Linda Mwananchi: The faces behind group giving Ruto, Oburu sleepless nights

Since the death of former ODM leader, Raila Odinga, last year there has been at storm in the party. At the heart of it is a dramatic leadership contest pitting allies of party leader Dr Oburu Oginga — who is Raila’s elder brother — against a faction allied to ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. 

The fallout has played out in public at rival meetings. There have been sharp exchanges and chaotic rallies — none more telling than the February 15, 2026 confrontation in Kitengela, Kajiado County, where police dispersed a crowd at a pro-Sifuna rally. A youth, Vincent Ayomo, was shot dead.

On Saturday, the Oginga group had a rally in Siaya County while the Sifuna camp was in Kakamega. 

The opposing sides have been fighting off allegations of backing by powerful forces. While Dr Oginga’s camp has denied claims of following the instructions of President William Ruto, Mr Sifuna’s team has denied being sponsored by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Some prominent figures now define this moment — each bringing history, influence and a distinct political style to the unfolding contest.

Edwin Sifuna

The Nairobi senator’s political and legal journey began in Kakamega before he rose through student activism and professional ranks to become one of ODM’s most visible faces. 

A graduate of the University of Nairobi School of Law and an Advocate of the High Court, Mr Sifuna was appointed ODM Secretary-General in 2018. He was elected as senator of Nairobi in 2022.

Top ODM officials’ attempt to remove him from his party post on February 11, 2026 triggered the current upheaval. Mr Sifuna, however, got a reprieve from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal, which barred the party from ousting him.

“Our party constitution places a responsibility on us to fight for ODM and fight with us… we shall fight for this great institution until the very end,” Mr Sifuna said, flanked by his allies.

The senator has taken the Linda Mwananchi campaign from Busia to Kitengela and Kakamega — framing it as a defence of internal democracy in the party and resisting “backroom political deals”. When chaos erupted in Kitengela, he squarely blamed the security agencies for the shooting that claimed a life.

For Mr Sifuna, the Linda Mwananchi slogan is not merely rhetorical. It is a doctrine anchored on grassroots mobilisation and party constitutionalism.

Babu Owino

The Embakasi East MP has emerged as the movement’s fiercest defender. A former Student Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) chairperson, Mr Owino built his reputation through confrontational student activism before transitioning to parliamentary politics in 2017.

The MP has degrees in actuarial science and law. Admitted to the Bar in 2025, the lawmaker blends intellectual credentials with populist flair. His speeches at Linda Mwananchi rallies have electrified youthful audiences disillusioned by economic hardship.

“Oburu Odinga and his ilk may have the party structure, but we have the members… we will not be cowed by threats,” he roared at the Kitengela rally.

On the eve of yesterday’s rally in Kakamega, he told the authorities: “The rally that is being organised in Kakamega, we will be there, and you cannot stop this rally.”

James Orengo

The Siaya governor brings gravitas and historical memory to the Linda Mwananchi campaign. Born in 1951, Mr Orengo’s activism dates back to the struggle against single-party rule in the 1980s. A Senior Counsel and former MP of Ugenya, senator, presidential candidate and Cabinet minister, he embodies Kenya’s multiparty evolution.

Mr Orengo has aligned firmly with Mr Sifuna’s faction, framing the movement as part of a larger democratic continuum.

“Our forefathers had a vision for this country… This movement is not about the 2027 elections; it is about liberating our country now,” he said at the rally.

His presence bridges generations — linking seasoned party loyalists with younger reformists. In moments of heated confrontation, Mr Orengo’s measured tone underscores constitutionalism and due process, lending intellectual and historical legitimacy to the cause.

Mr Orengo’s alignment with Mr Sifuna’s team, however, puts him in sharp focus as Dr Oginga’s Linda Ground team pitches tent in his Siaya backyard.

Godfrey Osotsi

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi represents the technocratic wing of the alliance. A computer science expert with advanced degrees in information technology and business administration, Mr Osotsi previously served as secretary-general of the defunct Amani National Congress before joining ODM.

He came to the limelight as a star witness in the Raila Odinga election petition case in 2017 when he gave evidence on electronic results transmission that led to the annulment of the presidential elections. 

Now one of ODM’s Deputy Party Leaders, Mr Osotsi has taken sides with Mr Sifuna, urging members to safeguard the party’s founding ideals.

Unlike the more theatrical figures, Mr Osotsi’s strength lies in framing the dispute as institutional rather than personal. He says that the conflict is about adherence to party rules, not power contests — reinforcing the narrative of constitutional fidelity.

Caleb Amisi

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi swept to victory during the 2017 polls at just 29, becoming one of Kenya’s youngest lawmakers. A member of key parliamentary committees, Mr Amisi has cultivated an image of independence and ideological clarity.

He has been vocal on calls that Kenya needs a renaissance movement, and has worked with Mr Sifuna even in the Kenya Moja Movement, which now appears to have morphed into the Linda Nchi Movement.

He was removed from ODM’s National Executive Committee amid the factional battles, and has been outspoken in opposing any alignment between ODM and President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

“If ODM joins UDA, I will not vie under ODM,” he declared.

Regarding the forthcoming March 27 National Delegates Convention , he was blunt: “It depends on who convenes it. If it is Oburu I won’t go. If it is Sifuna I will go.”

Mr Amisi’s emphasis on internal democracy and principle resonates strongly with grassroots members wary of elite bargains.

Winnie Odinga

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Winnie Odinga — a daughter of former ODM leader Raila Odinga — adds emotional and historical depth to the movement.

Winnie has largely maintained a low public profile. Yet her appearance beside Mr Sifuna at a press conference in Nairobi signalled unmistakable alignment with the faction.

She described the bid to remove Mr Sifuna as ODM’s secretary-general as “not well” and unconstitutional. She has called for transparency and dialogue following her father’s death.

Her involvement evokes ODM’s legacy of reform politics and reminds supporters of the party’s foundational ideals. 

Richard Onyonka

Mr Richard Onyonka is the senator of Kisii County, and the son of Zachary Onyonka, who was a powerful politician during the Daniel arap Moi-era. Mr Onyonka entered Parliament in 2007 as the MP for Kitutu Chache on a People’s Democratic Party ticket, before joiningFord Kenya and ODM parties.

He also previously served as an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and retained his parliamentary seat through successive elections until 2022, when he was elected Kisii senator.

Known for his vocal advocacy on governance issues, he has championed development and accountability in Kisii, particularly healthcare, infrastructure, and education. 

Anthony Kibagendi

Anthony Kibagendi is the MP for Kitutu Chache South Constituency in Kisii County. He was elected on the ODM ticket.

His recent arrest by the police over an assault case in Kisii town was widely linked to alleged harassment over his political stance. But police officers have linked it to the assault on Mr Enock Omariba in Kisii town on November 27, 2025.

Majimbo Kalasinga

He is the MP of Kabuchai Constituency in Bungoma County under the ticket of the Moses Wetang’ula-led Ford Kenya Party. Mr Wetang’ula is aso the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Despite Mr Wetang’ula’s association with the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance, Mr Kalasinga has joined the Linda Mwananchi team, that stresses the need to “protect citizen’s against the ruling elite due to the hard economic times.”

Caroli Omondi

The Suba South MP in Homa Bay County was elected on an ODM ticket. Mr Omondi was among first ODM legislators to associate with President Ruto’s government long before the birth of the broad-based government.

However, he has morphed into one of the fiercest critics of the regime, in what insiders view as a protest over the appointment of his political nemesis in Suba South — Mr John Mbadi as the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary.

Mr Caroli was recently named Azimio la Umoja- Kenya One Coalition secretary-general in changes that were endorsed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Jack Wamboka

The MP for Bumula Constituency in Bungoma County is serving in the 13th Parliament on the Eugene Wamalwa-led Democratic Action Party-Kenya ticket. He has been a consistent anti-establishment voice.

Patrick Makau

He is the MP for Mavoko Constituency in Machakos County, elected under the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Patriotic Front party ticket. 

A fierce critic of the Ruto administration, Mr Makau was one of the leaders arrested in the wake of Raila Odinga’s anti-government protests in 2023.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations raided his home in Karen, Nairobi at 4am over alleged links with demonstrations that led to the massive destruction of the Nairobi Expressway. He denied wrong doing.

Wilberforce Oundo

Wilberforce Oundo is the MP for Funyula Constituency in Busia County. He was elected to Parliament in the 2022 General Election on an ODM ticket. 

According to parliamentary records, he sat his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination at Starehe Boys Centre in 1989 before proceeding to the University of Nairobi where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Land Economics) degree in 1995. He then acquired a master’s degree and PhD at the same institution.

Clive Ombane

He is the MP for Kitutu Masaba Constituency in Kisii County, elected to the 13th Parliament on an ODM ticket.  Parliamentary records show that he holds a Bachelors of Commerce degree in Marketing from the University of Nairobi.

Danson Mwashako

Danson Mwashako Mwakuwona is an economist and is serving as the MP for Wundanyi Constituency. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University and was first elected to Parliament in 2017. He was later re-elected in 2022 on a Wiper party ticket.

His background in economics informs his legislative focus, particularly on fiscal oversight and constituency economic development. Other leaders who have become prominent figures in the rallies are MP Barongo Obadiah, Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Ms Pauline Njoroge. 

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