Cherargei Claims Bungoma Linda Mwananchi Rally Photos Were AI-Generated in Fresh Political Attack
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has accused the Linda Mwananchi movement of using AI-generated images to exaggerate the size and impact of its Bungoma rally, reigniting a bitter political dispute over the opposition-linked movement’s growing influence in Western Kenya.
Cherargei made the explosive claim on Sunday, July 26, shortly after Linda Mwananchi leaders held a major political rally at the Posta Grounds in Bungoma.
In a post on X, the senator questioned the authenticity of photographs circulating from the event and alleged that the images were intended to portray the movement as more successful than it actually was.
“The purported photos emanating from the Bungoma rally by the Linda/Shinda Mwananchi are AI-generated,” Cherargei wrote.
He further alleged that the images were being used to demonstrate political value to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“That’s how desperate they are to prove to Uhuru that they have used his money correctly and have political value,” he claimed.
Cherargei did not provide technical evidence, an independent digital analysis or other publicly available proof to substantiate his allegation that the photographs were generated using artificial intelligence.
Cherargei reignites funding allegations
The senator also turned his attention to the movement’s fundraising activities, claiming that public contributions were being used to conceal alleged financial backing from wealthy political figures.
“The sponsor must be made happy; that’s why they are fundraising publicly to try and run away from the fact that they are being funded,” Cherargei alleged.
He went further by claiming that members of the movement had allegedly collected money from Uhuru Kenyatta at Wilson Airport’s private wing.
Cherargei offered no evidence publicly supporting the allegation.
The funding of Linda Mwananchi has nevertheless emerged as a growing political talking point, with Kenya Kwanza politicians repeatedly questioning how the movement finances rallies and other activities.
The movement and its allies have rejected allegations of secret financing from Uhuru.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has instead maintained that Linda Mwananchi receives support from ordinary Kenyans and has promoted public fundraising initiatives, including contributions through a paybill number.
Linda Mwananchi draws crowds in Bungoma
Cherargei’s comments came after Linda Mwananchi concluded its Western Kenya tour with a high-profile gathering in Bungoma.
The rally brought together Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and other political allies, who addressed supporters at the Posta Grounds.
The leaders used the occasion to launch fresh attacks on President William Ruto’s administration while also criticising the direction taken by ODM’s current leadership following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The movement’s Western Kenya tour had taken leaders through several locations in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma, including Kitale, Kiminini, Kamukuywa, Kimilili and Chwele.
Videos circulated from the tour showed crowds lining roads as the convoy travelled through different towns before reaching Bungoma.
The scale of the gatherings has now become a political battleground, with Cherargei repeatedly challenging the authenticity of images and claims surrounding Linda Mwananchi events.
Not the first AI accusation
Sunday’s allegation was not the first time Cherargei has questioned the authenticity of images associated with the movement.
In April, the senator similarly claimed that photographs from a Linda Mwananchi event in Kisumu had been generated using AI.
He has also repeatedly questioned the size of crowds attending opposition-linked events while linking the movement to allegations of financial support from Uhuru Kenyatta.
The latest remarks therefore add another layer to an increasingly bitter political confrontation between Kenya Kwanza politicians and the emerging Linda Mwananchi camp.
Sifuna signals a new political direction
The Bungoma rally also exposed growing tensions within the wider opposition political landscape.
Addressing supporters, Sifuna asked ODM members to give him room to pursue what he described as a different political path.
The Nairobi senator said he had remained loyal to Raila Odinga and had honoured his commitment not to destroy the party.
Orengo, meanwhile, argued that ODM had lost part of its original identity after leaders began turning against Sifuna.
Natembeya also urged voters in Nyanza not to move closer to President Ruto’s political camp.
The remarks come against the backdrop of major changes within ODM following Raila Odinga’s death, including Sifuna’s removal as the party’s secretary-general.
A new political fault line?
The dispute over Bungoma rally photographs is therefore about more than social-media images.
It has become part of a wider political battle over who commands the opposition space following Raila’s death — and whether Linda Mwananchi can translate the crowds seen during its Western Kenya tour into a serious political force ahead of the 2027 General Election.
For Cherargei and other Kenya Kwanza allies, the movement’s growing visibility has prompted questions over its financing, organisation and political backing.
For Sifuna, Orengo, Natembeya and their allies, however, the rallies are being presented as evidence of grassroots political momentum.
The latest clash over the Bungoma photographs is unlikely to end the argument.
Instead, it could intensify the emerging political war over Linda Mwananchi’s true strength — and who is really behind the movement.
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