Sifuna gets Babu Owino backing as Linda Mwananchi takes 2027 campaign to Meru

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna received a public endorsement from Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as the Linda Mwananchi movement took its political mobilisation drive to Meru County on Sunday.

Owino declared his support for Sifuna during a series of rallies attended by opposition leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

“Mimi Babu Owino, mimi nasupport Edwin Sifuna. Huyu kijana hakuna mtu hapa Linda anamjua Sifuna jinsi ninavyomjua,” Owino told the crowd. “Vitu ambavyo tume go through naye huko ODM, mpaka tukafika hapa, niko na wewe mia kwa mia.”

Owino also called for opposition leaders to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying no single political formation could win the presidency on its own.

“Hii safari ya urais hatuwezi kushinda tukiwa pekee yetu. Lazima tuungane kama Opposition,” he said.

He urged leaders from different opposition camps to work together, naming former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ally James Orengo, former Meru Governor Mwangaza and other political figures.

Owino separately reaffirmed his support for Mwangaza, saying, “Huyu Kawira Mwangaza sisi tuko hapa na tunamsupport mia kwa mia.”

Sifuna promises not to make false promises

Sifuna, who has emerged as a leading figure in the Linda Mwananchi movement, told residents at Kiirua that he would not make promises simply to secure votes.

“As Sifuna, I will not lie to Kenyans to get elected President. I was brought up well, so I will not lie to Kenyans to get elected. I will always tell Kenyans the truth,” he said.

The senator said voters should be told what a government could realistically achieve and how long it would take.

“You can be loved by saying the truth. I will tell Kenyans what is achievable within what time and what is not,” he said.

Sifuna also said the Opposition would develop its own manifesto based on the Constitution, responding to President William Ruto's criticism that the Opposition lacked an alternative plan.

“We will make a manifesto that respects the Constitution. We want to live in a democratic society,” Sifuna said.

Mwangaza backs Sifuna

Mwangaza, who hosted the delegation in Meru, also endorsed Sifuna's political ambitions.

“This leader Sifuna whom you see here today... I am asking my fellow Merus to support him so that he can become our sixth President of the Republic of Kenya,” she told residents.

She also appealed to Kenyans to support Sifuna through small contributions, describing his campaign as a people-funded political project.

“He is not a rich man. He does not have as much money as others. We are the ones contributing to support him. We are the ones contributing Sh50, Sh100,” Mwangaza said.

Natembeya attacks Ruto

Natembeya also used the Meru tour to criticise the Kenya Kwanza administration and said the Opposition was serious about the 2027 contest.

“Sisi tukikuja hapa, hatujakuja kwa mambo ya mzaha. Tumekuja hapa kwa sababu tumeamua Ruto akue Wantam, na kumwondoa Rais ni kwa sababu kazi imeshindwa,” Natembeya said.

The governor's appearance alongside Sifuna and Owino comes as opposition leaders seek to build a broader political alliance ahead of the next election.

Rally briefly disrupted by teargas

The political tour was briefly disrupted at Makutano after a teargas canister was thrown into a crowd gathered for the rally.

Supporters scattered as the gas spread through the meeting, before Sifuna called for calm.

“Wananchi, msikimbie... hawawezi tutisha,” Sifuna told the crowd.

The leaders later resumed their programme, holding further meetings in areas including Kiiria, Githongo, Nkubu, Makutano and Kianjai.

The Meru visit is part of Linda Mwananchi's continuing grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election. Before the visit, Sifuna said the movement would return to Meru for further engagements rather than treating Sunday's meeting as a one-off event.

“This is just our first meeting. It does not mean that we won’t go back there over and over again,” Sifuna said ahead of the tour.

Sifuna has not formally declared his presidential candidacy, but Sunday's endorsements from Owino and Mwangaza add to growing calls within the movement for him to seek the presidency in 2027.