi issued a stern warning to Linda Mwananchi leaders.
“If you are in Linda Mwananchi and you are either bought by President Ruto or you start wavering we shall finish you politically. We have a responsibility to deliver Kenyans from bondage. We must stand firm,” he said.
