Herman Manyora: ‘Sifuna Is a Spirit’ and Kenya Kwanza May Struggle to Contain His Rise
Political analyst Herman Manyora has warned that Kenya Kwanza leaders could find it increasingly difficult to contain the growing political influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, comparing his emerging profile to that of the late opposition heavyweight Raila Odinga.
Manyora made the remarks during an interview with NTV, where he argued that Sifuna’s political appeal is becoming increasingly difficult for his opponents to predict, define or suppress.
In a striking description of the senator’s political rise, Manyora said Sifuna had become something akin to a “spirit” — a political force that cannot easily be contained.
“How do you deal with a spirit? Sifuna is now becoming like Raila,” Manyora said.
He went further, describing the Nairobi senator as “formless” and “shapeless” in political terms, arguing that this makes it harder for established political forces to develop a straightforward strategy for countering him.
“But Sifuna is formless, he is shapeless, he is a spirit,” Manyora added.
Manyora draws comparison with Natembeya
Manyora contrasted Sifuna’s trajectory with that of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, whose growing influence in Western Kenya has previously brought him into competition with established regional political figures.
According to Manyora, Natembeya’s political momentum was eventually checked by experienced leaders who understood how to respond to his growing influence.
He cited the Malava parliamentary by-election as an example, pointing to the involvement of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
“The Malava by-election showed that. Wetang’ula, Oparanya and Mudavadi were watching him and were able to manage him,” Manyora said.
The Malava contest became an important political test in Western Kenya. UDA’s David Ndakwa defeated DAP-K’s Seth Panyako in the November 2025 by-election, with Ndakwa securing 21,564 votes against Panyako’s 20,210. A subsequent court challenge to the result was dismissed by the Kakamega High Court in May 2026.
Manyora’s argument, however, is that Sifuna may present a different challenge because of his political style, growing visibility and ability to attract attention beyond his Nairobi political base.
Sifuna takes political message to Western Kenya
The remarks come as Sifuna has intensified his political engagements in Western Kenya, where he has recently addressed large gatherings and held grassroots meetings as the country increasingly looks towards the 2027 General Election.
The senator has not formally declared a presidential bid, but his recent political activities have fuelled speculation about his ambitions and the possibility of a wider political role.
During a roadside rally in Kiminini on Sunday, Sifuna urged supporters in Western Kenya to remain firmly behind his political journey.
“I do not want to turn around and find you are not behind me. Remain behind me as I move forward,” Sifuna told supporters.
His message appeared to reinforce the perception that his political ambitions extend beyond Nairobi, even as he has stopped short of publicly announcing a presidential campaign.
‘Our momentum will go to the very end’
Sifuna has also pushed back against attempts by Kenya Kwanza figures to dismiss the opposition’s growing grassroots activities.
He rejected the suggestion that the momentum surrounding the Linda Mwananchi Movement would quickly disappear.
“Our momentum is not like a newspaper fire that dies out fast as some have said. We will go to the very end,” Sifuna said.
The remark came after Mudavadi dismissed the opposition movement during a public engagement in Vihiga County on July 25.
Mudavadi compared the movement’s political momentum to a “newspaper fire” — something that burns intensely for a short period before quickly going out.
The exchange has added a sharper edge to the emerging political contest in Western Kenya, where established leaders and newer political figures are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
A new political battle for Western Kenya?
Western Kenya remains a strategically important political region, and recent contests have highlighted competing attempts to build influence among voters ahead of 2027.
The Malava by-election demonstrated the strength of the established Kenya Kwanza political machinery, while Natembeya’s opposition alliance and Sifuna’s recent grassroots mobilisation have kept the question of political realignment alive.
For Sifuna, the challenge will now be whether the enthusiasm witnessed at rallies can be translated into a durable political organisation capable of extending beyond Western Kenya.
For Kenya Kwanza, meanwhile, the emergence of another high-profile opposition voice could complicate efforts to maintain political dominance in a region where established leaders have traditionally played a major role in determining electoral alignments.
Sifuna has expressed confidence that the opposition can defeat President William Ruto in 2027, arguing that Kenyans are ready for political change.
Manyora’s “spirit” description therefore captures a broader question now hanging over Kenya’s political landscape: is Sifuna merely enjoying a temporary surge in popularity, or is a new political force beginning to take shape ahead of 2027?
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