Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has declared that the growing Linda Mwananchi movement will not be silenced by intimidation, insisting that its momentum is driven by ordinary Kenyans demanding accountability and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on February 24, 2026 the Nairobi Senator dismissed claims that leaders allied to the faction were staging chaos during their rallies.
“It’s going to take more than teargas to stop the voice and the movement of the people,” Sifuna said.
His remarks come amid heightened political tension within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following internal divisions that have seen the emergence of two factions — Linda Ground, associated with Oburu Oginga, and Linda Mwananchi, led by Sifuna alongside Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
The Linda Mwananchi team has so far held rallies in Busia, Kajiado, Vihiga and most recently Kakamega County, where an incident involving suspected plainclothes officers sparked outrage among supporters.
ODM Secretary General dismissed the narrative that Linda Mwananchi leaders are tear-gassing themselves.
“The people who teargassed us were clothed with handcuffs and I believe it’s only police officers who carry those, so our guess was these were police officers in plain clothes,” Sifuna stated.
He further claimed that the situation in Kakamega could have turned tragic were it not for intervention from his colleague.
“Were it not for Babu Owino, those two could have been killed by the youths in Kakamega,” he added.
2027 Presidential ambitions?
When pressed on whether he intends to run for president in 2027, Sifuna avoided a direct declaration but emphasized the broader vision of the movement.
“I want us to grow this movement to a level where there is like 10 viable candidates for presidency, so that when they somehow go after one, you have 9 other people who can run for president,” he said, urging supporters to remain patient as the movement consolidates its structures nationwide.
He also took issue with how coalition negotiations are currently being handled within ODM, appearing to reference past political strategies associated with party leader Raila Odinga.
“I am surprised that ODM negotiations nowadays take place on podiums. I never heard Raila shout on podiums ‘tunataka deputy.’ When he used to do coalition negotiations with Kalonzo, they would talk like elders in places like Zanzibar,” Sifuna remarked.
Beyond the political rivalry, Sifuna framed Linda Mwananchi as a values-driven movement centered on constitutionalism and governance reforms rather than infrastructure promises.
“When people say we want to hear a clear agenda, I want the people to understand that we’re not going to talk about shiny things. We’re not going to talk about stadiums, anybody can build stadiums, Moi built stadiums.
Our manifesto will not be about stadiums and shiny things. Kenya has a software problem,” he said.
According to the Senator, the movement’s manifesto will prioritize values and the rule of law.
“Nobody is against development. We have not refused roads. God knows we need roads in Nairobi and sewer systems, but the Constitution of Kenya has to be respected while doing these things,” he explained.
Sifuna also hinted at disagreements over a recent agreement between Nairobi County and the national government, in which President William Ruto stated that while he has no interest in running the city, it remains his responsibility as Head of State to support its administration.
Amid internal party tensions and confrontations at rallies, Sifuna maintains that Linda Mwananchi is anchored on popular will and constitutional fidelity, and that force will not deter its course.
“Sometimes politics can be very lonely. The solidarity from Kenyans has given me strength. Thank you for your love and support,” he said.
