The battle for Linda Mwananchi may no longer be about who will fly the movement’s flag, but who will control the political machinery carrying Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
As the countdown to the 2027 General Election gathers pace, the political vehicle to be used by Linda Mwananchi is emerging as a major point of contention, with competing parties positioning themselves around Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders within the movement.
Sifuna has not publicly declared a party of his own, but Ukombozi People’s Party has increasingly been linked to his presidential ambitions, with Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya backing the outfit as a possible vehicle for Sifuna. At the same time, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has unveiled The Mwananchi Party as his political vehicle, saying Sifuna would lead Ukombozi while he leads Mwananchi, with the two parties working together through a coalition.
The development has placed the political architecture of Linda Mwananchi under renewed scrutiny, with questions emerging over whether the movement will eventually settle on one party or operate through several political vehicles.
Babu’s Mwananchi Party is linked to the rebranding of Muungano Party, which had been associated with former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana. Recent reports indicate that members of the Linda Mwananchi team were aware of the registration process, although disagreements have emerged over how the party should fit into the movement’s wider political strategy.
Meanwhile, other political parties have continued to orbit the movement, with leaders such as former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi associated with separate political formations.
Despite the competing party interests, leaders within Linda Mwananchi have maintained that the ultimate objective is to unite behind a single presidential candidate. Babu has also insisted that his support for Sifuna remains intact, dismissing suggestions that the disagreement over political parties represents a breakdown between the two leaders.
The dispute over the movement’s political identity has intensified after attempts to formally register the Linda Mwananchi name encountered hurdles with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. The proposed political identity remains a key issue as the movement seeks to establish a formal structure ahead of the 2027 election.
For now, the political vehicles are multiplying around Linda Mwananchi, even as its leaders insist that they remain united around one presidential project. The emerging contest could therefore become less about the name printed on the ballot and more about who controls the machinery, structures and party networks surrounding Sifuna’s presidential bid.
