Sifuna Dismisses Claims of Linda Mwananchi Collapse Amid Internal Tensions

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sought to dispel speculation that the Linda Mwananchi movement is on the verge of collapse, insisting that the political outfit remains intact despite growing disagreements among some of its leaders.

Sifuna spoke in Karen on Thursday, September 17, 2026, shortly after he was barred from addressing students at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Asked about reports of divisions within Linda Mwananchi, Sifuna pointed to supporters gathered around him as evidence that the movement remained active.

“Ask these people here. Some of them have told me secretly and privately that they are in Linda Mwananchi. Do they look well? Yeah, they are well,” Sifuna said.

The senator was also asked specifically about the state of his relationship with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino but did not directly address the question.

Instead, he asked JKUAT students whether he appeared to be doing well.

“I have said I look well. How do I look?” he posed, prompting the students to respond in the affirmative.

Disagreements emerge within Linda Mwananchi

Sifuna’s remarks come amid weeks of disagreements within the movement, with differences over political strategy and the formation of a political party becoming increasingly public.

Babu Owino addressed some of the disagreements during a press conference on Tuesday, identifying the choice of a political party for the movement as one of the key unresolved issues.

The initial discussions reportedly involved either Babu’s party or that of Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who leads the People of Renaissance Movement.

That arrangement became complicated after a political leader from Western Kenya established a new party and advocated for Sifuna to contest on its ticket, triggering disagreement over the movement’s preferred political vehicle.

Amisi subsequently distanced himself from the joint arrangement and began pursuing his party’s political activities independently.

Babu maintains support for Sifuna

The tensions became more visible following a Linda Mwananchi rally in Nairobi on September 13, where some supporters accused Babu of creating divisions and attempting to overshadow Sifuna.

Babu rejected the allegations during his Tuesday press conference and reiterated his support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.

At the same time, he announced that he would skip some of the movement’s rallies to concentrate on his campaign for the Nairobi governorship.

Babu also disclosed plans to formally launch his own political party, adding another layer to discussions over the movement’s political structure.

His decision to pursue a separate gubernatorial campaign has, however, not prevented him from publicly maintaining that he supports Sifuna.

Amisi points to Natembeya

Meanwhile, Amisi has blamed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for some of the divisions emerging within Linda Mwananchi.

Amisi accused Natembeya of becoming increasingly confrontational and alleged that he had pushed out several leaders and supporters associated with the movement.

According to Amisi, the developments have contributed to the rivalry and uncertainty currently surrounding the political outfit.

The competing positions have fuelled questions over Linda Mwananchi’s cohesion as its leaders prepare for the 2027 General Election.