The political rise of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, capped by his weekend declaration that he will run for the presidency in 2027, has unsettled key players in both the opposition and ODM, with a growing number of leaders gravitating towards his Linda Mwananchi movement.
Several politicians who had previously aligned themselves with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are now shifting their support to Mr Sifuna.
Speaking during a series of rallies in Taita Taveta County last weekend, Mr Sifuna hinted at his presidential ambitions.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna speaks to the congregation during a Sunday service at St Stephen's ACK Cathedral in Kisumu on July 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“They have stripped me of everything Baba gave me. They have stripped me of the Deputy Minority Whip post, they have taken away the Secretary General post and stripped me of the title SG but the young people have said they will give me H.E,” said Mr Sifuna, referring to the title accorded to the President and the Deputy President.
One of the most notable shifts has come from Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who was initially among Dr Matiang'i's strongest allies but is now firmly in Mr Sifuna's camp. Mr Onyonka has attended several Linda Mwananchi rallies despite previously declaring support for Dr Matiang'i's presidential bid.
In a recent interview, the senator said he intends to vie for the Kisii governorship on a Jubilee Party ticket and is prepared to battle former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu for the party's nomination.
However, during the Taita Taveta rally, Mr Onyonka openly endorsed Mr Sifuna, signalling a shift in allegiance from Dr Matiang'i.
“My younger brother, my leader and incoming President Edwin Sifuna. I will vote for Sifuna when he vies for president and now some are feeling the jitters. If you want to run for presidents and it reaches stage where I have to vote for him, then I have to vote for him,” said Mr Onyonka during a rally in Taita Taveta over the weekend.
“The opposition is one and Matiangí, Kalonzo and others are part of us,” added Mr Onyonka while addressing supporters in Voi Town.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka during a women empowerment program in Mosocho, Kisii County on July 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Onyonka has been one of the experienced politicians Dr Matiang'i has relied on to consolidate support in the Gusii region. He served as Kitutu Chache South MP for 20 years before being elected Kisii senator.
He was also among Dr Matiang'i's key lieutenants when the former Cabinet Secretary launched his presidential bid in 2025 and accompanied him during his homecoming and subsequent rallies across the Gusii region.
However, when Dr Matiang'i recently visited Keumbu, the scene of the deadly attack on Linda Mwananchi supporters, Mr Onyonka did not accompany him.
Other Gusii leaders who appear to have shifted their focus to the Linda Mwananchi movement include Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi and Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo.
Within ODM, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang', both regarded as fence-sitters because of their lukewarm support for President William Ruto's re-election bid, used the Ol Kalou by-election results to criticise the government.
"If they had listened to us, we wouldn't have lost Ol Kalou. One of the things that has been told is that we are taking the public for granted. We are very arrogant as leaders. We don’t listen to people. We don’t know what people are going through," Ms Odhiambo said.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo addresses the media at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on January 5, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
"I am being accused of double standards and sitting on the fence. But the lesson we have learnt in Ol Kalou is that numbers matter. People must come out and vote," Ms Odhiambo added.
Mr Kajwang', who has consistently secured ODM direct nominations in previous elections, said the outcome of the by-election demonstrated that intimidation would not determine future electoral outcomes.
"It is a reflection of the next election where votes will not be cast through bribery but based on how you have worked for the people. I should also be questioned if I worked or not," said Mr Kajwang'.
The duo's lukewarm support has raised eyebrows that they are sympathetic to the Linda Mwananchi faction.
Murangá Governor Irungu Kang'ata recently came under attack from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his decision to campaign for the Linda Mwananchi candidate during the just-concluded Ol Kalou by-election. The criticism forced the governor to hold a chaotic Linda Mwananchi rally in Nyandarua Town.
Political analyst Martin Andati says the developments signal changing political dynamics in the Mt Kenya region.
“Gachagua expect everyone in Mount Kenya to follow him and when Kangáta joined the Linda Mwananchi faction he was not happy. Leaders affiliated to Jubilee and Linda Mwananchi in Mount Kenya will have to rethink their political stand,” says political analyst Martin Andati.
Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the media on the escalating political violence in the country in Nairobi on July 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Mr Musyoka is also facing growing pressure, with several legislators from Ukambani reportedly skipping his meetings and increasingly associating themselves with the Linda Mwananchi camp.
Sources, however, say the legislators' primary objective is to ensure Mr Sifuna and Mr Musyoka work together, with the latter serving as Mr Musyok's running mate in the 2027 General Election.
Among Wiper MPs associated with the Linda Mwananchi camp are Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, all of whom have been vocal in supporting the activities of the breakaway ODM outfit.
The Sifuna wave has also drawn in Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who remains the United Opposition's point man in Western Kenya while maintaining close ties with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Mr Natembeya is leading preparations for Linda Mwananchi rallies scheduled for July 25 in Trans Nzoia and July 26 in Bungoma.
During the Bungoma meeting at Posta Grounds, Mr Sifuna is expected to be endorsed as the spokesperson of the Luhya community and tasked with rallying support from other communities as he pursues his presidential bid.
