Linda Mwananchi steps up Sifuna mobilisation in Kilifi and Kwale

The Linda Mwananchi political movement associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is gaining support in the Coast region, with Kilifi and Kwale counties emerging as key mobilisation centres.

Supporters and political aspirants in the two counties say they are organising grassroots campaigns to popularise Sifuna’s presidential ambitions ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

Speaking during an aspirants’ meeting in Vitengeni, Ganze Sub-County, Kilifi County, the group, led by Kilifi gubernatorial aspirant Karisa Fagio and his Kwale counterpart Rashid Ali, criticised President William Ruto’s administration over alleged human rights violations and corruption.

Fagio accused the government of presiding over widespread corruption, claiming that public resources were being lost through graft involving the President’s allies.

He said Linda Mwananchi supporters were backing Sifuna because of what they described as his commitment to constitutionalism, fairness and the protection of citizens’ rights.

“We are Linda Mwananchi supporters and aspirants, and we’re fully behind the sixth President Edwin Sifuna for standing firm to protect constitutionalism in the country and fairness to all. We are going to mobilise communities across the Coast region so that we change the country’s leadership,” he said.

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Ali said the response to Sifuna’s recent political tour of Kwale had encouraged supporters to intensify efforts to popularise the movement and mobilise resources for its activities.

He argued that residents were increasingly dissatisfied with the current administration and were looking for alternative leadership.

“We had a very successful political and mobilisation tour of Kwale County when Sifuna visited, and the support and response we got gave us the strength to mobilise resources and spearhead popularisation of our party and our party leader Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions,” he said.

“Coastal residents are tired with the way President William Ruto is running the country and they desire change, and that change is Sifuna,” he added.

Kwale senatorial aspirant Omar Khamisi also backed Sifuna, citing his position during the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill.

Khamisi said Sifuna had earned the support of young people by speaking out during the demonstrations, which culminated in President Ruto declining to assent to the Finance Bill 2024.

He accused the government of failing to address cases of abductions and killings involving young people, saying a change in leadership was necessary.

“The President is calling our party leader and his successor Sifuna as Mr Empty without understanding that he carries the aspirations and dreams of the young people of this country,” Khamisi said.

“The President has overseen young people being abducted and killed in cold blood by his regime, and he has done nothing to stop the vice. That is why we want him out so that we can no longer lose lives under his rule,” he added.

The supporters said they intended to expand their mobilisation across the Coast region as they seek to build support for Sifuna ahead of the next General Election.