ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that he is being politically funded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to undermine President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Nairobi Senator, who has emerged as a leading figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement within ODM, described the allegations as political propaganda, insisting that the group’s activities are financed by ordinary Kenyans and its supporters—not political heavyweights.
“I am not funded by Uhuru. I am funded by the people. We have a public website, and I am ready to show M-Pesa statements detailing how we pay our DJ and cover the costs of our political rallies,” Sifuna said during an interview with Egesa FM on Wednesday, ahead of the Linda Mwananchi political meeting scheduled for Gusii on Friday.
He added that the movement’s leaders use their own personal resources to facilitate their activities.
“We have our own vehicles, and we are leaders whom God has blessed. I may not be wealthy, but I can certainly afford fuel to travel to Kisii,” he said.
Sifuna was responding to accusations by leaders aligned with the broad-based government, particularly ODM members supporting Senator Oburu Oginga, who claim that Linda Mwananchi is being financed by Kenyatta to create divisions within ODM and derail President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
However, the senator maintained that the movement does not rely on political financiers and argued that his critics are simply accustomed to money-driven politics.
“Vote-buying and handouts are what make campaigns expensive. We do not distribute cash, T-shirts, or branded caps at our meetings,” he said.
He added that politicians who are used to financing rallies through cash handouts assume every political movement operates in the same way.
“As a senator, I can fuel my own car and attend political meetings anywhere in the country, just like my fellow Linda Mwananchi leaders,” he stated.
Sifuna is expected to lead the movement’s first political rally in the Gusii region on Friday after a meeting planned for last week was postponed to allow supporters time to mourn victims of the June 25 Gen Z demonstrations.
The rally is part of Linda Mwananchi’s nationwide campaign, which aims to hold political meetings in at least 24 counties before making a major political announcement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Among the issues expected to be discussed is whether the movement will formally join the emerging opposition coalition and whether it will field its own presidential candidate or negotiate for the deputy presidential slot within a broader alliance.
Opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have publicly expressed their willingness to work with Linda Mwananchi in backing a single opposition candidate to challenge President Ruto in the 2027 elections.
Since its launch, Linda Mwananchi has held political meetings in Dagoretti North, Kitengela, Busia, Narok, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Machakos.
The movement also plans to tour the Mt Kenya region, including Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, before heading to the Coast with meetings in Kilifi and Kwale.
Its itinerary further includes rallies in Eldoret, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay as it seeks to expand its national influence ahead of the next General Election.
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