Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed remarks by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi questioning whether newly formed political parties can successfully compete for the country’s top leadership position, saying it is possible to build a national movement and win the support of Kenyans within a short period.
Speaking during a church service in Nairobi, Sifuna said the Linda Mwananchi movement is seeking to challenge traditional approaches to politics by demonstrating that leadership can be achieved by prioritising the interests of ordinary Kenyans.
“There are people telling us that it is impossible to create a new political party, impossible to travel across the whole country, and impossible to win the hearts of Kenyans within less than ten months and have them give us the leadership of Kenya,” Sifuna said.
The senator, who was accompanied by Linda Mwananchi leaders, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, said the movement wants to prove that political success does not necessarily depend on age, financial resources or years spent in politics.
“This is because people have become accustomed to Kenyan politics being done in a certain way, that you must follow a particular path, be of a certain age, and have a certain amount of money,” he said.
Sifuna added the movement is aiming to demonstrate in the 2027 General Election that protecting the interests of the people can earn politicians public support.
“There is a miracle we want to achieve in 2027: to prove that it is possible, if you protect the interests of the people and the people protect you in return,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sifuna expressed confidence in the movement’s ambitions, saying its leaders will rely on faith as they pursue their political goals.
“There are difficult challenges ahead, but with the guidance of Almighty God, we must succeed,” he said.
His remarks come after Mudavadi cautioned politicians seeking the country’s top leadership position against assuming that newly established political parties can quickly build the structures and support needed to compete nationally.