Sifuna rules out being bought to support Ruto
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 1, 2026Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has stated that no incentive will push him into leading his Linda Mwanachi movement to support President William Ruto’s agenda and 2027 re-election.
Speaking during the funeral of his uncle at KMTC grounds in Bungoma’s Kanduyi constituency on Saturday, February 28, 2025, the embattled ODM secretary-general dismissed claims that he would change the course of the movement to back President Ruto if financial incentives were offered to him.
Sifuna continued, saying that he has seen the vision that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga once dreamt of during his political career – the Canaan dream, a dream that never materialised.
“Wamesema pesa itamwaga; sisi wale ambao tumesimama kwa mlima tumeona Canaan ndio hio pale hakuna pesa itamwagwa. Sisi hatuendi Singapore, tunaenda Canaan,” Sifuna said
He added that even with money, he would not be stopped from pursuing the Canaan vision Odinga envisaged and that he will lead those who believe in these ideals toward the promised political “land”. He further assured his supporters that he has felt the love and trust and that he would not let them down in their quest to change Kenya.
This comes at a time when the Linda Mwanachi team is slowly gaining traction, as evidenced by the recent Linda Ground meetings held in different parts of the country.
The team has decided to take a hiatus until the holy month of Ramadan concludes, after which they plan to break their silence with a massive rally in Mombasa before heading to other regions to popularise their movement.
Sifuna hints of backing Opposition
Sifuna has also shown interest in leading Linda Mwanachi into a pact with the United Opposition to realise their joint dream of making President William Ruto a one-term president.
He argued that for Ruto to be defeated, there must be overwhelming support from Kenyans from all walks of life, and he must be defeated by over five million votes—a feat achievable, according to Sifuna, only if they approach it as a united force.
He urged members of the United Opposition to continue with their efforts, noting that at the appropriate time, their paths might converge.
In this quest, Sifuna said he would not let Kenyans down and emphasised that he could not fathom seeing Ruto re-elected for another term or winning with a 200,000-vote margin, simply because he refused to join hands with others who share the goal of unseating the president. Noting that the Linda Mwanachi team’s goal is not to split votes.
Amisi’s rebuttal
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, an integral member of the movement, differed with him, saying that their goal should not only be to remove Ruto but also to bring a paradigm shift in Kenya’s political landscape.
He added that before collaborating with other groups, the Linda Mwanachi team should first evaluate whether they share the same ideologies. He warned that if this is not taken into consideration, they might find themselves in the same predicament they are in right now.
Gachagua backs Linda Mwanachi.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua had also extended an olive branch to the Sifuna-led team, urging them to join forces with the United Opposition. He assured them that should they have a formidable person within the Linda Mwanachi team who is fit for the presidency, the united opposition principals will all shelve their ambitions and support them.
Elsewhere, leaders from Bungoma County, led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, have endorsed Sifuna as the presidential candidate of the region, warning that anybody who does not align with him risks being defeated in 2027.