Linda Mwananchi Movement Faces Internal Divisions as Sifuna and Owino Supporters Clash Online
The Linda Mwananchi movement has hit rough waters as supporters of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino find themselves locked in heated online arguments, raising fresh concerns about the unity of the political outfit ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
The tension came to a head last Friday when Owino publicly rebuked a key Linda Mwananchi supporter, Abbie Zuena, during an event in Kisumu County. The rebuke sparked further online debates about the direction and leadership structure of the movement that has been touted as a vehicle for change in Kenya’s politics.
Speaking at a funeral service in Central Nyakach, Kisumu County, Owino opened up about his long political journey with Sifuna, tracing their relationship back to their difficult days in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Sifuna was expelled from the party. According to Owino, the two have remained loyal allies through thick and thin, backing each other through various challenges over the years.
However, despite their long history together, the movement appears to be grappling with the question of its political direction and which party should serve as its vehicle for the 2027 general election. Owino has proposed a coalition arrangement where Sifuna would lead the Ukombozi Party while he continues to lead the Mwananchi Party, with the two parties working together as a political force.
The tensions took another turn when former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua weighed in on the matter. Speaking in Kansas City, USA, at Shawnee Mission Park, Gachagua expressed concern about the growing divisions within the movement and the online squabbles between the supporters of both leaders. He warned that the dispute could deepen divisions within the Linda Mwananchi Movement and potentially hurt their political ambitions.
Gachagua revealed that he had separately called both Sifuna and Owino to discuss the rising tensions among their supporters. He described what he saw as a “small challenge” brewing back home, with supporters of both leaders trading insults and negative comments on social media platforms. The former deputy president said he had cautioned them about what he described as government interference in the movement and urged them to address the growing tensions urgently.
The DCP leader also brought in Senator John Methu into the conversations, hoping that the three leaders would work together to resolve their differences before the situation got worse. Gachagua expressed hope that the two young leaders would find common ground and move forward as a united force.
One of the key concerns raised by Gachagua is the tribal dimension that the movement has started to take. He noted that the movement was beginning to show signs of divisions along ethnic lines, with supporters from different communities trading insults online. Gachagua specifically mentioned tensions between Luo and Luhya supporters and urged the leaders to address this before it escalates further.
Despite all these challenges, Owino has remained committed to backing Sifuna’s 2027 presidential bid. On Friday, September 18, the Embakasi East MP reaffirmed his support for the senator’s presidential ambitions, saying he would continue to stand by him despite the differences within the Linda Mwananchi coalition.
The movement also faces competition from Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has expressed interest in the presidency in 2027. Orengo’s candidacy has added another layer of complexity to the political landscape within the broader political movement, with different leaders backing different presidential candidates.
The unfolding drama within Linda Mwananchi shows that building a united political movement is not an easy task, especially when dealing with big political personalities and their dedicated supporters. For the movement to succeed in 2027, the leaders will need to address these internal tensions and find ways to unite their supporters around a common vision and agenda.
