KANU spokesperson, Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant and veteran journalist Tony Gachoka says Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is emerging as a significant political force in Western Kenya, arguing that his growing popularity could reshape the region's political calculations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation on Monday, Gachoka said Sifuna's increasing visibility across Western Kenya was evidence of a politician building momentum beyond Nairobi, where he has served as senator since 2022.
Gachoka pointed to Sifuna's recent political tours and rallies in the region, particularly in Kakamega, Busia, Trans Nzoia and Bungoma, as evidence of his growing appeal.
"From the evidence I have seen of looking at Sifuna traveling and traversing the country, you can see the energy in Western Kenya. I think it was Fred Gumo who said this is a spirit, because Sifuna has hit the road hard, and there have been other presidential candidates before who have tried. Musalia Mudavadi ran for president and did not go, or did not excite Western province to the extent that you see."
Sifuna has in recent months intensified his mobilisation under the Linda Mwananchi movement as he positions himself for a possible presidential run in 2027.
On July 26, he addressed a major rally in Bungoma during a political tour of Trans Nzoia and Bungoma, before travelling to Busia and Kakamega in August. During a rally in Bungoma, he asked supporters to allow him to seek a new political vehicle to carry his presidential ambitions.
His political relationship with the Orange Democratic Movement has also changed significantly.
Sifuna was removed as ODM Secretary-General in June 2026, with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties subsequently recognising the changes to the party's leadership.
He has since been pursuing his political activities outside the ODM structure, while building support around the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The veteran journalist Gachoka maintained that Sifuna's reception in Western Kenya distinguished him from previous attempts by politicians to establish themselves as regional leaders.
"Just by looking at the empirical evidence as journalists, we can be able to see that Sifuna is a phenomenon. He hits the trail and he ignites Kakamega, which is the center of Luhya politics. He ignites Busia, he ignites Trans Nzoia, and of course his homeland of Bungoma."
The region represents a substantial electoral bloc.
In the 2022 General Election, Kakamega had about 844,551 registered voters, Bungoma 646,598, Busia 416,756 and Vihiga 310,043. The four counties therefore accounted for more than 2.2 million registered voters.
Trans Nzoia adds another sizeable electorate, with about 399,000 registered voters in 2022. The five counties therefore provide a substantial pool of votes for any presidential candidate seeking to establish a foothold in Western Kenya.
The 2022 presidential results also demonstrate why the region is strategically important. Raila Odinga secured 357,665 votes in Kakamega against William Ruto's 140,450, while Bungoma went in the opposite direction, with Ruto securing 255,907 votes against Odinga's 145,240.
In Busia, Odinga won 226,317 votes compared with Ruto's 48,827. Trans Nzoia was more competitive, with Odinga receiving 132,404 votes against Ruto's 116,732.
Gachoka believes Sifuna's influence is not confined to his Luhya base. He argues that his political experience and established support in Nairobi give him an additional platform from which to pursue a national campaign.
"And so there is no doubt in my mind that Sifuna has arrived at the right moment and has measured up to the challenge. He is not only capable of motivating the Luhya community, but he also has a significant political base in Nairobi, where he has served as senator. That gives him influence both in Western Kenya and in Nairobi."
Sifuna's Nairobi base is backed by his strong 2022 electoral performance. He won the Nairobi senatorial election with 716,876 votes, according to IEBC results, securing a substantial margin over his closest challenger.
"Edwin Sifuna was elected by over 700,000 votes, and he has got a footprint in Nairobi," Gachoka maintained.
Sifuna's recent Western Kenya campaign has also involved efforts to build alliances with influential regional politicians. During his August tour of Kakamega, he was accompanied by leaders including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
The mobilisation comes as other political camps also seek to consolidate Western Kenya. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula have been leading efforts to secure the region for President William Ruto's re-election campaign, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive contest.
Gachoka argues that Sifuna's ability to generate enthusiasm across the region could make him an important player in the opposition's search for a candidate capable of building a broad national coalition.
For now, however, the critical question is whether the enthusiasm witnessed at Sifuna's rallies can translate into a coordinated voting bloc in 2027.
With the election still ahead, Sifuna faces the challenge of converting his growing visibility in Western Kenya and his established Nairobi base into support beyond the region.
His recent political activity suggests that he is attempting to do exactly that, as he seeks to transform his profile from a Nairobi-based national politician into a presidential contender with a broader grassroots footprint.