By Anderson Ojwang
As in the biblical parable of the mustard seed, the Linda Mwananchi group, from a tiny, humble beginning, is fast becoming and growing into the country’s expansive and prolific political outfit and movement.
Already, the Linda train has left the station and a storm swirls around it as it embarks on its third and most decisive rally in Kakamega, the political forte of the late Raila Amollo Odinga and the home of King Mumia of the Nabongo Kingdom.
From Busia, Kenya’s border with Uganda, the wave began even before the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Executive Council (NEC) sat in Kilifi County to sack the party Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, from the seat. The Busia wave caused panic within and across the political divide in the country and within ODM, culminating in the NEC, under party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, sacking Sifuna.
Interestingly, the Busia nostalgia prompted the NEC to appoint Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo as Sifuna’s replacement — a move that backfired immediately at the press conference, with the new Secretary General failing to read out her name as the new SG and instead reading “me.”
Faced with the pressure of the cameras and the fourth estate, the new SG found the pronunciation of “constitutionalism” a little hard to crack, leaving Kenyans to mimic her.
The sacking became the political matchbox that transformed the country’s political landscape, with Sifuna posting on his X handle, “Tukutane Kite.”
The announcement triggered political tectonics in the country, and the subsequent press conference attended by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, and the icing on the cake — the presence of Raila’s younger daughter, Winnie Odinga — became the mustard seed.
Previously, Winnie had written on X after the sacking, “It is not well,” which galvanized the team. Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, siding with Sifuna against his elder brother, added more wood to the fire. Oburu was left bubbling monotonously about the friendship and love he shared with Raila.
The Kakamega Linda Mwananchi rally has not only caused panic and fear in Oburu’s Linda Ground and the United Opposition, but also in President William Ruto’s camp.
It has pushed the United Opposition from boardroom meetings, unending press conferences, and a monotonous ring campaign in Mt. Kenya, Ukambani, and Narok to move to other parts of the country.
Today, the United Opposition will be in Nyamira while the Linda Ground is in Siaya town, as all eyes remain on Kakamega, where the Linda Mwananchi train will converge.
Stung by the emerging new political wave, President Ruto on Monday held a consultative meeting with MPs from Kakamega County, in what appeared to be a move aimed at containing the group and possibly diminishing the gains made so far.
The train is currently witnessing an upsurge of new followers, including Members of County Assemblies, Members of Parliament, aspirants, gubernatorial aspirants, and women representative aspirants across the country.
Kenyans of goodwill also donated a van fully equipped with a public address system after the mess witnessed last weekend in Kitengela.
Sifuna wrote on his X handle, “We saw you struggling with sound. Bwana kumbe you guys are serious! They will not believe! Sasa ni wapi tunaeza chinja na kuchemedsha hizi 20 nimepewa hapo Kakamega?”
But as the van snaked its way to Kakamega town, it was stoned by unknown people.
Sifuna also wrote, “Confirmed. Amalemba Grounds, Kakamega this Saturday. Karibuni.”
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga, a close ally of President Ruto, jumped ship and joined the train. She wrote on her X handle, “It’s about the people!” and posted her photo with leaders of the Linda Mwananchi group.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula promised the Linda Mwananchi group a battle royale and alleged that leaders outside Western were behind a high-stakes political rally scheduled in Kakamega on Saturday.
“If anyone wants to come to Kakamega, he should come himself and stop using surrogates. Those coming to do a rally in Kakamega, what kind of business are they bringing to Kakamega? Let us support President William Ruto as the Luhya community,” he said.
But Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said Kakamega is a democratic county and that Sifuna was welcome.
“Senator Edwin Sifuna, like any other leader, is always welcome in Kakamega County. Our county is a democratic and inclusive space where all are free to engage the people peacefully and respectfully,” he wrote on his X handle.
Yesterday, Orengo capped it by saying the movement was huge and likened it to a tsunami.
“This thing is huge. It is a tsunami. It is unstoppable. No force on earth is going to stand in our way. Rest assured, despite their machinations, this meeting is going to take place, just like they tried in Kitengela and the meeting went on.
They better be prepared for this huge movement of the people and by the people,” he said.
Will Linda Mwananchi live up to the billing, or with time will it fizzle out before the 2027 general elections?