Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has outlined what he says would be a fundamentally different style of leadership under the opposition-backed Linda Mwananchi movement, arguing that Kenya needs a government driven by experts rather than one where “one person pretends to know everything”.

Speaking during an interview with Western Kenya media on Friday night ahead of the Linda Mwananchi tour of Trans Nzoia County and his homecoming rally in Bungoma, the former ODM secretary-general said the Linda Mwananchi movement was already assembling professionals from various fields to prepare an alternative policy platform for the country.

According to Sifuna, the coalition has deliberately brought together specialists in key sectors to formulate practical solutions to Kenya’s economic and social challenges.

“Sisi kama Linda Mwananchi tayari tumeweka pamoja jopo la experts ambao wanajua maswala ya uchumi, maswala ya elimu, maswala ya afya, watutengenezee ile platform ambayo tunaweza kuja kwenu tuwaambie kwamba haya ndio mambo ambayo sisi tungeweza kufanya tofauti,” Sifuna said.

Sifuna said one of the biggest weaknesses in Kenya’s leadership has been the tendency by politicians to portray themselves as experts in every field.

Unlike what he described as the current administration’s leadership style, he said a Linda Mwananchi government would openly rely on professionals.

“Kwa sababu, tofauti na huyu William Ruto, mimi kama Sifuna nakiri kwamba kuna mambo ambayo sijui. Nakiri kwamba kwa mafano mimi sio mtaalam wa mambo ya economy, mimi ni wakili na kila mtu anajua,” he said.

He argued that no president can realistically possess expert knowledge in every sector.

“Tunataka kutoka kwa huu uongozi wa kujua kila kitu; wewe ndio mkulima number one, wewe ndio wa kujua kuku inaweza ishi floor gani ama haiwezi ishi floor gani, wewe ndio wa kujua ng’ombe anafikisha miaka ngapi ndio achinjwe. Haiwezekani. Hauwezi kuwa unajua kila kitu,” Sifuna added.

According to the senator, effective governance requires leaders who are willing to acknowledge their limitations and allow professionals to guide policy in their respective fields.

“Lazima ukubali kuwa kuna mambo huyajui, na ukubali pia kwamba kuna watu ambao wanajua mambo ambayo wewe huyajui,” he said.

Fresh swipe at Ruto

Without naming specific government officials beyond the President, Sifuna accused President William Ruto of projecting himself as an authority on virtually every issue affecting the country.

“Unakuta mtu kama huyu William Ruto anajifanya anajua kila kitu, mpaka anaanza kupingana na Mbukusu kuhusu mambo ya kuku inaweza ishi wapi,” he said.

The latest remarks are the newest in a series of exchanges between Sifuna and President Ruto over governance and public policy.

The affordable housing ‘chicken’ debate

Sifuna’s comments come just days after he became embroiled in a public spat with President Ruto over the government’s flagship Affordable Housing Programme.

During an interview earlier this week, the Nairobi Senator questioned whether some of the high-rise affordable housing projects being constructed in Western Kenya reflected the lifestyle of local communities.

Using humour, Sifuna remarked that many families in Western Kenya keep chickens and wondered how poultry would access upper floors of apartment blocks.

“As people from Western Kenya, we cannot live in places where our chickens cannot. How will our chicken get to the 12th floor of an affordable housing unit?” he posed.

President Ruto responded during a meeting with artisans and mechanics at State House, dismissing the remarks as misplaced while defending the housing programme.

The President argued that critics should stop ridiculing government projects and instead focus on the broader benefits of affordable housing, including home ownership and job creation. He questioned why anyone would oppose the programme because “a chicken cannot get to the upper floors” of apartment buildings.

Sifuna later fired back on social media, joking that arguing with him about chickens was like arguing with Nyandarua Senator John Methu about potatoes, extending the exchange that quickly dominated online political discussions.

Linda Mwananchi’s alternative vision

The senator said Linda Mwananchi intends to distinguish itself by presenting detailed policy proposals rather than merely criticising the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He said the opposition outfit wants to offer Kenyans practical alternatives in areas including healthcare, education, agriculture and economic management before the 2027 General Election.

According to Sifuna, the coalition believes the presidency should focus on providing leadership and coordinating government while allowing professionals to design and implement policies within their respective fields.

Sifuna’s remarks come as Linda Mwananchi intensifies its nationwide mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.