Politics of the sugarcane sector, unity of the Luhya community and Kakamega gubernatorial race dominated the final day of the Linda Mwananchi tour of the Western region on Sunday.
Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and his Kakamega counterpart Boni Khalwale, the leaders promised to turn around the economy of not only the Western region, but the entire country should Mr Sifuna be elected president in 2027.
The leaders attended mass at Mumias ACK Church then later held a rally in Mumias Town, Mumias East Shianda Market, Navakholo, Malava and finally in Lumakanda, marking the end of their three-day tour.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses a Linda Mwananchi rally in Mumias town on August 9, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Sifuna asked the people to not look at his inexperience at the top, but trust him, as he promised to solve their problems and improve their livelihoods.
He decried the woes facing the sugarcane sector in the region accusing President William Ruto of conniving with private millers to take over State-owned sugar factories while also allowing the importation of sugar into the country while farmers continue to suffer.
Speaking in Mumias Town, Mr Sifuna said the area used to be one of the most thriving in the country, economically but now remains a shell of its former self because of poor leadership and collapse of Mumias Sugar Factory that used to be their source of livelihood.
“The Mumias machines used to roar, earning our parents money for school fees. This town used to thrive and was respected. Because of greed and issuing importation licenses to cronies, the companies collapsed. When we take over leadership, the first thing we will do is to get rid of these unscrupulous businessmen stifling the economy of Western region,” said Mr Sifuna.
While maintaining respect for Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who is part of a team of distinguished scholars tasked by President Ruto to formulate Kenya's new development blueprint, Mr Sifuna said that the country needed a new generation of leaders to take charge.
“I respect you Nyong’o, but you would have been patient only for 12 months after these young people take over the reins of power before giving us a planning road map for 2060. A chicken and its chicks cannot sit down and draft a plan on how to survive until 2060 and give the implementation to an eagle,” said Mr Sifuna.
He spoke as the country prepares for a national conversation on a proposed long-term development blueprint intended to succeed Vision 2030.
“I now have a dream and I have told my brothers about it, some have believed in me, others have doubts but through your prayers I shall achieve it. Let me not turn around at one point and realize you have abandoned me. I am sure the miracle he did to me in 2017 will be repeated in 2027,” said Mr Sifuna.
Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala addresses a Linda Mwananchi rally in Mumias town on August 9, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Also accompanying the Linda Mwananchi brigade was Democracy for Citizens Party Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala, whose rivalry with Mr Khalwale for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat played out in the open as both tried to persuade the other to step down in the other’s favour.
On Saturday and Sunday, the two appeared to be tussling for the attention of the voters.
Mr Malala defended his decision to support Mr Sifuna but stay in DCP, saying that is a tactic to woo voters from other regions.
“Here in Western, we shall not allow Ruto to get even one vote. After closing Western, we have to look for friends outside there. I am the deputy party leader of DCP. If you see me sitting with Riggy G (Rigathi Gachagua), I am not stupid, I am wooing voters for my brother on the other side,” said Mr Malala.
He advised against rooting for a ‘six-piece’ kind of voting as pushed by the Linda Mwananchi brigade, saying every leader should go for whichever seat.
“We are sealing Western, Rigathi has Mount Kenya in the bag, Kalonzo has Kamba while Orengo and Babu Owino have sealed Nyanza. There is no formula Ruto will use for reelection. We will never be divided along ethnic lines again,” said Mr Natembeya.
Senator Osotsi said Kenya needs a simple president who does not involve himself in conflict of interest by dishing out government contracts.
“We do not want a president who has business interests using proxies to earn tenders or owning these sugar factories. Ruto took over Mumias through other private investors in the name of privatization. Once you take over leadership, within 30 days kindly return this Mumias Sugar company to the hands of the public,” said Mr Osotsi.
He asked Mr Malala to officially join Linda Mwananchi. Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati said it was possible to make Ruto a one-term president.
“Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Botswana all had one term presidents, it is possible to have Ruto go for only one term,” he said.
Mr Wamboka said the country cannot plan for the next 30 years before it solves the issues people are facing today.
The Linda Mwananchi team announced that they have collected Sh12 million from the public through a paybill.
