By Joan Cheruiyot
The Linda Mwananchi movement has launched a series of county meetings across Western Kenya aimed at popularizing the 2027 presidential bid for Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna.
Speaking during a meeting in Bungoma, former Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof. Charles Ngome said the movement would continue holding forums across the region, including Busia, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Kakamega counties to strengthen support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
Prof. Ngome said the Western region should serve as a strong political base for Sifuna, assuring him that while he continues engaging Kenyans across the country, his support base at home remains firm.
“We want Western Kenya to be a stronghold for Sifuna. As he travels across the country, he should know that his home base is solid and fully behind him,” he said.
He noted that leaders from different parts of the Western region had come together because they take pride in seeing one of their own rise to national leadership.
Busia County Linda Mwananchi Coordinator Patroba Odhiambo described the current political moment as “the Sifuna moment,” arguing that leadership naturally emerges through public acceptance rather than imposition.
According to Odhiambo, Sifuna has demonstrated readiness to compete on the national stage and engage other presidential hopefuls. He praised Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and other regional leaders for laying the groundwork that has enabled Sifuna’s growing popularity across Western Kenya.
“We believe the groundwork has already been done. The region is now ready to rally behind Sifuna as a leader who can represent the interests of Western Kenya and the country at large,” Odhiambo said.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of voter registration, saying they would return to their respective counties to encourage more people to register as voters ahead of the next general election.
They argued that increased voter registration would strengthen the region’s influence in national politics and help consolidate support for Sifuna’s political agenda.
During the meeting, several speakers called for unity among leaders from the Western region, urging them to focus on development and avoid divisive politics. They said the region would benefit more from speaking with one voice on matters affecting its people.
Women’s leaders also took the opportunity to praise Sifuna for consistently speaking on issues affecting mothers and children, particularly challenges in the healthcare sector.
Mama Rosalinda Simiyu Atwoli commended the senator for highlighting concerns about maternal healthcare, including overcrowding in maternity wards and the high number of newborn and maternal deaths.
She said many women had embraced Sifuna because of what they view as his integrity and willingness to address issues affecting ordinary citizens.
“We support him because of his integrity and his commitment to speaking about the challenges facing mothers and families. We believe he has the qualities needed to provide leadership for the country,” she said.
The Bungoma meeting is part of a wider campaign by the Linda Mwananchi movement to build grassroots support for Sifuna’s potential 2027 presidential bid across the Western Kenya region.
