Oburu, Sifuna camps in battle to control bases ahead of 2027

On the other hand, the fast-rising Linda Mwananchi of ODM Secretary-General is on a campaign blitz ahead of a planned political declaration in September which, among other things, will resolve whether to team up with the United Opposition of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka ahead of the presidential contest.

In its Central Management Committee meeting on Monday, Dr Oburu’s camp resolved to sustain an aggressive membership drive and grassroots meetings.

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On Saturday, the party was scheduled to have a consultative meeting of grassroots leaders that was to culminate in a public rally at the Kwale Baraza Park in Kwale town.

“The objective of this meeting is to re-energise the party and reactivate its support base in the county as we prepare for the 2027 general election,” said ODM in a statement.

A similar activation will be held on June 28 in Busia County. The party said the Busia meeting will bring together youth leaders from all seven sub-counties for an engagement on youth agenda.

“They will talk about how to keep Busia County as the leading county in terms of ODM Membership. Both events will be graced by the top party national leadership,” it said.

Mr Sifuna has also lined up a series of political rallies across the country that would culminate into a major political declaration in readiness for the 2027 battle.

In its grand scheme of things, the ODM breakaway team seeks to cover at least 24 counties before making a major 2027 declaration in September in a political jamboree to be held in Nairobi.

The United Opposition, led by Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka, 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, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi made their entry to the populous Mt Kenya through a well-attended rally in Thika Town.

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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 in 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 seek to storm President Ruto’s Eldoret hometown in August. Other counties listed for rallies include Mr Orengo’s home county of Siaya and in 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 Irungu Kang’ata, former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and former Principal Secretary Irungu 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.

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 term,” said Mr Sifuna.

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 candidates 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 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.

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 multi-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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