According to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has the final say on which political party will bear the Linda Mwananchi movement’s presidential ambitions in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Monday, September 28, Khalwale revealed that although the movement had discussed several political parties, the leaders failed to reach a consensus on a preferred option after considering the pros and cons of each. He said they then decided to give the final decision to Sifuna, whom they recently elected as their presidential candidate.
‘After all those parties were discussed, we did not settle on a party. We then looked at the pros and cons of each of those parties, and the final resolution was that we gave our leader the final say.’
According to Khalwale, Sifuna can pick any of the political parties that the movement had discussed or present another political vehicle as an option.
‘We said that Sifuna should settle on any one of them, or convince us that there is another one that you have just stumbled upon; we will agree with your judgment.’
The senator said the movement leaders made the gesture after agreeing to accept Sifuna as their leader and presidential candidate and giving him the responsibility to decide on the political platform that he will use to fight for the presidency.
‘Why? Because we accepted that you cannot want to be the President of Kenya and refuse an opportunity to lead the movement. If you cannot lead the movement, you cannot be the President of Kenya.’
The decision comes two days after the movement’s leaders held a retreat on Saturday, September 26, where they officially picked Sifuna as their leader and presidential candidate. In a press statement following the meeting, the movement revealed that its leaders had agreed to unite under one banner and elected Sifuna as their Presidential Candidate. The statement also said the candidate would unveil the political party that he would use in early October.
‘We further resolved that H.E. Edwin Watenya Sifuna is our leader and Presidential Candidate.’
The statement noted that the movement would engage in a coalition-building exercise with other political parties that share its vision and ideology. In recent weeks, the selection of a political vehicle for Linda Mwananchi has become a contentious issue as its leaders, who are also members of different political parties, jostle to position their formations as the preferred option.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had, earlier this month, said Sifuna would use the United Democratic Party (UDP) to fight the 2027 presidential election. However, according to The Daily Nation, UDP was expected to be launched for the presidential bid. Recent statements from Linda Mwananchi continue to describe the party unveiling as an oncoming development. From Khalwale’s comments, it appears that, at least from within the group’s discussions, a political vehicle had yet to be finally picked. Khalwale said the other leaders would let Sifuna’s decision stand.
“So, we are saying that, ‘we have trusted you that much, and we will agree with you when you make the final pronouncement.’”
The political vehicle for the movement is expected to be announced in early October as the party’s leaders continue to consult with other formations ahead of the presidential election.