Linda Mwananchi has endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, as the political movement steps up efforts to establish itself as a major opposition vehicle against President William Ruto.
The movement has also backed Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for Nairobi governor and resolved to target parliamentary and ward seats currently associated with the ODM faction in the capital.
The resolutions were announced following a mobilisation tour of Nairobi that culminated in a rally at Jacaranda Grounds on Sunday.
Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Monday, Linda Mwananchi deputy spokesperson and Advocate of the High Court Titus Makhanu said the endorsement of Sifuna was confirmed after supporters at Jacaranda were asked who they wanted to lead the movement into the 2027 elections.
He said the declaration was later confirmed by the movement's official spokesperson, Caroli Omondi.
“Our presidential candidate was confirmed yesterday after Senator Sifuna asked the crowd who they wanted to lead them into the 2027 General Election. The crowd responded in unison, declaring Edwin Sifuna as their preferred presidential candidate.”
Makhanu maintained that the movement had also resolved to contest all Nairobi parliamentary and MCA positions previously held by the ODM faction.
“We did also make another resolution that all the seats that previously belonged to the two-factor ODM, all the MP seats in Nairobi, as well as MCA positions that previously belonged to the two-factor ODM, will now go to Linda Mwananchi.”
The movement further endorsed Babu Owino as its preferred candidate for Nairobi governor.
“We did also confirm that our governor for Nairobi in 2027 is Babu Owino. That was also confirmed and ratified.”
The latest resolutions come as Linda Mwananchi expands its political activities beyond Nairobi, with the movement seeking to transform its grassroots mobilisation into a national electoral machine.
Linda Mwananchi describes itself as a people-led movement focused on protecting citizens, defending democracy and mobilising Kenyans across all 47 counties. Its official platform says the movement is not a political party, although its leadership has previously indicated that it could adopt a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 elections.
The movement has gained prominence under Sifuna as opposition politics enters a period of realignment following his fallout with ODM. In July, Sifuna signalled that he was looking for a new political vehicle to propel his presidential ambitions after being removed as ODM Secretary-General and losing his Senate leadership position.
Linda Mwananchi has since attracted politicians and personalities from different political backgrounds, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Babu Owino and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo. The movement has also conducted mobilisation tours in different parts of the country as it seeks to build a national support base.
Sifuna had previously said the movement would only make a final decision on a presidential candidate after nationwide consultations. The latest endorsement therefore marks a significant step in the movement's evolution towards the 2027 contest.
At the Jacaranda rally, Sifuna and other leaders intensified their criticism of President Ruto, with the senator accusing the President of failing Kenyans and promising to challenge his bid for a second term.
Makhanu, however, said Sifuna's endorsement would not prevent other aspirants from seeking the movement's presidential ticket.
He cited the movement's internal democracy in explaining why politicians such as Siaya Governor James Orengo could still seek consideration.
“People have already taken the projection that our presidential candidate is Edwin Sifuna. But that does not mean that we shut out anyone else who wishes also to fly that flag. That is the internal democracy that we enjoy in Linda Mwananchi.”
The Nairobi resolutions give Linda Mwananchi an immediate electoral target while its national mobilisation continues.
With Sifuna now enjoying strong grassroots backing within the movement, Linda Mwananchi is positioning itself for a wider contest against Ruto in 2027, while seeking to consolidate Nairobi as one of its key political bases.