Inside Western Kenya’s plans to bankroll Sifuna’s presidential campaign
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 24, 2026As the popularity of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna continues to grow, with many seeing him as a potential presidential candidate for 2027, one critical question remains: whether he has the financial muscle necessary to bankroll such a massive political campaign.
Critics have continued to question whether the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General will be able to raise the billions of shillings required to mount a competitive presidential bid.
Leaders from Western Kenya, who are increasingly aligning themselves with Sifuna and throwing their weight behind one of their own, have now begun proposing ways of mobilising resources to help the Linda Mwananchi team leader ascend to power.
Malala’s Ksh3 billion drive
Former Kakamega Senator and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, who recently declared his support for the Nairobi senator, acknowledged that it is true Sifuna cannot mount a successful presidential campaign without the necessary financial resources.
He urged the community to support their son financially to help him have a level playing field against his opponents.
In line with this, Malala proposed a Ksh3 billion fundraising drive among Western Kenya residents to kick-start Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
Sifuna’s Bukhungu fundraiser
He further suggested that the fundraising drive be launched at Bukhungu Stadium, where residents would first contribute cows, goats, and other food items to cater for guests attending the event. He further suggested erecting a tent with a capacity of 3,000 people, with every attendee required to contribute Ksh1 million for a seat.
According to him, this would raise KSh3 billion, enough to kick-start Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
“Tuweka tent ya watu 3000 pale Bukhungu; si Waluhya wanasema wao, sijui, wako million ngapi? Sisi tunataka tu Waluhya 3,000; kila mtu achange ksh1,000,000. Yote itakuwa Ksh 3 billion. Let’s have a Ksh1 million dinner plate fundraiser at Bukhungu Stadium; that will be enough to kickstart Sifuna’s campaign.”
He added that once the initiative succeeds in Western Kenya, it should be replicated by other communities that support the “Sisi ni Sifuna” movement in order to strengthen the senator’s presidential bid.
Malala also proposed that young people who believe in the movement be provided with a Paybill number through which they can contribute at least Ksh100 each to support the campaign.
Natembeya’s plan to bankroll Sifuna
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has also thrown his weight behind Sifuna’s campaign and urged the community to help bankroll his presidential ambitions.
He called for the unveiling of a campaign paybill through which members of the public could contribute at least KSh100 towards the fundraiser to help kick-start Sifuna’s campaign. Natembeya also suggested that any money being distributed in the region by state operatives to undermine Sifuna’s political ambitions should be accepted, with only half being spent while the remaining amount is deposited into Sifuna’s campaign account.
Boni Khalwale’s fund drive plan
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale recently shared a newspaper cutting from a local Western Kenya media station indicating that businessman Ibrahim Ambwere had been angered by remarks from some government-allied politicians, including COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, who had dismissed Sifuna’s presidential ambitions by claiming he lacked the financial resources to run for the country’s top seat.
The report hinted at the possibility of Ambwere offering financial support to Sifuna’s campaign.
Aspirants bankrolling Sifuna’s campaign
On the other hand, Bungoma businessman and gubernatorial aspirant Jimmy Nduruchi, during an aspirants’ strategy meeting, pledged to sell a piece of his land and channel the entire proceeds towards Sifuna’s presidential campaign.
Residents of Western Kenya have also rallied behind Sifuna. During a recent funeral in the region attended by the Nairobi senator, mourners repeatedly chanted, “Paybill! Paybill!”, prompting Sifuna to later unveil a fundraising paybill. Within less than two days of its launch, the initiative had raised more than KSh2 million.
This also comes at a time when Sifuna is facing claims that his political activities are being financed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, allegations that the Nairobi senator has publicly dismissed.