Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has boldly declared himself the founder of the Linda Mwananchi movement, while taking a swipe at the current state of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accusing the party of abandoning its founding ideals.
Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on Tuesday, May 5, Amisi said he was the architect behind bringing together leaders under the Linda Mwananchi banner and insisted anyone seeking clarity about the movement should direct their questions to him.
“I am the founder of Linda Mwananchi, so if you have any questions about Linda Mwananchi, ask me. I brought all these leaders together,” Amisi stated.
The outspoken legislator also reflected on his close political relationship with the late Raila Odinga, fondly referring to him as “Baba,” and dismissed claims by some leaders that they held exclusive political secrets about him.
“There are people who come in public rallies and start telling people how they had the secrets of Baba. Baba was a spirit bana, you can’t claim you had the secrets of Baba,” Amisi said, adding that Odinga confided in people in ways many would never expect.
Amisi further revealed that before Odinga’s death, he had sought his blessing to form what was initially called Kenya Moja, a movement that later evolved into Linda Mwananchi.
“Baba died knowing Caleb is forming a needle movement. I sought the permission of Baba to form Kenya Moja that now became Linda Mwananchi. Wherever Baba is, he’s happy that the permission he gave me I took it seriously and now it is preserving his legacy,” he said.
At the same time, Amisi criticized ODM, claiming those who remain in the party are largely driven by self-interest.
“The people who have been left in ODM are tenderpreneurs. The ideology and principles that made ODM stand are no longer there. They are just shouting power, ‘tuko kwa serikali’, what is that?” he posed.
His remarks are likely to deepen debate over ODM’s future and the growing influence of Linda Mwananchi in Kenya’s opposition politics.
