Nairobi captured: Sifuna storms city in bold show of strength

Nairobi on Sunday offered the clearest sign yet of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s bid to emerge as a major opposition force, as the Linda Mwananchi movement turned the capital into a stage for an open challenge to President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

From All Saints Cathedral to Jacaranda Grounds, it was a sea of humanity as thousands of supporters followed the Nairobi Senator and his Linda Mwananchi team through the city in a largely peaceful procession, chanting his name and cheering his declaration that he is ready to become Kenya’s sixth President.

The tour culminated in a packed rally at Jacaranda Grounds, where Sifuna and other Linda Mwananchi leaders took turns attacking the Ruto administration and calling for opposition unity ahead of next year's election.

By 4pm, Jacaranda Grounds was filled to capacity, with supporters chanting, “Sisi Ndio Sifuna” as the leaders arrived.

The rally opened with Nominated Senator Crystal Asige leading the crowd in the national anthem and recalling former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s contribution to what she described as Kenya’s second liberation.

When he took the microphone, Sifuna openly declared his presidential ambitions, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

“I would like to thank Nairobi residents for giving me a chance to serve them as their Senator, which has given me national visibility and now the entire country is talking about me,” Sifuna said.

He argued that informal settlements were not primarily a housing problem but an economic one, challenging Ruto to identify settlements that had been closed because of the availability of affordable housing.

Sifuna also accused Ruto of undermining devolution by delaying the disbursement of funds to counties and failing to honour a commitment to ensure counties receive Sh450 billion.

“I would like to tell Ruto that we are going to ensure that he is going home despite the abuses he is hurling at us daily after sensing defeat in the coming General Election,” he said.

Sifuna said defeating Ruto would require a concerted effort by opposition leaders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition principals.

“I have gone round the country and the people have told me to go for a certain job because one person has oppressed us. His daily job is imposing additional taxation and pushing small-scale traders to the edge. And what's more, his job is to shoot our young people with bullets. Kenya is saying, Ruto, your time is up,” he said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo also declared that the opposition was on course to defeat Ruto, saying he did not doubt that its journey to State House had begun.

“I want to assure you that on August 10, 2027, we are taking Ruto home as early as 8am. From what I have seen, we have already defeated him. At 4pm after elections, we will go to State House ready to swear in the next President,” Orengo said.

Orengo described Sifuna as his political “son” and said Linda Mwananchi would produce one presidential candidate to face other candidates in the 2027 election.

“President Ruto has turned out to be the most corrupt and has mismanaged the country for the last four years he has been in power,” he said.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino backed Sifuna’s presidential bid, although he acknowledged Orengo’s interest in the same position.

“Linda Mwananchi, we are going to front Senator Sifuna as our presidential candidate, after which he will engage with other principals in the United Opposition to come up with one candidate who will send President William Ruto home in 2027,” Babu said.

Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and  Godfrey Osostsi (Vihiga) described him as a replica of Raila and said he was the best person to take over as Kenya’s sixth President, adding the country was ripe for generational change.

Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza said Sifuna was the leader capable of turning around the country’s economy after the 2027 election.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka on his part, urged Sifuna not to disappoint Kenyans if elected President, saying he should avoid what he described as the failures of the Ruto administration.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said the country was in trouble because of what he described as poor leadership under the Kenya Kwanza administration. He challenged the opposition to protect the votes to thwart any plans to rig the 2027-vote.

“Nobody should lie to Kenyans that their votes will be stolen. We are going to vote and guard our votes to ensure that we have the Opposition candidate declared the winner,” Natembeya said.

On Sunday, thousands of Nairobi residents lined the Linda Mwanainchi route as the caravan moved through the city, with song and dance accompanying the procession.

The tour began at All Saints Cathedral, where the leaders attended the Sunday service. Hundreds of supporters who had gathered outside were unable to enter because of limited space in the church.

The supporters nevertheless continued singing and dancing outside as police officers watched from the sidelines.

The leaders did not address the congregation and after the service, the procession snaked through Marikiti, Gikomba, Burma Market, Jogoo Road, Manyanja Road, B Centre and Stage 17 before reaching Jacaranda Grounds.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed along the route to maintain security and despite earlier fears of violence, the nearly 20-kilometre procession and roadside rallies passed largely peacefully.

At the church, All Saints Cathedral Provost Canon Evans Omollo used his prayer to call for political conduct guided by the principles of the Gospel.

“We pray for the leadership of this country... We also thank you for those who live and work amongst us from other countries, for their safety, especially the nationals from Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, China and other nationalities who over the last week have been targeted as a consequence of pronouncements that did not sit very well,” he said.

Omollo also prayed for leaders to provide leadership that responds to the welfare and needs of Kenyans.

“We pray against political thuggery and goonism and abductions we have experienced over the last couple of months, that the leaders and security agencies uphold the rule of law. For the opposition that seeks to give alternative leadership, we appreciate the role it has played in the growth of our democracy,” he said.

Babu, meanwhile, used the rally to renew his criticism of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing his administration of failing to address persistent challenges in the capital.

The Embakasi East MP, who is positioning himself to contest the Nairobi governorship in 2027, said he would prioritise waste management, education and healthcare if elected.

“I would like to thank the residents of Embakasi East for giving me a chance to serve you as MP for two terms, and I am now going to serve you as the Nairobi Governor after the 2027 General Election,” Babu said.

He promised to create opportunities for young people and women through county tenders, particularly in waste management, while blaming Sakaja for failing to keep the city clean.

He also promised to ensure that no school-going child remained out of school because of lack of fees, saying bursaries would be distributed equitably.

On healthcare, Babu promised to overhaul public health facilities, claiming many lacked medicines and adequate medical personnel.