Excitement and tension in western region over Sifuna tour

The Linda Mwananchi brigade, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at a meeting in Nairobi. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties are set for a politically charged week as preparations intensify for the much-anticipated homecoming tour of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, with supporters already turning the event into a display of political strength in Western Kenya.

The rallies scheduled for June 25 and 26  have sparked excitement across the two counties, with residents, political leaders and youth groups mobilizing ahead of Sifuna's arrival.

What was initially expected to be an ordinary political tour has quickly evolved into a contest for regional political influence, exposing deep divisions among local leaders.

Across Bungoma, campaign songs praising Sifuna echoed through trading centers as supporters held processions and rehearsals ahead of the visit. Videos circulating on social media platform X showed groups of youths singing, dancing and waving sticks while marching through dusty roads, signaling the growing anticipation surrounding the event.

A campaign truck carrying portraits of Sifuna alongside Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, branded with "Sifuna for President" and "Tim Wanyonyi for Governor" messages, was also spotted traversing Bungoma as organizers rallied residents to attend the meetings.

Among supporters, the slogan "We Are Sifuna" has increasingly become more than a campaign chant. It reflects a growing sense of ownership among many residents who see Sifuna as one of their own and are eager to rally behind his political ambitions.

However, the enthusiasm has been accompanied by rising political tensions.

Some youth groups have publicly warned against any attempts to disrupt the rallies, saying they are prepared to protect the meetings from individuals seeking to cause chaos.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka also issued a stern warning to politicians allegedly planning parallel meetings or disruptions during Sifuna's visit.

"How do you disrupt a presidential function unless you are looking for trouble? We want peace here in Bungoma. If you have your own meeting, organize it on your own day. We will not accept intimidation," Wamboka said.

He added that reports had emerged of individuals allegedly planning to interfere with the gathering at Bungoma Posta Grounds, warning that such attempts would not succeed.

Sirisia MP John Waluke equally cautioned political rivals against what he described as attempts to invade his political stronghold, urging leaders to avoid actions that could heighten political tensions in the region.

Waluke also criticised Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, accusing him of using Sifuna's popularity for political gain.

"Natembeya, you cannot intimidate me with Sifuna," Waluke said.

Leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement have dismissed the criticism, insisting that every Kenyan has a constitutional right to campaign and hold political meetings anywhere in the country.

Speaking in Bungoma, former Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof Charles Ngome accused some Kenya Kwanza leaders of attempting to frustrate the planned rallies.

"Sirisia Constituency is not anyone's personal property. It belongs to the people, and every Kenyan has the right to visit and engage residents. Democracy allows every leader to market their agenda freely," Ngome said.

He maintained that the Linda Mwananchi rallies held in other parts of the country had remained peaceful and expressed confidence that the Bungoma and Trans Nzoia meetings would proceed without interference.

"No one has the mandate to stop us from holding our meetings. We expect our supporters to turn up peacefully and in large numbers," he added.

Linda Mwanachi leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna held a series of rallies in Kisii County. [Linda Mwanachi, X]

As the countdown continues, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia are steadily transforming into the center of Western Kenya's political conversation. Streets are filling with campaign songs, mobilization efforts and heightened security concerns as allies and rivals position themselves ahead of what is expected to be one of the region's biggest political gatherings this year.

Whether the rallies ultimately become a celebration of Sifuna's growing influence or another chapter in the region's increasingly competitive politics, all eyes will be on Western Kenya when the convoy finally rolls into Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.

Meanwhile, Linda Mwananchi has also registered its Pay Bill number to receive donations from the public for their campaign as more leaders defect from other parties to join the outfit, the latest being activist Pauline Njoroge who decamped from Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party.

Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Tim Wanyonyi has also now decamped from ODM to join Sifuna, and many more candidates are likely to follow, especially in the Western Region.

Meanwhile, Sifuna has slammed Cotu boss Francis Atwoli, saying that he does not want him to finance his campaigns.

"I want to tell Atwoli, I don't want your money, please. I do not need that money. Let Kenyans send me their money." Sifuna said.

Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with a vernacular radio station, Sifuna was responding to Atwoli's remarks made on the 13th of this month, where Atwoli claimed that he has the capacity to mobilise resources to fund Presidential campaigns.

"If anyone wants to become the President of this country, I am the one who can help you raise 1 billion shillings in a minute. We are the ones with friends. Personal money or donations cannot make you President," he claimed.

Sifuna further questioned how Atwoli could get the money yet workers who Atwoli represents are up in arms over various issues affecting them.

"He should tell us that he wants to put the billion to subsidize incomes of workers who are crying over Affordable Housing and SHA deductions."

He said that they were re-engineering the politics of the country so that they no longer revolve around money.

"We are a different generation of leaders and we are going to do this politics differently. I would rather be indebted to 10 million Kenyans because they gave me ten shillings each than to one person who gave me 1 billion shillings." He added.

Additionally, Sifuna claimed that the genesis of corruption is when a candidate is financed by one individual who ends up calling the shots once the candidate wins. On the flipside, according to him, if Kenyans finance you, you are indebted to deliver for them.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka is also on record saying that Sifuna does not have the financial muscle to hold campaigns, claims which Sifuna also dismissed.

"They are saying we don't have money, but people of Ol Kalou have shown that money will not help. We will just do campaigns the same way we have been doing. We have a paybill on our website; people are contributing." Sifuna said.

The Linda Mwananchi leader made a rallying call to Kenyans to send home politicians financed by cartels.

"I'm requesting Kenyans to free our politics from this dirty money," he said. 

Additional reporting by Jacob Ochiro