Sifuna claims he receives late-night calls from politicians allied to Ruto seeking to join Linda Mwananchi
By Mustafa Juma, July 25, 2026Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has claimed that several politicians currently allied to President William Ruto are secretly seeking to defect to the opposition-backed Linda Mwananchi movement, saying many have been contacting him privately, fearing political retaliation if they openly declare their intentions.
Speaking during an interview with Western Kenya media on Friday night, July 24, 2026, ahead of the Linda Mwananchi tour of Trans Nzoia County on Saturday and his homecoming rally in Bungoma County on Sunday, Sifuna said the movement has continued attracting interest from elected leaders across the country despite the political risks involved.
The former ODM secretary-general claimed that while many leaders remain publicly aligned to Kenya Kwanza, they have privately expressed a desire to join the opposition alliance.
“Tuko na wabunge 30, lakini kwa sasa wale viongozi wamekuja upande wetu, na ni wengi sana, nawahakikishia wakati ambao kipenga kitapigwa ati sasa unaweza kuhama kutoka chama kimoja kwenda kingine pasi na kufanyiwa uchaguzi mdogo, mtashangaa sana,” Sifuna said.
Loosely translated as: “We have about 30 Members of Parliament, but many more leaders have already decided to come to our side. I can assure Kenyans that once the legal window allowing politicians to switch parties without triggering by-elections opens, they will be surprised by the number of leaders who will join us.”
According to Sifuna, some of the politicians contact him late at night, urging him not to close the Linda Mwananchi doors on them as they weigh their political future.
He claimed the leaders fear being punished by their current parties before the next General Election.
“Wanatupigia simu usiku, kama sahii, masaa yao imefika. Wanaanza kutuambia “Sifuna tafadhali usifunge mlango, tuko na wewe tu, unajua hawa jamaa tunadeal nao ni very petty, nitatolewa kwenye kamati, nitafanyiwa hili, nitafanyiwa lile,” Sifuna said.
Loosely translated as: “They call us at night and tell us, ‘Sifuna, please don’t close the door on us. We are with you, but the people we are dealing with are very petty. I could be removed from committees or targeted in other ways.”
The senator did not disclose the identities of the leaders making the calls.
He maintained, however, that many elected leaders have become disillusioned with their current political parties and are waiting for the appropriate time to shift allegiance publicly.
“Mda utakapokaribia, naambia wakenya mtashangaa sana, viongozi wengi ni wamechoka na vyama zao na wanataka kuja kutuunga mkono,” he said.
Linda Mwananchi tour gathers momentum
Sifuna’s remarks came as Linda Mwananchi leaders intensified preparations for a political tour of Western Kenya aimed at popularising the movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The tour is expected to begin in Trans Nzoia County before culminating in Bungoma, where Sifuna is expected to receive a major homecoming reception alongside other opposition leaders.
The Western Kenya mobilisation is part of a broader nationwide campaign by the movement, which has held rallies across several counties in recent months while presenting itself as the nucleus of the emerging United Alternative Government.
Defections expected
Sifuna’s latest claims add to growing speculation that political realignments could intensify as the country inches closer to the next General Election.
Under Kenya’s electoral laws, elected leaders who resign from their political parties outside the legally permitted period risk losing their seats and triggering by-elections.
As a result, political observers expect many politicians contemplating defection to wait until the official pre-election window opens before formally changing parties.