The Linda Mwananchi opposition movement is facing an internal disagreement over the political party that should be used to contest the 2027 General Election.
The disagreement has mainly involved Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at the centre of the debate.
Babu Owino has backed the Mwananchi Party as the vehicle for Linda Mwananchi. He says he had already secured a political party before the movement was formed and has proposed that different parties could retain their identities while working together under a coalition.
Natembeya, however, has pushed for the Ukombozi People’s Party to be used as the political vehicle for Sifuna’s presidential bid. He has maintained that Ukombozi should remain central to the movement’s plans.
The disagreement follows Linda Mwananchi’s major Nairobi rally on September 13, where Sifuna, Babu Owino, James Orengo and other opposition leaders appeared together.
The dispute over the political vehicle has since become more public, raising questions about how the movement will organise itself ahead of the 2027 election.
Babu has nevertheless maintained that he supports Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, saying his disagreement is mainly about the structure and political vehicle of the movement.
Meanwhile, other leaders have called for the differences to be resolved and for the movement to remain united as it prepares for the next General Election.
