Waluke: Tim Wanyonyi has not joined Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement
By Sharon Atieno, July 23, 2026Sirisia MP John Waluke has dismissed claims that Westlands MP and Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Tim Wanyonyi has joined Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.
While Speaking in a video shared on his social media handles on Thursday, June 23, 2026, Waluke said Wanyonyi’s campaign vehicles seen publicising Sifuna’s upcoming homecoming in Bungoma had only been loaned to the movement.
The clarification came a day after images of campaign trucks bearing Wanyonyi’s branding and Sifuna’s name circulated online, fuelling speculation that the Westlands MP had formally aligned himself with the Nairobi senator’s political outfit.
“Tim Wanyonyi has not joined Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement.”
Waluke explains use of campaign vehicles
According to Waluke, leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement approached Wanyonyi and requested to use his campaign trucks to mobilise residents ahead of Sifuna’s homecoming rally at Bungoma Posta Grounds.
“The vehicles being used to publicise Sifuna’s homecoming were borrowed from Tim Wanyonyi’s campaign team.”
He said Wanyonyi agreed to release the vehicles but maintained that the arrangement did not amount to joining Sifuna’s movement.
Waluke further insisted that Wanyonyi would not join Sifuna’s political team.
The remarks seek to counter growing speculation over Wanyonyi’s political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election, following the appearance of campaign vehicles bearing messages associated with the Nairobi senator’s presidential bid.
Sifuna had hinted at talks with Wanyonyi
The controversy comes after Sifuna confirmed that he had held talks with Wanyonyi and several other political leaders from Bungoma.
Speaking during a local media interview, Sifuna expressed confidence that the next Bungoma governor would emerge from the Linda Mwananchi movement.
“I have had meetings with Tim Wanyonyi. I have met Zachariah Barasa and all those people, including senate aspirants from Bungoma – very many aspirants – but one thing that I know is that whoever will be elected as Bungoma governor in 2027 will be from Linda Mwananchi,” Sifuna said.
The Nairobi senator has also disclosed that he is engaging former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati and other aspirants as he seeks to strengthen the movement’s support base in the county.
Wanyonyi’s political direction under scrutiny
Wanyonyi’s political future has attracted heightened attention after he distanced himself from his brother, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party.
The Westlands MP has maintained that he remains interested in the Bungoma gubernatorial seat and would contest on any party ticket other than Ford Kenya.
His campaign vehicles were recently seen traversing parts of Bungoma County while publicising Sifuna’s homecoming, with campaign artwork also appearing to endorse the senator’s presidential ambitions.
The development sparked speculation that Wanyonyi had aligned himself with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
However, Waluke’s latest remarks suggest that the use of the campaign trucks should not be interpreted as a formal political realignment.
Sifuna prepares for Bungoma homecoming
The clarification comes ahead of Sifuna’s highly anticipated homecoming event at Bungoma Posta Grounds, where the senator is expected to rally supporters and continue popularising his Linda Mwananchi movement.
Sifuna has intensified his political activities in Western Kenya as he positions himself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His growing engagement with Bungoma leaders has also triggered political realignments, with several politicians reportedly exploring new alliances ahead of the polls.
Waluke, a close ally of Wanyonyi and one of Sifuna’s fiercest critics, has previously criticised the senator’s political activities in Bungoma.
With speculation over Wanyonyi’s political alignment continuing, attention now shifts to whether the Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant will formally declare his preferred political vehicle ahead of the 2027 elections.