Linda Mwananchi Leaders Turn Up Heat on Ruto as Sifuna, Babu Owino Receive Backing at Jacaranda Rally

By Wasike Elvis 

Opposition leaders under the Linda Mwananchi movement have intensified their political campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election, using a major rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi to rally supporters behind Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the presidency and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.

The leaders, drawn from different parts of the country, mounted a strong attack on President William Ruto's administration, accusing it of failing to address the rising cost of living, corruption, tribalism, healthcare challenges and what they described as the weakening of devolution.

Sifuna, who is emerging as one of the prominent voices within the Linda Mwananchi movement, thanked Nairobi residents for what he described as their continued support and commitment to the opposition cause.

The Nairobi senator said that if elected president in 2027, his administration would introduce changes aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Kenyans, particularly those living in informal settlements and other economically disadvantaged communities.

Sifuna said affordable housing should not only benefit selected groups but should also address the needs of workers, including police officers.

He also challenged President Ruto to explain the impact of the government's affordable housing programme on Nairobi's informal settlements.

According to Sifuna, the President has repeatedly described the challenge facing Nairobi's slums as an income problem rather than simply a housing problem.

He argued that if residents were empowered economically and given better incomes, many would be able to seek decent housing for themselves and their families.

Sifuna, however, questioned whether the affordable housing programme had actually resulted in the closure or transformation of Nairobi's informal settlements.

He further criticized the Social Health Authority, popularly known as SHA, claiming that the programme was not functioning as expected and that Kenyans continued to experience challenges in accessing healthcare.

The senator also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of undermining devolution by reducing funds allocated to county governments.

Sifuna described President Ruto as the "enemy of devolution" and accused him of failing to fulfil promises he allegedly made to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He said Linda Mwananchi was determined to present a strong political alternative in 2027 and promised that the movement would unite behind one candidate capable of defeating Ruto.

Sifuna further declared his readiness to lead the country, promising to transform Kenya if given the opportunity to serve as president.

He also issued a political warning to President Ruto, saying the opposition would work to ensure that the 2027 election ends his presidency after one term.

Siaya Governor James Orengo also used the Jacaranda rally to launch a scathing attack on President Ruto, accusing him of betraying Raila Odinga after benefiting politically from their cooperation.

Orengo claimed that Ruto took advantage of Raila's political support before turning against him.

He said the opposition's current agenda was partly driven by the desire to honour Raila's political legacy and ensure that the movement he championed remained alive.

Orengo further claimed that the government had attempted to suppress Babu Owino's political ambitions, insisting that the opposition would not allow such efforts to divide its supporters.

He said Linda Mwananchi would engage in discussions to determine the strongest candidate to carry its presidential ticket in 2027.

Orengo said he would sit down with Sifuna and other leaders to determine who would eventually lead the movement's presidential campaign.

He maintained that the opposition's ultimate objective was to send President Ruto home in the 2027 election.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who has increasingly positioned himself as a strong critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, also threw his weight behind Sifuna's presidential ambitions.

Natembeya said the country was in a difficult position because of what he termed poor leadership, corruption and tribalism.

He accused the government of presiding over deteriorating standards in the health and education sectors and argued that Kenyans deserved better leadership.

The Trans Nzoia governor said the opposition was aware that defeating a sitting president would not be an easy task, but insisted that Linda Mwananchi was prepared for the challenge.

Natembeya said the movement would work towards ensuring that its votes were protected during the 2027 election.

He warned that the opposition would not allow a repeat of previous election disputes, saying its supporters would closely guard their votes from the polling station to the final tallying centres.

He further said the opposition would produce one candidate to face President Ruto rather than splitting its support among several presidential hopefuls.

"We will give you one candidate who will face President William Ruto," Natembeya said, as he drummed up support for the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Babu Owino, who has already declared his intention to seek the Nairobi governorship in 2027, used the rally to outline some of the programmes he would pursue if elected.

The Embakasi East MP promised to overhaul garbage collection in the capital, saying his administration would give opportunities to Nairobi residents to participate directly in waste management.

He also promised to expand bursary programmes to ensure that children from less privileged families are able to access education.

Owino said he would retain the school feeding programme but remove charges that he claimed burden parents.

On infrastructure, the legislator promised to improve Nairobi's drainage system, particularly in areas that frequently experience flooding during heavy rains.

He also pledged to improve healthcare services by ensuring public health facilities are adequately stocked with medicines and that medical personnel receive their salaries on time.

Owino said his political agenda under Linda Mwananchi would focus on improving the livelihoods of ordinary Kenyans rather than political rhetoric.

He reiterated that the opposition would unite and present a single candidate to challenge President Ruto in 2027.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also endorsed Sifuna's presidential ambitions, arguing that President Ruto had underestimated the Nairobi senator.

Khalwale said political developments following the death of Raila Odinga had created space for a new generation of opposition leaders to emerge.

He argued that Ruto had benefited from the political influence and support associated with Raila but would now have to contend with a new opposition leadership.

According to Khalwale, Sifuna could become a major challenge to the President in the 2027 contest.

He described Sifuna as a political answer to what he termed increased corruption and tribalism under the current administration.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka also threw his weight behind the emerging political alliance, endorsing Babu Owino for Nairobi governor and Sifuna for president.

Onyonka said the opposition should remain united and avoid divisions that could weaken its chances in the next election.

He also declared that he would mount a political challenge against Kisii Governor Simba Arati in 2027.

The senator urged leaders within Linda Mwananchi to remain focused on their political objectives and avoid making deals that would compromise the interests of ordinary Kenyans.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi accused the Ruto administration of failing to address the economic difficulties facing Kenyans.

Osotsi cited what he described as increased taxes, a rising cost of living, challenges in the education sector and growing corruption as some of the reasons why he believes Kenyans should vote for a change of government in 2027.

He urged Nairobi residents to support Babu Owino for governor and Sifuna for president, arguing that the two leaders could provide an alternative form of leadership.

The Jacaranda Grounds rally therefore emerged as a major show of unity among leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi, with speakers repeatedly emphasizing the need for the opposition to avoid fielding multiple candidates against President Ruto.

The leaders maintained that a united opposition, backed by a strong grassroots mobilisation strategy and effective protection of votes, would be critical to their efforts to defeat the incumbent in 2027.

With the 2027 General Election approaching, the rally is likely to further fuel political debate over who will ultimately secure the Linda Mwananchi presidential ticket and whether the opposition can successfully agree on a single candidate to challenge President Ruto.

For now, Sifuna has received strong backing from several leaders at the Jacaranda gathering, while Babu Owino's bid to become Nairobi governor has also gained significant support from the movement's political allies.